Chapter 102: Enemies Meet on a Narrow Road

Listening from the side, Yuan Fang broke into a crooked grin. He found that when Master Dao spoke, there was somehow a confidence to it. Even if the woman were getting married again, she would still have to see him.

Fang Zhe broke into a light sweat. Wasn’t that deceiving her? He reminded them, “Master Dao, don’t underestimate Hai Ruyue just because she’s a woman. Her husband is dead, her son is young and weak, yet as a widow she has still managed to hold the forces behind her together and keep Jinzhou under control. That alone shows she’s no simple person. If we go there and there’s no skilled physician to produce after using something like this to deceive her, I’m afraid none of us will leave the Provincial Inspector’s Residence alive!”

Niu Youdao said calmly, “Just do as I say.”

“This...” Fang Zhe smiled bitterly. “Master Dao, it isn’t that I fear death. For His Highness, I would go through fire and water without hesitation. But if we enrage Hai Ruyue, we may end up causing trouble for His Highness instead!”

Yuan Fang’s eyes widened. “Just do what you’re told. What are you wasting words for?” Without realizing it, he had started imitating Yuan Gang’s tone. With Yuan Gang absent, he instinctively felt that he ought to take Yuan Gang’s place.

Niu Youdao lifted a hand toward him, signaling him not to intimidate the man, then softened his own tone. “His Highness naturally had a reason for sending me. He didn’t send me here to ruin matters, or why would he have ordered you to cooperate with me? Fang Zhe, do you really think I would gamble with my own life?”

Put that way, Fang Zhe finally relaxed a little. He cupped his hands. “Very well. I’ll first arrange a room for you two.”

Niu Youdao gestured for him to go ahead. Once Fang Zhe left, the two remained in the room to wait.

The room stayed quiet for a while before Yuan Fang suddenly became somewhat awkward. “Master Dao, actually... Fang Zhe did make some sense.”

Niu Youdao turned his head toward him. “What? Afraid now? You sounded quite confident when you were lecturing him just now.”

“You misunderstand, Master Dao. I was only reminding you. Just a reminder.” Yuan Fang gave two dry chuckles. Imitating Yuan Gang and barking at someone had certainly felt satisfying, but the moment the words left his mouth he regretted them. He simply did not have Yuan Gang’s confidence. More importantly, going to the Provincial Inspector’s Residence to deceive that woman really could cost them their lives.

They did not wait long before Fang Zhe returned after arranging the room. He had deliberately taken the room next door.

The three went over and checked it. There was nothing wrong with it.

With everything settled for the day, Niu Youdao told Fang Zhe to attend to his own affairs, then took Yuan Fang out of the inn.

He said they were merely going out for a look around, but in truth he intended to survey the terrain inside the provincial capital.

In size, the city was second only to the imperial capital, and in prosperity it was naturally beyond comparison with ordinary places. Shops of every kind lined the streets in dense rows. Crowds streamed endlessly past. Even the people’s clothing carried a wealth and refinement rarely seen in smaller towns. Walking through the heart of a province like this, one could almost forget that the realm was in troubled times.

Yuan Fang was purely a country bumpkin entering a great city for the first time. His eyes darted everywhere, full of curiosity, and countless things seemed novel to him.

Niu Youdao glanced at him now and then and sighed inwardly. This demon was still a long way from Monkey. If Monkey had been the one accompanying him on a mission, knowing there might be danger ahead, he would certainly have observed and memorized the terrain and routes everywhere they went, preparing for any contingency.

Still, Yuan Fang could not really be blamed. In a certain sense, he had seen very little of the world. He had spent all his life in a remote backwater. He called himself a monk, but in reality had spent his days acting like a bandit and had hardly ever left that region. It was understandable that a city of this size dazzled him.

Niu Youdao simply decided to let him broaden his horizons while they were at it. Once he grew accustomed to such places, he naturally would not behave this way next time. So they even made a point of going into the busiest areas.

And yet, as the saying went, enemies meet on a narrow road.

As they passed a grand-looking shopfront, Niu Youdao naturally glanced at the large sign hanging above it. Three characters formed the name: Linglong Pavilion. From the decorations by the entrance and the matching couplets on either side, he roughly judged it to be a shop dealing in rare and precious goods.

Since they were already passing by, Niu Youdao had some interest in seeing what was sold inside. But before he could even cross over from the other side of the street, he stopped short.

Two men were standing guard at Linglong Pavilion’s entrance, continuously scanning the surroundings. One of them met Niu Youdao’s eyes and froze as well.

The man was none other than one of Niu Youdao’s former fellow disciples, one of his dear “senior brothers” whom he had spared at Nanshan Temple: Chen Guishuo.

As for why Chen Guishuo was here, the answer had everything to do with the Song family. Song Jiuming had three sons. His eldest, Song Quan, served as an official at the court of the State of Yan. His third son, Song Shu, remained at home. Between them was the second son, Song Long, who now served as envoy of the State of Yan to the State of Zhao, a permanent diplomatic representative stationed in the State of Zhao.

The Provincial Inspector of Jinzhou was, within the State of Zhao, one of those powerful regional officials who relied on troops under their own command and acted with considerable independence. The State of Yan was naturally delighted to see such figures in an enemy state and would have preferred every major provincial official in the State of Zhao to be the same. Men like that were precisely the sort the State of Yan wanted to court and coordinate with.

Hai Ruyue was turning forty. As envoy of the State of Yan to the State of Zhao, how could Song Long pass up an opportunity to curry favor and cultivate relations?

Whatever grudges existed between the Song family and Niu Youdao, the Song clan was an important pillar of the imperial loyalist faction, and all its wealth and status rested on the emperor of the State of Yan. Naturally, the family wanted the State of Yan to prosper. Thus Song Long had come in person.

Officially, he was not here to celebrate the birthday of the mother of Jinzhou’s Inspector. He was here to celebrate the birthday of a princess of the State of Zhao. Hai Ruyue was the younger sister of the reigning emperor of the State of Zhao. Calling it a birthday visit to a princess was entirely proper in diplomatic terms.

After Chen Guishuo was no longer tolerated by the Shangqing Sect, he had naturally thrown himself in with the Song family. In truth, he had long since counted as one of their people. The Song family had promised him a future and had not broken its word. It could hardly be called a glorious future, but at the time the Songs had not yet fully broken with the Shangqing Sect, so they had sent Chen Guishuo to the State of Zhao to run errands for the family’s second son.

Chen Guishuo was guarding Linglong Pavilion’s entrance because Song Long himself was inside, looking to see whether there was anything suitable to add to the birthday gifts.

What is he doing here? Niu Youdao’s heart jolted. He would never have dreamed of running into Chen Guishuo here.

Just as he had told Yuan Gang when leaving the hidden village, he had worried that enemies might spot him if he departed through Canglu County. By “enemies,” he had mainly meant the Song family. Coming over the mountains from the village had removed that concern.

There should have been no one in the State of Zhao who recognized him.

And yet he had run straight into Chen Guishuo, a man tied to the Song family.

If Chen Guishuo leaked word of his presence and the Song family learned that he had left Tianyu Sect’s protection and appeared here alone, they would almost certainly send people to kill him. At that point, never mind handling Shang Chaozong’s business; his own life might be in danger.

Niu Youdao, who always claimed he disliked fighting and killing, suddenly felt a dense killing intent rise in his heart.

He absolutely could not let Chen Guishuo leave and spread the news.

He slowly crossed toward the shop.

Yuan Fang was equally astonished. He had not expected to encounter Chen Guishuo here either. He still did not fully understand the depth of the enmity between Niu Youdao and the Song family, so he did not grasp how dangerous the situation was.

Chen Guishuo likewise had never dreamed he would meet Niu Youdao here. Niu Youdao’s gaze was calm, but Chen Guishuo could still feel killing intent in it. Remembering what had happened at Nanshan Temple, and seeing Niu Youdao advancing toward him now, his heart pounded with fear.

In a flash, he darted inside Linglong Pavilion to avoid him. But the moment he saw Song Long standing within with his hands clasped behind his back as he examined the merchandise, Chen Guishuo nearly laughed at himself.

Song Long had experts protecting him. Why should he be afraid of Niu Youdao?

He quickly moved to Song Long’s side. “Second Master, Niu Youdao is outside.”

“Hmm?” Song Long, an imposing man, turned his head with a puzzled look. For a moment, the name did not register.

Chen Guishuo hurriedly clarified, “Niu Youdao. The Niu Youdao who killed Young Master Yanqing is outside!”

Song Long’s eyes immediately narrowed. He gave a small wave of his hand, and two of the four retainers accompanying him inside Linglong Pavilion instantly followed Chen Guishuo out.

Niu Youdao had already reached the foot of the steps outside the shop when he stopped abruptly.

Chen Guishuo had reappeared at the entrance wearing a smile, and Niu Youdao immediately sensed danger. More precisely, he sensed it from the two men at Chen Guishuo’s sides.

One thing he knew for certain: Chen Guishuo was no match for him, and Chen Guishuo himself should know that. In that case, the source of his confidence was obvious.

Even Yuan Fang sensed the danger, let alone Niu Youdao.

“Junior Brother Niu, it seems you and I truly are bound by fate,” Chen Guishuo said with a cold smile.

As soon as he finished speaking, a hand lightly tapped his arm. Chen Guishuo glanced back, then quickly stepped aside and pointed toward Niu Youdao.

Song Long appeared, standing above them in the doorway. “You are Niu Youdao?”

Niu Youdao remained calm. “And you are?”

Song Long was equally calm. “Song Yanqing’s second uncle.”

Niu Youdao’s heart jolted again. There was a good chance that among the men around this fellow were Golden Core Realm cultivators.

His guess was correct. Song Long had two Golden Core Realm cultivators, two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and two Qi Refinement Realm cultivators with him.

What Niu Youdao still could not understand was how in the world he had managed to run into this particular member of the Song family here.

But there was not the slightest disorder in him. He remained perfectly calm. “So you are Senior Brother Song’s second uncle. I’ve missed the Song family dearly. Since you were coming to Jinzhou, why didn’t you send word in advance? I could have shown you the hospitality due a guest!”

Song Long said, “It isn’t too late now.”

“I still have an assignment from the Provincial Inspector’s Residence to attend to. Why don’t you gentlemen wait here a moment? I’ll be right back to entertain you properly.”

He put particular weight on the words “entertain you properly.”

With that, he turned, made a small gesture, and led Yuan Fang away at an unhurried pace.

This fellow works for the Provincial Inspector’s Residence now? Chen Guishuo froze.

Song Long, who had been standing at the doorway with an aloof, stern expression, was also taken aback. He actually did not dare order his men to attack.

Without knowing what position Niu Youdao held in the Provincial Inspector’s Residence, he naturally could not act rashly.

But he quickly recovered. Who knew whether Niu Youdao was telling the truth? How could he let himself be bluffed so easily?

Song Long said in a low voice, “Follow them. If they aren’t going to the Provincial Inspector’s Residence, seize him immediately. Remember, unless necessary, do not create a disturbance in the city!”

It was Hai Ruyue’s birthday. Causing chaos in her city while he was here as a guest would be inappropriate and could easily be taken as contempt for his host. This was not a place where the Song family could behave however it pleased.

Hearing that, Chen Guishuo immediately added in a fawning tone, “My lord, the one beside Niu Youdao is a bear demon. He’s a Golden King Bear from the Record of Strange Beasts. Its fur can be made into a protective treasure garment impervious to blades and spears. It would make an excellent birthday gift!”

“Hmm?” Song Long immediately waved to his guards.

Four men broke away and followed after Niu Youdao: one Golden Core Realm cultivator, two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators, and one Qi Refinement Realm cultivator. Chen Guishuo went with them.

Niu Youdao, leading Yuan Fang away, did not dare flee in a panic. That would make it obvious he was escaping and arouse suspicion. Instead, he moved among the passing crowds at an ordinary pace.

Yuan Fang understood his intention. Even so, the encounter had left him shaken, and he secretly broke into a cold sweat on Niu Youdao’s behalf. Fortunately, Master Dao had stayed composed and reacted quickly. Otherwise, getting away might have been difficult.

[End of Chapter 102]