Chapter 1078: If, suppose there was an if (2/2)
“Let me out! I’m begging you all, let me out!”
“I want to save Ning Jing! I want to save my child! All of you let me out!”
Hearing Tang Li’s begging made Long Feiye halt his steps. He turned to look away, his handsome brows creased into a line. Han Yunxi stopped as well, her heart seizing up. Gu Qishao leaned against the courtyard gate while staring at the boarded up windows. Although he didn’t feel as miserable as Long Feiye or Han Yunxi, he wasn’t as carefree as usual. Even someone as calm as Gu Beiyue could only sigh helplessly. As he prepared to walk over, Long Feiye coldly ordered, “Open the doors and let him out!”
The shadow guard did as told and Tang Li rushed outside. His eyes were swollen, his hair was a mess and his chin scruffy with the signs of a beard. At a glance, he looked every inch a madman. At the sight of Long Feiye, he gave a start, then threw himself at him. However, Long Feiye extended a hand to keep him at arm’s length before scolding, “You’re already going to be a father, but you still look like this?”
Tang Li was torn before wanting to rage or cry. He hollered back, “Big bro, we’ve lost contact with Tiger’s Prison! Lost contact!”
“I know!” Long Feiye shouted back. “I’ll give you enough time to brew a cup of tea to clean up your face and feelings. Come with me with negotiate with the Di Clan, then we’ll set off to rescue the hostages!”
“Big bro, Ning Jing and the rest…” Tang Li wanted to go on, but Long Feiye cut him off.
“I’ll be waiting for you right here. I won’t wait if you’re late!”
Tang Li started before turning back to run into the rooms! Once he was gone, silence settled upon the courtyard. Although their surroundings were quiet, all of them knew that their battles would began today! No matter what Jun Yixie had prepared for them, they could only win, not lose!
--
Tang Li was finished before the time limit, his beard cleanly shaved and his hair secured high above his head with a simple hair tie. He was now dressed in a set of ashen gray robes suitable for martial arts--the kind with tight, collared sleeves and pants that allowed for easy movement. Although his complexion looked wan and sallow and his eyes still puffy, the light shining from his pupils more than made up for the losses. He seemed both energetic and lively.
At last, they were going to save Jing Jing and the child. He had to give 120%!
To Long Feiye, he loudly proclaimed, “Big bro, I’m ready!”
Tang Li’s high spirits roused the heavy hearts of the rest.
“Then let’s go!” Long Feiye didn’t have them rest, but headed straight for Myriad Merchant Hall. During the entire trip, they had been exchanged letters and finalizing deployments for the East Qin Army here. Baili Yuanlong and a few deputy generals had arrived three days early and had already discussed alliance details with the Di Clan troops twice. Though they could manage the fine details, the bigger picture was a source of contention.
Ning Nuo had received news and knew to expect Long Feiye’s group at the market tonight, but never thought he and Han Yunxi would come to Myriad Merchant Hall as soon as they arrived. He was almost at a loss for what to do as he invited the group to wait at the guest hall while hurrying off to gather the merchant hall’s Council of Elders and the representatives from Cloud Realm Trade Consortium and the military.
Han Yunxi stopped him and asked coldly, “Ning Nuo, didn’t you waste enough time last time? Are you going to do that again?”
Before Ning Nuo could reply, Long Feiye struck the table with a loud slap. “If the Di Clan has no plans to cooperate, then forget it! My East Qin Army isn’t incapable of taking down a paltry Northern Li!”
Now Ning Nuo panicked. “Your Highness Crown Prince, my big brother and sister are both in Jun Yixie’s hands. How could I not panic? Let’s talk it over nicely if there’s anything to say!”
Judging from the current situation in Northern Li, it was very possible for the East Qin Army to clear them all in one fell swoop. Moreover, the Di Clan didn’t have anyone who could help out with the Tiger Prison’s side! Long Feiye and Han Yunxi had invited Myriad Merchant Hall to participate in the past, not to give the Di Clan face, but Ning cheng. They were also striving to maintain the first ever alliance between East and West Qin forces.
“Are there any objections to the Ning Clan troops taking the front lines for the Three-Way Pass?” Long Feiye got straight to the point. This was the first major source of contention in the talks between the two armies.
The Three-Way Pass was a major pass between Northern Li, Tianning, and Western Zhou. The Northern Li army had always maintained control of the area because north of the pass was their territory. Beyond it to the south was the Three-Way Battlefield, a no-man’s zone for the three nations. West of the Three-Way Battlefield was Western Zhou, while east of it laid Tianning territory.
The Three-Way Pass was easily guarded and hard to attack. Thus, historic wars between the three nations had always given Northern Li the advantage as long as they released their cavalry forces from beyond the pass. The horsemen could attack the flat plains immediately south without obstacle to threaten either west or east, while the reverse was far more difficult. A flat plain was hard to guard; moreover, the danger of overtaking Three-Way Pass were hard to surmount.
All historical accounts of battles to take the Three-Way Pass had all ended in failure for Tianning and Western Zhou.
Baili Yuanlong was honest and kind enough to join forces with the Ning Clan troops to attack the pass. However, the Ning Clan Troop’s Deputy General Xue insisted on the Baili Army attacking Three-Way Pass. He even said…
1. Date wise this would be closer to early April in the Gregorian calendar.
2. Again, please check the link in my translator’s notes on chapter 1077 or 1076 if you want to read about Su Xiaoyu discovering the truth about her older sister.