Chapter 213: A Sudden Wind Rises

Cui Yuan's jaw tightened as he watched the two men leave, helplessness filling his heart. The other side needed only hint at what was wanted. He, however, had no choice but to obey. As Yuan Fang followed Niu Youdao away, he glanced back at Cui Yuan and gave another low chuckle.

The longer he stayed with Master Dao, the more Yuan Fang realized how wrong his old ideas had been. He had once believed that the truly formidable people were those with profound cultivation. Now he was gradually beginning to understand that a person's most terrifying weapon was not cultivation at all, but the mind. Some people could destroy others without ever showing the blade. There were many people here whose cultivation was higher than Master Dao's, yet all of them listened to his commands.

Yuan Fang now understood why Master Dao insisted that Shao Pingbo, a mere mortal, had to die. He also understood why Shao Pingbo refused to let Master Dao, a cultivator, live.

Having grasped that much, Yuan Fang knew that if he were in Shao Pingbo's place, he probably would not let Master Dao live either. Otherwise, he would never eat or sleep in peace. More importantly, Yuan Fang had discovered something else Master Dao kept deeply concealed: the true strength of his cultivation. He had personally witnessed Master Dao make a move at Nanshan Temple. It had been dazzling.

He had personally witnessed Master Dao make a move outside Star-Plucking City as well. Fierce, savage, overwhelmingly powerful. Not one person in that group had lasted more than a few exchanges against him. Master Dao alone had brought the whole lot down.

Master Dao was actually extremely good at fighting and killing. He simply did not resort to it lightly. Even someone like Yuan Fang, who stayed constantly at his side, could develop the wrong impression after enough time.

When they returned to the thatched cottage, a group of youths were carrying water up the mountainside while others chopped firewood. Niu Youdao stopped to watch for a while before asking, “Monkey still hasn't returned?”

“Not yet,” Yuan Fang replied. “So far, only these few dozen youths have been sent back in batches. He sent word that we should find work for them to do, but make sure they eat their fill and eat well. He said we need to build their bodies back up.”

Yuan Fang scratched his bald head. “Master Dao, what exactly is Monkey trying to do?”

Niu Youdao said calmly, “Everyone carries a self within his heart. Just as you, a demon, carry Nanshan Temple within yours. Truthfully, I rather envy all of you.”

“Envy us?” Yuan Fang stared in surprise, unable to understand what he meant.

Niu Youdao did not explain. He turned and walked away...

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Beizhou, Shao Pingbo strode out through the gates in white robes and a black cloak. The men standing to either side saluted. He mounted and rode through the streets, conspicuous amid his escort.

Who knew how many women along the way stared at him with shining eyes or stole spring-bright glances from beneath lowered lashes? Young girls even bit their lips as they peered through cracks in their windows.

Young and accomplished, handsome and elegant, tall as a jade tree in the wind; a man who held great power in his hands, lived amid wealth and rank, and came from a prominent house. Most important of all, rumor said he was still unmarried. What woman would not like a man such as this? Whenever Shao Pingbo appeared on the streets of the prefectural capital, countless women could not help being drawn to him.

At banquets, too, there was no telling how many young ladies of great houses found excuses to approach him or tried to attract his attention.

Yet not one had ever moved Shao Pingbo's heart. More precisely, his ambitions reached much farther. He had grand aspirations, no shortage of women, and no intention of placing his thoughts on them. The longer he remained unmarried, the more women tossed and turned at night because of him.

What those women never saw was that they knew only the glorious side of him. They had never witnessed the scenes of him laboring day and night, racking his brains until his strength was spent, exhausted without end. After returning to Lingbo Residence and eating dinner, Shao Pingbo took a walk through the garden.

“How long has Pu Yunfang been in Jinzhou?” he asked.

Shao Sansheng, accompanying him, replied, “More than half a month now.”

“And there is still no movement from Hai Ruyue?”

“According to the reports from that side, none at all.” Shao Sansheng shook his head, then ventured, “Should we have him offer his services at the door once more?”

“No need.” Shao Pingbo stopped walking. “Doing that would only risk alerting the snake by striking the grass. Hai Ruyue's reaction is already highly abnormal. It seems the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit worked quite well.”

He turned his head and fixed Shao Sansheng with a stare, enunciating each word.

“The time is about right. We can draw in the net. Make the move.”

Niu Youdao believed he was hidden in the dark, seeing Shao Pingbo clearly while Shao Pingbo stood in the light. In Shao Pingbo's eyes, Niu Youdao stood in the light while he himself remained hidden in the dark, watching everything and waiting for his chance.

“Yes.” Shao Sansheng nodded.

In the Great Snowy Mountains, Heaven and Earth were dim beneath a howling storm. Inside a restaurant, such fierce wind and snow made it the perfect time to warm a pot of wine and drink a little.

At one table, several men were discussing when the storm might finally stop. At the neighboring table, a short-bearded man suddenly smiled with hidden meaning.

“The snowstorm may be fierce, but there's a good show coming.”

Everyone at the first table turned. One man asked, “Friend, there seems to be something behind those words. What good show?”

The short-bearded man turned toward him. “Surely you heard about the great avalanche on that mountain behind us some time ago?”

The questioner gave an acknowledging sound. “And the good show has something to do with the avalanche?”

“Surely you know what's on that mountain.”

Someone nearby cut in, “You mean the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit?”

At a table in the corner, two men turned their heads toward the conversation at the same time. Then they looked at each other before turning back once more.

The short-bearded man smiled. “That meteorite fell in a rather curious place. It just happened to land exactly where the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit grew. I also heard a meteorite fell in Jinzhou in the State of Zhao some time earlier. And just by coincidence, the Provincial Inspector of Jinzhou suffers from a strange illness that requires a Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit to cure.”

“Then, right before the avalanche, someone with very close ties to Jinzhou came to the Ice and Snow Pavilion. Next thing you know, a meteorite strikes here and causes an avalanche. Rather interesting, don't you think? If that isn't the start of a good show, what is?”

At those words, some people fell into thought while others leaned together, whispering and asking questions.

Someone at the neighboring table asked curiously, “Friend, who was this person with close ties to Jinzhou who came to the Ice and Snow Pavilion?”

“This has nothing to do with us. We need only watch the excitement. The more one says, the more likely one is to slip. Why invite trouble on ourselves?” The short-bearded man smiled mysteriously and modestly, rose, tossed down some money, and left.

The two men from the corner table rose soon afterward and quietly followed him out. Once outside the restaurant, the short-bearded man hurried away and quickly left the great canyon.

The rumor had been released. His orders were to leave immediately after spreading it, without waiting to see what reaction it caused.

But he had not traveled far through the storm when two figures swept past on either side, landed ahead of him, and stared coldly through the wind and snow.

The short-bearded man started and spun around, only to find two more figures flying in behind him. His retreat had been cut off.

A fierce clash broke out in the snowstorm and ended almost as soon as it began. Surrounded by four attackers, the short-bearded man lost an arm and collapsed into the snow, one hand clutched to his chest as blood caught in his throat.

One attacker flashed forward and kicked him flying toward another man. The second seized him and struck quickly, placing him under restriction. A black cloth sack dropped over the short-bearded man's head.

The four men carried him away at once. They returned through the storm to the great canyon and went directly into the Liuxian Sect shop.

Behind the counter, shopkeeper Xiao Tie rose and frowned at the black sack they carried inside. It plainly contained a person.

“What happened?” Xiao Tie asked heavily.

One of the four replied, “Martial Uncle, the sect's foresight was exactly right. Someone really is trying to use the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit to stir up trouble here. Following our instructions, we caught one.”

Xiao Tie immediately came out from behind the counter and personally pulled off the sack. The short-bearded man beneath it was barely breathing. Xiao Tie examined him carefully but did not recognize him. At that moment, several more Liuxian Sect disciples entered, carrying another black sack.

The man who had spoken earlier gave a low laugh. “Looks like we caught another.”

Xiao Tie went forward and pulled open the second sack as well. He still did not recognize the captive. He waved toward the rear hall and sneered.

“Interrogate them separately. Pry their mouths open.”

Several disciples immediately dragged the two injured men inside...

At the Ice and Snow Pavilion, the storm raged just as fiercely, yet every snowflake melted the instant it touched the ground. Nothing accumulated.

Chu Anlou came striding over and entered a pavilion, where he cupped his hands to Han Bing, who was leisurely drinking tea.

“Chief Steward.”

Han Bing said indifferently, “Have you found the source of the rumors?”

By now, talk of the avalanche and the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit was everywhere around the Ice and Snow Pavilion. There was no possibility the people here had failed to hear it.

Chu Anlou replied, “We caught some people, but all of them claim they only heard the rumors from others. Whoever was spreading the word probably left immediately after releasing it, before anyone could react. This was plainly planned with care and prepared in advance.”

Managing Rainbow Inn also meant Chu Anlou handled many of the miscellaneous affairs inside the great canyon.

Han Bing smiled faintly. “A sudden wind has risen. It seems someone wants to stir up trouble. Bold indeed. Who do you think this is aimed at?”

Chu Anlou considered before answering, “Judging from the rumors being spread, either Jinzhou... or Niu Youdao.”

“Rumors?” Han Bing gave a quiet snort, almost to herself. “Rumors do not arise from nothing. Why do I hear a certain amount of sense in them? Do you think the matter could really have been done by Jinzhou or by Niu Youdao?”

Chu Anlou was startled. “Chief Steward, did something truly happen to the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit?”

He still did not know the details of what had happened on the summit. He managed the inn and the affairs of the canyon. Matters on the mountain behind the Pavilion were not his responsibility. When the avalanche occurred, no one had summoned him and he had not participated. News that the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit tree had been destroyed had been sealed off, so he knew nothing of it. Han Bing gave a slight nod.

Chu Anlou immediately cursed every one of Niu Youdao's eighteen generations of ancestors in his heart. He bitterly regretted ever taking that money. He had accepted it only because he thought the situation was entirely under his control and that Niu Youdao could not possibly make waves under his nose. Who could have imagined the matter might become entangled with something like this?

“Niu Youdao and Jinzhou couldn't possibly have that much nerve... could they?” Chu Anlou answered hesitantly.

He had no confidence even as he said it. That bastard had nerve enough for anything. He had dared use the Ice and Snow Pavilion right in front of Chu Anlou's face. What was there he would not dare do? There really was no telling whether he might have been responsible. Chu Anlou's intestines were practically green with regret. He wanted to slap himself twice. Unfortunately, regret was useless.

If Niu Youdao truly had done it, then the bastard had planned the matter in advance and obviously was not afraid of Chu Anlou acting against him casually. There was every chance Niu Youdao had left a safeguard behind. If Chu Anlou moved recklessly, he might well be dragged into the water with him. Han Bing spoke slowly, her expression calm.

“Without wind, no waves rise. It seems I will have to make a trip to Jinzhou myself.”

Damn you!

Chu Anlou remained deferential on the surface while cursing Niu Youdao savagely inside.

At the same time, he prayed in secret that this absolutely must not be that bastard's handiwork. Otherwise, Niu Youdao might truly drag him down into the pit...

In Qingshan Commandery, bright sunlight filled the sky.

Standing outside the thatched cottage, Black Peony reported, “Master Dao, Sect Leader Fei has arrived.”

Inside, Niu Youdao sat cross-legged in meditation. He slowly exhaled, ended his cultivation, opened his eyes, lowered his legs from the couch, and rose.

[End of Chapter 213]