Chapter 916: Third Master's Might

Yu Shumei really felt moved.

That sounds like a very good suggestion.

If we can really settle things with external objects, it will definitely be a very profitable deal.

She is merely a princess unwelcome in the palace; Chen Wuji actually has no need to make things difficult for her, killing her would be meaningless and bring no benefit.

"Please, senior, let me see someone; I will order him to bring the things over!" Yu Shumei said earnestly, her thoughts finally clearing a little, and her tense expression relaxed a bit.

"You brat, I haven't even said what I like, yet you so readily agreed?" Lu San Ye said, "First tell me what you have, and I'll listen!"

"The valuables I have are just a few items, not many, but if you like Night Crying Lad, I want to know what to bring you." Yu Shumei said, "I know the whereabouts of a few renowned treasures; I want to take this opportunity to send people to retrieve them and present them to you and Commander Chen."

"Just give it to me; what's the point of giving it to him?" Lu San Ye said, "Hand the stuff over, old man—I guarantee your freedom, little brat, you can rest assured; I won't deceive you."

"Thank you, senior!" Yu Shumei felt somewhat relieved.

That improper old man sounds like he's telling the truth.

His greed is barely concealed, and one can tell his status beside Chen Wuji.

However, as a grandmaster, such treatment is not surprising.

Lu San Ye was in high spirits, happily chatting with Yu Shumei: "You're a girl, and a princess—how did you end up among the rank-and-file? Is the palace empty, sending you to supervise the army?"

Yu Shumei shook her head: "Senior, you think too highly of me; I'm a princess in name only, unable to just enjoy fine clothes and food without doing anything—I also need to do some things."

In Liu Yan's army I also truly have no power; I just rely on a bit of martial skill to help him with small tasks, merely scraping together provisions.

Lu San Ye's brows were furrowed tight enough to trap a fly, full of suspicion: "Can a princess be merely nominal?"

"I am not favored."

"Oh, the emperor just has too many children; if he had fewer, he wouldn't have this problem."

Yu Shumei gave a stiff smile; even if princes and princesses were fewer, the imperial blessings would probably never reach her, and behind those stern high walls, every rule is as vast as heaven.

And she, born amidst a heap of taboos, how could she have any good days.

Liu Yan, following behind, watched Yu Shumei and Lu San Ye chatting happily; even the woman's face showed a smile, his cheeks twitching.

This bastard sold him out completely!

What should he do?

Liu Yan's thoughts turned like lightning.

Having come to this point, if he cannot produce something to move Chen Wuji, his fate will surely not be good; that person is notorious for being ruthless.

If not, he'll simply come clean and fully defect.

Using so much confidential information to exchange for his life, Chen Wuji should surely be willing.

……

As dusk approached, on another mountain across the ravine, Chen Wuji finally awaited the exciting news that made his heart surge.

Great victory!

Slain enemies over four thousand, captured over nine thousand.

Chen Wuji ordered the rear troops to cut down trees, clear an area, temporarily make a campsite, and the army will station there today.

Liu Yan's forces total about twenty thousand; if the kill and capture numbers are correct, about five thousand fled, which is not a small number; most importantly, Liu Yan himself hasn't been found, so surely they'll need to search the mountain for the next two days and try to capture him.

Two days is already the limit.

In this vast mountain, if they can't find him within two days, it's basically unlikely they'll find him later.

"Family Head, Lu San Ye and Yuan Lao Liu have returned!" Chen Li came over from afar.

Chen Wuji was personally overseeing the soldiers clearing trees.

Wanting to clear a space on such a mountain where tens of thousands can move about is no easy task.

He has already dispatched all available manpower, but the cleared area barely suffices for four or five thousand to rest, less than a third of the needed area.

"Let all the prisoners come up!"

Chen Wuji waved his hand, gave an order, then turned to Chen Li: "Any harvest, Third Master?"

"Yes, a big haul!" Chen Li laughed, "They brought back Liu Yan, plus about a thousand surrendering troops—likely his personal guard."

Upon hearing this, Chen Wuji's brows lit up with joy: "Third Master, your move is still steady."

Lu Daye, standing not far away, drooped his eyelids sharply.

As soon as Lao San arrived, it made him question life a bit.

Should he also now properly show himself?

At the mountainside, Lu San Ye and Yuan Lao Liu, with about a dozen others, escorted Yu Shumei, Liu Yan, and over a thousand others in a mighty procession; the disparity in scale looked no different from a typical escort, yet none of Liu Yan's surrendering troops dared to move.

Of course, these people weren't initially so obedient.

A few men, during the escort, suddenly harbored thoughts of sneaking away; but they didn't see who struck—a sword flew out of nowhere, and in the blink of an eye, swift as a white horse passing a gap, it severed the heads of those few.

Seeing this grim sight, the rest instantly became obedient, even their gait turning proper and cautious, fearing that a careless moment might bring a flying sword to lop off their heads.

"Greetings, Commander; we have not disgraced our mission!"

Lu San Ye smiled especially warmly, already bowing from a few steps away from Chen Wuji.

Chen Wuji clasped his hands: "You all have worked hard; just now I was worrying about Liu Yan's whereabouts, and before the words even finished, Third Master brought me good news."

Lu San Ye raised his hand and pointed to Yu Shumei a few steps behind him: "Commander, this is the Eleventh Princess Yu Shumei, and behind her is Liu Yan."

"I never expected that, in the middle of the night, my heart pounding with panic and anxiety, the female knight would actually be a princess." Chen Wuji inwardly felt quite astonished; one who ought to live in comfort yet mingles on the battlefront—this story behind it is likely complicated.

Lu San Ye gave Yu Shumei a glance, then walked toward Chen Wuji: "Commander, may we speak privately?"

"Let's go over there!" Chen Wuji stepped forward with Lu San Ye into the woods.

"Commander, Yu Shumei and Liu Yan have already turned against each other; I privately gave them a little sweetener, and both took the bait.' After walking a long distance with no light around, Lu San Ye finally spoke softly: 'I deliberately gave Yu Shumei a false bribe-able message; she has agreed, and will cooperate as needed, as long as her freedom is guaranteed.'

"When I spoke with Yu Shumei, I wasn't behind Liu Yan's back; unsurprisingly, he should also be feeling urgent now, and will likely offer better terms than Yu Shumei."