Chapter 56: Confrontation |
— This young prince greets his father-in-law and mother-in-law!
Gathered once again in the reception hall, Shang Chao Zong formally greeted Feng Lin Bo and Peng Yu Lan before everyone, presenting the couple with a gift for their first meeting.
Standing silently to the side, Shu Qing watched it all. Tears flowed from her eyes. It was fortunate that the veil on her hat covered her face, preventing anyone from seeing her weep. She felt aggrieved for her brother. If only their parents were still here, would her brother have to stoop to such measures? At the same time, she understood that during this period, both she and her brother had endured much, both inside and outside the Heavenly Prison. It hadn't been easy for either of them. And though she now understood that this marriage was for the best, she still wept.
Beside her stood a smiling Lan Ruo Ting. Though a smile graced his face, a sorrow clung to his heart. If Ning Wang were still here, would things have come to this?
Feng Lin Bo and Peng Yu Lan also sighed heavily. If Ning Wang's son had married their daughter in times past... they wouldn't have dared to even dream of such a thing.
After the formalities were observed, the Feng family presented Shang Chao Zong with a red envelope (for money) and began to address him as son-in-law. Lan Ruo Ting had already discussed all matters concerning the red envelope. Even if an ordinary subordinate received a single coin, the prince's side would receive everything in proportion. Thus, the prince's subordinates rejoiced at this wedding.
Moreover, it would have been disadvantageous for Feng Lin Bo to appear as a greedy father-in-law. If he did, what would his subordinates say about him?
Furthermore, Lan Ruo Ting had already clearly painted a picture of the prince's financial constraints. It was fortunate that they had managed to rob the Southern Mountain Monastery.
Feng Lin Bo was a man of means. And now, his attitude towards Shang Chao Zong had changed. What was the point of squabbling among themselves when they were already relatives?
— Dear son-in-law, you should rest well in the bridal chamber these two days. There's no need to continue selling warhorses.
At these words, sweat broke out on Shang Chao Zong's forehead. He cursed Niu You Dao inwardly, wondering if Niu You Dao had overthought things too much. It seemed his father-in-law and mother-in-law weren't as malicious as he'd been led to believe. Furthermore, Feng Lin Bo, knowing the prince's financial difficulties, had taken on all the wedding expenses himself.
As soon as the group exited the ruler's palace, the horsemen looked back at the palace. Shang Chao Zong felt as if he were dreaming. He could never have imagined that so much would happen since he left the capital. What a truly drastic change!
The bodyguards were inspired. Everyone knew that Feng Lin Bo commanded his own army. By taking his daughter as his wife, the prince now secured his own safety. The imperial court would no longer dare to attack him so easily. How could the bodyguards not rejoice?
Shu Qing, however, was thinking of something else. She recalled the cultivator with a sword in his hand and the young, lazy disciple under the peach tree, composing poetry. These thoughts brought an involuntary smile to her face. Remembering the scene in the peach garden, a sense of security bloomed within her amidst this cruel and turbulent era.
Within the towering mountain range stood the Supreme Purity Sect's palace. The Sect Head and three elders sat inside, legs crossed. Tang Yi sat in the highest position, while below her, from left to right, sat Luo Yuan Gong, Su Po, and Tang Su Su. They passed around a piece of news carried by a Bird King. Tang Yi remained silent after reading the news, Luo Yuan Gong shook his head, Su Po remained serene, and Tang Su Su frowned.
The news of Kuangai County had spread far and wide. Although the Supreme Purity Sect was currently in decline, they too had learned of it.
Luo Yuan Gong finally broke the silence, sighing heavily, and said:
— Feng Lin Bo actually dared to give his daughter in marriage to Shang Chao Zong. This is simply unthinkable! What about the pressure from the Heavenly Jade Sect? Without their consent, he wouldn't have dared to act so audaciously. What is going on?
Tang Yi: — The Yan Kingdom is now embroiled in military turmoil, and if such an engagement could be achieved, it speaks to Shang Chao Zong's capabilities. This means Feng Lin Bo will guarantee his safety. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to act so brazenly. It seems we underestimated Shang Chao Zong. A good father will have a good son!— Having said this, she glanced at Tang Su Su.
Tang Su Su sighed:
— It's not over yet. Perhaps both of them will stray from the path. We acted correctly by clearly drawing a line between Ning Wang and the Supreme Purity Sect. Otherwise, Shang Chao Zong, who has allied with Feng Lin Bo and his private army, would show full resistance to the Imperial Court and bring great disaster upon us. Even if the Imperial Court couldn't touch Feng Lin Bo, to crush our sect, they would only need a single word. And then we would suffer great losses!
Tang Yi and Su Po said nothing. Only Luo Yuan Gong nodded slightly:
— Sister speaks truly!
At that moment, a disciple rushed in, holding a report in his hands:
— Sect Head, three elders, disciple Cheng Gui Shuo requests an audience. He wishes to deliver important news!
As soon as he uttered this, Tang Su Su trembled. Shang Chao Zong was already in Kuangai County with Feng Lin Bo, and Niu You Dao should have already perished. But she wasn't sure if Song Yang Qing had succeeded or not. Why had Cheng Gui Shuo returned?
— Don't you see we are in counsel? What important matter could it be? Tell him to leave!— Tang Su Su cried out angrily, though her agitation was evident.
Only Luo Yuan Gong signaled the disciple to stop:
— Didn't he go to the capital with Song Yang Qing? Why would he return so quickly? Something important must have happened. We should listen to him.
Tang Su Su couldn't find an excuse to dissuade everyone, so she silently endured.
Tang Yi nodded her head:
— Let him enter!
— Yes, madam!— The reporting disciple replied and left.
Not long after, Cheng Gui Shuo, covered in dust, hastily entered the palace. He fell heavily to his knees before them:
— Sect Head, three elders, a disaster has occurred. Brothers Song Yang Qing and Su Yi Tian are dead!
— What?!— Several people sprang to their feet. Su Yi Tian was one thing, but Song Yang Qing, with the Song Family behind him, was crucial. The Song Family was the Supreme Purity Sect's last protection.
Tang Su Su cried out in a rage:
— What nonsense is this? Don't speak such rubbish!— As she spoke, her angry gaze warned Cheng Gui Shuo to be silent.
But Cheng Gui Shuo ignored her and continued mournfully:
— This disciple does not lie. Brother Song and Brother Su were killed by the hand of Niu You Dao. Niu You Dao spared me so that I might return and report what happened to you.
Several people trembled, and Tang Su Su furiously declared:
— Nonsense!— She waved her hand, and a powerful palm strike shot towards Cheng Gui Shuo.
Luo Yuan Gong and Su Po simultaneously unleashed their own palm strikes to intercept hers.
— Bang!— A loud crash resounded.
The three palms collided simultaneously, and a powerful wave of energy spread in all directions. Cheng Gui Shuo, still on his knees, was sent flying backward, sweat pouring from his entire body.
He had deliberately waited for this moment to report everything to them, so that Tang Su Su couldn't kill him as a witness. He hadn't expected this old hag to so brazenly attempt to kill him in front of everyone.
He wouldn't have dared to ignore her threats if he hadn't been intercepted on the way by people from the Song Family. They had told him to act this way. And with the Song Family's support, he had nothing to fear.
Tang Yi pressed her lips together and looked at Tang Su Su's furious expression. Tang Yi knew a little of what was going on. Tang Su Su had said she would deal with Niu You Dao, but she hadn't thought Tang Su Su would ask Song Yang Qing to do it.
Luo Yuan Gong immediately stood in front of Cheng Gui Shu. No disciple had ever been killed for reporting in the Supreme Purity Sect, so he stared intently at Tang Su Su:
— Junior Sister, what is this behavior? Wouldn't it be better to listen to him completely?
Tang Su Su: — He is clearly spouting nonsense. Song Yang Qing went to the capital, and Niu You Dao is in Cang Wu County. How can two paths converge? This person harbors malicious intentions!
Cheng Gui Shuo quickly cried out loudly: — Elder Tang, do you wish to silence a witness?— He used this to ensure his own safety.
As soon as he spoke, Tang Su Su flew into a rage: — How dare you rebel?!
Her body flickered again; she wanted to kill him. But Su Po flashed forward and blocked her path. He said disapprovingly:
— Let him finish. Nothing worse can come of it!
Luo Yuan Gong also appeared from the side, and together they restrained Tang Su Su:
— Junior Sister, calm yourself. There's no need to act rashly!— He was clearly warning her.
Before the two elders, Tang Su Su knew there was nothing she could do, so she turned to Tang Yi and said discontentedly:
— Sect Head, this scoundrel wishes to sow discord between us. I beg Sect Head Tang to deal with him!
Luo Yuan Gong retorted:
— Sect Head, in this palace, a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect has not even finished speaking, so how can he already sow discord among us? There is nothing wrong with listening to him. To kill a disciple without even hearing him out makes no sense!
Tang Su Su stared intently at Tang Yi, but how could Tang Yi contradict the two elders?
The usually silent Su Po said disapprovingly: — Junior Sister has crossed a line today.
— Hmph!— Tang Su Su flicked her sleeve and sharply turned away.
Luo Yuan Gong looked at Cheng Gui Shuo and said:
— Speak, what exactly happened in the end?
Feeling safe, Cheng Gui Shuo began to recount his pre-meditated story:
— Brother Song Yang Qing did not go to the capital. He said so as a pretext to leave the sect. In truth, having received a hint from Elder Tang, he decided to ambush Niu You Dao on the way to the Southern Mountain Monastery...
— A joke!— Tang Su Su said scornfully.