Chapter 26. An Even More Troublesome Admirer Than the Envoy, She Has Arrived…

After the fifteenth, the court officials resumed their duties, and Mu Jiulu, the regent, became busy once again.

Gu Sui, on the other hand, was quite leisurely. He no longer needed to lead troops in battle, and each day he merely practiced martial arts, taught Li Fuyu how to read account books, and pondered on ways to invite Mu Jiulu out to improve their relationship.

However, a memorial from the Court of State Ceremonial disrupted his peaceful days.

Envoys from Winter State were visiting, led by Shu Tong, the young leader of the Silver Snake Clan who currently ruled Winter State.

She specifically sent a letter stating that as a newcomer to the capital, unfamiliar with the people and place, she was only somewhat acquainted with General Gu. She hoped the emperor would allow him to receive the envoys.

The Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial reported this truthfully. Mu Jiulu’s brows furrowed, and before she could speak, the young emperor, who had been holding back for a long time, immediately issued an edict on the spot.

Gu Sui was forced to start work.

When he first received the news, he was stunned.

What nonsense was this about him receiving envoys? He wasn’t familiar with the affairs of Winter State at all now!

Fortunately, Sui Yu and Yun Mu, who had been by his side all along, knew about his loss of past memories and carefully explained the situation in Winter State to him.

Winter State was located in the northern snow plains, comprising sixteen cities and home to three tribes: the Poison Wolf, Silver Snake, and Flower Scorpion.

Previously, the Poison Wolf ruled Winter State, occupying eight of the cities. They had turned their main city, Wugui City, into a wolf’s den. Anyone else who set foot there would never return.

Except for Gu Sui.

Not only did he set foot there, but he also slaughtered Wugui City, nearly wiping out the Poison Wolf clan. Now, only about a hundred of them remained in the world.

As for the Silver Snake and Flower Scorpion, these two clans had long been oppressed by the Poison Wolf and harbored increasing resentment towards them.

When Gu Sui first started his expedition to Winter State, they, as part of Winter State, resisted vigorously for a while.

But before long, realizing that the Poison Wolf was just using them as shields, the leaders of the two clans ordered their people to retreat to their own cities, focusing on defending them, and allowing Gu Sui to conquer the eight cities controlled by the Poison Wolf.

In the end, the leaders of the Silver Snake and Flower Scorpion reached an agreement and submitted a letter of surrender to the Mu Dynasty, promising to no longer invade the dynasty’s borders as they had in the past and to pay annual tribute. Only then did Gu Sui withdraw his troops and return to the capital.

Winter State’s submission of the surrender letter was only half a year ago, and the specific details regarding the tribute were still being negotiated, seemingly not yet settled.

This visit from the Winter State envoys was partly due to this reason.

“Since we’ve already conquered eight cities, why not take the other eight as well? Wouldn’t that eliminate all these troubles?”

Gu Sui was truly troubled. He had spent ten years working hard to earn money and pay off debts, and finally when he was debt-free and planning to retire to the countryside, he not only transmigrated but also had to continue working!

Indeed, when one’s luck turns bad, there’s no bottom to it!

“Young Master, you spent two and a half years in Winter State to achieve the current results. Not to mention the harsh weather in the snow plains makes it difficult for warfare.

Moreover, the Western Regions are eyeing the border covetously. If you were to march straight in and conquer all of Winter State, the neighboring Western Regions would not stand idly by.”

Yun Mu brought over a map to show Gu Sui. The Central Plains Dynasty, the Western Regions, and the snowy Winter State had always formed a tripartite balance of power.

Although Winter State and the Western Regions were not large, due to their complex terrain and political reasons, the dynasty had never been able to incorporate them into its territory.

Gu Sui pointed at a small city wedged between the three regions and asked, “What’s this place?”

“In response to the Young Master, this is Chaoyang City, located at the border of the three regions, but it’s a lawless area not governed by any of them.”

Gu Sui crossed one arm and rested his right hand on his chin, clicking his tongue. “Isn’t that quite chaotic then?”

“Young Master is correct. This city is named Chaoyang, meaning the rising sun, implying new beginnings, but in reality, it’s a cradle of evil, utterly dark.

The city is filled with all sorts of people, from bandits to assassins. Ten miles outside the city is a huge pit, and countless bodies are dragged out of the city and thrown there daily.”

Gu Sui drew in a sharp breath. “This city can’t be conquered either?”

Despite being so close to the dynasty, such things were still happening. Gu Sui truly couldn’t understand.

Hearing this, Sui Yu sighed and explained to him.

“Chaoyang City is a balancing point between the three powers. If any side tries to take control of Chaoyang City, it would provoke resistance from the other two. As a result, Chaoyang City has always remained unowned territory.”

The geographical location of Chaoyang City was particularly important. No matter who controlled this city, it would be a threat to the others, so the city could only remain in chaos.

This lonely city on the trade route was both prosperous and sinful.

After listening, Gu Sui felt somewhat heavy-hearted and also sighed. “So that’s how it is.”

“This Chaoyang City is truly not a good place. I heard that three years ago, the regent had an accident on her way to Chaoyang City and disappeared for over two years.

It’s fortunate that you were in the snowy plains of Winter State at that time, Young Master. Although it was colder there, it was much better than the chaotic Chaoyang City.”

Yun Mu said with a sigh. Gu Sui suddenly turned his head to look at him.

“Mu Jiulu has been to Chaoyang City?”

Gu Sui felt his heart tighten just hearing about it. How dangerous!

“She didn’t exactly go there. After all, she disappeared before reaching it. When she returned a year ago, she appeared in the prince’s mansion. As for those two years in between, this servant doesn’t know.”

Gu Sui felt inexplicably relieved. It was good that she didn’t reach such a dangerous place.

Come to think of it, he should be grateful. If she hadn’t had an accident on her way to Chaoyang City, he might not have met her.

He wondered what kind of fate it was that brought her into his world.

“Alright, let’s not talk about Chaoyang City for now. This Shu Tong, what kind of person is she?”

Gu Sui still had to focus on the current matter. Hearing this, Sui Yu and Yun Mu exchanged a glance, their expressions somewhat complicated.

“This person…”

The two were hesitant to speak. At first, Gu Sui didn’t understand, but before long, he personally witnessed what kind of character Shu Tong was.

The young woman wore a red gauze dress, as if it were midsummer rather than the end of winter. Her right shoulder was exposed, and on her clearly defined collarbone was a tattoo of a small silver snake with its tongue out.

The tattoo even had a three-dimensional effect, looking so lifelike that it seemed as if a real snake was coiled on her collarbone, its vertical pupils exuding a sinister air.

“Little Brother Gu, we meet again!”

Shu Tong dismounted nimbly and came straight towards Gu Sui, her flame-red lips curving into a seductive smile.

Gu Sui pressed his thin lips together tightly, instinctively taking two steps back to avoid her enthusiasm.

Gu Sui scrutinized her, and Shu Tong shrugged, speaking with some disappointment.

“Brother Gu is still so distant, but I’ve brought you a big gift. You’ll definitely like it.”

Shu Tong clapped her hands, and those similarly scantily clad envoys behind her dragged three to five people over from the rear carriage.

They were bound and their eyes were fierce. They kept struggling as they were dragged over, but were suppressed and couldn’t move.

When they were brought before Gu Sui and saw who was in front of them, they struggled even more violently, to the point where the people behind them almost couldn’t hold them down.

The snake bone whip in Shu Tong’s hand suddenly lashed down on the back of the person at the front, while she spat out some gibberish words, her voice cold.

That was the language of the snow plains. Gu Sui shouldn’t have been able to understand it, but strangely, he understood the meaning of Shu Tong’s words.

“Behave yourselves.”

Shu Tong then turned to look at Gu Sui, her voice becoming much gentler, and she switched back to their common language.

“I heard that Brother Gu was assassinated by the Poison Wolves some days ago. I caught a few of those who escaped back then on my way here. How about I offer them to Brother Gu for some amusement?”

Gu Sui: “…”

An even more troublesome admirer, she has arrived.

“That won’t be necessary.”

Shu Tong seemed confused: “Why not? Didn’t you used to say you’d kill every Poison Wolf you saw, Brother Gu?”

Gu Sui glanced at her: “I’ve never said anything before, have I?”

Shu Tong wasn’t embarrassed at all: “That’s what I read from your eyes! Brother Gu, no one understands you better than I do.”

Gu Sui: “…”

Shu Tong continued: “Look, Brother Gu, you’re even willing to talk to me now. You must have missed me after not seeing me for so long, right!”

Gu Sui said expressionlessly: “You’re overthinking it. This is just politeness.”

Shu Tong made a “wow” sound: “Brother Gu, you’re even willing to be polite to me! Brother Gu has me in his heart!”

Gu Sui: “???”

Is this person ill?

“Who’s in your heart?”

A cool and mischievous voice drifted from behind. Gu Sui turned his head to look and met Mu Jiulu’s cold eyes, which held a hint of darkness.

“No, no, no, I don’t. She’s talking nonsense!”

Gu Sui, feeling a jolt in his heart, hurriedly waved his hands to explain. Shu Tong looked curiously at the newcomer.

“Who are you?”

Mu Jiulu stopped beside Gu Sui. She wore a crimson dragon robe and a golden crane hairpin. Her indifferent gaze swept over Shu Tong and her group.

Shu Tong felt a wave of pressure coming towards her, even sharper than the feeling her mother king gave her.

Yan Wu, standing behind Mu Jiulu, spoke in a deep voice: “This is the current regent.”

Shu Tong took a deep breath, relaxing her slightly tense jaw. She placed her right fingers on her left shoulder and bowed.

“So it’s the Regent. Shu Tong has long admired you.”

However, her etiquette seemed somewhat casual and careless. As she lowered her head slightly, the silver snake on her collarbone seemed to move, exuding an eerie aura.

Mu Jiulu’s gaze fell on the Poison Wolf members being held down on the ground, her voice cold and distant.

“What is the meaning of this?”

“These are all gifts I’m giving to Brother Gu.”

Shu Tong spoke as if seeking credit.

“They approached me on my way to the capital, wanting to bribe me to infiltrate the envoy group and attempt to assassinate Brother Gu again. How could I possibly agree? Of course, I tied them all up and am presenting them here.”

Mu Jiulu turned her head to look at Gu Sui, the tip of her finger caressing her bone ring turning white.

“Brother, a gift.”

Gu Sui: “!!!”

“I don’t know her!”

He retreated with a strong survival instinct, drawing a clear line between himself and Shu Tong.

Shu Tong licked her lower lip, speaking with some dissatisfaction.

“What does Brother Gu mean? Although we’ve had a few fights, I did help you pass messages later. How can you deny knowing me?”

Mu Jiulu looked at her again, her sharp and cold gaze falling on her exposed right shoulder. She let out a cold laugh, her voice casual.

“The weather is cold. Young Leader Shu, be careful not to catch a chill.”

Shu Tong paused for a moment, then spoke nonchalantly.

“This is nothing cold. In our snow plains, this is like summer. The Regent need not worry.”

Gu Sui silently sighed.

How could Mu Jiulu be afraid of her catching a chill? She probably wanted her to chill to death!