Chapter 518: Let Them Play

Why did Huang Lie conclude they had been played rather than simply misunderstanding the situation themselves?

The reason was simple. Niu Youdao had swaggered in front of Huang Tong and deliberately frightened him with threats.

Dachan Mountain had panicked for nothing, thrown itself into confusion, and rushed all this distance without stopping, only to discover it had created trouble for itself. They truly had been played hard.

Yet even after realizing that, there was nothing they could do. They still had to grit their teeth and continue the negotiations. The letters had already been sent and would eventually reach the six sects anyway. Once that happened, would Dachan Mountain not still have to negotiate with them?

Fortunately, just as Shao Pingbo had said, if negotiations failed, the worst outcome was simply preserving the old balance and continuing to let the powers on both sides check one another.

What infuriated Huang Lie most was that he could not even tell the six great sects they had been used by Niu Youdao. Could he really say, We never intended to negotiate with you in the first place; Niu Youdao frightened us into it?

It was a true mute's loss—bitterness with no way to speak it.

And indeed, why should Niu Youdao have been capable of persuading the six great sects to carve up Beizhou?

"Looks like Shao Pingbo has been frightened senseless by that little thief. The slightest movement and he believes it." Huang Lie ground out the words. "Still, Shao Pingbo was right about one thing. That little thief truly should be eliminated. It may be necessary to lend Tianyu Sect a hand... If he insists on courting death, he can hardly blame anyone else."

Huang Tong and the others accompanying him beneath the moonlight did not look any better. They nodded faintly in agreement with their Sect Leader. This time they truly had been humiliated badly. It was impossible not to be angry.

Huang Tong asked, "Should Shao Pingbo be released?"

Huang Lie snorted. "If Niu Youdao had nothing better to do, why would he deliberately make trouble for us? In my view, that bastard Shao Pingbo definitely started this. Keep him locked up! Since he refuses to admit it, let him suffer a while and learn a lesson."

Simply thinking about the affair made Huang Lie angry. He had accumulated a bellyful of rage, yet while facing the six great sects earlier he had still been forced to smile pleasantly...

On the surface, Huang Lie had only made an initial round of courtesy calls after arriving. In private, however, the negotiations still had to continue.

They did not dare conduct those contacts openly. Since Shao Pingbo had already warned them that Niu Youdao might have people inside Myriad Beasts Sect, they naturally would not allow themselves to suffer the same disadvantage again.

Nor could the forces of Yan and Han allow the other side to learn of the negotiations. Each feared interference from the other that might disrupt its own chance to take over Beizhou smoothly.

Outwardly, nothing seemed to be happening. In secret, however, people from both sides met outside Myriad Beasts Sect.

As the talks continued, a sticking point soon emerged. Dachan Mountain did not want to surrender its interests in Beizhou, while the forces of Yan and Han had no intention of letting Dachan Mountain continue controlling the province. What use was nominal submission if actual authority remained in Dachan Mountain's hands? They could rebel again whenever they wished.

In practice, both sides—really, all three sides—were negotiating around that problem.

Of course, Dachan Mountain had deliberately created this deadlock. They wanted the talks to collapse. If there was nothing left to discuss, then so be it. Everything could simply return to the old arrangement.

Now that they knew Niu Youdao's threat had been a bluff, Dachan Mountain had far more confidence.

...

In the mountain ravine, beside the stream and before the curtain of hanging vines, Niu Youdao paced back and forth. "There really hasn't been any further contact?"

Chao Shenghuai's voice came from behind the vines. "There really hasn't. At least, I haven't seen any. I also asked the fellow disciples guarding the six sects' guest courtyards. Huang Lie visited each of the six once and has not returned since. Nor has anyone from the six sects been seen meeting Dachan Mountain's people again."

Niu Youdao asked, "You're certain Huang Lie still hasn't left Myriad Beasts Sect?"

"I say, Niu Youdao, do I have any reason to lie to you? There are plenty of sects staying in Myriad Beasts Sect right now. With Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm in this state, that's perfectly normal. Besides, Huang Lie is currently making the rounds visiting other sects."

Chao Shenghuai sounded impatient because he had no idea what Niu Youdao was trying to do.

Niu Youdao said, "Good. The moment you discover Huang Lie is leaving, you must tell me immediately."

Chao Shenghuai asked, "What exactly are you trying to do? I'm warning you, don't stir up any more trouble."

Niu Youdao replied, "He happens to owe me four million gold coins. I need to find a way to collect the debt. How could I let him run off easily? Keep an eye on him for me. Once his business is finished, I'll go collect."

"..."

Chao Shenghuai was rendered utterly speechless. Somehow, he had the feeling he had no choice but to help watch the man.

After sending Chao Shenghuai away, Niu Youdao sat beside the stream for a while before returning.

The moment he climbed back to the mountain's edge, Yuan Gang, who had been waiting there, glanced toward the hanging vines and asked quietly, "How did it go?"

Niu Youdao briefly repeated what Chao Shenghuai had told him.

Yuan Gang hesitated. "If we wait until Huang Lie is actually leaving, and then wait again for Chao Shenghuai to come report it, could that be too late? Could something go wrong?"

Niu Youdao chuckled. "Once he's bitten the hook, can he still get away? Even if he does, I can reel him back."

Yuan Gang asked, "You think they're negotiating in secret?"

"What do you think he's still staying here for? And then there's Tianyu Sect, refusing to leave and claiming they're waiting for people to arrive. Every one of them is harboring crooked intentions."

"What if they really aren't negotiating? What if they saw through it early and stopped?"

"The letters have already been sent. Whether he wants to negotiate or not is no longer entirely up to him. Seeing through it changes nothing. Unless they learn the letters to Han never arrived, they won't be able to stop..." Niu Youdao paused, then nodded slightly. "Though I can't absolutely guarantee there isn't a traitor among the three sects on our side."

"Things have reached this stage. We cannot afford a mistake. Fine. To be safe, it looks like I'll have to invite a guest."

Yuan Gang looked puzzled. "Invite a guest?"

"Naturally, Sect Leader Huang. Whether he's been secretly negotiating behind our backs or not, one probe will tell us."

"Will he come if you invite him?"

"Ordinarily, perhaps not. This time, he definitely will."

...

Old Six Xu personally delivered the invitation.

Amid the pavilions and terraces, Huang Lie paced with his hands behind his back after reading it.

Huang Tong took the invitation and read it as well, then sneered. "A banquet? Who does he think he is? There's no need to pay attention to him. If he wants to see you, let him come pay his respects himself."

Huang Lie released one hand and waved lightly. "That cur managed to contend with Tianyu Sect in Nanzhou. He truly isn't ordinary. Right now we need to lull him into complacency. Otherwise, who knows what other mess he'll create?"

"Keep him steady first. There is no need to provoke further trouble. Once he leaves Myriad Beasts Sect, we can kill him in one stroke!"

...

With an honored guest coming, Niu Youdao personally led his people outside the gate to receive him.

Huang Lie brought only two people. It displayed fearlessness. Bringing too many would only weaken his presence, as though there were something here worth fearing.

"It has been several years since we parted at the Ice and Snow Pavilion. Sect Leader Huang's bearing has only grown more distinguished. This junior pays his respects!"

"You've shed some of your youthful greenness too. You look rather more mature now. Your airs have grown with you."

"I wouldn't dare. Before Sect Leader Huang, how could I put on airs? Please, come inside."

Hongniang stood beside Niu Youdao smiling as she helped receive the guests. She was also serving as his close bodyguard. After all, she possessed plenty of talismans.

As Huang Lie entered, he glanced at Hongniang. He recognized her. Years ago, he had seen her in the Qi capital.

Back then, Dachan Mountain had not possessed its current standing, and Huang Lie had not yet become Sect Leader. He had known who Hongniang was, but Hongniang had not known him.

He had not even managed to exchange a word with her in those days, which had left him rather disappointed. Naturally, he would never bring up something like that now. Today's Hongniang no longer interested him. Seeing her again drew only a quiet sigh in his heart.

A table of wine and dishes had been arranged inside the pavilion.

Following the customs of the cultivation world, host and guests chatted casually outside while Dachan Mountain's people checked the food and wine for problems. Only after confirming everything was safe did both sides enter and sit.

Only Niu Youdao and Huang Lie sat opposite one another. The two Elders Huang Lie had brought refused to sit on equal footing with their Sect Leader and instead stood behind him, one on either side.

After raising his cup perfunctorily, Huang Lie showed no intention of touching his chopsticks again. "I doubt this banquet is the true purpose. You invited me because you have something to say. Stop circling around it. Speak."

"Sect Leader Huang's eyes are sharp." Niu Youdao smiled and glanced at Huang Tong standing nearby. "I wonder whether Elder Huang passed along the warning I gave him?"

Huang Lie said coolly, "Ignorant thing who doesn't know the height of Heaven or the depth of Earth. Aren't you afraid I'll kill you right now?"

Niu Youdao chuckled. "This is Myriad Beasts Sect, and Sect Leader Huang is not Wen Xinzhao. Without some ability to protect myself, I wouldn't dare run around recklessly. Besides, what I said truly was sincere advice from the heart."

"As long as Dachan Mountain agrees to one condition of mine, I can guarantee Dachan Mountain's peace."

Huang Lie smiled as though hearing a joke. "Then I'm curious. What condition?"

Niu Youdao's expression turned serious. "I want Shao Pingbo's head. One head in exchange for Dachan Mountain's peace. That isn't excessive, is it?"

Huang Lie said, "I've already met the six Sect Leaders. That little trick of yours collapses the moment it's poked. Is it really worth showing off? I did not come here for your banquet. I came to warn you: know when to stop. Don't keep pushing endlessly, or you'll end up burning yourself with the fire you started."

Guan Fangyi, standing nearby, blinked her bright eyes. She had no idea what riddle the two men were speaking in.

Niu Youdao said meaningfully, "Sect Leader Huang, once this village is passed, there won't be another shop. Myriad Beasts Sect is a dragon's pool and tiger's den. Easy to enter, perhaps—but leaving may not be so simple."

Huang Lie answered with equal meaning, "For you, that is indeed true."

Their gazes met. Strange smiles gradually appeared on both faces. Then, almost simultaneously, both threw back their heads and laughed loudly.

"Hahaha!"

Each man harbored his own designs.

"Many thanks for Sect Leader Huang's warning. But there are some things you may not know. Shao Pingbo's ambitions are not small. Dachan Mountain cannot truly bind him."

"You think Shao Pingbo is someone Dachan Mountain controls? In truth, he is connected to Xiaoyue Pavilion. He has done quite a few fine things behind Dachan Mountain's back. Where do you think the twenty to thirty thousand warhorses in my Nanzhou came from? To tell you the truth..."

Niu Youdao began telling Huang Lie a story.

He recounted how he had seized thirty thousand of Shao Pingbo's warhorses in the State of Qi. Naturally, he omitted anything that should not be said, but what remained was enough to wipe the smile from Huang Lie's face.

Of course, Niu Youdao also spun out a full account of Shao Pingbo sending men to assassinate him and colluding with Tianyu Sect to murder him.

After the guests had left, Niu Youdao stood outside seeing them off, hands clasped behind his back. He sighed with satisfaction. "Ah. Some things really do feel good when you say them straight to a man's face."

Yuan Gang asked, "Is there any point telling him all that now?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "Of course there is. I'm worried they'll release Shao Pingbo. At the very least, they need to help me keep him firmly under control for now. Watch him to death so that cur has no chance to slip away."

Niu Youdao did not care whether Shao Pingbo truly belonged to Xiaoyue Pavilion. He doubted it. At most, the two sides were probably using each other.

But this was hardly the time for establishing facts and debating reason. He was trying to crush Shao Pingbo to death. Anything useful—kicking a man when he was down, sowing discord, whatever it might be—Niu Youdao intended to pile it all onto Shao Pingbo.

Yuan Gang said, "Then why not simply lay all the cards on the table?"

That was Yuan Gang's style: decisive and direct.

Niu Youdao watched the departing figures, then lifted his chin slightly. "Play. Let them play."

"If the six great sects aren't made to play this out hard enough, how will certain people learn fear? Once the heat is high enough, it'll be time to take the whole nest in one sweep!"

[End of Chapter 518]