Chapter 34: Never Seen Such a Good Actor |
In fact, Guan Tie's men had already surrounded the mountain and put it under surveillance.
And as soon as Chao Zong gave the order, several hundred men surged up the peak. Chao Zong held a Zhanmadao in his hands, Shu Qing gripped a sharp sword and followed her brother.
Everyone followed them.
Niu You Dao walked past Yuan Gang and silently patted his shoulder before continuing his ascent.
Outside the temple, on the steps, Song Yang Qing stood with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked down at the approaching crowd. Su Yi Tian and Cheng Gui Shuo stood to his sides, while Yuan Fang and twenty monks were behind them. Several people held Su Ce Ren under guard. Blood trickled from Su Ce Ren's lips.
Seeing Niu You Dao behind Chao Zong, Song Yang Qing smiled. He had still been worried Niu You Dao might have fled. But he was here, and that was good.
The mere thought of sharing a bed with Tang Yi drove him to distraction. And now he was agitated. For his rival was before him, and he could finally kill him.
Niu You Dao was greatly surprised the moment he saw Song Yang Qing and the others holding Su Ce Ren under guard. Just now, when the prince's bodyguards were attacked, it was said the attacking force wasn't overly strong. He hadn't expected it to be these three fellows. After all, he hadn't seen these people since his marriage to Tang Yi. Did the Supreme Purity Sect send them to kill him?
He recalled how the Supreme Purity Sect had disdained him. And he himself had behaved quietly and obediently within the Supreme Purity Sect. However, if they sent these three cultivators, it could be said they already held him in high regard.
At a safe distance, Chao Zong halted. Having been imprisoned for a long time, he hadn't seen Song Yang Qing. So, raising his head, he shouted, "Who are you, daring to attack me?!"
Song Yang Qing recognized Chao Zong; he had occasionally seen him in the capital. However, when Shang Jian Bo was alive, Chao Zong had been in his prime, and Song Yang Qing had no right whatsoever to be near him. Moreover, at that time, he was in the Supreme Purity Sect. And later, Chao Zong was imprisoned.
Lan Ruo Ting, standing nearby, whispered to Chao Zong, "This person is Song Yang Qing. He is the grandson of Song Jiu Ming and the son of Song Shu. Father and son—disciples of the Supreme Purity Sect."
"Disciples of the Supreme Purity Sect?" Chao Zong turned and looked at Niu You Dao. He seemed to want to immediately question him about what was happening here.
Shu Qing saw Su Ce Ren, who was being held captive, and noticed he was dressed just like Niu You Dao. She immediately understood everything and cast a sharp glance at Niu You Dao. In her heart, she thought, *This man seems free and at ease, but in reality, he's so cunning and ruthless!*
Song Yang Qing didn't beat around the bush and replied, clasping his hands before Chao Zong, "I once saw the young prince in the capital. Today, we are fortunate enough to meet again. Song Yang Qing, extremely pleased to make your acquaintance! As for who I am, it's likely Lord Lan has already informed you. Heh heh!" He knew that Chao Zong had officially become a prince, but still called him "young prince," demonstratively showing his mockery.
Yuan Fang, standing behind them, was startled. He didn't dare offend the Supreme Purity Sect, and even more so, he didn't want to offend the Song family from the capital. And now, the young prince had appeared too. How did he manage to get entangled in such a mess?
Chao Zong said, "So it turns out you are the grandson of Chief Justice Song. This esteemed one asks you, why do you treat my men so cruelly?"
Song Yang Qing replied, "Young prince, it is not we who treat your men poorly; on the contrary, your men started shooting at us. Is this not obvious? We were merely defending ourselves. If the young prince disagrees, we can go to the capital and clarify everything!" He perfectly understood that Chao Zong's influence in the capital now was certainly no greater than the Song family's. Especially when the entire legal system was currently in his grandfather's hands.
"However, out of respect for the young prince, I can choose not to investigate this matter, provided you hand over one person. Him!" Song Yang Qing pointed at Niu You Dao.
Everyone froze, seeing Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao showed no reaction. He merely rested his sword on the ground and watched Song Yang Qing with interest. He was waiting to see how Chao Zong would respond.
Shu Qing and the others paid little attention to his actions. After all, he mostly used his sword as a walking stick.
Chao Zong averted his gaze from Niu You Dao and, looking at Song Yang Qing, said in a cold tone, "You killed my man, and now you want to take my man as well? Song, you are far too impudent!"
Song Yang Qing: "Niu You Dao is a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect. Since when has he become the young prince's man?"
Chao Zong: "At the very least, he is currently a guardian-mentor accompanying me!"
"A guardian-mentor?" Song Yang Qing couldn't help but laugh. He simply couldn't believe Niu You Dao could be such a protector, and he continued, "I'm telling you, young prince, it's better if you hand him over."
Chao Zong asked indifferently, "And if I don't hand him over, then what?"
Song Yang Qing: "I'm saying this for your own good. It's dangerous around the mountain; trouble lurks everywhere for you. Perhaps the young prince might not even reach his destination."
"Are you threatening this esteemed one?" Chao Zong narrowed his eyes and added in a cold tone, "The Song family is quite audacious. It seems you don't even take the imperial family of the Yan Kingdom into account!"
*This prince is quite cunning.* Song Yang Qing froze. Even if he were ten times bolder, he wouldn't dare openly shout before everyone that he held the imperial family in contempt. If someone found out he had spoken like that, not only would someone from the imperial palace act, but even the Minister of Public Works, Tong Mo, would do nothing less than punish the Song family. Therefore, Song Yang Qing immediately clarified, "Young prince, there's no need to speak of things that weren't said. He... Niu You Dao... He is not of the Yan Kingdom's imperial lineage!"
Chao Zong suddenly repeated with anger, "And if this esteemed one does not hand him over? Do you intend to attack this esteemed one? Go on, I'll watch!"
Song Yang Qing frowned, and a glint of anger also appeared in his eyes. To speak frankly, he wouldn't dare. After all, everyone now knew Chao Zong's standing. And if he were to attack him, it would bring trouble upon his family. Even if he were to attack secretly, he couldn't leave any traces. The Song family couldn't get involved in such matters.
Chao Zong waved his hand. "Rebels must be shot. Arrest them!"
Without knowing Song Yang Qing's standing, he might still have attacked him. But once Song Yang Qing revealed himself, he had to think several times before attacking him.
However, several hundred soldiers advanced up the peak.
Song Yang Qing was surprised by Chao Zong's actions and even lost his composure. He hadn't expected Chao Zong to be so resolute. Therefore, he immediately began to retreat with everyone.
"Brother, the tablet!" Su Yi Tian reminded him.
Song Yang Qing immediately snapped back to his senses and pulled out a tablet, showing it to everyone:
"I have an official decree. Chao Zong, dare you rebel?"
On the tablet was the character for 'Decree'. Evidently, it was a credential issued by the supreme court. Upon seeing this tablet, many bodyguards immediately halted. Even Chao Zong pondered when he saw this credential. He could oppress others with force, but Song Yang Qing was a representative of the judicial authority. And so-called authority was now on his side!
"Prince, have your men withdraw!" Niu You Dao's voice suddenly rang out.
People looked back and saw Niu You Dao approaching slowly. He walked up to the prince. Chao Zong looked at him with displeasure. He understood that today's incident had occurred because of Niu You Dao, and because of him, several dozens of his brothers had died!
Niu You Dao bowed to him. "Prince, have your men withdraw. Since they came for me, I will settle this matter myself."
Chao Zong: "He killed my men and seized my man. This is no longer your business!"
"This grievance, Prince, I will fully compensate for!" Niu You Dao spoke little, and, looking at Song Yang Qing, said, "Brother Song, let's settle our affairs ourselves. There's no need to involve others. Release the prince's man!" He pointed at Su Ce Ren.
Song Yang Qing only needed Niu You Dao, and he didn't want to engage in a deathmatch with the prince. Therefore, he sneered and signaled Cheng Gui Shuo. Cheng Gui Shuo nodded to Yuan Fang, and Yuan Fang nodded to his men to release Su Ce Ren. Yuan Fang's men pushed the wounded Su Ce Ren, and the bodyguards immediately caught him.
Lan Ruo Ting lightly nudged Chao Zong's shoulder. He hinted at him to first observe what would happen and only then act. Chao Zong signaled his men, and they retreated a little.
The sword's scabbard stuck into the ground, and Niu You Dao, leaning on his sword, asked indifferently, "Brother Song, there's just one thing I don't understand. Why did you pursue me?"
Song Yang Qing: "Seriously?"
Niu You Dao looked around and asked, "And there are only three of you?"
He asked as if searching for more masters.
Song Yang Qing: "Who do you take yourself for?" Song Yang Qing was displeased. Did Niu You Dao think they weren't enough?
Niu You Dao sneered and asked, "What do you think?"
Song Yang Qing: "You violated the sect's rules, and I've come to punish you!"
"Violated rules? You couldn't really come up with a better reason? It seems Brother Song didn't intend to talk to me?"
Niu You Dao sighed helplessly and spoke amiably once more:
"In truth, I am a man who dislikes killing. After all, I've already witnessed many deaths. Therefore, I hope Brother Song will let me go!"
Song Yang Qing twisted his lips. He had never seen such a good actor.
*You've constantly been under house arrest. How could you have seen deaths? Just wait, you'll cry to me later!*
"Capture him alive!"
*He dared to seize my girl?* The moment Song Yang Qing recalled the scene of Niu You Dao and Tang Yi performing their bows at the wedding, his heart immediately filled with rage. He could not let Niu You Dao go. He needed to make that bastard suffer!
Su Yi Tian, standing nearby, flashed forward instantly. He drew his sword, yet didn't even unsheathe it, and moved to seize Niu You Dao. It was clear he disdained Niu You Dao to such an extent.
The crowd saw how swift Su Yi Tian's movements were, that he instantly appeared before Niu You Dao. His hand reached out to grasp his shoulders, while Niu You Dao paid no attention whatsoever.
And just as Su Yi Tian was about to grab Niu You Dao's shoulders, Niu You Dao, who had been leaning on his sword with one hand, suddenly moved. His other hand shot up like lightning, and he placed his palm on Su Yi Tian's chest.
A click sounded.