Chapter 1044: Seize Xuan Yao!

Qin Guan understood, but he was still puzzled. "Then why did Elder tell him the truth at first? You said an upright man doesn't do shady things in secret and that you'd report the matter truthfully to the Sacred Venerable."

Niu Youdao teased, "If I didn't scare him a little, would he have treated us so politely?"

Qin Guan suddenly understood.

First frighten him, then steady him.

Once he grasped the logic, he could not help smiling. He looked at the petition in his hands and cupped them. "For Zijin Cave to send Elder to preside over this tempering is our sect's good fortune. For the two of us to follow Elder is our good fortune as well. We've learned a great deal at your side. With Elder here, at least we're not so afraid of what comes next. Elder is the pillar the two of us rely on."

The flattery was a little excessive, but there was genuine admiration beneath it.

He had discovered that this Elder truly dared to act.

He even found himself feeling fortunate that Elder Niu had come.

If someone else had taken his place—even Qin Guan's own master—then based on what Qin Guan knew of his master, he honestly could not imagine what the man would do in the present situation.

At the very least, he was certain his master would never dare act as Elder Niu did.

Niu Youdao said, "Enough. Spare me the flattery and go handle the matter first."

"Yes!" Qin Guan accepted the order and withdrew. He quickly sent the petition away.

Niu Youdao, meanwhile, took out a map.

It was the Sacred Realm map Chang Qingshan had given him.

Under the lamplight, he compared the map and located the Sacred Lands where each of the Nine Saints resided.

He drew his sword beneath the lamp, set the blade aside, and used the scabbard as a ruler.

Placing one finger on Shouque Villa, he drew a straight line to Wentian City and used the scabbard to measure the distance.

Then he measured the distance from Shouque Villa to the Desolate Marsh Deadlands.

By comparing the two and using the flight times of large flying mounts, he could roughly estimate the real distances involved and derive an approximate scale between the map and the actual terrain.

After that, he counted on his fingers and calculated the Goldenwing's round-trip time.

Based on his experience with a Goldenwing's flight speed, he roughly estimated how far the messenger Goldenwing had flown this time and marked the corresponding scaled length against the scabbard.

He then fixed one end of the scabbard at Wentian City and swept it in a circle around that point.

The Goldenwing's approximate flight radius emerged.

Niu Youdao used a fingernail to leave faint marks on the map, outlining the range for easier inspection.

Then he braced both hands on the desk and studied the map.

Once he fixed the Goldenwing's round-trip range, several Sacred Lands could essentially be ruled out: Daluo Sacred Land, Tianmo Sacred Land, Ice and Snow Sacred Land, Tianmu Sacred Land, Wuxu Sacred Land, and Wuming Sacred Land.

Those outside the circle were almost certainly impossible.

After all, once the Goldenwing arrived, time still had to be spent receiving and reading the message.

Only three Sacred Lands remained within the plausible range: Dayuan Sacred Land, Tianlan Sacred Land, and Wushuang Sacred Land.

Niu Youdao traced the faint ring he had scratched onto the map.

Closest to that boundary was Tianlan Sacred Land—the Sacred Land of Lan Daolin, the Sacred Venerable who controlled Boundless Pavilion.

A thoughtful look appeared on Niu Youdao's face.

Judging purely from the timing, if there had been no unusual delay and the Goldenwing had not been held for long after arriving, then the Sacred Venerable receiving his petitions was very likely Lan Daolin.

If the bird had been held for a substantial period before returning, however, Dayuan Sacred Land and Wushuang Sacred Land also remained possible.

If it was Dayuan Sacred Land, then Ding Wei himself was from Dayuan Sacred Land...

Standing before the map, sword beside the lamp, Niu Youdao thought for a long time.

He kept stripping possibilities away one layer at a time.

He was still lost in thought when Ke Dingjie knocked and entered, bringing him back to himself.

"Elder, do you have any instructions?" Ke Dingjie asked.

Niu Youdao shook his head slightly. "Go rest first."

Ke Dingjie noticed the map on the table and looked surprised. "Is that a map of Sacred Realm?"

The question plainly carried another meaning: where had it come from?

Niu Youdao nodded. "It is. I just found it on the bookshelf. When you have time, you two can look through these things as well. Learning more about Sacred Realm's terrain won't hurt you. If something happens, knowing what lies where may help you make a choice."

"Yes!" Ke Dingjie answered.

He genuinely wanted to understand Sacred Realm's overall geography, but since the Elder was still studying the map, he did not want to disturb him.

Seeing there were no other instructions, he took his leave.

Niu Youdao did not sleep that night.

Even after extinguishing the lamp, he remained sitting alone in the darkness, his sword laid across his knees, eyes deep and unreadable.

...

As the morning sun rose higher, the Elders who had met at Taishu Shanhai's place in the Inspection Bureau the previous day gathered once again.

After a round of discussion, they set out together, intending to visit Niu Youdao at the Demon Fox Bureau.

They had barely left and gone a short distance when Misty Pavilion personnel blocked their way.

The newcomer cupped his hands. "Gentlemen, Steward Xuan summons you."

They exchanged looks.

There was nothing they could do. They followed him.

When they reached the entrance to Wentian City's central administrative compound, they encountered someone familiar.

Niu Youdao had arrived as well.

"Gentlemen, you're looking well," Niu Youdao said cheerfully, cupping his hands in greeting.

Everyone responded coldly.

No one answered.

A few of them could not help giving him another look, their eyes lingering on the casual way he released his salute and rested both hands on his sword as he walked.

When they entered the main hall, they discovered that the deacons of the eight corresponding bureaus had already arrived and stood in a row on the left.

At the guide's signal, the eight sect Elders formed a line on the right, facing the eight deacons opposite them.

"Little Brother, did you rest well last night?" Long Fanhai was the first to greet Niu Youdao from across the hall, smiling broadly.

Niu Youdao cupped his hands. "Quite well. Thank you for Brother Long's care."

Long Fanhai chuckled. "No need for thanks. If you need anything, just say the word."

At that, Taishu Shanhai and the others exchanged glances.

Kunlin Shu had apparently told the truth.

Even the deacons of the other seven bureaus looked doubtful when they saw Long Fanhai's attitude.

Everyone waited a while.

Then Xuan Yao emerged from the rear hall.

Both lines cupped their hands in salute.

Xuan Yao raised one hand, signaling them to dispense with the formalities.

His gaze moved over the eight sect Elders and lingered in particular on the perfectly composed Niu Youdao before he finally asked, "Elders, are you comfortable with the quarters arranged for you?"

"They're fine," the eight replied in various tones.

Xuan Yao said, "Don't tell me they're merely fine. I called all of you here today, along with the deacons of your corresponding bureaus, precisely so any problems can be addressed face-to-face. You've had a full night to settle in. If anything feels unsuitable, if you've discovered any difficulty, say so. To support your inspections, we'll do everything we can to resolve reasonable problems. Don't stand on ceremony. So long as nothing violates the rules, anything that can be corrected will be corrected as far as possible."

What problems could they raise?

At most, they could complain that their respective bureaus had treated them poorly.

No one dared say that.

They did not want to offend the bureaus they had just been assigned to.

Everyone here had been in the cultivation world too long not to understand what words could be spoken and what words could not. Formal courtesy was one thing. Taking it literally was another.

Doing so would only invite trouble.

Niu Youdao, of course, had no such problem at the Demon Fox Bureau.

Long Fanhai had treated him with exceptional warmth and courtesy.

After waiting for a while, Xuan Yao asked, "What? None of you have any problems?"

Niu Youdao spoke first.

Looking at Long Fanhai, he smiled. "No problems."

Long Fanhai smiled back.

On the surface, he looked pleased by the answer.

Inside, he was thinking: enjoy your comfort while it lasts. You'll have plenty to cry about later.

The hidden watcher he had arranged had already reported that, deep into the night, another Goldenwing had been released from Niu Youdao's courtyard.

Long Fanhai had no idea what the bastard was doing, and that only strengthened his resolve.

Niu Youdao caused too much trouble.

He could not be allowed to remain alive much longer.

Once Niu Youdao had taken the lead, the other seven Elders all gave vague answers of their own, likewise saying there were no problems.

Xuan Yao nodded. "Good. Since all of you have publicly stated that you're satisfied with your current arrangements and have no problems, I'll report it that way. If there is nothing else, return to your posts and carry on with your duties."

"Yes!" everyone answered together with cupped hands.

They were just about to disperse when footsteps sounded from outside.

A man strode in at the head of a small group.

It was Ding Wei.

A cloak billowed behind him, and four men followed in his wake.

The people trying to leave the hall were forced to stop and retreat as Ding Wei walked straight inside.

"Mr. Ding." Xuan Yao cupped his hands and immediately stepped away from the central position.

Ding Wei walked to the front, turned, swept his gaze over everyone, and asked, "Why are all of you gathered here?"

"I was verifying the living arrangements for the inspection personnel..." Xuan Yao immediately explained why he had summoned everyone.

Ding Wei gave no reaction either way.

His gaze paused briefly on Niu Youdao's face, then shifted to Xuan Yao.

After a moment, he said slowly, "Seize Xuan Yao!"

"Uh..." Xuan Yao looked up in shock, thinking he had misheard.

He had not.

At Ding Wei's order, the four men who had come with him surged forward.

They restrained Xuan Yao on the spot, twisting his arms behind his back and pressing down on his shoulders.

Most of the people present were stunned.

No one knew what had happened.

A moment earlier, Xuan Yao had still stood above them, lofty and overbearing.

Now, in the blink of an eye, he had been arrested.

Xuan Yao struggled once and shouted, "Mr. Ding, this subordinate has committed no offense. Why are you doing this?"

Ding Wei said, "Whether you committed an offense will be determined after investigation. For now, all you need to do is cooperate with the interrogation. Whatever you have to say, say it to the interrogators. Don't make a scene here. Take him away!"

Two men twisted Xuan Yao's arms and marched him out.

Xuan Yao looked frightened and anxious.

He kept turning his head toward the expressionless Ding Wei but no longer dared shout.

The hall seemed to freeze into silence.

Ding Wei said flatly, "Niu Youdao stays. Everyone else, leave."

"Yes!" The others accepted the order and filed out.

As the Elders from the other seven factions left, they repeatedly glanced back, unable to guess why Ding Wei had ordered Niu Youdao to remain alone.

Soon Niu Youdao was the only person standing below.

Ding Wei waved once more.

The attendants standing along the sides of the hall withdrew as well.

Only the two of them remained.

Ding Wei, his cloak half wrapped around his body, slowly walked down and stopped in front of Niu Youdao.

Without expression, he asked, "Were you the one who petitioned the Sacred Venerable and accused Xuan Yao?"

Ding Wei had traveled here through the night.

The reason he had come so suddenly was that he had received a corresponding decree ordering Misty Pavilion to investigate thoroughly whether Xuan Yao had been using public office for a private vendetta and retaliating against Niu Youdao.

The matter did not actually require Ding Wei to appear in person.

But he had come anyway.

Even now, he could not be completely certain Niu Youdao was the accuser.

But with such an abrupt investigation arising, he could think of no one else connected to Xuan Yao who was more likely.

Niu Youdao cupped his hands politely. "I was."

[End of Chapter 1044]