Chapter 134: The Situation Has Changed

Yuan Fang had been waiting by the door ever since Niu Youdao was invited away.

When Niu Youdao returned, Yuan Fang followed him inside. The moment the door shut, he leaned close and asked, “Master Dao, everything all right?”

Niu Youdao shook his head.

He merely looked at Yuan Fang with an expression that was difficult to read. A faint sigh stirred in his heart.

Monkey was extremely vigilant and skilled at reconnaissance. If Monkey had been at his side, abnormal behavior among the people around them would have had a hard time escaping his eyes.

That was one of the differences between Yuan Fang and Monkey.

Still, Niu Youdao did not say anything to Yuan Fang about it. Yuan Fang simply lacked experience in such matters.

There was no need to lecture him either. Once something actually happened, it would naturally sharpen his awareness. The next time something similar occurred, Yuan Fang would not remain completely oblivious. He would naturally think of monitoring the situation, or at least maintain the vigilance he ought to have.

Some things lost much of their effect when explained too plainly over and over. The person involved had to understand them for himself.

That was what experience meant.

With a sweep of his hand, Niu Youdao extinguished the lamps.

He slowly walked to the window, pushed it open, and stood with his hands clasped behind his back, looking out at the scattered lights of the ancient city. His expression was utterly calm. Someone around him was secretly colluding with the Liuxian Sect. There was little need to guess what they were plotting. Calling it betrayal might be going too far.

They had only known each other a short time and had not truly begun walking the same road. One could hardly say the other party had betrayed him. Perhaps everyone was simply serving his own interests.

Still, one question troubled him.

Black Peony.

Had he misjudged her?

After eliminating possibilities one by one, he was basically certain that the Liuxian Sect had only discovered him after he arrived in Star-Plucking City.

If they had known earlier, they probably would never have allowed him to reach Star-Plucking City. They would already have attacked somewhere along the road.

That left only two possibilities for Black Peony’s side secretly dealing with the Liuxian Sect.

Either the Liuxian Sect had laid a trap in advance, deliberately arranging for Black Peony and the others to approach him and deceive him, or they had contacted Black Peony’s group only afterward.

After reaching Star-Plucking City, Niu Youdao had gone straight to the Inviting Moon Inn. He had spotted Black Peony and the others waiting eagerly outside almost immediately.

It was highly unlikely that the Liuxian Sect had planted them there ahead of time. That allowed him to rule out the first possibility.

Only the second remained.

Once the line of reasoning became clear in his mind, Niu Youdao said mildly, “Light the lamps.”

Yuan Fang had remained quiet in the darkness, sensing that Niu Youdao had something on his mind and not disturbing him. At the instruction, he gave an “Oh,” and the room brightened again.

Niu Youdao reached out and shut the window. Then he turned and said, “Bring out the map.”

Yuan Fang immediately took the map from their luggage and spread it across the table. He moved a lamp beside it for light.

Niu Youdao approached.

He located Star-Plucking City within the State of Zhao, then traced the planned route northeast toward the State of Han with his gaze.

After pausing there for a while, his eyes shifted southeast from Star-Plucking City and settled on Qingshan Commandery within the State of Yan.

He extended one finger and traced a route across the map. Back and forth it went several times.

At last his finger stopped on a place called Shanhu County, which lay on a nearby necessary passage along that route.

He lightly tapped the name twice, apparently having made up his mind.

“Old Bear, call the others over.” Niu Youdao kept his eyes on the map.

Yuan Fang set down the lamp and had just turned when Niu Youdao added, “Don’t say anything useless. Just tell them to come.”

“Yes!” Yuan Fang quickly left, muttering inwardly.

He had no idea what Master Dao was planning. Outside, Yuan Fang went directly to Black Peony’s room and knocked.

He did not go in. Standing at the doorway, he told her, “Call your people. Master Dao wants all of you over.”

Black Peony asked curiously, “What happened?”

“I don’t know.” Yuan Fang turned and went back.

Black Peony could only comply.

Before long, she had called Duan Hu, Wu Sanliang, and Lei Zongkang out.

When Lei Zongkang learned Niu Youdao wanted them, even he could not resist asking, “Boss, why is he calling us over this late?”

“I don’t know.” Black Peony shook her head.

The four went to Niu Youdao’s room and knocked. Yuan Fang opened the door and let them inside.

Upon entering, they found Niu Youdao standing beside the table with the map spread before him, so they gathered around.

Black Peony glanced at Niu Youdao’s expression and smiled. “Master Dao, what instructions do you have?”

Niu Youdao looked over the four of them and sighed. “I just remembered something. After the four of you joined me, we made rather too much noise. Coming and going from the inn attracted a crowd of people watching us. I’m worried that when we leave, people with bad intentions may tail us.”

Lei Zongkang’s heart tightened.

The others exchanged looks and nodded slightly.

That was indeed possible.

Black Peony tested the waters. “Master Dao, then what do you mean to do?”

“For safety, I plan to make a small change to our departure,” Niu Youdao said. “We’ll leave separately.”

“To avoid being watched, none of us will use the horse yards around the city. We’ll leave on foot instead. Everyone can choose a direction at will and depart secretly.”

Black Peony nodded in approval.

In truth, many cultivators left Star-Plucking City that way. The city was surrounded by vast mountain ranges. Once a person slipped into the mountains and used the terrain for cover, especially with a change of clothing and appearance, he became no more than a grain of sand in an ocean.

Unless someone mobilized a huge number of people to seal off the entire area, it was extremely difficult to determine which direction a departing cultivator had taken.

Niu Youdao continued, “Moving together is too conspicuous. Tomorrow, the four of you will leave secretly through the waterways first. Yuan Fang and I will stay a few more days. We’ll watch the situation and choose an opportunity to slip away afterward.”

The “waterways” he referred to were rivers formed by snowmelt from the high mountains.

Many cultivators leaving Star-Plucking City first submerged themselves in those rivers, traveled underwater to some distant point, then emerged and vanished into the endless mountains.

It was extremely difficult for outsiders to discover where they had gone.

The four exchanged looks.

Black Peony frowned. “Master Dao, if we separate like that, how do we meet up again afterward?”

Niu Youdao placed one finger on the map. “Shanhu County. We’ll meet at the largest inn in Shanhu County’s county seat.”

The four leaned in and looked, memorizing the location.

Black Peony nodded. “All right.”

“That settles it,” Niu Youdao said. “You still have a journey tomorrow, so rest early.”

The four took their leave.

After they were gone, Niu Youdao had Yuan Fang put away the map.

He himself picked up his sword, drew the blade, and examined the edge repeatedly.

Then he took a piece of white silk, sat beside the lamp, and slowly wiped the blade.

Under his breath he murmured, “The jianghu...”

After leaving Niu Youdao’s room, the four gathered again in Black Peony’s room and discussed the arrangements for their departure. Then each returned to his own room to rest.

About the time it took to drink a cup of tea later, Lei Zongkang, who had been sitting quietly in his room, opened his door again and slipped outside. He looked around and quickly departed.

Going downstairs, crossing the gardens, and reaching the opposite building, he climbed upstairs. This time he did not knock.

He opened the door and went directly into Cui Yuan’s room.

Cui Yuan himself had only recently returned and had been considering going to find Lei Zongkang later. He had not expected Lei Zongkang to come first.

The moment they met, he asked, “Has the situation changed?”

Lei Zongkang nodded. “Master Cui is perceptive. The situation has indeed changed. Niu Youdao altered his departure plan. He intends for us to leave in separate groups...”

He revealed every detail of Niu Youdao’s newly arranged plan.

Cui Yuan muttered, “That bastard really is cautious enough.”

Lei Zongkang said, “Master Cui, we leave ahead of him tomorrow. Once we’re no longer beside him, I’m afraid I won’t be able to report developments in time, and I won’t know his actual route either.”

“Leaving secretly was already one of the possibilities we expected. Nothing strange about that.” Cui Yuan sneered. “That’s why I brought this.”

He took out a small fragrance pouch and handed it over. “Carry this with you as a precaution.”

Lei Zongkang took it, opened it, and looked inside. The pouch contained yellow pellets about the size of soybeans, each wrapped in a thin layer of wax.

Startled, he asked, “What are these?”

“Once the wax shell is broken, they release a peculiar fragrance,” Cui Yuan explained. “It makes it easy for my side to track your trail. When the opportunity comes, scatter them along the road. We have our own methods for following the scent.”

Lei Zongkang found that odd. “I’m traveling separately from that man, and the rendezvous point is already fixed at Shanhu County. Why does Master Cui still need to track my route?”

“What if he changes the plan again and doesn’t meet you at Shanhu County?” Cui Yuan said. “Can you conveniently peel away from the group halfway through your journey? Once you’re on the road, it will be difficult to contact us whenever you please.”

“That fellow has escaped pursuit again and again. He is clearly cunning. We have to guard against every possibility. Keep these with you in case they’re needed.”

Lei Zongkang understood and nodded.

Cui Yuan suddenly smiled and patted his shoulder. “My martial uncle has already sent word back to the sect. He’s doing everything he can to secure the matter of recommending and guaranteeing all of you.”

Lei Zongkang had no idea whether the man was merely dangling bait in front of him.

Why would the Liuxian Sect truly concern itself with a handful of independent cultivators like them?

Even if the sect refused to help, they would hardly dare complain. So he did not actually expect much from this promise.

He only hoped to help everyone escape the trouble they had stumbled into.

If the Liuxian Sect truly developed an unexpected burst of kindness, that would simply count as an accidental blessing.

As far as Lei Zongkang was concerned, the situation had been obvious from the moment the Liuxian Sect approached him.

He had no choice.

Could he refuse?

Would the Liuxian Sect let him go? Would it let the others go?

Still, he had to put on an appropriately delighted expression. He cupped his hands and said, “Master Cui, rest assured. I, Lei Zongkang, will not disappoint you!”

“Good! Hurry back, lest something unexpected happen.” Cui Yuan remained all smiles.

After the two separated, Lei Zongkang quietly returned to his own room. Cui Yuan soon left the Inviting Moon Inn again...

On the top floor of the inn, Old Dog appeared once more and knocked on Bai Yulou’s door. Bai Yulou had not gone to sleep.

An abacus sat in front of him, and he was flipping through an account book under the lamplight, the beads clacking rapidly as he calculated.

He had something on his mind and did not feel at ease enough to rest.

After all, he had taken the other man’s money. Since that man had asked something of him, Bai Yulou could not help keeping it in mind.

Old Dog came to his side and reported, “Innkeeper, Lei Zongkang slipped into Cui Yuan’s room and met with him again. After they separated, Cui Yuan returned to the Liuxian Sect shop.”

Bai Yulou grunted. “Understood.”

Only after Old Dog left did the rapid clacking of the abacus stop.

Bai Yulou leaned back in his chair and muttered, “He really guessed it. Not bad at reading the situation. What kind of game is this fellow playing...?”

He stretched, rose, and left the room. With his hands clasped behind his back, he slowly made his way to the inn’s front counter.

The attendant sitting there in his place stood when he saw him and chuckled. “Innkeeper, it’s so late. Still not resting?”

“I did some accounts and came out for a walk,” Bai Yulou said mildly. “Everything quiet here?”

“All good. Nothing happening.”

Bai Yulou tapped the counter once. “I just ran into the guest from Room Yi-Zi. He asked for a jar of wine to be sent up.”

“Right away. I’ll send it now.” The attendant nodded.

[End of Chapter 134]