Chapter 145: Is This Guy Sick?

After watching the two of them leave, Lei Zongkang raised a hand and pulled from his collar the gold drafts Black Peony had just stuffed there. He slowly smoothed them out in his hands, silent and despondent.

Duan Hu and Wu Sanliang looked at him and understood how he felt. Both walked over and showed him the gold drafts in their own hands, meaning that everyone was the same.

Seeing so much money, all three felt somewhat rueful. Not long ago, they had suffered every humiliation imaginable over a mere hundred thousand gold coins. Now, counting Black Peony’s share as well, they had two hundred thousand in hand—more than enough capital to establish a sect.

Yet only a few days had passed, and who among them still cared about establishing a sect?

One after another, they had simply lost interest in it. They had once yearned for it so desperately. Now, looking back, the whole idea suddenly seemed rather pointless.

Why establish a sect in the first place? Wasn’t it all for things like this?

Besides, even if they wanted to establish one now, they would not dare. The people of Star-Plucking City were not blind. They had openly carried enormous bundles through the streets. If the three factions spent a little time investigating, they would soon learn what fine deeds the group had committed. Would those factions let them off?

Establish a sect today, and tomorrow the whole sect might be wiped out. They really had boarded a pirate ship.

Two figures shot out from the wooded hills, crossed the official road, and flew onto the mountain peak opposite. Before them lay a treacherous expanse wreathed in mist. Horses were useless here; they could only proceed on foot.

More importantly, they knew nothing at all about the interior of Duyun Mountain.

The two figures launched themselves forward one after another, gliding between the towering ridges.

They had not gone far when two black specks came whistling out of the clouds ahead. Two stone spikes shot toward them like bolts.

Both twisted sideways in midair and avoided the projectiles, then drifted down onto a low hill below.

“Who dares trespass in Duyun Mountain?”

A fierce shout rang from within the mist. The two opened their Dharma Eyes and looked over. Gray demonic qi churned within the disturbed clouds.

Two figures burst from the mist and landed opposite them, long spears in hand. One had thick black hair covering the backs of his hands. The other still had scales along his face.

One glance was enough to tell that their cultivation was insufficient and their transformations remained incomplete.

The two lesser demons watched them like tigers eyeing prey, spears held ready.

The scaled demon barked, “If you want to live, leave Duyun Mountain immediately!”

Neither Niu Youdao nor Black Peony was foolish enough to behave recklessly here merely because the two before them were minor demons.

Black Peony cupped her hands. “I am Black Peony. Hu Xiaoxiao of Duyun Mountain is a friend of mine. I’ve come to pay him a visit. I would trouble you to pass word.”

The two demons looked at one another, then both shook their heads slightly.

The scaled demon waved a hand. “Never heard of any Hu Xiaoxiao. Leave immediately, or don’t blame us for being rude!”

Black Peony looked somewhat embarrassed and hurriedly explained to Niu Youdao in a low voice, “Hu Xiaoxiao really is from Duyun Mountain. Maybe there are simply too many people here and they’ve never heard of him...”

Niu Youdao raised a hand, stopping her. There was no need to explain. He understood.

If Hu Xiaoxiao had been anyone of reputation within Duyun Mountain, the two demons would hardly have risked offending him by saying they had never heard the name.

Niu Youdao smiled at them. “He’s only a minor demon. It’s normal that the two of you haven’t heard of him. Surely you’ve heard of Yun Huan?”

The two demons paused. How could demons of Duyun Mountain not know Yun Huan?

The master of Duyun Mountain was Yun Ji, whom everyone addressed as the Mountain Lord. Yun Ji’s son, Yun Huan, was the one who currently handled affairs here. It would be truly strange if the people below did not know who was in charge.

The black-haired demon asked suspiciously, “Who are you?”

Niu Youdao said, “Independent cultivators roaming the four quarters. Our names are hardly worth mentioning. I have long admired Master Yun’s great reputation. Since we happened to pass through your esteemed territory, I came especially to pay him a visit.”

“This is a small greeting gift for Master Yun. I would trouble you to deliver it and announce us.”

He directly took ten gold drafts from his sleeve and handed them to Black Peony beside him, signaling her to pass them over. Black Peony was speechless.

This man truly was generous wherever he went. He scattered money everywhere.

She accepted the drafts and stepped forward. Under the two demons’ wary gazes, she handed them over. The pair counted the drafts. One hundred thousand gold coins! They immediately looked at one another.

Neither had ever seen that much money handed over in one lump before.

The black-haired demon checked each draft one by one, then passed them to the scaled demon. “See whether they’re genuine.”

The corner of Niu Youdao’s mouth curved slightly, though no one knew what amused him.

The scaled demon also inspected the drafts one by one, then leaned toward his companion and murmured, “They shouldn’t be fake.”

The black-haired demon immediately gathered the drafts in his hands. His tone became considerably gentler. Holding his spear in one hand, he cupped the other fist. “May I ask the honored names of our two guests?”

“Xuanyuan Dao.”

“Black Peony.”

“I’ll remember them. Please wait here a moment while I go report your arrival.”

The black-haired demon spoke politely, then rapidly flew away. The scaled demon remained behind to watch them, but his attitude had clearly gained a measure of respect. At the very least, his face was no longer hostile.

A visitor who casually produced such an enormous greeting gift would hardly take notice of a minor demon like him. This guest was probably no ordinary person. The demon possessed at least that much judgment. Watching the abrupt change in attitude, Black Peony sighed inwardly. Master Dao’s method really was simple and brutal.

He could not even be bothered wasting words on two minor demons. The moment they met, he simply smashed them with money.

Yet crude as it was, the method was extremely effective. The two arrogant little demons had been subdued on the spot. Niu Youdao himself did not seem to care.

He stood with his sword planted before him, perfectly at ease, glancing here and there as though admiring the scenery hidden among the clouds.

Black Peony could not resist looking at the sword beneath his hands. She had noticed this habit of his too.

In Master Dao’s hands, a sword often seemed less like a weapon than a walking stick.

They waited for some time before a lean man shot out from the clouds, the black-haired demon following behind.

“I am Hou Qingtian.”

The lean man cupped his hands and introduced himself as soon as he arrived. “May I ask what distinguished guests we have before us?”

Niu Youdao replied, “Nothing more than independent cultivators wandering the four quarters.”

“Independent cultivators?”

Hou Qingtian chuckled. Independent cultivators who handed over one hundred thousand gold coins the moment they arrived? What nonsense.

Since the other party did not want to speak truthfully, he did not press.

“You wish to meet our master?”

Niu Youdao nodded. “Exactly.”

Hou Qingtian asked, “For what purpose?”

Niu Youdao said, “I came out of admiration to pay a visit.”

Hou Qingtian gave a noncommittal “Oh.” Whether he believed it or not was impossible to tell.

Still, he cupped his hands. “I’ve kept two honored guests waiting. Please follow me.”

Niu Youdao and Black Peony followed him away, rising and falling through the mist-veiled mountains.

Black Peony noticed, however, that along the way Niu Youdao quietly tossed down one of the scent-bait pellets Lei Zongkang had given him.

Before long, they reached a dark, precipitous peak wrapped in fog.

A platform had been cut into the mountainside. The three landed there together.

A cavern opened into the cliff wall. Its entrance was imposing, carved to resemble the gates of a palace.

The instant they landed, several figures appeared on both sides, forming a semicircle around them. Black Peony’s heart tightened. Niu Youdao swept the group with a cold glance.

Hou Qingtian turned and smiled. “Please don’t take offense. In the past, there have always been people who didn’t know whether they wanted to live or die and came here to cause trouble. The mountain has its own rules.”

“I’m afraid I’ll have to inconvenience you both. We need to temporarily restrict your spiritual power.”

Black Peony looked toward Niu Youdao.

He calmly nodded. “No problem.”

Then he voluntarily tossed over the sword in his hand. Hou Qingtian caught it, then caught Black Peony’s sword when she followed suit. He signaled with a wave.

Someone immediately stepped forward and placed restrictions on both of them.

Hou Qingtian passed the two swords to a subordinate and extended a hand in invitation. “Please come inside.”

The three entered the cavern. The passage was pitch-black. Hou Qingtian released a Moon Butterfly to provide light.

After winding through the tunnel, they reached layer upon layer of ascending stone steps. Climbing to the top, they emerged into an underground palace.

The chamber was spacious, but waves of a fishy, rank odor assaulted their noses.

The smell came from enormous pythons coiled throughout the cavern residence, tongues flickering. As soon as people entered, one giant snake after another slowly turned its head to look. Moon Butterflies clung to the stone walls, lighting the interior.

The illumination only made the cavern palace seem more eerie and sinister.

Hou Qingtian asked them to wait, then quickly disappeared into the rear hall.

Before long, he returned and took up a position beside the stairs below the stone throne.

A little while later came a soft, continuous rasp from the rear chamber. A glossy black snake with green-glowing eyes slithered into view.

Its body was as thick as a water bucket and more than three zhang long. It moved directly toward the steps leading to the throne.

As the black snake climbed onto the first step, its head began to writhe and change. It transformed into a human head. The head twisted from side to side.

Then the transformation spread downward, the body changing section by section until, in the blink of an eye, the enormous black snake had become a powerfully built man dressed in black.

A black leather belt girded his waist. Black leather guards covered his wrists.

Broad-shouldered and thick-backed, he strode up the stairs one step at a time. A snake demon transforming into human form! Niu Youdao clicked his tongue inwardly. He had broadened his horizons again today.

The burly man turned and sat on the stone throne, carrying himself with imposing authority as he looked down at them from above.

Hou Qingtian introduced him. “Honored guests, this is the master of Duyun Mountain’s affairs.”

Niu Youdao and Black Peony cupped their hands together. “Greetings, Master Yun.”

A faint smile appeared on Yun Huan’s face. “May I ask what guidance brings the two of you to see me?”

Niu Youdao replied, “I would not dare speak of guidance. I wander the four quarters and enjoy making friends wherever I go. Passing through your esteemed territory, I remembered Master Yun’s great reputation and came especially to pay my respects and make your acquaintance.”

Yun Huan’s smile was difficult to read, with a faintly sinister edge. “That simple?”

He raised the ten gold drafts pinched between his fingers. Clearly, these were the ones Niu Youdao had sent in earlier.

Seeing Yun Huan’s lofty manner from the moment he appeared, Niu Youdao understood there would be no patient exchange of polite courtesies.

He nodded immediately. “That simple.”

“Now that I have seen Master Yun’s bearing for myself, I know your reputation is well deserved. Admiration rises uncontrollably in my heart.”

“I would like to reach upward and become sworn brothers with Master Yun, brothers of different surnames. I wonder whether Master Yun would be willing?”

He cupped his hands again.

“...”

Hou Qingtian stared at him, speechless.

Is this guy sick?

Who the hell are you? What standing do you even have?

You’ve barely said two sentences since arriving. We don’t know the first thing about your background, and already you want to become sworn brothers with our master? How could you even say that with a straight face?

“...”

Black Peony slowly turned her head toward Niu Youdao, utterly dumbfounded.

“...”

Even Yun Huan on the throne looked stunned. This truly was a first.

His gaze flickered as he stared at Niu Youdao, evidently trying to work out what the man actually intended. Niu Youdao lowered his cupped hands.

Then he reached into his sleeve and took out another ten gold drafts, offering them with both hands.

“We happened to pass through here, so I had no time to prepare a proper gift. But after meeting Master Yun today, my admiration is truly difficult to contain.”

“Unfortunately, I carry little else of value. After thinking it over, these worldly possessions are all I have left with which to express my feelings. I only hope Master Yun will not disdain them.”

“I will say no more today. When I return in the future, I will certainly bring a generous gift to make up for my lack of preparation this time!”

[End of Chapter 145]