Chapter 290: Would a Hundred Thousand Warhorses Be Enough?

Chen Bie was puzzled and still wanted to ask something. Zuo Desong waved a hand, said nothing more, and walked away with his hands clasped behind his back. He had not actually been frightened by Niu Youdao's so-called threat just now. In truth, Niu Youdao had never threatened him in any substantial sense. At first, even Zuo Desong had almost taken the words as a threat. Later, he realized they were nonsense. The logic was very simple. Niu Youdao had only asked him to pass along a message.

Whether he actually did so remained entirely under Zuo Desong's own control. Afterward, Niu Youdao would have no way of knowing whether the message had truly been passed along. And Niu Youdao himself had later said that money was only a worldly possession. He had not actually come for the debt. He had come for Zuo Desong. The so-called threat had merely been a way to keep Zuo Desong from dismissing him too quickly.

Niu Youdao had deliberately created a point of conflict in hopes of pushing their relationship one step deeper.

The "threat" was more like Niu Youdao displaying his own strength.

Look, I can even kill Zhuo Chao. Doesn't that show something? He had used that to demonstrate that he still possessed value that could be exploited. And in the end, Niu Youdao had not asked Zuo Desong for anything of real substance. Instead, he had given Zuo Desong a pile of promises. Whenever Zuo Desong had use for Niu Youdao, he need only speak! In the end, Niu Youdao's entire purpose could be reduced to one point.

Just as Niu Youdao himself had said, Zuo Desong would lose nothing, and perhaps he might even gain some unexpected benefit.

So why not try?

Niu Youdao had used civil conversation to make Zuo Desong's acquaintance while simultaneously using force to kill at Flying Waterfall Terrace. Walking with his hands clasped behind his back, Zuo Desong found the whole thing rather interesting. This Niu Youdao truly was not simple. Perhaps one day there really would be some use for him... Hooves clopped steadily along the street.

Feng Entai moved closer to Niu Youdao and asked in a low voice, "What did you go to the Grand Herald's residence for?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "This isn't a place to talk."

Feng Entai looked left and right. People flowed continuously along the street. It truly was not a place for conversation. Linghu Qiu also glanced from side to side, then repeatedly studied Niu Youdao's expression. He wanted very much to know what Zuo Desong and Niu Youdao had discussed after everyone else was sent outside. Unfortunately, this was not a suitable place to ask.

What made him itch even more was the suspicion that even if he did ask, Niu Youdao probably would not tell him. He could understand some things. Linghu Qiu himself knew perfectly well how much sincerity existed in their so-called sworn brotherhood. Without showing enough sincerity to earn Niu Youdao's trust, he could forget about Niu Youdao revealing every secret to him. Still, Niu Youdao had truly frightened him this time. That sudden threat against Zuo Desong had caught Linghu Qiu entirely unprepared and left him stunned on the spot.

He discovered that this conveniently acquired sworn younger brother was sufficiently insane. One had to remember that both of them had been placed under restrictions at the time and could not use spiritual power. If the other side had wanted to kill them, it would have been as easy as turning a hand. Fortunately, both had left the Zuo Residence alive and well. Black Peony likewise glanced repeatedly at the back of Niu Youdao's head.

She too had no idea what Niu Youdao's true purpose in visiting the Zuo Residence had been, and she wanted to know what had been discussed inside. Niu Youdao, meanwhile, swayed calmly in the saddle as though nothing had happened. His gaze toward the road ahead was just as calm.

As far as he was concerned, Zuo Desong was only the beginning of his attempt to test the depth of the waters in the Qi capital. He was not insane. Why would he run into the Zuo Residence for no reason and create a major enemy for himself? Whether Zuo Desong passed along the message did not matter.

Whether Zuo Desong became a "friend" was not something Niu Youdao expected much from at present either.

He had not asked Zuo Desong for any substantive favor. He merely needed a beginning.

Once he displayed enough strength, or more precisely enough useful value, Zuo Desong would naturally begin treating him as a "friend."

And it was not only Zuo Desong. A ten-thousand-zhang tower rises from level ground. Everything needed a foundation first. Cast the net widely at the beginning, then decide what to do based on circumstances...

At Among the White Clouds, the qin platform was quiet. Su Zhao stood with her back to it, leaning on the railing and watching the fish swimming in the pond. She was somewhat lost in thought. What had happened at Flying Waterfall Terrace had left her nerves taut. It was as though she had finally seen the edge of Niu Youdao's blade. This was not her first time crossing hands with Niu Youdao.

She had only been an indirect participant in Shao Pingbo's earlier clashes with Niu Youdao, so she had watched some matters from the side and never felt them as deeply. At the very least, she had never felt what Shao Pingbo felt. The failed ambush at Boundless Pavilion had only left her unable to see through Niu Youdao's true foundations. Even now, she still did not understand how Zhuo Chao had died. But this time was different. Niu Youdao had come directly beneath her eyes.

She had personally acted to show him some color. And what had been the result? She had watched the result with her own eyes.

Trying to use a trick like this to keep Niu Youdao from having any peace had turned out to be laughable. He had dissolved the problem with a casual wave of his hand.

A challenge?

He had agreed perfectly well. Everyone knew the challenge would happen. Yet Niu Youdao had actually sent a whole group of experts to gang up on Xuan Zichun. They had mobbed her in full view of everyone, directly tearing the challenger into pieces. They came quickly, left quickly, and departed the moment the killing was done!

Now people everywhere were saying that not only had Xuan Zichun died miserably after challenging Niu Youdao, but Niu Youdao had not even spared her companions.

Ruthless and merciless!

Su Zhao had originally hoped that whether Niu Youdao accepted the challenges or refused them, challenger after challenger would continue coming to his door, entangling him until he had no peace and no way to handle serious business. Now, however, she estimated that no one would dare challenge him again. Anyone who went looking for Niu Youdao from this point onward would no longer be issuing a challenge. He would have to be prepared to go to war with Niu Youdao's forces.

Xuan Zichun stood as the warning before everyone's eyes. She had died without even leaving behind anyone willing to cry injustice for her!

When Su Zhao had been waiting at Flying Waterfall Terrace and Niu Youdao still had not appeared, she had thought perhaps he would not come at all. At the time, she had been happy enough to see that happen. Was it enjoyable to make fools of so many people? In the end, Niu Youdao truly had not appeared. Yet he had still given everyone a spectacle. Su Zhao doubted anyone would now think Niu Youdao had made fools of them.

Instead, they would probably praise him for handling the matter cleanly. Now that she had calmed down and reviewed the entire course of events, what kind of trap had she supposedly set for Niu Youdao to fall into? She had practically handed him an opportunity to magnify his own influence.

Niu Youdao had gone with the flow and deliberately brought about this challenge, using it to make a powerful declaration to everyone:

I have arrived!

It also seemed to be a declaration to whoever stood behind the scenes. A declaration to her. Come at me with whatever you've got! From the smallest signs, one could glimpse the whole. Although this had looked like a minor affair, this time Su Zhao had genuinely experienced Niu Youdao's ability firsthand.

Only now did she deeply understand why Shao Pingbo feared this man so much, and why Shao Pingbo had repeatedly warned her to be careful. She understood now. Petty tricks like this were completely useless against Niu Youdao. What looked like a great problem in other people's eyes simply did not count as much before someone like him. She did not know whether it was merely her own illusion. Niu Youdao gave her the feeling of a man who had already seen countless violent storms.

The two of them had not even formally met. Niu Youdao stood in the light while she remained hidden in darkness. Yet in two exchanges, she had instead been the one to come off worse both times!

Qin Mian hurried into the pavilion and reported, "Proprietress, Niu Youdao has left the Zuo Residence. Judging by his route, he should be returning to his lodgings."

Su Zhao turned. "Do we know why he went to the Zuo Residence?"

Qin Mian shook her head. "We can't find that out immediately."

Su Zhao said, "If we can't even understand the purpose behind his movements, how are we supposed to respond? Find a way to uncover his intentions."

"All right!" Qin Mian nodded.

Su Zhao then said heavily, "A great reputation isn't always a good thing. Spread another piece of news."

"Say Niu Youdao came for warhorses. With this much attention focused on him, I'd like to see who still dares help him!"

Qin Mian sighed. "Proprietress, he's already reached the Qi capital. Even if we don't release that rumor, I'm afraid everyone can guess he came for warhorses."

"Isn't that why most of the cultivators gathering in the Qi capital from the various states come here in the first place?"

Outside Niu Youdao's residence, Hao Qingqing and the others arrived. Huyan Wei watched expectantly as Chai Fei spoke with the guards at the entrance.

"Master Dao isn't here. He went out!" The guard did not go inside to report and simply gave that answer.

The people at the entrance looked at one another.

Chai Fei asked again, "When will he be back?"

The guard replied, "His return is uncertain. Master Dao's comings and goings aren't something we can know."

Hao Qingqing swept out one hand. "Then we'll go inside and wait for him!"

With that, she tried to barge in. The two guards at the entrance quickly extended their arms and blocked her.

Hao Qingqing's bright eyes widened. "You dare stop me? Do you know who I am?"

"Stop making trouble." Once again, Lady Pei caught hold of her and pulled her back.

Just then, the steady sound of hoofbeats came from the intersection. Everyone turned. Niu Youdao and his party were returning. Hao Qingqing brightened at once.

From far away, she waved an arm and called, "Niu Youdao! It's me! Do you still recognize me?"

Niu Youdao froze briefly. Then he recognized Lady Pei and the others, and a smile appeared on his face. He had just been talking nonsense to Zuo Desong about collecting a debt, yet the person who owed him money had actually come to his door on her own.

Feng Entai glanced at the person shouting while dressed as a man and asked Niu Youdao, "Who's that?"

Niu Youdao said, "The Grand Princess of the State of Qi."

Linghu Qiu had nothing to say. Slowly, he turned his head and looked at Niu Youdao. So this fellow really did know the Grand Princess of Qi!

Feng Entai grew curious. "You know the Grand Princess of Qi?"

His spirits lifted as well. If a princess had personally come looking for Niu Youdao and he had a relationship like this, perhaps obtaining the warhorses would become much easier. The party reached the entrance and dismounted. Niu Youdao cupped his hands toward Lady Pei and the others and smiled.

"Everyone, it's been a long time. I've missed you greatly!"

"Brother Niu!" Lady Pei greeted him.

The other familiar faces smiled and returned his salute as well. Huyan Wei, with his face buried beneath a full beard, looked Niu Youdao up and down repeatedly. He muttered inwardly.

So young?

Hao Qingqing cut in first. "We went all the way to Flying Waterfall Terrace to watch your fight, but you never appeared. Where did you run off to?"

Niu Youdao laughed. "I had a little business to handle, so I went to take care of it."

Hao Qingqing patted her chest. "Now that you've come here, whatever you need done, come find me. I'll handle it for you!"

The corner of her eye even slanted toward Huyan Wei as she spoke.

Niu Youdao deliberately teased her. "I want to obtain a batch of warhorses. Can you help me with that?"

Hao Qingqing lifted her chin. "A small matter. How many do you want? Would a hundred thousand be enough?"

Niu Youdao instantly went blank. He had only been joking. He had never expected an answer like that. Was she serious or not?

A hundred thousand?

Feng Entai's eyes immediately lit up. He had not expected Niu Youdao's connections to be this formidable. It seemed the sect's decision to send this fellow here to try his luck had not been without reason. Lady Pei and the others, meanwhile, all turned dark-faced in an instant. What kind of nonsense was she spouting? Warhorses concerned Qi's national policy. How could a princess interfere in that? And she had casually offered a hundred thousand of them. How generous. What did she think she was giving away?

A hundred thousand?

Huyan Wei was stunned as well. Spoiled scion or not, even he understood what a hundred thousand warhorses represented. He stared at Hao Qingqing as though she were some heavenly marvel and made a firm decision in his heart. Even if they beat him to death, he would never marry this woman!

[End of Chapter 290]