Chapter 737: You're an Independent Cultivator; You're Not Qualified to Enter

If she wanted to stay, then let her stay.

Guan Fangyi took the initiative to approach Wen Mo'er and briefly tested her cultivation. After confirming that she posed no threat, Niu Youdao agreed to let her remain.

Truthfully, even if Zijin Cave had not come looking for him this time, he had already been considering how to establish better relations with the three major sects.

As he had said, he had reached a bottleneck. Certain matters would have to be faced sooner or later. There was no avoiding them. He simply did not possess the strength to oppose the three major sects.

Trying to keep one foot on several boats was difficult. His first thought had been Xiaoyao Palace, because he had dealt with Xiaoyao Palace more often and understood it somewhat better.

Back when Xiaoyao Palace had taken the initiative to signal that sort of intention, the reason he had refused was not primarily whether he liked Yi Shu or not. The main problem was that the arrangement would have left him far too passive.

His own position had not been strong enough. If he went over to Xiaoyao Palace, he would have had no real voice. As an outsider among Xiaoyao Palace's people, entering under such passive circumstances would have been no different from a lamb walking into a pack of wolves. He could only have allowed them to arrange him however they pleased.

But this war between states had changed things. Shang Chaozong, Meng Shanming, and the others had fought beautifully. Nanzhou, which Niu Youdao controlled, had demonstrated an ability to turn the tide. Its strength had shown itself to be a pillar capable of holding up Yan, and that had greatly increased Niu Youdao's own influence as well. He now possessed the qualifications to sit down and talk with Xiaoyao Palace.

Unfortunately, Shang Chaozong had handled matters too absolutely. He had killed Shi Sheng, an Elder of Xiaoyao Palace. Niu Youdao could not easily judge how much of an impact that death would have inside Xiaoyao Palace.

And just at that moment, Zijin Cave had taken the initiative to come to him. The terms were so generous and the sincerity so obvious that they had even agreed to grant him the position of Elder.

It would already be difficult for either of the other two major sects to offer anything better. Even if they could, he had no intention of wavering between several houses and waiting for the highest bidder, nor did he want to bargain over every detail. Cooperation was best when everyone was happy. One benefit more or one benefit less was not important. Keeping Gong Lince pleased was itself a benefit to Niu Youdao and created room for future discussion. At the very least, it would make Gong Lince willing to listen when he spoke.

Sometimes, the distance created when you take one step back is the same as the other side taking one step back.

Gong Lince had shown real decisiveness. In one move, he had offered Niu Youdao terms generous enough to settle the matter. Niu Youdao had to show equal straightforwardness in return.

Wen Mo'er could stay, but before she did, certain things still had to be made clear.

For the moment, this side lent Wen Mo'er its communication channel so she could report the results of the negotiation.

When Gong Lince received her message, he was surprised. He had not expected the matter to be settled so easily.

He did not know the precise details of the negotiation. Such things were difficult to explain clearly in a brief written message, and he could not tell how much of a role Wen Mo'er herself had played. But sending her over had plainly not been a mistake. Gong Lince was very pleased and felt he had not misjudged her.

Winning over Niu Youdao meant that once Niu Youdao joined Zijin Cave, Zijin Cave would have Nanzhou in its grasp.

The strength Nanzhou had displayed was now influencing the fate of the entire State of Yan. Controlling Nanzhou meant gaining a greater voice within Yan, which in turn meant a greater voice when the three major sects divided their interests in Yan. How could Gong Lince not be delighted?

But that was the larger picture: Zijin Cave controlling Nanzhou.

Within that larger picture, Gong Lince naturally preferred that he himself control the situation. More precisely, he hoped that within Zijin Cave, Nanzhou would be directly tied to him.

That was why he still hoped Niu Youdao would marry Wen Mo'er, his adopted daughter.

The two sides had already reached an agreement in principle. All that remained was deciding when to put it into effect, and naturally Gong Lince wanted the matter settled as quickly as possible.

He immediately sent back a reply.

Dust billowed as the great army advanced in a vast procession. During the march, Meng Shanming occasionally glanced through the carriage window at Gong Lince outside, wondering whether it was only his imagination.

He had noticed that Gong Lince's attitude toward him seemed considerably better than before. The man smiled at him more often.

It was not Meng Shanming's imagination.

They were about to become people of the same house. Gong Lince's attitude naturally changed somewhat. Besides, after dealing with Meng Shanming throughout the campaign, he had already developed a favorable impression of him.

...

The lake reflected a sky full of stars. The wooden raft drifted freely across the water, the same three people still aboard.

Gong Lince's reply had arrived. He hoped the matter could be finalized as soon as possible.

Niu Youdao, however, was in no hurry. He asked to wait.

This was the first major assignment Wen Mo'er had received from the Sect Leader. She could not muddle through it and then return without a clear answer. She therefore confronted the question directly. "If you refuse to settle the matter now, Brother Niu, are you planning to drag it out and wait for circumstances to change?"

"You're thinking too much." Niu Youdao sat cross-legged on the raft, one hand resting on his sword while the other lightly stirred the calm lake water that reflected the stars. The water was cool and smooth against his fingers. "The Tiandu Secret Realm is about to open. Haven't you heard?"

Wen Mo'er frowned. "You want to enter the Tiandu Secret Realm?" Then she thought about it and realized that did not make sense. "You're an independent cultivator. You're not qualified to enter. If you want to go in, you would first have to wait until you've joined Zijin Cave."

Niu Youdao rolled his eyes. Looking up at her, he asked, "Miss Wen, are you sick in the head, or am I? I know perfectly well it's a road to death. Why would I rush into it? Am I tired of living?"

Wen Mo'er was briefly speechless. "Then what do you mean?"

At the side, Guan Fangyi covered her mouth and giggled. "Miss Wen, you've misunderstood Master Dao. It's precisely because he doesn't want to enter the Tiandu Secret Realm that he wants to delay things first. Think about it. As an independent cultivator, he isn't eligible to enter. But once he becomes a disciple of Zijin Cave, it won't necessarily be up to him anymore. Who knows? He might get thrown inside."

Understanding dawned on Wen Mo'er. She hurriedly said, "That's impossible! Brother Niu, the Tiandu Secret Realm opens only once every fifty years. The rosters of those entering from each state are selected and submitted by the sects of that state represented in Misty Pavilion. Even if you became a member of Zijin Cave and Zijin Cave had to provide people, they would never send you. If they did that, wouldn't they be lifting a rock only to smash their own feet? There would have been no point going to so much trouble to invite you into Zijin Cave in the first place. You're worrying too much."

Niu Youdao shook his head. "You can't say that. No one knows what unexpected change might occur. I've offended no small number of people throughout the states. If I truly were forced into the Tiandu Secret Realm, then the joke would become enormous. Wouldn't I be hunted from beginning to end? You tell me whether I dare take that risk. When I can clearly remain outside the affair altogether, there's no reason to place myself in uncertainty. Better to guard against trouble before it happens."

Wen Mo'er said, "Brother Niu, once you join Zijin Cave, the Sect Leader would never allow such a thing to happen. Even supposing the worst and you truly did enter, Zijin Cave would certainly call on the other Yan cultivators going inside to protect you. They would not let anything happen to you."

Niu Youdao waved a hand, then flicked the water from his fingers. "The Tiandu Secret Realm isn't the only reason. The war still isn't over. I cannot openly declare myself on Zijin Cave's side right now. Have you considered that? With matters already at this point, do you think Xiaoyao Palace and Lingjian Mountain will simply sit there and watch Zijin Cave pick up such a bargain? They will inevitably think of every possible way to stop it."

"With the war as it is, Yan remains in a dangerous position. This is exactly the time when everyone needs to unite against outside enemies. We cannot afford internal strife. If this matter causes infighting and leads to defeat, then the losses would outweigh every gain. If Yan itself is gone, does it matter whether I join Zijin Cave? So the larger internal situation cannot be disturbed right now. It has to remain stable. This truly is not the time for me to enter Zijin Cave."

"Set your mind at ease. My word is good. Once the war is over, I will join Zijin Cave. I will not go back on what I promised. Besides, aren't you still here keeping an eye on me?"

Gong Lince had insisted that Wen Mo'er remain with him.

Since the man was so insistent, Niu Youdao had considered the matter and decided there was no need to oppose him over something so small. So long as Niu Youdao himself held to his position, one Wen Mo'er could not stir up any waves, and he had agreed.

Wen Mo'er fell silent.

This reason truly seemed serious enough that the Sect Leader should think twice rather than rush the matter.

Niu Youdao continued, "And let's go back to your 'even supposing the worst.' If I joined Zijin Cave right now and then truly entered the Tiandu Secret Realm, Zijin Cave would still expect to call on Yan's cultivators to protect me? Are Xiaoyao Palace and Lingjian Mountain just decorations? I'm afraid that by then it wouldn't only be cultivators from the other states who wanted me dead. Yan's own cultivators might refuse to let me live either. I would be caught between enemies inside and out. What road to survival would I have?"

"If I join Zijin Cave now, wouldn't Xiaoyao Palace and Lingjian Mountain seize the opportunity to think of every possible way to throw me into the Tiandu Secret Realm? Miss Wen, everyone should make life easier for everyone else. There's no hurry."

With that, he leaned backward. Holding the sheathed sword horizontally across his arms behind his head, he used it as a pillow and gazed up at the stars while the wooden raft drifted with the water. He looked utterly relaxed.

Wen Mo'er stared at him for a while, then slowly said, "Zhao killed Yan's envoy. Qi injured disciples of the Heavenly Fire Sect. Maolu Villa defied the imperial court. I had thought Brother Niu feared nothing. Now that we've met... the man falls short of the reputation."

Niu Youdao laughed. "You want to say I'm greedy for life and afraid of death, don't you?"

Wen Mo'er neither admitted nor denied it.

She turned aside, wrote a secret message, borrowed a Goldenwing, and released it beneath the moonlight.

When she turned back afterward, she discovered Guan Fangyi smiling at her. For some reason, Wen Mo'er felt there was something peculiar hidden in that smile.

Guan Fangyi asked, "You speak to him that way. Aren't you afraid he'll retaliate against you after he becomes an Elder of Zijin Cave?"

Wen Mo'er said nothing.

Guan Fangyi stepped closer and took one of her soft hands in both of hers, smiling brightly. "Miss Wen, are you truly not planning to leave?"

Wen Mo'er asked, "Is Hongniang in such a hurry to drive me away?"

"Not at all. I only wanted to remind you that he's no good man. He's a ravenous lecher when it comes to beautiful women like you, and there's no low trick he wouldn't dare use. I'm only worried you may not be safe." Guan Fangyi pointed sidelong at Niu Youdao where he lay, offering the warning with apparent goodwill.

Wen Mo'er turned her head to look at him.

Niu Youdao had closed his eyes. A faint smile rested at the corner of his mouth.

The reasons he had given for delaying the matter were real enough.

But the present situation was still uncertain too. Delaying also gave him an excuse to keep Zijin Cave steady while he watched how circumstances developed before committing himself.

Moonlight rippled across the lake. The man on the wooden raft lay with his sword across his arms, while the two women stood hand in hand. The night was quiet, almost like a dream woven from stars and moonlight.

After receiving Wen Mo'er's reply, Gong Lince stood outside his tent and looked around at the vast army encampment.

"Ah..." He gave a soft sigh.

He realized that he truly had been a little too impatient.

He had to admit that Niu Youdao's reasoning made sense. The Tiandu Secret Realm was not the problem. The real issue was that Niu Youdao truly was not suited to openly choosing a side right now.

The war had to come first.

This was indeed no time for internal conflict.

Afterward, Gong Lince sent Wen Mo'er a reply agreeing to postpone the matter.

[End of Chapter 737]