Chapter 38: If You're in Trouble, I'll Shoulder It!

These were the conditions for now. He could hardly force people to produce ingredients and techniques they simply did not have. For the time being, he would have to make do. Niu Youdao had just picked up the small knife for cutting the meat when a graceful figure appeared in the doorway.

Who else could it be but Shang Shuqing?

No sign of Monkey, yet this woman had come instead. Interesting. Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly and smiled. He set down the knife and gestured for her to enter. Shang Shuqing walked to the low table and knelt opposite him.

"Forgive me for interrupting Master Dao's meal."

Master Dao?

A smile that was not quite a smile appeared on Niu Youdao's face. In this world, that form of address had always belonged exclusively to Monkey.

"Not at all. I didn't have much appetite anyway."

"Is the cooking from the men below not to Master Dao's taste?"

Cooking? You call this cooking?

Niu Youdao cursed inwardly but could not be bothered insulting her people.

He shook his head. "Today's events spoiled my appetite. I'm worried His Highness and the Commandery Princess may blame me."

Shang Shuqing was quiet for a moment before saying slowly, "The dead are already gone. The best we can do is help the living live better and give the dead an accounting. That matters more than anything else. Everyone should look forward. There is no need to sink into the past until one can no longer free oneself."

Both of them spoke around the real subject. Neither pierced the matter directly.

Niu Youdao smiled. "What brings the Commandery Princess here to chat with Niu?"

Shang Shuqing went straight to the point. "Master Dao is preparing to leave, isn't he?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "I've been considering it."

Shang Shuqing straightened her back and spoke openly. "I came because I hope Master Dao will stay and lend my brother and me your strength."

Niu Youdao's eyes curved with amusement. "I'm only a minor cultivator in the Qi Refinement Realm. I'm afraid I don't have the ability to help you much. You'd be better off finding some true expert."

"To speak frankly, Master Dao—and not out of disrespect—my brother and I have already fallen to this point. Our future is uncertain, danger lies everywhere, and no one is willing to become entangled with us. Everyone avoids us as though we were snakes and scorpions. We no longer have the qualifications to be selective. Anyone with genuine ability is someone we must do our best to win over. Small gains accumulate. Grains of sand become a tower. I believe that one day they can become something vast and surging. And besides, Master Dao is Mr. Dong Guo's disciple."

Niu Youdao chuckled. "I don't actually know what sort of relationship my master had with your family. That connection can't bind me. Bringing up my master has no meaning. Better to discuss the matter itself. Why should I stay and risk my life for you?"

Shang Shuqing answered, "If Master Dao helps us, we will do everything in our power to provide cultivation resources for you."

Niu Youdao raised an eyebrow. His words came slowly. "You can barely protect yourselves. Do you have cultivation resources to give me?"

"That is why I said we should work together, not that Master Dao should serve us. Even without mentioning that you've offended the Song clan, merely being a disciple of the Shangqing Sect may already make it difficult for cultivators under Heaven to tolerate you. It will not be easy for Master Dao to obtain cultivation resources. My brother and I truly have none to offer you now. But whatever little we gain, Master Dao will have priority. If you lend us your strength, then we will devote ourselves to securing cultivation resources for you."

Niu Youdao idly played with the small knife from the table. After listening, he seemed almost impatient.

"All right, enough. There's no point going on and on. We'll settle it that way."

"Hm?"

Shang Shuqing looked puzzled. "Master Dao means...?"

"I agree to stay," Niu Youdao said casually.

"Ah..."

Shang Shuqing froze. Disbelief filled her.

That easy?

She had prepared herself for a difficult persuasion and organized a whole series of arguments in advance.

She had barely used any of them, and it was already done?

She asked uncertainly, "Does Master Dao truly mean that?"

Niu Youdao looked up at her. "Does the Commandery Princess take Niu for a man who goes back on his word?"

Delight flooded Shang Shuqing. She immediately rose, straightened her clothes, and bowed deeply.

Then she stood upright again and said excitedly, "Master Dao, please wait. I'll bring my brother here at once so he can thank you personally."

"No need for thanks. You don't have anything to thank me with anyway. There's no need for empty ceremony. Better to hear me out first."

Niu Youdao ran his thumb lightly along the knife edge. His gaze turned cold and settled on her.

"I can stay, but I have a condition. Monkey is not to be sent charging at the front. Do not use him as a spear. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite."

His hand flicked. The small knife left his fingers and buried itself in the slab of meat on the plate. Shang Shuqing froze. She found herself in a dilemma. The entire reason her brother wanted Yuan Gang to stay was precisely because he believed Yuan Gang possessed battlefield ability. If Yuan Gang could not be sent into battle, then what was the point of keeping him? If all they needed was individual combat strength, Niu Youdao was plainly the better choice. She hesitated for quite some time. In truth, the choice was not difficult. If she refused, both men would leave and they would gain nothing. If she agreed, at least two capable people would remain. Given how far they had fallen, having something was better than having nothing. At last Shang Shuqing nodded.

"Very well. I agree to Master Dao's condition. I can guarantee it on my brother's behalf."

Niu Youdao nodded. "Then it's settled."

After exchanging a few more courtesies, Shang Shuqing took her leave. She had arrived full of energy. She left somewhat deflated. The men had stayed, but the result was not quite what she had hoped for. Not long after she left, another figure appeared in the doorway. Yuan Gang walked in silently.

Niu Youdao was sitting cross-legged, staring at the untouched plate of food before him. Yuan Gang sat opposite him and asked, "I just saw the Commandery Princess leaving. What did she want?"

"What else could she want?" Niu Youdao replied flatly. "With that ugly face of hers, just looking at her ruins my appetite. It's not as though I could be having some romantic conversation with her. She wanted us to stay and help the two of them. I agreed."

Yuan Gang lowered his head slightly.

"This is my fault..."

Before he could finish, Niu Youdao cut him off.

"It has nothing to do with you. The condition she offered was difficult for me to refuse. She promised that if they manage to accomplish anything in the future, brother and sister will put their full effort into providing me cultivation resources."

Yuan Gang remained silent for a moment, his head still lowered.

"Master Dao, what happened today was my mistake. I said things I shouldn't have said. I'm sorry."

He knew some things could never be hidden from Master Dao. They knew each other too well. Master Dao was staying because of him. Niu Youdao answered in his usual slow, careless tone.

"There's no need to say sorry. That's going too far. Two lives as men, one lifetime as brothers. If you're in trouble, I'll shoulder it."

Yuan Gang said nothing. The muscles along his cheek tightened slightly. Niu Youdao tapped the table irritably.

"Look at this. Just look. Another lump this big. We're civilized people. Can't they let a man eat with a little dignity? Eating like some bottomless rice barrel every day makes me angry just looking at it. Once things settle down, think of a way to fix this."

Yuan Gang said nothing. He reached over, pulled the small knife from the meat, and began slicing. His knife work was practiced. Each piece came away nearly identical in thickness. Only then did Niu Youdao pick up his own chopsticks, take a slice, and chew it slowly. After cutting the entire slab, Yuan Gang simply used his fingers, picking up slice after slice and eating in silence. Neither man spoke. Sitting face to face, they slowly finished the whole plate between them. Once Yuan Gang had cleaned everything up, Niu Youdao stretched, picked up the sword resting nearby as though it were a walking stick, and pushed himself to his feet.

"Come on. We've eaten enough. Let's walk it off."

Outside, the courtyard lay dim beneath the night. Lanterns swayed beneath the eaves, some lit and some dark. The two wandered here and there until they reached the courtyard where Shang Chaozong was staying. Someone went inside to report them. Before long, Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Shang Shuqing all came out.

"Master Dao!"

Every one of them had changed how they addressed him. Coming from the older Lan Ruoting, the title sounded particularly strange. Niu Youdao paused, then glanced toward Shang Shuqing. Clearly, the woman's guarantee had been effective. They had all agreed. Since that was settled, he saw no need to circle around the subject.

"I spent years under house arrest at the Shangqing Sect and know little about the outside situation. Given your backgrounds, I assume maps are something you keep on hand. I want maps, along with everything you know about the surrounding strategic situation—especially the region around the fief in Canglu County."

Previously, he had never intended to go to Shang Chaozong's fief in Canglu County, so he had paid little attention to it. This time was different. Now he was taking an interest. Yuan Gang, standing behind him, immediately became more alert. The moment Niu Youdao spoke in this manner, something about his bearing changed. Yuan Gang once again saw the shadow of the Master Dao who had once moved through the jianghu with commanding confidence. He realized Master Dao was serious now. He was genuinely preparing to involve himself in these people's affairs. Shang Chaozong and the others exchanged looks. In their experience, a retainer cultivator normally protected the person he served or handled matters ordinary martial men could not manage.

The way Niu Youdao asked for maps sounded like something else entirely.

Even so, Shang Chaozong nodded. "We have them. Master Dao, please wait inside."

He gestured in invitation. The group entered. Before long, several maps were brought out, ranging from a detailed map of Canglu County to a broad map of the entire State of Yan. Someone was about to spread them open when Niu Youdao raised one hand.

"No hurry. First I need to ask about a few things. I hope Your Highness will answer truthfully."

The others looked at one another.

Shang Chaozong nodded. "Master Dao, ask whatever you wish."

Niu Youdao frowned. "Do you absolutely have to go to Canglu County?"

They understood roughly what he was asking.

Lan Ruoting answered, "There is something Master Dao doesn't know. If we dare deviate from the prescribed route, the imperial court will probably send men to kill us immediately. With our present strength, we have no ability to resist. We cannot afford that risk."

Niu Youdao gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment.

"If the court treats you this way, why release you from the capital at all? Is Canglu County some extraordinary place capable of trapping Your Highness like a prison, leaving you unable to escape?"

The true reason was difficult for Shang Chaozong and the others to speak about.

Niu Youdao saw their reaction and said calmly, "Staying at your side means risking my life. My brother and I each have only one life. I have no interest in dying without even understanding why. I want the truth. If you're willing to tell me, tell me. If not, the two of us leave immediately."

"Brother. Mr. Lan."

Shang Shuqing suddenly spoke and nodded to both men. Shang Chaozong slowly nodded in return. Lan Ruoting sighed and gave a bitter smile.

"When the court found an excuse to arrest His Highness back then, it was plainly trying to put him to death. I realized something was wrong, so I deliberately released a rumor..."

[End of Chapter 38]