Chapter 1533: Time Is Not on My Side

In a secret chamber beneath the princely residence in Nanzhou Prefectural Capital, Shang Chaozong, Meng Shanming, and Lan Ruoting once again came to meet Niu Youdao.

A great war now seemed unavoidable. Troops and supplies had to be put in place, but the supreme commander also needed to be personally present at the front.

That was why Shang Chaozong had come. He and Meng Shanming intended to go to the front lines themselves and take direct command.

There had been considerable resistance to the idea within the Yan court. Whether out of genuine concern or a desire to display loyalty, the court officials all felt that, given Shang Chaozong's status as Regent, it was inappropriate for him to personally go to the battlefield. If anything happened to him, all of Yan could be thrown into turmoil.

Their view was that having Meng Shanming go as supreme commander should be enough.

According to Niu Youdao's own rule, unless absolutely necessary, he would not interfere in matters of this kind and would let Shang Chaozong make his own decisions. But this was no small issue. Shang Chaozong's visit therefore carried the flavor of seeking approval, and he also wanted to know whether Niu Youdao had any other opinion.

After listening, Niu Youdao was silent for a moment. "The court officials' view isn't entirely without reason. A state as large as Yan does need someone holding down the rear. Wouldn't it work for Marshal Meng to go as supreme commander?"

He did not believe Meng Shanming's battlefield command would be inferior to Shang Chaozong's. If anything, it would be stronger.

Meng Shanming spoke with a faint sigh. "Master Dao, Meng Shanming is old. My energy is no longer what it was. I often grow drowsy and nod off. Once a war begins, there will be nights upon nights without sleep. I'm afraid I can no longer manage that. This old man may wish to shoulder the burden, but the body no longer obeys the heart. Battlefield conditions change from one moment to the next, and I also fear delaying important decisions. It may be more suitable for me to remain beside His Highness and assist him. Besides, the armies of Yan are made up of forces drawn from many different factions. If someone else were put in command, it would be difficult to make them respond like an arm to its fingers. From the standpoint of the war itself, His Highness personally assuming command is indeed the best choice."

Niu Youdao had not paid much attention before, but now his gaze settled on Meng Shanming's face.

Only then did he realize that the old marshal had aged considerably over the years. His hair was almost entirely gray. His eyes still retained some spirit, but the force they gave off felt sustained by sheer will. His vitality was truly far below what it had once been.

After thinking in silence, Niu Youdao asked, "So the two of you have already discussed this and reached a decision?"

Shang Chaozong said, "Yes. If the war at the front does not go smoothly, then no matter how firmly I sit in the rear, the country will still descend into disorder. Only success at the front can steady people's hearts. After discussing it, we both agreed that the fighting at the front must come first. It is most appropriate for me to be there personally. If I remain in the rear and direct the war from a distance, the delay in responding to military intelligence will be harmful."

Niu Youdao said, "So long as there is no problem within Yan itself, handle it as you see fit."

Shang Chaozong replied, "With Mister Lan and Gao Jiancheng at court, and Shang Yongzhong helping rally support, there should not be any problem."

Niu Youdao knew very well that the decisive victory or defeat did not lie with these men, but between himself and the Three Sacred Venerables. Even so, these people were currently his greatest cover. He could not stop them from making the preparations they should make.

At last he said slowly, "If you yourselves believe there is no problem, then act freely. You don't need to worry about my side. Still, the court officials' concerns are not unreasonable. Jin must also understand that if anything happens to Your Highness, Yan will fall into internal chaos. They may spare no cost to target Your Highness personally. You have to guard against that."

Shang Chaozong said, "We'll be cautious. The Three Great Sects will assign a large number of people to cooperate."

Niu Youdao said, "Take Hongniang with you."

"Hongniang?" Shang Chaozong and the other two looked puzzled.

As chance would have it, the moment Guan Fangyi was mentioned, she arrived in a hurry. She went straight to Niu Youdao, bent down, and whispered into his ear, "Master Dao, Zhuge Chi is back. He's injured."

A sharp light instantly flashed in Niu Youdao's eyes. He rose at once and picked up the previous conversation with the three men. "Your Highness, Hongniang is presently the public-facing person in charge of Maolu Villa. It is perfectly natural for her to accompany you. More importantly, with Hongniang at Your Highness's side, she can guard against sudden attacks. Unless one of the Three Sacred Venerables acts personally, Hongniang should be able to keep Your Highness safe."

Guan Fangyi stared at him in astonishment, not understanding what he meant.

Shang Chaozong and the other two exchanged glances. They were clearly surprised, perhaps even doubtful about Guan Fangyi's strength. Niu Youdao made it sound almost as though, beneath the Three Sacred Venerables, no one could match her. Was that possible?

But if Master Dao said it, there had to be a reason.

More protection could only be a good thing. Shang Chaozong had no objection and nodded. "Good."

"You can decide the rest yourselves. I have something to deal with, so I won't keep you." Niu Youdao gave a slight nod and, without wasting another word, turned and left quickly. Yun Ji and Guan Fangyi immediately followed.

"Take care, Master Dao." Shang Chaozong and the other two cupped their hands to see him off.

They could all tell something urgent had happened on Niu Youdao's side. It was rare to see the normally unhurried Niu Youdao move with such haste.

Zhuge Chi sat in a chair, his complexion poor. The moment he saw Niu Youdao return, he braced both hands against the armrests and tried to rise.

Knowing he was badly injured, Niu Youdao immediately reached out and pressed him back down.

Guan Fangyi dragged another chair over and placed it behind Niu Youdao. He sat and asked Zhuge Chi, "How bad is it?"

Zhuge Chi's expression was grave. "Wu Chang acted personally. I wasn't his match. We exchanged no more than a dozen moves before he injured me and captured me alive. But just as you predicted, he didn't make things difficult for me. He released me and let me come back."

Zhuge Chi had taken an enormous risk by being the one to meet Zhao Ting. Their side already knew Wu Chang had grasped the situation. Doing anything under Wu Chang's very nose could hardly be without danger.

But Niu Youdao's judgment had been that, even if something happened, it would be alarming but not fatal. That was why he had dared let Zhuge Chi take the risk.

What Niu Youdao had not expected was for Wu Chang to act personally. That made him feel Wu Chang's urgency all the more sharply. He immediately asked, "Tell me exactly what happened."

"Zhao Ting sent word saying there was something important and asked to meet..." Zhuge Chi immediately recounted the details.

In truth, there was not much to tell. The entire sequence had been extremely simple. Wu Chang acted cleanly and decisively. He captured Zhuge Chi, said only a few things, then released him. The whole affair ended very quickly.

It showed both Wu Chang's urgency and the decisiveness with which he handled matters.

Listening from the side, Lü Wushuang gave a cold snort. "That demon clearly knows where our base is, yet he still puts on this act of exposing Zhao Ting's line just to cover himself. Ridiculous!"

By now everyone understood why Niu Youdao had deliberately preserved Zhao Ting's channel. It was there for Wu Chang to use as cover. Otherwise Wu Chang would have no way to contact this side without alerting the snake by striking the grass.

Niu Youdao rose and paced in thought. Suddenly he sighed. "So much for dragging this out another few months. Looks like Wu Chang truly can't hold out any longer. Time is not on my side!"

He turned toward the others. "It seems Wu Chang really does have a way to deal with Lan Daolin and Du Wuxu. I need to meet him personally and talk."

"You?" Guan Fangyi exclaimed.

The others were no less shocked. Lü Wushuang said heavily, "You're going to meet Wu Chang in person? That's too dangerous. No."

Niu Youdao said, "No matter who goes, it would be a risk. And it isn't as dangerous as you're imagining. If Wu Chang wanted to kill us, there would be no need for him to go to all this trouble. He truly cannot wait any longer. His greatest hidden threat and his main targets right now are Lan Daolin and Du Wuxu. In his eyes, all of us are already under his control and cannot escape his palm. There is no reason for him to strike at one individual and risk alerting everyone else. So you can relax. This trip will not be dangerous."

Lü Wushuang said, "I know Wu Chang better than you do. That man is capricious. There is nothing he might not do. You cannot go. If something happens to you, the different factions on our side may start distrusting one another and everything could fall apart. If someone else goes and something happens, at least the whole plan won't collapse. We've come too far to fail at the final step. You're the one steering this ship. For you to take this risk personally is unwise!"

Zhuge Chi slowly stood. "Let me go instead. I've already met him once. There would be nothing strange about my going again to communicate. If he wanted to kill me, there was no reason to wait until next time. Whatever needs to be done, you can entrust it to me."

He had personally experienced the previous encounter and now believed Niu Youdao's judgment. Niu Youdao had said the first trip would be dangerous but survivable, and that had proved exactly right. Now Niu Youdao said there would be no problem. Zhuge Chi felt there probably would not be one.

Niu Youdao waved a hand. "I'll go myself. It's decided."

Seeing his mind was made up, Lü Wushuang said nothing more. She turned and left.

Niu Youdao then looked at Guan Fangyi. "His Highness is going to the front. His current status concerns the whole State of Yan, and Jin may spare no cost to target him. Prepare yourself and go with him. Protect His Highness. Don't let anything happen to him or Marshal Meng."

Worry covered Guan Fangyi's face. "That's easy enough. But you going to meet Wu Chang yourself... Lü Wushuang is right. It really is too dangerous."

Niu Youdao said, "Enough. My mind is made up." He turned back to Zhuge Chi. "How are your injuries?"

Zhuge Chi said, "Not light, but not too severe either. Nothing serious. As for meeting Wu Chang, it is still more suitable for me to go. If someone else is exposed now, it may arouse Wu Chang's suspicion."

Niu Youdao said, "Even if I'm exposed, Wu Chang won't take me seriously."

Footsteps sounded outside the secret chamber. Yuan Gang arrived, with Lü Wushuang following behind him. Plainly, after failing to persuade Niu Youdao herself, she had gone to bring Yuan Gang.

Yuan Gang walked up to Niu Youdao and asked, "You have to go?"

Niu Youdao said, "I understand the situation best. I can make decisions on the spot, and I'm also in the best position to judge whether Wu Chang is telling the truth. No one is more suitable than me."

Yuan Gang said, "Fine. Then I'll go with you."

Lü Wushuang's eyes instantly widened. She had brought Yuan Gang here to persuade Niu Youdao, yet not only did Yuan Gang show no intention of stopping him, he wanted to go along and take the risk himself.

Niu Youdao said heavily, "Don't make trouble."

Yuan Gang said, "Didn't you just say there won't be any danger?"

"..."

Niu Youdao had no answer.

Yuan Gang continued, "If there won't be any danger, then I can go. Take Yun Ji as well. If something changes, my strength can hold Wu Chang off for a moment and buy Yun Ji enough time to get you away. Master Dao, nothing can happen to you. If you fall, no one will be left to control the larger situation. None of the rest of us will escape. Sooner or later, all of us will fall into Wu Chang's hands. Even if I personally fall into his hands, he won't be in a hurry to kill me. He'll want to know exactly what's going on between Lü Wushuang and me. You'll still have a chance to get me back out."

[End of Chapter 1533]