Chapter 874: Into Danger

Pang Teng gave a grunt of acknowledgement and had Luo Da'an brought back in.

With the three Sect Leaders present, Pang Teng and Luo Da'an agreed on the precise method by which Niu Youdao would approach.

Since Niu Youdao wanted the matter kept secret, and to avoid any misunderstanding, they settled in advance which direction and stretch of airspace he would use when flying in.

Both states were at war. Each side had deployed many large flying birds for reconnaissance and aerial security. Without prior permission, even Niu Youdao would have difficulty approaching Zhao's lines from the air.

Everything therefore had to be coordinated beforehand.

Once the details were confirmed, the black hood was placed over Luo Da'an's head again and he was escorted away.

After Zhao secretly sent him back to the front line, they gave him a fast horse.

Luo Da'an hurried back. At a tent prepared in advance, he changed out of his disguise before appearing openly and going straight to the central command tent, where he reported everything to Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming.

After confirming Zhao's reply, Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming went directly to Niu Youdao's tent and had Luo Da'an repeat every detail to him.

Niu Youdao asked several questions about minor particulars.

With that, the operation was completely settled.

The time for action was close.

Both Shang Chaozong and Meng Shanming tried once more to persuade Niu Youdao to reconsider, but his attitude remained firm. No one could talk him out of it.

After the others left, Niu Youdao called for brush, ink, paper, and inkstone.

He wrote a letter and handed it to Guan Fangyi.

"After I leave, give this to His Highness."

"What can't you say to his face?" Guan Fangyi ignored him, opened the letter on the spot, and read it first.

She would have been better off not looking.

The moment she finished, her eyes reddened again.

When she looked back, Niu Youdao and Yun Ji were already disguising themselves.

After changing his appearance, Niu Youdao turned and gave Guan Fangyi, who stood staring blankly at them, a faint smile.

Then he nodded to Yun Ji, indicating they could go.

Yun Ji moved close beside him.

Spiritual power began to fluctuate.

The earth beneath their feet churned and flowed, slowly swallowing both of them underground.

A short while later, the disturbed soil settled until the ground looked almost unchanged.

Guan Fangyi listened as the faint rustling beneath the earth receded and gradually disappeared.

She lifted her head and drew a long breath.

Then she turned, left the tent, and went to the central command tent, where she handed Niu Youdao's letter to Shang Chaozong.

The letter told Shang Chaozong that if Niu Youdao failed to return this time, he must not allow himself to be burdened by any concerns.

He should immediately seek to preserve himself and submit to Yan's three great sects.

He was not to concern himself with the people or affairs of Maolu Villa. Those people would find their own path forward.

Niu Youdao also told him that arrangements had already been made on his behalf.

If Niu Youdao did not return, someone in the capital would contact Shang Chaozong.

That person would cooperate with him in dealing with whatever trouble followed, and together they would plan for what came afterward and preserve the people of Nanzhou's faction.

The letter said it was inconvenient to explain the details.

When the other party contacted Shang Chaozong, he would naturally understand.

At the end were four words:

Burn after reading.

He had already prepared for the possibility that he would never return.

This letter was arranging his affairs after death.

Shang Chaozong slowly closed his eyes without speaking.

Then he passed the letter to Meng Shanming beside him.

After reading it, Meng Shanming was deeply moved.

He let out a long sigh.

"His righteousness reaches the very clouds!"

...

"Sect Leader, Shang Chaozong is mobilizing the army. He has issued orders to the frontline generals to prepare for an attack!"

The moment Gong Lince heard the disciple's report, he rushed from his tent.

Standing on a slope and looking out, he saw troops and horses moving urgently everywhere.

With activity on such a scale, there was no way to conceal it from the relevant parties.

Long Xiu and Meng Xuan soon appeared as well.

Mr. Yucang, who had remained here to see how the hostage crisis would be resolved, hurried over too.

When the group reached the central command tent together, they found Shang Chaozong putting on his armor.

Long Xiu asked heavily, "Your Highness, the army is suddenly mobilizing. What are you trying to do?"

Shang Chaozong lifted his helmet and placed it on his head.

"Naturally, prepare to attack the enemy!"

"Attack now?" Long Xiu sounded doubtful. "Didn't we agree to continue negotiations? If Your Highness launches an attack this rashly, aren't you afraid the enemy will harm the Commandery Princess and the young prince?"

Shang Chaozong replied, "There is nothing left to discuss. I will not withdraw the army. The outcome was decided long ago. In the end, the enemy will still move against Qing'er and the child."

"Since that is so, we might as well prepare now, wait for an opening, launch the attack first, and avenge this blood debt!"

At those words, Long Xiu and the others were extremely satisfied.

Meng Xuan nodded.

"Your Highness can endure such pain and still place the greater situation first. Truly admirable! Rest assured, Your Highness. We will cooperate with everything we have and help you avenge this hatred!"

Long Xiu nodded as well.

"Exactly."

The group left the tent and mounted their horses one after another.

Hooves thundered through the camp as orders rang out and generals were summoned.

Before long, the army had assembled under its commanders and begun pressing toward the enemy.

...

In a forest, Old Six Xu had long been waiting at the appointed place with a large flying bird.

The moment Niu Youdao and Yun Ji arrived, the three mounted the bird and took to the sky.

"Afraid?" Niu Youdao suddenly asked.

He asked because he worried that nervousness might cause her to make a mistake and ruin the operation.

"Me?" Yun Ji echoed.

Then she sighed.

"I have nothing to fear. Even if I can't beat them, I'm alone. Whatever happens, escaping won't be a problem. If I want to leave, they can't stop me."

"If I'm afraid of anything, I'm afraid something will happen to you."

"Are you afraid?"

"Me?" Niu Youdao smiled. "I'm used to it."

Old Six Xu guided the bird in a wide detour.

As they approached Zhao's position, he followed the route Pang Teng's side had arranged.

Sure enough, they encountered no obstruction.

The men on Zhao's patrolling flying birds saw them using the agreed corridor and simply let them pass.

Once they reached the air above the central command camp, Niu Youdao and Yun Ji leapt down together.

They dropped headfirst toward the great tent below, wind roaring past them.

The flying bird beat its wings.

Old Six Xu rolled it sharply to one side and quickly withdrew from the area.

Two figures landed one after another.

At once, a group of cultivators surrounded them with hostile eyes.

Pang Teng appeared from the central command tent, flanked by a large number of experts from Zhao's three great sects.

Niu Youdao swept his gaze around, then reached up and tore the false face from his own.

Yun Ji did the same, revealing her true appearance.

Zuo Chengfeng immediately turned toward the disciples behind him.

"Who is this woman?"

Among the disciples were some who had seen her before.

One quickly stepped forward.

"The former Mountain Lord of Duyun Mountain, the serpent demon Yun Ji!"

"Everyone, we meet again." Niu Youdao smiled and cupped his hands toward the crowd.

Mi Man said, "Niu Youdao, your nerve truly isn't small. You actually dared come with only one person."

"I'm here to negotiate, not to fight and kill. What would I bring so many people for?" Niu Youdao replied. "Besides, bringing more people would be inconvenient and make it easier for word to leak. I came secretly this time because there are certain matters I don't want Yan's three great sects to know."

Pang Teng and the three Sect Leaders exchanged looks.

Their expressions said the same thing.

Just as expected.

He truly had come to bypass Yan's three great sects.

Zuo Chengfeng said, "I heard that wherever you go, you always keep that Red Lady from the Qi capital at your side. Why did you switch women today?"

Niu Youdao remained perfectly calm.

"Same reason. There are certain matters I don't want Yan's three great sects to know. If Red Lady continues showing herself over there, she can cover my absence. If both she and I vanish from sight for too long, it will arouse suspicion."

Again, the explanation was entirely reasonable.

Yun Ji could not help glancing at him.

Even with danger pressing in on every side, this man truly remained unflustered and handled every question smoothly.

Pang Teng and the others thought it over and found the logic sound.

Niu Youdao had indeed been extremely cautious about this trip.

Jiang Wanlou gave a cold laugh and deliberately mocked him.

"You really can't live without women, can you? Especially women past their prime."

Niu Youdao replied, "Women are more attentive than men. Experienced women are even better at noticing something wrong and reminding you in time."

"Sect Leader Jiang shouldn't let his imagination run wild. I am, after all, a proper gentleman, perfectly capable of sitting with a beauty in my lap without being stirred."

"Heh." Jiang Wanlou smiled without warmth.

At that moment, a large flying bird suddenly dived from the sky.

As it swept over the camp, a cultivator leapt down.

Landing, he cupped his hands toward Pang Teng.

"Grand Commander-in-Chief, our aerial scouts have observed unusual movement on the enemy side. The enemy's troops are assembling and advancing toward our position!"

Everyone was startled.

Pang Teng pointed at Niu Youdao and shouted, "Niu Youdao, what is the meaning of this?"

"It means nothing more than guarding against an accident on my side!" Niu Youdao answered forcefully. "If something happens to me here, the Yan army will attack immediately. So long as none of you act recklessly, the Yan army will naturally remain restrained as well."

Even with that explanation, Pang Teng had no intention of taking chances.

He ordered his subordinates to send word to the frontline forces and prepare for battle.

Jiang Wanlou wore a mocking expression as he strolled closer with his hands behind his back.

"If we truly intend to act against you, the Yan army attacking won't save you."

"That's not how it works. I won't sit here and wait to die either!"

As Niu Youdao spoke, his fingers flipped.

A Heavenly Sword Talisman appeared openly in his hand.

He warned them, "If I die, I'll drag someone down with me!"

Yun Ji was almost speechless.

He was supposedly planning to use Heavenly Sword Talismans as cover, yet he had actually shown one before the fighting even started.

Jiang Wanlou, who had been strolling forward with perfect composure, suddenly stiffened.

His footsteps stopped as well.

He no longer dared approach casually.

For a moment, he had left himself in a rather awkward position.

Zhao's three great sects remembered Niu Youdao's Heavenly Sword Talismans all too well.

Their three presiding Elders at Tiangu had died at his hands.

How could the memory not be vivid?

Seeing him produce another Heavenly Sword Talisman, the crowd went on alert.

The veteran experts of all three sects quickly stepped forward to guard against him.

Pang Teng was immediately pulled backward and shielded.

If the battle had not even begun and their supreme commander was killed first, that would become an enormous joke.

No one should assume Niu Youdao would not dare.

Once driven too far, this was a man who had dared attack inside Tiangu itself.

Jiang Wanlou changed direction.

Instead of continuing toward Niu Youdao, he paced from side to side at a safer distance.

"Niu Youdao, a Heavenly Sword Talisman won't frighten anyone here. Use it and all we'll hear is a loud noise. But the consequence of using it..."

He smiled coldly.

"I guarantee you'll die miserably."

"I'm here to negotiate," Niu Youdao replied. "But from Sect Leader Jiang's strange tone, it sounds as though you're determined to put me in my place first. Is this supposed to be everyone's sincerity?"

"Fine!" Jiang Wanlou abruptly stopped talking and took the chance to turn back.

He put more distance between himself and Niu Youdao.

If that Heavenly Sword Talisman was activated, the extra distance would at least give him more time and room to react.

Once back in his original position, Jiang Wanlou turned and asked, "How do you want to negotiate?"

Niu Youdao said, "The condition we agreed on yesterday. That dog paw. Sect Leader Jiang hasn't forgotten already, has he?"

How could anyone have forgotten so quickly?

The others exchanged looks.

Jiang Wanlou's face turned cold.

"Niu Youdao, don't refuse the face you've been given!"

"Cut the nonsense," Niu Youdao said. "Give it to me or not? Make it simple."

Jiang Wanlou raised a hand and pointed at him furiously.

"Don't try acting overbearing with me. I think you truly are tired of living!"

Niu Youdao replied, "I dared come here because I already prepared myself for the possibility that I won't return!"

[End of Chapter 874]