Listening to Niu You Dao, Yuan Fang understood what was required of him. And though he nodded in agreement, fear gripped his heart. Wasn't this playing with his own life?!
In truth, Yuan Fang wanted to ask Niu You Dao, "Didn't you say we were going for cultivation resources?"
He had lived a reclusive life in the mountains for several years, only to suddenly fall into the mundane world where so much had happened. It was all so fast that he barely had time to react.
As soon as they settled everything between themselves, they informed a servant.
Immediately, a person arrived and led the two men away.
Along the way, Yuan Fang walked about, admiring the beautiful scenery. He had never seen such luxurious homes. Thinking of the common and impoverished people, he immediately understood why so many yearned to be rich and influential. The temptation was simply too great. Yuan Fang walked, muttering to himself, "Amitabha Buddha!"
Once they reached the hall, they met the mistress of the palace. Yuan Fang immediately adopted a stony expression, while Niu You Dao appeared quite polite.
Hai Ru Yue, in a beautiful dress, asked, gazing at Yuan Fang:
"Is this the experienced physician?"
Niu You Dao: "Precisely."
Hai Ru Yue: "May I know the experienced physician's name? And where does he hail from?"
Yuan Fang indifferently replied: "Hua Tuo. A simple villager."
Hai Ru Yue: "Oh, so it is Master Hua. Master Hua seems rather displeased? Have I offended you in some way?"
Niu You Dao: "To tell you a secret, Princess, we came here to bid our farewells."
Zhu Shun's eyes widened as he looked at the two.
Hai Ru Yue, narrowing her eyes, said:
"You must be jesting? I just caused a commotion at the envoy's residence for your sake and retrieved a person. And you, having not yet fulfilled your promise, already wish to depart? Do you think I, a widow, am so easily fooled?"
Niu You Dao: "Princess misunderstands. Master Hua traveled a great distance and nearly lost his life. Therefore, he does not wish to remain. He fears that his safety may be threatened here!"
Hai Ru Yue: "Nonsense. Master Hua can rest easy. I guarantee that no one here will lay a hand on him!"
Niu You Dao: "Princess does not know everything. Master Hua has his own rules. When he is not in the mood, it is best not to treat anyone! When someone offends him, his mood sours, and bad energy emanates from him!"
Hai Ru Yue scoffed: "I wonder how this situation can be remedied?"
Niu You Dao merely replied:
"Kindness is repaid with kindness, enmity with vengeance!"
Silence descended upon the hall. Hai Ru Yue stared intently at both of them and slowly said:
"How do you intend to seek vengeance?"
Niu You Dao: "There is no hatred without reason. Simply hand Song Lun over to Master Hua, and that will be all!"
"Hehe..." Hai Ru Yue chuckled, her gaze fixed on Niu You Dao:
"Why do I feel that these are not Master Hua's intentions, but rather that you simply wish to seize this opportunity to settle scores?"
"These are both Master Hua's intentions and mine. I won't hide it, Princess; you could say my intentions are Master Hua's intentions." Niu You Dao stated frankly, then added:
"Our dispute with the Song family truly cannot be resolved any longer. The Song family will not let me go. If that is the case, then I am forced to fight to the death. Princess, you yourself witnessed the Song family's disposition. No sooner had I arrived in Qingzhou than they began their assault. This means I can also retaliate. Therefore, I wish for the Princess to assist me!"
Hai Ru Yue said in a cold tone: "What benefit would this bring me?"
Niu You Dao: "It is merely compensation!"
Hai Ru Yue: "It seems Shang Chao Zong does not wish to cooperate?"
Niu You Dao: "If I lose my life, then what do your connections with the Prince have to do with me?"
Hai Ru Yue: "Your lives are in my hands, and yet you dare to bargain with me!?"
Niu You Dao: "Your son's life is also in our hands. Here, too, is no place for the Princess to bargain!"
Hai Ru Yue sneered: "What a joke. It seems you truly do not value life!"
Niu You Dao: "What if we are forced? There are two scenarios. You may kill us, which means failing to heal the one who needs it. Will the Princess dare to await her son's death? Or, you may fulfill the physician's wish, and then we will heal your son. Of course, everything is in your hands. I wonder which choice the Princess will make? I will remind you once more: apart from us and the Ice and Snow Palace, no one in the world can alleviate the Princess's concerns!"
Hai Ru Yue grew angry. She noticed that this fellow was quite audacious. He was openly bargaining based on his capabilities. However, there was sense in his words. Still, she irritably said:
"Do you truly believe I can trust you?"
Niu You Dao: "The Prince, knowing of your son's illness, sent us. You can understand the reason he sent us. And if we, standing before you now, cannot resolve your problem and put your mind at ease, then how could we leave here alive? Song Lun's life, though valuable, is not something I would trade my own for!"
Silence fell in the hall. Hai Ru Yue and Zhu Shun exchanged glances.
Finally, Zhu Shun said:
"The Princess cannot simply kill an envoy of the Yan Kingdom. It would, after all, affect relations between the two kingdoms. And the Yan Kingdom, in turn, might kill an envoy of the Zhao Kingdom. Although the Zhao Kingdom does not fear the Yan Kingdom, the consequences of a quarrel... The people who stand behind Qingzhou Province will not accept it!"
He meant that the sect or school backing Qingzhou would not agree to it.
Niu You Dao: "What if it is personal hatred? This does not concern the Yan Kingdom and Qingzhou. I merely wish for the Princess to create favorable conditions for me, an opportune moment. Then there will be no issues. The Princess will bear no responsibility and suffer no loss; in fact, she will even gain from it. Is that so bad?"
Hai Ru Yue had no desire to get involved in other people's affairs. She turned and walked away, thereby showing her stance.
Niu You Dao called out: "Princess, halt! We need a suitable pretext so that the Princess and the Prince are not suspected of involvement."
Hai Ru Yue stopped and, with her back to him, said:
"I can spread a rumor that you are my lover."
"A lover? Your lover?" As Niu You Dao came to his senses, he immediately felt sweat break out on his forehead. He immediately refused:
"I cannot, I truly cannot. This pretext is unsuitable."
Yuan Fang, standing nearby, shuddered. He himself was surprised.
Hai Ru Yue tilted her head and asked:
"What? Do you think a widow would tarnish your reputation?"
Niu You Dao hastily waved his hand:
"No, no. It is I who fear offending the Princess's reputation."
Hai Ru Yue slowly turned around and asked:
"And what is the Princess to you?"
"Uh..." Niu You Dao did not know what she meant by this:
"The Princess is undoubtedly a peerless beauty."
Hai Ru Yue: "Do you think I, sitting here, concern myself with reputation? Do not worry, what people say about me does not bother me."
Niu You Dao froze and refused again:
I arrived by the Prince's command. Perhaps it would be better to say that the Prince sent me to congratulate his aunt on her birthday. Both sides are close. And for the Prince, being in a weak position, it would be entirely logical to seek good connections.
In principle, Hai Ru Yue was indeed Shang Chao Zong's aunt.
Niu You Dao noticed that the Princess was a rather beautiful descendant of the Shang family. And they shared similar features with Chao Zong. Only Shu Qing was an exception among them.
"You should consult with Zhu Shun." Hai Ru Yue said finally, and left, her dress swaying.
Watching her leave, Niu You Dao then said:
"It would still be better to say that I arrived to congratulate his aunt."
He truly did not want such a reputation to follow him. How would he then face Chao Zong and Shu Qing? How could he commit such acts with their aunt?
"Very well!" Zhu Shun nodded.
Niu You Dao immediately cupped his hands and was about to take his leave, but Zhu Shun stopped him.
He reminded: "As for Song Lun's matter. It does not matter here. Be it common soldiers or cultivators, one cannot make demands without the knowledge of the people who stand behind us. And they will not agree to this, because the matter is troublesome. Secret assassination also won't work. If something happens to the envoy here, it will not benefit us. We cannot take responsibility for it. Therefore, no matter what, the Princess must not be implicated in such a thing. Otherwise, everyone is not an idiot and will understand who assisted you."
Hearing him, Niu You Dao immediately spoke slowly:
"Zhu Shun, what are you trying to say?"
Zhu Shun waved his hand and said again:
"I will now arrange for you to stay at the Liusu Courtyard. There, you may resolve your matters!"
Niu You Dao's expression darkened:
"He has so many powerful cultivators; how can I attack him?"
Zhu Shun: "We cannot assist you directly. However, there is a person in the Liusu Courtyard who might be able to help you. Whether he helps or not, that depends on you..."
Not long after, Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang were escorted out of the palace. Fang Zhe was also released.
After they were settled in the Liusu Courtyard, Niu You Dao immediately called upon an important guest.
At the Han residence. Inside the library, Zhuge Xiong was examining official documents by lamplight.
A servant approached with quick steps and reported:
"Excellency. There is a man named Niu You Dao outside. He wishes to see you."
"Niu You Dao?" Zhuge Xiong lifted his head, but then hesitated: "Who is that?"
The servant immediately clarified: "Excellency, he is the man who emerged from the Yan Kingdom's envoy's residence. You had also asked to inquire about his situation."
"Ah!" Zhuge Xiong immediately brightened. A diplomatic envoy would always be interested in the affairs of other states. He put down the official documents and said:
"Bring him in quickly."
Very quickly, guest and host took their seats in the main hall.
After the greetings, Zhuge Xiong invited Niu You Dao to drink tea. He said with a laugh:
"I wonder what brings Brother Niu to me?"
Niu You Dao, not beating around the bush, immediately posed his main question:
"I wish to kill the Yan Kingdom's envoy, Song Lun. I hope Brother Zhuge can assist me!"
"..." Zhuge Xiong was simply struck dumb.
"I just met you, and you immediately ask me for such a thing???"