Chapter 489: First Arrival at Myriad Beasts Sect

The next day, at noon.

By the window stood a pot of tea and a single chair. Niu Youdao lounged in the chair with his eyes closed, silent and at ease.

A nearby table was piled high with food. Yin'er had monopolized the entire spread and was eating to her heart's content.

Food, it seemed, could temporarily draw her attention away from Niu Youdao.

Guan Fangyi entered the room, first glancing at Yin'er, who was still eating without pause. Then she walked to the window and leaned back against it, gazing at Niu Youdao as he sat there quietly with his eyes closed. For some reason, a pang of tenderness suddenly rose in her heart for this man.

The more contact she had with the Shangqing Sect, and the more she learned about how this fellow had made his way step by step to where he was today, the more she understood just how difficult it had been for him to bring a group of people this far. A man who seemed heartless was not necessarily without feeling. In what he chose and what he gave up, a hero's true mettle showed itself; only afterward, out of sight, did he catch his breath alone.

He could recognize a beauty by her fragrance. Without opening his eyes, Niu Youdao knew who had arrived. He drawled, "What are you looking at? I'm not as good-looking as you."

She knew perfectly well he was only saying something sweet to amuse her, but sweet words were still pleasant to hear. Guan Fangyi smiled radiantly, swayed around behind him, and bent over the back of the chair. Lowering her head beside his ear, her vivid red lips moved as she whispered softly, "They've left. They followed your arrangements and slipped away quietly. There shouldn't be any problem."

Niu Youdao gave an acknowledging sound, opened his eyes, and reached for the teacup on the side table, drinking slowly.

Still leaning there, Guan Fangyi shifted her waist, the curves of her waist and hips graceful and alluring. Tilting her head to study his profile, she said, "Tang Yi is quite beautiful. Young and pretty. Now that you've broken things off just like that, doesn't it hurt?"

Niu Youdao said, "Why do I feel you're prettier than she is?"

"Naturally." Guan Fangyi preened without the slightest modesty.

"So having you is enough."

"Hehe..." Guan Fangyi could not stop laughing. Like a woman flirting with her lover, she swatted his shoulder. "Oh, spare me. You think I can't see through you? Whether you break it off or not, she's still a knot in your heart. And what did your business have to do with me anyway? Why did you have to ruin my reputation so thoroughly?"

"Are there still few men who've ruined your reputation? Does your reputation really need any help from me?"

"That doesn't mean you have to add another brick to the wall! No, this won't do. You owe me compensation."

"I'm already in your hands. Isn't that enough?"

"Tch. Who's in whose hands? I run errands for you like a servant girl every day. You're the great lord here, all right?"

"My sleeves are empty. Everything I have is already out in the open. Whatever compensation you want, take it yourself."

"Poor. Truly poor! All you've got left is yourself. How about this, then? Give yourself to me as compensation."

"That wouldn't be proper, would it? At your age..."

"Go die!"

Guan Fangyi's expression changed on the spot. She suddenly slapped the teacup in Niu Youdao's hand, splashing tea all over his face.

Niu Youdao sat there in stunned silence, tea leaves plastered across his face while droplets ran down his cheeks.

Anyone who made fun of Guan Fangyi's age could count on her turning hostile.

Their flirtatious banter came to an abrupt end.

Niu Youdao put down the cup, wiped his face, stood, and shook out his clothes as though nothing had happened. "The Illusory Realm failed to close. Quite a few honored guests should have arrived recently. It's a good opportunity to make friends. Old Six Xu has broad experience. Have him go out and move around more."

"This old lady is too old. I can't walk anymore."

"I didn't ask you to walk. Old Six Xu can walk."

"He's not going!"

"Really not?"

"Not!" Guan Fangyi glared at him angrily.

Niu Youdao did not argue with her. Banter was banter, but he never indulged her temper. The more temper she showed, the more he preferred to persuade her with reason.

He gave a slight nod, raised his sleeve, and flicked a finger. A thread of force struck the wall to one side with a soft pop.

Hearing the signal, Yuan Gang quickly arrived and pushed open the door. He noticed the tea stains on Niu Youdao's clothes, then swept a cold glance toward Guan Fangyi.

Guan Fangyi immediately turned her head aside, still sulking.

Niu Youdao instructed, "Pack up. We're leaving."

Yuan Gang asked, "Where?"

"We've come all the way to Myriad Beasts Sect. How can we pass its gate without entering? We should pay our respects to our hosts. I'm tired of this inn as well. Let's see if we can find somewhere better to stay."

Yuan Gang nodded, turned, and left.

Guan Fangyi stared at him in surprise. "Myriad Beasts Sect? Why did you suddenly decide to go there?"

She was having trouble keeping up with his train of thought. They had been here for so long, yet he had never once shown the slightest intention of visiting Myriad Beasts Sect.

From what she knew of him, he was not like ordinary young men who acted recklessly on impulse. She did not believe this was some sudden whim. He was not a man who left things to luck. In his own words, he never believed in luck.

"Beizhou still refuses to give up and keeps causing trouble. I think it's time to settle the accounts properly."

As he spoke, Niu Youdao removed his outer robe. Water splashed onto clothing would dry easily, but tea left stains. He needed to change.

Years ago, when he had sat trapped with only two commanderies at his back, there had been many things he wanted to do but lacked the confidence and leverage to attempt. Times were different now. With Nanzhou behind him, he had the foundation he needed. Matters that ought to be settled had to be settled one by one so he could face the greater situation ahead. Severing matters with the Shangqing Sect had been one of them.

The reason he had left Nanzhou as soon as the situation there had initially stabilized was simple: he knew very well that hiding in Nanzhou and struggling against Tianyu Sect could win him a few advantages, but the vast disparity in strength meant it could never change the real outcome.

Even when he managed to win a round, all he gained was a chance to catch his breath. The greatest beneficiary remained Tianyu Sect. He did not dare collide with Tianyu Sect head-on.

Now that matters had reached this point, he knew his contest with Tianyu Sect could no longer be avoided. It would continue, and sooner or later he would have to face a second round.

If he stayed hidden in Nanzhou and kept wrestling with Tianyu Sect, the advantages in his hands would only be consumed at increasing speed. Even if he emptied everything he possessed and threw it all into the struggle, he still could not truly injure Tianyu Sect at its roots. The eventual outcome was easy to imagine.

That was not the result he wanted. So he had decisively left, decisively stepped outside Nanzhou and out of Tianyu Sect's sphere of influence, stripping away part of the advantage Tianyu Sect held over him in any direct contest.

He understood deeply that while he remained in Nanzhou, inside Tianyu Sect's sphere of power, he could never seize enough resources to contend with Tianyu Sect. Only by stepping outside could he possibly acquire the capital for their next confrontation.

This was a strategic choice he had made only after careful consideration.

And in order to keep Tianyu Sect steady, even after winning that contest of strength, he had willingly continued surrendering enormous profits from the liquor business to them.

Guan Fangyi gave a cold chuckle. "Looks like you and that Shao Pingbo really have locked horns."

"If you won't go, then I'll have to go without you. Yin'er, wipe your hands and your mouth. We're leaving." Niu Youdao did not bother arguing with her. Once he had changed clothes, he left those words behind, walked to the sword rack, took up his treasured sword, planted it like a walking stick, and headed out.

In the end, Guan Fangyi went too. After making all that fuss about refusing to leave, what was she supposed to do by staying behind alone?

When the group reached the city gate, Yuan Fang scurried over eagerly, presented the lodging receipt issued by the inn, and collected money.

Myriad Beasts Sect had already announced that, as an apology for canceling the Spirit Beast Gathering, everyone who had come to attend it could collect one hundred gold coins upon leaving the city.

There were several people in their party. How could Yuan Fang possibly miss such an opportunity? He did not have Niu Youdao's ability to make great fortunes, but no chance to earn a little money ever escaped his discerning eye. He stuffed all of it into his own pocket. No one bothered arguing with him over it. He gave the pouch a satisfied pat, even though the sum was less than what might leak through Niu Youdao's fingers.

Rolling mountains stretched into the distance, filled with strange peaks and wondrous scenery, flying waterfalls and jade-green waters. Spiritual beauty gathered everywhere, carrying the imposing air of a great sect.

Outside the mountain gate, Niu Youdao and the others waited while a Myriad Beasts Sect disciple went in to report their arrival.

They admired the surrounding scenery for a while. After some time, the disciple returned with one of Myriad Beasts Sect's Elders.

The Elder's name was Qiu Shan. His skin was smooth and delicate, and he did not look particularly old.

Once he introduced himself, Niu Youdao and the others, who had already paid attention to Myriad Beasts Sect beforehand, knew that Qiu Shan was an Elder only recently promoted, perhaps a year or two earlier.

After the usual pleasantries and confirmation of identities, Qiu Shan apologized. "I'm truly sorry. The Sect Leader is presently accompanying several honored guests and cannot get away. He specifically asked me to receive you. If Brother Niu does not find Myriad Beasts Sect too humble, why not stay in one of our guest courtyards for now? Once the Sect Leader is free, he will come to see you at once."

Niu Youdao had come openly, giving his identity directly and stating just as directly that he wished to pay a visit to Xi Haitang, Sect Leader of Myriad Beasts Sect.

Given his current backing, asking to meet Xi Haitang was hardly excessive.

Of course, had this been back when he possessed only Qingshan Commandery, Myriad Beasts Sect might not even have bothered with him, much less arranged a meeting with its Sect Leader.

Even now, he did not have the stature to make Xi Haitang come out personally to welcome him. Sending an Elder to receive him was already the host giving him ample face.

Niu Youdao hurriedly replied, "I wouldn't dare. How could I trouble the Sect Leader to come see me? Whenever the Sect Leader has time, a word will be enough. A guest follows the host's convenience. I'll leave everything to Elder Qiu's arrangements."

"Please." Qiu Shan extended a hand and invited them inside.

The group entered the mountain, with Qiu Shan accompanying them all the way. As they walked and chatted, he gave them introductions, detailed or brief, to the surroundings within sight.

Given Qiu Shan's status, he might not personally think much of Niu Youdao. His courtesy naturally came from Niu Youdao's influence over Nanzhou.

Perhaps Myriad Beasts Sect disciples could avoid Qingshan and Guangyi Commanderies, but could anyone guarantee they would never need to pass through Nanzhou? Such a vast territory lay across the land; avoiding it entirely was difficult. As the saying went, even a mighty dragon does not suppress the local snake. A great sect with numerous disciples traveling in every direction treated him courteously now partly so that its disciples would find matters easier in the future.

With Myriad Beasts Sect's wealth, entertaining a guest cost them little.

One could also say that Niu Youdao's years of painstaking effort were finally paying dividends. He had secured a voice in Nanzhou and thus possessed value others could use; naturally, outsiders now regarded him more highly. Reality was simply that practical. Conversely, this did not mean Myriad Beasts Sect was merely snobbish. There were too many cultivators beneath Heaven. If they received everyone who came to the door, whether man or ghost, even Myriad Beasts Sect could never cope.

Amid the easy conversation, Qiu Shan sounded him out. "Brother Niu, have you come to see the Sect Leader over some particular matter?"

He needed to test the waters on the Sect Leader's behalf. It would be useful to know what Niu Youdao wanted in advance, so the Sect Leader could decide whether or not to meet him.

This was Xi Haitang's intention as well. That was why Qiu Shan found the Sect Leader's special concern for Niu Youdao somewhat surprising. Sending someone out to go through the motions was already giving plenty of face. What more could the man expect? Excessive courtesy could be as improper as insufficient courtesy.

Xi Haitang had told no one else about how Chao Jing had nearly behaved improperly toward Tang Yi. He had only cursed Chao Jing viciously in private. Chao Jing was his junior brother under the same master and also a trusted subordinate. Based on the rumored relationship between Niu Youdao and Tang Yi, Xi Haitang had begun to wonder whether this fellow might truly be bold enough to come all the way to Myriad Beasts Sect to make trouble.

Admiring the surrounding scenery as they walked, Niu Youdao smiled. "I've simply long admired your Sect Leader's bearing and came especially to pay my respects. There is nothing else. I truly apologize for imposing so abruptly."

Qiu Shan gave an acknowledging sound and smiled back. "Not at all. Brother Niu is an outstanding young talent of the cultivation world. Our Sect Leader has long wished to meet you as well."

It was pure courtesy.

[End of Chapter 489]