Chapter 1149: A Brush with the Gates of the Underworld

Ao Feng regretted it bitterly now. He regretted ever meeting Niu Youdao. He regretted letting greed cloud his judgment and trying to rob Niu Youdao in the Desolate Marsh Deadlands, only to fall step by step into the man's trap.

First, he had been forced to testify for Niu Youdao, offending the entire Misty Pavilion. The hard-won opportunity he had finally obtained to leave Wuliang Garden had been ruined. Yet after remaining in Wuliang Garden, he had become unwelcome on both sides and been pushed aside to guard the gate.

After that, he had helped Niu Youdao smuggle things into Wuliang Garden. Every attempt had left his heart pounding. And now, somehow, he had personally stolen the Wuliang Fruits that almost no one beneath Heaven dared touch.

In short, ever since meeting Niu Youdao, he had not enjoyed a single peaceful day. He had lived quietly in Wuliang Garden for so many years and never imagined life would suddenly become this exciting.

And now he was expected to pull another trick right in front of Lü Wushuang.

Ao Feng instinctively glanced left and right. There was no road back. Having come this far, there truly was no road back anymore.

Niu Youdao, still straightening his clothes, noticed his reaction and saw the panic and uncertainty in him. When Ao Feng looked over again, Niu Youdao gave him a hard, urging look, forcing him to make the decision.

With nowhere left to retreat, Ao Feng steeled himself and gave the faintest nod.

Only after receiving that confirmation and forcing Ao Feng to commit did Niu Youdao smooth his sleeves on both sides as though brushing away dust. Then he turned and walked respectfully toward Lü Wushuang.

There were probably very few people beneath Heaven who could openly stand close beside Lü Wushuang, especially men. Lü Wushuang was, after all, a woman.

Today, Niu Youdao became one of those few. He stood so close that he could clearly see her porcelain-white, delicate skin and every clean strand of hair. The chance to see Lü Wushuang at such close range, close enough even to catch her faint, subtle fragrance, was rare indeed.

Niu Youdao had no mind to admire her beauty. At a moment when his life hung in the balance, no normal man would have the leisure for that. He leaned slightly toward her ear, raised both hands to conceal the movement of his lips, and murmured, "Ding Wei!"

He had no choice but to name Ding Wei. He knew little about other people at that level and had dealt with Ding Wei more than most.

More importantly, he had already offended Ding Wei. Given the opportunity, Ding Wei would never let him off. Since matters had reached this point, it could only be: better a fellow Daoist die than this poor Daoist. He would survive the immediate crisis first and worry about everything else afterward.

Lü Wushuang abruptly turned her head. Her eyes flickered. "You're certain it's him?"

Everyone nearby exchanged glances, inwardly startled and suspicious. They had no idea whom Niu Youdao had named, only that the name had provoked such a strong reaction from Lü Wushuang.

Niu Youdao said, "The clues haven't been fully sorted out yet. For now, I can only say I suspect him."

Lü Wushuang asked, "Why?"

Niu Youdao shifted half a step and once again brought his mouth near her ear. "At first, when the great fire at Wuliang Garden and Hong Yunfa's death happened one after the other, I merely suspected the arson might have been connected to Hong Yunfa's death—that someone had used the fire at Wuliang Garden to divert attention from investigating the cause of Hong Yunfa's death. At that time, I did not suspect Ding Wei."

"After the fire, I already intended to come investigate Wuliang Garden. I happened to run into Ding Wei when he was coming here, so I took the opportunity to accompany him."

"It was during that visit that I noticed certain things I couldn't clearly put into words. Something about Ding Wei's words and behavior simply felt wrong."

"That was when Ding Wei first aroused my suspicion. I thought again about Hong Yunfa's death. I heard the investigation into Hong Yunfa had been conducted in secret, and Ding Wei himself was the one presiding over it. If everything was confidential, who could have leaked the information before Ding Wei moved? My thought was simple: why couldn't Ding Wei himself be suspicious?"

"Because of that suspicion, I began watching Ding Wei's people and secretly investigating them. I truly did uncover certain abnormalities. That is what led to this visit to Wuliang Garden."

Lü Wushuang's brows drew together slightly, several traces of contemplation appearing in her eyes. She knew more about the situation than Niu Youdao did.

Following Niu Youdao's line of reasoning, she thought of something else. The Misty Pavilion spy inside Myriad Beasts Sect had also disappeared before Ding Wei's people arrived there.

Two similarly suspicious incidents had occurred around the same man. Thinking it over, there truly did seem to be something wrong.

If Niu Youdao's account was accurate, then this investigation might not only uncover the mastermind behind the arson. It might also expose whoever had been behind Hong Yunfa's death.

The others watched the two whispering together, then saw the thoughtful expression on Lü Wushuang's face. Their suspicion deepened. It seemed Niu Youdao had not been firing an arrow without a target after all. He really had locked onto someone with ulterior motives. They simply had no idea who it was.

Coming back to herself, Lü Wushuang asked, "Did you truly come here confident you could uncover the inside traitor?"

Niu Youdao replied, "Give me three days. Once I've sorted through all the testimony we collected, I will certainly give the Sacred Venerable an explanation!"

Lü Wushuang said evenly, "Then remain here and sort out the clues before doing anything else."

How could Niu Youdao possibly stay? If he truly remained in Wuliang Garden, he feared he would never leave alive again. He hurriedly said, "That would be inappropriate! According to the clues, there is very likely an inside traitor in Wuliang Garden. Whether it is one person or several already working together, no one can guarantee. With so many people guarding the Wuliang Fruit, stealing it would probably be beyond the power of a single person. If a whole group truly has colluded together, anyone with ulterior motives will certainly not let me remain alive. Staying here would be seeking death. That is why I did not dare come with only a handful of people. For safety, I even dragged along the inspectors from all eight sects to bolster my courage."

Lü Wushuang's cold gaze swept across the respectfully standing group before returning slowly to him. "If that is so, why didn't you report upward before coming to inspect? Once a report was received, people would naturally have been sent to assist you."

Niu Youdao said, "It isn't that I refused to report. I didn't dare. Unless a Goldenwing carrying my message could land directly in the Sacred Venerable's hands, I would not dare send it. Second, the moment we mobilized people openly, the information would leak. This matter could only be investigated by surprise. We could not alert the quarry beforehand. And without firm evidence, I did not dare make reckless accusations."

Lü Wushuang fell silent for a while. She did not suspect that Niu Youdao would dare deceive her. Then she suddenly said decisively, "Very well! I will count the travel time both ways as part of the allowance. You have five days. Return to Wentian City immediately. Once you arrive, invoke my name and command all Wushuang Sacred Land personnel in Wentian City to take charge of protecting your food, lodging, and daily movements. No one is to interfere with you. Wushuang Sacred Land will also send people there afterward to take charge and assist your investigation."

"Yes!" Niu Youdao stepped back and cupped his hands in acceptance.

Lü Wushuang then turned to the others. "Inspectors of the eight sects, heed my command. From this moment onward, obey Niu Youdao's deployments and do everything in your power to help him investigate this case. There must be no negligence!"

So they really had stumbled upon a chance to earn merit! Taishu Shanhai and the others immediately straightened, then cupped their hands together. "We obey the Sacred Venerable's decree!"

Lü Wushuang glanced at the evening sky and tilted her head slightly toward Niu Youdao. "Why aren't you leaving?"

Niu Youdao answered respectfully, "Sacred Venerable, the rules of Wuliang Garden cannot be broken. Since we came out of Wuliang Garden, we must undergo a search before leaving. Otherwise, if anything happens later, we will never be able to clear ourselves."

The corner of Ao Feng's mouth twitched. He cursed inwardly. Bastard. Even after playing the whore, he still insists on erecting a chastity arch for himself. He really means to keep himself completely clean!

Ao Feng was thoroughly convinced by now. If it had been him, his calves would already have gone weak from fear and he would have been desperate to get away as quickly as possible. Who would still have the nerve to linger?

Even Lü Wushuang could find nothing wrong with Niu Youdao's request. She lifted her chin toward the stationed deacon, indicating what should be done.

The deacon immediately responded, hurriedly called people over, and conducted a strict, meticulous search of every inspector from the eight sects.

Even the weapons returned to Niu Youdao and the others were thoroughly inspected once more.

Only after confirming there was nothing abnormal were Niu Youdao and the rest formally released.

Before departing, Niu Youdao glanced sidelong toward Ao Feng. Ao Feng gave the faintest nod.

A stone lay in the grass beside Ao Feng's feet. He was standing right next to it. Naturally, it was that stone. While Niu Youdao had been whispering with Lü Wushuang and attracting everyone's attention, Ao Feng had silently let it slip into the grass at his feet.

Niu Youdao relaxed slightly. Then, unexpectedly, he stepped close to Lü Wushuang once more and murmured something else to her.

No one knew what he said. Lü Wushuang merely nodded slightly to show she understood.

Only then did Niu Youdao formally bow in farewell. With a wave of his hand, he led the people of the eight sects aboard their flying mounts and soared away.

After watching them for a moment, Lü Wushuang turned back. Her gaze swept across everyone present as she slowly ordered, "From this moment onward, without permission, no one inside Wuliang Garden is allowed to transmit any message to the outside world. Violators die!"

"Yes!" everyone answered together.

Lü Wushuang flashed back into Wuliang Garden and flew directly to the Wuliang Fruit tree.

The three Crow Generals immediately transformed like demons, guarding the fruit tree and staring at the newcomer with glowing red eyes.

Lü Wushuang's bright gaze swept across the Wuliang Fruits hanging on the tree. After confirming nothing appeared amiss, she told the stationed deacon who had hurried over, "For the next few days, keep everyone alert. Watch the situation inside Wuliang Garden closely. Any abnormality, no matter how small, must be noticed and followed up immediately."

The deacon cupped his hands. "Yes!"

Lü Wushuang flashed away. She did not linger. She left.

High in the sky, after Wuliang Garden had fallen far behind them, Niu Youdao finally dared let out a long, slow breath.

He had gambled earlier. He had gambled that Lü Wushuang's lofty pride would keep her from endlessly questioning him over every detail. If she had truly pressed him and demanded the entire chain of evidence, the nonsense he had spun would never have held together.

He had truly taken a turn before the Gates of the Underworld.

After settling his mind and gathering his thoughts again, Niu Youdao gave a hand signal. The people of all eight sects followed him down into a stretch of mountain forest.

"What is it?" Taishu Shanhai asked after landing.

Niu Youdao said, "We split up here. I need to make a trip to the Desolate Marsh Deadlands."

Taishu Shanhai was curious. "The Desolate Marsh Deadlands? Was that Sacred Venerable Wushuang's instruction?"

"No. I'm assigned to the Demon Fox Bureau, after all. The Bureau's routine sweep ends tomorrow. There are certain formalities I can't avoid. I need to make an appearance." Niu Youdao continued, "As for all of you, remember this: do not return together. Each group carries its own testimony. Split up and return to Wentian City by different routes."

An Shougui, Elder of Myriad Beasts Sect, asked, "Why?"

Niu Youdao said, "The people implicated in this case are no small figures. None of us knows whether word has already leaked. The material you're carrying may attract certain people's attention. If everyone travels together, who knows what might happen? Returning separately is safer for all of you. Once you reach Wentian City, immediately invoke Sacred Venerable Wushuang's name and order the Wushuang Sacred Land personnel there to protect you. The Sacred Venerable personally authorized it."

At those words, everyone's expression turned solemn. Their nerves tightened again.

Taishu Shanhai gave a slight nod. "Understood."

[End of Chapter 1149]