Chapter 831: Heart towards the north, body towards the south (1/2)

Bai Yanqing’s stance was unyielding. Although the sword looked ready to hack him, he didn’t move beyond staring calmly at Han Yunxi. In the end, she was defeated and left the blade on his body without moving. Bai Yanqing was the Wind Clan Head, while Gu Beiyue was the sole survivor of the Shadow Clan. Between the two, Bai Yanqing was more valuable than Gu Beiyue; thus, killing him would be a waste for Han Yunxi’s side.

Gu Beiyue would have a worthy death as well.

But how could Han Yunxi ever place a “value” on Gu Beiyue’s life? She couldn’t do it! Yet as soon as she stopped, Bai Yanqing’s mouth curled up into a mocking lilt. He knew long ago that Han Yunxi couldn’t kill him. Abruptly, Ning Cheng stole the sword and rushed in, stabbing the blade into Bai Yanqing’s flesh.

“Don’t!” Han Yunxi pulled the sword out and tossed it aside.

Bai Yanqing didn’t move or speak, but only smiled coldly. His grin was full of mocking and exceedingly provoking in Ning Cheng’s eyes.

“Princess, this subordinate believes that Gu Beiyue will be honored to be a sacrifice! His death shall be the greatest glory of the Shadow Clan!” Ning Cheng said seriously.

Han Yunxi finally understood why Ning Cheng could bear to deliver Ning An to Emperor Tianhui and Ning Jing to the Tang Clan. She should have long realized that Ning Cheng was a man capable of using his own sisters to complete the mission of the clan and West Qin. If family could be sacrificed for honor, why not anyone else?

She only looked blankly at Bai Yanqing and muttered, “But I can’t do it!”

“Princess…” Ning Cheng coaxed, but Han Yunxi raised a hand to silence him. She knew what he wanted to say. Without a doubt, Ning Cheng would compare the strengths of the Wind and Shadow Clans. If they could cripple Bai Yanqing and deliver him to the Northern Li emperor, then he could pin down Jun Yixie. At that time, Northern Li’s cavalrymen and Jun Yixie’s battle horses would be at odds. Their internal struggle could buy them at last a year and a half of time, leaving the Ning Clan troops with nothing to fear in the meantime.

Gu Beiyue was the only one left from the Shadow Clan. He’d yet to recover his shadow arts, so what was the loss in using his single life to destroy the Wind Clan’s plots? They’d exerted so much effort to the point that they hadn’t hung up any battle flags or revealed her whereabouts. Wasn’t it all just for this moment?

“Ning Cheng, if West Qin is restored to its former glory without its faithful soldiers, what would be the point?” Han Yunxi asked.

“Princess, this isn’t the time for that!” Ning Cheng didn’t want to budge on things like this, even if he was facing the West Qin princess. He raised his own sword, but now it was Gu Qishao who stopped him.

“You don’t have the right to decide for Gu Beiyue!”

“I know his choice already!” Ning Cheng used force, but couldn’t break free of Gu Qishao’s grasp. “Do you think that by letting him go now, he’ll release Gu Beiyue?” he demanded angrily.

“At least Gu Beiyue wouldn’t be dying for the sake of West Qin then!” Han Yunxi persisted.

“The Shadow Clan’s duty is to die for West Qin! The same for the Di Clan!” Ning Cheng raised his voice. Although these weren’t his own words, his father and grandfather had told him the same thing before their deaths. He would never forget it in his life.

“This princess refuses!” Han Yunxi was enraged. This was her first time embracing her role as “West Qin princess.” She was telling Ning Cheng that this wasn’t a discussion, but an order.

“Princess…” Ning Cheng couldn’t accept it, but he didn’t dare to disobey.

Han Yunxi looked at the archers and coldly issued orders. “All of you, withdraw!”

Ning Cheng clenched his right fist, his heart filled with unresignment. But all he could do was hold things back and signal the archers with his eyes. They withdrew. Bai Yanqing slowly patted off the dust on his clothes and straightened himself out. As soon as he prepared to leave, Han Yunxi said, “If you dare to harm a single hair on Gu Beiyue’s head, prepare to accept the consequences!”

Bai Yanqing laughed coldly before swaggering off. Meanwhile, he’d all but forgotten Bai Yuqiao on the ground. Perhaps he assumed that his disciple had been killed in the storm of arrows.

As soon as Bai Yanqing left, Ning Cheng threw his sword on the ground, his face growing grave and icy. Even Ning An, who had just brought Mu Linger along, didn’t dare to speak. Gu Qishao didn’t care about him. In his eyes, only Poison lass was important.

“Poison lass, you’re still Qi gege’s Poison lass!” Gu Qishao muttered to himself.

“What?” Han Yunxi glanced at him.

“I’m cursing you. Forget it if you didn’t hear,” Gu Qishao teased.

No one else knew how fast his heart was beating just then. He was afraid that the Poison lass he liked had morphed into a princess deadset on reviving her country, someone who would sacrifice Gu Beiyue matter-of-factly in the name of righteousness and justice. If she had really thrown Gu Beiyue away, he wouldn’t know whether to keep protecting her or tell her “no.”

Fortunately, Poison lass was still the same Poison lass as before.

Han Yunxi didn’t pursue Gu Qishao’s joke, but looked at Ning Cheng’s frosty countenance with a stifled heart. An indescribable feeling rose in her chest, uncomfortable and unwell.

“Ning Cheng…”

Ning Cheng turned and stalked off.

“Ning Cheng, you’ve all made sacrifices so many times. Let this be the imperial clan’s turn to sacrifice for your sakes!” Han Yunxi shouted.

Ning Cheng halted at her words, while Ning An was seized with shock. Tears poured down her face--whether from grievance or gratitude, it wasn’t clear. Ning Cheng remained standing for a long time before he finally turned back. He didn’t bring up Gu Beiyue again, but said seriously, “Princess, you must find a way to meet with the Northern Li emperor as soon as possible.”