Shi Chun and Xiang Lan'er descended from the sky on Wind Scales, landing on a hilltop.
It was the same hill where they had met someone the night before.
On the opposite hill stood the same woman they had met last night, her white robes pure as snow, but now two more people stood beside her: Huyan Dao and Jin Zaogong.
The two sides gazed at each other from afar. Last night there had been stars; now it was midafternoon, and a layer of gray clouds veiled the sky.
Huyan Dao and Jin Zaogong were somewhat startled to see Shi Chun and Xiang Lan'er.
"Wang Sheng?" Huyan Dao asked in surprise and doubt. "What are they doing here?"
When Mulan Qingqing had summoned them, she had only said she needed them for something. Suspecting no trickery, he had obediently brought his junior brother along, never expecting to encounter this scene.
Even now, Huyan Dao had not realized the danger.
Mulan Qingqing said, "I invited them here to talk."
Huyan Dao lowered his voice. "Should we seize the chance to capture them?"
Mulan Qingqing said, "You couldn't even keep watch over the people I entrusted to you. Those who know have all escaped. What good would capturing these two do?"
Her words left Huyan Dao somewhat embarrassed. He lowered his voice again. "They hold leverage over us, and they've thrown caution to the wind. We're on the back foot. I'm afraid there's no negotiating this. Besides, however we negotiate, whatever promises we make, neither side will trust the other."
Mulan Qingqing stared at the people opposite her, her eyes filled with complicated emotions. "Then we can only give them whatever they ask for."
That was true. Only then did Huyan Dao understand. Without the possibility of a compromise, why would the