Chapter 828: Take care of that surnamed Bai (1/2)

Life or death hung in a single moment!

Gu Qishao was about to speak when Ning Cheng beat him to it. “Ning An, don’t be rash! Release her or face consequences by clan rules!”

Ning An stopped her hand, unable to believe her ears. But Ning Cheng had even brought up the “clan rules,” so she had no choice but to cease. The thorny vines around Ning Cheng’s body were still tightening their grip, covering him from view. All anyone could see was the fresh blood seeping from the cracks between the vines. Ning An felt her heart break at the sight as she recalled a scene from many years ago.

That had been Ning Cheng’s third time going out on an expedition. By the time they carried him back to the barracks, his body was covered in blood--so much that he might as well been made of it. Back then, Ning Cheng had only been 15 years old. At this moment, Ning An suddenly remembered that she was the older sister--a sister who could protect her younger brother!

As more blood flowed, Ning Cheng remained aloof and indifferent. “Why haven’t you released her yet?!”

The guards hastily let go of Mu Linger, leaving her safe and sound. With her freedom restored, Gu Qishao exhaled in relief as well.

“Gu Qishao, Han Yunxi is the West Qin princess and the master of my Di Clan. I want to know where she is even more than you do. I want to see her more than you do! I don’t want to make you an enemy. If possible, we can search for her together!” Ning Cheng said sincerely.

Gu Qishao didn’t say a word, but Ning Cheng clearly felt the vines stop constricting him. Outside, the night was still, but nothing was as silent as Gu Qishao himself. He remained like this for a long, long time until everything seemed to stop except for Ning Cheng’s dripping blood.

Ning Cheng’s voice rose out of the hush. “Gu Qishao, love...is pledging one’s heart and soul, is submitting oneself to the rule of others. If you really like the princess, then why not join me?”

At his words, all of the vines on his body shriveled up and fell at his feet. No space of skin on Ning Cheng’s body was untouched, but he was smiling brilliantly. No one imagined that such a high and lofty man could have such a beautiful expression, radiant enough to illuminate the long, dark night. He walked in front of Gu Qishao and extended a bloody hand, but Gu Qishao ignored it.

“I only want to find her. If there’s any news, inform me. Send the letters to Pill Fiend Valley!” Gu Qishao said as he prepared to leave.

Ning Cheng stopped him. “Ning Jing, she...what happened to her?”

“Long Feiye told me that Ning Jing confessed. I don’t know any other details,” Gu Qishao said as he pulled Mu Linger after him and left.

“Ning Clan Head, hurry and treat your wounds. We can discuss out matters tomorrow, there’s no rush,” Bai Yanqing spoke up.

Ning Cheng nodded before arranging to Ning An to send Bai Yanqing and his disciple away. After treating his wounds, he went to meet Han Yunxi late at night and told her everything. She exhaled a huge breath of relief before saying urgently, “Hurry, send someone to search. Go to the inns, he’ll definitely be drinking!”

Ning Cheng smiled helplessly. “Princess, aren’t you confident in your subordinate’s methods? I’ve already sent people to follow him. Right now, Gu Qishao should be on his way back after finding out the truth.”

Han Yunxi was thrilled. Ning Cheng had turned the Gu Qishao disaster to their advantage. They had to face off against Bai Yanqing, so adding him to their ranks would increase their strength! Seeing Ning Cheng covered in cuts and bruises, Han Yunxi felt compassion for him for the first time. He didn’t have it easy either, treating the West Qin like his own child.

“That Uncle Bai must be Jun Yixie’s master and a member of the Wind Clan,” Ning Cheng said seriously.

Han Yunxi nodded and lowered her voice. “Since we’ve lowered his guard and Gu Qishao’s here, how about making our move tomorrow?”

Ning Cheng had risked his life tonight just to convince Bai Yanqing. As long as the man believed them, he’d be less cautious and give them their chance. As Ning Cheng remained silent, Han Yunxi urged, “We need to act quickly! Ning Cheng, each day you delay is a closer day of travel for Jun Yixie and the battle horses. How are you supposed to fight against him then?”

Actually, Ning Chng had been conflicted ever since meeting Bai Yanqing tonight. He and Han Yunxi had long agreed to lure Bai Yuqiao and Uncle Bai here, eliminate their suspicions, and strike. Ning Cheng had enough men to trap Bai Yanqing and his disciple. No matter how formidable the man’s skills might be, he couldn’t fight against the thousands of archers lying in ambush around the palace! And in terms of poison skills, Han Yunxi had promised Ning Cheng to take care of things from her end.

After capturing Bai Yanqing, they could expose his sinister plots. It was all too easy to do that as long as they made him use his poison skills and the poison storage space. That would convince the public as well. A member of the Poison Sect bloodline who didn’t acknowledge her, a descendant of the Poison Sect, would only be displaying infidelity, wasn’t that right? As long as they handed Bai Yanqing over to the Northern Li imperial clan, he could tie down Jun Yixie’s actions!

Han Yunxi had long understood Northern Li’s political climate from Long Feiye’s scouts. The Northern Li crown prince had been injured in Wintercrow Country and died en route to the capital. The second imperial prince also died within the Wintercrow Clan. How could the Northern Li emperor trust Jun Yixie now? He had so many battle horses in his possession, but if the emperor didn’t provide soldiers for the steeds, they were all useless!

All they had to do was deliver this master of Jun Yixie’s to the Northern Li emperor to give him enough collateral to threaten Jun Yixie. Once they started fighting amongst themselves, they wouldn’t bother with the south, and the Ning Clan troops would have nothing to fear. Everything had been settled, and yet here was Ning Cheng hesitating again!

“Princess, 100,000 cavalry forces are enough...to crush the south central regions,” Ning Cheng revealed his misapprehensions. His current forces weren’t on par with Long Feiye’s own, so he didn’t want to expose Bai Yanqing so soon. All he wanted was to send the man into the barracks to stall for time until he found a better way to use Jun Yixie’s forces.

Han Yunxi smiled coldly within her heart. How could Ning Cheng not be moved in the face of 100,000 cavalry forces?

“Ning Cheng, I heard everything you told him just hen. It’s impossible for that surnamed Bai to leave Bai Yuqiao behind and go to the army himself. It’s even less likely that he’ll help you stop the fighting. If you force him, it’d only make him suspicious. Think it over carefully. But I’ll tell you this--if things are ruined, we’ll have to shoulder the consequences!”

Han Yunxi’s voice was as cold as ice, causing Ning Cheng to bow his head. “This subordinate will listen to everything princess says.”

After discussing and understanding all the details, Ning Cheng went to check on all his ambushed forces before returning to the secret chamber. Han Yunxi hadn’t slept, but was leaning against the bed with her eyes closed to recover her energy.

“Your Royal Highness, everything’s been arranged. We’ll go according to the plan tomorrow,” Ning Cheng said seriously.