Chapter 21: Song Yang Qing's Hope |
It wasn't long after Tang Yi departed when a disciple named Tian Xiang approached Tang Su Su. She whispered a few words, which initially surprised Tang Su Su. Then, a faint smile playing on her lips, Tang Su Su likewise whispered something into Tian Xiang's ear.
A short while later, another visitor arrived to see Tang Su Su: none other than Song Yang Qing.
Upon seeing Song Yang Qing enter, Tang Su Su handed a sealed letter to Tian Xiang and instructed:
— Once Niu You Dao descends the mountain, he is to deliver this message to the head of the Southern Mountain Monastery in Kuangai County. He must deliver it without fail!
— As you command!— Tian Xiang took the letter, then, casting a silent glance at Song Yang Qing, she turned and departed.
Song Yang Qing paid the letter scant attention. He then turned to Tang Su Su, cupped his hands respectfully, and said:
— This disciple offers greetings to Elder!
Tang Su Su waved her hand dismissively, a hint of amusement in her eyes, indicating that such formalities were unnecessary.
Song Yang Qing, however, maintained a stone-like expression as he spoke:
Tang Su Su gave a slight nod. — Indeed. Why do you ask?
Song Yang Qing's voice grew taut.
— Elder. You recently guaranteed that the sect would not provide Shang Chao Zong with any support, nor a mentor.
Before Shang Shu Qing's arrival, I already conveyed my father's instructions to the sect. Now, the Supreme Purity Sect is still sending someone to Shang Chao Zong. This will only make it more difficult for me to report back home.
Tang Su Su replied anew:
— An unforeseen turn of events, indeed. Young Master Shang reminded us of a promise the sect once made to Ning Wang. Now that Ning Wang's kin have arrived, we are bound to honor that pledge. To renege on it would be ill-advised, would it not? How could we then face other cultivators? They would simply mock us behind our backs. Yang Qing, is this truly a trivial matter? We are quite helpless in this regard.
Song Yang Qing retorted:
— Whether the promise is honored or not, this disciple knows little of such matters. It is not for me to judge your actions. Your deeds have already exceeded the capital's expectations. This disciple now merely asks the Elder: how am I to relay this message to the capital?— his tone was edged with gloom, subtly exerting pressure on Tang Su Su.
Tang Su Su cleared her throat. — You are overthinking things. What sort of man is Niu You Dao? Don't you know? What is he truly capable of? What kind of guard-mentor could he possibly be? He will bring no benefit to Shang Chao Zong.
In truth, they had no intention of dispatching anyone with Shang Chao Zong. It was only when Shang Shu Qing produced the sword – the very token of the ancient pledge – that she forced the sect into an inescapable predicament. Thus, they offered to send Niu You Dao with Shang Shu Qing, presuming that once she learned of Niu You Dao's youth, Shang Shu Qing would decline. But who could have foreseen that Shang Shu Qing would agree, thereby placing the Supreme Purity Sect in such a bind?
Song Yang Qing's reply was icy:
— This disciple has been absent from the Supreme Purity Sect for several years. Thus, I know not what Niu You Dao has become. I only know this: the capital forbids you from dispatching any personnel to Shang Chao Zong. Nothing else is permitted!
— You!— Tang Su Su pointed a trembling finger at him, shaking her head. — ...I am doing all this for *you*. Can you not see?
— Hmm...— Song Yang Qing stiffened, then queried:
— For this disciple? This disciple fails to comprehend what you might be doing for me.
Tang Su Su disregarded his confusion, pressing on:
— You yourself are aware of Niu You Dao's true capabilities. The Sect Head holds no affection for him whatsoever. For all these years they have been husband and wife in name, yet in all this time, they have met only a handful of times and have not lived a true married life. The Sect Head remains pure and untouched. As I told you before, for the sake of her immense responsibility, the Sect Head has never allowed Niu You Dao to approach her. How could she possibly fall for such a country bumpkin? Between you and Niu You Dao, what comparison can there be? Does the Sect Head not perceive the vast difference between you? The Sect Head, the daughter of the former leader, now bears the sect's burdens upon her shoulders. You, a man, surely you understand the weight of her responsibilities?
Song Yang Qing froze, a sudden gleam igniting in his eyes, and his heart began to pound fiercely. What Tang Su Su implied, he understood with crystal clarity.
Tang Su Su meticulously observed Song Yang Qing's reaction, then continued:
— Of course, in every endeavor, there are unforeseen eventualities. Should Shang Chao Zong navigate these perilous times and Niu You Dao somehow survive, then everyone will undoubtedly credit Niu You Dao for it. His bond with the Sect Head would then inevitably deepen. Yang Qing, you know that the Supreme Purity Sect has its own myriad concerns, and we have no need for superfluous complications. What manner of guard-mentor is Niu You Dao? It falls to *you* to help the sect clarify this to the world!
Song Yang Qing's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and he instantly nodded:
— This disciple is also a loyal member of the Supreme Purity Sect. Of course, I shall assist my Elder. Rest assured, Elder; this disciple knows precisely how to explain everything to the capital.
Tang Su Su nodded slowly:
— Excellent, truly excellent. I was not mistaken in my judgment of you.
— If the Elder has no further instructions, then this disciple shall take his leave!— Song Yang Qing cupped his hands in a respectful gesture.
Tang Su Su waved him off, a satisfied glint in her eyes. — Go, go.
Song Yang Qing respectfully retreated a few paces, then turned and swiftly exited the hall.
The moment Song Yang Qing left the hall, he immediately sought out Su Yi Tian and Cheng Gui Shuo. He instructed the former to prepare their horses, and the latter to secure permission for travel to the capital.
Once everything was prepared, the three departed the Supreme Purity Sect.
As they rode, Song Yang Qing was consumed by excitement. Tang Yi and Niu You Dao's marriage was but a sham. It seemed this tender, luscious blossom awaited *him*. He resolved then and there that he would most certainly claim Tang Yi. Tang Su Su wouldn't trick him again!
— Brother, we're not riding in the right direction. The capital lies elsewhere!
The moment the three riders descended the mountain and traversed the shallow ford to the opposite bank, Song Yang Qing immediately set off in a direction contrary to the capital. Cheng Gui Shuo, riding behind him, promptly reminded him of this.
— Nonsense! I'm not blind. Follow my lead!— Song Yang Qing snapped.
Su Yi Tian and Cheng Gui Shuo exchanged bewildered glances. They had no idea what he intended, but they spurred their horses onward, picking up speed...
Within the hall, Tang Su Su sat cross-legged on a prayer mat, her eyes closed. The flickering lamps cast a dim glow, leaving much of the chamber shrouded in shadow.
Tian Xiang entered the hall, kneeling before Tang Su Su. She whispered low:
— Elder. They did not proceed toward the capital!
— Fool. He played right into my hands!— Tang Su Su chuckled softly...
The following day, as dawn barely painted the eastern sky, a disciple approached the Peach Blossom Spring courtyard. He reminded Niu You Dao to descend the mountain and inquired if he required assistance with his packing.
The disciple seemed quite eager to observe the Sect Head's husband. Niu You Dao tried to inquire about the time, but the disciple offered no reply.
With nothing better to do, Niu You Dao casually gathered his meager belongings: two fresh sets of clothes and the precious sword slung across his back. This was all he intended to bring with him down the mountain.
He descended the mountain path, winding down the stone staircase carved into the cliffside. As they crossed the stone bridge at the base, Shang Shu Qing was already waiting, accompanied by four riders. Two wore azure armor, the other two donned gray. Each rider bore leather armguards and hip shields, radiating a ferocious, icy Qi. From their mounts hung a formidable array of bows, quivers of arrows, daggers, and other weaponry.
— Guard-Mentor!— Shang Shu Qing greeted, cupping her hands respectfully.
Niu You Dao smiled. Tian Xiang approached, leading a bay horse. After a brief greeting, she pointed to a saddlebag on the horse and said:
— Guard-Mentor. The sect has prepared gold and silver here for you, along with dry provisions. Tian Xiang then drew a letter from her sleeve and presented it to Niu You Dao.
— The Sect Head requests that you deliver this letter, en route, to the head of the Southern Mountain Monastery in Kuangai County. You may inquire for the precise location if needed. The Sect Head hopes you will not neglect this task.
Niu You Dao glanced at the letter, noting the absence of any signature. He promptly tucked it into the horse's saddlebag. Then, raising his head, he cast a look towards the distant Supreme Purity Sect palace and inquired:
— Am I not to bid farewell?
Tian Xiang smiled faintly. — The Sect Head said there's no need. The Grand Princess is in a hurry...
— Hmph, then let us depart.— Niu You Dao offered a wry, self-deprecating smile. For all his years within the Supreme Purity Sect, he had never truly held the right to choose. Today was clearly no exception.
He spoke no further, simply mounting his horse with practiced agility.
The Grand Princess, too, sprang onto her steed and galloped forth. Niu You Dao spurred his own horse to follow.
The contingent of riders thundered away from the Supreme Purity Sect.
Beneath a verdant tree by the cliff's edge, within the Supreme Purity Sect palace, a beautiful and graceful silhouette emerged. Tang Yi gazed downwards, her brows furrowed in thought. Her doubts about Niu You Dao's origins deepened. How could a mere country bumpkin, with no apparent training, mount a horse with such ease and skill? They lived in poverty; where would they have acquired horses?
Meanwhile, Niu You Dao, astride his galloping horse, turned his head to glance back at the Peach Blossom Spring. That beautiful tree still bloomed brilliantly. And he wondered when he might ever see that exquisite Peach Blossom Spring again...
The Supreme Purity Sect's domain was vast, and the riders had been galloping through its forested expanse for quite some time. Soon, however, the contingent halted. Niu You Dao, too, hastily reined in his horse and, craning his neck, peered ahead. There, he spotted the one-eyed Tu Han.
— Grand Princess. I need a word with him, in private.— Tu Han gestured towards Niu You Dao.
Shang Shu Qing glanced at Niu You Dao and, seeing no objection, waved her hand, instructing the four riders to allow Tu Han to approach.
Niu You Dao dismounted and, a smile playing on his lips, remarked:
— What, are you here to ambush and rob us?