Chapter 730: The Toad Desires Nuts, Yet Lacks Teeth |
Yuan Gang found their flirtations and quarrels nauseating. So, he turned around and left.
The moment he re-entered the forest, he spotted a lone figure, and his mind immediately flashed back to the White Clouds Club, the desert, and the weakened girl he had held in his arms. He remembered her true name, Bai Su.
*Su Zhao* stood by a tree, supporting herself against it.
She couldn't help but lean. To prevent her escape, the cultivators had placed a restriction on her body that sapped the strength from her arms and legs. Moreover, cultivators kept a constant watch over her.
Anxiety was etched on her face. Her gaze repeatedly drifted towards the Dong Yu River.
They were heading in that direction. She knew they weren't far from the Dong Yu River.
“What is your name, in the end?”
Recognizing the familiar question, she snapped back to reality. Turning her head, she saw Yuan Gang. Her answer remained as calm as ever: “Su Zhao!”
She herself didn't know who Su Zhao was, or what that name meant to Yuan Gang. Yuan Gang abruptly released his grip and seized her by the neck. He demanded furiously, “Speak! What is your real name?”
Only at the last moment did Yuan Gang loosen his grip.
*Su Zhao* leaned against the tree and sank to the ground. She began to cough. Then she raised her head and, looking at the hulking man, said, “I told you my name is Su Zhao. Why do you keep asking me?!”
Yuan Gang crouched beside her and, looking at her, said, “If you tell us your true identity, and we verify it, then I will release you. I am a man of my word!”
*Su Zhao* sneered derisively. She wouldn't dare reveal who she was. She'd rather be killed. But she wouldn't be a sword in someone else's hands. So, she stated clearly, “I only remember the name Su Zhao. You hit me, and I forgot everything else.”
Yuan Gang grew angry. He realized this girl didn't know the height of the sky or the depth of the earth. *Do you truly believe Lord Dao has no way to make you speak? Even if Lord Dao can't make you speak, he can still get his hands on the Kusheng Pill from the Morning Moon Palace. It's just that I'm holding him back for now.*
He knew about the cooperation between the Morning Moon Palace and Lord Dao. Borrowing a Kusheng Pill was no problem at all.
He had personally tasted the Kusheng Pill. He knew how terrifying it was. Why was it named so? (Kusheng translates to ‘divine bitterness’). This meant that even a deity or celestial being wouldn't be able to withstand its anguish.
The most terrifying thing was that there was no antidote for it. If you tasted it, you would forever fear the shadow of that state for the rest of your life.
Although he had already endured it, he wouldn't be able to help this girl recover from the effects of that pill.
He also couldn't say that he could use this pill against this girl. Otherwise, it would become clear that Lord Dao was cooperating with the Morning Moon Palace.
He cared for her, yet she treated him with ingratitude. So, he burst out in anger, “Do you not understand that we cannot release you if you might harm us! The more you keep silent, the higher your status must be. That means the probability of us releasing you is even lower. Do you comprehend this?”
*Su Zhao* replied with a smile, “Having fallen into your hands, I no longer expect you to release me.”
Yuan Gang said angrily, “I treat you well because I don't want to kill the innocent. Don't force my hand!”
*Su Zhao* retorted sarcastically, “Do you truly care about the guilty and the innocent? By your words, it seems I should be grateful to you for dragging me here? Heh heh! If you want to kill me, then kill me!”
Yuan Gang suddenly stood up, drew his Three Roaring Tigers Sword, and swung it. A flash of brilliance emanated from it.
*Su Zhao*'s eyes widened as if she had just stared death in the face.
Feeling the wind from the sword's swing, she expected nothing less and closed her eyes. Yet, she slowly opened them again and noticed the massive sword hovering at her throat.
She squinted her eyes and seemed to understand him.
After all, they had been in each other's company for quite some time these past few days. And she understood that he truly didn't want to kill her.
The others treated her with indifference. But not him. Only he treated her kindly.
Her eyes gleamed, and she suddenly asked, “Is this Su Zhao similar to me? Is she your woman? Is she dead?”
She wasn't foolish; of course, she could discern the guiding thread. She had already figured it out for herself.
Yuan Gang didn't answer. He simply put away his sword and left.
Realizing she had guessed correctly, *Su Zhao* watched Yuan Gang's retreating figure with curiosity.
...
Bingzhou, a secluded courtyard. Hui Qing Ping walked slowly through the courtyard, clad in white.
She approached the house and stood on the porch. A long time passed, and finally, she entered.
Inside, there was no one but a man lying behind a curtain. She opened the curtain and saw him there. He had a long mustache. His bare feet rested on the floor, and he leaned against a cushion, holding wine in his hand and drinking.
And this was none other than Wu Gun Lin.
“This is no place for negotiations. I'll wait for you outside.” She drew the curtain and prepared to leave.
Wu Gun Lin chuckled, “Ping Ping, to me, this is the best place for negotiations. If you don't want to talk here, then don't talk. Leave, I'm not forcing you.”
Hui Qing Ping stopped, clenching her fists. But in the end, she didn't leave. Instead, she turned and stepped inside.
Wu Gun Lin looked at her with satisfaction. He appeared crude and unrefined. Hui Qing Ping was seething inwardly.
There wasn't much to discuss. The Han Kingdom wanted him to assist with their offensive. Wu Gun Lin didn't refuse. His only condition was that Hui Qing Ping be given to him in marriage. Only then would he provide assistance. He claimed that once they crossed the river, they would burn the bridge behind them. Therefore, he wanted Hui Qing Ping as his wife, as a guarantee.
Although it was a mere pretense, he clearly understood that the true guarantee would be the power he held in his hand. And he claimed he had fallen in love with Hui Qing Ping, unable to let her go. This was indeed a case of the toad desiring nuts, yet lacking teeth.
In truth, if Jin Jue truly pressured him, Wu Gun Lin would have no choice but to go and assist. However, Wu Gun Lin still wished to assert his character and achieve something from the situation.
And a concession could be made to him. For if Wu Gun Lin didn't fight with his full strength during military operations, the Han Kingdom might pay dearly for it.
If one were to consider it, Jin Jue was one of those who weren't particularly fond of cultivators.
Therefore, he let the three sects decide the matter themselves.
Did Hui Qing Ping want this? Of course not. However, the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine calculated its own advantage. Not only for the sake of the Han Kingdom, but also for their sect. If Wu Gun Lin were to seize any territory, that territory would then belong to the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine.
Sacrificing Hui Qing Ping and gaining a large territory from which they could later reap profits. Therefore, the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine had no reason to refuse. Especially since Hui Qing Ping had lost her elder post.
Of course, the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine needed to maintain its reputation. And they needed to give Hui Qing Ping a choice. They wanted to persuade Wu Gun Lin in some other way.
When another disciple of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine came, Wu Gun Lin only wanted Hui Qing Ping. No one else would do.
Hui Qing Ping calmed herself and slowly said, “After we crush the Song Kingdom, we will cede two provinces to you.”
Wu Gun Lin sneered coldly, “I raised a rebellion in Cangzhou, and in the end, you deceived me. And the Southern Domain didn't help; on the contrary, they turned against me. I suffered greatly from that. Unless I taste something more, I won't believe you again.”
Hui Qing Ping: “You know the rules of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine. We cannot marry!”
Wu Gun Lin waved his hand. “Stop spouting nonsense. You and I both know. The Heavenly Maiden Doctrine knows it even better. Everyone does everything for profit. Stop pretending so much. You know better than I what the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine will do for its own gain. Why pretend to be innocent when you're a whore? What's the point? Don't drag this out. I only want you. As for the battles to come, I'll take what I need myself.”
Hui Qing Ping stared at him with a stony expression for a long time, then suddenly and decisively said, “Fine! I agree to marry you. Just don't regret your dog's life later!”
Wu Gun Lin put down his wine, stood up, and approached her. “How could I regret it? I'm already walking through fire; what do I have to regret?”
Gazing at his repulsive smiling face, Hui Qing Ping couldn't bear it any longer and said, “The wedding will be secret, we'll keep everything simple. They must have told you.”
“I know, I know. I also don't need to attract Meng Shan Ming's attention.” Wu Gun Lin nodded.
Seeing that he agreed, Hui Qing Ping turned around and prepared to leave.
Who would have thought that Wu Gun Lin would suddenly grab her, seizing her with both hands where he shouldn't have?
Hui Qing Ping trembled and forcefully broke free from his embrace. Then, turning around, she slapped him.
SMACK! From the resounding slap, Wu Gun Lin fell to the floor and coughed up blood.
“Tired of living?” Hui Qing Ping snapped angrily.
Wu Gun Lin struggled to his feet, shaking his head from the concussion. Pointing at the departing Hui Qing Ping, he said, “I made you come alone today. I wanted to taste what an elder of the Heavenly Maiden Doctrine was like. You came, and now try leaving alone. Then I will convey the consequences of your slap to your Doctrine!”
Hui Qing Ping froze, her hands trembling.
Seeing that she wasn't leaving, Wu Gun Lin slowly began to approach. He intended to embrace her. When he wrapped his arms around her, he blinked, surprised it had worked.
Hui Qing Ping, struggling to control herself, said, “I've already agreed to marry you!”
“Stop confusing me. Until I've tasted you, what good is this verbal agreement? Didn't you say we'd keep everything simple? Why not today? Let's confirm our sincere intentions!” Wu Gun Lin bent down, scooped her into his arms, and quickly went to the bed. He laid her down. He truly had no fear of death.
At dawn, Wu Gun Lin emerged from the house. Half his face was swollen, yet he was beaming. Behind him, a deathly silence reigned in the room...