"Very well. I won't disturb Daoist Master any longer. This old man will take his leave first." After repeatedly exchanging pleasantries, Meng Shanming had Luo Da'an wheel him away.
Once everyone else had left, Guan Fangyi immediately asked curiously, "Does this lake have something to do with rescuing the County Princess and the Young Prince?"
Niu Youdao answered with absolute certainty, "No!"
"Uh..." Guan Fangyi froze for a moment, unable to contain her curiosity. "Nothing to do with it? Then why were you asking so much about this lake and telling Marshal Meng not to leak anything?"
Niu Youdao said nothing, which meant he had no intention of explaining.
Guan Fangyi habitually rolled her eyes. She knew that if he refused to speak, asking further would be pointless. Sometimes, she truly wanted to strangle the man to death. He was far too good at leaving people hanging.
She had only just turned away with a trace of displeasure when Niu Youdao, who was staring at the map, suddenly said, "Have Yun Ji come over."
"Yes, my Daoist Master!" Guan Fangyi answered in a strange, mocking tone as she muttered her way out. "Seems this old lady was born to run errands..."
Inside the central command tent.
The moment Meng Shanming returned, Shang Chaozong hurried forward to meet him and asked in a low, urgent voice, "How did it go?"
At this point, retreating was impossible. Yet man was not made of grass or wood—how could he be without feeling? That was his younger sister and his son. It would be a lie to say he did not want to save them.
The enemy had already made their position perfectly clear. If this side refused, they would do unspeakable things to Shang Shuqing. This was no longer merely a matter of