Chapter 985: Taken Away Again

How could Yan Li possibly be happy? If they listened to Luo Fangfei, they would offend Misty Pavilion. If they listened to Misty Pavilion, they would offend Luo Fangfei. If Zijin Cave suffered for it, there was no chance he would escape unscathed.

The Elders present looked at one another. If things truly reached that point, none of them would have an easy time. No one had expected a situation like this to arise.

The choice before them made every Elder's heart tighten. They were caught between advance and retreat. Whether Niu Youdao went or refused to go, neither seemed appropriate.

A trace of regret rose in Gong Lince's heart. Why had they brought Niu Youdao into Zijin Cave in the first place? Coveting those benefits only to offend people they could not afford to offend hardly seemed worth the price.

It was not that he thought their original choice had been wrong. He simply could not understand how Niu Youdao could somehow attract so many problems when everything had been perfectly fine, even getting entangled in something as baseless and inexplicable as this.

Listening from outside the door, Guan Fangyi let out a quiet breath of relief. Master Dao was still Master Dao. He had refused without leaving the slightest trace of refusal, and without taking any responsibility for it. Had she been in his position, she would probably have had no choice but to obediently follow them away. How would she ever have dared decline Misty Pavilion so tactfully?

Niu Youdao had already secretly ordered preparations for a fight, but Guan Fangyi knew perfectly well that against a colossal power like Misty Pavilion, they had no chance of victory whatsoever. If they could avoid fighting, they had to avoid it if at all possible.

Because of what Niu Youdao had said, Huang Ban's gaze was already fixed on Gong Lince. Niu Youdao had made his position perfectly clear: it was not that he refused to go. Whether he left depended entirely on a word from Gong Lince, the Sect Leader. Niu Youdao was a disciple of Zijin Cave. If the Sect Leader refused to let him leave, then as a disciple he could hardly disobey.

Seeing Gong Lince remain silent for so long, Huang Ban said heavily, "Sect Leader Gong, could it be that you intend to defy Misty Pavilion's decree?"

"Absolutely not!" Gong Lince hurriedly waved his hands and denied it outright, but his face remained deeply troubled. "Brother Huang, as far as I know, quite a few people in Misty Pavilion also come from Daluo Sacred Land. Does Pavilion Master Fangfei's attitude not, to some degree, represent Misty Pavilion's attitude as well?"

He was only one step short of saying it plainly: if I obey you and offend Luo Fangfei, won't Misty Pavilion turn around later and make trouble for Zijin Cave anyway?

Huang Ban was thoroughly displeased. "Sect Leader Gong, I have spent many years in the cultivation world, and you are the first person I've ever seen dare brush aside a decree from Misty Pavilion like this! You need to understand one thing clearly. Mr. Ding is the one presiding over Misty Pavilion this term. You surely know that. Having Niu Youdao return is Mr. Ding's will. Do you intend to disobey?"

If Zijin Cave had not been so powerful here, and if he had not feared matters becoming difficult to clean up, Huang Ban would not have bothered with all this talk. He would simply have taken the man by force.

"No, no, that isn't what I mean." Gong Lince denied it again, looking exceptionally troubled. "What I mean is, Brother Huang, could you perhaps send a message back and ask Pavilion Master Fangfei what she intends? Have her send us word."

Huang Ban lost his temper. "Send what word? The second round of the tempering is about to begin. Niu Youdao must hurry back and participate. By the time a message reaches her and a reply comes back, will he still make it in time? Sect Leader Gong, let me make something clear to you. Luo Fangfei acted entirely on her own when she let Niu Youdao leave Sacred Realm. Misty Pavilion never approved it. Her decision is invalid. Do you understand?"

To Gong Lince, whether Luo Fangfei's decision was valid or invalid was not the important part. What mattered was that this was Luo Fangfei's attitude. How could Zijin Cave dare openly oppose it? Did Zijin Cave dare slap Luo Fangfei in the face?

Niu Youdao, listening nearby, fell completely silent, as though none of this had anything to do with him. That was precisely what he wanted.

Inside Sacred Realm, Huang Ban was the man overseeing those participating in the tempering. Offending him would bring no good outcome. Huang Ban would have endless opportunities to make life difficult for Niu Youdao, and if he chose to do so, Niu Youdao would not be able to bear it.

Niu Youdao simply wanted to understand why they were forcing him back into Sacred Realm so he could judge whether he should go. But it would not do for him to argue directly with Huang Ban. Huang Ban probably would not bother explaining much to him anyway, and too much questioning might make Huang Ban remember him in a very special way. Pushing Gong Lince forward to argue the matter out and clarify the situation was the safest choice.

By this point, however, a thoughtful look had appeared on Niu Youdao's face. So that was it. They needed him back for the second round of the tempering.

What he still could not understand was why Luo Fangfei had taken it upon herself to throw him out.

His thoughts inevitably returned to Sha Rulai. No matter how he turned the matter over, the only connection he could presently find between himself and Luo Fangfei was Sha Rulai, with whom he had crossed paths before. Apart from Sha Rulai, he truly could not imagine how he had become entangled with Luo Fangfei.

Gong Lince smiled bitterly. "Brother Huang, you should understand that this puts us in a very difficult position. We cannot bear Pavilion Master Luo's anger!"

"Heh!" Huang Ban gave two cold laughs. Since reason would not get through, he stopped trying. Pointing at Niu Youdao, he said to Gong Lince, "I am taking him away right now. Is that allowed or not?"

"..."

Gong Lince was speechless. Once the other side hardened its stance, he did not dare resist. After thinking rapidly, he suddenly asked, "In that case, Brother Huang, are you not afraid of Pavilion Master Luo of Fangfei Pavilion at all?"

The moment Niu Youdao heard that oddly phrased question, his thoughts turned and one eyebrow rose slightly. He roughly understood what Gong Lince intended. This Sect Leader Gong was indeed no easy man. Huang Ban was probably about to fall into the trap, and Niu Youdao feared this calamity would be difficult to dodge after all.

Sure enough, Huang Ban sneered. "I am from Dayuan Sacred Land. I am acting according to the rules. Why should I fear her?"

Gong Lince said solemnly, "Brother Huang's courage is beyond ours. Since Brother Huang does not fear her, are you willing to assume responsibility for taking Niu Youdao away? We can let you take him, but if Pavilion Master Luo later demands an explanation, we cannot bear that responsibility. We can only say Brother Huang forcibly took him and that we had no choice. If Brother Huang is willing to accept that responsibility, then you may take him immediately!"

Huang Ban said, "Why wouldn't I dare?"

There it was. Gong Lince had found his buffer. He immediately cupped his hands. "If Brother Huang wishes to take him, Zijin Cave does not dare obstruct you. Do as you please!"

The Elders all breathed a sigh of relief and secretly praised their Sect Leader's use of provocation.

Huang Ban turned to Niu Youdao. "Let's go!"

Niu Youdao, however, wore a troubled expression. "Steward Huang, could you perhaps give me a few days? My martial nephew is marrying three days from now. By sentiment and propriety, I ought to be present. Could you allow me to return after three days?"

Was there no end to this?

Huang Ban snapped, "You know perfectly well when the second round of tempering begins. If I wait three days for you, will you still make it back in time? Can your martial nephew's wedding possibly be more important than the affairs of Sacred Realm? Enough nonsense. Come with me immediately!"

The matter could not be delayed. Huang Ban had to bring Niu Youdao back before the second round began and patch the hole that had been left open.

As for Niu Youdao, he knew perfectly well that the matter already decided before him was no longer his to control. He was simply using the wedding as another excuse to test Huang Ban's attitude.

He had no choice. Sacred Realm was a power against which he possessed almost no ability to fight back. Facing a force like that, he had to summon every ounce of caution he possessed. One wrong step could leave him beyond redemption.

Niu Youdao turned to Gong Lince. "Sect Leader, if I leave, will Ju An and Wen Mo'er's marriage still take place as scheduled?"

Gong Lince sighed. "Junior Brother, go with Brother Huang. Don't worry about the wedding. I guarantee it will take place on schedule. You have nothing to worry about!"

Niu Youdao glanced at Yan Li. "I hope Sect Leader keeps his word. Don't let someone start trouble again the moment I leave, or don't blame me for turning hostile!"

The implication was obvious. If they angered him, he might make sure no one had an easy time once he returned to Sacred Realm.

Gong Lince immediately said, "Brother Huang is right here. In front of Misty Pavilion, I guarantee there will be no further accidents. Surely you can rest easy now?"

He had no choice but to give a firm guarantee. He too feared Niu Youdao might cause trouble once back inside Sacred Realm. Gong Lince had already learned how much of a headache this man could create when he started making noise.

It was not only him. The other Elders nodded repeatedly and gave assurances as well. Even Yan Li said sullenly, "Nothing will happen."

Everyone wanted to put Niu Youdao's mind at ease. They had already heard him describe how Sacred Realm forced representatives to write down their factions' problems. That had left them uneasy enough. Now this bastard was returning to Sacred Realm again. If he went back unsettled and disgruntled, all of them would have to live in suspense.

Yan Li felt exhausted from the bottom of his heart. Niu Youdao gave him a headache while he was here. Niu Youdao going back to Sacred Realm still gave him a headache.

Had he known things would turn out like this, he should have vehemently opposed the Sect Leader bringing this bastard into Zijin Cave in the first place. Then they would not have today's scourge on their hands.

Thud!

Niu Youdao drove the sword in his hand downward, plunging it together with its sheath straight into the stone paving. He then walked directly toward the door. "Steward Huang, let's go!"

There was no reason to bring the sword. Having already gone in once, he knew perfectly well they would not let him take it inside.

The people crowding the doorway moved aside one after another.

As Niu Youdao crossed the threshold, he said to Guan Fangyi standing to one side, "Be careful."

He had no choice but to go.

Since his judgment was that the danger was not immediately lethal, the preparations he had made to fight were suppressed for now. Starting a battle rashly would not be worth it. Violence was the final option, to be used only when there was truly no alternative.

Guan Fangyi bit her silver teeth against her lip, reluctance written all over her face. She seemed to have a thousand things she wanted to say, but what could she possibly say at a moment like this?

"Master Dao!"

Yuan Gang stepped into the middle of the road and blocked him.

Niu Youdao lifted a hand and pressed it against Yuan Gang's shoulder, pushing him aside with one firm motion. The two only exchanged a look. Not a single word passed between them.

Five large flying mounts rose into the sky.

He was gone.

Just like that, Niu Youdao had been taken away again.

The people of the Maolu Annex could never have imagined it. They had only just held a grand banquet to celebrate Master Dao's return from Sacred Realm. How had he been taken back there again in the blink of an eye?

One after another, they looked dispirited. When Niu Youdao was absent, none of them felt secure.

Among the crowd, Gongsun Bu's eyes flickered.

They were not the only ones.

Gong Lince watched the dark specks recede beneath the starry sky and let out a sigh. No one had expected matters to develop like this.

He also felt somewhat vexed. If he had known this would happen, perhaps the matter involving Guan Qingya and the other two should have been delayed. Some things, once done, became stains that could not be erased.

But regret was useless. That "strong liquor" was already inside the bellies of Guan Qingya and the other two...

At the imperial palace of the State of Jin, Shao Pingbo hurried inside and once again requested an audience with Emperor Taishu Xiong. Someone led him to a lakeside.

Taishu Xiong stood beneath a hanging willow. After approaching and saluting, Shao Pingbo asked, "Your Majesty, this minister does not understand. Why has the plan been suspended again?"

The matter of the Sacred Realm tempering had already been settled. Everyone had gone inside, and this side had thought there should be no further problem.

Their plan to move against the State of Wei had therefore begun brewing again.

Yet just as they were preparing to activate it and the preliminary arrangements had begun, an urgent message arrived from the palace ordering another halt.

Taishu Xiong sighed. "It is still the sect's decision. The sect received word from its eyes and ears in the Eastern Sea that Niu Youdao returned from Sacred Realm."

Shao Pingbo stared in astonishment. "He only just went in, and he's already back? How could that happen?"

Taishu Xiong said, "Precisely because no one knows what happened, the sect is now completely focused on understanding it and has no attention to spare for the war. This matter is extremely important to the sect. You should understand: without the sect's full cooperation, once the war begins, we cannot win. Suspend it for now."

[End of Chapter 985]