Chapter 594: Specifically asking for Gu Beiyue (2/2)

Chu Yunyi narrowed slammed the table in rage. “Ning Cheng, do you really take yourself to be a head of onion just because this old man’s been yielding to you? You cooperate with my Nether Clan on one side while colluding with Emperor Kang Cheng and the Duke of Qin to surround my troops on the other. Just what are your intentions? Now you even have the nerve to come asking me for Gu Beiyue. Heheh, you think my Nether Clan’s so easy to bully?”

“You can refuse to hand him over, but you’ll have to suffer the consequences yourself!” Ning Cheng said before rising to leave.

Chu Yunyi immediately moved to stand in front of him. “Explain yourself!”

“Explain the consequences? What, are you afraid?” Ning Cheng chuckled, almost angering Chu Yunyi to death. Why does dealing with this man feel so much like dealing with Long Feiye?

“Ning Cheng, did you forget the whole point of our alliance? Or the mission of the Di and Nether Clans?” Chu Yunyi could only resort to such views to keep the conversation going.

It would have been better if he didn’t say anything in the first place, because Ning Cheng’s eyes flashed with cold scorn at the words. He knew very well of Chu Yunyi’s wild ambitions, but he’d never exposed the man’s views. If the Nether Clan really was dedicated to reviving the West Qin Dynasty, Ning Cheng would help them as much as he could. Even if it meant sacrificing all of the Di Clan’s resources, he wouldn’t hold any regrets. But if the Nether Clan simply wanted to use the royal name to benefit their own clan, he’d make them pay even if he died in the process!

“I haven’t forgotten,” Ning Cheng said in a low voice.

“Then why have the three armies mobilize? Who are you planning to push onto Tianning’s throne?” Chu Yunyi demanded. Before, they had agreed that Great General Ning would support the crown prince’s claim to the throne once Emperor Tianhui passed away. The empress dowager, Chu Qingge, would hold court from behind the curtain while the Chu Clan would take the three eastern prefectures of Western Zhou and surrender them to Tianning. Despite appearing to yield to Tianning, they would be the true masters of the country behind the scenes. Making the country their stronghold, they would keep searching for traces of the West Qin heir while expanding their power and influence.

But now the Ning Clan had actually teamed up with the Duke of Qin and Western Zhou? Chu Yunyi really didn’t understand what Ning Cheng was thinking?

“The Duke of Qin found me to cooperate with him. Do you think I could have refused? Or should I have met a plot with a plot instead?” Ning Cheng countered.

“What ‘plot with a plot?’” Chu Yunyi asked urgently.

“Don’t worry. This general’s soldiers will definitely reach the location before the Duke of Qin’s forces. When the time comes, our forces can attack Western Zhou unawares, then team up against the Duke of Qin. Perhaps we’ll even get the south central regions in the process!” Ning Cheng smiled.

“You…are you even going to transfer the cavalry forces down south?” Chu Yunyi was stunned. Otherwise, where would Ning Cheng have such confidence in his victory? His current forces really did pose a threat to the south central regions if he accounted for his cavalrymen.

“Of course!” Ning Cheng shot back.

“Really?” Chu Yunyi pressed again.

“Cavalry forces can’t be compared to the infantry. They’ll only need a few days to reach the south,” Ning Cheng said confidently.

“Aren’t you afraid that Northern Li will…”

“Northern Li would’ve launched its troops long ago if they were intending to attack,” Ning Cheng cut him off. “Why would they bother waiting until now? I’m afraid that the pestilence last year hurt their horses more than they’d care to admit, haha!”

“Then this is great news!” Chu Yunyi was finally happy again.

“And Gu Beiyue?” Ning Cheng asked haughtily.

“Just who told you about him?” Chu Yunyi asked.

“Hand over Gu Beiyue to this soldier, or else…” Ning Cheng trailed off to draw close, before enunciating word by word, “Or else, this soldier won’t sent a single soldier to the south.”

“You’re threatening this old man!” Chu Yunyi glared at him.

“Of course!” Ning Cheng admitted openly.

“You!” Chu Yunyi tried his best to suppress his temper. Who told his Nether Clan to be weaker than the Di Clan? Stemming his impatience, he declared, “Ning Cheng, what does it matter whether Gu Beiyue is in your hands or mine? He’s our ace. Don’t you worry, this old man will definitely keep an eye on him!”

“Since it’s the same no matter where he is, why not let this soldier toy with him a bit? Heheh, I heard his relationship with Han Yunxi’s not bad at all!” Ning Cheng replied.

Actually, he’d mobilized the three armies together with the intention of forcing the Chu Clan to hand over Empress Xue instead. But once he found out that Gu Beiyue was in their hands, he was much more interested in the doctor. With Empress Xue, one could threaten the Western Zhou emperor, but with Gu Beiyue, one could threaten Han Yunxi. Chu Qingge already told him: anything that threatened Han Yunxi could threaten the Duke of Qin, Long Feiye, as well!

Ning Cheng didn’t have to think twice before asking for his hostage of choice.

“Ning Cheng, we were perfectly fine before. Are you harboring other intentions?” Chu Yunyi asked half-jokingly.

“This soldier has been considering the issue back and forth. Tianning’s throne will soon fall into your hands, but my Ning family needs collateral as well, don’t we? Suppose your Chu Clan gains power and turns your face on us? How is this soldier supposed to explain things to my fellow comrades then?” Ning Cheng asked.

“This…heheh! Ning Cheng, aren’t you overthinking things? The Nether and Di Clans are both loyal to West Qin. Even the Chu Clan can’t hope to ascend that throne. If you’re still worried, why not usurp the throne for yourself? I won’t stop you!” Chu Yunyi teased.

“You can yield an imperial throne, why not Gu Beiyue as well? Bring him out, I’ll take him with me today!” Ning Cheng grew impatient.

Chu Yunyi was choked back by his own words. Unable to reply, he grew hesitant…

Should I hand him over after all?