Chapter 1304: Holy Son of the Demonic Sect

Ignoring their reactions, Yuan Gang, his energy restored, was now completely clearheaded.

Seeing Feng Guan'er seemed to remind him of something. He faced her and said, "Luo Zhao has already led the Qin army into Qi territory."

At the mention of this, Feng Guan'er felt ashamed. She gave a small nod and said softly, "I heard. I know. You helped him."

Yuan Gang said, "Before I left, Luo Zhao asked me to pass something on to you. He told me to tell you that you don't owe him anything anymore."

The words sounded strangely familiar to Feng Guan'er. She remembered what that man on the cliff had told her, except he had been speaking of Yuan Gang not owing her anything anymore.

What could she say? She bit her lower lip and gave a slight nod.

They were talking about private feelings, and it was inappropriate for outsiders to listen. Zhao Xiongge tactfully tugged at Nantian Wufang's sleeve.

Nantian Wufang understood. He turned and left with him.

After leaving the stone chamber, Nantian Wufang followed Zhao Xiongge like a tail, all the way into Zhao Xiongge's room. He quickly shut the door, hurried over, pointed back outside, and said, "He recovered? Just like that? What happened? Why does this feel like a dream? Why does it all seem unreal?"

How would Zhao Xiongge know what had happened? He wanted to know himself.

For a moment, he had no idea how to explain it. But he had not forgotten Niu Youdao's instruction to take advantage of the situation and build up their position here. So he put on an enigmatic expression. "How would I know? But... now you should understand why he's the one generations of Saintesses were waiting for, shouldn't you? You believe it now, don't you?"

Nantian Wufang fell silent. At last, he gave a slight nod. "The ceremony to pay homage to the Holy Son is being arranged. It can begin before long."

...

The Jin-Qi war underwent an enormous change with Qin's entry into the conflict, placing the Jin army under the pressure of fighting on two fronts.

Yet the Qi and Qin armies were under great pressure as well in the face of Jin's unhurried preparations and steadily gathering strength. In particular, Jin's troop strength was increasing by degrees, leaving the combined Qi-Qin forces with no real advantage in numbers.

After Luo Zhao met with Huyan Wuhen, he agreed with Huyan Wuhen's battle plan. Huyan Wuhen would lead the Qi army in drawing in Jin's main force, while the Qin army would seize an opportunity to strike into the interior of the former State of Wei and throw its granary regions into chaos, denying Gao Pin the chance to take his time, advance step by step, and develop the "Wei granary" for a protracted war.

As long as that strategic objective was achieved, Jin would be unable to sustain such an enormous fighting force for long.

There was no helping it. Qin's intervention brought both advantages and disadvantages for Qi.

Qin's own reserves had already been depleted to the point that it had little left to contribute. At present, the supplies needed by both the Qin and Qi armies were being sustained almost entirely by Qi alone. Xiping Pass remained under Jin's control, while the other states were plainly standing back and watching. There was no meaningful support to be had from elsewhere.

For the resources of a single state to sustain such enormous armies placed Qi itself under tremendous strain.

Qin and Qi accelerated their troop movements. A great battle was on the verge of erupting...

In the capital of Jin stood an imperial estate allocated by Emperor Taishu Xiong. It had also been chosen as the site of the Imperial Academy.

Large-scale renovations were underway on the estate's old buildings. Shao Pingbo, plans in hand, mingled among the craftsmen and discussed the reconstruction with them.

A carriage arrived. Taishu Huan'er, now dressed in the style of a married woman, stepped down with a sweet smile on her face. She had personally brought pastries she had made with her own hands.

Shao Sansheng had accompanied her. Shao Pingbo came forward smiling to receive them, but he could tell that Shao Sansheng had something to report. After saying a stream of pleasing things to Taishu Huan'er, he sent her on her way.

Shao Sansheng did not leave. Only after the carriage had gone into the distance did he take a report from his sleeve and hand it over.

There were advantages to Shao Pingbo's present circumstances. He had much more freedom than before and had even established private contact with several cultivation sects in Jin, making it easier for him to obtain news from the cultivation world.

"The Holy Son of the Demonic Sect?"

Shao Pingbo looked up from the report in astonishment.

Word of the Demonic Sect's ceremony at Demon Ridge to pay homage to its Holy Son had now spread throughout the cultivation world.

Shao Sansheng said, "Eldest Young Master, there should be no mistake."

Shao Pingbo frowned. "Wasn't Yuan Gang seized and taken into the Sacred Realm after offending Sacred Venerable Wushuang? How did he become the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect in the blink of an eye?"

Shao Sansheng said, "No one can make sense of it. The cultivation world was caught off guard by the news as well, and no one seems to know much. Eldest Young Master, Yuan Gang was Niu Youdao's trusted subordinate. Now that he's become the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect, could he cause trouble for you in the future?"

Shao Pingbo shook his head slightly. "All brawn and no brains. He's nothing more than a martial brute. Niu Youdao is dead; Yuan Gang alone isn't worth worrying about. What puzzles me now is..."

He pondered for a while, then muttered, "The relationship between the Saintess and Zhao Xiongge, the relationship between Zhao Xiongge and Maolu Villa, and now Yuan Gang of Maolu Villa has become the Holy Son. I was already surprised that Yuan Gang could leave the Sacred Realm alive. How did he then become the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect? I've watched Maolu Villa for years. This isn't something Yuan Gang has the ability to arrange. Why do I feel there's something wrong with this?"

"Yuan Gang couldn't arrange it..." Shao Sansheng ventured, "Eldest Young Master, do you still suspect Niu Youdao might not be dead?"

Shao Pingbo waved a hand. "I still had some unease before. Certain signs, together with how quickly the situation in Nanzhou stabilized, kept making me uncomfortable. But now that this has happened, I actually feel reassured. Think about it. If Niu Youdao were still alive, how could he possibly have allowed Yuan Gang to go to the Boundless Desert and use the sand scorpions to help Qin transport its army?"

"This incident confirms it. Niu Youdao really is dead."

Shao Sansheng nodded. "Eldest Young Master is right."

Shao Pingbo looked back at him. "Old Shao, try contacting the shopkeeper. Ask whether he knows what's going on."

...

Outside a pavilion, a Goldenwing landed on a crossbar beneath the eaves, cooing softly.

Inside, Yun Ji opened her eyes from seated meditation. She rose, opened the door, and went out to remove a tightly rolled secret message from the tube on the Goldenwing's leg.

Returning indoors, she opened the message, sat down at the writing desk, dipped her brush in ink, and decoded the secret letter word by word.

She set down the brush, rose, and went downstairs. On the lower floor, she opened the secret passage and entered.

After reaching the underground chamber, she roused Niu Youdao from cultivation and handed him the letter.

Niu Youdao read its contents, his face first registering astonishment before he smiled, as though a weight had lifted from him. "The universe is vast. It truly does contain every kind of wonder."

The letter had come from Zhao Xiongge. It described the marvel that had occurred with Yuan Gang and said Yuan Gang had already recovered.

Yun Ji did not know exactly what had happened, but merely learning that Yuan Gang had been rescued from the hands of the Nine Saints already seemed miraculous to her.

She was also privately astonished by Niu Youdao's methods and reach. He had actually managed to fish someone out from under the hands of the Nine Saints.

Having personally witnessed one event after another, her confidence in Niu Youdao had grown steadily stronger.

Just then, another person entered through the doorway. It was Guan Fangyi. She gave an amused "Oh?" and said, "A lone man and woman alone together—careful. Dry tinder catches fire."

Yun Ji ignored her as though she had heard nothing. She had already noticed that ever since she replaced Guan Fangyi at Niu Youdao's side, Guan Fangyi's words always seemed to carry a faintly barbed tone.

Niu Youdao said, "Don't go looking for trouble when there's none."

Guan Fangyi said, "As if I'd interrupt the two of you for no reason. There is something. His Highness and the others are at my place. They want to see you."

Niu Youdao did not care for her barbed insinuations either. He rose and left.

The two women followed behind him. Guan Fangyi suddenly said to Yun Ji, "Did something happen again? Why do I feel like this fellow's been looking at me strangely lately?"

Yun Ji said nothing.

Walking ahead of them, Niu Youdao heard her and muttered to himself, Have I been doing that lately?

They passed through the underground tunnel and emerged from Guan Fangyi's room. Shang Chaozong, Meng Shanming, and Lan Ruoting were waiting inside.

"Master Dao!" All three cupped their hands in greeting.

Niu Youdao motioned for them to dispense with the courtesies, walked closer, and asked, "What brings Your Highness here?"

The three exchanged glances. Shang Chaozong tentatively said, "We've heard some rumors that Yuan Gang has become the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect and accepted the obeisance of Demonic Sect followers at Demon Ridge. May I ask whether it's true?"

Niu Youdao said, "It's true. There shouldn't be any mistake. Why has this matter brought all three of you here together?"

The three looked at one another again. This time Lan Ruoting cupped his hands and asked, "Master Dao, didn't the earlier news say that Yuan Gang had been seized by the Sacred Realm?"

"He was. He nearly lost his life as well, but I've already rescued him. I've temporarily settled him at Demon Ridge. Making him the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect was also part of my arrangement. Why? Is there some problem?"

At those words, the three men were visibly heartened. Yuan Gang had offended Lü Wushuang, one of the Nine Saints, yet Master Dao had actually managed to rescue him from the Sacred Realm and then establish him as the Holy Son of the Demonic Sect. How much power and reach must he have behind the scenes to accomplish that?

Niu Youdao had deliberately put it that way. As the man at the head, it was necessary to give those beneath him confidence when needed.

Marshal Meng hesitated before speaking. "It isn't that we have any objection to Master Dao's arrangement. It's simply that this matter involves the Demonic Sect, which can't help reminding me of what happened many years ago. Back then, Zhao Xiongge of the Shangqing Sect caused a great many troubles because of his involvement with the Demonic Sect. If Yuan Gang returns bearing the title of the Demonic Sect's Holy Son, we don't know how we should handle it. We came to ask Master Dao for guidance."

Niu Youdao smiled faintly. "Marshal Meng is worrying too much. Much of what happened back then was only what appeared on the surface. The circumstances behind it were extremely complicated. It wasn't what you saw. As for Yuan Gang, he'll remain at Demon Ridge. Until the right opportunity comes, I won't let him return. Even if he does return, I'll have my own way of dealing with it, so all of you can rest easy."

"Enough about that. Marshal Meng, the Qin army has now entered Qi and the two armies are fighting together. In your view, can the allied forces win? And how long will the war take to end?"

He needed to consult someone with professional expertise so he could make judgments about how to act afterward.

Meng Shanming pondered briefly before saying slowly, "Qin's army entered Qi too late. I'm afraid it won't help. I didn't see it at first either. Only after considering Gao Pin's recent deployments did it occur to me—Qi has probably fallen into a trap!"

Niu Youdao gave a soft "Oh?" "How so?"

"Judging from how both sides are currently deploying their forces, we can be almost certain that Jin never intended to fight Qi head-on in the first place. Jin simply made such an enormous show of force that even an observer like me was deceived. This must be Gao Pin's stratagem. He means to subdue the enemy without fighting! Earlier, Jin made a great show of preparing to invade from Qi's western front. It was actually a feint, using the strength of the entire state to frighten the Qi court. Under that pressure, the Qi court fell for the deception and ended up forcing Huyan Wuhen to withdraw his troops."

[End of Chapter 1304]