People in the Qin Dynasty sought good fortune and avoided misfortune.

Chapter 444, Xu Qingye Meets Bai Yifei
Just as Tian Guang was pondering Xu Qing's purpose, there was a sudden knock on the door, and Zhu Jia pushed the door open and walked in.

"Hero, your disciple has sent word that the Moon Goddess of the Yin-Yang School has arrived in Luyang, and many Yin-Yang School disciples are also gathering here," Zhu Jia said, bowing.

"The Moon Goddess of the Yin-Yang School? What is she doing in Nanyang?" Tian Guang asked in confusion.

"I don't know. According to the message sent by Situ Wanli, after the Hundred Schools left Taiyi Mountain, Dongjun and Yueshen of the Yin-Yang School separated. The former went to Xianyang, while the latter came to Han State. First, she went to Xinzheng, and now she has come to Luyang."

Zhu Jia took out the letter delivered by the disciples of Qianlong Hall from his pocket, handed it to Tian Guang, and said in a deep voice.

After Tian Guang opened the cloth and glanced at its contents, his expression became extremely solemn. He tapped his fingers repeatedly on the table, his mind filled with doubt.

Xu Qing secretly came to Luyang, and now the Moon Goddess has also come to Luyang. At Taiyi Mountain, Xu Qing and the Moon Goddess's relationship was somewhat ambiguous, which made Tian Guang suspect that the two were going to make some kind of deal in Luyang.

After much thought, Tian Guang still couldn't figure out what Xu Qing was up to, so he frowned and said...
"Zhu family, arrange for your disciples to gather information on what has happened in Luyang and Nanyang recently. At the same time, send people to secretly keep an eye on the Yin Yang family's movements and see what they are up to."

"Yes."

After bowing respectfully, Zhu Jia turned and left the house.

Tian Guang looked at the door closing again and sighed softly. He still had too little information and couldn't guess what Xu Qing was up to. He could only wait and see.

However, since Xu Qing went to great lengths to conceal his whereabouts and arrive in Luyang, Tian Guang believed that it must be related to the matter that Xiong Qi had asked him to investigate.

"It seems I need to find an opportunity to help Tian Mi gain Xu Qing's trust," Tian Guang thought to himself.

As dusk fell, Xu Qing emerged from the Luo Wang stronghold and began strolling back and forth through the streets of Luyang City, eventually entering a restaurant.

"Waiter, prepare a private room and bring some wine and dishes."

Xu Qing took out a dozen or so Korean Baekjeong coins and threw them on the counter before heading to the second floor of the restaurant.

"This way, sir. Your food and drinks will be served shortly."

Seeing how generous Xu Qing was, the waiter in the restaurant didn't dare to be negligent in the slightest and warmly led Xu Qing up to the second floor.

Shortly after Xu Qing entered the private room, the waiter brought over the wine and dishes.

"Sir, Nanyang is currently experiencing a drought, and our shop doesn't have many delicacies left. Please forgive us."

"However, this braised carp with noodles is a specialty of our shop. You've come at just the right time, as this carp happens to be the last one we have."

After placing the three vegetarian dishes and a pot of wine down, the waiter spoke with a hint of flattery.

"It's alright. Close the door behind you when you leave. If I don't call for anyone, you don't need to come back up."

Xu Qing took out a few pieces of Bai Nie and tossed them to the waiter, saying in a calm voice.

The waiter looked at the five hundred cups in his hand and his smile widened. The drought in Nanyang was getting worse and worse. Only Luyang, being the core of Nanyang, had not seen a large number of people fleeing. However, it was rare to find a customer as generous as Xu Qing in such a year of disaster.

"Okay, just let me know if you need anything."

The waiter took his tray and left the room, carefully closing the door behind him.

After the waiter left, Xu Qing looked at the bright moonlight outside the window, poured himself a glass of wine, and slowly drank it.

Just after finishing a glass of wine, Xu Qing suddenly felt the temperature around her begin to drop. A chill rushed into the room through the window, and a thin layer of frost gradually condensed on the floor. The brown curtains fluttered without any wind.

Seeing this, Xu Qing's lips curled slightly. He picked up the wine pot, filled the two wine cups on the table, and said calmly.
"Since you're here, why don't you sit down and have a drink together?"

As he spoke, white true energy lifted a wine cup, which flew towards the shadows behind the curtain like an arrow released from a bow.

Frosty thorns, radiating a chilling aura, grew from behind the curtain, catching the flying wine glass. Bai Yifei also emerged from the shadows and reached out to catch the wine glass.

"Da Liangzao has a good interest."

Bai Yifei looked at the composed Xu Qing and said with a cold expression.

"Lord Blood-Clad, how have you been? This carp noodle soup truly lives up to its reputation as the restaurant's signature dish. Shall we sit down and have a taste?"

Xu Qing turned to look at Bai Yifei and said with a light laugh.

Xu Qing was not surprised by Bai Yifei's arrival. After all, he entered the city under the name Xu Qing, and Luyang City was Bai Yifei's territory. Every move he made could not escape the other party's eyes.

"If you like this dish, I can give you this kitchen. You should be at Mount Taiyi right now, but you came to Nanyang quietly. I think your purpose is not just to drink."

Bai Yifei gently swirled the wine glass in his hand as he slowly spoke, his gaze towards Xu Qing sharpening slightly. According to the intelligence he had received, Xu Qing should currently be at Mount Taiyi continuing to pray for Empress Dowager Qin, but the fact that Xu Qing had suddenly arrived in Nanyang with Yan Lingji and openly entered Luyang City made Bai Yifei feel uneasy.

"Doesn't the Marquis know why I came to Nanyang? Most of the contents of the letter that Shu'er had someone pass on to me are about Nanyang."

Xu Qing put down her chopsticks and said with a smile.

“But you came to Luyang City with Yan Lingji. Although the outside world says you have unpredictable abilities, I don’t believe that you and Yan Lingji can bring enough food to alleviate the drought in Nanyang.”

Bai Yifei's expression darkened slightly as he watched Xu Qing intend to continue their witty exchange, and he said in a cold voice...
In the letter he sent to Xu Qing through the Tide Demoness, he clearly stated his hope that Xu Qing could provide him with some grain. Of course, he wasn't trying to get it for free; he wanted to pay for it, essentially using Xu Qing as a means to purchase grain from within Qin.

But now it seems that Xu Qing did not bring the supplies he wanted.

"How did you know I didn't bring any provisions, my lord?" Xu Qing countered.

"Oh?"

A hint of doubt flashed in Bai Yifei's eyes. He didn't know what Xu Qing was up to, but looking at Xu Qing's nonchalant expression, Bai Yifei thought for a moment and then wondered why Xu Qing had invited him here tonight.

So Bai Yifei took his wine glass, sat down opposite Xu Qing, and drank the wine in one gulp.

"My lord, don't be in such a hurry. Because of Shu'er's relationship, it's only right that I call you cousin. We haven't seen each other for a long time, so we should at least have a chat first," Xu Qing said as he poured Bai Yifei another drink.

Bai Yifei gave Xu Qing a deep look, his scarlet eyes flashing red, and said coldly.

"Tell me your conditions."

Xu Qing kept rambling on and on without getting to the point, which made Bai Yifei a little restless. Under normal circumstances, he would have been able to keep his composure and engage in a war of words with Xu Qing.

However, the situation in Nanyang has now reached a very serious point, and the Jade Tiger's greed has exceeded his expectations.

Grain prices in Nanyang have reached very high levels, and coupled with the increasingly severe drought, Nanyang will inevitably suffer a major blow if it is not dealt with soon, which is something Bai Yifei is unwilling to see.

Whether it was his personal affection for Nanyang or the importance of Nanyang in supporting the White Armor Army's food and supplies, he could no longer wait.

Seeing Bai Yifei, who seemed restless, a glint of light flashed in Xu Qing's eyes, and she spoke.

"Before we discuss the terms, does Your Excellency still remember what I told you back then?"

Bai Yifei nodded slightly. He naturally remembered what Xu Qing had told him when he rescued Wushuang Gui.

“Back then, I promised you that I would strive for a better future for Nanyang. Now that Nanyang has suffered a disaster, it is time for me to fulfill my promise. I just don’t know if Lord Marquis is ready?” Xu Qing said.

Bai Yifei's gaze towards Xu Qing gradually turned cold. He naturally understood the meaning behind Xu Qing's words: he wanted Xu Qing to submit to the Qin state.

"Is this your idea, or Qin's idea?" Bai Yifei asked coldly.

"What difference does it make? My lord, the amount of grain you need is enormous. Even if I have a certain status in Qin, I cannot send such a huge amount of grain to Nanyang. And in Qin, there is only one person who has the ability to do this."

Xu Qing looked at Bai Yifei, a faint smile always on her face, and slowly said.

Bai Yifei looked at Xu Qing in silence. Xu Qing's words were already very clear: the only person who could order the grain to be delivered to Nanyang was the King of Qin, and what right did the King of Qin have to issue such an order?
Unless he can offer enough incentives to sway the King of Qin.

The only bargaining chip he had to persuade the King of Qin to help Nanyang was Nanyang itself.

"You should know who I am. What you're saying is impossible," Bai Yifei said coldly.

He was a hereditary marquis in South Korea, and it can be said that he shared the glory and disgrace of South Korea and was on par with the nation.

If he had led Nanyang to surrender to Qin, not to mention how outsiders and history books would record him, would Qin still believe him as a traitor?

Seeing that Bai Yifei kept saying it was impossible, but still sat calmly in place, Xu Qing felt more confident in persuading Bai Yifei.

Bai Yifei didn't leave immediately, which means there's still room for discussion, but the other party is still hesitant.

"Even if you don't pledge allegiance to Qin, do you really think you can maintain your current status in Han? Not to mention Han Fei's Quicksand is closing in on Nightfall, just consider Ji Wuye's suspicion of you. If something happens to Emerald Tiger in Nanyang, Ji Wuye will definitely suspect you immediately."

“I know that the true master of the night is you, Lord Marquis, but General Ji Wuye is not a puppet like Han Wang An. He has border troops under his command. Once a battle breaks out, it is still uncertain who will win between you and Ji Wuye.”

Even if you eventually defeat Ji Wuye, how will you face Han Fei's Quicksand?

(End of this chapter)