Chapter 718: Three Sealed Letters |
To demand a cup of broth (Xiang Yu had captured Liu Bang's father and threatened to boil the captive if Liu Bang did not withdraw his troops. Liu Bang defiantly replied, "Send me a cup of the broth"); to claim one's share (of profits, spoils, etc.).
In such a situation, this was all that could be said. Showing one's strength.
Besides this, what else could Yue Yuan do? He hadn't expected the Thousand Beast Sect to deny their actions and demand proof. What proof could he possibly bring?
They stubbornly stood their ground, refusing to yield.
Exiting the main hall and watching Yue Yuan's retreating figure, Si Hai Tang let out a sigh of relief: "They'll most likely go and search for proof. Is everything smooth on our end?"
Chao Jing quietly replied: "Sect Head, please calm down. Everything has been well prepared. Those on the other side are aware of the consequences. If we are discovered, we will withdraw our support at any moment. That wouldn't be good for them. The Three Great Sects will protect our people and won't hand them over."
Si Hai Tang nodded slightly.
Meng Shan Min's defeat, meanwhile, spread throughout all the kingdoms, causing no small stir. Everyone began questioning the Three Great Sects of the Yan Kingdom, and all wondered if the Thousand Beast Sect had played a hand.
Especially the sects of the Qi Kingdom and the Wei Kingdom. They even issued a warning to the Thousand Beast Sect. They said that if the Thousand Beast Sect continued to participate in battles, it shouldn't be surprised by the harshness of those kingdoms!
Yet the Thousand Beast Sect still refused to acknowledge their involvement!
The Thousand Beast Sect had its own considerations. It wasn't a simple small sect. This sect, without its own territory, had secured a place in the Palace of Mystery. And, of course, it could exert pressure even on other kingdoms. Just as the Yan Kingdom had received from it, so too could other kingdoms. Such was the world; everyone twisted and turned as best they could. Some lost, some won.
"Lost?" In a library room in the capital of the Yan Kingdom, Shang Jian Xiong tossed on his bed and asked.
He hadn't slept so well for a long time, but Tian Yu woke him, reporting Meng Shan Min's defeat.
Tian Yu nodded: "They say the Thousand Beast Sect attacked. Five hundred thousand warriors were killed in one fell swoop."
Shang Jian Xiong slowly got up from his bed and sat down. He remained silent for a long time.
Earlier, he had been waiting to hear of Meng Shan Min's defeat. But now, this news left him unsettled.
He hadn't considered the consequences. If Meng Shan Min lost in the Song Kingdom, could Luo Zhao return? Even if he didn't return immediately, he might once things settled down. Who would then protect the Yan Kingdom?
"Summon Tong Mo and the others." Shang Jian Xiong said, displeased.
"At once!" Tian Yu was about to leave, but he looked at the emperor and hesitantly asked, "Your Majesty, will you rest in the harem tonight?"
At his words, Shang Jian Xiong's heart grew dark. He couldn't bear to listen to the concubines' wails. Due to this, he snapped, "Mind your own business!"
"Understood." Tian Yu bowed and quickly left. He dared not say more. The Emperor now dared not go to the harem.
When Tong Mo and the others arrived and consulted, they decided to go to Meng Xuan. They wanted the Three Great Sects to persuade Meng Shan Min to return to the Yan Kingdom.
There were currently no troops in the kingdom. The Yan Kingdom could be said to be empty. And Meng Shan Min was with his troops in the Song Kingdom. If someone attacked, what could they do? Meng Shan Min had encountered danger, and now was a good opportunity to bring him back.
Meng Xuan had also received news of Meng Shan Min's defeat. He was uncertain about the ministers' advice. Thus, he neither agreed nor refused, deciding instead to first consult with Gong Ling Ze.
Upon receiving news from Meng Xuan, Gong Ling Ze also didn't know what to do. For now, nothing could be done to the Thousand Beast Sect. Cheng Shao Tong was leading his troops in pursuit. And the Yan Kingdom's forces seemed to be avoiding battle.
With such maneuvering, Luo Zhao's troops would inevitably return.
Gong Ling Ze also considered recalling the troops to preserve their strength. So, he went to consult with Meng Shan Min. Who knew that Meng Shan Min would refuse immediately? The reason was simple: if they returned without inflicting some damage on the Song Kingdom, the Han Kingdom might then decide to attack the weakened Yan Kingdom. Then, perhaps not only the Han Kingdom but also the Zhao Kingdom would join with the Song Kingdom. And facing three kingdoms, the Yan Kingdom would not be able to stand!
However, Gong Ling Ze didn't know what to do and questioned Meng Shan Min about this.
Meng Shan Min did not mention Niu You Dao's secret letter. Instead, he said he was looking for an opportune moment for battle.
But he refused to return. Indeed, for Gong Ling Ze, returning and staying were equally bad options now.
A familiar face!
Zhou Tie Zi, who had entered the forest, froze. He saw Niu You Dao and Guan Fang Yi emerge from behind a tree, both smiling warmly.
Zhou Tie Zi hadn't expected to see them after leaving the Thousand Beast Sect.
He was only a minor disciple of the sect, who knew few people outside. Only Niu You Dao had once offered to become sworn brothers with him.
Suddenly, he received a letter saying an old friend wanted to meet him. But he didn't know which friend? He hardly had any acquaintances. However, he didn't think anyone would harm him, so he agreed to meet.
"Brother Zhou, do you not recognize me?" Niu You Dao asked with a smile. Zhou Tie Zi, though cautious, still observed etiquette and said, "Lord Dao, Matchmaker."
"Why be so formal? I thought it had been a long time since I saw Brother Zhou. However, in this situation, I feared a misunderstanding might arise. That's why I concealed my identity. Is everything well with Brother Zhou?" Niu You Dao began the conversation.
Knowing that the people under Niu You Dao's command were currently fighting the Song Kingdom, Zhou Tie Zi was worried.
Niu You Dao merely wanted to know what was currently happening in the Thousand Beast Sect. However, seeing Zhou Tie Zi's expression, he decided not to burden him. He only inquired whether Chao Sheng Huai was in the sect or not.
Previously, he had heard that Chao Sheng Huai was under arrest in the Song Kingdom's capital. That's why he and the matchmaker had traveled to the Song Kingdom's capital. Only, as it turned out, Chao Sheng Huai wasn't there. It seemed he had been released from prison. Where he went was unclear, as matters related to Gu Wu Chun were kept secret. Niu You Dao immediately became even more convinced that the Thousand Beast Sect had participated in the battles, now that Chao Sheng Huai was no longer under arrest.
If the Thousand Beast Sect was helping the Song Kingdom, then it wouldn't be proper for the kingdom to keep their elder's grandson imprisoned. Niu You Dao now believed that Chao Sheng Huai was already home.
And by finding Zhou Tie Zi, he confirmed his suspicions.
Seeing that Zhou Tie Zi wasn't very eager to talk, Niu You Dao didn't press him. He pulled a letter from his sleeve: "I have another acquaintance in the Thousand Beast Sect. But I cannot stay here long. I ask Brother Zhou to convey my greetings to him."
Delivering the letter shouldn't be dangerous. Zhou Tie Zi accepted the letter and, looking at the envelope, saw no recipient's name. He immediately asked, "Who should I give this to?"
Niu You Dao: "The one we just spoke about, Chao Sheng Huai. It's better for him and for others not to know that I delivered this letter. Also, so that Chao Sheng Huai won't bother you later."
Zhou Tie Zi nodded: "Alright, if there's nothing else, I'll return."
"Don't rush!" Niu You Dao extended his hand, and Guan Fang Yi took out a bill for ten thousand gold coins. "This is my small token of gratitude, Brother. Please accept it."
Zhou Tie Zi, a minor disciple who had rarely seen so much money, dared not take it, no matter how Niu You Dao tried to persuade him.
"Brother Chao, a letter for you."
Chao Sheng Huai was glum. His grandfather had angrily punished him, sentencing him to sweep the grounds for three years. It was both a punishment and a cautionary lesson for everyone.
And as he was sweeping the floor, suddenly a fellow disciple approached and handed him a letter. Receiving the letter, Chao Sheng Huai asked, "Whose is it?"
The fellow disciple replied, "I don't know. A minor disciple named Zhou Tie Zi brought it. He said someone asked him to deliver it when he was returning."
"Zhou Tie Zi?" Chao Sheng Huai froze. There were so many disciples in the Thousand Beast Sect. How could he remember all of them, especially the minor ones who mostly served? Only Zhou Tie Zi had made an impression on him, for he was the one who had served in Niu You Dao's guest house.
Thus, he immediately tensed up and forced a smile. When no one else remained around, he went to a secluded corner and began to examine the letter.
He hadn't looked closely at the letter, but as soon as he did, he froze. The letter contained four names, specifically the names of those Niu You Dao had killed as witnesses.
Besides the names, the time and place of a meeting were also specified. And if he didn't come, he would have to bear the consequences himself.
Chao Sheng Huai already knew who was looking for him. He was constantly angry with himself. How could he have brought such trouble upon himself?
He didn't know what Niu You Dao wanted from him. But each time, the consequences had been far from good. He couldn't not go, so Chao Sheng Huai found an excuse to leave the sect.
When he reached the appointed place, he finally saw the smiling face of the demon of his dreams, Niu You Dao. Chao Sheng Huai immediately said, enraged: "You said nothing would happen, yet I was held under arrest in the capital for so long! And you still dare to show your face? When will you finally let me go? I'm telling you, I won't do anything now. If you force me, I'll reveal everything about the matter with the Song Kingdom's envoy!"
Niu You Dao, leaning on his sword, said with a smile: "Brother Chao, don't fuss. I'm not going to ask you for anything. I just intended to return your money. And, on the way, to ask about something. Don't be so tense."
Chao Sheng Huai asked suspiciously, "What is it you want to ask?"
Niu You Dao: "In the battle between the Song and Yan Kingdom armies, snakes, birds, rats, and other beasts suddenly appeared. Was that your sect's doing?"
Chao Sheng Huai replied impatiently, "I heard that a Yan Kingdom cultivator came and accused us. But the Sect Head didn't admit it. If the Sect Head won't admit it, what can I say? Even if it was us, they would keep it a secret. How could I know?"
"If that's the case..." Niu You Dao smiled, took a letter from his sleeve, and placed it down.
Chao Sheng Huai froze, his eyes widening. He fell to the ground. Someone had suddenly attacked him.
Guan Fang Yi, standing nearby, waved her hand and summoned a subordinate. Wu Lao Er arrived.
Niu You Dao handed him the letter. And looking at Chao Sheng Huai, he said: "Deliver the third letter to Chao Jing!"