Chapter 177: The Standoff

Facing the notorious Bai Ao Tu, Zhao Yuying showed no fear and roared, “Bai Ao Tu, are you a mad dog, biting at everyone you see?”

Bai Ao Tu’s face was devoid of expression. “He trespassed into our camp, and I’ve already shown mercy by not killing him. This time, he got lucky. If it happens again, he may not be so fortunate.”

Zhao Yuying was taken aback. She supported Qian Ye and asked, “What happened?”

“Bei Kongzhao, who injured Poyan and Zining, fled here,” Qian Ye said, looking at Bai Ao Tu with a cold laugh. “No wonder she fled here; she knew there would be help waiting for her.”

At that moment, a light breeze stirred around them, and Song Zining approached from afar. His clothes were tattered, and his wounds had not been treated, but they were mostly superficial. However, two deep gashes on his cheeks made his usually handsome face look quite sinister.

Zhao Yuying nodded and said, “Alright, I’ll handle this.”

With that, she pointed at Bai Ao Tu in the air and shouted, “Bai Ao Tu, hand over Bei Kongzhao. And don’t think what you did to Qian Ye is settled. Someone will come for you in the future.”

A faint sneer appeared on Bai Ao Tu’s lips. “Hand over Kongzhao? Why should I?”

Zhao Yuying’s face darkened. “She injured the Far Eastern Wei Marquis’ son and Zining. Are you still going to protect her? Can you even afford to do so?”

Bai Ao Tu gave a cold laugh. “A mere Wei Marquis’ son, if I beat him, so be it. Even if I killed him, the Wei family together wouldn’t be a match for me. If that’s all, you can leave now.”

Bai Ao Tu then turned to Song Zining and said, “Song Qi, what do you plan to use against me, the Song Clan?”

Her threat and insult were clear, and even Song Zining, with his usual composure, changed his expression. But he soon smiled and bowed, saying, “The Song Clan is far too exalted for me to use. This small matter, I’ll take care of it myself. One day, I’ll settle it completely.”

Bai Ao Tu heard the determination in his words and finally looked at him properly, nodding. “Not relying on your family, how rare. Alright, I’ll wait for you. You can find me anytime.”

Zhao Yuying’s face turned ugly when she heard this, as Bai Ao Tu was mocking her for always relying on the Zhao Clan to bully others. But Zhao Yuying, being a seasoned and bold figure, wouldn’t be cowed. “Bai Ao Tu, you hurt Qian Ye. This matter isn’t over with just you! If you won’t hand over Bei Kongzhao, then get out of my way. I’ll search for her myself!”

For the first time, Bai Ao Tu’s calm face showed some anger. “I’d like to see how you’re going to handle this.”

“Is that so? Then let’s see if you can handle it,” Zhao Yuying said, stepping towards the camp.

Bai Ao Tu’s face turned cold. “Dare to trespass into my Bai Clan camp, and I dare to kill you!”

Zhao Yuying laughed loudly. “Save it, those excuses are old. If you have the guts, go ahead and try. Then see if my Zhao Clan will directly send troops to crush your Bai Clan or if we’ll give you a lecture first.”

Zhao Yuying’s status was significant. If she were truly killed, Duke Youguo Zhao Xuanji would personally hunt down Bai Ao Tu. The Zhao Clan was known for their unity, and Zhao Weihuang held a large army. If this happened, it would likely be only a matter of days before the Wolf Smoke Legion’s forces descended upon Bai Clan territory.

As Zhao Yuying said, high-ranking clans wouldn’t bother with such flimsy excuses.

However, Bai Ao Tu’s eyes narrowed, and a murderous aura surged. This woman was always insane, and she had held nothing back in her attack on Qian Ye. Now, it seemed she was really going to attack Zhao Yuying.

Qian Ye’s brows rose slightly, and he pulled Zhao Yuying back, stepping in front of her. He released Dongyue and drew the Twin Flowers. If it came to a fight, Qian Ye still had the Primordial Gun. Though the gun might not kill Bai Ao Tu, it could seriously injure her, at least allowing Zhao Yuying and Song Zining to escape.

Song Zining also grabbed Zhao Yuying, saying, “Don’t be rash.”

Zhao Yuying angrily said, “That little bitch Bei Kongzhao is hiding there. I’m going to check!”

Qian Ye shook his head. “She’s definitely run by now. Searching won’t yield anything.”

Zhao Yuying was about to argue, but Qian Ye gestured to her and turned to Bai Ao Tu. “I remember that punch. From now on, it’s a matter of life and death. Do you still intend to let us go?”

Bai Ao Tu sneered. “Many want to take revenge on me, one more won’t make a difference. Find me anytime. But next time, it won’t just be a punch.”

Qian Ye smiled lightly. “When I hunt Bei Kongzhao, there will be collateral damage. Your Bai Clan better stay away from her.”

Bai Ao Tu’s brows shot up. “If you harm one of my Bai Clan, I will take your life! If not for the war, none of you would leave alive.”

“Is that so?” Qian Ye gave Bai Ao Tu a deep look, turning to leave without further argument. Song Zining silently followed, while Zhao Yuying, unsatisfied, raised her middle finger at Bai Ao Tu.

Bai Ao Tu’s eyes lowered, pretending not to see.

The three walked in silence, each with their thoughts. Suddenly, Zhao Yuying noticed that Qian Ye wasn’t walking very fast and asked, “Qian Ye, are you really hurt?”

Qian Ye forced a smile. “I have over a dozen broken bones. Bai Ao Tu didn’t hold back.”

Zhao Yuying was shocked and rushed to examine Qian Ye, whose injuries pained him so much that he nearly fell. Zhao Yuying, startled, realized how severely he was hurt.

Qian Ye struggled to stand. “I’m fine. It looks bad, but nothing critical. I’ll recover in three days.”

Relieved, Zhao Yuying then cursed Bai Ao Tu fiercely.

Qian Ye sighed. “Yuying, you can’t do this again, no matter what.”

Song Zining added, “Why argue with an old, crazy woman in her thirties? She’s a lunatic. If you got hurt, a hundred Bai Ao Tuses wouldn’t be enough compensation.”

Both saw that Zhao Yuying was trying to provoke Bai Ao Tu. If Bai Ao Tu attacked, whether she killed or seriously injured Zhao Yuying, Duke Youguo and the entire Zhao Clan would not let it go and would use all their power to pressure the Bai Clan for an explanation.

But while their advice was the same, Song Zining’s words made Zhao Yuying smile. She glared at Qian Ye. “You should learn from Song Qi! Don’t know how to make your elder sister happy!”

This broke the tense atmosphere. Song Zining then asked, “Qian Ye, what do you plan to do?”

Qian Ye had been thinking about it. “I must kill Bei Kongzhao. If any Bai Clan members obstruct me, I’ll kill them too. As for Bai Ao Tu, I’ll challenge her in a few years. But this is my own matter, and I won’t involve others.”

Song Zining didn’t comment and asked, “Sister Yuying, what about you?”

Zhao Yuying gritted her teeth. “I can’t wait that long! Since Bai Ao Tu doesn’t play by the rules and dared to hurt Qian Ye, there’s no need to be polite. Ambush her, surround her, do whatever it takes to kill her!”

Song Zining praised, “Just what I was thinking! But what now?”

Zhao Yuying glared. “Stop flattering me. You’re too young to win my heart. For now, use what we have. You don’t have your family’s support, and even if you did, the Song Clan can’t match the Bai Clan. But my Zhao Clan is different. While Bai Ao Tu is a madwoman, the rest of the Bai Clan isn’t. She must answer for hurting Qian Ye. I’ll get Grandfather to negotiate with the Bai Clan. I doubt Bai Ao Tu will dare to leave the Bai Clan. If she does, I’ll find someone to kill her!”

Song Zining glanced at Qian Ye and frowned. “Qian Ye’s identity might not be enough. But this is a way to make Bai Ao Tu more cautious through the Bai Clan.”

Song Zining reached for his waist, intending to open his fan and strike a pose, but he found it missing. He realized his lifeline fan was destroyed in the ambush by Bei Kongzhao, and his face twisted in anger. “Bai Ao Tu has many enemies. Recently, because of Bei Kongzhao, she’s caused more trouble. Many wish her dead. Her craziness indicates desperation. So, we can push her a bit. Sometimes, a grand structure needs just a final nudge to collapse.”

Zhao Yuying frowned. “Be clearer.”

Song Zining smiled. “It’s simple. We just need to spread the word about today’s events.”

Zhao Yuying thought for a moment and understood. “You mean, lead the pressure with the Zhao Clan?”

Song Zining nodded. “Exactly. Alone, the Zhao Clan would win at great cost. But united, led by the Zhao Clan, it won’t be hard to make the Bai Clan submit. No matter how the Bai Clan deals with Bai Ao Tu, to calm the public, they’ll pay a price, weakening their foundation. With steady pressure, even the highest peak will fall.”

Qian Ye now understood Song Zining was targeting the Bai Clan, not Bai Ao Tu. This man was ruthless, and the loss of his fan fueled his resolve.

Zhao Yuying agreed after consideration. “Let’s do it.”

In their current state, they couldn’t fight, so Zhao Yuying carried Qian Ye, and they discussed with Wei Po Tian to retreat to the Zhang Clan fleet. Using her status, Zhao Yuying secured a spot on a warship for Wei Po Tian and Qian Ye.

On the battlefield, Qian Ye and the others, when together, could challenge even a Count. But now, apart from Zhao Yuying, the others were wounded, especially Wei Po Tian. This attracted attention, and when questioned, Zhao Yuying revealed everything.

Soon, the entire Zhang Clan fleet knew that the Bai Clan, amidst a life-and-death battle, was still dealing with internal strife, losing several fierce warriors.