Should he give it up or not?
Since Ning Cheng had brought it up, there was no way he'd back down. If the Chu Clan didn't budge, then Chu Yunyi knew Ning Cheng well enough to know that he'd never let the matter rest.
Ning Cheng's words made sense as well. The Chu Clan was already 90% certain to take the throne, so the Di Clan had to have a bargaining chip in their hands to be fair.
Chu Yunyi understood Ning Cheng's loyalty to Western Qin's imperial clan. He believed that as long as the Nether Clan complied with this young man's wishes, the Di Clan wouldn't fall out with the Nether Clan.
Once they got the throne and took control of Tianning, it wouldn't be difficult to weaken the Ning Clan's military power step by step.
But Ning Cheng's bargaining chip was Gu Beiyue. That really put Chu Yunyi in a difficult spot!
If Gu Beiyue was gone, who would treat his eye injury?
"Empress Xue will give it to you, how about it?" Chu Yunyi asked.
Ning Cheng didn't even think before he replied, "No need!"
Chu Yunyi's eyes flickered with malice. If he found out which spy had told Ning Cheng about Gu Beiyue, he'd definitely tear her to pieces!
When Chu Yunyi didn't reply, Ning Cheng grew impatient. "Are you going to give it up or not?"
"Old Man will think it over for three days before giving you an answer, how's that?"
Chu Yunyi was stalling for time, but Ning Cheng didn't buy it. "Isn't it just a hostage? Is there a need to take so long? Could it be that there's a secret I don't know about? "
"Of course there isn't!" Chu Yunyi denied quickly. "Ning Clan Head, please wait a moment. Old Man will personally escort him over!"
Ning Cheng didn't say a word, but casually sat down on the seat of honor. His domineering air was natural as he waited.
Chu Yunyi hadn't gone far when General Chu chased after him. "Big bro, are you really going to hand over Gu Beiyue? Absolutely not! "
Ning Cheng didn't know that Gu Beiyue was a member of the Shadow Clan, nor did he know that the Ning Clan and Cloud Realm Trade Consortium were descendants of the Di Clan. Gu Beiyue didn't know either. In Ning Cheng's eyes, Gu Beiyue was a doctor; in Gu Beiyue's eyes, Ning Cheng was only Great General Ning.
If he didn't tell Ning Cheng the truth, Ning Cheng would only think that Gu Beiyue was a powerless doctor and wouldn't be on guard. As a result, it was very likely that Gu Beiyue would have the opportunity to escape.
However, if he told Ning Cheng about Gu Beiyue's identity, things would get troublesome!
After all, Ning Cheng and Gu Beiyue were both loyal and devoted to the Western Qin imperial clan. As soon as Gu Beiyue told Ning Cheng about the Chu Clan's ambitions, the consequences would be unthinkable!
Chu Yunyi had long considered all of General Chu's concerns. Otherwise, he wouldn't be so hesitant!
Saying that he'd come personally to escort Gu Beiyue was only an excuse. He needed time to calm down and think things over.
He remained silent as he walked towards the secret room. General Chu knitted his brows but didn't ask any questions. He simply followed by his side.
Chu Yunyi wasn't planning to deal with the current situation first, but the more he thought, the angrier he got. In the end, he couldn't help but ask, "Just who told Ning Cheng about this?"
Only a handful of people in the Nether Clan knew about Gu Beiyue's identity, much less that Gu Beiyue was a prisoner. Who told Ning Cheng about this?
"Witch Aunt?" General Chu could only think of that person.
"Witch Aunt doesn't know about Ning Cheng's identity. Whoever did this must know that Ning Cheng is a descendant of the Di Clan! Otherwise, they wouldn't have told him! "General Chu said seriously.
In the eyes of outsiders, Tianning's Great General Ning was the mortal enemy of the Chu Clan troops!
Few people knew about Gu Beiyue's identity, much less Ning Cheng's. Besides a few of their trusted subordinates, there was no one else who knew.
"Looks like we'll have to get rid of all our subordinates!" General Chu said.
Chu Yunyi was thoroughly vexed. He kept walking without a word, but General Chu quickly chased after him to stop him. "Big bro, no matter what, we can't hand Gu Beiyue over to Ning Cheng! There's nothing to think about! "
Indeed, there was nothing to think about!
Once Gu Beiyue fell into Ning Cheng's hands, they'd either lose this hostage for nothing, or the Nether Clan would be finished.
But …
Chu Yunyi ignored General Chu. It wasn't clear what he was thinking, but he abruptly turned to leave. But he didn't take more than a few steps before turning back again.
His hands were behind his back as he paced back and forth. After a round, he sighed and looked at General Chu anxiously. "Big bro, just what are you thinking about? I might as well help you refuse! If he wants a hostage, just give him Empress Xue! "
General Chu left as soon as he finished speaking, but Chu Yunyi was fierce. "Come back!"
"Big bro!" General Chu didn't understand.
"You don't understand that brat's temper! There's no one he can't get away with once he names them! "Chu Yunyi said helplessly.
"What else can we do if we don't give them to him? Don't forget that the Nether and Di Clans are on the same boat now! "General Chu grew angry as well." Big bro, you're just boosting his morale and destroying our own! "
General Chu really didn't understand Ning Cheng. Although he knew of Ning Cheng's identity, he'd never interacted with Ning Cheng directly. Because Ning Cheng was the head of the clan, he only discussed matters with Chu Yunyi, the clan head.
"Now that the three armies are working together, he's even sent his cavalry south behind the Duke of Qin's back. Even without the Chu Clan, his Di Clan's military strength and wealth are more than enough to take over Tianning and the three eastern prefectures! If we anger him enough, it'll only take a single thought for him to abandon our Chu Clan, "Chu Yunyi said seriously.
"He dares?" General Chu grew alarmed.
"He dares!" Chu Yunyi was certain.
The Nether and Di Clans had joined forces because the Nether Clan had sought out the Di Clan and told them the truth. Thus, the Nether Clan had always used the excuse of reviving Western Qin as an excuse to take the lead. The Di Clan was stronger than the Nether Clan, but they were always willing to cooperate with them.
But if the Nether Clan couldn't take over the three eastern prefectures and Tianning's throne this time, then Ning Cheng's temper would make him fight for control.
After a long time, Chu Yunyi finally said, "Endure!"
Only by enduring would the Nether Clan have a chance!
"But …" General Chu trailed off.
Before he could finish, Chu Yunyi slapped his right eye, causing blood to spurt out from between his fingers!
"Big bro!" General Chu grew alarmed. "You … you …"
Chu Yunyi had destroyed his own eye!
There was still hope for a cure, but now his eye was completely ruined!
"If it can protect and revive my Nether Clan, then it's all worth it to destroy this eye!" Chu Yunyi's voice rose in excitement.
If his eye was ruined, then what was the point of keeping Gu Beiyue? Before handing him over to Ning Cheng, he'd destroy him first!
Seeing his brother's bleeding eye, General Chu grit his teeth and steeled his heart. "Big bro, if anyone dares to touch your position as clan head in the future, I'll be the first to show them no mercy!"
Who else but General Chu himself could touch the position of clan head?
Chu Yunyi's eye was ruined, so General Chu more or less had the same goal. But if he still wanted to fight for the position after seeing his brother like this, how could he convince the masses?
Chu Yunyi's words were meant for General Chu's ears as well! Those were the exact words he was waiting for!
Without a word, he patted General Chu on the shoulder and strode into the secret room.
In the secret chamber, it was dark.
He was dressed in white robes and sitting by the table, reading a medical book. Both of his hands and feet were chained, and under his white shirt, his shoulders and calves were wrapped in thick gauze. His injuries had indeed not healed.
It wasn't that he didn't want to, but that he really couldn't.
Chu Yunyi's doctor had been right. His body was too weak, and his injuries were too severe. Even the best medicine wouldn't heal him.
Even if his wounds healed, he wouldn't be able to escape the Chu Clan's archers.
Therefore, he could only resort to this plan and choose to waste time and recuperate.
If his wounds were unhealed, Chu Yunyi could only continue to supply him with medicine. Half of the ingredients he'd asked for were for healing wounds, while the other half were for nourishing the body.
Based on his estimations of the situation in the east, Empress Xue had been kidnapped and Emperor Tianhui was in critical condition. No matter what, the war wouldn't begin until the end of the year. He was Chu Yunyi's trump card, so he wouldn't threaten Long Fei Ye until the very last moment.
He figured that he still had half a month's time.
When he heard Chu Yunyi enter, he glanced at him before returning his attention to his medical book.
Chu Yunyi often came to ask about his condition, so he was already used to it.
But soon enough, he caught the scent of blood!
He looked up and saw that Chu Yunyi's eyes were bleeding!
This …
If Chu Yunyi's eyes were ruined, then …
Alarmed, he sprang to his feet.
Unfortunately, it was too late.
Chu Yunyi suddenly drew close and grabbed his hands.
"I can heal your eyes right away!" he said, knowing that things had taken a turn for the worse. But Chu Yunyi only laughed coldly. "There's no need!"
His eyes turned cold as he raised his hands to flee. Unfortunately, his hands and feet were chained up, making it impossible for him to get far.
Soon enough, General Chu entered as well, an arrow in hand aimed at his heart.
He leaned against the wall and didn't struggle, but said, "If you want to kill me, at least give me a reason."
"Kill you? Heheh! "
Chu Yunyi laughed out loud as he grabbed Gu Beiyue by the neck with his elbow. Then he sent a vicious fist crashing into Gu Beiyue's dantian.
"Heh …."
Gu Beiyue groaned before spitting up a mouthful of blood!
For the first time in his life, he revealed a stunned expression. He gaped, unable to believe what had just happened to him.
But the pain in his dantian reminded him that this was all real.
Chu Yunyi's fist had clotted his dantian with blood, destroying his internal energy and martial arts!
In that instant, the scenes of his childhood practicing martial arts flooded into his mind. He saw the loving smiles of his parents, heard the patient encouragement of his grandfather, and saw the image of himself as a child training bitterly, one move after another.
Gone …
Everything was gone with Chu Yunyi's fist!
His internal energy was gone, and so was his shadow arts. How was he supposed to complete the Shadow Clan's mission? How was he supposed to protect his beloved?
Gone … everything was gone …
How was he supposed to stay calm?
He stood there in a daze until Chu Yunyi undid his chains. Slowly, he recovered his wits and asked, "Why?"
"Beiyue, don't blame me!" Chu Yunyi intoned.
"Why?" Gu Beiyue raged. "You might as well kill me!"
"Someone specifically wants you. My Nether Clan doesn't have the power to keep you here," Chu Yunyi naturally wouldn't expose Ning Cheng's identity. He trusted that Ning Cheng wouldn't reveal himself either.
By the time Chu Yunyi finished treating his eye injury and escorted Gu Beiyue to the guest hall, Ning Cheng was already impatient …
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