Chapter 82: Where Did This Idiot Come From?

Niu Youdao never explained what he wanted to get up early for. It was not until dawn the next morning that Yuan Gang finally found out. He could barely tolerate Master Dao's wicked sense of humor. Niu Youdao had actually dragged him over to stake out Shang Chaozong's door. It was as though he had known Feng Ruonan would rise early and leave early. Creak. The door opened and Feng Ruonan strode out.

She had barely reached the courtyard gate when Niu Youdao came strolling over at an unhurried pace and blocked her path.

"Oh!"

Niu Youdao put on an exaggerated look of surprise, swept his gaze over Feng Ruonan from head to toe, then peered into the courtyard behind her. He cupped his hands with a teasing smile.

"Princess Consort, did you rest well last night?"

Feng Ruonan displayed a rare flash of embarrassment. Her face instantly turned as red as a monkey's backside. Even so, she glared at him with all the confidence she could muster.

"What business is it of yours?"

Inside the courtyard, Shang Chaozong had come out after hearing voices. The moment he saw what was happening at the gate, embarrassment covered his face. He immediately turned around and slipped back inside. In truth, Niu Youdao had already caught sight of him from the corner of his eye. He pretended he had not.

With a sigh, he said, "I was afraid you'd beat His Highness again, so I came here to keep watch."

The meaning was obvious. He knew perfectly well that Feng Ruonan had voluntarily spent the night here. Feng Ruonan's teeth itched with hatred.

"Shameless wretch!"

Niu Youdao immediately became solemn.

"Princess Consort, this time I guarantee there was absolutely no drugging!"

Of all the sore spots he could have chosen, he picked precisely that one. Feng Ruonan grabbed the hilt of her sword. She looked ready to draw it and split him in half on the spot.

"It seems the Princess Consort has quite an opinion of me."

Niu Youdao turned and waved toward Yuan Gang.

"Let's go. I don't think there's any need to discuss that suturing treatment anymore."

Feng Ruonan stared at him. She wanted nothing more than to cut him ten thousand times.

In the end, however, she ground out, "Stop!"

Ultimately, she lowered her head. She apologized. Niu Youdao left completely satisfied.

As Yuan Gang walked beside him, he reminded him, "Doing that will only make her hate you more."

"Let her hate me."

Niu Youdao chuckled.

"Why should we do all the work while His Highness gets all the benefit? She's cursed me so many times. I deserve to vent a little, don't I?"

Then, as though it were nothing important, he added, "Better to channel than dam. I might as well put things in the open. Let us quarrel now and then. Let her know what sort of man I am. Once she's used to it, it'll become normal. If she keeps all that resentment bottled up inside, that's where the real trouble begins. The ones who say nothing are the ones who bite hardest. Besides, if I can't even handle her, I have no business being out in the jianghu."

At breakfast, Niu Youdao discovered two extra people at the table. Feng Ruonan had begun eating with them. Bai Yao was there as well. Enemies meeting did not quite make their eyes blaze red, but the atmosphere was awkward enough.

Niu Youdao had already teased Feng Ruonan that morning, so he changed targets and aimed at Shang Chaozong instead.

The moment he opened his mouth, he asked, "Your Highness, you didn't get beaten last night, did you?"

The attack came without warning. Lan Ruoting gave a muffled splutter and hurriedly covered his mouth. Shang Shuqing struggled not to laugh. The corner of Bai Yao's mouth twitched. Feng Ruonan acted as though she had heard nothing. She picked up a piece of flatbread and tore off a savage bite. Under the table, however, she could not resist kicking Shang Chaozong. Just as Shang Chaozong was being thoroughly embarrassed, someone suddenly came to report from outside.

"Your Highness, a man outside calls himself Wei Duo and says he's a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. He asks to see the retainer cultivator."

Several people looked toward Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao frowned.

"Wei Duo?"

Then he remembered. In this world, the only person he knew by that name was probably Tang Mu's eldest disciple. He had heard Tu Han mention the man.

Supposedly Wei Duo stuttered, was honest and sincere by nature, respected his teachers, and took the principles of the sect seriously. Niu Youdao had almost no impression of him.

They had met once, back when Niu Youdao first arrived at the Shangqing Sect and nearly died beneath Tang Susu's palm. After that, he had never seen Wei Duo again. He had no idea why the man had come looking for him now.

"Not seeing him. Tell him I've severed all ties with the Shangqing Sect. We have nothing to do with each other."

Once Niu Youdao said that, Shang Chaozong naturally signaled the messenger to carry out the order. After the man left, Bai Yao suddenly spoke.

"Something happened to the Shangqing Sect."

Everyone turned toward him.

Niu Youdao asked, "What happened?"

The question was not entirely innocent. By his estimate, the Shangqing Sect should probably have been exterminated already. He was wondering whether Wei Duo had somehow escaped by luck.

Bai Yao said, "Not long ago, word came that the Shangqing Sect issued proclamations throughout the cultivation world listing a number of traitors who had betrayed their masters and ancestors. Song Shu, son of Commandant of Justice Song Jiuming, was among them. The proclamation says Song Shu's son tried to murder a fellow disciple, and that Song Shu later colluded with the Liuxian Sect to launch a surprise attack on the Shangqing Sect. The affair has caused quite a stir in the cultivation world. Song Shu's reputation is effectively ruined. There are also rumors that the Shangqing Sect was nearly exterminated. At the critical moment, Zhao Xiongge of Demon Ridge, an expelled disciple of the Shangqing Sect, appeared and frightened the Liuxian Sect into retreating. That was how the Shangqing Sect escaped disaster. No one seems to know their present situation clearly."

They escaped disaster?

The Shangqing Sect had not been exterminated? Niu Youdao froze for a moment. He had heard Tu Han mention Zhao Xiongge of Demon Ridge before, even telling him to seek Zhao Xiongge's protection if he ever encountered serious trouble. If the Shangqing Sect had survived, then why had Wei Duo come looking for him?

Feng Ruonan could not resist asking, "The Zhao Xiongge ranked ninth on the Golden Core Ranking?"

Bai Yao slowly chewed his flatbread.

"Him."

Feng Ruonan became curious.

"Zhao Xiongge was actually a disciple of the Shangqing Sect? With an expert like that, why would they expel him?"

Bai Yao said, "Supposedly he was once the disciple most likely to inherit the position of Sect Leader. Later, however, he fell in love with the Saintess of the Demon Sect and became entangled in certain troubles. His master's sect could not tolerate it, so he was expelled. I don't know the exact details. There are all sorts of rumors, and they may not all be true."

While they were still speaking, the messenger from earlier returned.

"Your Highness, Wei Duo says that if he cannot see the retainer cultivator, he won't leave."

"What is wrong with him? Fine, let him come."

Niu Youdao sounded irritated, but after learning that the Shangqing Sect had not been destroyed, he too wanted to know why Wei Duo had come. Not long afterward, another report arrived. The man had been brought over and was waiting outside. Niu Youdao tossed the flatbread in his hand back onto the table and stood. The others gradually rose as well, curious to see what was happening.

Outside the courtyard stood a man of average build with his hands folded before him. One look at his face gave the impression of an honest, straightforward man. It was Wei Duo, who had found his way here after asking around all along the road. Niu Youdao came outside. The two men looked one another over. They had only met once, and many years had passed since then. Relatively speaking, Niu Youdao had changed much more.

The boy from back then had grown into a man, leaving only some of his old outline behind. Wei Duo's appearance, on the other hand, had barely changed. Niu Youdao recognized him immediately as the man he had seen years ago. There should be no mistake.

Niu Youdao planted his sword on the ground and asked indifferently, "What do you want with me?"

Once he confirmed Niu Youdao's identity, Wei Duo visibly became emotional. He cupped his hands and bowed deeply.

"This disciple... p-pays respects to Sect Leader! This disciple came... too late. Sect Leader... has suffered!"

Then, with a thump, he actually dropped to his knees. His eyes reddened. He looked ready to cry. Such an enormous salute startled Niu Youdao.

What was going on?

Aside from Shang Chaozong and the few who already knew the circumstances, Bai Yao and Feng Ruonan both looked at Niu Youdao in obvious surprise.

Sect Leader?

Sect Leader of what?

Niu Youdao said, "Brother, I've already got nothing to do with the Shangqing Sect. I can't accept a salute this grand. If you have something to say, say it. If not, leave. I've got things to do and no time to chatter with you."

"Sect Leader was... w-wronged. They shouldn't... have done that. I opposed it... all along. I was punished to face the wall... at the rear mountain. I d-didn't know... they treated Sect Leader that way..."

Wei Duo stammered on and on. Niu Youdao looked up at the sky, then down at the ground. Listening to this man speak was exhausting. The others found it tiring too. In the end, however, they understood what he meant.

Only then did Bai Yao and Feng Ruonan realize that Niu Youdao should originally have been Sect Leader of the Shangqing Sect, only for others to seize his position and later try to murder him on the road. The experience was enough to leave anyone sighing.

"All right, all right. I understand everything you're saying. I believe it had nothing to do with you. But I've severed all ties with the Shangqing Sect and have nothing more to do with it. Please go back."

Niu Youdao dusted off his hands as though bidding him a pleasant journey. Wei Duo seemed to panic.

"Let's... g-go back together. I'll make them... give Sect Leader justice!"

Niu Youdao kept waving him away.

"No need. I appreciate the intention. Go back."

Only a madman would return. After being confined for so many years, he had finally escaped. Why would he go back looking for death?

Wei Duo said, "Then I'll stay and p-protect... Sect Leader!"

What kind of joke was that? Niu Youdao would never keep some inexplicable stranger at his side. How was he supposed to know this was not a second Song Yanqing sent by the Shangqing Sect?

He barked, "Get lost!"

Wei Duo shook his head.

"Not leaving!"

Niu Youdao raised an eyebrow.

"This isn't the Shangqing Sect. You don't get to act however you please here. Believe it or not, I could kill you."

Wei Duo shook his head again.

"Martial Uncle Dong Guo's disciple... wouldn't treat me that way!"

Niu Youdao had no feelings toward him whatsoever. There was no question of what he would or would not do.

Even so, the words "Dong Guo Haoran" pressed faintly against something in his heart.

He impatiently beckoned.

"Men, throw him out!"

Several guards came over to drive Wei Duo away. Wei Duo still refused to leave. In the end, they lifted him bodily and carried him out.

He did not dare use force to resist and simply shouted "Sect Leader!" all the way.

"Something wrong with his head!"

Niu Youdao flung out a sleeve and strode back toward his own courtyard. Not long afterward, however, someone came to report again.

"Retainer Cultivator, that man is kneeling outside the estate gate. He says if you don't agree for one day, he won't get up for one day."

Where had this idiot come from? Niu Youdao did not know whether to be angry or amused.

"If he likes kneeling, let him kneel. Once he gets tired of it, he'll leave on his own."

The next morning, Niu Youdao opened his door and found a graceful figure standing outside. The slender woman turned around and smiled.

"Master Dao, good morning."

Niu Youdao stepped outside.

"Commandery Princess, waiting here this early in the morning—do you have some instruction for me?"

Shang Shuqing said, "The other day, I heard Master Dao say you don't know how to bind your hair. I do. If Master Dao doesn't mind, I'd be willing to lend what little skill I have."

Niu Youdao smiled in a way that was not quite a smile.

"How could I dare trouble the Commandery Princess to bind my hair?"

Shang Shuqing turned and left. When she returned, she carried a chair. She placed it beneath the eaves and gestured for him to sit. There was an old saying: unsolicited attentiveness meant either treachery or theft. Niu Youdao muttered inwardly. This woman had to want something. There was no chance she had come here for no reason simply to arrange his hair. With that thought, he walked over and sat down. He might as well see what she was plotting.

Shang Shuqing stepped behind the chair, untied his ponytail, and carefully began combing through his hair with the comb she had brought. Without showing any reaction, Yuan Gang moved closer and watched.

[End of Chapter 82]