"I don't need his help." Although Linghu Qiu said so, the three of them still looked at the pouch on the table.
Duan Hu asked, "Why don't you open it and see?"
Linghu Qiu asked, "What is it?"
Duan Hu answered, "Us brothers and Daoye used to be wandering cultivators and thought about starting a sect, so we completed the missions on the list. The proof of our mission completion is inside."
They were going to sell these missions after following Niu Youdao, but Niu Youdao stopped them.
Niu Youdao meant that they weren't in urgent need of money, so there was no need to sell something they had risked their lives for. They didn't expect it to come in handy this time.
The three sects all had their own shops in the Boundless Pavilion. Linghu Qiu was Niu Youdao's sworn brother, and everyone in the cultivation world knew about it. When Linghu Qiu went to the Boundless Pavilion, the news immediately spread to the three shops. After learning about it, Niu Youdao asked them to keep an eye on what they were doing, only to find that the three of them were interacting with wandering cultivators. The three sects asked the wandering cultivators, and Niu Youdao immediately guessed Linghu Qiu's intention. He wanted to start a new sect.
Thus, Niu Youdao had Duan Hu bring the mission proof to Linghu Qiu. It was that simple.
Hong Xiu and Hong Fu looked at each other. After a moment of silence, Linghu Qiu said, "I appreciate his good intentions. Bring it back."
Duan Hu said, "Daoye said that if you want to keep it, you can keep it. If you don't, you can throw it away. Also, Daoye said that if you need a referral, whether it's the Immortal Retaining Sect, Fuyun Sect, Lingxiu Mountain, Mount Five Liang, or the Heavenly Jade School, they will all give Daoye some face. You don't have to trouble others to owe favors. Daoye has also contacted the shops of the Immortal Retaining Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Lingxiu Mountain. If you need anything, you can withdraw 100,000 gold coins from them. "
Hong Xiu and Hong Fu secretly looked at Linghu Qiu.
Linghu Qiu pursed her lips and asked, "Is there anything else?"
Duan Hu cupped his hands and said, "Daoye has a message for me to pass on to Mister."
Linghu Qiu: "If you have something to say, spit it out!"
"In Daoye's original words, Black Peony died at the hands of the Waning Moon Pavilion when he fled the Kingdom of Qi!" Duan Hu said word by word. Finally, he cupped his hands and said, "I dare not disturb you any longer. Farewell!"
The Black Peony is dead? Linghu Qiu and her two servants raised their heads to look at Duan Hu. In the eyes of outsiders, or perhaps in their eyes, Black Peony lived with Niu Youdao, so she was naturally Niu Youdao's woman.
Duan Hu had already turned around and left, closing the door behind him.
There was a moment of silence in the room. Linghu Qiu reached for the brocade pouch on the table and opened it, pouring out a pile of specially-made nameplates the size of coins.
The printing rights of the world's banknotes were in the hands of the Nine Supreme Martial Artists, and the banks of the world were also controlled by the Nine Supreme Martial Artists. Those who completed the task on the Wicked and Crooked Path List could find someone close to the bank to verify it. After the verification, the bank would give out a nameplate. Once enough nameplates were collected and handed over to a place like the Waning Moon Inn in Star picking City, it meant that the task had been completed.
After counting, there were 30 specially-made nameplates, not one less. For the three of them, this also meant that they had completed the task for this round.
The remaining matter of finding a sect to recommend was not difficult for Linghu Qiu with his connections.
What really made Linghu Qiu speechless was the news of Black Peony's death. Black Peony was Niu Youdao's woman, and she died at the hands of the Waning Moon Pavilion when she fled the Kingdom of Qi. How could they say that it had nothing to do with them? At the very least, they were members of the Waning Moon Pavilion at that time, and they had deliberately plotted to kill her.
He informed them of Black Peony's death. Although he did not say why, the three of them understood Niu Youdao's intentions. If they were still concerned about Hong Xiu and Hong Fu's self-inflicted humiliation, should he, Niu Youdao, look for them to settle the score with Black Peony?
Not only did he not seek them out to settle the score, but he also rescued them from the Qi Capital's prison and helped them settle the trouble of the Waning Moon Pavilion. Now, he even wanted to help them get back on their horses and send them on their way.
There was actually no need for him to do this. He could have just killed them in the Qi Capital's prison to prevent any future troubles!
Recalling the letter that Niu Youdao had sent them, and looking at the nameplates in front of them, Hong Xiu and Hong Fu felt a myriad of emotions in their hearts, but they remained silent.
"Third Brother is a righteous person. I cannot compare to him!" Linghu Qiu looked up to the sky and let out a long sigh.
He had been in the cultivation world for so many years, but this was the first time he met someone who repaid evil with good. He could not find fault in his actions, and it was difficult for him to harbor any resentment. He was truly convinced.
Hong Xiu and Hong Fu knew that when Mister called him 'Third Brother' again, he had truly acknowledged Daoye as his brother. The past grudges were all in the past …
On the same day, two bridal teams, one in the open and one in the dark, set off at almost the same time.
The next day, three birds descended on a mountain outside the city.
Shao Liu-er knelt in front of Shao Dengyun and kowtowed to him.
Shao Liu-er wept.
Shao Liu-er, who had helped her up the bird, did not even look at Shao Pingbo, who was standing under a tree to send them off. She rode on the bird and left.
The three birds were sent by the Qi Kingdom to pick up Shao Liu-er. The bridal teams, one in the open and one in the dark, were all cover-ups to prevent anyone from intercepting and sabotaging them.
Both the Qi Kingdom and this side knew that there were many people who wanted to sabotage this marriage alliance.
After watching the birds disappear into the sky, Shao Pingbo slowly closed his eyes, clenched his fists, and trembled slightly.
He thought of what his mother had entrusted to him, and how he had married his sister off so carelessly. No one knew how he felt, and tears rolled down his cheeks silently.
He knew how much his sister hated him.
He had considered letting her marry Tan Yaoxian, who she liked. Otherwise, Tan Yaoxian would have died long ago.
Even when that batch of warhorses fell into Niu Youdao's hands, he had no intention of marrying his sister. He still wanted to do his best to avoid this day. However, the situation left him with no other choice. He could only act like a loser.
He wiped away his tears, turned around, and descended the mountain without waiting for his father.
Several days later, the two bridal teams, one in the open and one in the dark, received news that they had been attacked one after another. There were many casualties, and the Shanghai Sect was involved. They had also suffered heavy losses …
Year 526 of the Wu calendar.
King Haozhen of the Qi Kingdom officially married Shao Liu-er. No one from Shao Liu-er's family came, and only the envoy came to represent them. This didn't affect the festive atmosphere in the Qi Capital.
Middle of the year, Yan.
The negotiations between the Heavenly Jade School and the Yan imperial court finally came to an end. The territories of the Heavenly Jade School in the other three counties of the Yan Dynasty were exchanged with the three counties of the Nan Province controlled by the Yan imperial court. Both sides began to retreat, and the exchange was only completed at the end of the year.
At this point, Qingshan County, Guangyi County, Huxi County, Wuyang County, and Tuan County of the eleven counties of the Nan Province belonged to the Heavenly Jade School. The power of the Heavenly Jade School was completely concentrated in one place. The Heavenly Jade School also moved to a beautiful place in Huxi County. The cultivation sect that originally resided there was forcefully driven away by the Heavenly Jade School and occupied its nest!
Taking advantage of the Heavenly Jade School's relocation, the four Prefectural Governors of the five counties rushed to the Heavenly Jade School for a meeting. Niu Youdao and the Sect Masters of the three sects also accompanied Shang Chaozong to congratulate the Heavenly Jade School.
During the meeting, Niu Youdao could clearly see that the Prefectural Governor of Huxi County, Mei Linsheng, the Prefectural Governor of Wuyang County, and the Prefectural Governor of Tuan County, Zhao Xingfeng, had joined forces to resist Shang Chaozong. He reckoned that it had something to do with Shang Chaozong's occupation of two counties.
As long as one wasn't an idiot, they could see the Heavenly Jade School's subsequent intentions. Once the Nan Province was conquered, one of them would definitely emerge to lead the Nan Province, and Shang Chaozong obviously had the advantage in terms of territory and manpower. Even if they didn't conquer the Nan Province, if the three counties didn't join forces to resist, their authority wouldn't be as high as Shang Chaozong's.
During the banquet, the three Prefectural Governors joined forces to make things difficult for Shang Chaozong. They demanded warhorses from Shang Chaozong, saying that they were family and that they couldn't just watch them suffer. Shang Chaozong's side naturally fought for what was right. In the end, Peng Youdao stepped forward to mediate, forcing Shang Chaozong to cede three thousand warhorses to each of the three families.
With the Heavenly Jade School's pressure, Shang Chaozong could only reluctantly agree.
From time to time, Fei Changliu and the others would glance at Niu Youdao's reaction, but Niu Youdao didn't respond, as if he didn't hear anything.
There were many people who pretended not to hear, such as Feng Lingbo and the others.
After the banquet, the sky turned dark, and the guests went to rest.
As they left the banquet, Niu Youdao deliberately approached Feng Ruonan and casually asked, "Why didn't Princess Consort speak up for her husband?"
Feng Ruonan bit her lips and didn't say a word. She didn't pay any attention to him and quickly left.
The guests were divided into their quarters. Shang Chaozong and the others stayed in the same courtyard. Just as Niu Youdao returned to his room, the sound of wheels could be heard from outside, followed by a knock on the door.
Niu Youdao immediately knew who it was. When he opened the door, it was indeed Meng Shanming, who was sitting in a wheelchair.
Niu Youdao extended his hand to invite him in. Meng Shanming waved his hand, indicating that there was no need. However, he still asked, "Daoye, what did you see at the banquet today?"
Niu Youdao, "Commander Meng, are you referring to the three thousand warhorses?"
Meng Shanming, "If we had to ensure the establishment of Ying Yang and Wu Lie Graud, I'm afraid that it wouldn't be three thousand, but at least nine thousand."
Niu Youdao smiled, "The warhorses were bought by Heavenly Jade School. Whoever Heavenly Jade School is willing to give them to is free will."
Meng Shanming, "The warhorses are a small matter. I'm afraid that Heavenly Jade School has other ideas about the future leader of Nanzhou. What does Daoye think?"
Niu Youdao, "Everyone has their own plans for their own interests. This is a very normal thing. Who wouldn't have some selfish motives? The Prince's breadth of mind should be able to accommodate it."
Meng Shanming, "Selfish motives aside, I'm not afraid of rewards. I'm afraid that the soldiers who put in the most effort will not be rewarded. Instead, I'm afraid that others will be able to enjoy the fruits of others' labor. How will the Prince answer to the soldiers?"
Niu Youdao, "Commander Meng, are you saying that internal strife will break out before the meat is in our hands?"
Meng Shanming, "I'd like to hear Daoye's opinion."
Niu Youdao, "Although I don't know much about warfare, I still know the basics. The five counties must be united. Before the war is over, internal strife must not break out. Without the support of Heavenly Jade School, the Prince will not be able to conquer Nanzhou. Let's not talk about anything else. Heavenly Jade School will have to step in and settle the three sects that are hovering above Yan City. If those three sects don't agree, no one can have a bite of Nanzhou. Therefore, we must endure. As for the aftermath, if the Prince puts in the most effort and someone else wants to take advantage of him, I'll be the first to object! "
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