Chapter 214: Alarmed

Ever since leaving the Shangqing Sect, Niu Youdao had not enjoyed such peace of mind in cultivation for a very long time. Nor had he had such a secure environment in which to cultivate. Of course, that security had not fallen from Heaven. He had built it himself, piece by piece.

He opened the door and stepped outside. Black Peony inclined her body slightly in greeting. Beyond her, by the cliffside, Fei Changliu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, facing away. Niu Youdao walked over and stood shoulder to shoulder with him at the edge of the cliff. Fei Changliu turned his head and glanced at him, still finding the situation difficult to comprehend.

Were it not for Zhao Xiongge, Liuxian Sect would not even have thought much of the Shangqing Sect. Yet now an abandoned disciple of the Shangqing Sect stood beside him as an equal. In truth, even calling them equals was flattering to Liuxian Sect. At present, Liuxian Sect depended on this man's favor to establish its footing here. Whenever Fei Changliu thought of it, he could not help shaking his head inwardly at the Shangqing Sect.

To have produced such an outstanding figure only to cast him aside themselves... the Shangqing Sect had destroyed its own foundation. Niu Youdao looked over with a smile.

“Sect Leader Fei, something happened?”

“There is movement at the Ice and Snow Pavilion.”

Niu Youdao's expression immediately grew serious.

“What is the situation?”

“Almost exactly as you said. Someone really is stirring up trouble. My people there have already caught two men, but the rumors have still spread throughout the Ice and Snow Pavilion. It appears the other side used more than just one or two people to spread them.”

“Have you found out where they came from?”

“They were interrogated. Both men we captured are disciples of a minor sect within the State of Yan. They know only that they were acting under orders from their sect. They do not know who specifically issued the instructions behind the scenes.”

Niu Youdao asked, “You caught two?”

Fei Changliu nodded. “Two.”

Niu Youdao said indifferently, “Keep one in reserve. Throw the other into Dachan Mountain's shop. Tell them I said Shao Pingbo is behind this, and let them decide what to do with him.”

Fei Changliu gave him a meaningful look.

“You really are trying to put Shao Pingbo to death.”

Niu Youdao chuckled.

“What else should I do? He incited the Song family into sending your people to the Great Snowy Mountains to intercept and kill me. Was that not an attempt to put me to death? Do I need to be polite with him?”

Why had Niu Youdao summoned Dachan Mountain Sect Leader Huang Lie all the way to the Ice and Snow Pavilion and forced him to face Chu Anlou in person? Precisely so that when this day came, Niu Youdao could use the matter to pressure Dachan Mountain.

Fei Changliu asked, “I only want to know one thing. Was the avalanche at the Ice and Snow Pavilion truly your doing?”

Behind them, Black Peony's heart jumped into her throat. She had taken part in that affair herself, an affair that could never see the light of day. If it were exposed, the consequences would be unthinkable. Niu Youdao shrugged.

“How could it have been me? Do you truly think I would do something like that?”

Fei Changliu said, “You certainly had the motive. Hai Ruyue helping this side cannot have been without reason.”

Niu Youdao shook his head.

“You are thinking too much. Hai Ruyue's willingness to help has another cause. It is inconvenient for me to explain.”

“Besides, even if I wanted a Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit, I could only go and request it openly and honorably. Otherwise, who would dare let Xiao Tianzhen use it? That would not be curing him. That would be asking for death.”

He would never admit the truth even if beaten to death. If he did, Liuxian Sect might be frightened into fleeing on the spot. Fei Changliu fell briefly silent. Thinking about it, the reasoning did seem sound. The tension in his heart eased somewhat.

“Will this affair cause any consequences?”

Niu Youdao smiled.

“Since it was already within my expectations, what consequences could there be? Otherwise, I would have gone into hiding long ago. Would I dare sit here cultivating in peace?”

When Fei Changliu turned to leave, Niu Youdao did not forget to remind him once more.

“Sect Leader Fei, do not forget to throw one of the captives into Dachan Mountain's shop.”

“I won't forget.”

Fei Changliu raised one hand without looking back and walked away.

How could he forget?

The matter had left him deeply uneasy. Only then did Black Peony come closer and lower her voice.

“Master Dao, nothing will happen... will it?”

She knew perfectly well that the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit affair truly had been their handiwork.

Niu Youdao said blandly, “Afraid?”

Black Peony sighed.

“A little. But we've already done it. It's too late to be afraid now.”

She smiled bitterly. They really had been playing with fire. Even in her wildest dreams, she had never imagined she would one day dare take part in something so outrageous.

Niu Youdao said, “Have Yuan Fang come over.”

Black Peony nodded and quickly left. Before long, Yuan Fang arrived. He still did not know what had happened.

“Master Dao, something you need?”

Niu Youdao gave a quiet sound of acknowledgment and said slowly, “Notify Lu Shengzhong. The timing is ripe. He can make his move.”

“Also, have the people in Beizhou watch closely. Any news, report it immediately.”

“Good.”

Yuan Fang accepted the order and departed. He had barely left when a figure swept over from the distance, passed through the guards, and flew directly toward the cliff. The visitor landed on the rock.

It was none other than Bai Yao, who looked not especially old despite his head of white hair. His cold eyes fixed on Niu Youdao. Niu Youdao cupped his hands with a smile.

“Senior Bai honors me with a personal visit. Is something the matter?”

Bai Yao demanded sharply, “Did you touch the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit?”

The moment Niu Youdao heard the question, he understood. The commotion at the Ice and Snow Pavilion had clearly alarmed Tianyu Sect. Tianyu Sect had a shop there as well, after all.

And indeed, Bai Yao had received an urgent message from the sect ordering him to come question Niu Youdao. Tianyu Sect was waiting for his answer. Truthfully, Tianyu Sect had been badly startled. How much nerve did it take to dare something like this? Niu Youdao shook his head.

“Fei Changliu came just now. I have already heard about the rumors.”

“But this has nothing to do with me. Someone is trying to harm me.”

He gave Bai Yao essentially the same explanation he had just given Fei Changliu. Bai Yao had arrived with murderous energy in his chest. Now he fell silent. Thinking it over, the explanation did make sense.

Everything that needed to be settled with Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion had already been settled. There was no longer much reason to worry about Hai Ruyue's side.

Under such circumstances, going to steal a Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit would make sense only if Niu Youdao's brain had gone bad. Besides, how easy could it possibly be to steal something from the Ice and Snow Pavilion? Were all the people there corpses?

Bai Yao pondered, then said, “If the Ice and Snow Pavilion decides to pursue this seriously, the matter could become troublesome.”

Niu Youdao did not seem concerned.

“You worry too much.”

“There is naturally a reason I can come and go from those jade halls and jeweled towers of the Ice and Snow Pavilion.”

“Tell Tianyu Sect it can put ten thousand hearts at ease.”

Bai Yao's gaze snapped toward him. He had heard certain things as well and had never understood what relationship this fellow truly had with the Ice and Snow Pavilion. Then again, so long as nothing happened, that was enough.

“Oh, right.”

Niu Youdao added, “There is another matter I need Senior Bai to pass on to Tianyu Sect.”

“As for that liquor, Tianyu Sect is making too much profit. If you eat the meat, you still need to leave others some soup.”

“The supply arrangement remains unchanged, but the price on my side needs to rise a little. Four hundred gold coins per jar.”

The price had doubled.

Bai Yao said coldly, “I don't concern myself with that business. Go negotiate with Tianyu Sect yourself.”

“No need for Senior Bai to trouble himself. Just carry the message while you're going.”

Niu Youdao continued, “After deducting expenses, Tianyu Sect still earns at least five hundred gold coins on every jar. Ten thousand jars means five million gold coins a year. That is already more than enough profit.”

“There are a whole crowd of people above and below working for Tianyu Sect on this matter. If you want everyone to remain settled and at ease, you need to let them eat as well.”

“Tianyu Sect cannot take every benefit for itself.”

“One must not be too greedy.”

“If Tianyu Sect refuses, I will immediately find someone else to cooperate with.”

Bai Yao stared at him in cold silence for a long while. Then he turned and floated away. Niu Youdao stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching him depart.

The Ice and Snow Pavilion had been stirred into such a commotion that many eyes were now fixed on this side.

If he could pass this hurdle and the Ice and Snow Pavilion did not come after him, he would be able to borrow a little more of its momentum. The court of the State of Yan would become even less willing to move against him. Tianyu Sect would also become even more cautious about acting rashly.

“I need time...”

Niu Youdao murmured to himself, his gaze distant while thoughts turned through his mind without end...

At the Provincial Inspector's Residence in Jinzhou, Hai Ruyue and her son Xiao Tianzhen were eating in a warm chamber.

“Eat a little more.”

As always, Hai Ruyue used her chopsticks to place food into her son's bowl. In her other hand she held a cloth, wiping beads of sweat from her fair skin. The weather was already growing warm, yet braziers were still burning in the room. How could she not sweat? Her clothes were light and thin, but they were still half damp. She was already a voluptuous beauty. In such a scene, she looked even more alluring.

Xiao Tianzhen picked listlessly at his food, taking one bite and then none. He plainly had little appetite, and his face remained pale and bloodless.

“Summer, the season you like, will be here soon. Eat properly. Build your body back up, and you'll have the energy to go outside and play.”

Hai Ruyue was still coaxing him when the door suddenly flew open with a violent bang. Mother and son both jumped.

They turned and saw Li Wuhua standing in the doorway with a dark expression. Two men stood behind him, one on either side. Both were elders of Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion, and neither looked pleased. Hai Ruyue froze. She had not expected the other two elders to come as well.

“Two Elders honor us with your presence. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar...”

She stopped halfway through the greeting. Something was wrong. Li Wuhua and the other two men came straight inside, all three staring fixedly at Xiao Tianzhen as they closed in on him. The maids in the room hardly dared breathe. At the doorway, Xiao household steward Zhu Shun watched with worry across his face. Xiao Tianzhen slowly stood. Anger showed in his eyes.

Hai Ruyue reached out, pulled her son behind herself, and shielded him. Her heart was in turmoil, but she forced a smile.

“Three Elders, is something the matter?”

Li Wuhua shoved her aside hard enough to make her stagger, then seized Xiao Tianzhen's wrist and immediately sent spiritual power through him to read his pulse. Xiao Tianzhen struggled twice but could not break free. He looked furious but did not dare speak. After taking his pulse, Li Wuhua slowly released him and turned back toward the other two. He shook his head.

“Nothing unusual. I told you they wouldn't have that much nerve.”

The other two elders stepped forward together. Each seized one of Xiao Tianzhen's wrists and examined his pulse. Afterward, they looked at one another and gradually released him. Then both turned to Hai Ruyue, smiling as they cupped their hands.

“Grand Princess, please calm your anger. It was only a misunderstanding.”

With that, they both nodded to Li Wuhua and departed together. Hai Ruyue's heart was still hammering wildly. Seeing that the crisis appeared to have passed, she waved toward Zhu Shun.

Zhu Shun immediately entered, took Xiao Tianzhen by the hand, and led him away. He also ushered out the serving maids.

Once no outsiders remained, Hai Ruyue asked anxiously, “What happened?”

Li Wuhua looked at her.

“Rumors are spreading outside that Niu Youdao stole the Ice and Snow Pavilion's Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit.”

“You haven't secretly plotted anything outrageous with him, have you?”

Hai Ruyue's heart nearly stopped.

“How could that be? How can mere rumors be believed?”

Although she truly had plotted certain things with Niu Youdao, how could she possibly admit it? She would not confess even if beaten to death. The Ice and Snow Pavilion would not care whether she was some Grand Princess.

It did not even put the emperor of the State of Zhao in its eyes. What did the title Grand Princess amount to before them?

In fact, Niu Youdao had never told her he intended to “steal” the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit either.

“Good. I also believe you would not act so recklessly.”

Li Wuhua continued, “The key point now is that something really did happen at the Ice and Snow Pavilion.”

“A meteorite fell from Heaven and struck the place where the Scarlet Yang Vermilion Fruit grew, causing a massive avalanche...”

He gave her a general account of everything that had happened, from beginning to end. At last, he specifically warned her, “The trouble is that Jinzhou also had a meteorite fall from Heaven before this.”

“And Niu Youdao happened to travel to the Ice and Snow Pavilion between the two incidents, tying him to both sides.”

“You, meanwhile, just happen to be allied with Shang Chaozong.”

[End of Chapter 214]