Chapter 924: Elder Niu Truly Is a Man of Benevolence and Righteousness

From Kunlin Shu's reaction, Qian Fucheng also turned his head toward Fire Phoenix, who was being held outside the grounds. The corner of his mouth twitched. Then he looked at the All-Under-Heaven Money House representative, who had already come over as the neutral witness and was staring coldly at him. Finally, he slowly turned back to Kunlin Shu and fell silent, his heart gradually sinking into an abyss.

Gong Lince, Sect Leader of Zijin Cave, studied him for a while before saying slowly, "Does Elder Qian have any doubts about this match?"

Qian Fucheng did not know what to say. His regret was beyond measure. Niu Youdao had proposed such harsh conditions. Had Qian Fucheng been drugged himself, or what? How had he ever agreed to them? How had he, a Tianhuo Sect Elder, agreed to something like this?

The crucial point was that Kunlin Shu had cultivated Tianhuo Sect's supreme secret art, the Heavenly Fire Limitless Art. How could he possibly have lost to Niu Youdao?

Seeing him remain silent, Gong Lince turned to the money-house representative. "Shopkeeper Hang, the match is over. As the neutral witness, do you have any objection to the course of the match or its result?"

Shopkeeper Hang lifted his chin slightly toward Kunlin Shu. "He's already admitted defeat. The outcome is clear. I have no objection. Elder Qian, a wager freely made must be honored."

Qian Fucheng's cheek twitched.

His long hair hanging loose over his shoulders, Niu Youdao turned his head slightly. "Take them away."

Uncle Chen and Old Second Wu went to Kunlin Shu's side. Kunlin Shu did not resist in any way. The abnormal condition inside him left him incapable of resistance, and with Fire Phoenix already a hostage in someone else's hands, he did not dare resist either. He was simply led away until he met up with the tearful Fire Phoenix outside the grounds.

Yuan Gang looked over and gave a wave, signaling for Fire Phoenix and Kunlin Shu to be taken away first.

Everyone in the training ground watched Qian Fucheng in silence for a moment. Then Niu Youdao gave Gong Lince and the others a slight nod, turned, and left with his sword serving as a staff.

Wu Zhaoxing, Yun Ji, and the others turned and followed. Once the group reached the edge of the grounds, Guan Fangyi, who had been waiting there, smiled and fell in beside Niu Youdao, lazily waving her round fan.

Those who needed to leave left. Those who needed to be seen off were seen off as well, including the money-house representative.

Gong Lince and the others who remained did not immediately depart. Instead, they flew halfway up the mountain to pay their respects to the two Supreme Elders.

Chun Xinliang said, "Something about that match looked strange to me. Niu Youdao's strength seemed almost higher than the two of ours. You were the ones who brought him into Zijin Cave. What exactly is the situation with his cultivation?"

Gong Lince and the others looked at one another. After some hesitation, Gong Lince offered a hint. "Niu Youdao may have done something to Kunlin Shu before the match."

"Done something?" Chun Xinliang and Tu Kuai exchanged a glance.

Tu Kuai asked suspiciously, "Forgive this old man's poor eyes, but I didn't see it. What did he do?"

Gong Lince smiled bitterly. "Judging from a few signs before the match, it seems possible that Niu Youdao drugged Kunlin Shu."

He could hardly state it with certainty. As the dignified Sect Leader of Zijin Cave, if he admitted he had known beforehand that Niu Youdao intended to do something so underhanded and had failed to stop him, it would be difficult to justify.

Drugged him? The two Supreme Elders froze.

Still suspicious, Tu Kuai asked, "If he was drugged, could Kunlin Shu really have failed to notice during the match?"

Gong Lince sighed. "We don't know the specifics yet. It still needs to be investigated. But I don't know whether Martial Uncles noticed that Kunlin Shu's wife had already fallen into Niu Youdao's hands as a hostage. Even if he did notice something, he may have been constrained by fear for her."

The two Supreme Elders looked at each other again.

Stroking his beard, Chun Xinliang said, "This disciple of Senior Brother Zhong's is rather uncanny..."

After the two veteran Elders flew away, Elder Mo Lingxue said, "Sect Leader, Qian Fucheng probably won't be able to step down gracefully after this. Now that we've offended him, could there be complications over the warhorses?"

Gong Lince gave a cold snort. "Niu Youdao set conditions like those and he still dared agree to them. His head must have been muddled. Do you think he'll still be able to keep his Elder's seat after he goes back?"

The others exchanged glances, then sighed and shook their heads.

...

At Tortoise-Slumber Pavilion, Ju An entered quietly and knelt before Zhong Guzi, who sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He reported softly, "Grandmaster, the match is over. Martial Uncle defeated that Tianhuo Sect disciple..." Then he recounted the entire course of events in detail.

After listening, Zhong Guzi opened his eyes slightly and murmured, "Heavenly Fire Limitless Art..."

His gaze deepened through the narrow opening of his eyelids. After a while, he said softly, "Ju An."

"Here!" Ju An, still kneeling, inclined himself slightly.

Zhong Guzi's aged voice said, "What happened back then came too suddenly. Afterward, there were some things I no longer had the strength to carry forward, and by the time I wanted to cultivate those ties again, it was already too late. Once the man is gone, the tea goes cold. Do you understand? My days are numbered. If I'm no longer here, how will all of you conduct yourselves?"

Ju An pressed his lips together and lowered his head without speaking.

Zhong Guzi continued, "Even if you don't say it, I know. You're worried, but there is nothing you can do. By seniority, Niu Youdao is your Martial Uncle. While I'm still here, you can draw somewhat closer to him, but keep an appropriate distance. Don't become too close. If I'm gone, whether you remain close to him or keep your distance will be for you to judge according to circumstances."

Ju An bent forward and kowtowed, his forehead touching the floor.

...

Before the dressing table, Niu Youdao sat quietly with his eyes closed while Shang Shuqing combed and rearranged his loosened long hair.

Guan Fangyi entered and reported, "Master Dao, Yan Li and Qian Fucheng are here."

Niu Youdao said, "Invite Elder Yan in first."

Guan Fangyi smiled at Shang Shuqing, then turned and left again.

A little while later, Yan Li arrived. Seeing the hair-combing scene inside, he stood with his arms folded and grinned for a while.

Shang Shuqing sped up her hands and quickly finished. Then she excused herself and left.

Niu Youdao looked at himself in the mirror, then rose. "What does that fellow Qian want from me again?"

Yan Li said, "I'm not entirely sure. He said he wants to meet you and discuss something."

"What is there to discuss? He can't want anything except Kunlin Shu back."

"He said it concerns Sacred Realm."

"Sacred Realm?" Niu Youdao turned toward him in surprise.

Yan Li suddenly moved closer with a somewhat mischievous smile and tried asking, "Brother, what did you drug Kunlin Shu with? No one could see the slightest sign."

Niu Youdao slowly turned his head, looking faintly surprised. "Drug him? What drug?"

Yan Li waggled his brows. "The one you mentioned before. You said that if you drugged Kunlin Shu, you could guarantee you'd win. And now you really did win easily. What was it? Something that effective—tell me so I can broaden my horizons."

Niu Youdao looked him up and down, then said with complete seriousness, "Elder Yan, are you joking? I am a dignified Elder of Zijin Cave. How could I possibly resort to something so despicable? What do you mean, drug him so I could win? I defeated him openly and honorably, all right?"

"..."

Yan Li stared at him, dumbfounded. Slowly, he raised a finger toward Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao caught the hand and pressed it back down, then turned and walked away.

...

A little later, Niu Youdao and Yan Li arrived in the guest hall. Qian Fucheng, who had been waiting inside, hurriedly rose and cupped his hands. "Elder Niu. Elder Yan."

Niu Youdao extended a hand for him to sit. After taking his own seat, he asked, "I hear Elder Qian wants to discuss Sacred Realm with me."

Qian Fucheng forced an awkward smile. "Elder Niu, where it is possible to spare someone, one should spare them. As for Kunlin Shu and Nie Yunshang, I hope Elder Niu will let me take them back. Whatever conditions you have, we can discuss them. I will do my best to satisfy you."

Yan Li, sitting nearby and listening, frowned slightly. So Qian Fucheng had indeed come for Kunlin Shu after all. He glanced sidelong at Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao said calmly, "In that case, this talk of Sacred Realm was only a pretext to lure me here."

Qian Fucheng waved his hands. "It is not a pretext. Elder Niu, bring Kunlin Shu out and you'll naturally know I spoke the truth."

Niu Youdao said, "It concerns Kunlin Shu? Don't tell me Kunlin Shu is going to Sacred Realm."

Qian Fucheng refused to answer and insisted that Kunlin Shu be brought out first.

If it had been anything else, Niu Youdao would not have bothered with him. But since Sacred Realm was involved, he wanted to see what Qian Fucheng was trying to do.

Before long, Kunlin Shu was brought in. His body was wrapped in bandages and his wounds had already been treated, but restrictions had been placed on his cultivation.

Wu Zhaoxing and Yun Ji stood guard to either side, clearly prepared to prevent anyone from doing anything improper to Kunlin Shu.

Seeing Qian Fucheng present, Kunlin Shu remembered how confidently he had guaranteed before that he could win. He lowered his head in dejection.

Niu Youdao said, "Can you speak now?"

Qian Fucheng drew a deep breath and said slowly, "Kunlin Shu, before you came here, you made a promise to the sect regarding Sacred Realm. Do you still remember?"

Pain appeared on Kunlin Shu's face. "This disciple remembers."

Qian Fucheng said, "This affair was something you brought on yourself. Now tell us yourself: how do you intend to honor that promise? If you break your word, the person you deceived was not me alone, but an entire group of people. There are things in this world where you cannot think only of yourself. You should think about your master as well."

He had used Sacred Realm as bait to get Kunlin Shu brought out precisely so he could say this.

There was no other way. After what had happened, Qian Fucheng had no way to return and account for it. He could only use whatever methods he could think of. It was somewhat reckless, but he did not believe the people of Zijin Cave would dare disregard everything and act wildly against him.

Kunlin Shu stared at him blankly, his breathing growing faster. Of course he knew who that "entire group of people" meant: the Elders of Tianhuo Sect. If those people were enraged, one could imagine what would happen to his master. Pang Zhuo would inevitably be dragged down because of him.

Yan Li felt as though he had been played. He had not expected Qian Fucheng to trick him into bringing the man here only to pull something like this and openly threaten Kunlin Shu in front of them. His face immediately darkened. "Qian Fucheng, what do you mean by this?"

Niu Youdao raised a hand and stopped him from continuing to confront Qian Fucheng. Since Qian Fucheng had already brought Kunlin Shu's master into it as leverage, Niu Youdao was in no hurry. He wanted to watch.

After stopping the angry Yan Li, Niu Youdao lifted his tea and drank slowly.

Kunlin Shu moved with difficulty until he faced Niu Youdao. His voice trembled. "Elder Niu, before coming here I did indeed promise the sect that I would go to Sacred Realm for tempering. I beg Elder Niu to let me fulfill that promise. If I return alive, I will come back and serve you like an ox or horse to repay you."

Niu Youdao idly skimmed the lid of his teacup, eyes on the tea within. "If you go to Sacred Realm, can you even come back alive?"

"I..." Kunlin Shu had no way to guarantee it.

"You're one of mine now. Since you're one of my own people, I won't make things difficult for my own." Niu Youdao looked up at Qian Fucheng and said mildly, "Fine. I agree to his request, and to yours. He may go take part in the Sacred Realm tempering."

Qian Fucheng stood in delight. "Good! Elder Niu truly is a man of benevolence and righteousness. This old man will take Kunlin Shu back now and report to the sect."

Niu Youdao remained perfectly calm. "You can go report to the sect. Why do you need to take him with you?"

Qian Fucheng was startled. His voice sank. "Elder Niu, why are you going back on your word?"

"Going back on my word? Nothing of the sort." Niu Youdao set down his teacup and stood as well. "I keep my word. Once I agree, I don't go back on it. If he wants to go, then he can go. He can represent Tianhuo Sect and enter Sacred Realm. I won't stop him. But as for letting him return with you, forget it. When the time comes, I will naturally arrange for him to go. For now, Elder Qian may return and report by himself."

[End of Chapter 924]