Chapter 1216: A Natural Death

"Waiting for someone?" Guan Fangyi asked curiously. "Who?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "Cannot be said!"

Guan Fangyi immediately looked displeased, turned her head away, and left...

Await orders? After receiving Nanzhou's reply, the two men at the Zi Residence were baffled. They had no idea what Nanzhou meant. Hadn't the other side said they needed Jia Wuqun's answer before the war in the west was decided?

Part of the reason Jia Wuqun had agreed was precisely because of that war. After learning the role Shao Pingbo had played in it, he too intended to restrain the man to some degree. None of the states, Song included, wanted to see Jin grow powerful too easily.

"They gave Sir a deadline to agree before, and now that you have agreed, they tell you merely to await orders without saying how long. Does Sir understand Nanzhou's deeper meaning?" Zi Pingxiu could not help asking.

Sitting opposite him, Jia Wuqun slowly shook his head and wrote: Deep and unfathomable!

There was nothing to be done. They could only wait for the time being.

That wait lasted more than half a month...

During the time Jia Wuqun was waiting, Yun Ji also finished the tunnel beneath the temporary residence of Maolu Villa's people.

Niu Youdao and the others were inspecting the tunnel when Yuan Gang arrived and handed over a secret letter. "News from that side."

Niu Youdao took the letter and read it, then fell into thought.

Guan Fangyi took advantage of his distraction and suddenly reached out, snatching the letter from his hand. She wanted to see what the two men had been secretly doing behind her back.

The move earned her a cold glance from Yuan Gang. Guan Fangyi noticed it and ignored him. She hurriedly read the letter first.

Only after looking did she realize that it contained a rough account of the conversation Chuan Ying had had with Tang Yi outside the Wei military camp.

Guan Fangyi instinctively glanced at Yuan Gang again, somewhat surprised. Back when Niu Youdao had first told her to obtain the contents of that conversation, she had said there was no way. Niu Youdao had then gone to Yuan Gang, which had annoyed her somewhat. Who could have imagined that this damned Monkey really would manage to get the information?

She did not yet know that Zhao Xiongge maintained a channel of communication with the Shangqing Sect, and naturally had no idea Yuan Gang had used him.

After reading the account, Guan Fangyi asked, "Master Dao, did you really ask Chuan Ying to look after the Shangqing Sect?" Outside, she did not dare address him as Master Dao, but here in the tunnel there was no need to worry about walls having ears.

Still deep in thought, Niu Youdao slowly shook his head.

Guan Fangyi had thought it unlikely. Niu Youdao had already told her that something about Chuan Ying felt wrong. How could he possibly have entrusted anything to the man lightly? She asked in puzzlement, "Then why is Chuan Ying claiming responsibility for something you never asked him to do?"

Niu Youdao shook his head again and said slowly, "There really is something wrong with Chuan Ying... but what exactly is he trying to do? He's using my name as an excuse to look after the Shangqing Sect. I cannot find even the slightest clue to what he's plotting. He approached me before, and after I died, he went to the Shangqing Sect. Could his original approach to me also have had something to do with the Shangqing Sect? But what could the Shangqing Sect possibly give him...?"

He thought it over repeatedly, yet still shook his head. He truly could not make sense of it.

Turning, he walked over to the table in the underground chamber. He used a small spoon to drip water into the inkstone, picked up an ink stick, and began grinding it gently. "Monkey, reply to that side. Tell him I never entrusted Chuan Ying with this matter, and I do not know what Chuan Ying's purpose is. There must be some scheme behind what he's doing. Ask whether he knows what's going on. If he doesn't, have his people keep a close eye on the Shangqing Sect for now. Do not alert the snake by beating the grass."

Yuan Gang said, "Understood."

Niu Youdao sat down, dipped his brush in ink, and wrote several lines. He lifted the sheet and handed it over. "Tell him I want this person. Have him arrange it. My people will go receive him later."

Yuan Gang took the paper and glanced at it. "Didn't you look down on him before?"

Guan Fangyi grew curious and tried to crane her neck over to see what was written. Yuan Gang casually turned the paper away, refusing to let her look. She glared at him in irritation.

"Monkey, when did you learn to waste words?" Niu Youdao asked expressionlessly.

Yuan Gang immediately stopped wasting words, turned, and left.

...

Demon Ridge, rear mountain of the Demon Palace.

Beneath heavy clouds, the Golden-Furred Hou slept soundly atop a sheer cliff.

With a wine gourd at his waist and a letter in hand, Zhao Xiongge wore a grave expression. His eyes slowly lifted from the page toward the ever-shifting dark clouds ahead, and he murmured, "Chuan Ying... is one of his men..."

...

Clack!

A bamboo slip hanging on the wall fell onto the cabinet below. The peg holding it retracted, allowing the slip to drop naturally.

At the sound, Yun Ji turned toward Niu Youdao, only to find he had already turned away and entered the tunnel, heading straight into its depths.

Yuan Gang was standing upright in the underground chamber waiting for him. When Niu Youdao arrived, Yuan Gang handed over a secret letter. "Zhao Xiongge's reply. The problem may be more serious than you thought."

Niu Youdao took the letter and read it.

It said:

As for the person you want, someone in the Shangqing Sect will cooperate with the arrangements. After your reminder, I can confirm that Chuan Ying is one of Wu Chang's men. Any future contact with the Shangqing Sect must be handled with great caution!

"Wu Chang?" Niu Youdao was shocked.

There might be other people beneath Heaven with the same name, but if Zhao Xiongge mentioned Wu Chang without further distinction, he could only mean the one at Tianmo Sacred Land.

That only made the matter stranger. Wu Chang had initially sent someone to approach Niu Youdao; after Niu Youdao's "death," he sent someone to approach Tang Yi instead. What exactly was he trying to do?

If Wu Chang wanted something done, why go to such lengths and take such a roundabout path?

Even more astonishing was the fact that Chuan Ying was one of Wu Chang's people, yet he had married Xue Luo'er. What deeper meaning lay behind that arrangement? The thought sent a chill down the spine.

After a long silence, Niu Youdao raised his head. "Chuan Ying approached Tang Yi, and we couldn't see even the faintest clue why. But the moment we reminded Zhao Xiongge, he immediately knew Chuan Ying was one of Wu Chang's men. That means he must know something. Monkey, contact him again immediately. Ask why Wu Chang has set his eyes on Tang Yi. Ask what exactly lies behind this."

"All right!" Yuan Gang also understood the gravity of the matter and moved quickly to carry out the order.

Yet when they pressed for details this time, Zhao Xiongge replied with only one sentence:

There is no need to ask further!

After that, he refused to answer any question related to the matter. He continued responding normally about other things, but ignored this subject alone. Clearly, aside from warning them to be careful, he did not want Niu Youdao's side to know too much.

The result left Niu Youdao uncertain and deeply suspicious.

After considering it again and again, Niu Youdao decided he needed to find a suitable opportunity to speak with Zhao Xiongge in person. There were certain things Zhao Xiongge simply would not trust Yuan Gang and the others enough to reveal.

...

The weather was clear, with ten thousand li of blue sky.

Inside Tortoise-Slumber Pavilion at Zijin Cave, a dull humming sound suddenly rang out. The cultivators guarding outside all turned toward the building.

Then an aged, resonant voice, carried by spiritual power, slowly came from within.

"Ashamed before the generations of forebears of Zijin Cave, Zhong Guzi bows his head in farewell!"

The guards were greatly alarmed. But the doors of Tortoise-Slumber Pavilion had been sealed under strict orders, and no one dared enter without authorization to see what had happened.

Word quickly reached Sect Leader Gong Lince. He hurried over, while the entire senior leadership of Zijin Cave was alarmed and converged on the pavilion one after another.

Standing before the sealed doors, the aged Chun Xinliang called, "Senior Brother! Senior Brother! Senior Brother..."

He called more than ten times. There was no response from inside.

Chun Xinliang turned to face the others, his expression heavy. "Sect Leader, give the order to open the seclusion."

Gong Lince said decisively, "Open it!"

Disciples immediately stepped forward, tore away the seals, broke the locks, and opened the heavy doors. A group of Zijin Cave's senior figures rushed inside.

Before long, a grief-stricken wail came from within.

"Senior Brother!"

That day, white mourning filled Zijin Cave.

Zhong Guzi, Supreme Elder of Zijin Cave, had reached the limit of his allotted lifespan. His natural years were exhausted, and he passed away.

Ju An and the others wept like rain, sobbing until they could barely speak.

During the funeral rites, the news spread. Whatever grudges or conflicts there had been before, Zhong Guzi had died a natural death at the end of his allotted years. Among cultivators beneath Heaven, with grudges never ending, killing never ceasing, and men forever struggling and fighting over what they wanted, very few were able to die such a death.

All the major sects beneath Heaven sent people to offer condolences.

Yan Emperor Shang Jianxiong personally went to Zijin Cave to pay his respects. Shang Chaozong also came from Nanzhou, though the two men deliberately avoided one another and did not meet.

...

Within the State of Song, Zi Pingxiu, Chancellor of Song, was touring nearby when he climbed Xiaoyuan Mountain.

Xiaoyuan Mountain was the secluded residence of Jian Shanyue, the expert ranked eighth on the Golden Core Ranking.

In his early years, Jian Shanyue had been fiercely competitive and eager to make a name for himself. His killing nature was heavy, and his hands were stained with blood. Yet after reaching the Golden Core Ranking, for reasons unknown, he suddenly turned over a new leaf and withdrew from the world.

And he had truly withdrawn.

He lived in a simple thatched cottage with only two maidservants for company, ignoring the grudges and struggles of the outside world ever since.

This time, however, the Chancellor of Song had personally come to visit. Jian Shanyue had no wish to become involved, but given Zi Pingxiu's position—and the fact that Jian Shanyue was living in seclusion within Song—he had little choice but to appear and receive him.

The two held a private conversation. What they discussed, no outsider knew.

That very night after Zi Pingxiu left, a masked man quietly arrived at the thatched cottage on Xiaoyuan Mountain and abducted the two maidservants.

Jian Shanyue pursued him into the mountains.

When Jian Shanyue caught up, he found both maidservants already dead. Enraged, he attacked the masked man.

The two crossed in a single exchange.

Jian Shanyue's face twisted with grief and fury. Then he collapsed and did not rise again.

From that day onward, dust gathered over the thatched cottage on Xiaoyuan Mountain, and its master was never seen again.

...

Outside Nanzhou's provincial capital, a carriage rolled out through the city gates.

The driver was Yuan Gang in disguise.

Inside sat Niu Youdao, Guan Fangyi, and Yun Ji.

At the foot of a quiet mountain outside the city, two men were already waiting. No one recognized one of them; he called himself Yuan Cong. The other was Jia Wuqun, who had been brought over from the Song capital.

Only Niu Youdao emerged from the carriage. He jumped down and cupped his hands to Jia Wuqun. "I've troubled Sir to make this journey."

Jia Wuqun turned and gestured. Yuan Cong stepped forward. Jia Wuqun wrote with a finger on Yuan Cong's back, and Yuan Cong voiced the words for him. "Does Sir have any further instructions?"

Niu Youdao said, "The reason I asked Sir to pause here on the way was so I could ask you face to face whether you need anything else for this journey. If so, say it. I will do what I can to arrange it."

Jia Wuqun traced words on Yuan Cong's back, and Yuan Cong spoke for him. "Shao Pingbo is no ordinary man. Does Sir not think the protection you've provided is somewhat thin?"

Niu Youdao smiled. "Sir can set your mind at ease. His Highness would never gamble with your life. Given Sir's identity and background, Shao Pingbo will not dare openly kill you. As for secret methods, Mr. Yuan Cong's true identity is that of a genuine top expert in the cultivation world. He is more than capable of protecting Sir."

"Even if he encounters someone he cannot defeat, taking Sir away and preserving your life should still be no problem. The other man is merely a servant assigned to accompany you, handle miscellaneous chores, and look after your food, clothing, travel, and daily needs."

"Let us hope so. I have no other needs." Once Yuan Cong finished speaking, Jia Wuqun's finger dropped from his back.

"Good. Then I won't see you any farther." Niu Youdao nodded, then respectfully saluted Yuan Cong. "Mr. Yuan Cong, you must protect Sir Jia's safety. Do not leave his side lightly. If you encounter some matter that is difficult to resolve, ask Sir Jia for a plan!"

[End of Chapter 1216]