Chapter 1050: The Timing Is About Right

Since when had a mere sect Elder from the cultivation world become someone Master could casually refer to by name?

Ding Wei glanced at Yuan Se, who was still watching the dancers, and did not answer immediately.

The contents of the letter had relieved him in one respect, surprised him in another, and angered him most of all.

Niu Youdao was pushing his luck.

Giving him authority to inspect the Demon Fox Bureau had not been enough. Now he wanted the right to involve himself in other bureaus and departments as well, and he even dared ask for this and that on top of it.

"Hm?" Yuan Se's head, so fat his neck was barely visible, turned toward him. "You're not speaking. Does that mean you disagree with what Niu Youdao proposed?"

One Demon Fox Bureau alone had already caused this much trouble. Naturally, Ding Wei did not want Niu Youdao to receive even broader authority.

But he could hardly say that he did not want inspectors appointed by the Nine Saints to impose greater restraints on Misty Pavilion.

And the two incidents in succession had both involved people under Ding Wei.

He could not afford to make it look as though he were targeting Niu Youdao personally.

After weighing his words, he said, "Master, it isn't that I disagree. I only feel that agreeing to everything may be somewhat inappropriate."

Yuan Se smiled, looking almost like a laughing Maitreya. "If something is inappropriate, say so. I trust you. I have confidence in you. Speak freely."

Ding Wei glanced at the dancers twisting seductively nearby, bare-legged, bare-armed, waists exposed.

He hated discussing serious business in this sort of environment.

Unfortunately, his master happened to love all the pleasures of food, wine, women, and entertainment, and Ding Wei could hardly object.

After steadying himself, he replied, "Master, there is no real problem with giving the inspectors authority to examine other bureaus and departments. But Misty Pavilion spans both Sacred Realm and the outside world. If inspectors from outside are allowed to enter Sacred Realm at will, while those stationed inside Sacred Realm are allowed to leave freely, then over time the internal situation of Sacred Realm will probably cease to be secret within the cultivation world. Sacred Realm will lose both its mystery and the reverence it inspires."

Yuan Se said, "That makes sense. Then reject it?"

Did that mean Niu Youdao's reasoning made no sense?

Ding Wei knew perfectly well that Niu Youdao had reason on his side too.

He had followed his master for so many years. How could he not understand what sort of person Yuan Se was?

He appeared easygoing. He looked broad-minded and good-natured.

In truth, there was a needle hidden in the cotton, and he was deeply suspicious by nature.

The easier he seemed to talk to, the more carefully one had to tread.

Ding Wei measured his words with great care and cupped his hands. "Master, at the very least there should be certain restrictions. They may be allowed to inspect other bureaus and departments, but those outside Sacred Realm should inspect only matters outside, while those inside Sacred Realm should inspect only matters within Sacred Realm. Outsiders must not be allowed to enter and leave Sacred Realm at will."

To some degree, this would limit the inspectors from various factions from colluding with one another.

But there was another reason as well.

Ding Wei had realized that Niu Youdao was trying to seize this opportunity to gain unrestricted passage in and out of Sacred Realm.

He would not give Niu Youdao that opportunity.

He did not want Niu Youdao to get what he wanted.

He intended to nail Niu Youdao down inside Sacred Realm and make sure the man never got out.

Niu Youdao possessed considerable power outside.

If he were allowed to leave Sacred Realm while holding authorization from a Sacred Venerable to contend with Misty Pavilion, what kind of consequences might follow?

With a Sacred Venerable's approval in hand and his own reckless courage, the outcome was easy enough to imagine.

As long as Niu Youdao could not leave Sacred Realm, however, his eventual fate was already decided.

Yuan Se gave a quiet grunt. "That makes sense too." He beckoned with one hand.

Ding Wei immediately lowered himself and moved closer, half crouching, half kneeling before the broad chair.

Yuan Se placed a hand dripping with melon juice on Ding Wei's shoulder, almost as though using his clothes to wipe it clean.

"Among you senior and junior brothers, you're the one I trust most. Your master here only likes eating, drinking, and enjoying himself. Truthfully, I can't be bothered with all those messy affairs. I've long had thoughts of stepping back. Sooner or later, the Wuliang Fruit will be yours. When that time comes, the burden of Dayuan Sacred Land will be handed to you, and I'll concern myself only with eating, drinking, and pleasure. Don't disappoint me."

Gratitude filled Ding Wei's face, as though he were too moved to speak.

Inwardly, however, he treated such words as something merely to listen to.

It was hardly the first time he had heard something similar.

Perhaps he had once hoped for it.

Perhaps he had once looked forward to it.

But he had never truly believed it.

...

Huang Ban returned to Shouque Villa after receiving Ding Wei's summons.

Ding Wei was preparing to leave Sacred Realm and had ordered Huang Ban to meet him because he had matters to explain before departing.

After hearing the instructions, Huang Ban hesitated. "You want the reason for Long Fanhai's execution announced throughout Misty Pavilion?"

Huang Ban knew Long Fanhai as well. They were all Ding Wei's people.

Publicizing the matter would inevitably cost Ding Wei some face.

Ding Wei nodded. "That is the Sacred Venerable's intent. Not only must Misty Pavilion be informed, every inspector must be notified as well."

Huang Ban fell silent.

He more or less understood what the Sacred Venerable intended.

The message was simple: this was what happened to anyone who pried into a Sacred Venerable's correspondence.

At the same time, it was meant to give the inspectors courage.

The two men stood silently on the mountaintop for a while.

Then Ding Wei suddenly asked, "After I left Wentian City, Lan Ming didn't cause any further trouble, did he?"

"No. Once you left, he remained only a short while before departing as well. But before leaving, he made a special trip to the Demon Fox Bureau to see Niu Youdao."

"See Niu Youdao?" Ding Wei turned to look at him, plainly surprised. "What did he go see Niu Youdao for?"

"I don't know. He wanted to meet him, and it wasn't appropriate for us to follow along. We don't know what they discussed. He didn't stay long, though. Afterward, he left Wentian City directly."

Ding Wei pondered the matter for a while.

...

Orders from above had to be carried out.

After seeing Ding Wei off and returning to Wentian City, Huang Ban immediately put Ding Wei's instructions into effect.

Once Misty Pavilion issued the announcement, Taishu Shanhai and the others finally learned why Long Fanhai had died.

Only then did they realize that Niu Youdao had barely arrived in Wentian City and had not even figured out the situation before he started filing accusations with a Sacred Venerable.

What kind of situation was this?

In other words, Niu Youdao had gotten Long Fanhai killed.

What exactly was that bastard doing?

As fellow inspectors, the various sect representatives were desperate to learn the truth.

...

At the Demon Fox Bureau, Niu Youdao personally escorted a guest to the gate and cupped his hands. "Deacon Zhou, take care."

Zhou Tianyu was the Demon Fox Bureau's newly appointed deacon following Long Fanhai's execution.

He had only just taken office and had already come to pay Niu Youdao a visit.

"No need to see me out." Zhou Tianyu returned the salute with cupped hands.

His smile was somewhat reserved, carrying a deliberate sense of distance.

The two Demon Fox Bureau men accompanying him wore far more complicated expressions.

Their former superior had died because of the man standing before them.

The three departed.

Niu Youdao watched them go for a moment, then turned and returned inside the courtyard.

The gate closed again.

These past few days it had remained shut almost constantly.

If Zhou Tianyu had not just taken office and had not come bearing information, he might not have been able to get that gate open either.

Back in the pavilion, Niu Youdao picked up the cage containing a Goldenwing from the table and examined it for a moment before handing it to Ke Dingjie. "Take good care of it."

"Yes!" Ke Dingjie accepted the cage and carried it away to settle the bird.

The Goldenwing had been brought by Zhou Tianyu, but it was not Zhou Tianyu's own.

He was merely delivering it.

Tianlan Sacred Land had sent Niu Youdao another Goldenwing for communication.

At this point, Lan Ming had appeared in person, so the identity of the Sacred Venerable corresponding with Niu Youdao was essentially no longer a secret.

The fact that Tianlan Sacred Land had sent another Goldenwing also showed how thoroughly Lan Daolin had considered the matter.

Niu Youdao had simply been submitting reports too frequently.

One Goldenwing had no time to rest and could not sustain the workload.

Tianlan Sacred Land had been forced to send him another.

That counted as an additional gain for Niu Youdao.

Of course, the Goldenwing was not the only thing Zhou Tianyu had brought.

He had also delivered the response to Niu Youdao's third petition.

Nearly all of Niu Youdao's requests had been approved.

Zhou Tianyu had personally informed him that from this point onward, the inspectors' authority would be expanded, as would their range of activity.

There was only one limitation.

Those inside Sacred Realm were restricted to Sacred Realm and were not permitted to leave.

Niu Youdao was somewhat disappointed by that.

He had hoped to use the opportunity to obtain free passage in and out of Sacred Realm, which would make it easier to arrange matters in the outside world.

He had not expected nearly everything else to be approved, only for this one point to be blocked.

Knock, knock, knock!

Someone knocked at the gate.

Niu Youdao looked back.

Qin Guan flashed over.

The gate opened just enough for him to speak with the people outside. After a brief exchange, he closed it again and returned at once.

"Elder, it's the people from the other factions. Tianhuo Sect Elder Lu Yao says that under Misty Pavilion's decree, he's brought Kunlin Shu over and is handing him to you. Will you see them? Or should we let only Kunlin Shu enter?"

"Hmph. They really know how to rack their brains for an opening." Niu Youdao gave a derisive laugh. "The timing is about right. Let them in."

"Yes!" Qin Guan accepted the order and went back.

This time he opened the gates wide and welcomed the visitors inside.

A group filed into the courtyard.

The moment they saw Niu Youdao in the pavilion, they headed straight toward him.

There was not enough room inside for everyone. Some entered the pavilion while others remained outside.

Niu Youdao smiled. "Gentlemen, what brings all of you here?"

Lu Yao gave a cold snort and pointed toward Kunlin Shu behind him. "Misty Pavilion ordered me to hand him over to you. I assume you're the one who asked for him. I've brought the man."

Truthfully, Lu Yao did not want to hand Kunlin Shu over at all.

But he had no choice.

Misty Pavilion had said this was the Sacred Venerable's will.

He could not refuse.

And Taishu Shanhai and the others had urged him as well. Everyone had been trying repeatedly to see Niu Youdao, so they had pushed Lu Yao to use this opportunity to meet him.

Niu Youdao said, "Thank you, Elder Lu."

Then his gaze swept across the group.

"You're only delivering one man. How did that turn into everyone swarming over together?"

Lu Yao said, "We all came for one reason. We want to ask you something. At Shouque Villa, we agreed to join forces. Why did you go back on your word?"

"Go back on my word?" Niu Youdao said. "Who exactly went back on his word? Do you truly not know why I changed my mind? When you held your discussions, weren't you the ones who tried to exclude me? And now somehow I'm the one at fault? You people really have the face to turn the accusation back on me."

Lu Yao looked surprised. "Elder Niu, you've misunderstood. Who said anything about excluding you? Didn't we send Kunlin Shu over to notify you?"

As he spoke, he turned and shouted at Kunlin Shu. "Kunlin Shu! Weren't you told to invite Elder Niu? Did you fail to explain things clearly?"

Kunlin Shu did not know how to answer.

But after seeing Lu Yao repeatedly signal him with his eyes, he finally stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Niu Youdao.

"Master Dao, you had a guest here at the time, so it wasn't convenient to speak. I failed to explain the matter clearly."

"So that's what happened." Lu Yao nodded, then spread his hands toward Niu Youdao. "See? I knew it had to be a misunderstanding. We agreed to stand together. Why would we exclude you?"

Niu Youdao was no fool.

How could he fail to see that they had pushed Kunlin Shu forward as a shield?

And Kunlin Shu, being the honest man he was, had actually cooperated.

Fail to cut when it is time to cut, and you only invite greater disorder.

Niu Youdao stared at Kunlin Shu, genuinely unsure what to do with this man.

Yet from another perspective, this was precisely one of the things he appreciated about Kunlin Shu.

He remembered kindness.

He repaid debts of gratitude.

He valued loyalty and righteousness.

Niu Youdao had no intention of embarrassing him in front of everyone, and he had plans of his own besides.

So he followed the offered way down.

His voice was flat.

"So it was a misunderstanding."

[End of Chapter 1050]