Chapter 1306: Everything Was Understood Without a Word

Ao Feng did not doubt the other party's identity or what he had said. If Niu Youdao had not arranged it, there was no way the other man could know about this.

Nor was there much reason to suspect malicious intent. If the Demon Fox clan meant him harm, there was no need for such complications. As things stood, Niu Youdao was already dead. The clan could simply have ignored him. After all these years, even the Nine Saints had been unable to do anything about the Demon Foxes. They had little to fear.

Precisely because of that, Ao Feng found himself somewhat moved. He had already given up hope and had come only because there was nowhere else to go, a last-ditch attempt to salvage a hopeless situation. He had never expected the Demon Fox clan to keep honoring Niu Youdao's last instructions. Looking at it this way, these Demon Foxes actually seemed more dependable than humans.

Moved or not, he still retained an instinctive measure of caution. "You'd better not try any tricks. I have a contingency in place."

The old man shook his head. "Whatever contingency you've left is useless against our clan. Come." With that, he flashed away.

Ao Feng had no choice. Once his leave expired, he did not dare return to Wuliang Garden. Apart from the Desolate Marsh Deadlands where the Demon Fox clan survived, everywhere else in the Sacred Realm was dangerous, and nowhere would shelter him for long. He could only follow.

The two flew down from the cliff and skimmed one behind the other across the vast marsh.

As they passed a wooded rise in the swamp, a flying mount came to receive them—one Niu Youdao had left for the Demon Fox clan.

After reaching the depths of the Desolate Marsh Deadlands, they leapt down from the air, and the old man led Ao Feng beneath the swamp.

They eventually arrived at a subterranean palace beneath the marsh. Demon Foxes were frolicking everywhere inside, and the sight made Ao Feng uncomfortable from head to toe. In the past, these were creatures he had killed on sight.

Inside a quiet chamber of the underground palace, Hei Yun, the current Clan Chief of the Demon Fox race, was already waiting. The old man entered and saluted. "Clan Chief, I've brought him."

He then introduced him to Ao Feng. "This is our Clan Chief, Hei Yun."

In the past, Ao Feng would never have taken the Demon Fox clan seriously. Now he cupped his hands with complete respect. "Ao Feng greets the Clan Chief."

"No need for ceremony." Hei Yun brought one hand from behind his back and produced a box. "Niu Youdao left this behind. He told us to give it to you once we saw you."

Ao Feng accepted it with both hands and secretly probed it with spiritual power. Only after finding nothing wrong did he open the box.

As the lid rose, red light spilled out with it. A single Wuliang Fruit lay quietly inside, releasing a fragrance that refreshed the heart and spirit.

Ao Feng had personally plucked the thing from the tree. Of course he recognized it. Excitement surged through him at once. Niu Youdao had promised him one Wuliang Fruit—and had actually kept the promise. The Demon Fox clan had really given it to him.

Thinking back on the endless torment he had endured inside Wuliang Garden, the instant he received the fruit, he suddenly felt that everything had been worth it. The risks he had taken truly had been worth it.

Hei Yun saw his excitement but said little. He pointed to a chest inside the chamber. "Those are Spirit Essence Pills Niu Youdao had sent here. They're for helping you break through to the Nascent Soul Realm. See whether there are enough. If not, we can contact Niu Youdao again later."

"Many thanks, Clan Chief..." Ao Feng closed the box and bowed with cupped hands in heartfelt gratitude, only to freeze halfway through. His head snapped up. "Clan Chief, what did you just say? Contact Niu Youdao again? Isn't Niu Youdao already dead?"

Hei Yun said coldly, "Are you stupid? If Niu Youdao were dead, would we have any reason to risk sheltering an outsider like you? Would we still bother giving you a Wuliang Fruit? How many of my clansmen have you killed? If Niu Youdao hadn't vouched for you and said you could redeem your crimes through meritorious service, we wouldn't care whether you lived or died. He isn't dead. He only faked his death to get away."

"Not dead?" Ao Feng stared in disbelief. "How is that possible? The Nine Saints personally examined his corpse. How could he possibly still be alive?"

Hei Yun said, "With so many people beneath Heaven, who would willingly let the Nine Dogs oppress them? The Nine Dogs are there to be fooled, aren't they? That fellow is crafty as they come. How could he die so easily? Listen carefully. Stay here and behave yourself. Without our clan's permission, you are not allowed to go outside!"

Ao Feng still had not fully recovered from the shock. His mind remained stuck on how Niu Youdao could possibly be alive, and he gave a meek sound of assent.

In truth, no warning was necessary. In his present situation, how would he dare run around outside?

Hei Yun added, "And one more thing. There are no Nine Saints here, only Nine Dogs. Keep saying 'Nine Saints' and don't blame me for turning on you!" With that, he flicked his sleeve and left.

The other Demon Foxes withdrew as well, leaving Ao Feng standing there alone in a daze.

After silently digesting what Hei Yun had told him, he opened the box again and stared at the glowing red Wuliang Fruit. Wild joy gradually welled up inside him. He actually had a chance to step into the Nascent Soul Realm dreamed of by every cultivator in the cultivation world!

Once again, he felt that every risk he had taken before was worth it.

When his excitement finally subsided somewhat, he went to a corner and opened the chest. Seeing it packed full of Spirit Essence Pills, his eyes reddened and he nearly wept with joy.

Niu Youdao had prepared everything for him. All he needed to do was cultivate in peace and make his breakthrough.

This time, Ao Feng was genuinely moved. Niu Youdao's faithfulness to his word touched him deeply and made him feel that he had finally come to understand the man. When dealing with someone like Niu Youdao, what was there left to worry about? All his previous anxieties had been unnecessary.

...

Inside the imperial palace of Qi, Hao Yuntu was entertaining a guest in a lofty pavilion. The guest was Mr. Yucang, Pavilion Master of Xiaoyue Pavilion.

A group ascended the pavilion and host and guest took their seats. Yuwen Yan, Sect Leader of Tianhuo Sect; Bei Xuan, Sect Leader of Xuanbing Sect; and San Qianli, Sect Leader of Daqiu Sect, were also present.

Qin and Qi were already allies and now depended on each other as closely as lips and teeth. Naturally, the courtesies extended to the guest were impeccable.

Once everyone was seated, Hao Yuntu chuckled. "Mr. Yucang, does returning here stir old memories? The last time we parted was in this very place. You truly deceived us badly about your identity."

Mr. Yucang waved a hand. "Circumstances left me no choice."

Hao Yuntu had no intention of pursuing responsibility. Instead, he praised him. "For the restoration of the state, Xiaoyue Pavilion truly endured humiliation and bore a heavy burden."

Mr. Yucang sighed as well. "It has been a bitter road. Thank you for understanding, Your Majesty."

After an exchange of courtesies, food and wine were brought out. Once they had toasted one another, Mr. Yucang abruptly changed the subject. "I hear Xuan Wei has come to the Qi capital?"

Hao Yuntu's eyes flickered slightly. He could roughly guess why the man had come. With a sigh, he said, "Her state has fallen and her home is lost. She is still my daughter-in-law. How could I simply ignore her?"

"Naturally." Mr. Yucang set down his wine cup. "But I have heard that Xuan Wei intends to restore Wei."

Hao Yuntu said, "Restore it with what? Nothing more than wishful thinking."

"You cannot put it that way. A centipede may be dead, but it does not stiffen at once. Wei collapsed in an instant, but beneath the surface, the framework of the Mist Bureau still exists, and Xuan Wei holds it in her hands. There must also be old loyalists and younger scions in Wei who still cannot forget their former sovereign. And as Your Majesty just said, she is your daughter-in-law. In the end, you are family. Taking all these things together, this old man is deeply uneasy."

The three sect leaders exchanged glances. They knew exactly what worried him. Qi had promised that once they joined forces and drove back Jin, the territory of Wei would be given to Qin.

And Qin's own situation could not have been clearer. Regardless of whether this war was won or lost, Qin's territory had already become a morsel at the mouths of Han and Yan. Neither state would let such a fine opportunity pass. Qin's decision to send its army into Qi was a battle with its back to the river. The territory of Wei had become Qin's last road of retreat.

In other words, Xuan Wei's very existence genuinely made Mr. Yucang uneasy. He had not come merely to pay a ceremonial visit. He had plainly come to eliminate a future threat—and to demand Xuan Wei's life.

To the leaders of the three great sects, Xuan Wei's life was no longer important. But it was not their place to say anything. In name, at least, she was still Hao Yuntu's daughter-in-law.

Hao Yuntu was no fool. He understood perfectly well and asked slowly, "What does Mr. Yucang intend?"

Mr. Yucang smiled. "Prince Hao Cheng need not worry about finding a worthy match. If Your Majesty is willing, he may choose any beauty in Qin!"

Hao Yuntu's face was expressionless. "She is still my daughter-in-law."

"Which is precisely why, whatever happens, it will have nothing to do with Your Majesty and nothing to do with Qi. Qin will handle the matter itself. This city is tightly guarded. If something were to happen and the guards simply stood by and ignored it, that would be difficult to explain. What do the three of you think?" Mr. Yucang raised his cup toward them in a distant toast.

The three sect leaders said nothing, acting as though they had neither heard nor seen anything.

Hao Yuntu remained silent. In the end, however, he lifted his own cup in return.

Mr. Yucang laughed loudly, raised his cup, drained it in one swallow, and showed everyone the empty bottom.

Bu Xun stood silently to the side with his head lowered. His gaze moved from one person to another. Everything had been understood without a word.

...

Inside a newly bestowed princely residence, the manor of Hao Cheng.

Hao Cheng strode over and made to enter a doorway. Ximen Qingkong, who was standing guard outside, immediately stepped across and blocked his path.

Hao Cheng's expression darkened at once. Glaring at Ximen Qingkong through clenched teeth, he said, "You had better understand this clearly. This is my home, not yours. Understand who the master of this household is, and understand whose roof you're living under. You live in my home, eat my food, and still dare bar my way in my own house?"

The moment he returned to the Qi capital, Hao Cheng had wanted Ximen Qingkong dead. Unfortunately, Ximen Qingkong's strength and status were what they were. Without approval from above, no one was willing to indulge Hao Cheng's recklessness.

When all was said and done, he held little real power and could not easily mobilize people strong enough to deal with Ximen Qingkong.

Ximen Qingkong's cheeks tightened slightly. He said nothing and did not move aside, simply standing in the doorway.

Hao Cheng was furious, yet he did not dare do anything to him. He paced back and forth in anger before suddenly shouting, "Xuan Wei! Didn't you want to visit the ministers at court? Since you enjoy putting on airs with me, then keep doing it. Just don't regret it!" He flung his sleeve and turned away.

"Wait!" Xuan Wei's voice came from inside. "Ximen, let him in."

Hao Cheng, who had been about to descend the steps, stopped and looked back.

Ximen Qingkong remained silent. In the end, he moved aside.

Hao Cheng gave a cold snort, turned back, and strode inside. Ximen Qingkong followed him in.

Seated behind a writing table, Xuan Wei looked up. She turned facedown a stack of intelligence reports transmitted by the Mist Bureau, rose, and asked Hao Cheng, "Did you see Chancellor Liang?"

From the moment she arrived in the Qi capital, she had wanted to call on Qi's chief minister. The man, however, had deliberately avoided her, using one excuse after another to refuse a meeting.

Chancellor Liang's attitude was plain enough. The other senior officials at court were avoiding her as well. She had been left with no choice but to ask Hao Cheng to use his status as an imperial prince to help her.

"I am an imperial prince, after all. When I personally go to someone's door, who dares stop me?" Hao Cheng clasped his hands behind his back and gave a smug snort.

Xuan Wei immediately came around the long table. "Is Chancellor Liang willing to attend the banquet?"

Hao Cheng tipped his nose upward and said in a deliberately barbed tone, "To be watched by an outsider while I'm inside my own home makes me very uncomfortable!"

Xuan Wei understood his meaning. Gritting her teeth inwardly, she gave Ximen Qingkong a slight nod, indicating that he should withdraw for the moment.

Ximen Qingkong did not move for a long while. He stared coldly at Hao Cheng. In the end, however, he turned and slowly walked out, his steps heavy as he descended the stairs.

[End of Chapter 1306]