Chapter 898: Shang Zhaomin

Everyone exchanged glances.

They were not particularly worried about his stated reason concerning the situation in Nanzhou. What worried them was that this man might seize the opportunity to stir up trouble himself. If he said something was going to happen in Nanzhou, then something would definitely happen in Nanzhou.

First they refused to let Nanzhou's power expand. Then, immediately afterward, they wanted to pull away Nanzhou's cultivator strength as well. If they kept pressing him like this and still refused to budge, the bastard might truly lose his temper. His tone had already changed. It sounded as though vulgarities were about to come out.

Gong Lince pressed one hand downward.

"Junior Brother, if there's something to discuss, then we can discuss it. Don't get worked up. I called you here precisely so we could talk things through."

Then he turned to the others.

"What do all of you think?"

Mo Lingxue said, "This is Zijin Cave. Allowing a large group of outsiders to establish themselves here permanently truly would be inappropriate. Still, Junior Brother Niu's concerns should also be taken into consideration."

She had essentially said nothing.

Yuan An followed, "It would be unreasonable to expect him to handle affairs without any people of his own. But if people from other sects start clustering inside Zijin Cave, what kind of arrangement would that be?"

Everyone began talking over one another.

In the end, they arrived at a compromise.

Niu Youdao could transfer some manpower here, but only manpower. He could not simply move entire outside sects wholesale into Zijin Cave.

There was another condition as well. Once those people arrived, they were not to wander around Zijin Cave without permission. They could move only within the area designated for them by Zijin Cave. If some misunderstanding arose because they ignored that restriction, they had better not claim afterward that no one had warned them.

That was as far as Zijin Cave was willing to yield.

Gong Lince sighed.

"Junior Brother, allowing a whole group belonging to outside sects to remain permanently inside the sect is already an exception. Even if we took the matter before Senior Martial Uncle Zhong, it would be difficult to justify going any farther."

"We've already made the greatest concession we can out of consideration for you. How about we settle it this way?"

"You people really know how to tear down the bridge after crossing it. Fine—this father admits you're ruthless!"

Niu Youdao gave a cold snort, threw down the words, turned around without permission, and walked straight out.

"..."

Gong Lince and the others were collectively speechless.

The bastard had actually called himself "this father" to their faces.

He was an Elder of Zijin Cave now, for goodness' sake. Could he not pay a little attention to how he spoke?

Fu Junrang watched Niu Youdao leave the hall and shook his head repeatedly.

"No restraint on his tongue at all. If he were a disciple raised personally by Zijin Cave, I'd slap him across the mouth myself. A young man is still a young man in the end!"

Mo Lingxue said, "I hear he was kept under house arrest for most of his time in the Shangqing Sect and no one really disciplined him. He came from the countryside to begin with. Perhaps he's simply grown accustomed to being wild."

Yan Li, however, frowned.

This did not quite match the Niu Youdao he knew.

The Niu Youdao he had dealt with before had possessed considerable bearing. During their time in the Tiandu Secret Realm, whether speaking or handling affairs, the man had always known exactly how far to go.

Now he seemed almost like another person.

Yan Li did not know whether Niu Youdao had been restrained then only because circumstances forced him to seek help from others, or whether this present conduct was his true nature.

There was another point as well.

Why did Yan Li feel Niu Youdao had agreed far too easily?

That bastard was no easy prey.

Would he truly compromise this readily?

For the moment, however, Yan Li could not see where the problem lay. With everyone pressing him beneath the banner of "the greater situation comes first," it did seem difficult for Niu Youdao to refuse outright.

Once outside the hall, the corner of Niu Youdao's mouth curved upward in amusement.

He muttered to himself, "It's good to be young!"

There was no helping it.

This was the position and persona he had chosen for himself inside Zijin Cave.

He was isolated and weak here. If he behaved too refined and reasonable, these people would swallow him alive sooner or later.

Guan Fangyi had been waiting on the broad steps outside the hall.

When he reached her and the two began descending together, she asked quietly, "What did they call you in for?"

"What else?" Niu Youdao said. "A weasel paying New Year's respects to a chicken never comes with good intentions. It was exactly what I expected."

Hearing that it had been within his expectations actually put Guan Fangyi at ease.

So long as this man knew what he was doing, there probably would not be any major problem.

Niu Youdao added, "Things here are settled now. Send word to our people. They can start coming over."

Zijin Cave's harsh conditions did not matter much to him.

Wuliang Mountain currently existed in the form of an intelligence organization. Its people were never concentrated in one place to begin with.

Even if he brought somewhat more people than Zijin Cave expected, he would merely be skirting the boundary of the agreement. What could they do about it?

Since they had already agreed, so long as he did not go too far at this particular juncture, they would probably have no choice but to turn a blind eye.

As for Liuxian Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Lingxiu Mountain, he had never intended to move all three sects here wholesale.

He himself was now very safe inside Zijin Cave.

There was no longer any need to gather a large number of people around him solely for defense.

It was time to put the three sects' manpower to other uses.

Guan Fangyi's eyes brightened.

"Really? They actually agreed to this?"

As far as she was concerned, the arrangement should have been impossible.

Under ordinary circumstances, what sect would ever allow a large group of outsiders to establish themselves permanently inside its own grounds?

Niu Youdao shot her a sideways look and said nothing.

Was that not obvious?

This was not something he would joke about.

Guan Fangyi immediately broke into a delighted smile.

Master Dao was Master Dao after all. He had actually managed to settle something like this so easily.

That meant the old people from Fufang Garden could all come over too.

...

Not long after the two returned to Maolu Annex, a disciple guarding the mountain gate came to speak with Wen Mo'er.

After clarifying the situation, Wen Mo'er quickly went inside to report to Niu Youdao.

"Elder, the disciples guarding the mountain gate report that the Princess Consort, the Commandery Princess, and the Sect Leaders of Liuxian Sect, Fuyun Sect, and Lingxiu Mountain have arrived together. They request an audience with Elder."

Niu Youdao froze for a moment.

The others coming did not surprise him much.

But why had Feng Ruonan come as well?

Recovering, he said, "Quickly, invite them in! Wait—call Red Lady too. Have the two of you personally go welcome them."

"Yes!"

Wen Mo'er accepted the order and left, taking Guan Fangyi with her toward the mountain gate.

Before long, the whole group arrived together.

In earlier days, most of them would not even have possessed the qualifications to enter a place like this. Now that they finally had the opportunity, they naturally could not help looking around curiously.

Everywhere they looked were strange peaks and beautiful scenery, rare flowers and unusual grasses, streaming waterfalls and clear springs. Pavilions and halls dotted the mountainside, lending the place an ethereal air.

Xia Hua could not help praising it.

"Worthy of Zijin Cave's sect grounds. It truly is a place like an immortal realm."

The group soon reached Maolu Annex.

Inside, they saw Niu Youdao pacing through the courtyard and immediately hurried forward together to salute him.

"Master Dao!"

Joy showed clearly on Fei Changliu and the others' faces.

This man had actually become an Elder of Zijin Cave.

Countless people born and raised inside Zijin Cave could spend an entire lifetime without reaching such a height, yet Niu Youdao had stepped into it in a single leap.

Given their longstanding relationship, they had naturally rushed here to offer congratulations.

Shang Shuqing's white teeth lightly caught her lower lip.

Her bright eyes settled on Niu Youdao and found it difficult to move away.

Niu Youdao smiled and nodded to everyone.

Then he cupped his hands toward Feng Ruonan.

"Princess Consort, why aren't you at home looking after the young prince? What brought you all the way here?"

"Master Dao saved my son's life. Whether by sentiment or by reason, I had to come thank you in person," Feng Ruonan said, genuine gratitude filling her face.

"I should have brought the child as well, but he's still too young and delicate..."

Her gratitude came entirely from the heart.

Niu Youdao had done so much for her that she truly did not know how she could ever repay him.

Of course, there was another reason she had come personally.

When Shang Shuqing learned that the Sect Leaders of the three allied sects were going to see Niu Youdao, she could no longer hold herself back and insisted they bring her along.

Seeing that, and knowing the three sects possessed flying mounts, Feng Ruonan had decided to come as well.

She genuinely did want to thank Niu Youdao in person.

He had suffered such severe injuries while saving her son. Whether by sentiment or propriety, she ought to visit him.

Besides, the three Sect Leaders certainly could not remain at Zijin Cave forever. They would have to return.

Since travel back and forth was convenient for them, the two women had simply come along.

Niu Youdao waved one hand.

"It was only what I should have done. Princess Consort is too serious."

Feng Ruonan asked, "Has Master Dao's injury recovered?"

Niu Youdao nodded with a smile.

"Thank you for your concern, Princess Consort. I'm already fine."

He then extended a hand, inviting his honored guests inside.

Once everyone was seated in the hall and tea had been served, they exchanged a few words.

Then Feng Ruonan raised another matter.

"My son still has no name. Master Dao saved his life, so on this visit I wanted to ask Master Dao to bestow a name upon him. I don't know whether it would be convenient. I hope Master Dao will not withhold this favor."

"Uh..."

Niu Youdao froze.

Then he said with some restraint, "Wouldn't that be inappropriate? The child's parents are both present, and a name follows a person for life. I'm still an outsider. Better to leave it to the family."

Feng Ruonan hurriedly said, "Master Dao is one of our own, not an outsider. You're also my son's savior."

"Besides, this is His Highness's intention too. His Highness, Marshal Meng, Mr. Lan, and the Commandery Princess all feel the same way. Everyone hopes Master Dao will name the child. That's why we've delayed choosing one until now."

Niu Youdao looked toward Shang Shuqing.

Shang Shuqing immediately nodded several times.

"Everyone truly does feel that way. Master Dao, please give the child a name."

Niu Youdao hesitated.

Then he stopped standing on ceremony.

"Since that's the case, I'll try one. If you feel it isn't suitable, His Highness has no shortage of learned men around him. You can always reconsider."

"It will be suitable. Of course it will," Feng Ruonan said quickly. "How could a name chosen by Master Dao not be suitable?"

Niu Youdao lowered his eyes slightly.

Everyone watched him.

After a moment, he opened his eyes again and sighed.

"The states have been at war without end, and the people have suffered terribly. I only hope that by the time this child grows up, everything will have changed for the better."

"Given the young prince's birth, he is destined never to be an ordinary man. I hope he will take the common people beneath Heaven as his own responsibility."

"Let his name be Zhaomin."

"Zhao as in myriads upon myriads; min as in the common people."

"Shang Zhaomin."

"Princess Consort, what do you think?"

The name might have sounded somewhat rustic to some ears, but Feng Ruonan was delighted.

She nodded repeatedly.

"Good! I only hope my son will not disappoint Master Dao's expectations in the future. Then Shang Zhaomin it is. I'll tell His Highness as soon as I return."

Niu Youdao smiled.

They talked for a while longer.

Then he gave Guan Fangyi a look.

Guan Fangyi immediately invited Feng Ruonan and Shang Shuqing to go outside and look around.

Shang Shuqing had barely managed to say anything to Niu Youdao and had no real interest in sightseeing.

But she was not blind to the situation.

She knew Niu Youdao had deliberately kept the cultivators behind because he had business to discuss with them.

So she could only rise and leave with the others.

Fei Changliu and his companions had noticed as well.

Once everyone else was gone, Zheng Jiuxiao asked, "Does Master Dao have instructions for us?"

Niu Youdao said, "I hear Zhao Dengxuan and the other two want to take those three female disciples of yours back to their respective sects?"

The three Sect Leaders exchanged glances.

The matter had not been made public inside their sects, and they had not yet had time to tell Niu Youdao.

How did he already know?

The three quickly realized the implication.

There were Niu Youdao's eyes and ears inside their sects.

And indeed there were.

Years ago, not long after Niu Youdao first entered the world, people from these three sects had tried to kill him outside Star-Plucking City.

After he subdued the assassins and pried open their mouths, the killers who had betrayed their own sects later became his informants.

Certain internal developments within the three sects had never been hidden from him.

In earlier days, Niu Youdao would not have exposed this fact.

But he now had other uses for the three sects.

It was time to knock on their heads a little, lest they grow too comfortable, let their loyalties drift, and wander down the wrong road.

He himself was now inside Zijin Cave.

With circumstances changing so quickly, a whole series of arrangements around him needed to be adjusted as fast as possible.

Only after stabilizing matters within could he properly deal with dangers from without.

[End of Chapter 898]