Chapter 449: Encounter in Myriad Forms City

The State of Song lay at the easternmost edge of the Seven States beneath Heaven. Three great powers held sway over the national fortune of the State of Song: Lingxiao Pavilion, Blood God Hall, and Heaven-Splitting Palace. There was also one major power that stood somewhat apart from the others: Myriad Beasts Sect.

It was not that Myriad Beasts Sect had no desire to influence the State of Song. Rather, Lingxiao Pavilion and the other two great sects would not permit it. Fortunately, Myriad Beasts Sect was enormously wealthy and could obtain sufficient cultivation resources without relying on such things.

The Spirit Beast Gathering was a grand event Myriad Beasts Sect held once every ten years. Its purpose was to display the spirit beasts and similar creatures the sect had newly domesticated over the past decade, laying the groundwork before formally putting them up for sale.

At such a gathering, some came to lend Myriad Beasts Sect their support, while others came simply to watch the excitement and broaden their horizons. Whenever the time approached, Myriad Forms City at the foot of Myriad Beasts Sect's mountain would gradually become lively.

Myriad Forms City lay within Myriad Beasts Sect's territory and was beyond the imperial court's jurisdiction, governed by rules of its own. Normally it was extremely quiet, inhabited only by secular folk under Myriad Beasts Sect. Descendants born to disciples of the sect, for example, might settle here and multiply over the generations.

Now guests were arriving from every direction. These secular residents opened their doors and did business, which also counted as helping Myriad Beasts Sect receive visitors from all sides. As for truly distinguished guests, Myriad Beasts Sect naturally had separate guest courtyards for them.

The city was called Myriad Forms City because countless sculptures stood throughout it. Every one depicted some flying bird or running beast recorded in the Record of Strange Beasts. They were scattered all across the city, vivid and lifelike, far more accurate than the drawings in the illustrated catalog.

Those sculptures were also meant for outside visitors to study and compare against what they had seen. After all, drawings could differ substantially from the real thing, and people without specialized knowledge could easily misidentify a creature. Myriad Beasts Sect had therefore commissioned these sculptures deliberately.

A single sect's strength was limited. Myriad Beasts Sect hoped to draw upon cultivators throughout the realm to help locate rare and unusual birds and beasts for breeding.

Anyone who discovered a strange creature corresponding to one of the sculptures and delivered it to Myriad Beasts Sect would receive a generous reward.

Although Myriad Beasts Sect used this method to expand the sect's own sources of wealth, from another perspective it had also enlarged the populations of some rare creatures that might otherwise have gone extinct, preventing their disappearance...

On the streets of Myriad Forms City, Niu Youdao and his party, newly arrived, sat astride their horses and looked around with interest at the sculptures standing throughout the city. It was their first time seeing a place like this, and they could not help finding it novel.

"Master Dao, someone behind us has taken an interest in us." Yuan Gang guided his horse closer to Niu Youdao and quietly gave the warning.

Niu Youdao continued swaying gently in the saddle without changing expression. He did not even turn around to look. He trusted Yuan Gang's eye for surveillance. If Yuan Gang said someone was following them, then someone was following them. There was no need to doubt it.

"What kind of situation?"

"I don't know yet," Yuan Gang replied. "They started following us the moment we entered the city. They've stayed behind us the whole way, but they haven't done anything else."

Niu Youdao said nothing further and behaved as though nothing had happened. He merely turned his head and gave Guan Fangyi a slight signal.

"Feel out the situation."

Guan Fangyi nodded faintly and made a gesture to either side. When the group rounded a corner in the street, Uncle Chen and Old Six Xu seized the opportunity to peel away from the party and turn into a narrow alley. Not long afterward, Old Six Xu came running back and caught up with Niu Youdao.

"Master Dao, we've got him under control."

Niu Youdao immediately pulled his mount around. The whole group turned back and returned to the alley. There, Uncle Chen had one hand pressed against a man's shoulder, holding him completely immobile. Niu Youdao rode forward and stopped. Looking down from horseback, he pointed with his riding crop. Uncle Chen immediately tore the disguise from the captive's face. When the man's true appearance was exposed, Yuan Gang paused in surprise, while Niu Youdao's brows shifted slightly.

The person they had caught was none other than Wei Duo of the Shangqing Sect.

"What are you doing here?" Niu Youdao asked in a low voice.

Wei Duo made muffled sounds in his throat. His body was restrained and he could not answer.

Niu Youdao said to Uncle Chen, "It's fine. Release him."

Uncle Chen undid the restriction on Wei Duo and let him go. Wei Duo immediately cupped his hands in greeting.

"Sect—"

Halfway through the word, he remembered that Niu Youdao hated being addressed as Sect Leader and hastily changed it.

"Master... Master Dao!"

Niu Youdao asked, "What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you!"

Niu Youdao's brows rose. His lips moved slightly. Then his gaze flicked backward toward Guan Fangyi and the others behind him. Whatever he had been about to say, he swallowed it. He turned his horse around and tossed back a single cold word.

"Scram."

Just like that, the group left the alley again, abandoning Wei Duo there by himself.

Guan Fangyi urged her horse forward and asked suspiciously, "Who was that?"

Niu Youdao did not answer. Then he pulled on the reins again and stopped. Guan Fangyi followed his gaze. Ahead of them stood a graceful woman leading several people who had blocked the street. Like Wei Duo, all of them were plainly wearing false faces. They were none other than Tang Yi and the others from the Shangqing Sect.

Wei Duo emerged from the alley and stood behind Niu Youdao's mounted party. He nodded toward Tang Yi and the others ahead, confirming that these were indeed the people they were looking for. Niu Youdao's group had disguised themselves as well.

After the Shangqing Sect hurried to Myriad Forms City, they had concluded that Niu Youdao would inevitably stop here. They immediately spread their people throughout the city, some searching openly, others waiting at likely locations. By coincidence, Wei Duo had been the one to spot Niu Youdao's party.

Others might not have recognized them, but Wei Duo knew both Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang. Yuan Gang's distinctive build in particular was impossible for him to mistake.

He had recognized Yuan Gang at a glance, then sent a fellow disciple to notify Tang Yi and the others while he himself followed the group. That was how the present scene had come about. Niu Youdao looked back at Wei Duo's reaction, then turned to study the people blocking the road ahead.

Gradually, from Tang Yi and the others' builds, he formed his own judgment and realized that this was a group from the Shangqing Sect. Without attracting attention, Guan Fangyi slipped one hand into her sleeve and closed her fingers around a talisman. Uncle Chen and the others likewise tightened their grips on their weapons.

They had no idea who these people blocking the road were. Myriad Beasts Sect had rules governing Myriad Forms City, but no one could guarantee that an accident would not occur.

The people from Fufang Garden could not distinguish Tang Yi and the others as members of the Shangqing Sect who had old entanglements with Niu Youdao. Naturally, they remained highly vigilant. Tang Yi clearly noticed the tension as well. She raised one hand slightly, then stepped to the side to avoid any misunderstanding. The Shangqing Sect members followed her and moved aside. Niu Youdao tapped his heels lightly against his horse's flanks.

Without looking left or right, he led the group past the Shangqing Sect at an unhurried pace. Wei Duo reunited with Tang Yi and the others, after which the Shangqing Sect group followed behind Niu Youdao's party. The Fufang Garden people found the situation increasingly strange and kept glancing back at the group trailing them.

"Who are they?" Guan Fangyi urged her horse alongside Niu Youdao and asked again.

Niu Youdao remained silent. Guan Fangyi rolled her eyes. She knew perfectly well that if this man did not want to say something, asking again immediately would accomplish nothing. The group soon stopped outside an inn and took rooms there.

Not far away, another disguised man stood beneath an eave, staring at Tang Yi and the others as they entered the inn. Suspicion flickered in his eyes. This man was Lu Shengzhong, whom Shao Pingbo had sent after them.

He had followed Tang Yi's group's route all the way to Myriad Forms City and had been keeping watch near the place where they were staying. He therefore knew perfectly well who the disguised Tang Yi and the others were. When they left the inn this time, he had followed them again. As a result, he had witnessed Tang Yi meet Niu Youdao's party. Like Wei Duo, Lu Shengzhong had dealt with Niu Youdao and Yuan Gang in the past.

He too recognized Yuan Gang immediately and from that inferred that the man leading the group must be Niu Youdao. The discovery surprised him greatly. He had never expected Tang Yi to come straight here in search of Niu Youdao. Lu Shengzhong had always feared Niu Youdao. He knew this man's methods were no weaker than Eldest Young Master Shao's. And after hearing more and more about Niu Youdao's deeds over the past several years, that fear had only deepened.

He knew Niu Youdao was an exceptionally dangerous man, so he remained extremely cautious. One mistake could place him directly in the man's hands. Lu Shengzhong knew exactly how he had ended up serving Shao Pingbo. He had betrayed his sect and betrayed Niu Youdao. It was little different from defecting to the enemy. If he ever fell into Niu Youdao's hands, he could imagine the outcome... Inside the inn, an attendant opened a room and accompanied Niu Youdao in.

After a round of attentive service, the attendant withdrew. Not long afterward, Old Six Xu knocked and entered.

"Master Dao, someone is asking to see you. She says she's the Sect Leader of the Shangqing Sect."

As he spoke, Old Six Xu secretly studied Niu Youdao's reaction. He had heard a little about the rumors concerning Niu Youdao and the woman who led the Shangqing Sect. Guan Fangyi, who had been looking around the room, froze. Slowly, she turned toward Niu Youdao. Surprise flashed across her bright eyes, followed by a hint of wicked amusement at the corners of her lips.

She had heard about Niu Youdao's relationship with that Shangqing Sect woman for a long time and had always been curious. She had not expected the woman to appear here. Now Guan Fangyi truly wanted to see what sort of person she was.

Niu Youdao slowly planted the sword in his hand against the floor and gave a lukewarm, "Mm."

Old Six Xu immediately withdrew. Before long, he led three people inside: Tang Yi, Luo Yuangong, and Su Po. Tang Susu had not come.

She had no desire to see Niu Youdao, and Tang Yi's group also feared that if she lost control of herself, she might ruin the discussion. So they left her behind to hold their side's position. The three visitors first looked at Niu Youdao's familiar posture, standing there with both hands resting on the sword planted before him. Then Tang Yi removed the false skin from her face, revealing her beautiful features. Her bright eyes met Niu Youdao's.

From the corner of her eye, she glanced several times at Guan Fangyi standing beside him. Luo Yuangong and Su Po followed suit and removed their disguises as well. Seeing Niu Youdao again left both men with exceedingly complicated feelings. They no longer possessed the state of mind they had once had as sect elders facing a junior disciple beneath them. Every trace of that condescending authority was gone. So she's a great beauty after all. Guan Fangyi muttered inwardly.

Her arms folded unconsciously across her chest as her gaze traveled up and down Tang Yi with a faintly critical air.

Niu Youdao said calmly, "It's been a long time, all three of you. I never expected us to meet here. May I ask why you've come looking for me?"

The three opposite him could all hear the difference in his voice. The somewhat youthful tone of years ago had matured. Now it matched his bearing, giving him a greater sense of presence. Tang Yi did not wait for him to remove his disguise and reveal his true face.

She said directly, "In the end, you are still a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. Come back. As far as you're concerned, the Sect Leader's seat will remain vacant and waiting for you at any time."

The instant Niu Youdao heard this, irritation rose in his heart. Of course he knew why they wanted him back. The Shangqing Sect could no longer endure its situation and wanted to pull him back so he could step forward and solve their problems. He rejected the suggestion without the slightest courtesy.

"I made myself perfectly clear long ago. I have no relationship whatsoever with the Shangqing Sect anymore. All of that is in the past. There's no need to bring it up again."

"Is there anything else?"

Tang Yi asked, "Do you truly feel no gratitude at all for Martial Uncle Dong Guo's kindness?"

Niu Youdao lifted his sword and turned away. Then he planted it on the floor again. With his back to them, he swept one broad sleeve outward.

"Hongniang, see the guests out for me."

After being treated this way, Tang Yi also realized she had probably been too impatient. When Guan Fangyi firmly ushered them toward the door, Tang Yi did not resist. For the moment, she could only leave. Once the room was temporarily empty of everyone else, Niu Youdao glanced sideways at Yuan Gang.

"Contact Beizhou. Ask them when the Shangqing Sect left."

Having followed Niu Youdao for many years, Yuan Gang immediately understood the suspicion hidden behind those words. Their journey here had been secret, yet the Shangqing Sect had intercepted them exactly upon arrival. Master Dao had clearly become suspicious. Only then did Yuan Gang understand why Niu Youdao had deliberately sent Guan Fangyi away before speaking. He nodded and turned to leave.

[End of Chapter 449]