Chapter 990: I Believe in Karmic Retribution

Once Misty Pavilion intervened, the two men who had nearly come to blows had no choice but to stop.

Even so, Taishu Shancheng still pointed at Chao Jing and threw down a hard sentence. "Which factions here don't have old grievances with one another? If anyone isn't afraid of being trapped by him and Niu Youdao together, then go ahead and recognize him as leader. I won't!"

Two consecutive public selections of a leader had instantly become a farce.

Niu Youdao had abolished Taishu Shancheng as leader, and Taishu Shancheng had in turn abolished the man Niu Youdao pushed forward.

In the end, the cultivators from the States of Wei and Qi went with Taishu Shancheng's group and departed first.

Taishu Shancheng had originally wanted Jin's group to act alone.

But with the precedent of Taishu Shanyue in the Tiandu Secret Realm before him, and seeing the strength now gathered around Niu Youdao, he worried Niu Youdao might secretly strike against him. He therefore drew Wei and Qi into going with Jin, promising that the three would share danger and hardship together.

The people from those two states were somewhat reluctant.

But both states bordered Jin and frequently faced pressure from it. This was also unlike the Tiandu Secret Realm, where everyone had been fighting directly over profit. It was inconvenient to offend Jin here, so in the end they could only follow.

Taishu Shancheng's accusation had sounded plausible enough that it ultimately affected the other factions as well.

Afraid of being trapped, the people from Xiaoyao Palace, Lingjian Mountain, Song, and Han formed another group and departed together.

Before leaving, they found a barely adequate excuse: the final results of every faction would be added together anyway, so there was no need for everyone to depart together. Each group could simply do its own best.

Lingxiao Pavilion did not leave with Song.

Quan Taifeng made the decision by force and insisted on following Niu Youdao.

Originally, Quan Taifeng had not wanted to take a public side.

Who could have expected the entire team to split apart? He was forced to choose.

He believed he knew some inside information and was optimistic about Niu Youdao, so he chose Niu Youdao.

Apart from the people gathered around Niu Youdao, Chao Jing and the Myriad Beasts Sect contingent were left isolated.

Standing at the edge of the cliff, Chao Jing's expression shifted between dark and light.

Watching two groups leave one after another, Niu Youdao sighed inwardly.

He had originally intended to use Chao Jing as a hidden card to influence the entire tempering team from behind the scenes, allowing Niu Youdao himself to control the situation in secret.

Taishu Shancheng had ruined that plan.

Now Niu Youdao could only make different arrangements.

"Steward Huang is watching us from behind like a tiger. It won't be appropriate to keep delaying. If he later accuses us of obstructing the tempering, none of us will be able to bear it. Let's go." Fuhua reminded Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao asked, "Who exactly are the people from Misty Pavilion participating in the Demon Fox hunt?"

Fuhua said, "How would anyone know that? Many of them are people we've never even seen before. Normally, no one dares inquire into Misty Pavilion's internal affairs."

Niu Youdao asked, "Which direction did they go?"

"That way." Fuhua pointed in one direction, then asked, "What are you planning?"

"Nothing." Niu Youdao answered vaguely, then called, "Elder Chao."

Chao Jing, still standing at the cliff edge, turned his head. "What is it?"

Niu Youdao said, "Why don't you come with us?"

Chao Jing replied, "If I mix in with you now, won't that make Old Thief Taishu's accusation look true?"

Of course he wanted to travel together with Niu Youdao.

But after Taishu Shancheng's outburst, he now had misgivings, just as he had said.

Going alone, however, left him afraid of facing danger without support. He knew nothing about this place. Once they entered the Desolate Marsh Deadlands and left Misty Pavilion's direct observation, no one knew what might happen.

What should he do?

He hesitated.

The two Myriad Beasts Sect disciples accompanying him were equally uneasy.

Niu Youdao laughed. "Everyone knows what Taishu Shancheng is trying to do. I spoiled his plans, so he's deliberately retaliating. An upright body need not fear a crooked shadow. Why bother avoiding suspicion? If you do, you'll only be falling into Taishu Shancheng's trap. Whatever else happens, first get through this tempering safely. Time will explain the rest. There's no need to worry so much."

After a brief silence, Chao Jing agreed decisively. "Elder Niu speaks reasonably. Fine. I'll travel with you."

Niu Youdao turned and walked toward Huang Ban, cupping his hands. "Steward Huang, everyone else was issued weapons. I'm empty-handed."

Before this round of tempering began, Shouque Villa had indeed distributed weapons to everyone.

Because none of the factions had been allowed to bring weapons into Sacred Realm, Misty Pavilion had simply provided whatever weapons each person used best. Supplying weapons was hardly difficult for Misty Pavilion.

Huang Ban looked left and right, then pointed at one Misty Pavilion man. "He uses a sword. Give yours to him."

"Yes!" The man acknowledged the order, removed the sword at his waist, and tossed it to Niu Youdao.

After catching the sword and offering thanks, Niu Youdao drew the weapon and used spiritual power to inspect it without the slightest concern for the Misty Pavilion people watching.

Only after confirming there was nothing wrong with it did he turn away.

Reaching the cliff edge, Niu Youdao took the lead and flew off in one direction.

A trace of suspicion flickered through Fuhua's eyes.

She had noticed that Niu Youdao was actually following roughly the same direction taken by Misty Pavilion's hunting team.

The group flew down from the mountain and landed on grass beside the marsh.

Shen Yidu looked around and sighed. "Since we're here to hunt Demon Foxes, why didn't they let the factions bring more manpower? What are we supposed to hunt with so few people?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "Have you forgotten what Ding Wei said? The Sacred Venerables are obviously dissatisfied with Misty Pavilion. This competition is plainly aimed at Misty Pavilion. We're just the unlucky ones caught in the middle. If they brought a huge crowd in here, then they wouldn't be replacing only a few people. Wouldn't that force Misty Pavilion into a corner until even a dog might jump the wall? Some things have to be done gradually. If they create total chaos and the people below stop obeying, that would really be entertaining. Everyone has different motives. Who knows what uncontrollable things might happen?"

The words were bold enough to make everyone's hearts pound.

Shen Yidu coughed dryly. "Old Brother, it's enough that we understand it ourselves. There's no need to say it so plainly. Be careful you don't bring trouble on yourself."

Niu Youdao only smiled and said nothing.

He held out a hand and asked for one of the handbooks issued by Misty Pavilion. Opening it, he examined the rough map of the Desolate Marsh Deadlands and compared it with their present location.

Fuhua walked to his side. "Are you planning to follow the route taken by Misty Pavilion's people?"

Still studying the map, Niu Youdao gave a quiet "Mm."

Fuhua frowned. "Misty Pavilion's people will already have swept through the Demon Foxes along this route ahead of us. Even if they don't kill all of them, they'll scare the rest away. If we trail behind them, what sort of results can we possibly bring back?"

"You have a point." Niu Youdao raised his head. "Then why don't the rest of you choose another direction? I'll take the two disciples of my sect this way. We can agree on a place to meet again later."

Everyone froze.

Quan Taifeng suddenly chuckled. "Old Brother, what kind of talk is that? Since we agreed to travel together, then naturally we stay together. I'll go with you."

Hong Gaitian was the first to echo him. "Exactly, exactly. Fuhua, let's stay together."

The others followed one after another, all expressing that they trusted Niu Youdao.

In an instant, the group was united.

Niu Youdao rolled his eyes repeatedly as he listened.

Trust my ass.

They had simply convinced themselves he knew some inside information.

He could not explain the matter clearly. Every one of them would rather believe in something that did not exist. Yet when he told the truth, not a single person believed him.

He could no longer be bothered explaining and continued studying the map in his hands.

Qin Guan and Ke Dingjie exchanged a knowing glance.

Both marveled inwardly.

They had no idea where Elder Niu got this kind of charisma. He barely needed to say anything before so many people followed him. They doubted any of Zijin Cave's other Elders could do the same.

Then again, with Elder Niu deciding matters inside this group, the two felt much more at ease. At the very least, it was far better than having no one to rely on earlier.

Everyone waited for a while without knowing what Niu Youdao was studying.

Shen Yidu edged closer and asked, "Elder Niu, we all trust your ability. What are we doing next? You should at least give the word."

"My ability..." Niu Youdao muttered to himself.

What ability did he have?

He was suffering in silence and could not explain it.

There were many things he still did not understand, but one point had become clear.

Luo Fangfei had utterly screwed him in this tempering.

She had made him far too conspicuous.

Niu Youdao could guarantee that Misty Pavilion was already paying close attention to him, and he feared the Nine Saints had begun paying close attention as well.

For him, this was absolutely not a good thing.

Everything he had done along his path to the present might now be sorted through again, pulled apart piece by piece, and reexamined.

Many of the things he had done could never see the light of day.

They could not withstand comprehensive scrutiny.

Once Sacred Realm invested enormous attention in him, the slightest unusual move involving any of the interconnected matters behind him could expose a loose thread.

That would threaten many people around him as well.

If something went wrong, he feared everyone near him would suffer with him.

Danger.

On the journey back into Sacred Realm, Niu Youdao had already felt enormous danger closing in.

It was almost impossible to avoid, and impossible to resist head-on.

All along the way, he had been thinking about what he should do.

Before reentering Sacred Realm, he had already made one major decision.

Perhaps only that path would allow him to escape this calamity.

Just as he had arrogantly shouted at Taishu Shancheng earlier that he would decide who became leader, there were some things he no longer intended to keep hidden while maintaining a low profile.

He intended to risk everything and make his move openly.

"Ah." With countless thoughts churning inside him, Niu Youdao raised his face to the sky and sighed. "Do what should be done. Let nature take its course. You people discuss among yourselves how to coordinate while moving."

"We discuss?" Shen Yidu stared blankly.

Niu Youdao gave a quiet "Mm." "I believe in karmic retribution. I prefer forming good karmic ties. I don't like fighting, killing, and creating blood karma. I'll lead the way. You people can discuss how to handle the hunting."

With that, he continued studying the map.

Everyone looked at one another.

In the end, they still did as Niu Youdao said.

While the others discussed their arrangements, Chao Jing found an opportunity to approach Niu Youdao and asked, "You and I have always kept our dealings secret. How did Taishu Shancheng come to connect the two of us? I'm warning you: if this matter is truly exposed, Myriad Beasts Sect will not let you off!"

There was suppressed anger in his tone.

He clearly suspected the leak had come from Niu Youdao's side.

Niu Youdao glanced sideways at him. "You suspect me?"

Chao Jing said, "Then give me an explanation. How could he possibly connect the two of us otherwise?"

Niu Youdao said, "I couldn't understand it before either. But just now, I think I reached a conclusion. You and I seem to have overlooked one enormous vulnerability."

Chao Jing asked, "What vulnerability?"

Niu Youdao said, "Shao Pingbo, who's currently in the State of Jin."

Chao Jing's expression shifted uncertainly. "Shao Pingbo?"

Niu Youdao said, "Don't forget. Back when your grandson tried to deal with me, the trap had been laid by Shao Pingbo. Your grandson made his move, yet I came out unharmed. From the very beginning, both your grandson and I were within Shao Pingbo's attention. After everything that happened afterward, others might have difficulty connecting you and me, but it would be difficult not to arouse Shao Pingbo's suspicions."

"Shao Pingbo is now in Jin, and Taishu Shancheng is the one who exposed this matter. Do we really need to think very hard about who is making trouble behind the scenes?"

Chao Jing frowned, then muttered a curse. "Dog bastard. A mere mortal actually dares stir up storms!"

Niu Youdao said, "Don't underestimate him. I've crossed hands with him before. That man is not simple. I laid trap after trap and forced him into desperate situations again and again, yet he still escaped. I personally chased him all the way from Beizhou to the Qi capital and he still slipped away. Now that he's fixed his eyes on you, you'd better be careful from now on."

[End of Chapter 990]