Chapter 316: Drawn Blade

Can he say it shouldn't be done?

There's no way to argue. This matter rests entirely on Wang Yang's hands; if he wants two-tenths, can you say it's too much? If you say it's too much, then no one gets anything at all...

But Wang Yang taking a share has its advantages—he's running his own business, so he'll naturally be more invested. With him giving his all, it'll be more secure.

But now that things have come to this, after all that arguing, ending up with nothing and just letting it drop is embarrassing...

While he wrestled with indecision, Xin Yi was eager to act.

She had a brilliant plan, eager to present it to the Young Master!

But the Young Master wouldn't let her speak! She could only signal Lian San with her eyes; Lian San stared blankly, unresponsive, so Xin Yi signaled desperately.

Lian San glanced at Xin Yi, smiled politely, then turned his face away again.

Seeing Lian San was too dull to understand, Xin Yi feigned a cough.

When no one paid attention, she gathered courage and coughed again.

Xiao Baoyue looked at Xin Yi; Xin Yi immediately seized the chance, blinking like a little sparrow, her eyebrows nearly flying off.

Xiao Baoyue frowned, shielding her fan, and whispered: "What are you doing?"

Xin Yi looked frantic, pointing to her own mouth.

Baoyue was speechless: "Go ahead, speak."

Xin Yi beamed! She leaned forward slightly and whispered:

"Xin Yi has thought of a brilliant plan! The Young Master can ask Wang Yang to give the Young Master a few shares of dry equity too. If he refuses, the Young Master can give Xin Yi to him..."

Xiao Baoyue was stunned.

Xin Yi grinned: "Xin Yi will pretend to serve him, lower his guard, and once Xin Yi learns the Arcane Shadow Finger and—"

"Get out!"

"And—uh? The rest is amazing—"

"If you say one more word, I'll have you hung from a barbarian flagpole—right now!"

Seeing the Young Master about to explode, Xin Yi pulled her neck back and stayed silent.

Sigh, such a brilliant plan, and it can't be used! Truly...

"There really are no extra shares to give. I could petition the court for another reward, but success isn't guaranteed. How about this: I'll do my best—if there's something, great; if not... then once the trade route opens, Wanshan Cargo Depot will shoulder one-tenth of the transaction tax for both factions. Of course, this doesn't compare to court-granted dry equity, but it's my personal gesture."

Of course it doesn't compare to dry equity, but it's better than nothing—and it gives him a face-saving way out.

Ang Ta smiled: "How could I let the Han envoy personally bear the cost? That would be too improper..."

He expected Wang Yang to generously say something like, "We're all one family, no need to count," but Wang Yang's expression was serious as he nodded: "Then—"

"Thank you, Han Envoy!" Ang Ta immediately bowed!

After this was settled, everything proceeded smoothly. Xiao Baoyue did not obstruct; when Ang Ta "symbolically" sought her opinion, she praised Wang Yang, then praised Wenyang and Yongning for following the will of heaven, calling both chieftains wise and decisive. Wang Yang returned the praise, commending Xiao Baoyue and the chieftains of Wenyang and Yongning for their broad-mindedness and righteousness. Ang Ta and Leruolo praised both Wang Yang and Baoyue; they endlessly praised each other, the banquet filled with joy and harmony.

The Wenyang faction's affairs had long been instructed by Lao Zhuo Ye; Leruolo could decide alone. Though Ang Ta could also make decisions, the matter was too grave—he needed to consult several tribal leaders first, so he sent messengers to summon them, setting a meeting for noon tomorrow to swear an oath with Wang Yang and Leruolo. Wang Yang proposed a banquet with wine and roasted meat that evening to celebrate; the entire tent cheered in agreement. The "Three-Side Talks" ended amid perfect harmony.

As both sides returned to camp, Ang Ta was stunned by Xiao Baoyue.

"You... you what?!?!?!"

Xiao Baoyue spoke coldly:

"Why would I lie to you? Count the time: after your ambush, Wang Yang went to Wenyang barbarians, stayed there several days, then came here to meet you—do you still think these are two separate groups?"

Ang Ta felt as if struck by lightning, frozen in place, a chill rushing from his feet to his skull! His earlier elation vanished instantly, drowned in boundless fear and rage!

Instinctively, Ang Ta drew his waist knife—the jeweled curved blade slicing through the air, pointing straight at Xiao Baoyue!

Behind him, six barbarian guards didn't know what was happening; Xin Yi moved fastest. At the exact moment Ang Ta raised his blade, a thick silver needle, shaped like a hairpin, slid into her palm—like a venomous snake striking, aimed at his neck!

Lian San stepped in front of Xiao Baoyue.

Ang Ta felt every hair on his body stand on end—he twisted aside sharply and slashed his blade diagonally!

Xin Yi twisted with him, her body gliding like a willow leaf to his right rear, her momentum unchanged—she shifted from thrust to slash, smooth as flowing water, following his force downward—

A sharp "rip" echoed—Ang Ta's brocade robe split from rib to abdomen, the inner silk beneath torn clean! Only half an inch from drawing blood!

Ang Ta leaped back a full step, holding his blade across his chest, exhaling heavily—sweat drenched his body.

He never imagined this dull, foolish girl could strike so ruthlessly—he'd nearly been killed!

The barbarian guards drew their blades and advanced; Xin Yi showed no fear, grinning, revealing two small tiger teeth, twirling her silver needle in a light flourish, her toes pivoting slightly, hips sinking—she was poised to launch herself at Ang Ta!

"Xin Yi, stop! Lian San, step back. Didn't Wang Yang say 'Hou Zeng has a broad mind'? He won't harm me."

Ang Ta was enraged again by Xiao Baoyue's casual tone—he raised his blade, shaking it at her, breathing hard like a beast ready to pounce:

"Won't harm you?! You think you're imperial royalty and I won't cut you down?"

"Hou Zeng already ambushed the envoy team—killing an imperial noble wouldn't be much different. But Hou Zeng is clever—he should know only I can save you. Yongning has already committed a grave crime against the court; kill me, sever Jingzhou's aid, and Yongning will know no peace again."

Ang Ta seemed unable to grasp it—or finally understood something terrible—his body turned icy, lips trembling:

"You... you... why are you trying to destroy me?!"

He ambushed them because he'd accepted brocade, and because Jingzhou told him this delegation was a private envoy sent by the rival of the Prince of Badong, aiming to open separate trade with Wenyang barbarians. If they succeeded, Jingzhou and Yongning's trade would cease—that's why he cooperated with Jingzhou. But now Xiao Baoyue claimed the team he ambushed was an imperial envoy, led by Wang Yang! Even without knowing court protocols, he understood: attacking an imperial envoy was nearly equivalent to declaring war!

"Hou Zeng misunderstands—we never meant to harm you. Wang Yang is an envoy, but he truly is a man of the Prince's rival. That's why he avoided Yongning barbarians and sought trade with Wenyang. If he succeeds, the Prince loses control of arms trade, and Yongning's business ends. That's bad for both the Prince and Hou Zeng. Had Hou Zeng killed them all, left no survivors, nothing would have happened. But Hou Zeng failed to do so..."

Ang Ta suddenly understood—the meaning behind Xiao Baoyue's vague words in the tent:

"Wang Gong openly serves the court, yet ignores protocol, sneaking into barbarian lands without Jingzhou's knowledge—why?"

"The court will handle it? Unlikely. The court's deliberations—Wang Gong knows the truth."

"... I hope the Prince truly means 'private grudges don't override public duty.'"

So that's it!

He'd unknowingly been drawn into a power struggle within the Han court! But even so—

Ang Ta calmed, fixing his gaze on Xiao Baoyue, his eyes hardening slowly:

"Don't think this lets you blackmail me! I ambushed the envoy because you tricked me! Now I'll capture you, hand you to Wang Yang, expose the Prince of Badong, trade my crime for merit! The court wants obedient dogs! I'll hand them the ringleader and prove my loyalty—I refuse to believe the court will hold me accountable!"

Xiao Baoyue fanned herself gently, smiling faintly:

"Hou Zeng's plan might succeed. But by doing this, you hand your life and fate over to others. Since ancient times, hearts are unpredictable. Some pretend generosity but never forgive a slight. Some can't sleep if insulted. And this is a murder attempt—do you truly believe Wang Yang will brush it off? Even if you believe him—what of the court? Ambushing an envoy is a grave crime. The Emperor's wrath is vast—how can it be lightly defied? What if the court wants to make an example of Yongning? What if the Son of Heaven refuses pardon? You claim you didn't know it was an imperial envoy—do you have proof? Will anyone believe you? Was it the Prince of Badong who ordered you, or did you conspire with him? Could it end with the blame falling entirely on you? Will Yongning be sacrificed to shield the Prince of Badong? Then the court issues one edict, and armies march—will you stand in the Taiji Hall to plead your innocence? Forget Jiankang—you won't even leave Jingzhou..."

Ang Ta stared at Xiao Baoyue's smile—and felt his spine chill.

This stunning beauty, dressed as a white-clad scholar, fanning and smiling—she resembled Wang Yang. Same calm composure, same radiant presence—as if all things lay beneath their control, and any struggle was futile.

But they differed: Wang Yang was the blazing sun—overwhelming, crushing resistance, yet warming, luring you to follow, digging a pit openly on the ground and making you willingly jump in, happily, unwilling to leave. That was open strategy.

This Lady Xiao was a dark abyss—hidden currents, invisible direction, unknowable depth, freezing your marrow, trapping you, trembling, with no escape. That was covert strategy.

As Ang Ta seethed in confusion, Xiao Baoyue closed her fan, shifting tone—her expression unconsciously revealed an almost demonic beauty.

Her autumn-water eyes gleamed—like a sword wiped clean, finally revealing its edge; like a net tightening, overlooking a trapped beast:

"But I can save you. Not just save you—I'll give you more than before. I'll guarantee all your deals with Wang Yang—dry equity, trade routes, transaction taxes—all stand. I'll clear your name, help you avenge Wenyang, and reclaim the Three Mountains. How?"

All of Baoyue's previous restraint had been for this moment.

Her sword wasn't sheathed because it couldn't be drawn—it was waiting for the right chance.

She had once told Wang Yang: If you wish to turn against me, I welcome the attempt—but I give you only one chance.

Wang Yang used that one chance—and turned the tables on her.

Now, it was her turn.

——————

Note: The book has been sent to print; I won't state the release date yet, as it may still change—it's coming soon.