Chapter 991: Desperation, Tang Li cries (1/2)

Even Han Yunxi ended up begging for mercy every time she threatened Long Feiye, much less anyone else. But Long Feiye really had taken a step back this time. Was it because Han Yunxi was the “West Qin princess?” Or because Tang Li had an unborn child waiting in the wings?

Long Feiye replied lightly, “I’m giving the whole world face. I hope that the coming spring won’t show any disparities between East and West Qin. This Deputy General Xue is much better at adapting to circumstances than Baili Qiyu. Baili Qiyu should learn a little from him, military men should be able to assert and submit.”

Han Yunxi looked at him for a long time in silence, her face wreathed in a foolish grin. Perhaps it was the truth behind the Great Qin Empire’s breakdown that had banished a portion of the negative notions on West Qin from Long Feiye’s mind. Or perhaps he had grown more magnanimous and broad-minded. Han Yunxi saw both an exalted figure’s dominance and strength along with a sovereign’s generosity in his actions.

She only hoped that East and West Qin’s armies could truly work together in every sense of the word this time.

At this moment, the impatient Gu Qishao finally spoke up. “Now that things are done, can we leave tomorrow?”

If they wanted to make it back before spring while taking into account the travel times, then there wasn’t much time to track down the Qi Sha dagger! Before Han Yunxi could reply, Tang Li blew up.

He shot upright and demanded, “I want to save Jing Jing!”

Ning Jing’s stomach was already five months along. By the time spring arrive, she’d be eight months pregnant. What if Ning Cheng failed? What would happen to Ning Jing and the baby? Tang Li couldn’t accept that--nor was he willing to take such a risk!

Han Yunxi and the rest understood the risks were huge, but rashly undertaking a rescue mission now, or even stirring the Tang Clan into action, would only bring undue danger to Ning Jing.

“Big bro, even at the cost of losing the Tang Clan, I need to save mother and child!” Tang Li said ruthlessly.

But Long Feiye dashed his hopes. “Even if you lose the Tang Clan, there’s no guarantee that you’ll save them.”

Forcing their way in would only lead them to Jun Yixie’s trap. Otherwise, they would have to exchange the Tang Clan’s weapons blueprints, but would Jun Yixie settle for a few dozen of them? He would definitely eat the Tang Clan whole. Furthermore, Ning Jing had additional value compared to Mu Linger because she could be used to threaten both the Tang Clan and Ning Cheng, as well as containing the man’s movements. Even the greatest temptation wouldn’t make Jun Yixie give her up easily!

“Tang Clan Head, don’t be impatient. As long as Jun Yixie sends his troops north, Ning Jing and Mu Linger should be safe until next year. If you act rashly and affect Ning Cheng’s safety, it’ll endanger those two instead,” Gu Beiyue coaxed.

Once Jun Yixie moved his army, he would rely further on Ning Cheng’s assistance and be less inclined to offend the man.

Since everyone was speaking up, Gu Qishao added his piece too. “You should stop worrying. Ning Cheng’s a reliable brother. He wouldn’t just abandon his own sister and nephew, right?”

Tang Li had been suppressing himself for the past few days, but now he finally burst out. “The f**k, Gu Qishao, are you deaf or blind? Don’t you know Ning Cheng used my child’s life to threaten my big bro? Who knows what kind of accidents could happen at Skyriver City? Who knows whether he’ll sacrifice Ning Jing instead?! Won’t he do anything the sake of his crap mission and shitty cause? He’s already sacrificed Ning Jing once when he made her marry into the Tang Clan! What right does he have to use my child as collateral?! Who gives him the right? Huh?!”

Tang Li was both infuriated and anxious. As he cursed and cursed, his eyes grew red with the threat of tears. There was no sign of his usual careless, silkpants attitude. Ning Jing had probably never seen Tang Li like this. Would her heart ache at the sight of him now?

Han Yunxi understood Tang Li’s pain most of all. She had seen Ning Jing’s horror when she’d almost had a miscarriage in the past. For the sake of hiding her child, Ning Jing had sacrificed much as well. She squeezed Tang Li’s shoulder and said outright, “We’ll wait. Wait until Jun Yixie heads north before we leave. It’s not far from Skyriver City here, so if any accidents happen, we’ll do our best to rush over.”

Tang Li turned to hug Han Yunxi. “Sister-in-law…”

Tang Li...was crying.

Gu Qishao was rendered dumb and caught unawares, Gu Beiyue turned aside with a soft fight. Long Feiye didn’t say a word, but patted Tang Li’s shoulder. It had been a long, long time since he last saw Tang Li cry, so long that he’d almost forgotten what it looked like. When Tang Li was very young, he would always ask Long Feiye through his tears, “Big bro, why don’t you ever cry?”

“Big bro, do you have a way to hide your tears? Teach me how.”

“Big bro, auntie says real men never cry. Does this mean I can’t be a real man?”

In Long Feiye’s eyes, Tang Li had always been the little brother that never grew up. Very soon, he pulled Tang Li out of Han Yunxi’s arms and dragged him away. Just like that, the group that was planning to head south stopped and settled down secretly at East Origin Hall. While keeping an eye on developments in Northern Li, they also looked for any news of Bai Yanqing.

Long Feiye dispatched a few agents to scout ahead south and dig up news of the Qi Sha dagger. Baili Qiyu and Deputy General Xue exchanged letters twice before East Qin moved their forces first to attack Tongyang Prefecture. Ning Cheng didn’t write them again, but maintained correspondence with Myriad Merchant Hall. After Tang Li’s repeated entreaties, Han Yunxi personally stepped out to have the Myriad Merchant Hall write Ning Cheng and tell him to take care of Ning Jing well.

Actually, his exact words were, “Warn Ning Cheng that if anything happens to Ning Jing and the baby, I won’t let him off!”