Chapter 771: We Don't Want to Become Master Dao's Burden

Even so, Niu Youdao still wanted to make one last effort. In his present situation, the more helpers he had, the better his chances of resisting danger.

So he ignored Chu Fengping's merciless humiliation and smiled at Yan Li. "Elder Yan, Senior Wu Zhaoxing is your friend. Could you let Senior Wu leave with me?"

He named Wu Zhaoxing first because he wanted the others to see that his side still had a top expert. He hoped that would give them a little confidence and, starting from that point, draw over as many people as possible.

Looked at from another angle, it also showed how little confidence he had in the people he himself had brought. Otherwise, he could simply have called for them to leave with him. There would have been no need for all these twists and turns.

He's obviously your own man!

Yan Li almost rolled his eyes, but there was nothing he could do. He had to keep acting out the play with him. He could hardly tear down his own screen and expose the truth himself.

Chu Fengping was already staring coldly at Yan Li. I gave you face. Don't tell me you're planning to tear down my stage now?

Yan Li understood perfectly well. Expressionless, he said, "A friend is a friend, but that doesn't mean I can order him around at will. I won't force him to do anything. Whether he wants to leave with you is not for me to decide. Ask him yourself."

Niu Youdao turned and cupped his hands toward Wu Zhaoxing. "Senior Wu, I will honor the promise I made you. I hope you'll lend me your strength."

Promise?

Wu Zhaoxing badly wanted to ask what nonsense he was spouting. What promise had Niu Youdao ever made him?

Chu Fengping immediately fixed Wu Zhaoxing with a stare that was plainly a silent warning.

Wu Zhaoxing treated it as though he had not seen it. He merely nodded. "Fine. I'll go with you."

Chu Fengping's face sank, and the look he gave Wu Zhaoxing turned distinctly hostile.

Wu Zhaoxing continued acting as if he saw nothing.

Niu Youdao then turned toward Situ Yao. "Sect Leader Situ, I hope Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion will continue traveling with me."

They had already spoken clearly about this before, yet Niu Youdao still refused to give up. He wanted to try once more.

The people Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion had brought this time were all genuine top experts of the sect, and there were quite a few of them—a full fifty.

If Niu Youdao could draw Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion over to his side, it would be an enormous boost.

Chu Fengping's brows lifted as he intervened. "Situ Yao, as the Sect Leader of a sect, you should place the larger situation first. Know what can be done and what cannot. Have some sense of proportion and don't go looking for trouble for yourself."

"Letting emotion decide certain matters is unwise. Some consequences are more than you can bear."

What did it mean to be held over the fire and roasted?

The conflicted expression on Situ Yao's face was exactly that.

On one side stood an ally who had cooperated with him for years, had kept its promises regarding Jinzhou, and had repeatedly done Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion enormous favors.

Nothing else even needed to be mentioned.

When Jinzhou faced the court army's offensive, it had been Niu Youdao who, despite the threat of Zhao's army pressing down on Nanzhou, allowed Jinzhou's forces to retreat into Nanzhou for refuge.

It had also been Niu Youdao who mobilized Nanzhou's strength to assist them, fighting Zhao's army shoulder to shoulder with the Jinzhou allied forces regardless of cost.

Whether in sentiment or principle, Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion should not abandon Niu Youdao at a moment like this.

But reality was cruel.

It was already no secret that many powers inside the Tiandu Secret Realm wanted to deal with Niu Youdao.

If Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion left with him, it would be no different from seeking death. Worse, it would also offend Lingjian Mountain and make matters even more troublesome.

Outside, Lingjian Mountain held considerable influence over the Yan-Jinzhou allied forces as well.

Even if Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion managed to return alive, Lingjian Mountain might not find it easy to move openly against fellow Yan cultivators—but would it really be difficult for Lingjian Mountain to deal with an outsider like Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion?

Choices concerning survival were already difficult enough.

And after Jinzhou was recovered, whether it would actually be returned to Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion was another matter over which Lingjian Mountain still held considerable influence.

If Lingjian Mountain deliberately obstructed things, Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion would be placed in an extremely difficult position.

How many disciples' lives and futures were involved?

If Niu Youdao could return alive, his influence would naturally allow him to mediate.

But the key question was: could Niu Youdao come back alive?

The chances were vanishingly small.

Now even Yan's own powers had abandoned him. Without Yan's protection, Niu Youdao could be said to have completely lost any hope of returning alive.

Situ Yao looked deeply embarrassed. "Brother, it doesn't need to come to this. We're all on the same side..."

Chu Fengping smashed the words back at him. "Are we on the same side? Whether Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion is one of us depends on the choice it makes!"

Yan Li and Shan Hai exchanged a glance.

Both understood perfectly well that Chu Fengping was lashing out from humiliation.

Yet if they put themselves in his place, they could understand where that humiliation came from.

Offering up a female disciple was hardly something glorious. It took a thick face to do such a thing.

And then Niu Youdao had refused to appreciate it.

Anyone would have been humiliated and furious.

If no one had stopped Chu Fengping, the man probably would have preferred to silence Niu Youdao permanently.

Situ Yao was extremely awkward but still tried to mediate. "Elder Chu, whatever the issue is, it can be discussed. Whatever contradiction there is, we can lay it out and resolve it. What matter is there that cannot be negotiated? I think everyone should sit down and talk properly again..."

Chu Fengping cut him off with another hard sentence. "I'm asking which side you're taking. I'm not asking you to play peacemaker. Stay or go. Make the decision now. I don't have time to listen to you ramble."

"Brother!"

Situ Yao had no other choice.

He cupped his hands toward Niu Youdao with a face full of difficulty. "This doesn't concern me alone. You understand my predicament. I'm truly sorry."

The moment those words left his mouth, his position was clear.

The senior figures of Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion looked equally embarrassed. Many lowered their eyes in shame rather than meet Niu Youdao's gaze.

Niu Youdao had helped Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion too many times.

He was also their ally.

Refusing to save him now was hardly different from throwing stones at a man who had fallen into a well.

Elder Li Wuhua in particular looked deeply ashamed.

Niu Youdao could be said to have saved his son's life.

Chu Fengping's mood, however, visibly improved.

A trace of triumph appeared on his face as he looked at Niu Youdao with faint mockery, almost as though saying: This is what happens when you offend me.

Niu Youdao smiled.

The corners of his mouth lifted slightly. "Sect Leader Situ takes it too seriously. I understand. I won't force you."

The key point was that he could not force them even if he wanted to.

If he did not face it calmly, what else could he do?

Niu Youdao looked toward Dachan Mountain's people next.

The instant they saw his gaze turn their way, one by one they either turned aside to admire the scenery, raised their heads to study the sky, or lowered their eyes as though searching for ants.

Their attitude already said everything.

The words Niu Youdao had been about to speak died in his throat.

Even Myriad Caves Heavenly Mansion, whose relationship with him ran so deep, had made that choice. There was still less need to ask Dachan Mountain, which had always possessed a competitive relationship with him.

It would be useless to speak.

Better not to humiliate himself.

Niu Youdao's gaze then settled on Yan Baoru in the crowd.

He smiled. "Great Beauty Yan, interested in coming with me?"

"..."

Yan Baoru froze.

She had never expected Niu Youdao to call on her.

She was genuinely surprised and somewhat bewildered.

Do we have any friendship?

As far as she could remember, the two of them had never interacted before. They had not even exchanged a single sentence.

In an instant, everyone's gaze turned toward her.

Niu Youdao continued smiling at her, waiting for an answer.

Yun Ji and Yun Huan were surprised as well. So were Situ Yao and the others.

Niu Youdao had specifically warned them earlier to keep an eye on Yan Baoru and never allow her to approach him.

Yet now he was inviting her to leave with him.

What did that mean?

Had he truly reached such desperate straits that he would grab at any straw that might save his life?

Chu Fengping spoke again. "Yan Baoru, you dress yourself up like a flower. Don't let your eyes go blind. It wouldn't look good."

"Elder Chu, don't bother trying to scare me. I don't respond to that sort of thing." Yan Baoru returned the remark without pain or itch.

She actually did want to follow Niu Youdao.

But if she simply went the instant he called, wouldn't that make matters look far too easy?

So she asked, "Niu Youdao, I can go with you. But what's the reason?"

Niu Youdao rested one hand on his sword while the other gestured up and down at himself. "You're a woman. I'm a man. And look at me—handsome as a jade tree in the wind, strong and vigorous. Is that reason satisfactory?"

The explanation left people speechless.

Quite a few exchanged looks.

This fellow was actually still in the mood to joke at a time like this.

"Hehehe..."

The seductive, alluring Yan Baoru laughed until her whole body trembled.

After bending forward and back with laughter for a while, she pointed at Niu Youdao. "Fine! Just for that reason, I'll go with you."

"Forget it."

Niu Youdao rejected her with a smile.

He lifted his chin toward Chu Fengping. "Elder Chu looks unhappy. Better not drag you into trouble. Pretend I never said anything. I take it back."

"..."

Yan Baoru froze again.

Then she noticed the depth that flashed through Niu Youdao's eyes and abruptly understood.

Her teeth nearly itched with anger.

Earlier, she too had thought Niu Youdao was simply grabbing at every possible lifeline.

Only when he suddenly changed his mind and rejected her did she realize she had accidentally stepped into his trap.

Niu Youdao had taken advantage of the situation to test her with a few words.

Other people did not know what it meant.

Yan Baoru herself knew exactly why she had come, so she was far more sensitive to the hidden implications.

With a casual turn of his hand, Niu Youdao had more or less confirmed who she was really here for.

Everyone else was baffled.

Yan Baoru had agreed to follow him, yet Niu Youdao had refused her?

Niu Youdao waved toward the three female disciples from Liuxian Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Lingxiu Mountain. "Let's go."

With that, he turned and started walking away.

He had taken only a few steps when Yun Huan called softly, "Brother Niu."

Hearing him, Niu Youdao looked back.

The three women had not followed.

They remained where they were, visibly uneasy and awkward.

Chu Fengping glanced at them and revealed a mocking smile.

Niu Youdao slowly turned around. "The three of you want to stay too?"

The three women were named Dong Jinhuan, An Miao'er, and Lin Feiyan.

Being questioned directly by Niu Youdao left all three embarrassed and deeply uneasy.

Indeed, the greatest purpose for which the three had entered this place was to try to become Niu Youdao's women.

But none of them had imagined the situation would turn out like this.

In their minds, Niu Youdao had always been someone high above them.

Yet in the blink of an eye he had become a homeless dog.

The lofty branch they had hoped to climb had turned into a rotting dead branch that could not withstand the slightest wind or rain.

Following Niu Youdao now meant going to their deaths.

The three women did not want to die.

They had also found reasons with which to comfort themselves.

From beginning to end, they had gained no benefit from Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao had barely even looked directly at them.

They were still young and beautiful, with splendid futures ahead of them and pleasures they had never yet enjoyed.

Why should they follow a man who did not even take them seriously and throw their lives away?

Still, Niu Youdao's authority at Maolu Villa had been ingrained in them for a long time.

Facing his question now, the three exchanged uneasy glances and did not dare speak.

"Interesting."

Chu Fengping laughed loudly, then spoke up to give them courage. "Relax. We're all cultivators of Yan. With me here, say what you want. There's no need to fear him."

Now that someone had stepped forward to back them, Dong Jinhuan answered weakly, "Master Dao, the three of us have limited ability. We probably can't be of much help to Master Dao. We don't want to become Master Dao's burden."

The other two also nodded timidly in agreement.

In an instant, everyone looked at Niu Youdao with pity.

"Ah."

Situ Yao lowered his head and sighed.

Niu Youdao was genuinely surprised.

These three could be said to be his own people.

Their sects had repeatedly instructed them to obey him as well.

He had never imagined they too would publicly abandon him.

In that moment, the fickleness of the world, the warmth and coldness of human hearts, struck with tremendous force.

Niu Youdao's eyes suddenly became exceptionally bright.

He gave a slight nod. "Fine. Water flows downward; people strive upward. If you want to stay, then stay. I don't blame you."

With that, he turned away.

There was no longer the slightest reluctance in him.

He left without looking back.

[End of Chapter 771]