Chapter 9: Interested in a Deal?

Gao Yuan frowned. There was something unusual about this woman, as he had suspected. How could an ordinary captive remain so calm?

After a few moments, he washed his hands and face in a wooden basin. “The rest of you, step outside. I want a word with Lingxue alone.”

Lin Hongxiu’s brows rose. She stepped forward, placing herself in front of Feng Lingxue. Gao Yuan glimpsed something at her sleeve that looked like a knife hilt, apparently a weapon acquired only recently. Her bearing was much stronger than it had been yesterday, too.

Feng Lingxue lightly patted her shoulder. “Wait outside.”

“But…” Lin Hongxiu looked anxious.

“Go. It’s all right.”

Shen Shuting and Mu Baizhi watched, uncertain what was happening. In the end, all three women went out, leaving Gao Yuan and Feng Lingxue alone.

Gao Yuan removed his battered armor and sat on the earthen platform. “You went outside?”

“Yes.”

“Planning to escape?” They had been taken captive, after all; naturally they would not be content to stay.

“Yes,” she said again.

He gave her a curious look. “Then why come back?” The two were clearly no ordinary women. If they had gone out, they must have been prepared.

Feng Lingxue met his eyes. “Because of you.”

“Me?”

“Yes.” Her lips curved slightly. “I’m curious what you promised Wu Xiangbei to make him withdraw halfway through the attack. Could it be that you intend to seize the stronghold and hand it over to him?”

Gao Yuan’s eyes turned cold. His fingers slowly curled as the thought of killing her rose in his mind. No one but Wu Xiangbei knew of their agreement, yet she had spoken of it. This woman was dangerous.

Seeing his reaction, Feng Lingxue smiled. “What, do you want to kill me? It seems I guessed right.”

“Aren’t you afraid?”

Her eyes showed a trace of disdain. “Of what? Your position is insecure. On your own, even with three or five days to prepare, you may not succeed. Besides, a tree that rises above the forest catches the wind. What makes you think the chief of Blackwind Stronghold will tolerate a tiger like you?”

Gao Yuan fell silent. She was right. His original plan had been to recover for two or three days, then find a chance to kill Xu Mazi and Zhou Xing and take the stronghold. But there were plenty of difficulties and uncertainties.

When he did not answer, Feng Lingxue smiled. “Interested in a deal?”

Gao Yuan leaned forward. “Go on.” There was something about her that suggested a person accustomed to commanding the world.

“Hongxiu is my personal guard. Her fighting ability is no less than Wu Xiangbei’s. Working with you, she should improve your chances of taking the stronghold by more than thirty percent.”

Gao Yuan glanced at the window, picturing Lin Hongxiu. Was she really that strong? Then why had she been captured yesterday? And if her guard was so capable, who was the woman in front of him?

After a few moments, he asked, “What do you want?”

Feng Lingxue shifted in her seat, her eyes deep and thoughtful. “A safe place to stay, where I won’t be disturbed.”

At the words *won’t be disturbed*, Gao Yuan’s face twitched. She was making herself clear.

“Nothing else?”

She nodded. If that was all, he thought, it was hardly unreasonable.

“If we’re going to cooperate, let’s be honest. I want to know who you really are.”

She tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Sunlight filtered through the window, lending her a graceful, noble beauty. She smiled. “A Beimang noblewoman.”

Gao Yuan blinked. She was no ordinary woman, just as he thought. That explained her unusual surname and the female attendant protecting her.

He rubbed his chin. “Our countries are at war. A Beimang head is worth military merit. If I captured a noble alive, how much wealth and rank do you think I could win?”

Feng Lingxue was unafraid. “Shortsighted. By the time everyone above you has taken a share, how much would reach you? Protect me, and you need only ask Beimang for a small reward. It will be enough to keep you comfortable for life.”

They looked at each other while a faint breeze moved through the room. After a moment, Gao Yuan smiled, a calculating look on his face.

She had a point. A noblewoman might be worth more to Beimang than to Wei. He could keep her safe for now and wait for the right price.

He still had no idea that the woman before him was the famed empress of Beimang, whose reign bore the era name Lingxiao.

Gao Yuan stood and held out his hand. Feng Lingxue raised an eyebrow. “What does that mean?”

Only then did he realize that people in this world did not shake hands. “A handshake. It means we have an agreement.”

She extended her hand and clasped his. His palm was rough and callused, warm against hers, and a faint blush rose to her cheeks.

Gao Yuan thought it a good bargain. He had lost two beautiful women, but gained a valuable hostage and a first-rate fighter. These days, what woman could compare with silver? First he would take the stronghold.

In high spirits, he hummed as he went outside, intending to find a quiet place to practice his martial skills. The original owner’s body was too weak to let him use much of his ability. He needed to strengthen it quickly. In a world like this, his own strength was the surest thing he could rely on.

……

Elsewhere, inside Xu Mazi’s wooden house, the furnishings were extravagantly luxurious compared with Gao Yuan’s quarters. The room was large and well supplied; the thick quilts on the big bed alone were enough to make Yao Dachong drool.

Xu sat in a chair and pointed to two silver ingots on the table. “Take them. A reward.”

Greed shone in Yao’s single eye. He tucked the silver away, then asked carefully, “Second Chief, what is this for?”

Xu crooked a finger, and Yao leaned in. After Xu whispered a few words, Yao shuddered. “Second Chief, that… that won’t be easy.”

Xu sneered. “Easier than killing Wu Xiangbei, isn’t it? The chief is holding a victory feast tonight. He’ll surely be drunk. Surely the lot of you can deal with him then?”

He paused. “Do it, and I’ll give you another twenty taels of silver. The women in Gao Yuan’s house will all be yours too.”

Yao swallowed. The thought of silver and women quickened his breathing. Men died for wealth as birds died for food, and he had an old grudge against Gao Yuan besides.

He sniffed and nodded firmly. “Done, Second Chief. Just wait for the news.”