Chapter 589: Let Go of Qingqing!

Simply put, Misty Pavilion existed to deal with every thorn who refused to follow the rules.

Of course, Yan did not truly fear someone like Zong Yuan, but neither did it want to create unnecessary trouble for itself. Before Misty Pavilion could subdue such a thorn, a man of that caliber could still pose a considerable threat. He might not be able to kill the Emperor, but the Emperor had sons and daughters beneath him, along with ministers who upheld the foundations of his rule. Where would the three great sects find enough experts to protect every one of them? For someone like Zong Yuan, killing one or two people was simply too easy. Unless absolutely necessary, no one wished to offend such a man to the death.

“Mr. Zong, rest assured. The imperial court means well too. Zong Yanling's identity has already been exposed, so the court stepped in promptly to protect him. This also keeps people from having grounds to gossip. If anyone raises questions, the court can explain at any time that he had long ago been secretly granted an official post. Once this affair is done, if Mr. Zong is willing, the court can give him some idle office. At that point, having two cultivators protecting him would be perfectly normal. Of course, if Mr. Zong is unwilling, you may take him away whenever you please. The court has no wish to offend you either.” Ga Miaoshui spoke with perfect courtesy.

Zong Yuan's cheeks tightened. Waves of regret churned through him. He hated that a moment of weakness had once made him leave behind a handle for this pack of petty men to seize and use against him.

In his younger years, he had believed he could pass his entire life without ties or burdens. Who would have thought that he would eventually meet a woman who moved his heart and have a son with her? That son was Zong Yanling, who in turn later gave him several grandsons and granddaughters.

With Zong Yuan's cultivation and strength, he lacked no cultivation resources, nor was he willing to become another man's ox or horse and live under someone else's restraint. He had therefore secretly settled his son elsewhere precisely because he feared the boy becoming a weakness others could use to threaten him.

Yet the secret had leaked in the end.

Now his son, grandsons, and granddaughters were all in other people's hands, and he was not hard-hearted enough to abandon every one of them.

Regret came too late. He had no pleasant words left. “Enough bullshit. If you dare break your promise, I'll take your head first!”

“Very well. So long as Mr. Zong succeeds, I, Ga Miaoshui, will guarantee it with this head on my shoulders!” Ga Miaoshui cupped his hands, then extended one hand in invitation.

Under the gazes of everyone across the stream, Zong Yuan slowly rose.

...

“Have the people below prepare. Carry out the exercise as usual.”

At Liuxian Sect, Yuan Gang had arrived in person. After hearing what he had to say, Sect Leader Fei Changliu waved for the disciples standing nearby to go make the arrangements.

Yuan Gang, the Three-Roars Saber strapped across his back, was not finished. “No dragging your feet. The entire sect moves out. Execute immediately, and the Sect Leader will personally supervise the deployment!”

Fei Changliu frowned. “Yuan Gang, some of our disciples are in secluded cultivation, while others have their own matters to handle. It's enough to make a show of cooperation. There's no need to take it this far.”

Ever since the three sects had first come here, Yuan Gang had often organized what he called “drills”—simulations of how they should provide defensive support to Maolu Villa if someone attacked. He had drawn up all kinds of hypothetical plans and repeatedly had them practiced.

The three sects had never had much patience for such things. Out of consideration for Niu Youdao, they went along with the drills, but over time they had grown accustomed to them and increasingly perfunctory, usually sending a token number of men to humor Yuan Gang.

To suddenly demand something this extreme was difficult to accept. There were so many disciples in an entire sect. Dragging all of them in and out as though putting monkeys through tricks—was that amusing?

Yuan Gang's tone hardened. “Sect Leader Fei, this is Master Dao's personal order, issued just now. Execute it immediately. Anyone who delays dies!”

Uncle Chen, Old Second Wu, and the others stood behind Yuan Gang, watching with cold, predatory eyes. Today, they were responsible for Yuan Gang's safety.

Fei Changliu was startled enough to rise from his seat. “Has something happened?”

“You don't need to ask that much. When the time comes, you'll naturally know.”

By now Fei Changliu had dealt with Yuan Gang long enough to know what kind of man he was. Yuan Gang always spoke hard, in the sort of tone people found unpleasant. Once one grew used to it, there was little point taking offense. Fei Changliu asked, “Is Master Dao still inside the villa? I'll go see him.”

“If you want to see him, I won't stop you. But I'll remind you of one thing: Master Dao can be very easy to talk to at times, and cold-blooded and ruthless at others. If you're not afraid of him killing one man to warn a hundred—of walking in upright and being carried out flat—then go ahead and try. If you want to test him, that's your affair. Just don't drag the entire Liuxian Sect down with you. You'd better have every Liuxian Sect disciple in position immediately. If there is even the slightest delay, I guarantee Liuxian Sect will no longer have a place to stand anywhere in Nanzhou!”

With matters put that plainly, Fei Changliu no longer dared dig in his heels. In any case, carrying out the order would only cause some trouble; it would not actually cost them anything.

Before long, Liuxian Sect's disciples poured out in full force. Only afterward did Fei Changliu discover that it was not merely Liuxian Sect. The disciples of Lingxiu Mountain and Fuyun Sect had already moved one step ahead of them.

...

Inside Maolu Villa, people were moving everywhere as well.

Atop the highest pavilion in the villa, Niu Youdao stood on the uppermost floor. The flower-robed man was beside him, while Lei Zongkang and Duan Hu were also present, keeping watch over the surroundings.

Shang Shuqing climbed the pavilion and called, “Master Dao!”

Niu Youdao turned and saw her. He also saw Yin'er behind her, hugging a food box and chewing away without the slightest concern in the world, followed by Guan Fangyi. He frowned. “Hongniang, didn't you tell the Commandery Princess to hide together with Zhuang Hong and the others?”

There was naturally a reason he did not want Shang Shuqing beside him.

For one thing, if real danger came, the enemy's target this time would be Niu Youdao. They would not waste themselves fighting everyone to the bitter end, nor was there any need to offend Mr. Yucang to the death. Once they succeeded, they would withdraw. Shang Shuqing would actually be safer staying with Zhuang Hong and her son.

Conversely, anyone beside Niu Youdao was in greater danger.

Guan Fangyi walked over with a bitter smile. “It would've been better if I hadn't told her. The moment I did, the Commandery Princess insisted on coming to find you instead. I couldn't stop her. How about I restrain her and carry her away?”

Niu Youdao gave only one answer. “Take her away!”

“Commandery Princess, let's go.” Guan Fangyi grabbed Shang Shuqing by the arm and started dragging her away directly.

It might have been fine if she had not put hands on her. The moment she did, Guan Fangyi was caught completely off guard.

Smack!

A foot kicked her squarely in the backside.

Guan Fangyi whipped around and saw Yin'er glaring at her angrily, plainly blaming her for bullying Shang Shuqing.

“Let go of Qingqing!” Yin'er glared with wide eyes. Her mouth was full of food, making the severe warning come out muffled and spraying a few crumbs as she spoke.

Guan Fangyi's face twitched. The kick had startled her badly, and she instinctively released Shang Shuqing.

She dared anger almost anyone, but not this one. Once Yin'er became angry, the consequences were serious. She was perfectly capable of killing even her own people without distinction. Guan Fangyi did not have an endless supply of Heavenly Sword Talismans to save her life.

If not for that, why would they need to fear any outsider attacking this place? The problem was that this demon king was simply too unreliable to count on for anything.

Niu Youdao pointed at Yin'er. “Why are you blindly joining the excitement? Be good and go downstairs!”

Yin'er glanced at Shang Shuqing, who clearly did not want to leave, and immediately stiffened her neck. “Not going!”

“You...” Niu Youdao was speechless.

He had reservations about dealing with this one too. He did not dare force her and could only coax her.

The flower-robed man looked somewhat surprised and could not help studying Yin'er twice. Why did it feel as though Niu Youdao lacked confidence in front of this gluttonous woman?

“Master Dao, I'm not afraid.” Shang Shuqing hurriedly spoke, her eyes pleading, almost begging.

After seeing Maolu Villa braced as though facing a great enemy, combined with what Niu Youdao had told her that morning, she knew this could not be some trivial matter.

She had not lived in this villa for only a day or two. She knew the place too well. This was Niu Youdao's lair, with cultivators from three sects guarding the surrounding area, yet she had never once seen Maolu Villa's atmosphere as tense as it was today.

In the past she had often heard news of Niu Youdao falling into danger, but she had been powerless to do anything.

Now danger might be right before her eyes...

Niu Youdao's gaze fell to her waist and discovered she had even brought her sword. One hand was tightly gripping the hilt. He almost wanted to be angry and laugh at the same time. Yet when he met her serious gaze, he could neither grow angry nor laugh. His brows instead knitted faintly.

At that moment, Lei Zongkang said, “Master Dao, Huang Lie is here.”

Niu Youdao looked back and saw Duan Hu bringing Huang Lie and his party over.

He turned again and walked to Shang Shuqing. Looking down at her from close range, he met her gaze directly. “You're the Commandery Princess. If you insist on staying, it isn't convenient for me to force you. But you're intelligent. You should understand that if something happens, the sword in your hand won't help. Instead, you'll become a burden.”

“You may stay. But if the situation becomes uncontrollable and I tell you to leave, you must obey. Do you understand?”

Shang Shuqing bit her lip.

He had already compromised. She knew that if she refused even this much, he would probably have her thrown out immediately. She had no choice but to nod. “All right!”

Niu Youdao immediately tilted his head toward Guan Fangyi.

Guan Fangyi understood. If the situation spun out of control, she was responsible for taking Shang Shuqing away. She nodded in acknowledgment.

Something seemed to weigh on the flower-robed man's mind. From time to time, his gaze drifted back to Shang Shuqing's face.

Huang Lie climbed to the top floor. His eyes swept over everyone present. He first nodded in greeting to Shang Shuqing, then chuckled toward Niu Youdao. “Little brother, I hear the grand gift is on its way. I've been impatient to see it, so I came especially to watch!”

Niu Youdao smiled. “It should arrive soon. Sect Leader Huang, please wait a little.”

“Oh!” Huang Lie nodded. He had already waited several days and did not mind waiting a little longer. Besides, he had something to discuss. He walked over to Niu Youdao. “Little brother, about what you said yesterday concerning moving into Nanzhou's provincial capital—I thought it over for you and feel it would be better if you didn't go.”

Shang Shuqing, standing nearby, froze slightly and began listening closely.

Niu Youdao raised a brow. “Could it be that Sect Leader Huang is eager to see me die sooner?”

“Eh, saying that makes me ashamed. Not at all!” Huang Lie waved both hands. “For your safety, little brother can come directly to Dachan Mountain. The elite of our sect are gathered there, and veteran senior experts hold the ground. It is safer than the provincial capital. With such an arrangement, can little brother still be worried?”

Niu Youdao neither agreed nor refused. Instead, he abruptly changed the subject. “I recently received word that because I planned to move into the provincial capital, Dachan Mountain was unhappy and intended to collude with the imperial court, striking from within and without to put me to death. What does Sect Leader Huang think of that?”

At those words, Shang Shuqing's heart leapt. Was today's affair connected to Dachan Mountain?

The expressions of the Dachan Mountain group all darkened. Several instinctively looked around, suddenly worried that this invitation itself might contain a trap.

Even as Huang Lie guarded against his surroundings, he said heavily, “Who is spreading such malicious rumors? Little brother, surely you don't believe words meant to sow discord between us?”

“Of course I don't. I also appreciate Sect Leader Huang's kind intention in inviting me to Dachan Mountain. To avoid unpleasantness between us and deny others any opening to exploit, and also to demonstrate my sincerity, I've decided that the matter of moving into the provincial capital ends here. I'm not going. I'll continue huddling here in Maolu Villa instead. Is Sect Leader Huang satisfied now?”

[End of Chapter 589]