Chapter 1576: I Would Trade the Realm for His Highness's Sister

Once the greetings had mostly run their course, Zhao Xiongge coughed twice and tilted his head toward Niu Youdao.

Niu Youdao understood. He asked Guan Fangyi and the others to entertain the guests, then walked away with Zhao Xiongge.

Knowing the two had private matters to discuss, Shang Chaozong and his wife could only swallow the many things they wanted to say. Neither dared interrupt.

After leaving the villa, the two former disciples of Shangqing Sect stood side by side at the edge of the mountain.

Zhao Xiongge spoke first. "You're moving every cultivator beneath Heaven into the Fifth Domain. Does that include Shangqing Sect?"

Niu Youdao had known this would be the question. "It includes Shangqing Sect. You and I are both going too."

Zhao Xiongge turned to look at him. "You won't even spare Shangqing Sect?"

Niu Youdao said, "You should already have heard the rumors. This isn't a question of sparing anyone. Once the flow of spiritual qi between the Five Domains is severed, if Shangqing Sect remains in the human world, it will inevitably decline."

"Haven't you always wanted to revive Shangqing Sect?"

Zhao Xiongge said, "Once we're separated from the human world, even I don't know how much meaning there will still be in reviving Shangqing Sect. Does it absolutely have to be done this way? Is there truly no other solution?"

Niu Youdao stared at him solemnly. "Uncle Zhao, the old rumors about what Prince Ning wanted to do were true. Old Dong Guo and Tang Mu secretly helped him. What was all of that for?"

"I'm only finishing the wish Old Dong Guo and the others left behind."

"Shangqing Sect is pitiful right now, yes. But once it becomes the only cultivation power remaining in the human world, can you guarantee it won't change?"

Zhao Xiongge said, "As long as I'm alive, I won't permit it."

Niu Youdao said, "What a joke. Do you really think you're invincible beneath Heaven?"

"If I could bring down the Nine Saints, then someone else can kill you too. You can guard by day and guard by night, but how will you guard against people within Shangqing Sect itself?"

"I'm not criticizing you for nothing. You're good at keeping secrets. But when it comes to controlling people while everyone beneath Heaven chases profit, you're no good at it."

"Uncle Zhao, indulging private selfishness like this isn't appropriate. Don't harm others and yourself."

"Think about how the Saintess died. Think about how Old Dong Guo and Tang Mu died. Year after year of war—how many people beneath Heaven died for nothing?"

"Do you want someone to rise in the future and exterminate Shangqing Sect down to the last person?"

Zhao Xiongge fell silent.

Niu Youdao continued, "Take Shangqing Sect into the Fifth Domain."

"If you want to revive it, then revive it there."

"Once you reach the Fifth Domain, Shangqing Sect will have you, and it will also have the people of Maolu Villa. Shangqing Sect will rise very quickly."

"Is dominating one domain still not enough? Does Shangqing Sect intend to monopolize all Five Domains?"

"Don't be too greedy."

"Once you're in the Fifth Domain, fight and kill however you like. Just stop dragging the countless common people of this world into it."

"Draw yourselves a circle and play inside it. Do whatever you like to your hearts' content."

"As for me, I'm truly tired."

"Us?" Zhao Xiongge looked at him. "You still don't intend to have anything to do with Shangqing Sect?"

Niu Youdao said, "Countless people have died because of me. My hands are already soaked in blood debts."

"You may laugh at me for saying this, but I believe in karmic retribution."

"Not only with Shangqing Sect—with everything from now on, I will only watch from the side. I won't involve myself anymore."

"I'm going to put distance between myself and all these rights and wrongs."

Zhao Xiongge laughed. "Once a man is in the jianghu, we'll see whether you can really hide from it."

"With so many people entering the Fifth Domain, I want to see where you plan to hide then."

He turned and left.

Niu Youdao smiled to himself and gazed into the distance.

After standing there in silent distraction for a time, he finally turned around.

Then he saw a tall, broad woman walking toward him.

It was none other than Feng Ruonan.

Feng Ruonan had been looking for an opportunity to speak with him alone.

That was Shang Chaozong's intention as well. There were certain things a man could not conveniently ask.

The Niu Youdao of today was no longer the young man on the river whom she had once dared draw a bow and try to shoot dead.

Her entire household now lived under his shadow.

The thought of what she had come to say made even Feng Ruonan uneasy.

"Master Dao."

Once she reached him, Feng Ruonan bent her knees in greeting.

Seeing this woman act so refined made Niu Youdao inwardly amused, though his face remained composed. "Does the Princess Consort need something?"

Feng Ruonan studied his expression. "There is something, but I don't know whether it's appropriate to say."

Niu Youdao smiled. "Princess Consort, you're treating me like an outsider."

"In terms of our relationship, hardly anyone here knew me earlier than you did. I'm someone who remembers old ties."

"Right now, it's only the two of us. Forget rank and status. Speak only as an old acquaintance. Whatever you want to say, say it."

Feng Ruonan felt somewhat moved.

Still, the matter was no small thing, so she spoke cautiously. "Then this consort will presume."

"Master Dao, I've heard certain rumors. I don't know whether they're true or false. People say Master Dao and Qing'er have grown exceptionally close."

"There has been quite a bit of gossip. It doesn't only affect Master Dao's good name. Qing'er is still an unmarried woman, after all..."

Niu Youdao raised a hand and stopped her. "There's no need to guess."

"The Commandery Princess and I truly are very close."

"I won't hide it from the Princess Consort. I like Qing'er very much."

"Does that explanation satisfy you?"

Feng Ruonan's spirits instantly lifted. She tried asking, "Then does Master Dao have any plans for Qing'er's future?"

Niu Youdao answered plainly and directly. "As long as the Commandery Princess is willing, I would trade this realm for His Highness's sister."

"An elder brother is like a father. I simply don't know what His Highness's attitude will be."

"Of course, if the Commandery Princess is unwilling to be with me, I won't force her."

"Ah..."

Feng Ruonan was thrown completely off balance by how direct he was. For a moment, she had no idea how to answer.

Niu Youdao was hardly a fool.

He had long known exactly what Shang Chaozong's civil and military officials were urging him to do. With Niu Youdao's intelligence channels, how could such a matter be hidden from him?

Husband and wife had come together and even brought their child. He understood the purpose behind that too.

But none of it mattered much.

He would not deny all the strengths of Shang Chaozong and his people merely because of one blemish born from self-interest. Who in the world had no selfish motives at all?

When it came to governing, Shang Chaozong's people truly did have ability. Niu Youdao had seen with his own eyes the prosperity and livelihoods of Nanzhou before.

When it came to military force, Shang Chaozong's people were first-rate as well. They had the strength to suppress rebellion and destroy those who refused to submit.

Whether in civil administration or military affairs, the Shang faction possessed the ability to pacify the realm quickly and allow all beneath Heaven to enter a period of rest and recovery.

If Shang Chaozong had been mud that could not stick to a wall, then no matter how close their relationship was, Niu Youdao would never have supported the Shang faction's rise.

Feng Ruonan felt awkward at having her intentions seen through and spoke somewhat stiffly.

Niu Youdao smiled. "Princess Consort, you can tell His Highness my position. I'll await his answer."

"Also, please ask the Commandery Princess to come over. I want to ask her position in person as well."

"Some matters shouldn't be dragged out any longer. It's time they came to a conclusion."

"Ah? Oh. All right."

Feng Ruonan nodded repeatedly, bent her knees in farewell, and hurried off.

...

Shang Chaozong, who was talking with Guan Fangyi and the others, frowned when he saw Feng Ruonan return.

So quickly?

Had she truly explained everything already?

Feng Ruonan came over at a brisk pace, first excused herself to Guan Fangyi and the others, then called Shang Chaozong and Shang Shuqing aside.

"What happened?" Shang Chaozong glanced around and asked anxiously.

Excitement shone in Feng Ruonan's eyes.

Taking Shang Shuqing by the hand, she said, "Qing'er, I found out Master Dao's attitude for you."

"Master Dao told me clearly that he's willing to be with you. The only thing he doesn't know is what you think."

"He's waiting for you outside now, waiting for a single answer from you."

"If you agree, then the relationship between you and Master Dao is settled."

"Ah!"

Shang Shuqing was badly startled.

She had never imagined her sister-in-law would secretly do something like this behind her back. She immediately panicked. "Sister-in-law, don't tease Qing'er. How could Master Dao possibly speak so directly about something like this?"

Feng Ruonan glared at her. "Qing'er, your sister-in-law had to force herself to ask this for you."

"Whether you're willing or not comes down to one sentence."

"If you're unwilling, I'll go reject him for you right now."

She turned as though to leave.

"Sister-in-law!"

Shang Shuqing panicked and immediately grabbed Feng Ruonan by the arm.

Feng Ruonan looked back at her.

Shang Shuqing's embarrassment was almost painful to watch. She stammered and stumbled over herself, unable to voice what was in her heart.

Shang Chaozong's eyes went wide, his gaze flickering rapidly.

Feng Ruonan took advantage of the moment, caught Shang Shuqing by the arm, and simply dragged her away.

Shang Chaozong could only stare after them.

Feng Ruonan dragged Shang Shuqing all the way to the villa gate.

Then she turned, gave her a push between the shoulder blades, and shoved her outside.

"Whatever you mean, go tell Master Dao yourself."

Shang Shuqing stood there in panic.

Feng Ruonan had already run away.

The moment his wife returned, Shang Chaozong immediately lowered his voice. "What exactly happened?"

Feng Ruonan whispered, "Master Dao truly is Master Dao. He was straightforward and decisive."

"He told me plainly that he is willing to trade the entire realm for His Highness's sister!"

"Now it all depends on Qing'er's attitude. Master Dao said he won't force her."

Shang Chaozong's spirits surged.

But when he looked toward his sister outside the gate, twisting uneasily in embarrassment, he immediately grew nervous again.

"What exactly does that girl Qing'er mean?"

Feng Ruonan tugged his sleeve and smiled. "Why are you nervous? Qing'er's feelings are obvious."

"All she's been missing is Master Dao breaking through that last layer of paper between them."

"So long as Master Dao has agreed, this matter is settled."

Shang Chaozong thought about it and realized she was right.

He had simply become confused because he cared too much.

His palms rubbed together.

Excitement filled him.

...

At the edge of the mountain, Niu Youdao looked back and saw Shang Shuqing standing there awkwardly.

He smiled and beckoned to her.

Only after seeing that invitation did Shang Shuqing, biting her lip, finally gather enough courage to approach.

She came to his side and whispered, "Master Dao."

Her face was so red it looked ready to bleed.

Niu Youdao admired the sight for a moment, then could not help laughing softly. "Did the Princess Consort tell you what I meant?"

Shang Shuqing lowered her head and gave an almost inaudible "Mm."

Her hands seemed to have no idea where they belonged.

Niu Youdao said, "It probably feels as though I'm calling you here and sending you there at will."

"I know this isn't fair to you. It makes me look too overbearing, as though I'm using my power to bully you."

"But you wouldn't speak first. I'm the man, so I'll have to be a little more forward."

"Now I only want to ask the Commandery Princess one thing."

"Are you willing to entrust the rest of your life to me?"

Shang Shuqing bit her lip.

She was plainly hesitating, yet still did not answer.

That was also the one thing Niu Youdao had never understood.

Unless his eyes had failed him, he could tell this woman liked him.

Yet no matter how obvious he made his own attitude, she always seemed to maintain a faint distance, neither close nor far.

That uncertainty had begun to undermine even his confidence.

After waiting for some time, Niu Youdao tried asking, "Commandery Princess, if you're unwilling, you can tell me directly."

"Are you unwilling?"

Shang Shuqing shook her head.

Niu Youdao said, "Then you're willing?"

Shang Shuqing gave another slight shake of her head.

What was that supposed to mean?

Niu Youdao could not help scratching his cheek. "Does the Commandery Princess have some concern?"

Shang Shuqing remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"Master Dao, I know what Elder Brother and Sister-in-law are trying to obtain."

"They probably can't hide their thoughts from Master Dao."

"Qing'er is afraid Master Dao will look down on me because of it."

So that was what she feared.

Niu Youdao sighed. "It's human nature. Nothing worth worrying about."

"Forget them. Is there any parent, brother, or sister in this world completely free of selfish thoughts?"

"They are themselves. You are yourself. Those are two separate matters."

"You truly have thought too much."

"I can tell the Commandery Princess this as well: I too will enter the Fifth Domain."

"We don't have much time left."

"I want to take the Commandery Princess with me."

"Afterward, you will never see them again."

Shang Shuqing's heart trembled.

She raised her head and looked at him.

She understood.

If she did not agree, he was going to leave.

After hesitating for a moment, she finally gathered the courage to ask, "Master Dao... is it because Qing'er's appearance changed that you now look upon Qing'er with affection?"

Niu Youdao paused.

Then he gave a bitter smile. "That's part of the reason."

Pain surfaced across Shang Shuqing's face.

"Master Dao, Qing'er is no longer young. My best years have already passed."

"You are a cultivator, with a long lifespan. Qing'er is only an ordinary mortal. Very soon I will grow old and my beauty will fade."

"If Qing'er no longer looks like this..."

"Qing'er is afraid Master Dao will come to dislike me."

"I'm afraid."

Tears shimmered in her eyes.

Niu Youdao went still.

Then, slowly, he reached out and lifted her chin, raising that delicate, moving face toward him.

"Don't worry."

"As long as I'm here, don't be afraid."

"I'll make sure your youth remains forever."

"What you're afraid of will never happen."

[End of Chapter 1576]