This reason made Peng Youzai's mouth twitch slightly. Slowly, he said, "I'm not interested in Hai Ruyue's love affairs. Brother Situ, I just want to know why the Jinzhou army is gathering at the border of the Southern Prefecture. "
Situ Yao used Hai Ruyue as an excuse again, "As I said, Hai Ruyue doesn't want to see Shang Chaozong being wronged. The gathering of the army is her idea."
Although he knew that this excuse was too clumsy, he had no choice. No matter what, he had to find an excuse. Otherwise, how could he say it? Tell Peng Youzai that the Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Mansion wants to attack him?
If he really said that, it would be going too far. Even a clay figurine has a temper. There was no need to force a cornered dog to jump over the wall. It was also not their goal.
Peng Youzai said, "Brother Situ means that Hai Ruyue wants to mobilize the Jinzhou army to attack the Southern Prefecture to seek justice for Shang Chaozong?"
Situ Yao said, "A dog that barks doesn't bite, but a dog that doesn't bark will bite. This woman quietly made such a move. It's very likely that she's going to act recklessly. Women are easily swayed by their emotions. "
Peng Youzai said, "If I'm not mistaken, Brother Situ is telling me that the Ten Thousand Heavenly Cave Mansion can no longer control Hai Ruyue and wants to watch her destroy our alliance?"
Situ Yao said, "You can't say that. Actually, this matter can still be avoided."
Peng Youzai said, "I came in person with sincerity. If this problem can be solved, it will naturally be a happy ending. I'm willing to listen to Brother Situ's opinion."
Situ Yao said, "I think Brother Peng knows that the Yan Kingdom's imperial court's intention in making Shang Chaozong the governor of Nanzhou. It's nothing more than to create internal strife in Nanzhou and pave the way for them to reclaim Nanzhou later. So, I don't have any opinion. In fact, the problem is very simple to solve. The secular affairs of the Southern Prefecture will be handed over to Shang Chaozong, and all the problems will naturally be solved. At that time, Hai Ruyue would withdraw her troops, and the Southern Province would avoid the embarrassment of openly defying the imperial edict. The conspiracy of the Yan Dynasty would also be resolved, and the Southern Province would still belong to the Heavenly Jade Gate. I wouldn't have to worry about the Southern Province clashing with the Yan Dynasty again. This would be a good thing for both of us, and it would be beneficial to the Heavenly Jade Gate. Brother Peng, is it worth it to let Feng Lingbo manage Southern State and cause so much trouble? "
Peng Zai said, "I appreciate Brother Situ's good intentions. The Heavenly Jade Sect will take care of their own matters. The problem now lies with the Gold Province. The Gold Province wants to attack our South Province. I hope that the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode can restrain that woman, Hai Ruyue! "
Actually, he knew in his heart that if the Ten Thousand Grotto-Heaven Manor didn't agree, Hai Ruyue wouldn't do this. However, it wasn't convenient for him to expose her, so he had to endure it.
Situ Yao said, "Brother Peng, you have to understand my difficulties. The Xiao family has been entrenched in the Gold Province for many years and has deep roots. If this woman insists on acting on her emotions and insists on using force, my Gold Province will easily be in trouble."
Peng Zai said, "Brother Situ, have you considered the consequences of a war between our two families? Let's not talk about my side. On the Gold Province's side, Zhao Huang and Hai Wuji will definitely take advantage of the situation to invade. The Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode cannot bear the consequences! "
Situ Yao lowered his eyebrows and said, "Brother Peng, the root of the trouble lies with Shang Chaozong. It's better to hand the Southern Province over to Shang Chaozong!"
Peng Zai said, "Don't you think that the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode's decision is absurd and laughable?"
Situ Yao decided not to change his mind. He still said the same thing, "It's better to hand the Southern Province over to him!"
Peng Zai stared at him, and Situ Yao didn't say anything. The two of them were silent under the moon and stars for a while.
"What method did that little thief, Niu Youdao, use to make the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode pay such a heavy price?" Peng Zai suddenly said. He really couldn't understand why the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode would do this. He first thought of Niu Youdao.
In fact, from the moment he received the news of the Gold Province sending troops, he had already suspected Niu Youdao. He had no choice but to suspect him. The letter that Shang Chaozong gave him was the evidence.
However, Situ Yao wouldn't tell him the truth, and it was impossible for him to tell him the truth. Not only would he not tell him, he even had to hide it. There were some things that he couldn't let others know. Slowly, he said, "Niu Youdao? Why did it involve Niu Youdao? You're thinking too much. This matter has nothing to do with Niu Youdao! "
…
Among the mountains, on a cliff, Niu Youdao had a shawl hanging over his shoulders. He faced the rising sun and meditated.
Guan Fangyi landed beside Niu Youdao and said, "Eighth Brother sent news. Peng Zai didn't stay in the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode for long. He returned on the same night."
Niu Youdao's expression was indifferent. He closed his eyes and said Slowly, "How was the discussion?"
Guan Fangyi said, "You're one step ahead. Peng Zai returned without achieving anything!"
As she said this, she looked at Niu Youdao and blinked her bright eyes. Confusion flashed across her eyes.
She was really curious. She didn't know what method he used to force the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode to send troops. No matter how ignorant she was, she knew that the military affairs of the Gold Province were managed by Hai Ruyue. Kidnapping a mere Xiao Tianzhen wouldn't be able to threaten the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode. Not to mention, it would cause the Ten Thousand Heavenly Caves Abode to face such a huge loss of benefits and pressure.
However, no matter how she asked, Niu Youdao wouldn't tell her the reason.
"That's right. Hai Ruyue asked Eighth Brother to pass a message that if you dare to harm even a finger of her son, she won't let you off!" Guan Fangyi added.
Niu Youdao ignored her and said Slowly, "Inform Fei Changliu, Zheng Jiuxiao, and Xia Hua. Ask them to immediately lead their elite disciples to Changping City to meet Shang Chaozong. Protect the Emperor!"
Guan Fangyi was startled. "Heavenly Jade Sect's experts are everywhere in Changping City. If Heavenly Jade Sect doesn't make a move because of the pressure, they naturally won't touch Shang Chaozong. But if they really want to harm Shang Chaozong, they won't be able to protect the Emperor even if they run. They aren't clear about the current situation. If you ask them to protect the Emperor now, you're undoubtedly forcing them to take sides. Aren't you purposely making things difficult for them? Since you've already let them go, why do you have to make things difficult for them now? Can't you just be a good person until the end? "
Niu Youdao closed his eyes and said calmly, "There's a saying called loosening the reins only to grasp them better. I know when to let them go and when to tighten the reins. When it's time to force them, we have to force them. Don't tell me the three sects and Heavenly Jade Sect will always be in harmony? Do you think that's appropriate? They must understand that in Nanzhou, they don't have the right to speak with Heavenly Jade Sect. They can only stand behind us. I can ignore the fact that they contacted Heavenly Jade Sect behind my back, but as long as I speak, they must listen. This rule must be established for them! "
Guan Fangyi pondered for a moment and reminded him, "Heavenly Jade Sect is powerful. They don't know the inner workings of the situation. Before things become clear, I'm afraid they won't listen to you. What if they don't listen to you? If you issue this command, won't you be putting yourself in a difficult position? "
Niu Youdao said, "If they don't listen, then it only means that I haven't done my job properly all these years. My influence over them is limited. The fault lies with me, not them. However, they can't change the result. Now that things have come to this, whether or not the profit distribution they discussed with Heavenly Jade Sect can be implemented, they will have to ask me first. Whether or not they can stay in Nanzhou depends on whether or not I'm happy. If I kick them out, no one in Nanzhou will be able to protect them. They will come begging to me. "
Guan Fangyi seemed to understand something. Her face twisted as she ridiculed, "I thought you were so open-minded in letting the three sects go, but it turns out you already had a backup plan in mind. You're so young, yet you're so shrewd. You scared me. Let me ask you, when the day comes that I want to leave, will you do the same to me? "
Niu Youdao said lightly, "Those who should leave can't stay, and those who shouldn't leave can't leave. I won't stop you. You can come and go as you please, as long as you don't regret it."
Guan Fangyi snorted, "What's the difference between saying it and not saying it?"
… …
Above the river, Fei Changliu and Zheng Jiuxiao stood by the riverbank, silently watching the surging waves.
A silhouette flew over. Xia Hua was the last to arrive. She landed beside the two and stepped forward, lining up with them.
"Sect Master Xia made us wait," Zheng Jiuxiao said lightly, tilting his head to glance at her.
"Ai!" Xia Hua couldn't help but sigh.
Fei Changliu asked, "Why do you sigh?"
Xia Hua replied, "Why ask a question you already know the answer to? You called me here because you're unsure."
The three of them, as well as the disciples of the three sects, were scattered across Nanzhou by Heavenly Jade Sect to assist the various armies in taking over Nanzhou.
Fei Changliu said, "Shang Chaozong's forces have already been scattered and controlled. From the looks of it, I'm afraid that Heavenly Jade Sect will really make a move against Shang Chaozong. I wonder if they'll spare Shang Chaozong's life."
Xia Hua scoffed, "Is that what you're worried about? Are you hesitating on which side to stand on? "
Zheng Jiuxiao asked, "Where did Niu Youdao go? What is he doing? Isn't he being a little too quiet? Is he really going to hand over the foundation he worked so hard to build? What's with the imperial court appointing Shang Chaozong as Nanzhou's Provincial Governor? Is it just to sow discord? Could it be that Niu Youdao has something to do with it? "
There was a moment of silence, save for the sound of the wind and waves.
They were now faced with a dilemma, but it wasn't really a dilemma. They had already informed Niu Youdao beforehand that they would obey Heavenly Jade Sect's orders, and Niu Youdao didn't try to stop them. In fact, he agreed. However, Heavenly Jade Sect had already revealed their true intentions. If they really destroyed Niu Youdao's nest, there would no longer be a place for Niu Youdao in Nanzhou. Would Niu Youdao be able to take this lying down?
Niu Youdao had agreed to cooperate with Heavenly Jade Sect in conquering Nanzhou and splitting the spoils, but he didn't agree to touch Niu Youdao's own interests. If they really cooperated with Heavenly Jade Sect, it would be equivalent to falling out with Niu Youdao.
They had already foreseen some things and knew that this would be the final outcome. However, they were still thinking of their own sect's interests, so they decided to take it one step at a time.
To put it bluntly, they hoped to see Heavenly Jade Sect take care of Niu Youdao in the process. Who knew that Heavenly Jade Sect would turn around and ask them if they knew where Niu Youdao had gone?
Heavenly Jade Sect had failed and Niu Youdao had disappeared?
Ever since they learned of this news, they had been at a loss. At this juncture, they were even more anxious. Should they continue cooperating with Heavenly Jade Sect?
Most importantly, that fellow Niu Youdao wasn't someone to be trifled with. After all these years, they didn't dare act rashly.
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