Chapter 1218: Jia Wuqun Has Arrived in the Jin Capital!

Xuan Wei immediately asked, "Who is he?"

Ximen Qingkong replied, "I don't know. We only tested strength briefly and never truly fought, so I couldn't probe the full depth of his ability. I don't know how strong he is in actual combat either, but his cultivation is definitely above mine. Someone with that level of cultivation should not be an unknown figure. He has disguised his appearance and did not show his true face."

"Disguised..." Xuan Wei slowly nodded. "Then he probably doesn't want to be recognized. He may indeed be someone with a name."

Just then, Tang Yi entered the tent, worry showing plainly on her face.

Ximen Qingkong and Xuan Wei both turned toward her. They knew what she was worried about and why she had come.

Jia Wuqun had forcefully demanded Wei Duo. Wei was in no position to offend him, but everyone also knew Wei Duo's identity. He was the chief disciple of the Shangqing Sect's former Sect Leader and the senior martial brother of its present Sect Leader, Tang Yi. Whether or not Jia Wuqun actually meant to retaliate against Wei Duo, making a man of that standing run errands and perform menial chores for him would already leave the Shangqing Sect badly humiliated.

A troubled look appeared on Xuan Wei's face as well...

The negotiations between the Song envoy and Jin Lingzan were eventually reported back to Xuan Wei. There were matters Jin Lingzan simply could not decide on his own.

The Song envoy had also learned why Jia Wuqun wanted Wei Duo. Wei Duo had actually called Jia Wuqun a mute to his face. And Jia Wuqun had already made his position public, so the Song envoy had no choice but to treat the matter seriously. He went so far as to threaten Jin Lingzan: if Wei refused to hand over the man, then Song would be very sorry, but its support for Wei would have to be withdrawn.

With Wei's survival hanging by a thread, what could Xuan Wei do? She could only ask Tang Yi to consider it.

Once Wei's three great sects learned the situation, they were even less polite. They went straight to the Shangqing Sect and declared that its man had been discourteous first, openly calling someone a mute, so the sect should hand Wei Duo over and give the other side an explanation.

They completely ignored the fact that Jia Wuqun had been wandering through a military camp without permission and that Wei Duo had merely stopped him while performing his duty.

Once the Shangqing Sect understood what had happened, indignation naturally spread among its members. But sometimes the world was simply like this: whoever had the bigger fist possessed the stronger argument. Who, here, could the Shangqing Sect afford to offend? It could not offend Wei's three great sects, and it could not offend Song either.

"Even if Wei Duo was discourteous, he was only carrying out his duty. If we hand him over like this, what face will the Shangqing Sect ever have left? We absolutely cannot surrender him!"

Several senior members of the Shangqing Sect had gathered inside a tent to discuss the pressure bearing down on them. Elder Tang Susu spoke with fierce indignation.

She did not actually like Wei Duo very much. She disliked his attitude toward the change in the Shangqing Sect's leadership. But one matter was one matter, another was another, and her temper had always been strong.

Elder Luo Yuangong said thoughtfully, "Elder Tang, naturally none of us wants to hand him over. But the problem is that the three great sects are pressing us relentlessly. We have to face the situation and find some way to resolve it."

Tang Susu said, "If even that Tongueless Jia can force this side into such a state, then Wei really is mud that can't hold up a wall. Nothing worthwhile can come of staying here. Rather than remain and suffer humiliation, we may as well leave early."

Luo Yuangong replied, "Easy for you to say. Do you think the three great sects will simply let us go?"

Tang Susu pointed at Tang Yi. "Didn't Chuan Ying give the Sect Leader a token from the Ice and Snow Pavilion? As long as the Sect Leader shows that token, I'd like to see who dares make things difficult for us!"

"That would be inappropriate!" Elder Su Po, who had remained silent until now, suddenly raised a hand. "Chuan Ying gave the Sect Leader that token only for emergencies, and his attitude was very clear. Even he did not dare rashly involve himself in this kind of struggle. If the Sect Leader brings out the token over a matter like this, won't that put Chuan Ying in a difficult position?"

"If the Shangqing Sect cannot restrain itself from taking out that token whenever something unpleasant happens, I'm afraid it won't be long before the Ice and Snow Pavilion takes it back. If Wei truly loses and we try to withdraw, only to encounter people blocking our escape, then displaying it at a genuinely critical moment to frighten off those with malicious intentions would be reasonable. Using it recklessly over this matter would not."

Tang Susu asked, "Then you mean we should hand him over?"

Su Po said, "I do have an idea. I simply don't know whether it is appropriate."

Luo Yuangong gave an "Oh." "Let's hear it."

Su Po lowered his voice. "Looking at the current situation, I'm afraid Wei cannot be saved."

Luo Yuangong and Tang Susu exchanged glances, uncertain where he was going with this.

Tang Yi immediately said, "There are no outsiders here. Elder Su, if you have some insight, speak plainly."

"Jin has always excelled at manufacturing weapons and armor, and its people are fierce and accustomed to war. Now it has broken into Wei's granaries and obtained enormous stores of provisions. That is like adding wings to a tiger. It has also mobilized the entire nation for war, with great numbers of troops continuously streaming toward the battlefield. Forget Wei; I fear even Qi will eventually be dragged into mortal danger."

"If Wei falls and Qi is also swallowed by warfare, where will the Shangqing Sect go?"

"Who exactly is Jia Wuqun? We do not know much. But we can infer something from Xuan Wei's attitude, and even more from the respectful manner of Song's envoy. This 'Hidden Chancellor' may truly possess extraordinary influence in Song."

"In my view, sending Wei Duo to serve beside Jia Wuqun first may not be a bad thing. If enduring humiliation for the greater burden can win Jia Wuqun's assistance, then should this place become impossible for us to remain in, perhaps Song could still provide the Shangqing Sect with somewhere to stand."

At those words, everyone in the tent fell silent.

After a long while, Tang Yi hesitated. "Jia Wuqun's attitude when he demanded Senior Brother Wei Duo was very clear. It was all because Senior Brother had offended him. I'm afraid he intends to mistreat him."

Su Po said, "What does it mean to endure humiliation for the greater burden? Even mistreatment must be endured! If he succeeds, he will have rendered the Shangqing Sect a great service. The sect will never treat him unfairly afterward. In the future, one seat among the Shangqing Sect's elders will certainly belong to him."

"Once the Shangqing Sect has secured a road of retreat, everyone will understand the Sect Leader's painstaking intentions. No one will think an act forced by temporary circumstances was shameful. They will only praise the Sect Leader's wisdom."

Silence descended again.

After some time, Luo Yuangong said with difficulty, "Junior Brother's idea is feasible. But if we're asking Wei Duo to go suffer on behalf of the sect, how do we even say such a thing to him?"

Su Po said, "I'll speak to him. Wei Duo is loyal and righteous. He will not care about personal gain or loss. He will certainly agree."

Tang Susu looked from one person to another. Since the sect's survival was at stake, even she no longer had anything more to say.

In the end, the senior leadership of the Shangqing Sect tacitly accepted Su Po's proposal.

Su Po came forward to handle it. He called Wei Duo and left the great camp with him. Tu Han, one-eyed and lame, followed the two with his uneven gait. They went far enough that no one else was around before stopping.

Su Po turned to face Wei Duo and did not waste words. "Wei Duo, the sect has agreed."

Wei Duo looked puzzled. "Elder, why can't the Sect Leader and the others know about this?"

Su Po said, "I don't understand it either, but your Martial Uncle Zhao must have a reason for arranging matters this way. Besides, you know the relationship between your Martial Uncle Zhao and the sect. He was expelled as a traitor. If the truth were exposed, too many internal complications would surface."

"Elder Tang's family died tragically because of your Martial Uncle Zhao. Your Martial Uncle Zhao is also entangled with the Demonic Sect. With all the rights and wrongs involved, you can imagine how difficult matters would become."

"It is only because your Martial Uncle Zhao specifically chose you that some things have to be explained to you. So you should understand this as well: although your Martial Uncle Zhao was expelled from the sect, he has always cared about the Shangqing Sect."

"The last time the Shangqing Sect was forced to abandon its ancestral seat and relocate, nearly being annihilated in the process, it was your Martial Uncle Zhao who stepped forward to save us. Now the Shangqing Sect faces another crisis, and once again it is your Martial Uncle Zhao who has brought us this connection to Jia Wuqun. If the situation becomes impossible to salvage, our road of retreat may lie in Song."

"I don't know why your Martial Uncle Zhao wants you to follow Jia Wuqun either. It may bring danger and risk upon you. But you must understand this: a man willing to shoulder responsibility may face hardship and danger, yet only such a man is given opportunities."

"Your Martial Uncle Zhao chose no one else. He chose you. That means he thinks highly of you and is giving you an opportunity. If this succeeds, you will have rendered great service to the sect's survival. In a sense, I think your Martial Uncle Zhao is trying to give you a hand. Perhaps it is on account of your master."

Wei Duo's expression dimmed. "Whether I earn merit does not matter. As long as the Shangqing Sect can be preserved, this disciple will go through fire and boiling water and will not refuse even ten thousand deaths!"

Su Po gave a slight wave of his hand. "Whether you care about the merit is irrelevant. Your Martial Uncle Zhao must have a reason for arranging it this way. Even if only for the Shangqing Sect, you must complete the task he has entrusted to you properly."

Wei Duo nodded hard. "This disciple understands. Elder, don't worry. Running errands and doing chores is nothing!"

"Good!" Su Po said with genuine approval, raising a hand to pat his shoulder.

The truth was that Su Po had no idea what Zhao Xiongge meant by arranging matters this way. Zhao Xiongge had only contacted this side and told them it was to secure a road of retreat for the Shangqing Sect in Song.

In fact, Zhao Xiongge himself did not know why Maolu Villa had suddenly brought Jia Wuqun into the matter.

Zhao Xiongge still did not know Niu Youdao was alive. His communications with Niu Youdao had always passed through Yuan Gang. After news of Niu Youdao's death spread, Zhao Xiongge had no idea Yuan Gang was still acting on Niu Youdao's behalf.

Even so, Maolu Villa had somehow drawn Jia Wuqun into the picture and was trying to secure a retreat for the Shangqing Sect. Zhao Xiongge had been both delighted and surprised. He truly had not expected Maolu Villa's people to continue thinking of the Shangqing Sect even after Niu Youdao's death.

With this, one of Zhao Xiongge's greatest worries was resolved. He did not particularly care who was used. As for why Wei Duo had been chosen, he assumed perhaps it was because Wei Duo had previously had contact with people from Maolu Villa.

What he did not know was that every part of this had been arranged by Niu Youdao through Yuan Gang.

Having someone from the Shangqing Sect serve as Jia Wuqun's attendant was meant to lay the groundwork for the sect to withdraw naturally into Song later. Niu Youdao was quietly resolving the crisis the Shangqing Sect would face afterward and preparing a proper road of retreat for it.

Whether Zhao Xiongge or Niu Youdao, both men were castoffs of the Shangqing Sect. On the surface, neither wished to have anything more to do with it. Yet whenever the Shangqing Sect truly encountered trouble, neither had ever abandoned it.

As for using Wei Duo, Niu Youdao genuinely did want to give him an opportunity.

It was not Zhao Xiongge who wanted to give Wei Duo a hand. It was Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao ordinarily said nothing of such things. But who could know everything that man kept in his heart?

Wei Duo agreed, and the Shangqing Sect also relented. After that, everything proceeded naturally.

Wei Duo left with a bundle on his back, following silently behind Jia Wuqun. Tang Yi and the others who came to see him off either pressed their lips tightly together or held their faces rigid.

A flying mount skimmed low over the ground, then climbed into the sky with three people aboard.

"Little Sister..." Xuan Wei walked to Tang Yi's side to comfort her.

...

Jia Wuqun had arrived in the Jin capital.

A flying mount descended from the sky and landed at the roadside pavilion ten li outside the city, a place used for welcoming arrivals and seeing travelers off.

Mai Deman, Song's envoy stationed in the Jin capital, had been waiting for some time. He had already received a letter from Song's envoy with Wei giving Jia Wuqun's approximate arrival time, so he had led people out in advance to receive him.

Strictly speaking, Jia Wuqun held no official post and possessed no rank, so such a reception was unnecessary.

But everyone knew why he was being treated with such deference.

[End of Chapter 1218]