Chapter 136: Making an Escape

Nie Chuchen fell for the trap as expected. While she and Nangong Wang shared the same master, she was nowhere near his level when it came to scheming and depth of character.

In truth, Nangong Wang’s "precautionary measures" were merely the product of a small-minded man. Nie Chuchen never truly intended to abandon her fellow disciple for the sake of a horse. Although she adored Kong Sheng’s magnificent steed, she was incapable of such malice and betrayal as to sacrifice a martial brother’s life for a mere animal.

"Little thief Kong Sheng," Nie Chuchen shouted, "release my Senior Brother Nangong immediately, and I shall... I shall let you go!"

She cast one last lingering look at the magnificent white steed, Zhui Feng, beneath Kong Sheng, a flicker of reluctance crossing her eyes.

Kong Sheng laughed loudly, then lowered his voice to mock: "Master Nangong, your words alone are worth an entire army! You went to such lengths to orchestrate this performance—I see it as nothing more than the work of a small-minded man."

Nangong Wang’s expression remained unchanged as he replied coolly, "Master Kong, there is no need for such mockery. You rely on force to hold a scholar with no strength to truss a chicken hostage; would you have me sit and wait for death?"

A faint smile touched the corner of Kong Sheng’s mouth. He saw no point in continuing the verbal sparring. Time was of the essence, and escape was paramount. Raising his voice, he bellowed, "All of you, stand down! Clear the path and release my men!"

"Release Senior Brother Nangong first!" Nie Chuchen glared, pulling back the string of her longbow. "Otherwise, I will put an arrow through your head, you little thief!"

Kong Sheng was undaunted, meeting her gaze with equal intensity. "Fine, then let us see whether your arrow or my sword is faster. I am willing to die if it means I can take Nangong Wang’s head with me!"

Suddenly, Nangong Wang cried out in a sorrowful, high-pitched voice: "Junior Sister, ignore me! Use your arrow to end this wretch's life! Seize this treasure of a horse immediately! You know that ever since your sister-in-law passed away, my heart has been dead and life a burden. If I die here today, it will be a wish fulfilled!"

Nie Chuchen’s lips twitched. She stamped her foot in frustration, slung her longbow over her shoulder, and barked, "Let them pass!"

Kong Sheng caught the fleeting look on Nangong Wang’s tragic, noble face and couldn't help but smile. This man was truly deep; his words were half-truth and half-deception. While he appeared to be courting death, he was actually assisting Kong Sheng.

Given Nie Chuchen’s temperament, it was no surprise she yielded.

With a dark expression, she waved her hand. The bandits under her command retreated, forming a defensive line at the edge of the dense forest. She personally severed the ropes binding Wu Xian, who scrambled to mount his horse in a sorry state and galloped off to rejoin Mu Changfeng and the others.

Seeing this, Kong Sheng reached out, grabbed Nangong Wang by the waist, and with a slight exertion of force, hoisted him onto his own horse, holding his sword against a vital point. Nangong Wang remained completely relaxed, a faint, inscrutable smile on his face. He offered no resistance from start to finish, allowing Kong Sheng to do as he pleased.

Nie Chuchen’s face turned ashen with rage, her slender brows arched high. She longed to lash out, but for the sake of Nangong Wang’s safety, she forcibly suppressed her fury. She watched helplessly as Kong Sheng held Nangong Wang hostage, protected by Mu Changfeng and the others, and slowly retreated along the main road.

Tang Genshui, clutching his long lance, glared at the retreating party from his horse, his eyes practically spitting fire. This confrontation with Kong Sheng had not only failed to settle the score or reclaim his silver spear, but had also resulted in Nangong Wang being taken hostage, leaving him filled with indescribable humiliation and suppressed anger.

With Nangong Wang as his hostage, the four of them rode hard for over ten miles before coming to a halt. Looking back to see no sign of pursuit from the bandits, Mu Changfeng breathed a sigh of relief. "Young Master, that was incredibly dangerous. If you hadn't captured this man, we likely wouldn't have escaped."

Wu Xian, having suffered at the hands of the bandits, looked at Nangong Wang—who was still sharing a horse with Kong Sheng—with ill intent. He snorted, "Young Master, why not finish it? Let’s just cut this man down and be done with it!"

Kong Sheng smiled and said nothing. On the horse, Nangong Wang remained calm and composed, showing no fear or anxiety despite Wu Xian’s hostile words.

"Master Nangong, are you not afraid that I might break my word, kill you here, and ride away?" Kong Sheng asked with a playful, enigmatic look. "We are over ten miles from the Chemun Mountain stronghold. Even if the bandits pursued us, our horses are fast enough to make a leisurely getaway. Once we reach the territory of Pengcheng, even if the Chemun bandits had the courage of giants, they would not dare act under the eyes of the imperial army of Jiangbei."

Nangong Wang took a deep breath. "Firstly, I believe Young Master Kong is a man of high integrity who would not break his word. Secondly, there is no enmity between us; based on my judgment of you, you would not kill me without cause. Of course, if you are determined to take my life, I have no choice but to accept my fate."

Nangong Wang chuckled softly. "Whether you kill or release me, I have no complaints. Life and death are fated; wealth and honor are in the hands of Heaven. My survival rests entirely on your whim."

Kong Sheng gazed deeply at Nangong Wang, then sighed. "Master Nangong, with your intellect and talent, is it not a pity to waste your life among bandits, living by plunder? When the chaos of war is settled, the authorities will surely purge the rebels occupying these mountains and lakes. Why not make a decision now and secure a path for yourself?"

Mu Changfeng’s eyes shifted; he realized Kong Sheng was attempting to recruit Nangong Wang. As he traveled to Suiyang to take up his post, he lacked a counselor with the devilish brilliance of this man. If he could be persuaded to join them, he would be a formidable asset.

Nangong Wang arched an eyebrow. "In these chaotic times, the people are suffering, and the so-called imperial court is a mere facade. If we had not gathered in the mountains, we would have perished long ago. Furthermore, we are not as wretched as you describe; what you call 'plundering' is merely acting on behalf of Heaven to protect our local communities."

Nangong Wang glanced at Kong Sheng. He understood the "recruitment" attempt, but he was a man of great ambition. Even if Kong Sheng was talented in both literature and martial arts, he was not the "enlightened lord" he envisioned who could contend for the world and provide a stage for his talents. What kind of future could he have by following a young scholar with only a minor reputation?

The thought flickered through his mind. He often styled himself after Zhuge Kongming, hoping for a "three visits to the thatched cottage" turning point in his life, but the years had only passed in vain, leaving behind nothing but regret.

Kong Sheng, having only spoken on impulse, didn't press the matter when he saw Nangong Wang’s dismissive attitude. He jumped off his horse and gestured toward Nangong Wang, who was still seated in the saddle. "Well, Master Nangong, are you not going to leave?"

Nangong Wang cast one last look at Kong Sheng, dismounted, and without another word, brushed the dust from his clothes. With his hands behind his back, he slowly began the long walk back toward Chemun Mountain.

Watching his retreating figure, Mu Changfeng whispered, "Young Master, that man is truly talented. If he could accompany you to your post in Suiyang, he would be a great help in the future."

Kong Sheng shook his head with a bitter smile. "Brother Mu, this journey to Suiyang is still fraught with uncertainty and danger for us; why drag others into it? Besides, the man has grand ambitions. How could he possibly look up to a mere eighth-rank county magistrate like me?"

Just as he spoke, Wu Xian’s expression suddenly changed. "Oh no! The Young Master’s imperial decree and appointment documents were left behind at the foot of Chemun Mountain!"