He understood that Hai Ru Yue could not swiftly resolve this matter alone. She still needed to secure the backing of Wandong Heavenly Palace, which stood behind her.
Hai Ru Yue remained silent, giving her tacit consent.
Niu You Dao added:
"There is one more small matter I would like to ask the Princess to intervene in."
Hai Ru Yue: "What else do you want?" Her tone was laced with anger.
She already knew that dealing with this man of Shang Chao Zong was pure torment.
The first time she saw him, he said an experienced physician was captured and she had to rescue him. After the physician was rescued, he claimed the physician was not in the mood and Song Lun needed to be killed. After Song Lun was killed, it turned out that the "experienced physician" was Niu You Dao himself. That was bad enough. He began treating her son, only to fail. And then Niu You Dao declared that he would resolve the Princess's anxieties.
With his sharp and lengthy tongue, it turned out that treating her son wasn't so important; what was important was sending men to aid Shang Chao Zong as quickly as possible. WHAT IN THE WORLD WAS THAT?!
And now, he wanted to ask for something again.
Niu You Dao smiled: "Among Song Lun's people, there is one disciple from the Supreme Purity Sect. I would like to speak with him one-on-one."
"Speak to Zhu Shun about that," Hai Ru Yue tossed at him, then immediately exited. She did not wish to speak with this fellow any longer. One could say she was fleeing from him.
Niu You Dao was left to continue discussing everything with Zhu Shun. Zhu Shun, for his part, said he would arrange it.
On the way back, Zhu Shun remained silent. He felt a little uneasy.
Just now, he had witnessed Niu You Dao practically convince Hai Ru Yue. All that remained was to obtain the consent of Wandong Heavenly Palace. Fang Zhe recalled how long he had pleaded with Hai Ru Yue to help the Prince, almost going down on his knees. Yet, it had all been useless. But Niu You Dao? He had only arrived today and in such a short time, had already accomplished so much.
Fang Zhe had previously thought he had exhausted all his efforts, believing it impossible to persuade Hai Ru Yue. Now, he saw the immense difference between people. And now he understood why the Prince had instructed him to meet Niu You Dao and assist him in everything. For Niu You Dao was truly an extraordinary individual!
Therefore, Fang Zhe now despised himself. He had wasted so much of the Prince's precious time here. He had almost ruined a great endeavor!
Now, Fang Zhe looked at Niu You Dao with reverence. He no longer thought Niu You Dao had merely come to stir up trouble.
Trailing behind Niu You Dao, Yuan Fang inwardly sighed. Just now, his heart had sunk to his heels. How could he treat a person? And now it turned out that treatment wasn't even that important. Now they would need to bring the Red Yang Fruit, right?
On the other hand, if things had come to this, then even if they didn't bring the Red Yang Fruit, nothing would likely happen to them.
He understood more and more how powerful Lord Dao was. Today, Lord Dao had truly opened his eyes. He realized that by Lord Dao's side, he could learn so much!
Now it was clear why Yuan Gang, that heartless, taciturn, arrogant, unyielding strongman, bowed so completely before Lord Dao!
Deep night descended.
Hai Ru Yue stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the moon.
Zhu Shun approached her and whispered: "Your Ladyship, everything is ready."
Hai Ru Yue asked: "What do you think?"
Zhu Shun: "Although he is merely a middleman, there is sense in his words."
Hai Ru Yue: "Then Ning Wang Shang Jian Bo also kept courageous warriors and shrewd strategists around him. For example, Meng Shan Ming, Luo Shao Fu, and others. That is why he had elite troops. If only he had also had sufficient support from cultivators, then the Emperor of the Yan Kingdom would be someone else today. And now, his son Shang Chao Zong also surrounds himself with capable people. Initially, when I learned he was released from the capital, I viewed him differently!"
Zhu Shun sighed and said: "Indeed! He only had 500 men. The imperial court also put all sorts of pressure on him. Everyone looked down on him, thinking he would find his grave in the lands granted to him, or flee somewhere. Yet, along the way, he slowly but surely rose. First, he took Feng Lin Bo's daughter as his wife. Then he brought order to Cang Wu County. Now he wants to seize Qingshan County. He cannot be underestimated!"
Hai Ru Yue: "And this seems to be just the beginning. It won't end with a tiny Qingshan. I think his next step will be the Southern Domain! As soon as the news spreads that the Prince has captured Qingshan County, the imperial court will probably regret letting a tiger loose in the mountains! One outstanding person can replace a hundred thousand troops. Is our Qingzhou truly inferior to Shang Chao Zong? Why do I not have outstanding people? Is it because I am a woman?" She spoke as if lamenting her lack of capable individuals.
Zhu Shun remained silent, finding it awkward to say anything.
Hai Ru Yue suddenly asked: "I wonder who devised this plan. Was it Luo Shao Fu's disciple, Lan Ruo Ting, or this Niu You Dao?"
Zhu Shun: "It doesn't seem like it was Lan Ruo Ting or Shang Chao Zong. Your Ladyship, think about it: if they had devised the plan, why wouldn't they have mentioned it earlier?"
Hai Ru Yue: "Indeed. If they had thought of it, why would they send Niu You Dao here? Fang Zhe himself could have told me everything. Moreover, this unforeseen incident with Song Lun... It's unlikely Shang Chao Zong could have predicted it. How Niu You Dao extricated himself already speaks volumes about his abilities. Although he is young, he calculates every step precisely. He has even convinced me!"
Gazing at the sky, she turned and, looking at Zhu Shun, said:
"My conditions are better than Shang Chao Zong's. What do you think, can he be persuaded to stay here? To work for Qingzhou?"
Zhu Shun hesitated for a moment, then shook his head and said: "Your Ladyship, now is not the best time. He killed Song Lun, so he cannot be kept here now."
Hai Ru Yue: "First, we must prepare. Make all the arrangements well. Send someone to the Yan Kingdom. Find out what Niu You Dao values. Cultivation resources, wealth, or beautiful women. Whatever he desires, I can give him everything. I do not believe my conditions will be inferior to Shang Chao Zong's."
"Understood! Your servant will arrange everything immediately." Zhu Shun nodded. Yet, he sighed inwardly. In truth, many people had come seeking employment, but few of them were truly capable.
Zhu Shun would initially appoint them to minor positions, but they couldn't even handle simple tasks. Therefore, he would tactfully refuse them. And they, in turn, believing themselves to be in the right, would constantly resent him.
But then Niu You Dao appeared and displayed his abilities. He was like a fleeting firefly in the middle of the night...
Niu You Dao and the others could not return to Fuling Inn. Who knew what else Song Lun might have left behind there. Returning there was unsafe. Thus, it was best for them to remain at the governor's residence for now.
So they stayed in a guarded room. Meanwhile, Fang Zhe was working tirelessly.
A creak sounded. Niu You Dao entered the door. Fang Zhe immediately rose and, cupping his hands, said: "Lord Dao, what are your instructions?"
Niu You Dao looked at the letter, narrowing his eyes, and said: "Writing a report to the Prince?"
Fang Zhe awkwardly nodded. After all, Niu You Dao had been the main character today. Fang Zhe had written many things in the report, and some of them might displease Niu You Dao.
"Yes!"
"Ah, I see. Please, sit, sit. Continue your work."
Niu You Dao said with a smile. Then he added:
"Add another message for the Prince."
Fang Zhe quickly replied: "Speak."
Niu You Dao: "Tell the Prince to spread a rumor. Let him say that I am no longer under his command. That I now have nothing to do with him."
"Ah!" Fang Zhe was stunned: "This is..."
Niu You Dao waved his hand and sighed, saying: "You misunderstand. I myself didn't expect things to turn out this way. I didn't expect to encounter the Song family. After this, the pressure on the Prince in the Yan Kingdom will only intensify. Therefore, it is better for me to appear to be independent of him. This will not affect our affairs. And the Prince should understand me."
Many people could not sleep that night.
The prisoners, Huang Xiu Sheng and others, were continually taken out one by one for interrogation, so the guards could better understand the situation.
Cheng Gui Shuo was no exception. And when Huang Xiu Sheng emerged after his interrogation, he immediately warned everyone what to say and what not to. After all, they were subjects of another state, so they were not subjected to torture.
After his interrogation, Cheng Gui Shuo thought he would be returned to his cell. Who knew that suddenly, a person would enter the torture chamber, whisper something to the interrogators, and they would leave, abandoning Cheng Gui Shuo alone.
Another creak of the door sounded, and a person entered the room. At first, he was not visible. However, as soon as the torchlight fell upon his smiling face, Cheng Gui Shuo immediately turned pale. For the one who entered was none other than Niu You Dao.
Cheng Gui Shuo didn't understand. Niu You Dao had also been captured. Why was he wandering around freely?
He was not foolish and immediately realized that Niu You Dao was connected to the government officials.
"The atmosphere isn't bad!" Niu You Dao looked around, walked across the room. Then he approached a torture rack. He picked up a branding iron and placed it in the brazier. Flames immediately leapt from the brazier, which Niu You Dao brushed away. Then he said indifferently:
"Brother Cheng, since we parted ways at Southern Mountain Monastery, I never thought we would meet again here. We are truly fated."
Cheng Gui Shuo said tensely: "What are you going to do? I am an envoy of the Yan Kingdom. If anything happens to me in prison..."
However, without waiting for him, Niu You Dao immediately interrupted: "Brother Cheng. Why are you becoming dumber the longer this goes on? I dared to kill Song Lun. Do you think you can scare me? An envoy, killed while attempting to escape from prison. How does that sound? In this tumultuous age, who would pay attention to a small person? Who can help you here?"
***
End of Chapter.