Chapter 624: Meeting Yun Ji Again

The moment the guard heard that the visitor was Niu Youdao, and then saw that his mount was a Scarlet Hunting Eagle, his fierce manner vanished.

He did not dare be negligent. After asking them to wait a moment, he hurried away to report their arrival.

Cultivators too were divided into ranks and grades.

Why did independent cultivators dream of establishing sects recognized by the existing order? Why did the cultivation sects fight over territory?

What they were really fighting for was the right to a share in the distribution of the cultivation world’s resources.

And what counted as cultivation resources?

In the end, it came down to four things: wealth, companions, methods, and a place to cultivate.

In the secular world, peddlers, porters, and every other sort of commoner regarded the official career as the proper path, because officials controlled how worldly resources were distributed.

The cultivation world followed the same principle.

Independent cultivators and their like were people who had never entered the accepted order. Sects such as Tianyu Sect and Dachan Mountain, by contrast, walked the cultivation world’s orthodox road.

Nominally, Niu Youdao was also an independent cultivator, but he was an exception.

As an independent cultivator, he had gained enough power to dominate an entire region and force his way into the established order. He could be called the foremost among independent cultivators. By now, who in the cultivation world did not know his name?

Duyun Mountain might be powerful, but it had no standing to negotiate terms with the Zhao court.

Niu Youdao did.

That was the difference.

There was no point refusing to accept it. The man simply had that ability.

Let Duyun Mountain try suppressing Dachan Mountain and see what happened. The moment it dared, Dachan Mountain would certainly fight back. Duyun Mountain could not keep such a power under control.

Niu Youdao could.

That was ability.

He had entered the rules of the game. More than that, he knew how to manipulate the very rules by which cultivators beneath Heaven were governed.

Duyun Mountain was not even qualified to sit at that table.

After a short wait, Hou Qingtian arrived. When he saw that Niu Youdao truly had come, he hurried forward with a broad smile and saluted.

“Master Dao, what wind has blown you here?”

His attitude was completely different from the one he had shown when Niu Youdao first climbed Duyun Mountain years ago.

“What, I’m not welcome?” Niu Youdao asked with a smile.

“How would I dare?” Hou Qingtian replied quickly. “Master Dao is occupied with affairs beneath Heaven. I’d heard you were unimaginably busy and couldn’t imagine why you would have time to visit this wilderness. I thought the men below had made a mistaken report and came to see for myself. I never expected Master Dao truly to grace us with his presence.”

He turned sideways and extended a hand in invitation. “The Chief is already waiting for Master Dao. Please.”

As he spoke, his gaze flickered toward the flower-robed man standing beside the Scarlet Hunting Eagle with his hands behind his back.

A trace of uncertainty entered Hou Qingtian’s eyes.

He did not know whether the recent rumors in the cultivation world were true. If they were, could this be that man from Demon Ridge?

...

Outside Yunxiao Cave Residence on Duyun Mountain’s main peak, the burly Yun Huan emerged from the cave to wait. He was dressed in black, with leather bracers at his wrists and a broad leather guard around his waist that gave him a rather imposing air.

The moment he saw Niu Youdao approaching through the air, irritation filled Yun Huan’s stomach.

He genuinely found the bastard infuriating.

Niu Youdao had sworn brotherhood with him, then turned around and sworn a bond with his mother’s sworn sister.

The seniority between them had become impossible to untangle, yet the man actually still had the face to show up here.

Yun Huan felt he finally understood how Niu Youdao had climbed so quickly through the years.

The bastard’s method was simple: shamelessness and any means necessary.

Whatever he thought inwardly, however, Yun Huan wore a brilliant smile on his face. He strode forward with both arms open and laughed heartily.

“Brother Niu! Your elder brother has missed you to death!”

Guan Fangyi followed at Niu Youdao’s side, smiling behind her round fan at this display of warmth.

She had not seen how Yun Huan had treated Niu Youdao on his first visit. Unfortunately, Black Peony, who had witnessed it, was no longer alive to see Niu Youdao return today with the weight of his present status behind him.

It also proved something Niu Youdao had once said.

Whether a sworn bond was genuine or false did not matter. Without strength, no one would take it seriously. Once you had strength, they would recognize you as their sworn brother.

The two men clasped arms warmly.

Niu Youdao teased, “If Elder Brother missed me so much, why didn’t you come to Qingshan Commandery to see me?”

Yun Huan waved a hand, then slapped his arm. “Brother, you’re a man who does great things. I can’t afford to provoke the people you provoke. You stirred up such a storm in Jinzhou and even wrestled with the Zhao court itself. That sort of reflected glory is dangerous to bask in.”

“If our sworn relationship truly became public, even if the Zhao court didn’t flatten Duyun Mountain, I doubt we’d ever have another peaceful day. Your elder brother is timid and afraid of trouble. Better for me to hide.”

Sworn relationship?

Guan Fangyi’s smiling face froze.

Only today did she learn that the master of Duyun Mountain was Niu Youdao’s sworn elder brother.

If she remembered correctly, when Ghost Mother left Maolu Villa, she had said that Ghost Mother Wu Xuejun and Yun Ji, Mistress of Duyun Mountain, were close as sisters.

And Guan Fangyi had personally watched Ghost Mother and Niu Youdao swear their bond.

She slowly turned her eyes toward Niu Youdao, her expression becoming exceedingly strange.

The man was truly something else.

Niu Youdao sighed. “Ah. In that case, I’ve caused trouble for Elder Brother.”

“Between brothers, there’s no need to talk about causing trouble.” Yun Huan’s gaze shifted to Guan Fangyi. After studying her briefly, he asked tentatively, “Brother, I assume this is the famous Hongniang of the Qi capital?”

Guan Fangyi dipped slightly in greeting. “My insignificant name is hardly worth the Chief’s notice.”

“Come now. My mother has mentioned you before. She praised you to the skies!” Yun Huan said politely.

In truth, Yun Ji had never praised Guan Fangyi at all.

He then turned back to Niu Youdao. “I still remember the woman who came with you back then. Ah, I heard what happened afterward. That Xiaoyue Pavilion skulking in the shadows really is no good thing. Brother, accept my condolences.”

He truly had learned of it afterward.

When Ghost Mother had passed through Duyun Mountain to visit Yun Ji, Yun Huan had overheard that Black Peony’s body had been carried all the way back by Niu Youdao and buried at Maolu Villa. That alone showed how deep their bond had been.

If he had not known Black Peony mattered so much to Niu Youdao, he would not have deliberately mentioned her now.

Niu Youdao’s expression remained faint, his voice turning calm. “It’s all in the past.”

“Let’s not speak of things that spoil the mood. Come inside.” Yun Huan caught Niu Youdao by the wrist and led him into Yunxiao Cave Residence.

The place was still much as Niu Youdao remembered it. The cave residence had changed little since his first visit.

Host and guest took their seats, and tea was served.

One platter after another of fresh mountain fruits was brought out. There were even some rare spirit fruits among them.

None of this treatment had existed when Niu Youdao first came here.

As the attendants served tea and fruit, Hou Qingtian took the opportunity to move close to Yun Huan and whisper in his ear.

“There’s a man in flower-patterned robes outside. He looks very much like the man rumored to have killed Zong Yuan at Maolu Villa.”

Yun Huan showed a trace of surprise, but said nothing.

After inviting Niu Youdao to drink his tea, he asked, “Brother, did something bring you here?”

Niu Youdao set down his cup and asked in return, “Elder Brother, do you know the current situation in Yan?”

Yun Huan nodded. “I’ve heard a little. It doesn’t seem good. Will it affect your Nanzhou badly?”

Niu Youdao sighed. “Even Yan’s three major sects are like ants on a hot pan. How could I remain untouched? I won’t hide it from Elder Brother. I came here to borrow troops.”

Yun Huan looked suspicious. “Borrow troops?”

“Duyun Mountain gathers a great number of demon cultivators. I would like Elder Brother to lead them down the mountain and station them in Nanzhou against possible emergencies.”

“So long as we can pass through this crisis safely, I will find a way to secure for Duyun Mountain’s demon cultivators a lawful, recognized status and a lawful place where they can gather and settle.”

Only then did Guan Fangyi understand. So this was why he had come.

Before now, she too had not known Niu Youdao’s purpose in traveling here.

“This...” Yun Huan was momentarily at a loss for words, while inwardly he cursed without end.

Where were you earlier?

Now, of all times, you want to drag Duyun Mountain’s people out into that kind of conflict?

If Yan lost the war, anyone who followed Niu Youdao into Nanzhou might find it difficult ever to return, and they could very well die without a burial place.

But given Niu Youdao’s present standing, Yun Huan could not refuse too bluntly.

He sighed. “Brother, although I’m the one managing things now, you know as well as I do that the true Mountain Mistress is my mother. This isn’t something I can decide on my own.”

Niu Youdao said, “Ever since I parted from Senior Yun after the Butterfly Dream Illusory Realm, I’ve wanted to pay my respects again. Could Elder Brother have someone announce me?”

Yun Huan looked troubled. “I won’t hide it from you. After Mother returned from the Illusory Realm, she entered seclusion and has remained in secluded cultivation ever since. She no longer receives guests. It really isn’t convenient to disturb her.”

Niu Youdao smiled.

It appeared Yun Huan still did not know about the Myriad Beasts Spirit Pearl.

If he knew that Niu Youdao had given his mother the supreme treasure of Myriad Beasts Sect, he would understand that Yun Ji could not possibly refuse to see him.

If the matter were ever exposed, how could Myriad Beasts Sect let Yun Ji go? They would probably spare no cost to turn Duyun Mountain upside down.

Niu Youdao said with a smile, “Elder Brother only needs to pass along the message. Senior Yun will see me.”

“Oh?” Yun Huan did not know where his confidence came from.

It was true that after returning, his mother had said Niu Youdao was a man worth befriending. But even Yun Huan himself rarely saw her now. He had never before seen her take secluded cultivation this seriously. She almost never appeared in public anymore.

Still, since Niu Youdao had spoken so confidently, Yun Huan could only nod and stand.

“Very well. Brother, wait here. I’ll go and ask.”

Niu Youdao rose as well, nodded, and gestured for him to go ahead.

Yun Huan disappeared into the depths of the cave residence.

Niu Youdao remained where he was and quietly looked around. Guan Fangyi stood nearby, slowly waving her round fan, the habitual faint smile still on her face.

They did not wait long before footsteps came from deeper within.

Yun Huan returned.

There was a trace of surprise in the look he gave Niu Youdao. He extended a hand in invitation.

“Brother, come with me. Mother is in secluded cultivation and doesn’t want too many people disturbing her. She’ll see you alone.”

Niu Youdao nodded and motioned for Guan Fangyi to remain where she was. Then he followed Yun Huan away.

The cave extended deep into the mountain, branching again and again like a maze. Anyone unfamiliar with the routes would probably lose his way.

Yun Huan was accustomed to the darkness and moved through it with practiced ease.

Niu Youdao was not, so he released a Moon Butterfly to illuminate the path.

When they reached a fork in the tunnels, Yun Huan stopped and said he could go no farther. He would wait there. Niu Youdao only needed to continue down this passage to reach his destination.

Guided by the Moon Butterfly’s glow, Niu Youdao descended alone.

By the time he estimated he had reached the base of the mountain, he heard the clear, echoing plink of falling water.

Ahead, a narrow shaft of daylight appeared.

Niu Youdao had no idea where the light had been refracted from, but somehow it reached this deep beneath the earth.

The beam fell across the center of an underground lake.

At the lake’s heart lay a small island.

A woman in white sat cross-legged upon it, perfectly still. Beneath the shaft of light she was beautiful as a flower, radiant as peach and plum blossoms.

Her soft voice drifted across the cavern.

“Come over.”

It was Yun Ji.

Niu Youdao flashed across the water and landed on the island.

It would have been awkward to remain standing while speaking to her, so he sat cross-legged opposite Yun Ji.

He immediately noticed that the demon cultivator’s bearing was clearly different from before.

He asked, “Is it safe to speak here?”

Yun Ji replied, “Spirit snakes guard the entire route. If anyone approaches, I’ll know.”

Niu Youdao said, “It seems Senior never told your son about the Myriad Beasts Spirit Pearl.”

“Some matters only become troublesome when too many people know about them.” Yun Ji looked at him. “You didn’t come here for that, did you? Huan’er said Yan’s situation is bad and that you came to borrow troops.”

“It isn’t that I’m unwilling to lend them to you. The powers outside are simply too enormous. Duyun Mountain’s modest strength cannot withstand being dragged into that kind of struggle.”

“We have no ability to confront them openly. All we can do is hide here, rely on the terrain, and cling to survival.”

Niu Youdao waved a hand. “Borrowing troops was only a pretext.”

“I don’t know enough about Duyun Mountain’s internal situation. I couldn’t casually expose my real purpose, so I used a smokescreen first. It should be enough to fool everyone else.”

Even Guan Fangyi had believed him completely.

Naturally, everyone else would believe it as well.

With Yan in its present crisis, coming to Duyun Mountain under the pretext of borrowing troops was the most suitable excuse possible.

That was also why Niu Youdao had dared ignore Yuan Gang’s warning and reveal himself openly.

[End of Chapter 624]