Chapter 1217: I'm Taking This Man!

Yuan Cong gave a curt "Mm," as sparing with words as ever.

After spending some time together, Jia Wuqun had also noticed that Yuan Cong was rather like a mute himself, rarely speaking unless necessary.

Niu Youdao cupped his hands in farewell. Yuan Cong flicked a hand, and a flying mount circling overhead dove toward them.

Catching Jia Wuqun by the arm, Yuan Cong gave him a light lift. The two rose together and landed on the flying mount's back, then soared away.

Niu Youdao tipped his head back and watched them go.

The carriage curtain was pushed aside. Guan Fangyi asked, "You're just letting him go off and contend with Shao Pingbo like this? Isn't that a little too hasty?"

Niu Youdao chuckled. "Can a golden-scaled fish be confined to a pond? Once wind and cloud gather, it soars into the sky. Troops are valued for quality, not quantity! The Crouching Dragon has emerged!"

Guan Fangyi's eyes flickered. She could hear the satisfaction in his laughter and see how much he expected of Jia Wuqun.

More than anything, however, she was curious. If Jia Wuqun truly possessed the ability Master Dao thought so highly of, how could such a man be so easily recruited? Yet even though she had been beside Niu Youdao the whole time, she still had no idea how it had happened. All she had seen was Niu Youdao hammer once here and strike once there, seemingly without rhyme or reason, and somehow Jia Wuqun had actually come running to do Master Dao's bidding.

Even now, she still could not understand why Jia Wuqun had agreed to serve.

Of course, that was also one of the things she admired about Niu Youdao. Whatever she might say aloud on ordinary days, there were many matters where they truly could not do without this man at the helm. Some things could be explained to you in full and you still would not know how to do them yourself. The gap in ability was there whether one admitted it or not.

Niu Youdao himself was indeed somewhat pleased. He had recruited many people over the years, but none had given him the same sense of accomplishment as bringing Jia Wuqun aboard.

Maolu Villa had reached its present state one step at a time, and he had gathered its people one group at a time.

There were the monks of Nanshan Temple, Black Peony's group, the entire Wuliang Mountain sect, the people of Fufang Garden, the three allied sects led by Liuxian Sect, the yao of Duyun Mountain, and more. There were plenty of people, but how many could truly be called exceptional talents?

There were things he would never say aloud, but he knew perfectly well that there were actually few real talents around him. Most were ordinary people suited to carrying out orders, not people capable of independently holding down an entire front. Maolu Villa's present position had been built because he knew how to use each of them and coordinate them from the center.

He asked nothing more of these people than loyalty and diligence in carrying out their work. The rest could not be forced.

If one insisted on naming someone with real ability, Yuan Gang was arguably one. As for someone like Yun Ji, her strengths were better suited to serving as a bodyguard.

Perhaps his standards were simply too high. But matters had reached a point where he could no longer show his face, which meant he had to find someone capable of independently taking charge. Yuan Gang, Guan Fangyi, and the others were reliable, but they simply did not possess that kind of ability. In storms like these, if he threw them out on their own, even they themselves would probably have no idea what to do.

...

Inside the command tent beneath Wei's royal standard, chief minister Jin Lingzan hurried in. The moment he saw Xuan Wei, he cupped his hands and reported, "Your Majesty, this subject has just received word. Jia Wuqun of Song has arrived."

The Sect Leaders of Wei's three great sects, who had been speaking with Xuan Wei, all turned to look.

Luo Yanzhen, Sect Leader of Dale Mountain, asked, "Which Jia Wuqun?"

Xuan Wei answered before Jin Lingzan could. "The Jia Wuqun from the Song Chancellor's residence?"

Jin Lingzan nodded. "Your Majesty is correct. It is precisely that Jia Wuqun."

Chang Linxian, Sect Leader of Lingxu Mansion, gave an "Oh." "The one who went to the Misty Pavilion spouting nonsense, had his tongue torn out, and became known as Tongueless Jia?"

Jin Lingzan smiled. "That's him."

The others exchanged glances. Xuan Wei asked curiously, "What has he come here for?"

"Your Majesty, he did not come to request an audience. According to what we've learned, he may merely be passing through. He has gone to the Song delegation for now."

Wei's capital had already been abandoned. The delegations of the various states had been forced to follow Wei's displaced court from place to place, which was hardly easy on them. Yet there was no helping it. Their duties demanded it, and with matters reaching this point, they had even more reason to watch Wei closely rather than withdraw.

As for whether the war might endanger their lives, the envoys themselves were not particularly worried. However fiercely two states fought, neither side would ordinarily slaughter another state's diplomatic mission.

Chang Linxian said, "He's nothing more than a house slave of the Zi Residence. Is he really worth Minister Jin rushing here personally to report?"

"He's no house slave," Jin Lingzan replied. "He's more akin to an honored retainer of the Zi Residence. Rumor calls him the 'Hidden Chancellor' behind Song Chancellor Zi Pingxiu. Zi Pingxiu's influence at the Song court is hardly small; the overthrow of the Mu imperial clan proves as much. And according to rumor, Jia Wuqun has considerable influence over Zi Pingxiu himself."

"Outsiders rarely get a chance to see this man. If we can persuade him to influence the Song court, sending Song troops all this way to reinforce Wei is impossible, but perhaps Song could send more cultivators to assist us."

"Besides, he has gone to the Song delegation now. It is entirely possible he came specifically to ask about the war. The attitude reflected in his report back may have some influence on Song."

Xuan Wei nodded. "I have heard the name 'Hidden Chancellor' before and paid attention to it. Unfortunately, he lives in deep seclusion and rarely appears, so very little is known about him. But anyone Zi Pingxiu has treated with courtesy for so many years cannot be simple. Since such a rare guest has come, I should personally pay him a visit."

The moment they heard he might be someone capable of helping Wei, the three Sect Leaders perked up as well. Wei was now like a drowning man on the verge of death; even a single straw drifting past was something they desperately wanted to seize. They immediately followed Xuan Wei to meet him.

Before they could reach him, however, a small misunderstanding had already erupted.

"Stop! Who are you?"

Jia Wuqun and Yuan Cong had been walking through the Wei military camp, looking around, when a Shangqing Sect disciple on duty suddenly blocked their path. The man was Wei Duo.

Neither of the two travelers answered. Wei Duo barked, "This is a military camp, not a place for strangers to wander around as they please. Answer me. Who are you?"

Jia Wuqun still said nothing.

At that moment, Xuan Wei and the others arrived nearby. Jin Lingzan was pointing out Jia Wuqun to them, indicating that he was the man in question.

From the corner of his eye, Yuan Cong noticed the approaching group and finally spoke. "Sir finds it inconvenient to speak."

Wei Duo snapped, "What do you mean, inconvenient to speak? Is he mute?"

Everyone accompanying Xuan Wei was startled. Jia Wuqun was, in fact, mute. Wei Duo had just struck directly at the man's sore point.

Tang Yi, who was with them, was even more alarmed. "Senior Brother, don't be rude!" She flashed forward and caught Wei Duo by the arm.

Wei Duo pointed at Jia Wuqun. "Sect Leader, this man is unfamiliar, wandering around everywhere, and refuses to answer questions. He may be a spy!"

"Do not be rude!" Xuan Wei called sharply as she approached. Once she reached them, she smiled and asked, "May I ask whether you are Mr. Jia Wuqun of Song?"

At that moment, members of the Song delegation, who had been alerted by the commotion, hurried over as well. Jia Wuqun had earlier said he wanted to look around on his own and had told them not to follow.

They had been too far away to know what had happened. Seeing Xuan Wei present, they rushed forward to make introductions.

Once Jia Wuqun learned that the woman before him was Wei's Empress, he cupped his hands in salute but still made no sound.

The Song envoy immediately explained, "Your Majesty, please forgive him. Mr. Jia has a physical condition and finds it inconvenient to speak."

Xuan Wei smiled. "I understand. This is hardly a suitable place for conversation. Mr. Jia, please come to the royal command tent so we may speak."

Jia Wuqun shook his head.

The people from Wei immediately found themselves in an awkward position. Communicating with him really was troublesome.

Jin Lingzan leaned toward the Song envoy and asked quietly, "How does Mr. Jia ordinarily communicate with people?"

To everyone's surprise, Jia Wuqun suddenly raised a hand and pointed at Wei Duo. Then he lowered his hand and traced characters against Yuan Cong's back.

Yuan Cong immediately looked at Wei Duo and said, "I happen to be short of someone to run errands and handle chores. Since fate has brought us together, you can follow me from now on."

Everyone froze. It was obvious that Yuan Cong was voicing Jia Wuqun's words.

So Jia Wuqun could communicate after all, yet he had not bothered to answer Xuan Wei. He plainly was not giving the Empress of Wei much regard.

Ximen Qingkong's face chilled.

Tang Yi was dumbfounded. What kind of joke was this? A disciple of the Shangqing Sect was supposed to become someone else's errand boy?

For a moment, no one knew what to say.

Jia Wuqun lightly patted Yuan Cong's shoulder. Yuan Cong stepped forward at once. "Come with me." Reaching Wei Duo, he extended a hand to seize him.

Another hand suddenly cut in from the side and blocked Yuan Cong's arm. It belonged to Ximen Qingkong.

He was already angered by the other party's discourtesy. More importantly, he had considerable friendship with Wei Duo. During their time in the Tiandu Secret Realm, the two had lived side by side for nearly an entire year. Even Wei Duo's stutter had been corrected under his guidance.

Jia Wuqun had singled Wei Duo out immediately after Wei Duo called him mute. If Wei Duo actually went with him, how could anything good possibly await him?

And now they intended to take Wei Duo away in front of Xuan Wei herself, showing utterly no regard for anyone present. Ximen Qingkong could hardly stand by and watch.

Their arms locked and strength surged between them. Yuan Cong swept a cold glance across Ximen Qingkong's face, while Ximen Qingkong stared straight back.

Someone had actually intervened by force. Jia Wuqun's gaze flickered. Niu Youdao had warned him not to expose Yuan Cong's strength unless necessary.

He had expected, at most, verbal objections. He had not anticipated someone physically stopping them. It was an unexpected complication, but there was a reason Niu Youdao had invited him out of seclusion. A minor matter like this hardly left him helpless. Jia Wuqun raised a hand and lightly clapped twice.

Yuan Cong gave his arm a sudden shake, knocking Ximen Qingkong's arm aside, then immediately stepped back.

Uncertainty flashed through Ximen Qingkong's eyes. He rapidly withdrew to Xuan Wei's side and assumed an obvious guarding posture.

The three Sect Leaders naturally noticed the exchange. Ximen Qingkong was an innately proud man. If a single brief contest could make him fall silent and react as though facing a formidable enemy, the cultivators present immediately realized that Jia Wuqun's retainer cultivator was no simple figure.

When Yuan Cong returned, Jia Wuqun again traced words across his back. Yuan Cong turned to the Song envoy. "I'm taking this man. You are responsible for negotiating with Wei. If you cannot get him for me, then don't bother returning to Song!"

Jia Wuqun lowered his hand, turned, and walked away with the air of a man untouched by the disturbance. Yuan Cong followed him.

"Yes!" The Song envoy cupped his hands in reluctant acknowledgment, his face full of embarrassment. He truly did not dare offend this "Hidden Chancellor." He could never have become Song's envoy without Zi Pingxiu's approval, which meant Zi Pingxiu held his future in Song directly in his hands.

Xuan Wei watched them leave, anger burning in her heart. When one's circumstances were weaker than another's, even a mute gentleman could refuse to take the sovereign of an entire state seriously.

But what could she do? Song was still providing Wei with some assistance precisely because it did not want Jin to grow unchecked.

Having lost face in public, Xuan Wei could only swallow the humiliation. She turned away in anger and left.

The Sect Leaders of Wei's three great sects were angry as well. Jia Wuqun's behavior equally showed that he did not take them seriously. Yet the same truth remained: the balance of power was against them, and this was no time to offend Song.

"Minister Jin!" The Song envoy approached Jin Lingzan with an ingratiating smile, plainly about to ask for a favor.

Jin Lingzan's face was rigid.

Back inside the command tent, Xuan Wei forced the anger from her expression and turned to Ximen Qingkong, who had followed her in. "Are you all right?"

They had been together for many years. She understood what kind of man Ximen Qingkong was. She too had seen something unusual in that brief exchange. One clash alone had been enough to make him rein in his usual pride.

"I'm fine," Ximen Qingkong said gravely. "But Jia Wuqun's retainer is no ordinary man. With my cultivation, I couldn't shake him in the slightest. He's dangerous. If we truly fought, I can't say who would win!"

[End of Chapter 1217]