Chapter 509: Fangs

“About when?”

“Probably within the next day or two. I can’t give you an exact time yet. We’ll have to watch for a favorable opportunity and act when it appears.”

“Fine. I’ll have everything ready on my end. Give me a heads-up before you move, and I’ll arrange people to receive you at any time.”

“Then that’s settled. But I’m warning you: when the time comes to act, don’t stir up any more trouble. If you ruin this, don’t blame me.”

A faint disturbance came from behind the hanging vines. After leaving that warning, Chao Shenghuai disappeared again.

Niu Youdao lingered for a while, then returned as though nothing had happened. He met Yuan Gang waiting near the edge of the mountain and told him to notify Wuliang Mountain’s nearby disciples to prepare to receive something. For the moment, he did not say what. Before the operation began, he did not dare let the information leak casually.

Yuan Gang remained deeply worried and could not help reminding him, “Master Dao, this is no small matter. If it’s exposed, the trouble will be enormous. Are you really comfortable letting that fellow handle something like this?”

Niu Youdao said, “Only someone inside Myriad Beasts Sect who understands how Myriad Beasts Sect operates would have any chance of pulling it off. Don’t worry. It looks dangerous, but in truth the danger isn’t that great. As long as he has courage and keeps his head, there shouldn’t be much of a problem.”

“The medicine we prepared won’t cause any issue during the operation. If he’s caught moving carcasses, he can say he was taking them away for disposal. If he’s discovered bringing the beasts out, he can say he was taking the flying mounts out for a couple of circuits. No one can prove Chao Shenghuai was stealing anything. As long as he isn’t caught while handing them over, if something goes wrong at any other stage, he would rather die than admit he intended to steal them for someone else. Once that comes out, the entire chain behind it would be exposed, and no one could save him. He’ll find some other excuse to muddle through.”

“If something goes wrong at another stage, Chao Jing is still there. No one can simply pin the crime of theft on his head without proof. I’ve already explained all of this to that fellow. He knows where he stands and will act carefully. Even in the worst case, if something does happen, all we need to do is deny everything to the death.”

Yuan Gang still looked concerned. “If something really happens, denying it to the death may not be enough.”

Niu Youdao said, “Beizhou’s allegiance. With that as bait, so long as the charge cannot be nailed firmly onto us, I have ways to make Xiaoyao Palace and the other great sects pressure Myriad Beasts Sect and speak on our behalf. Chao Jing, seeking to protect himself, will also push matters in a direction favorable to us. Of course, I don’t want it to come to that. It would create far too much trouble. That is only the plan of last resort. Since we’re already moving, the best outcome is still to get the goods. This is no small amount of resources.”

Yuan Gang nodded slightly. Since Master Dao had already prepared a fallback, he felt considerably more at ease.

Both men suddenly turned their heads. A Golden Wing descended from the sky and landed inside the courtyard.

Yuan Gang immediately went back in. Niu Youdao used his sword as a walking stick and returned at an unhurried pace. He sat down again before the Go board in the pavilion and began tidying the game while occasionally glancing around.

With Yin’er gone, the place seemed considerably quieter. That demon king spent all day eating and sleeping, sleeping and eating. She truly was easy to occupy.

Before long, Yuan Gang returned carrying a decoded secret message and handed it over. “From Beizhou.”

Seated there with one hand resting on his sword planted against the ground, Niu Youdao took the message with the other and read it. One eyebrow rose.

It had come from Chen Guishuo. He reported the situation in Beizhou and included the contents of the three letters intended for Xiaoyao Palace, Zijin Cave, and Lingjian Mountain, condensing all three into one report. Aside from the respectful forms of address, the three letters were identical.

Niu Youdao gave a cold chuckle. With a flick of his hand, the message spontaneously caught fire and burned away to ash. “Looks like Dachan Mountain really does keep Shao Pingbo on a tight leash. He has no other cultivators he can use. Something this secret had to be entrusted to Chen Guishuo and Song Shu.”

Yuan Gang had read the letter, but it had never mentioned Song Shu delivering anything. He hesitated. “Song Shu?”

Niu Youdao said, “I’ve been watching him all these years. Shao Pingbo thinks very highly of himself and will never submit to another man easily. He has ambitions of his own. That is why he resists Han in the north, resists Yan in the south, and balances between them in the middle. Only then can he govern Beizhou freely and accumulate strength for future campaigns.”

“Unless he reaches absolute desperation, he will never throw himself completely toward Yan. He understands perfectly that he has already rebelled once. Whether Beizhou returns to Yan or submits to Han, either state will move to tighten control over him and eventually erase his influence. That is the last thing he wants.”

“Negotiating submission? I’m certain he’s still making a desperate resistance. He’s buying time and trying to stabilize both Yan and Han. As long as the outside remains steady, Dachan Mountain remains steady too. Shao Sansheng deliberately kept Chen Guishuo and Song Shu from meeting... If I’m not mistaken, Song Shu should be carrying letters toward the State of Han.”

He closed his eyes and idly rolled a Go stone beneath one finger, calculating the time required for messengers and replies to travel back and forth.

Yuan Gang did not interrupt. After so many years together, he knew Niu Youdao well enough to understand that he was calculating something.

After a while, Niu Youdao slowly opened his eyes. “There should be more than enough time.”

Yuan Gang looked puzzled and waited for him to explain.

Mockery touched the corner of Niu Youdao’s mouth. “I knew he wasn’t the sort to admit defeat easily. Once pressure came down, he was bound to react. If he had stayed perfectly still, I really might not have had a way to deal with him. It’s good that he moved. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”

Yuan Gang asked, “Do we still let the letters be delivered? Chen Guishuo is waiting for your reply.”

“Deliver them.” Niu Youdao placed two white stones onto the board, then dropped a black stone beside them. “Have him continue carrying the letters to Xiaoyao Palace and the other two sects exactly as Beizhou ordered. As for the State of Han, have someone intercept Song Shu.”

Yuan Gang asked, “Our reach doesn’t extend that far. How are we supposed to intercept him?”

Niu Youdao placed three more black stones on the board, still calm and unhurried. “The situation is urgent. A courier won’t wander in circles or deliberately take obscure routes. His path can be predicted. We’ve maintained forces for a thousand days to use them for one moment. Notify Liuxian Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Lingxiu Mountain. Have the three sects immediately contact their people near the Ice and Snow Pavilion in Han’s Great Snowy Mountains. They are to hurry to a place the courier must pass through and set an ambush. There is still enough time.”

“Make sure they take both the man and everything on him. The operation must be airtight. Not a word can leak...”

After Niu Youdao finished giving his instructions, both men raised their heads again. Another Golden Wing descended outside the pavilion.

Yuan Gang immediately left.

Only after a Golden Wing had flown away from their side did Yuan Gang return and nod. “The message has been sent. Myriad Forms City also just reported in. Dachan Mountain’s people there have started moving. They’re coming toward Myriad Beasts Sect.”

“Heh. Looks like they already received a reply from Dachan Mountain and are coming to visit the Sect Leaders of the six great sects. Shao Pingbo may be in some trouble over in Beizhou.” Niu Youdao used his sword to push himself to his feet. Smiling, he said, “Guests have arrived. Let’s go welcome them and at least become familiar faces. We’ll probably have more dealings later.”

The two had only just stepped out of the pavilion when Guan Fangyi’s voice came from behind them. “Where are you going now?”

They turned and saw Guan Fangyi approaching gracefully from the rear courtyard, hips swaying.

Niu Youdao said, “Going out for a walk. If you’re not afraid of embarrassing yourself, want to come?”

Guan Fangyi snorted. “I haven’t stolen or robbed anyone. You sneak around all day doing bad things without fearing embarrassment, so what do I have to fear?” She swayed past the two men and headed out first.

Niu Youdao smiled. He had only been worried that the two slaps might leave her unable to move past the matter. If she could let it go, good.

He turned and gave Yuan Gang a meaningful look.

Yuan Gang understood and stopped there, remaining behind to watch over incoming and outgoing messages. This was a critical period for Master Dao. Nothing could be allowed to go wrong, and someone reliable needed to keep watch.

...

Outside the mountain gate, Qiu Shan was receiving guests. Because of the Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm affair, his work welcoming and seeing off visitors had indeed become unusually frequent.

There was little he could do about it. He was the newest Elder and had the least seniority. It would have been inappropriate to make the more senior Elders handle this sort of work, so he could only shoulder it without complaint.

He accompanied the arriving guests through the mountain gate, pointing out the picturesque mountains and waters around them. Before they had gone far, they encountered a man and woman apparently strolling through the scenery.

They were none other than Niu Youdao and Guan Fangyi.

Guan Fangyi had accompanied him all the way here and still wondered what he was trying to do. Judging from his expression and manner, he clearly had business. This did not look like a casual walk at all.

The people Qiu Shan was accompanying were none other than Dachan Mountain’s party. They had originally come to investigate the Illusory Realm anomaly, but an unexpected task had arisen, forcing them to disturb Myriad Beasts Sect.

“Brother Niu, Hongniang, how did you wander all the way over here?” Qiu Shan greeted them with a smile. His gaze lingered for a moment on Guan Fangyi’s complexion. This woman truly was trouble incarnate. Because of her, Myriad Beasts Sect had nearly lost two million gold coins for no reason. Fortunately, Niu Youdao had refused the money, saving them one million.

At the words “Niu” and “Hongniang,” Dachan Mountain Elder Huang Tong’s brows shifted, and his gaze settled on Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao chuckled. “Just scouting an escape route in advance. If we run into someone who hits people or kills people, it’ll be easier to get away.”

Qiu Shan smiled bitterly. “Brother Niu is joking. If you don’t cause trouble, naturally nothing will happen.”

Niu Youdao said, “The tree may wish to be still, but the wind will not cease.”

Huang Tong suddenly interjected, “Would you two happen to be Niu Youdao of Nanzhou in the State of Yan and Hongniang of the Qi capital?”

“That’s right.” Niu Youdao answered, appearing surprised. “And you are?”

Huang Tong looked at him steadily. “Huang Tong. I happen to hold the position of Elder in Dachan Mountain.”

“Dachan Mountain... Ah, Elder Huang. I’ve long heard of you.” Niu Youdao cupped his hands politely. Guan Fangyi followed with a smiling curtsy.

Huang Tong said, “I too have heard a great deal about you, young brother.” The words sounded courteous enough, but his tone was anything but warm.

Niu Youdao planted his sword and laughed. “You flatter me. I had thought no one from Beizhou knew how to reason. Now it seems Dachan Mountain is quite sensible after all, unlike that Shao Pingbo in Beizhou, the man who killed his mother and murdered his brother. Forgive my bluntness, but Dachan Mountain would be wise to keep its distance from Shao Pingbo, lest the fish in the pond suffer when the city gate catches fire.”

Huang Tong asked, “Young brother, are you threatening me?”

Niu Youdao said, “Looks like Elder Huang has some prejudice against me. But I truly am thinking for Dachan Mountain’s sake. Last night I observed the celestial signs and estimate that Beizhou will soon undergo a major upheaval, with signs that its master will change. So I offer this sincere advice: Dachan Mountain had better prepare a retreat early.”

Guan Fangyi kept smiling, but her bright eyes darted between the two men. Why did she suddenly feel that Niu Youdao’s casual walk had been aimed specifically at this Elder Huang?

Huang Tong sneered. “You should worry about how you’ll deal with Tianyu Sect in Nanzhou first. I won’t keep you company.” With no common ground, half a sentence was already too much. He brushed past Niu Youdao and continued on his way.

Qiu Shan shook his head and followed.

Once Dachan Mountain’s disciples had all passed, Niu Youdao suddenly called after them, “Elder Huang mentioning Tianyu Sect has given me a thought. Sooner or later, I’m going to drive Tianyu Sect out of Nanzhou. If Dachan Mountain ever finds itself unable to remain in Beizhou, you might consider establishing yourselves in Nanzhou instead. Why keep suffering between Yan and Han?”

He had directly and publicly laid bare his conflict with Tianyu Sect.

That tone made even Qiu Shan’s heart jump. These people who fought over territory truly were different from those of Myriad Beasts Sect who mainly did business.

Their fangs were bared nakedly for all to see.

[End of Chapter 509]