Chapter 1314: Cold-Blooded

Inside the secret chamber, Niu Youdao sat cross-legged, idly playing with a bracelet in his hand.

After turning it over for a while, he leaned sideways and half-reclined, holding it up in one hand and studying it closely.

Yun Ji reminded him, "There's something inside the bracelet."

"I know." Niu Youdao kept staring at it. "No word about what it is?"

"No accompanying letter from Guo Man. You saw the report yourself. It only said she handed the item over in great haste, and afterward she was seen being seized by Xiaoyue Pavilion."

Niu Youdao said, "It happened just as trouble broke out around Xuan Wei, and Xuan Wei died there. This bracelet is obviously a woman's, and look at the workmanship. It's clearly no ordinary object. It even bears motifs associated with Wei's imperial clan. There's a good chance what I'm holding is a personal effect Xuan Wei wore while she was alive."

"Guo Man handed it off in a hurry, and Xiaoyue Pavilion then seized her. This may very well be something Xiaoyue Pavilion is trying to find."

Yun Ji nodded. "Now that you put it that way, it's quite possible."

Niu Youdao turned the bracelet in his hand. "One of Xuan Wei's possessions suddenly ends up in my hands. She may have worn this thing for years. Somehow it feels a little strange."

Yun Ji said, "The reason it reached you at all is because you laid the groundwork in advance. Your reach really is long. You even planted someone beside the Ghost Doctor's disciple."

It was only after she took over Yuan Gang's intelligence work that Yun Ji learned the truth.

Wuxin had been under Niu Youdao's eye from the moment he first emerged into the world. Guo Man, the only trusted female attendant at Wuxin's side, was actually one of Niu Youdao's people. Yan Baoru had only come later.

Only after taking over Yuan Gang's work had Yun Ji realized that every movement Wuxin made was under this man's observation. What Wuxin was going to do, what he might do, even what he merely wanted to do—if the slightest sign appeared, word could reach this side ahead of time.

A few days earlier, Yun Ji had seen a message from Guo Man saying that Wuxin had unexpectedly asked whether she knew where the fake Niu Youdao had gone.

Only then had Yun Ji learned how Niu Youdao had faked his death inside the Sacred Realm. He had used Wuxin's skill at altering appearances.

Niu Youdao's reply had instructed Guo Man to say that once news of Niu Youdao's death spread, the Maolu Annex had killed the impostor.

He had also reassured Guo Man that nothing should come of it. Both the real and the fake were now "dead," and the matter touched the Sacred Realm. There were some things Wuxin would not dare pursue too deeply.

But one point had been emphasized.

If Wuxin let the matter drop, then so be it. If he showed any intention of investigating further, Guo Man was to report it immediately.

If necessary, Wuxin was to be eliminated.

Only then had Yun Ji understood that Wuxin's life had effectively been in this man's hands all along.

"Nothing more than preparing for rain before it falls."

Niu Youdao rolled upright, put both feet on the floor, and rose.

He walked to the table and sat down. Applying spiritual power with both hands, he examined the bracelet carefully.

Before long, he found the mechanism.

He twisted it open, removed one section, and drew a tiny roll of silk from inside.

When he shook the thin silk open, he found it densely covered with names and locations in tiny writing.

He studied the relationships between the names and their assigned locations, along with the contact methods recorded beside them, and soon understood.

"This should be the backbone roster of Mist Bureau agents hidden in various places. The Mist Bureau must have far more people than are listed here... If Xuan Wei hid these names this carefully, then controlling these people should mean controlling the Mist Bureau's entire intelligence network."

Yun Ji shook her head with feeling. "And once again, something falls into your hands. What do you plan to do with it?"

Niu Youdao said, "I don't dare use these people directly. Who knows whether Xiaoyue Pavilion has infiltrated some of the agents on this list? We can't take that risk."

"If anyone uses it, it should be His Highness. We shouldn't control the network directly ourselves."

"But that also depends on what happens with Guo Man. She's in Xiaoyue Pavilion's hands now. If she can't hold out and admits that she belongs to Maolu Villa, then this list can simply be handed directly to His Highness."

"If she doesn't confess, that means her position is still secure. She can continue hiding at Wuxin's side. In that case, it would be better to make a copy and give it to Jia Wuqun. Let Jia Wuqun operate the network and coordinate with us from the shadows. Maolu Villa should keep its distance."

"Whatever happens, Guo Man has earned merit. She's worked hard for all these years as well. We still have to find a way to protect her life."

Yun Ji asked, "You're worried Xiaoyue Pavilion will harm her?"

"By rights, with Xuan Wei dead, if Xiaoyue Pavilion is looking for this thing, the first mouth they'll try to pry open should be Ximen Qingkong's. With that man's stubborn temperament, I doubt he'll talk. The more he refuses, the more Xiaoyue Pavilion will suspect he knows where the item is."

"Until Ximen Qingkong talks, Guo Man, Wuxin, and the others should all be safe. Judging from the Ghost Doctor's history, he shouldn't simply ignore his disciple's predicament."

"The problem is that I don't know exactly what happened at the time. I don't know why the bracelet ended up in Guo Man's hands either. Did they seize Guo Man because they already know she took this important object?"

"But that doesn't quite make sense. If they knew, Guo Man should never have been able to leave that residence. Yet she was still able to run openly through the streets, which suggests she knew Xiaoyue Pavilion had not yet realized she had taken something important."

"And if Xiaoyue Pavilion already knew who had the thing, then with Xuan Wei dead, why leave Ximen Qingkong alive as a future threat? Are they really planning to give him a chance to avenge her? Ximen Qingkong is still alive, so the situation doesn't quite add up."

"Never mind that for now. Guo Man has rendered service. She's put in both merit and hard work over the years. I'm going to preserve her life."

"Have Hongniang notify reliable people in the Qi capital. They are to approach Xiaoyue Pavilion directly in Hai Ruyue's name and demand the release of Wuxin and Guo Man. Threaten Xiaoyue Pavilion. If they refuse, Jinzhou will stir Yan into opening hostilities against Qin. First frighten Yucang enough that he doesn't dare act recklessly."

Yun Ji stared at him. "In Hai Ruyue's name?"

Niu Youdao said, "Hai Ruyue has the proper standing. Wuxin saved both her and her son's lives. If the demand comes in her name, then rescuing Wuxin and his attendant is entirely natural."

"Shouldn't we discuss this with Hai Ruyue first?"

"There's no time. That old bastard Yucang dared go straight in and seize people. It seems the Ghost Doctor's reputation may not be enough to intimidate him. If we delay, Guo Man's life could be in danger. The most important thing is to make Yucang afraid to act rashly as quickly as possible. We can slowly discuss it with Hai Ruyue afterward."

Yun Ji said, "Discuss it how? Hai Ruyue is bound to wonder why Nanzhou suddenly wants to protect Wuxin and even help her earn a favor."

"Easy. Have His Highness say he wants to use the opportunity to befriend the Ghost Doctor or Wuxin. The Commandery Princess has that problem with her face, doesn't she? Everyone knows His Highness worries about his sister. It's perfectly reasonable."

Yun Ji was speechless.

What kind of man was this? One scheme flowed straight into another.

Still, she asked, "What if Guo Man has already confessed and Yucang already knows the item is in Nanzhou's hands?"

Niu Youdao laughed. "What are you worrying about? So what if he knows it's in Nanzhou? So what if Nanzhou has it? Why is Yucang the only one allowed to obtain it while Nanzhou isn't?"

"Yucang may dare bully the Ghost Doctor, but does he dare provoke Nanzhou right now? The moment Nanzhou adopts the posture of preparing to attack, he'll have to come running obediently to ask for peace."

"Stop worrying about that. Guo Man's situation is urgent. Go have Hongniang handle it immediately."

Yun Ji turned and left.

Niu Youdao looked down at the item that had just fallen into his hands.

Xuan Wei's death had moved him as well. In some respects, he had genuinely admired the woman. He had never expected her life to end in such a fashion.

For the moment, he had lost the mood to cultivate.

He left the secret chamber and climbed to the upper pavilion, looking out into the distance to clear his mind.

Before long, he saw Guan Fangyi and Yun Ji returning together.

Niu Youdao guessed they had something to discuss with him. He glanced around, then turned and went back inside first.

After entering, Yun Ji told him, "Hongniang has already arranged it."

Guan Fangyi tossed a letter to Niu Youdao. "A letter from Tongueless Jia. Wei Duo has started making trouble. He's asking what you want done."

"Wei Duo is making trouble?" Niu Youdao was surprised.

Guan Fangyi shook her head. "He says Ximen Qingkong did him a kindness. After hearing that Ximen Qingkong was in danger, he begged Tongueless Jia to help save him. He even knelt in front of the man and cried, leaving Jia Wuqun in a difficult position."

"Jia Wuqun's view is that it doesn't make much sense for him to mobilize Song's power to rescue Ximen Qingkong. He doesn't seem inclined to do it, but he also can't figure out Wei Duo's relationship with our side."

Niu Youdao took the letter and read it. That was indeed what it said.

He frowned, then tossed the letter onto the table. "This reminds me of something. I told Zhao Xiongge to keep an eye on Monkey, but I don't know whether he's actually doing it."

"Contact Zhao Xiongge immediately. Tell him that news concerning Ximen Qingkong must be kept from Monkey. Do not let Monkey hear about it. Otherwise, Heaven knows what he'll do."

Yun Ji glanced at him.

Guan Fangyi froze.

If he did not want to save Ximen Qingkong himself, that was one thing. But now he even wanted to stop others from saving him?

Niu Youdao understood the look in her eyes.

He rose, opened the window, and stood with his hands behind his back, looking outside. Anyone beyond could see him there, which should have made Guan Fangyi cautious about what she said.

But Guan Fangyi still came over.

She stayed partly concealed beside the window and asked, "Do you have some grudge against Ximen Qingkong?"

"No."

"Then why are you so eager for him to die?"

"I'm not eager for anything. What, have you taken a fancy to him?"

"Don't start. But now that you mention it, men with that kind of devotion are rare. I really do admire him. They're almost extinct. Would it hurt to leave one or two of the species alive? Can't you treat him as a curiosity worth preserving?"

Niu Youdao said, "You call that devotion? I call it muddled stupidity without the faintest idea what he's doing. And what do you mean, you admire him? I think you just want to satisfy some woman's fantasy of yours."

"Enough. Stop pestering me. I have no way to save him."

Guan Fangyi said, "He ended up in this state because of Xuan Wei. He's miserable enough already. What do you mean, you have no way? You moved quickly enough to save Guo Man. If you decide to act, I don't believe you can't find a way. What's wrong with saving him while you're at it?"

"Guo Man is one of mine. Of course I'm going to save her. Ximen Qingkong... why should I save him?"

That answer immediately set Guan Fangyi off.

If Niu Youdao had not said he wanted Yuan Gang kept in the dark, she might not have thought so much about it. But now she truly felt uncomfortable.

She did not want the man she followed to be that kind of person.

"Then do it for my sake. Can't you?"

Niu Youdao was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

"Hongniang, he's already a dead man. Yucang will never let him go, because Yucang knows perfectly well that once Ximen Qingkong is released, Xuan Wei's death will drive him to fight Yucang to the death."

"Who could give Yucang a guarantee that Ximen Qingkong won't come after him? Who? You? Me?"

"Like I just said, even if we save him now, he'll still go throw his life away afterward. The man is already finished. He won't survive. He isn't worth paying any price, taking any risk, or creating fresh complications for. Do you understand?"

Guan Fangyi fell silent.

She admitted his reasoning made sense.

But she still could not help staring at him.

There were times when this man's rationality truly was cold-blooded.

[End of Chapter 1314]