Chapter 932: A Wager Made, a Loss Accepted

Yan Li, who had arrived a step earlier, had already brought a group of Zijin Cave experts with him. All were powerful cultivators, and the Maolu Annex was placed under strict guard in case Tianhuo Sect attempted something desperate.

Kunlin Shu was the bargaining chip in the negotiations. Before Zijin Cave had actually swallowed the meat, it would never allow that bargaining chip to be ruined so easily.

For a time, the atmosphere throughout the Maolu Annex became unusually tense.

Niu Youdao quickly went to the gate to receive the guests.

Gong Lince glanced at Yan Li, who gave a slight nod. Knowing the arrangements had already been made, Gong Lince smiled. "Elder Niu, Sect Leader Yuwen and the others want to confirm first that Kunlin Shu and his wife are safe. Zijin Cave isn't so unreasonable as to refuse such a request. Let them see the pair."

Niu Youdao hesitated. "Kunlin Shu and his wife may feel too ashamed to face the people of Tianhuo Sect. What if they refuse to come out?"

Gong Lince immediately glanced at Yan Li again. Had he misunderstood the nod? Had Yan Li failed to settle things?

Yan Li froze, then stepped close and tugged Niu Youdao's sleeve, plainly asking what he meant. Hadn't he agreed perfectly well just a moment ago?

Yuwen Yan said indifferently, "They're in your hands. Whether they see us or not should be for you to decide. Since when is it up to them?"

Even as he spoke, he continued watching Niu Youdao's reaction closely. There was no helping it. Tianhuo Sect had never been able to determine who had actually sent that letter.

Had they been one hundred percent certain it came from Niu Youdao, there would have been no need for all this circling around. Once they knew for certain that Niu Youdao would make no demands and could settle the matter, they would naturally have gone straight to him.

Yet the Niu Youdao before them looked as though the affair had nothing to do with him, as though everything had truly been handed over for Zijin Cave to decide.

They had come to probe him partly to determine whether he was merely constrained by concerns about Zijin Cave. They also wanted to give him an opportunity to communicate with them privately. If he truly had a way to settle the matter and the terms were suitable, Yuwen Yan did not mind cooperating.

Niu Youdao said, "Well... I don't like forcing people." As he spoke, he looked toward Gong Lince, clearly asking for the Sect Leader's decision.

That respectful attitude left Gong Lince rather satisfied. At the very least, it made him feel that his authority as Sect Leader still carried some weight.

Yuwen Yan likewise turned his head toward Gong Lince, his look seemingly asking what this meant.

Gong Lince gave Niu Youdao a slight nod. "Bring them out and let everyone see them."

Niu Youdao extended a hand. "Sect Leader, may I have a private word?"

What are you playing at with all these people watching? Gong Lince muttered inwardly. Still, he gave the suspicious Yuwen Yan an apologetic smile and followed Niu Youdao off to one side.

The hosts had not yet invited them inside, so the whole group waited outside the gate of the Maolu Annex, watching the two men walk away.

Guan Fangyi, waiting by the entrance, was curious as well. She had no idea what Master Dao was planning now.

Yuan Gang stood atop the eaves at one corner of the courtyard wall, watching coldly with the Three-Roars Saber strapped across his back.

Once the two men had moved far enough away that no one could overhear them, Gong Lince frowned and asked quietly, "What are you trying to do?"

Niu Youdao replied in a low voice, "Nothing. Isn't the sect handling this matter? Why bring them to my place? Sect Leader, don't tell me the sect intends to take the lion's share of the benefits while leaving me to carry the black pot with Tianhuo Sect."

Gong Lince was both annoyed and amused. "Where has your mind gone now? Didn't Yan Li explain things clearly? They only want to see the people and confirm the hostages. Nothing else. Let me tell you something: if you keep acting furtive like this, be careful or they'll really start aiming all their suspicion at you."

Niu Youdao said, "Is letting them meet now really appropriate? I'm worried something could happen."

Gong Lince said, "This is our own nest, and so many people are standing guard. What could happen?"

Niu Youdao glanced toward the group at the gate and lowered his voice again. "The situation is obvious. If they agree to our terms, naturally we'll release the people. If we don't release them, they can simply refuse to give us anything. What problem could there possibly be with the hostages? Is it really necessary for them to make a special trip just to look at them? Don't you find that strange? What if the two sides meet and Kunlin Shu and his wife receive some signal from them, then decide to kill themselves? After all the effort we've put into this, if the chicken flies away and the eggs break, we'll become a joke."

Gong Lince looked him up and down. "Yan Li said you're suspicious by nature. Today I've finally seen it for myself. Is it really as exaggerated as you make it sound? They meet once, exchange one or two hints, and that will be enough to make the pair commit suicide? Fine, suppose there is such a possibility. Don't you know how to place restrictions on the hostages first? With so many people watching, do you think they can kill themselves whenever they please?"

Niu Youdao asked, "If I bring them out, you people aren't going to seize them by force, are you?"

"..."

Gong Lince was struck speechless for a long moment. Finally, half laughing and half exasperated, he said, "What in the world are you thinking? If we meant to seize them by force, would we have waited until now? What do you take Zijin Cave for? Would we allow people inside the sect to start fighting and robbing each other's things? Do you think sect rules are mere decoration?"

"I was only asking. Just asking. Sect Leader, don't take it to heart." Niu Youdao hurriedly changed his tune, waving both hands. Then, after two dry coughs, he hesitated again. "So Sect Leader means we simply let them meet like this?"

Gong Lince said, "As long as you keep the people properly under control, letting them meet won't cause any problem."

Niu Youdao sighed. "Since Sect Leader has said so, I'll do as instructed. But Sect Leader, don't set me up."

"Explain yourself. How exactly would I be setting you up?"

"Fine, fine. We'll do it this way."

The two returned. The group waiting at the gate studied them suspiciously, none of them knowing what the pair had secretly discussed.

"Everyone, please come inside." Niu Youdao extended a hand and invited them in. As he led the group into the Maolu Annex, he also gave Guan Fangyi a look. "Go. Bring the people over personally."

"Yes!" Guan Fangyi understood and nodded, then turned away.

Quite a few people could not help giving Guan Fangyi another look, especially those from Tianhuo Sect.

They remembered the old days. This woman had once been Hongniang of the Qi capital, famous beneath Heaven for her beauty. Yet now she obeyed Niu Youdao so meekly, almost like a servant. They could not help wondering whether Niu Youdao had some particular fondness for this sort of arrangement. Otherwise, why would he have come up with a wager involving slavery in the first place?

Guan Fangyi had no idea what they were thinking. She went straight into the depths of the inner residence, found the room where Fire Phoenix was being confined, and pushed open the door without ceremony.

Fire Phoenix, sunk in grief and unable to pull herself free, jumped in fright when someone suddenly entered and sprang to her feet.

Seeing it was Guan Fangyi, another woman, she relaxed slightly. Slowly sitting again, she turned her head aside.

Guan Fangyi walked up to her and sighed. "Looks like Master Dao was right. Tianhuo Sect really isn't going to let Kunlin Shu go easily."

Fire Phoenix turned back to her, eyes full of alarm and uncertainty, plainly asking what she meant.

Guan Fangyi gave a bitter smile. "Whether Master Dao can keep Kunlin Shu safe this time will depend on the fortune of you husband and wife."

Fire Phoenix stood again. "What are you trying to say?"

Guan Fangyi placed both hands on her shoulders. "Little sister, the situation isn't good. Tianhuo Sect has come, and Sect Leader Yuwen Yan himself personally led the delegation. Their purpose can only be to take your Senior Brother away. As for you, Master Dao has probably already explained it, and you should understand the situation yourself. Tianhuo Sect doesn't care much whether you live or die. They simply cannot allow Kunlin Shu to remain in an outsider's hands."

The Sect Leader himself had come? Fire Phoenix's chest rose and fell rapidly. She tensed in an instant, her face changing drastically.

Guan Fangyi continued, "You don't need to be afraid. This is Zijin Cave's territory after all, and Master Dao is, after all, an Elder of Zijin Cave. Yuwen Yan would not dare resort to force here lightly. Since the two of you are now Master Dao's people, Master Dao will not easily let anyone take husband and wife away either. He understands perfectly well that once Kunlin Shu is taken back, even if he isn't killed, his life will inevitably become worse than death. His entire future will be ruined. But facing a colossus like Tianhuo Sect, Master Dao's abilities are limited. There is only so much he can do. The two of you need to think of some way to help yourselves as well..."

After Guan Fangyi talked on at length, Fire Phoenix finally mustered her courage and followed her out.

A waterside pavilion within the Maolu Annex was broad enough to hold a considerable crowd. The people from both Tianhuo Sect and Zijin Cave had gathered there, and naturally there was no shortage of tea.

They waited for quite a while without anyone appearing. Yuwen Yan, who had been observing Niu Youdao's reactions the whole time, gradually lost patience. "Why does it take this long merely to bring someone out?"

Niu Youdao was just about to explain when he happened to see the two women approaching. He pointed. "Here they come."

As she led Fire Phoenix over, Guan Fangyi gave Niu Youdao the slightest nod. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.

When Fire Phoenix saw that Yuwen Yan and the others truly were present, she bit her lip and said nothing. In full view of everyone, she dropped to her knees before the Tianhuo Sect delegation.

The kneeling motion was so decisive that even Guan Fangyi, who had brought her, was taken aback.

Niu Youdao's gaze questioned her: What does this mean?

Guan Fangyi gave the slightest shake of her head. She did not know either.

Not knowing what was happening, wariness flashed through Niu Youdao's eyes. His mind began rapidly preparing possible responses.

Yuwen Yan drew a deep breath. "Nie Yunshang, I already know what happened. This affair had little to do with you. You were merely dragged into it by Kunlin Shu. You yourself committed no fault. Get up. There is no need for such a great salute."

Fire Phoenix silently shook her head and remained kneeling.

Since she refused to rise, Yuwen Yan did not force her. He asked, "Why are you the only one here? Where is your Senior Brother?"

Fire Phoenix looked up and met his eyes for a moment, then lowered her head again. "Senior Brother committed a grave mistake and has no face to come before you."

Yuwen Yan was about to continue when Niu Youdao abruptly inserted himself into the conversation. "Since the mistake has already been made, it has to be faced. What is all this talk of having face or not having face? I'll speak plainly. Sect Leader Yuwen has personally come here to negotiate with Zijin Cave because he intends to take the two of you back. Whatever happens later, what's wrong with meeting everyone now?"

In truth, Niu Youdao had not informed Kunlin Shu for the time being. He did not want Kunlin Shu to appear yet.

Fire Phoenix kept her head lowered and shook it. "Things have come to this. Senior Brother and I don't want to go back. We made the wager. We'll accept the loss!"

The words shocked everyone from Tianhuo Sect. They had traveled all this way and exhausted so much thought and breath precisely to take the pair back, yet she was saying she did not want to return.

The people from Zijin Cave were stunned as well. They looked at one another.

Yuwen Yan's voice sank. "You would rather remain here as slaves than return?"

Fire Phoenix shook her head bleakly.

Yuwen Yan swept a cold gaze across everyone present and shouted, "Tell me! Did someone threaten you into saying this? I am here. You have nothing to fear. I will uphold justice for you. Whatever happened, say it openly. I'd like to see who dares!"

Fire Phoenix drew a deep breath. Then she suddenly gathered her courage, raised her head, and said, "Sect Leader, Elder Qian guaranteed the wager, and the wager took effect. Senior Brother and I are no longer disciples of Tianhuo Sect! No one threatened us. We ourselves do not want to return!"

Those words were no different from publicly betraying her sect.

Niu Youdao had gone to such lengths precisely because he wanted these words. At the same time, a thoughtful look entered his eyes. He more or less understood now why Fire Phoenix had suddenly knelt the moment she arrived.

[End of Chapter 932]