Chapter 486: I've Already Thought of a Way for You

Uncle Chen received no answer as to whether he could stay, but before leaving he still passed along one message. “That person asked me to find a chance to remind you of something. I never found a suitable opportunity to say it before. Now there’s no longer any need to worry that you’ll become suspicious, so I can tell you directly.”

Guan Fangyi walked to the table and sat down. She drew the tea set, tray and all, closer but did not pour anything. Instead, her slender fingers toyed with a teacup. “I’m listening.”

“He said that being independent the way you were at Fufang Garden suited you well. There’s no need for you to get swept into all these storms. Niu Youdao is already caught in the middle of shifting winds and gathering clouds. Following him is too dangerous. Once you become involved in certain unpredictable matters, even he may not be able to help you. What he means is that if you’re willing, you needn’t worry that your ties with Niu Youdao have become too deep for you to get free. He will find a way to arrange things and help you escape all this turmoil. The sooner, the better. Once you’re in too deep, even he may no longer be able to do anything.”

Guan Fangyi stared at the teacup, one fingertip sliding around its rim. “Then carry a message back for me as well. First, thank him for his kindness. Tell him I’m only a woman. I’ve never had any great ambitions. I know following Niu Youdao is dangerous, but Niu Youdao once said something very well: ‘Where the heart finds peace, there is home.’”

“I’ve known plenty of men over the years. I’ve cried and I’ve laughed. Every one of them began well, but the longer things went on, the less at ease they made me. It didn’t matter how beautiful I was or how carefully I tried. One after another, they left me for all kinds of reasons. That was more frightening than danger. It was despair. And that was how I grew old, inside that despair.”

“Niu Youdao is exactly the opposite. The longer I stay with him, the more at peace I become. I finally understand why Black Peony, even as she was dying, still believed Niu Youdao would never abandon her. Now I believe it too. I didn’t grow old and die in despair. This feeling is wonderful. I’m glad I followed him out of Fufang Garden!”

The image rose in her mind of Black Peony lying peacefully in Niu Youdao’s arms, at ease and without regret as she closed her eyes. Then came the memory of Niu Youdao inside the Illusory Realm, willing to sacrifice himself. A knowing smile appeared on Guan Fangyi’s face.

Uncle Chen was silent for a moment. “I’ll pass your words along. But he truly means well.”

Guan Fangyi turned her head and fixed him with a cold stare. “Then take one more sentence back to him. I don’t even know who he is. How am I supposed to trust him? I don’t care who he is. If he wants me to listen to him, tell him to come and say it to my face. What is a man who doesn’t even dare show himself hiding from? If he’s afraid of trouble, then what right does he have to talk about treating me well? I’ve seen too many men like that. I don’t need that kind of kindness. What I need is a man willing to step forward for me!”

Uncle Chen was left speechless...

Yin’er finally stopped clutching Niu Youdao’s clothes. Under his threats, she at last learned not to tug on him anymore, though she still liked to follow close behind him.

At mealtime, she followed him to the table and sat down as well.

A table full of dishes had been prepared. Niu Youdao sampled a few himself, then motioned for Yin’er to try them. He wanted to see whether this demon king could adapt to ordinary food outside the Illusory Realm.

Curious, Yin’er casually picked up a pair of chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and put it into her mouth.

Niu Youdao noticed how naturally she handled the chopsticks. His gaze rose and met Yuan Gang’s meaningful look.

After chewing a little, Yin’er nodded repeatedly. Her chopsticks darted again and again toward the dishes.

Guan Fangyi and Yuan Fang exchanged smiles and picked up their chopsticks as well.

Yin’er immediately looked up and rudely warned the two of them, “Go away. Mine!”

The feeling was as though this were her territory and someone had trespassed upon it. It was practically a direct eviction.

The smiles vanished from Guan Fangyi’s and Yuan Fang’s faces. Their expressions became wonderfully awkward, with a flicker of fear in their eyes. One after another, they put their chopsticks back down.

Yuan Fang rose with a dry smile, even bending slightly at the waist. “Yes, yes. Yours. It’s all yours.”

Guan Fangyi could no longer remain seated either. She stood, forced out a smile, and truly retreated with Yuan Fang in embarrassment to find something else to eat.

Niu Youdao watched them go, then found himself caught between laughter and exasperation.

Yin’er glared angrily at Yuan Gang. Yuan Gang ignored her and continued eating as usual.

Those other two did not know Yin’er’s current condition. Yuan Gang did. There was no reason for him to fear her.

Yin’er was clearly unhappy. Niu Youdao rapped his knuckles on the table in warning, and only then did she reluctantly pout.

Niu Youdao soon discovered that this demon could really eat. She was practically a bottomless rice barrel...

After the meal, a visitor arrived. Chao Shenghuai had come.

Niu Youdao had remained here these past few days precisely to wait for him.

There was no one else in the room. Chao Shenghuai did not want anyone else present either. He wanted to deal with Niu Youdao alone.

Even Yin’er had been chased out, which naturally had much to do with Niu Youdao now having the confidence to control her.

The two sat facing each other while Niu Youdao poured the tea.

Chao Shenghuai had clearly come in secret. He was not wearing Myriad Beasts Sect clothing. Raising a hand, he peeled the false face from his own.

Creak. The door suddenly opened. Yin’er poked her head inside, apparently checking whether Niu Youdao had run away.

Chao Shenghuai jumped in fright. He immediately turned his face away and hurriedly put the disguise back on.

Niu Youdao, teapot still in hand, glared at Yin’er. “Out!”

Yin’er stuck out her tongue, quickly pulled her head back, and closed the door.

“It’s fine.” Niu Youdao set down the teapot and soothed his startled guest, pushing a cup of tea across to him.

He understood Chao Shenghuai’s state of mind. The man did not want anyone to discover that he was in contact with Niu Youdao.

Chao Shenghuai left the mask in place and had no intention of removing it again. He had already taken it off once to confirm his identity to Niu Youdao. Every additional person who saw his true face was another reason for unease.

Niu Youdao smiled. “I’ve been waiting for you for several days.”

Chao Shenghuai sighed. “After something like that happened, I had to behave myself for a while. If the entrance to the Illusory Realm hadn’t failed to close and everyone hadn’t been too distracted to pay attention to me, I’m afraid I still wouldn’t have been able to come this soon.”

“Did they hold you responsible for the Rakshasa Tide?”

“How could I get off completely? My grandfather gave me a furious dressing-down. If he hadn’t been afraid that a severe punishment would attract other people’s attention, I doubt I could have escaped one.”

“So Elder Chao has already smoothed the matter over.”

Chao Shenghuai said nothing, which amounted to tacit confirmation.

Niu Youdao smiled. Just as expected. With his own grandson implicated, Chao Jing had little room to speak. He evidently had no intention of taking responsibility and had suppressed the matter. Niu Youdao did not press further. Instead, he asked, “Was the Spirit Beast Gathering canceled because the entrance to the Illusory Realm failed to close?”

“Of course. This can’t be hidden. The Nine Saints will inevitably come to see what happened for themselves. With the matter becoming this serious, every side has to be received and explanations have to be given. Quite a few important figures have already arrived one after another. Who still has the energy to hold a Spirit Beast Gathering?”

Niu Youdao asked, “The Shangqing Sect was arrested and then released. Did someone come forward to plead for them?”

Chao Shenghuai looked surprised. “Plead for them? What plea? No one pleaded for them.”

“Did you hear of any important figure speaking up during that time?”

“How would I know? If some important figure really communicated with the sect, whatever they discussed wouldn’t be spread around for everyone to hear. An important figure...” Chao Shenghuai stopped, then hesitated. “Now that you mention it, I did hear something. Wu Zhaoxing, ranked sixth on the Golden Core Ranking, came by after the Shangqing Sect was arrested. Once they were released, Wu Zhaoxing left. Brother Niu, are you saying Wu Zhaoxing came because of the Shangqing Sect? Since when did the Shangqing Sect command that much face?”

“Wu Zhaoxing...” Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly and committed the name to memory. He lifted his teacup and took a sip. “I just found it strange, so I asked.”

Chao Shenghuai showed a trace of suspicion, but this was not what concerned him most. “Brother Niu, just say it plainly. What exactly do you want me to do?”

Niu Youdao set down the cup and smiled. “I turned my heart toward the bright moon, only for the bright moon to shine upon the gutter. Very well. It seems Brother Chao won’t be able to feel at ease unless I ask you for some help. In that case, let me trouble you with one small matter.”

The corner of Chao Shenghuai’s mouth twitched. He asked warily, “What matter?”

“I’ve spent these years running from place to place. It’s quite inconvenient. I’ve long wanted to get myself a flying mount, but those things are too expensive. My heart desires it, but my means fall short. Since I’ve had the good fortune to meet Brother Chao, and Myriad Beasts Sect happens to produce them, I’ll shamelessly ask a favor. How about helping me obtain a few flying mounts?”

Like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, Chao Shenghuai shot to his feet. He said in a low voice, “Are you joking? Do you think those are things I can simply get my hands on? Even if my old man is an Elder, I still couldn’t do it. Every flying beast is registered in the records, each one accounted for clearly. Even the old man himself couldn’t secretly take one out and give it away. The Sect Leader couldn’t do it, let alone me. Brother Niu, that joke has gone too far!”

“I’m not joking. That’s why I’m discussing it with you.”

Chao Shenghuai shook his head and waved his hands, flatly refusing. “There’s nothing to discuss. I can’t do it. If you insist on forcing me into something like this, then there’s no need to threaten me anymore. I’ll go to the sect myself and confess my crimes.”

“Why get so worked up? Sit. Sit down first.” Niu Youdao repeatedly pressed a hand downward. “Have some tea. Calm yourself.”

Chao Shenghuai sat, but turned his head away and showed no intention of touching the tea. Although he knew it was unlikely Niu Youdao would poison him, he still did not dare drink carelessly.

Of course, he also did not dare simply get up and leave and truly force Niu Youdao to expose everything. He was only making his position clear: there were certain things he simply could not do.

“Brother Chao, rules are dead, but methods are alive. As long as one is willing, there will always be a loophole to exploit. In fact, I’ve already thought of a way for you.” Niu Youdao took out a small porcelain bottle. Tap. He placed it on the table and pushed it across.

Before coming here, when he had said he intended to obtain flying mounts, he had not been joking. He had come prepared. In fact, the plan had been brewing for a long time.

The affairs of the Shangqing Sect and Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm had been pure accidents outside his plans. Only now was he finally reconnecting with his original purpose.

Chao Shenghuai slowly turned his head and looked at the small porcelain bottle. “What do you mean?”

Niu Youdao lowered his voice. “I hear your sect has a Spirit Transformation Valley devoted specifically to taming spirit beasts. I also hear that the taming process can’t be identical in every case. Even among beasts of the same kind, different situations arise. There are always accidents, and inevitably some die. Is that true?”

“What exactly are you trying to say? Yes, deaths happen, but the methods for taming flying beasts are already extremely mature. There are basically no accidents.”

“Then let there be a few accidents.” Niu Youdao pointed at the small porcelain bottle and lightly tapped the table. “I’ve even prepared what Brother Chao needs.”

Chao Shenghuai was completely bewildered. It was not that he was struggling over whether to do it; he simply could not understand what Niu Youdao meant. Since he genuinely did not understand, he naturally had no way to refute him.

Creak. The door opened again. Yin’er once more poked her head inside to check on things.

Chao Shenghuai jumped again. The look he gave Niu Youdao seemed to ask: We’re discussing something like this, and you call this place secure?

They were talking serious business. Why was she causing trouble again? Niu Youdao’s face darkened. “Monkey, keep an eye on her!”

[End of Chapter 486]