Chapter 684: It really isn’t something minor (1/2)

The path to the Wintercrow Clan was undeniably dangerous. But the Northern Li wasn’t worried for Jun Yixie’s personal safety as much as who would be responsible for the horse farms and snow mountain affairs once he was gone. If Jun Yixie died at the Wintercrow Clan’s hands, who would take over those two meaty responsibilities?

Originally, the business of horse trading fell under the crown prince’s jurisdiction, but the Northern Li emperor was sending the second imperial prince to the north because he didn’t want to risk the crown prince’s life. A country needed its leader and a heir to the throne. If both the second imperial prince and Jun Yixie went north, then the horse farm and snow mountains would fall into the crown prince’s hands. Although the emperor regarded his son highly, he didn’t want him to grow too powerful. After all, Crown Prince Long Tianmo was a prime example of too much power in the wrong hands!

As he hesitated, Bai Yanqing spoke up. “It’s not certain that the second imperial prince can succeed in this endeavor alone. With Yixie coming along, this old man will worry less. Barbarian tribes fear strange powers and chaotic gods most, so Yixie’s poison skills should be enough to face them.”

The Wintercrow Clan was extremely backwards, especially when it came to medicine. Many incurable illnesses were attributed to supernatural beings or monsters. Jun Yixie could show off his poison skills there and perhaps even be regarded as a god. Anyone considered a deity in the Wintercrow Clan was free to command them as he wished.

“Poison arts! That’s not a bad idea! Beloved official, why didn’t you say so earlier?” the emperor grew enlightened.

“To be frank, I just thought of it myself,” Bai Yanqing admitted.

Like that, the Northern Li emperor agreed to the arrangements. Bai Yanqing and Jun Yixie left the hall before master whispered to disciple, “Find someone to tell the news to the crown prince a few days later. He won’t miss out on the chance to vie for favor.”

Jun Yixie’s lips curved up into a cruel smirk. “Master is wise and brilliant. Your disciple definitely won’t disappoint master.”

Anyone who could bring back the horses would be rendering meritorious service and gain command over the warhorse stocks. The crown prince would definitely refuse to let the second imperial prince take all the credit. Jun Yixie had ways to whisk the crown prince off to the Wintercrow Clan as well. When the time came, it’d be up to him to determine their deaths. Once the Northern Li emperor lost both his sons, it’d be like losing his left and right arms. Even if another imperial prince gained his support, he’d be hard-pressed to contend against Jun Yixie at court! After the emperor grew older, it’d be even less certain to see who inherited the lands of Northern Li at last!

Jun Yixie had wondered why master wanted him to keep a close eye on Northern Li’s internal affairs instead of meddling with external conflicts. Now he could understand. If he hadn’t lost to Long Feiye and Han Yunxi, he would still be the Northern Li emperor’s trusty ally. Master’s grand chessboard hinged on the ultimate goal of controlling all of Northern Li.

Bai Yanqing and Jun Yixie headed towards their tent before the former spoke up. “Cloud Realm Trade Consortium is the biggest variable in this case. We cannot ignore the grain and horses in their hands.”

“Master, just what is the relationship between the Ning Clan and Cloud Realm Trade Consortium? When the Ning fought against Western Zhou, the consortium sold multiple red coat cannons to the Ning Clan,1” Jun Yixie remarked.

Bai Yanqing only shook his head. “Something fishy, that’s for sure.”

“And also, Ning Jing actually married into the Tang Clan. The plans to grow medicine in the snow mountains was delayed because of her wedding plans. What’s their relation to the Tang Clan?” Jun Yixie muttered to himself.

“You don’t need to pay attention to those details. Just make preparations. Be careful when going to the Wintercrow Clan this time,” Bai Yanqing said seriously.

“Don’t worry, master. It’s only a minor issue.” Jun Yixie was always full of self-confidence. At this moment, his junior sister and Bai Yanqing’s foster daughter, Bai Yuqiao entered the room.

“Go and prepare yourself. You’ll set out tomorrow, so take a trip back to the capital first.” Bai Yanqing waved him off, but Jun Yixie lingered behind.

“Master, about Long Feiye and Han Yunxi…”

“Do your own job well,” Bai Yanqing grew unhappy. Despite his reluctance, Jun Yixie had no choice but to leave. He was curious about how his master would deal with Long Feiye and Han Yunxi, but didn’t understand why the man told him to keep away from the latter. Just what kind of schemes was he cooking up? Every time he asked, master either changed the topic or chased him away. He had been waiting for ages for an answer.

“Master, are there secrets between us as master and disciple?” his usually arrogant, cold gaze was filled with stubborn grievance as he stared at the older man.

“You doubt your master?” Bai Yanqing put on a long face.

Bai Yuqiao silently withdrew to one side at the exchange. When she saw her proud and lofty senior brother act as obstinate as a child, she couldn’t help but feel her heart ache. She knew all about master’s plans and wanted to slip them to senior brother many times, but ultimately lacked the nerve.

“No! Since master doesn’t want disciple to interfere, then disciple will simply obey,” Jun Yixie said before turning to leave.

He had already reached the door when Bai Yanqing called out coldly, “You’ve already lost multiple times at that woman’s hands. What right do you have to meddle in her things at all? Don’t worry, master will avenge you for the humiliation at Long Feiye’s hands. You don’t need to be hasty.”

Hearing this, Jun Yixie’s dimmed eyes lit up. He turned back and respectfully made obeisance with cupped hands. “Many thanks to master!”

Bai Yuqiao only felt helpless at the sight. She knew that senior brother must be too caught up in his happiness right now. He didn’t even notice that master had mentioned payback for Long Feiye, not Han Yunxi. That woman should be the true target of Jun Yixie’s vengeance considering how many times he’d lost to her.

“What are you still dawdling around for?” Bai Yanqing’s stern tone broke Bai Yuqiao’s train of thoughts. She quickly ran over and handed him a secret missive.

“Master, an express message from the City of Daughters 800 li away.”

The City of Daughters had long fallen under Bai Yanqing’s control. Jun Yixie was ignorant of this fact. As Bai Yanqing read through the letter, he suddenly laughed out loud. “As expected, my guess was correct!”