Chapter 28: Is There Anything to Snack On? |
After speaking, Yuan Fang excused himself, not wishing to disturb them. Song Yang Qing sent Su Yi Tian to escort him. In truth, he sent him to be detained. He didn't want Yuan Fang to escape and ruin their plan. Until Song Yang Qing's intentions were realized, he needed to keep this monastery firmly in his grasp.
As soon as Yuan Fang left, Song Yang Qing couldn't help but laugh:
- That bear is amusing.
Cheng Gui Shuo approached him, blinking his eyes, and asked:
- A bear with metallic fur that even a sword can't cut through! Brother, aren't you amazed?
Song Yang Qing narrowed his eyes and nodded, saying:
- The moment he shed his clothes and revealed his fur-like hair, I immediately recognized him as a Golden King Bear. Their fur grants them formidable defensive capabilities. They are quite rare creatures, yet we encountered one here. It seems this bear hasn't encountered cultivators before, otherwise, he would have been discovered long ago. Don't rush; we'll discuss him later. For now, we must first complete our mission.
Cheng Gui Shuo grunted. This bear was truly lucky; if he had fully transformed into a human, they would have stabbed him to death without his fur.
Later, Cheng Gui Shuo and Song Yang Qing began to inspect the Southern Mountain Monastery.
The moon shone brightly on the great river, and many tents stood along its banks. The river's waves churned under the moonlight.
On the riverbank, there also stood a slightly dilapidated pavilion. Chao Zong sat within it, gazing at the moonlit river.
Lan Ruo Ting passed by and slowly entered the pavilion.
- The Prince cannot sleep. Is something troubling Your Highness?
Chao Zong sighed:
- Though I may appear confident, I understand my situation well. Without a high-ranking Guardian-Mentor by my side, will I truly be able to reach the lands granted to me? Once we pass Kuangai County, Cang Wu County will not be far. And the closer we get, the more anxious I become.
Lan Ruo Ting said reassuringly:
- Your Highness, please calm down. Until we receive the hundred-thousand strong Crows army, we should not encounter any threat. I, however, am more concerned whether the imperial court has prepared anything within the granted lands themselves?
Chao Zong turned his head:
- I wonder, under the current circumstances, should we even proceed to Cang Wu County?
Lan Ruo Ting's expression grew serious, and waving his hand, he said:
- Your Highness, under no circumstances can we retreat. This path is riddled with the Emperor's informants. Should we deviate even slightly, an army will be dispatched to kill us. Furthermore, your subordinates raged fiercely in the capital. And when you were released, why did they gather and take you? Do they not have a reason? During his lifetime, the former ruler prepared Cang Wu County for your family. Now, Cang Wu County will be your last hope. Moreover, our resources are depleted. We cannot simply give up!
Chao Zong remained silent for a moment, then said:
- I hope I can repay the brothers who swore loyalty to me!
At this moment, one of the warriors named Guan Tie led a limping, grey-haired old man. The two men entered the pavilion one after another, and Guan Tie, cupping his hands, reported:
- Your Highness, Fifth Uncle has arrived.
The old man respectfully knelt on one knee and said in a trembling voice:
- This humble one greets the young Prince... no, greets Your Highness!
- Uncle Fan, quickly rise! - Chao Zong swiftly rushed over and, supporting the limping old man, helped him to his feet.
This old man was formerly a bodyguard to Ning Wang Shang Jian Bo. But after a battle, he was injured and returned to his hometown, and now lives precisely in these parts.
As soon as he stood, Lan Ruo Ting asked:
- Fan Ping, we sent someone ahead to ask you to prepare a river crossing. Is everything ready?
Fan Ping shook his head in shame:
- This humble one is helpless. I could only prepare a few rafts, and that is all.
Lan Ruo Ting furrowed his brows:
- Several dozen men, in several days, could only prepare a few rafts? Back then, Ning Wang Shang Jian Bo deliberately gave many warriors leave and settled them here, precisely for such an emergency.
Fan Ping sighed and replied:
- Master Lan, there are things that cannot be foreseen. The ruler of Kuangai County, Feng Lin Bo, after raising his army, began clashing with the imperial forces, and their skirmishes affected the surrounding villages. Men were forcibly conscripted into their armies. As a result, half of the several dozen perished, and the other half were arrested by Feng Lin Bo. Whether they are alive now or not is unclear. Only this humble one remained, because Feng Lin Bo did not favor a cripple. Therefore, I did all that I could.
Lan Ruo Ting fell silent.
- So that's how it is! Uncle Fan, do not dwell on it, it is not your fault. - Shang Chao Zong comforted the old man and, looking at the river, said:
- If my memory serves me right, there is a bridge upstream, and we can cross there. We only need to take a slight detour.
Lan Ruo Ting gave a bitter smile:
- Your Highness does not know everything. Feng Lin Bo has fought with the imperial forces several times and prepared for a surprise attack. Therefore, all ships along the river are under his control, not to mention the burnt bridges. If we go that way, we will lose too much time, and it will all be for naught. Moreover, we do not have several days. It would be better to tie rafts together!
Chao Zong pondered for a moment, then decided:
- In that case, we will assemble the rafts at dawn!
After the decision was made, Guan Tie led Fan Ping away to rest. Later, Shang Shu Qing arrived, wearing a bamboo hat and carrying a guqin. Behind her came people with wooden food boxes.
Seeing all this, Chao Zong involuntarily smiled and asked:
- Shu Qing, are you in good spirits?
Shu Qing shook her head:
- Brother, the two gentlemen are unwilling to share their thoughts with us. But the scenery here is so beautiful; perhaps we should invite them to share a few cups. Shu Qing wishes to play the guqin; perhaps I can bring a little joy to your hearts.
Chao Zong said with a hint of doubt:
- You wish to play the guqin for them? Has the Great Princess decided to stoop so low? Shu Qing, do you not value them too highly?
Shu Qing replied:
- Brother, this is merely a simple courtesy; there is nothing improper about it. Even if they are not sages, consider our current predicament. What talk is there of excessive respect? We are merely extending good hospitality, and there is no shame in that. And if they are truly capable, would it not be better to cultivate good relations with them? Brother, in our situation, there is no harm in having more friends and fewer enemies. Even if they do not become our friends, they will not become our enemies. We simply sit together and then part ways. What do you say?
Lan Ruo Ting sighed inwardly. This Princess was incomparably intelligent. She possessed the aspirations of a great man; it was only regrettable that she was born a woman!
- It seems I have received instruction! - Shang Chao Zong cupped his hands and sincerely accepted his sister's advice, which made Shu Qing smile.
Chao Zong also smiled and signaled Lan Ruo Ting to invite them.
Only then did Shu Qing say:
- It would be better if we invited them together. It will be much more cordial.
Chao Zong: - That is also true.
Shu Qing left the guqin and ordered the soldiers to set out the refreshments, and only then did she, along with everyone, head towards the two friends.
As the three approached Niu You Dao's tent, Chao Zong, who was leading, suddenly stopped. He felt something under his foot.
However, before he could fully react to what he had touched below, a figure tumbled out of the tent and abruptly blocked his path. Yuan Gang glared fiercely at him, a dagger in his hands.
Shu Qing and Lan Ruo Ting, seeing that Chao Zong had stopped, also halted. Only then did they notice that Chao Zong had brushed against a silken thread.
They exchanged glances. It turned out that they had quietly set up such an ingenious mechanism here. The moment people approached, those inside the tent would know of their presence. Yet, how many times had they come to Niu You Dao before without noticing anything like this? And now, suddenly, Yuan Gang knew of their arrival. It was not hard to guess whose handiwork this was.
Chao Zong began to look at Yuan Gang with even greater interest. He had so many subordinates, yet not one had noticed how Yuan Gang had set up such a clever mechanism here.
Seeing them, Yuan Gang asked in a tone as fierce as his expression:
- What do you want?
Chao Zong asked:
- We have been rushing forward this entire journey, but today the weather is fine, and the riverbank offers a beautiful view at this lovely time of year. Therefore, we decided to invite the Guardian-Mentor and Brother Yuan Gang to share some wine.
Yuan Gang replied in a cold tone: "No need. The Master is already asleep!"
The three were surprised, already assuming they had been turned away. But who knew that suddenly, Niu You Dao's voice would drift from within the tent:
- Is there a late-night snack?
The tent flap lifted, and Niu You Dao's head emerged. He brushed a horsehair from his shoulder and, looking at the three with a smile, asked:
- Is there something to eat?
- A late-night... snack? Mmm, yes, there is. It's... near the riverbank. Please, Master! - Chao Zong gestured, inviting Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao looked towards the riverbank and said to Yuan Gang:
- Are you hungry? If not, go to sleep. - After saying this, he turned to Chao Zong and politely said:
- Thank you for your courtesy. Please!
The few people turned and walked away, while Yuan Gang returned to the tent.
Chao Zong and the others thought Yuan Gang had indeed gone to sleep. However, Yuan Gang quickly emerged from the tent and followed them. And he had a sword with him; it was Niu You Dao's very own sword. Yuan Gang walked silently, constantly scanning his surroundings.
When they reached the pavilion, Niu You Dao entered freely and, leaning on the railing, gazed at the bright moon:
- What a truly beautiful sight!
- Master, please be seated! - Chao Zong enthusiastically invited him.
Niu You Dao smiled and took a seat. Lan Ruo Ting sat nearby, while Yuan Gang, paying no mind to formalities, stood behind Niu You Dao with the sword in hand.
- Brother Yuan Gang, please!
Yuan Gang replied in a cold tone: "Not hungry!"
His disrespectful reply put the Prince in an awkward position.
Niu You Dao, however, defused the situation, saying:
- He's always like this. Stubborn as a mule. He adheres to the worldly wisdom of not associating with others. I don't know how many times I've tried to teach him, but it's all useless. Pay no mind to him, Your Highness.