Chapter 984: Caught Between Advance and Retreat

Ignoring every warning, the arrivals forced their way straight in beneath the night sky, showing that they truly did not place Zijin Cave in their eyes at all.

The Zijin Cave disciples who intercepted them in the air saw who the newcomers were. The signal arrows already in their hands froze where they were. Not one dared fire a warning. They could only watch helplessly as five large flying mounts charged directly toward the sect's most important grounds.

After arriving above the main hall, the five large flying mounts began circling at low altitude. They even threaded back and forth between the towering buildings, patrolling as though inspecting the place.

A group of Zijin Cave guards appeared and flashed onto the rooftops, standing ready. But once they saw who had come, none dared make another reckless move. Every one of them fell silent.

Suddenly, five people leapt from the flying mounts and landed directly in the main courtyard behind the principal hall.

All five wore the uniform of Misty Pavilion.

The man leading them was none other than Huang Ban, who had come from Sacred Realm.

After Ding Wei gave the order, Misty Pavilion immediately dispatched large numbers of personnel to every place Niu Youdao might possibly visit. Huang Ban himself led men straight toward Zijin Cave, because Zijin Cave was the most likely place for Niu Youdao to return.

"Is Gong Lince, Sect Leader of Zijin Cave, here?" Huang Ban swept a cold gaze around and shouted. Above them, the five large flying mounts continued circling between the buildings.

The instant Misty Pavilion's people arrived, someone had already rushed to inform Gong Lince.

Gong Lince came out immediately after receiving the report. Unease filled his heart. What did it mean for Misty Pavilion to suddenly arrive and force its way straight in like this?

He could not help thinking of Niu Youdao.

He suspected Niu Youdao might not have told the whole truth and could have caused some problem inside Sacred Realm, resulting in Misty Pavilion's abrupt arrival. If that was really the case, the consequences were impossible to imagine.

The moment Gong Lince appeared, he happened to hear Huang Ban's question. He immediately quickened his steps, went forward, and cupped his hands. "I am Gong Lince. May I ask the honored envoy's name?"

Huang Ban knew Gong Lince, but Gong Lince did not know him.

"Misty Pavilion, Huang Ban. I came under orders."

Gong Lince said, "So it is Brother Huang. May I ask why Brother Huang has suddenly honored us with his presence? Does Misty Pavilion have some instruction for us?" His gaze briefly swept the flying mounts circling overhead.

He had already reached one conclusion. With this many people arriving at once, there was no possibility this was a private matter.

Huang Ban asked, "Has Niu Youdao returned to Zijin Cave?"

So it really was connected to Niu Youdao.

Gong Lince's heart rose into his throat. Inwardly, he cursed that bastard Niu Youdao furiously, wondering what trouble the man had caused. Cautiously, he asked, "Did Niu Youdao commit some offense inside Sacred Realm?"

Huang Ban had neither the patience nor the intention to discuss Sacred Realm's affairs with him. He said without the slightest courtesy, "I asked whether Niu Youdao has returned to Zijin Cave. Answer me truthfully!"

Uneasy, Gong Lince replied, "He has. He returned today."

A trace of delight appeared in Huang Ban's eyes. He confirmed again, "Don't try to fool me. Niu Youdao truly returned?"

By Huang Ban's normal estimate, the distance from Sacred Realm to this place crossed a vast ocean and then the territory of the State of Song. It was an extremely long journey.

Huang Ban himself had left Sacred Realm and headed directly for Zijin Cave. He had thought Niu Youdao could not possibly return this quickly and that he should be able to reach Zijin Cave ahead of him.

He did not know Niu Youdao had borrowed passenger-carrying flying mounts from the Great Sage of the Eastern Sea for the journey back.

In fact, once Misty Pavilion activated its network of eyes and ears, it had already learned of Niu Youdao's trail in the Eastern Sea. Niu Youdao had caused no small disturbance there and could not possibly hide it from Misty Pavilion's intelligence network.

It was simply that Huang Ban had rushed directly toward Zijin Cave. Because of the difference in timing, the Eastern Sea report had not yet reached his hands and was still on its way.

Huang Ban had planned to arrive first at Niu Youdao's most likely destination and wait there, using Zijin Cave as the center from which to command the search.

Unexpectedly, the answer he received upon arriving was that Niu Youdao was already back.

Gong Lince answered sincerely, "I would not dare deceive you. There is absolutely no falsehood in it. Niu Youdao truly has returned. He arrived only a few hours before Brother Huang."

Only a few hours, perhaps, but quite a lot had happened during those few hours.

After confirming Niu Youdao was indeed back, Huang Ban let out a faint breath. A stone dropped from his heart, and he finally relaxed.

If Niu Youdao had simply escaped like that and disrupted the Sacred Realm tempering, Huang Ban would not have escaped responsibility.

Luo Fangfei had caused the incident, but how Luo Fangfei was punished was not for Huang Ban to question. Luo Qiu stood behind her, making it difficult for anyone to do much to her.

Huang Ban was different. He was responsible for the group undergoing the tempering. He absolutely could have stopped Luo Fangfei, but in a certain sense it was because he had abandoned his post without authorization that Luo Fangfei had found the opening.

If the matter were truly pursued, Huang Ban would certainly suffer.

All he could do was repair the mistake as far as possible and patch the hole Luo Fangfei had made as quickly as he could. Otherwise even Ding Wei would have difficulty speaking for him.

Ding Wei had Yuan Se, one of the nine supreme experts, behind him. If responsibility had to be assigned, it would be difficult for anyone to do much to Ding Wei. Huang Ban would unquestionably be the one made to carry the blame.

Now that he had come here and found Niu Youdao so smoothly, how could he not be pleased?

Still, he found one thing strange. "How did Niu Youdao return this quickly?"

Gong Lince's heart began pounding again. He was almost going mad.

Huang Ban did not know why Niu Youdao had returned so quickly?

Could that bastard Niu Youdao have lied to him? Had he actually escaped from Sacred Realm on his own?

With fear in his heart, Gong Lince asked in return, "He returned after only a few days. Wasn't he sent out by the people of Sacred Realm? According to his own account, the Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion drove him out."

Huang Ban turned his head aside, speechless. He knew Gong Lince had misunderstood him.

He said, "Sect Leader Gong, what I mean is this: Sacred Island is extremely far from here. How did he make the journey back in so little time?"

Huang Ban would have to report back on the entire affair. Naturally, he needed to understand the details so he could answer questions afterward.

"Oh!" Gong Lince finally understood. His heart, which had been bouncing high and low in terror, at last settled somewhat. "People from the Eastern Sea sent him back on passenger-carrying flying mounts."

"So that's how." Huang Ban said, "It seems this Elder Niu of yours has rather broad connections. Sect Leader Gong, enough idle talk. Where is Niu Youdao? Have him come see me immediately."

Gong Lince immediately turned and ordered, "Go. Quickly invite Elder Niu over."

The words had barely left his mouth when Huang Ban suddenly warned, "Sect Leader Gong, don't blame me for not warning you. You had better bring Niu Youdao here honestly. Do not play any tricks. If Niu Youdao escapes, you cannot bear the responsibility!"

This was Zijin Cave's territory. Huang Ban had brought only a few men, and none were as familiar with the terrain as the people of Zijin Cave.

If Zijin Cave truly wanted to secretly help Niu Youdao slip away, Huang Ban's handful of men could not guard against everything.

"Brother Huang, rest assured." Gong Lince gave the assurance, then waved his hand. "Have Elder Yan personally take more men with him."

Huang Ban remained uneasy. Matters had already reached this stage, and he did not want another accident. "Better if we go personally."

"Very well!" Gong Lince smiled and nodded, extending a hand to invite him along.

Outwardly he remained composed. Inwardly, however, he was still full of uncertainty. He had no idea why people from Sacred Realm had come all the way here looking for Niu Youdao.

Along the way, Gong Lince tried to sound Huang Ban out. Huang Ban simply told him not to ask too many questions. Gong Lince could only smile and remain silent.

The other Elders in the sect had already received word and were hurrying over.

Yan Li, upon learning the news, felt as though he had finally found a chance for revenge and began looking forward to seeing Niu Youdao suffer...

Back at the Maolu Annex, Niu Youdao sat beneath the radiance of a Moon Butterfly, reading through intelligence reports from the various channels covering the few days he had been gone. He wanted to see whether any unusual signs had appeared.

"Master Dao!" Duan Hu's anxious voice came from outside the door. After two urgent knocks, he pushed straight inside. "Master Dao, Gong Lince has brought people here, and Misty Pavilion's men forced their way in with them."

"Misty Pavilion?" Niu Youdao froze with an intelligence report still in his hand.

Then he abruptly rose. "Notify Hongniang. Have everyone prepare. If something goes wrong, we break out immediately. Watch my signal before acting!"

He had absolutely no idea why Misty Pavilion had suddenly come looking for him. He had no choice but to prepare for the worst.

If the situation changed, he would never sit and wait for death.

"Yes!" Duan Hu answered and ran out.

But the moment he stepped through the door, he encountered Gong Lince and the others barging directly in.

Duan Hu immediately slipped around them, avoided the group, and from one side pulled Guan Fangyi away from the guests she had been accompanying. He passed Niu Youdao's instructions to her.

After hearing them, Guan Fangyi was filled with alarm and uncertainty. She quickly withdrew to the side, called someone over, and gave secret instructions.

She specifically warned that the people from Wuliang Mountain were not to learn about the preparations.

"Elder Niu!" Gong Lince called as he entered the room directly.

Niu Youdao had already taken the sword from the desk into his hand and planted its tip against the floor. When he saw Huang Ban among them, surprise covered his face. "Steward Huang, what brings you here?"

Huang Ban said, "Why I came isn't important. You must return to Sacred Realm with me immediately."

Niu Youdao was stunned. "Go back? What for?"

Huang Ban said heavily, "Is there any need to ask so many questions? You've been told to return. All you need to do is come back with me obediently."

Niu Youdao said, "I should at least know why."

Huang Ban replied coldly, "There aren't that many whys."

Gong Lince cut in. "Elder Niu, do not be discourteous. Obey Misty Pavilion's decree immediately and return to Sacred Realm!"

Niu Youdao said, "Misty Pavilion has orders coming from more than one house. Who exactly am I supposed to obey? I didn't want to leave Sacred Realm, but Luo Fangfei, Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion, insisted on driving me out. I didn't see Misty Pavilion step forward to stop her then. Now Steward Huang wants me to return."

"Luo Fangfei ordered me out. Steward Huang orders me back. Am I supposed to leave or return?"

"I can't afford to offend Misty Pavilion, and I can't afford to offend the Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion either. How am I supposed to choose?"

He knew absolutely nothing about what was happening. How could he casually walk back into danger?

If there was truly no other way, then he could only fight until fish died and net tore. Whatever happened, he would not sit and wait for death.

The logic was simple.

Luo Fangfei had driven him out. If he now ran back inside, that amounted to defying Luo Fangfei. If he angered that unreasonable woman, it was entirely possible she might have him killed in a fit of rage.

Niu Youdao turned and asked Gong Lince, "Sect Leader, are you certain you want to set yourself against the Pavilion Master of Fangfei Pavilion? If you've decided that's what Zijin Cave intends to do, then I have nothing else to say. I'll listen to Sect Leader and leave with Steward Huang immediately."

He did not dare stubbornly resist Misty Pavilion directly.

Instead, he immediately threw the responsibility onto Gong Lince and placed himself behind the Sect Leader. If the sky came crashing down, Gong Lince could hold it up first.

"This..." Gong Lince was instantly stabbed right in the heart by those words. His head seemed to split in two, and for a moment he was genuinely dazed. He had never expected the situation to turn into this in the blink of an eye.

He could not afford to offend Misty Pavilion.

But was Luo Fangfei someone Zijin Cave could afford to offend either?

What was he supposed to do?

He was truly caught between advance and retreat. Somehow, in a single turn of the conversation, Niu Youdao had dragged him straight into the pit. Worse, Gong Lince could not even summon the temper to blame him, because everything Niu Youdao had said was true.

Zijin Cave had been pulled directly into the conflict.

Yan Li, who had been standing to one side and secretly delighting in Niu Youdao's possible misfortune, froze as well. All his pleasure vanished.

[End of Chapter 984]