Chapter 1057: I'm Only Afraid He Won't Dare Stir Things Up

That was also why Niu Youdao had not contacted Ao Feng lightly. Without complete preparations, contacting Ao Feng would accomplish nothing. Ao Feng himself probably could not approach the place easily.

After pondering for a while, Niu Youdao asked, "What does the Fox Immortal Fruit look like?"

Hei Yun's expression dimmed slightly. "Almost all the older generation who saw the Fox Immortal Fruit with their own eyes are gone. Only the former Clan Chief remains. I've only heard that the Fox Immortal Fruit resembles a heart. The red light it gives off makes it seem like a living heart beating. I can't tell you exactly what it looks like. If you absolutely need to know, I'm afraid you'd have to ask the former Clan Chief. But she only wakes once a year, and it's still a long time until a full year has passed since she last awakened. We can't wake her again now."

"A year is too long. The situation here could change at any moment. I may not be able to wait that long." Niu Youdao considered it. "Forget it. For now, we can't count on the former Clan Chief. It seems... if there's truly no other way, I'll have to find a way into Wuliang Garden myself and scout it out."

Hei Yun said, "If you can get inside and investigate, naturally that would be best. But... won't it put you in danger?"

"Ordinary people avoid getting involved with that place at all. The moment anyone enters, attention is certain to follow. But under the present circumstances, there seems to be no other way. Even the disciples of the Nine Saints try to avoid suspicion where the Fox Immortal Fruit is concerned. There isn't anyone suitable for me to question. If I have no other option, I'll have to go in personally."

Hei Yun was still somewhat worried. "What kind of situation are you in over here now?"

"I've become an inspector of Misty Pavilion..." Niu Youdao did not hide it from him. He gave a rough account of the situation, specifically mentioning that he had gotten the Demon Fox Bureau's deacon killed, which pleased Hei Yun. As for the specific means and methods, Niu Youdao avoided discussing them. "That's my present situation. As for what happens later, the outcome is already decided. No matter how effective we are in helping those nine dogs rectify Misty Pavilion, we're all going to die."

Hei Yun did not understand. "They'll kill you even after you've rendered merit?"

Niu Youdao gave a cold snort. "If we can't beat Misty Pavilion, Misty Pavilion will naturally kill us. If we do beat it and finish cleaning the Pavilion up, then Misty Pavilion will once again be the organization truly carrying out those nine dogs' work. At that point they'll have to restore and protect Misty Pavilion's prestige. If Misty Pavilion wants to settle accounts with us then, do you think those nine dogs will still care?"

Hei Yun gritted his teeth. "What a pity no one knows where your master went. If your master were still here, how could those nine dogs dare act so arrogantly?"

"There's no point talking about that. I came this time because I want to establish a communication channel with you. Can you arrange for members of the Demon Fox race to lie low somewhere near me, so I can contact you whenever necessary? If something happens, it'll also let me pass word to you promptly."

"That won't be a problem."

"It has to be secure. No one can discover them."

"Don't worry. We can't operate outside the Desolate Marsh Deadlands for long periods, but hiding nearby to relay messages won't be a problem. With a little disguise, moving through the mountains and waters won't attract much attention. Back when the former Clan Chief was still at Daluo Sacred Land, I was the one responsible for carrying messages. There won't be a problem. However..." Hei Yun paused. "Back then, the former Clan Chief used Goldenwings to communicate with us. With her status as Luo Qiu's wife at Daluo Sacred Land, getting a few Goldenwings was naturally no problem."

"Goldenwings don't live forever. The ones we had back then died long ago. If we have to rely on our legs to carry messages back and forth, the distance is too great. I'm afraid information won't reach either side quickly enough, and that could ruin important matters."

"I'll find a way to handle the Goldenwings."

Hei Yun looked surprised. "You can get Goldenwings inside Sacred Realm?"

"You don't need to concern yourself with that. First arrange reliable people to receive messages somewhere near me. Once I have the Goldenwings, I'll hand them over as quickly as possible so your people can bring them back."

Outside Sacred Realm, Goldenwings could be bought as long as one had money. Inside Sacred Realm, however, they were tightly controlled. It would be difficult for Niu Youdao himself to obtain them here, but he believed whoever stood behind Qu Lingkun should have no problem getting some.

"Good!" Hei Yun agreed.

The two then discussed where their people would make contact.

Once the arrangements were settled, the two left one after another. Niu Youdao took to the air on his flying mount, found Qin Guan and Ke Dingjie, then circled through the sky until he located Demon Fox Bureau Deacon Zhou Tianyu. He went over to take his leave, saying he intended to return to Wentian City early.

"So soon?" Zhou Tianyu was surprised. This routine sweep was supposed to last a month. Niu Youdao had only been here a few days.

"I've looked around enough. It's all more or less the same, and there isn't much of interest. I'll head back first."

Zhou Tianyu would have preferred nothing more than for him to hurry back. If anything happened to Niu Youdao here, Zhou would have no way to explain himself.

Before they set out, Huang Ban had specifically warned him that Niu Youdao could not be allowed to meet with trouble yet, or everyone connected to the matter would be implicated.

Zhou Tianyu was no fool. He knew some people might want Niu Youdao dead. Anyone could kill Niu Youdao, as far as he was concerned, but not now. Zhou had no desire to be dragged down with him. Worse, Niu Youdao liked wandering around the Deadlands alone, which gave anyone with malicious intentions an easy opening.

Worried that something might happen, Zhou Tianyu deployed another large flying mount and ordered men to escort Niu Youdao back.

Niu Youdao tried to decline, but Zhou refused to yield. In the end, Niu could only accept.

After returning to Wentian City, Niu Youdao contacted Qu Lingkun as soon as possible and had him report upward that he wanted ten Goldenwings.

Once he had made the request, Niu Youdao returned to his room and once again opened his map of Sacred Realm, considering where to establish relay points once the Goldenwings arrived.

...

"Ten Goldenwings?" Sha Rulai looked up from where he sat drinking inside a pavilion, clearly surprised.

Standing before the table, Wang Zun glanced around. It was broad daylight.

Of course, there was nothing strange about Wang Zun and Sha Rulai meeting during the day. They could speak openly whenever they had legitimate business to discuss. Still, a matter like this naturally required some caution.

Once he confirmed there was no one else nearby, Wang Zun answered, "Yes, ten. I have no idea what he wants so many Goldenwings for. Where could he have so many people to contact inside Sacred Realm?"

Sha Rulai hesitated. "Exactly. Where would he find that many contacts? Could that brat have already developed a network of people inside Sacred Realm this quickly?"

"According to the intelligence we've gathered, we haven't seen him forming deep ties with anyone. He runs outside Wentian City every few days, but his contact with personnel at the various outposts has been superficial. It doesn't look as though he's been cultivating anyone closely. By rights, he couldn't possibly have built a group willing to communicate secretly by Goldenwing this quickly." Wang Zun paused. "Sir, should we think this over? If it comes to light, it could bring trouble."

Sha Rulai slowly rolled his wine cup in his hand as he considered it. "If he isn't afraid, what are we afraid of? We only need to be careful. Even if the Goldenwings are exposed, the trail won't lead back to us. The fact that he can stir things up and dares to stir things up is a good thing. It means I didn't misjudge him. Finding someone with nerve isn't easy. I'm only afraid he won't dare stir things up. Give them to him. And remember: bring a batch in from outside. Don't use any Goldenwings already inside Sacred Realm."

"Yes!" Wang Zun answered.

Five days later, Qu Lingkun passed Niu Youdao a letter. It said the items should not be delivered directly into Wentian City and instructed him to go the following night to the main peak fifty li north of the city. The things would be left there for him to collect.

The message emphasized one point in particular: he was to go only after dark.

The fact that they had designated a meeting point outside Wentian City showed they understood his situation and knew he could leave the city whenever he wished.

Niu Youdao did not make a sudden trip out that night. Instead, that very day he formally reported an inspection trip to Misty Pavilion, requisitioned a large flying mount, and left Wentian City under the perfectly legitimate pretext of inspection duty.

He made a circuit outside. Before nightfall the next day, while still on the return route, Niu Youdao left Qin Guan and Ke Dingjie behind and went alone to the designated main peak fifty li north of Wentian City.

When he landed on the summit, he found someone already waiting.

The man stood with his back to Niu Youdao, completely wrapped in a black cloak.

Beside the cloaked figure sat a large birdcage containing a group of Goldenwings.

Niu Youdao swiftly surveyed the surroundings.

A hoarse voice came from beneath the cloak. "Don't worry. The area has already been checked. There won't be any problem. Everything needed to go with the birds is inside the cage."

With that, the man flashed away without ever showing his face.

Niu Youdao watched him leave for a moment, then surveyed the surroundings once more. Only afterward did he lift the cage, leap onto his flying mount, and take to the air.

From north of Wentian City, he circled around to the east and descended into a secluded valley.

Once on the ground, Niu Youdao looked around and waited.

He had not been waiting long when some unknown creature crawled from a hole in the rock wall. It looked halfway between a cat and a giant rat and nearly made Niu Youdao draw his sword.

The creature darted up to him and rapidly transformed into human shape.

It was the Demon Fox Elder Niu Youdao had seen before, the one who carried the great scythe.

"You?" Niu Youdao was surprised. He pointed at the Elder. "Why did you look like a rat just now?"

The scythe-bearing Elder gave a wry smile. "Walking around in our true Demon Fox form attracts too much attention. I trimmed my fur to disguise myself."

Niu Youdao could not help laughing. "Why did an Elder come personally? Have I kept you waiting long?"

"It's fine. This matter is important, and we've met before, which avoids some unnecessary complications. So the Clan Chief asked me to make contact personally. I haven't been waiting long, only a day. I thought it might take ten days or half a month. I didn't expect you to get the things this quickly." The Elder crouched beside the cage and looked inside. "So many Goldenwings? Goldenwings are controlled throughout this world. Getting this many couldn't have been easy, could it?"

For Niu Youdao, there had been nothing difficult about it. Someone else had handled everything. "I can't stay long. Find a way to send these back immediately. And take this to the Clan Chief. Have him establish relay points and arrange personnel according to the locations marked on it, so I can contact you promptly whenever necessary."

He took out a tightly rolled strip of paper and handed it over.

"Good!" The scythe-bearing Elder quickly rose and accepted it.

After giving a few more instructions, Niu Youdao immediately mounted his flying bird and departed, heading back to rejoin Qin Guan and Ke Dingjie where he had left them along the route.

...

Star-Plucking City, Inviting Moon Inn.

Innkeeper Bai Yulou climbed the stairs at an unhurried pace, preparing to return to his room. He had taken only a few steps after reaching the upper floor when he suddenly stopped and slowly turned around.

Two people were following him.

One was tall, the other slight. Both wore black cloaks.

"If I remember correctly, you two are guests who just checked in downstairs. Why are you following me?" Bai Yulou asked coldly.

The two said nothing and continued walking toward him.

Bai Yulou narrowed his eyes warily and warned in a flat voice, "This is not a place where just anyone can come looking for trouble."

The tall figure flicked out a sheet of paper and held it before him.

Bai Yulou glanced over the contents and frowned.

It was a Misty Pavilion authorization establishing that the man before him was one of the personnel assigned to inspect Misty Pavilion.

Bai Yulou had once worked inside Misty Pavilion himself and had some ability to distinguish whether such authorizations were genuine.

[End of Chapter 1057]