Chapter 28: Playing Hard to Get

As their gazes met, countless thoughts flashed through their minds.

Yun Chu subtly took a deep breath.

When Wei fell, Gongliang Chong had already left the court and was no longer in the capital.

She had never met him before and had no idea he had become a bandit in Yongzhou after the country’s downfall.

He genuinely did not expect to encounter him here.

Meeting so abruptly, with Li Yunli standing between them, even deciding whether to acknowledge each other became a dilemma.

Worse still, Gongliang Chong was directly in Li Yunli’s line of sight, leaving no room for any secret gestures or signals.

Yun Chu averted her gaze.

Sensing the odd atmosphere, Li Yunli glanced at Gongliang Chong. “What? Do you two know each other?”

Gongliang Chong reacted swiftly, curling his lips into a smile. “I’ve long heard that the Grand Princess keeps a stunningly handsome consort by her side. Naturally, I was curious to see him in person. Now that I’ve seen him, he is indeed quite a sight to behold.”

There was an underlying meaning in his words. Yun Chu gave him a glance, his expression as calm as still water.

Li Yunli’s voice deepened slightly. “Since the Second-in-Command invited me here, let’s get to the point.”

Gongliang Chong chuckled and gestured for Li Yunli to take a seat.

She cast him a sidelong glance.

Gongliang Chong raised an eyebrow. “What? They say the Grand Princess is as courageous as any man. Could it be that you don’t even dare to have a meal with a mere bandit like me?”

“As courageous as any man?” Li Yunli let out a cold laugh. “You’re quite different from the others, aren’t you? I didn’t expect someone like you to have heard such rumors about me.”

Weren’t the rumors always calling her a reckless woman of scandalous reputation?

“Back then, Your Highness donned armor and fought on the battlefield, achieving great feats in the war that led to Wei’s downfall. How could you not be a hero among women?”

Gongliang Chong looked at her, and she detected a hint of provocation in his smile.

And with the earlier tune of Passing Water, she could roughly guess that he was a former citizen of Wei.

If that were the case, then the mysterious leader behind him was likely also from Wei.

She pulled out a chair and sat down. “Leopard’s Head Mountain rose to power in just two short years. I must admit, Second-in-Command is indeed someone of significance. Since I have come as invited, let’s speak frankly.”

Gongliang Chong smiled and poured a cup of wine for her. “Your Highness flatters me. I am merely a former businessman of Wei.”

“A businessman never acts without profit. Speak plainly—what business do you wish to discuss with me?”

Had it been before, the mere mention of a business deal would have had Li Yunli eagerly calculating potential profits.

But now, if it came from Gongliang Chong, it was unlikely to be that simple.

She sneered. “Leopard’s Head Mountain’s influence stretches far and wide, pressuring Yongzhou City to this extent. And now, you want to make a deal with me? I fail to see what benefit I could possibly offer you.”

Gongliang Chong pushed the cup of wine toward her. “Your Highness, why not first take a look at my sincerity?”

“Speak.”

A smile played at the corner of his lips. “If our deal is successful, I am willing to disband the forces of Leopard’s Head Mountain, relieving Your Highness of this banditry issue.”

Li Yunli narrowed her eyes.

Her mind nearly stalled.

A businessman values profit, yet she had never seen someone propose a deal that involved giving up everything they owned.

Was Gongliang Chong insane? Or was he at odds with his superior and looking for a way out?

She tapped her finger lightly on the rim of her cup. “I’ve heard that the true power behind Leopard’s Head Mountain lies with its elusive leader.”

Did she not even need to sow discord? Was this Second-in-Command already disillusioned with his superior?

Gongliang Chong nodded. “Rest assured, Your Highness. This promise comes directly from our leader. All we ask is for you to agree to our terms.”

“What terms?”

“In two months, Leopard’s Head Mountain will hold a grand ritual. Before that, we need to expand our manpower. We will not forcibly recruit the people of Yongzhou—only those who volunteer will join us. We simply ask Your Highness to refrain from launching any military action against us during these next two months.”

Li Yunli let out a short laugh.

So, they were asking for a favor in return—to be left undisturbed while they carried out their plans?

“You’re telling me that you want to recruit the people of Yongzhou into your ranks, and you expect me to just stand by and do nothing?”

An absurd request to match an absurd offer.

She had initially thought this was an internal power struggle within their ranks, but this deal was outright ridiculous.

This wasn’t negotiation; this was an insult to her intelligence.

“Do you really take me for the fool that the rumors make me out to be? How dare you bring such a ludicrous condition to the table?!”

She slammed her cup onto the table, splashing wine everywhere.

Gongliang Chong rose to his feet, unflinching. “Your Highness, my words were not in jest. If the ritual is completed in two months, we will willingly disperse. Your troubles will be solved—it is a mutually beneficial deal.”

Yun Chu, who had intended to remain silent, finally spoke up. “Mister Gongliang.”

Gongliang Chong turned toward him.

Yun Chu stood still and bowed slightly. “If you truly wish to negotiate, then sincerity is required. Words alone are mere promises without proof.”

“A matter of trust, is it? Then I leave it to Your Highness to weigh the situation in Yongzhou for yourself.”

“Gongliang Chong,” Li Yunli said coldly. “Business is built on trust. If you want this deal, you must give me a reason to trust you.”

She didn’t believe he had come just to amuse himself at her expense.

This proposal was absurd on the surface, but there might be something valuable hidden within.

She scrutinized him. “For example, why don’t you tell me—what exactly is this grand ritual you are preparing for?”

Something about it felt deeply ominous.

“You don’t know?” Gongliang Chong frowned.

His expression changed, and he asked, “Our leader said you might be the only one who understands our intentions. Yet you claim ignorance?”

He let out a cold chuckle. “Our leader is far kinder than Zhou Foxiao ever was.”

Before Li Yunli could decipher his words, Gongliang Chong abruptly stood up and opened the window.

From the second floor of the tavern, the bustling market below was in full view.

He gestured toward the crowd. “Your Highness, look. This is the result. For the past two years, Yongzhou has suffered consecutive floods, destroying farmlands. Leopard’s Head Mountain has taken in many displaced people. Now, over half of Yongzhou’s population is under our protection.”

Li Yunli finally understood.

“You’re saying that bringing them to Leopard’s Head Mountain was an act of kindness?” she scoffed. “Without land or homes, they are no longer citizens but outlaws—no longer protected by the government.”

Gongliang Chong smiled. “What good has the government’s protection done them? As bandits, they have food, shelter, and can even bring prosperity back to the city. They may be outlaws in name, but they are far better off than the suffering common folk here.”

Li Yunli was shocked.

Was the entire market filled with Leopard’s Head Mountain people?

Had their influence truly surpassed that of Yongzhou City?

Then why did Gongliang Chong offer to disband them?

Something didn’t add up.

And as she looked at him, suspicion flickered in her eyes.

Gongliang Chong studied her in return.

Seeing the wariness in her gaze, he suddenly laughed bitterly.

“It seems our leader was mistaken. You are not the person they were looking for.”