A fine bead of sweat broke on Fang Zhe's brow. Was this not outright deception?
He immediately cautioned, "Lord Dao, do not mistake Hai Ru Yue for a simple woman. With a frail heir, she controls this entire province, and powerful forces stand behind her. If we dare deceive her, we might not leave here alive!"
Niu You Dao calmly replied, "Simply lead the way. The rest is my concern."
"This..." Fang Zhe offered a bitter smile. "Lord Dao, it's not that I fear death; I am ready to die for His Highness the Prince. It's just that it would be best not to provoke Hai Ru Yue, or it could badly reflect upon the Prince!"
Yuan Fang rolled his eyes. "You've been told what to do. Just do it! Don't spout nonsense!" He hadn't even noticed how he had begun to mimic Yuan Gang. With Yuan Gang absent, he had subtly stepped into his shoes.
Niu You Dao raised a hand, signaling Yuan Fang not to intimidate Fang Zhe, and spoke in a calm tone:
"The Prince sent me here not to exacerbate the situation. Otherwise, would he have instructed you to meet me? Fang Zhe, do you truly believe I would trifle with my own life?"
Fang Zhe tensed at his words and, cupping his hands, replied, "Very well! I will go and arrange your accommodations first."
Niu You Dao waved a hand, dismissing him to carry out his orders. Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang remained in the room.
The room was quiet for a moment before Yuan Fang suddenly spoke:
"Lord Dao, there is actually some truth to what Fang Zhe said."
Niu You Dao turned to face him:
"What? Are you scared? Didn't you just tell him to hold his tongue?"
"Lord Dao misunderstands. I merely wished to offer a reminder." Yuan Fang immediately broke into a smile. He had just spoken much like Yuan Gang, and he rather enjoyed it. Only then did a wave of regret wash over him. Indeed, deceiving the provincial ruler was exceptionally perilous. One could easily forfeit their life.
It wasn't long before Fang Zhe found them a room, deliberately situating them next to his own.
The three men settled into adjoining rooms, which was perfectly fine.
As it was already late, Niu You Dao dispatched Fang Zhe to investigate the provincial ruler's residence. Meanwhile, he and Yuan Fang went for a stroll through the city, intending to gather information.
The provincial city was quite sprawling, second only to the capital. It was an impossibly opulent city, a level of wealth not every city could possibly attain. Along its wide thoroughfares, all manner of shops and stores lined both sides. A massive, unceasing flow of people moved through them, each person adorned in precious garments and trinkets. Witnessing such a sight, one could almost forget that they lived in a troubled age.
Yuan Fang, being a country bumpkin, gawked about, utterly fascinated by everything.
From time to time, Niu You Dao glanced at him, sighing inwardly. This shapeshifter was utterly unlike Yuan Gang. There was a vast difference between them. If Yuan Gang were here, knowing the inherent dangers, he would meticulously observe their route and commit every turn to memory, just in case.
However, he couldn't fault Yuan Fang. After all, the monk had never once left his village. Yuan Fang possessed a narrow worldview. He might appear to be a monk, but in truth, he was a mountain bandit at heart.
Thus, Niu You Dao understood his predicament.
To be frank, Niu You Dao actually desired for his horizons to expand. He needed him to grow accustomed to such bustling locales.
Indeed, the world is a small place! One never knows what encounters await on a narrow path.
As they walked, perusing the various shops, Niu You Dao's gaze landed on a store with a sign: *Linglong Pavilion*. It appeared to specialize in rare artifacts. His curiosity piqued, he thought, since they were passing by, why not step inside for a look?
However, he paused briefly before the entrance. Two figures stood by the door, scanning their surroundings. One of them, upon seeing Niu You Dao, visibly stiffened.
This was no stranger. Yuan Fang recognized him too. Niu You Dao had once called him "Brother," and it was this very man who had released him from the Southern Mountain Monastery. It was Cheng Gui Shuo!
Why had Cheng Gui Shuo appeared here? Cheng Gui Shuo was now connected to the Song family. Song Jiu Ming had three sons: the eldest, Song Chuan, served as an official at the imperial court; the third son, Song Shu, resided at the Song Residence; and the second son, Song Lun, was a diplomatic envoy to the Zhao Kingdom.
Qingzhou Province in the Zhao Kingdom commanded its own army, making it a coveted prize for the state's adversaries. Naturally, the Yan Kingdom would not object to drawing Hai Ru Yue to their side. Thus, Song Lun had arrived to offer congratulations on her 40th birthday. Furthermore, as she was the Emperor's sister, there was nothing officially amiss with this mission.
As for Cheng Gui Shuo, after he left the Supreme Purity Sect, he had immediately sought out the Song family. In truth, he had been a covert asset of the Song family for a long time. However, due to issues with the Supreme Purity Sect, they couldn't openly keep him. Thus, the Song family had dispatched him to the Zhao Kingdom to assist Song Lun.
Cheng Gui Shuo stood guard outside Linglong Pavilion, while Song Lun was inside, perusing items that might serve as a suitable birthday gift for Hai Ru Yue.
"What is this fellow doing here?" Niu You Dao wondered to himself. He never would have imagined encountering Cheng Gui Shuo in this place.
When he departed, he had warned Yuan Gang that Cang Wu County was fraught with danger, that people might be lying in wait for him there. That was why he had traveled through the mountains to the Zhao Kingdom, where no one would recognize him. Who would have thought that he would encounter Cheng Gui Shuo precisely here? Moreover, this meant the Song family had agents here too. And if Cheng Gui Shuo revealed his presence, they would realize that the Heavenly Jade Sect cultivators were no longer guarding him and would undoubtedly dispatch assassins to eliminate him.
It was a regrettable oversight that he hadn't eliminated Cheng Gui Shuo back then. Niu You Dao immediately sensed a mortal threat. Under no circumstances could he allow Cheng Gui Shuo to expose him!
He began to walk slowly towards Cheng Gui Shuo.
Yuan Fang was also taken aback. He hadn't expected Cheng Gui Shuo to be here. However, he was unaware of the depth of the Song family's animosity towards Niu You Dao.
Cheng Gui Shuo, too, had never anticipated encountering Niu You Dao here. Yet, as he watched Niu You Dao calmly advance towards him, a potent killing intent instantly washed over Cheng Gui Shuo. He was utterly terrified. He had to flee!
He immediately slipped inside the pavilion. However, the moment his eyes fell upon Song Lun, he instantly calmed. After all, he was under protection here. High-level cultivators flanked Song Lun. What reason did he have to fear Niu You Dao?
He approached Song Lun and whispered, "Second Master, Niu You Dao is outside."
"Hmm?" Song Lun, who had been examining an item, did not react immediately.
Cheng Gui Shuo promptly reiterated:
"Niu You Dao—the one who slew Young Master Yang Qing! He's right outside!"
Song Lun narrowed his eyes and waved a hand. Immediately, two of his four cultivators stepped outside with Cheng Gui Shuo.
Niu You Dao, who had already ascended the steps, halted. He observed Cheng Gui Shuo returning, a smug smile now plastered on his face. A lethal aura began to permeate the air, emanating precisely from the two figures standing beside Cheng Gui Shuo.
He understood that Cheng Gui Shuo's newfound confidence stemmed not from his own abilities. Even Yuan Fang grasped this.
"Brother Niu, it seems fate has truly brought us together..." Before Cheng Gui Shuo could finish, a hand tapped him on the shoulder. He turned and immediately stepped aside for the man, gesturing towards Niu You Dao.
Song Lun, standing on the steps, looked down at Niu You Dao. "You are Niu You Dao?"
Niu You Dao calmly retorted, "And you are?"
Song Lun calmly replied, "Song Yang Qing's second uncle."
Niu You Dao inwardly understood that a person of Song Lun's standing would undoubtedly have Jin Dan cultivators as his personal guards.
He was not mistaken. Song Lun was attended by two Jin Dan realm cultivators, two Zhu Ji realm cultivators, and two Lian Qi realm cultivators.
How could he have possibly run into a Song family member here?
However, Niu You Dao showed no hint of panic, calmly replying, "So, you are Song Yang Qing's second uncle. This Niu remembers the Song family's distinguished members quite well. Since you have arrived in Qingzhou, it would only be proper to receive you as guests!"
Song Lun said, "We can do so now."
Niu You Dao replied, "Alas, I have urgent matters pertaining to the provincial ruler to attend to. Gentlemen, you will have to wait. Once I have concluded my affairs, I shall immediately extend an invitation to you!"
"Wait..." As he spoke, he turned and calmly departed with Yuan Fang. They walked quite slowly, not rushing their exit.
"When did this fellow become an agent of the provincial ruler?" Cheng Gui Shuo wondered, astonished. Song Lun, standing on the steps with an icy expression, was equally taken aback. That was why he hadn't ordered his subordinates to attack. He was uncertain of Niu You Dao's standing in this place.
However, they quickly recovered their wits. Who knew if he truly was an agent of the ruler or merely bluffing?
Song Lun stated in a cold tone:
"Pursue him. If he doesn't proceed to the provincial ruler's palace, seize him immediately. Remember, there is no need to cause a commotion here!"
Hai Ru Yue was celebrating her 40th birthday. He couldn't simply do as he pleased here. After all, this was not Song family territory.
As soon as he finished speaking, Cheng Gui Shuo immediately interjected, eager to prove his worth:
"Master," he chimed in, "the shapeshifter with Niu You Dao... According to records of wild beasts, he is a Golden King Bear. His fur could be fashioned into precious garments, impenetrable by daggers! It would make an excellent birthday gift!"
"Mm." Song Lun waved a dismissive hand.
Four figures immediately set off in pursuit, Cheng Gui Shuo among them.
Ultimately, the pursuit party consisted of one Jin Dan realm cultivator, two Zhu Ji realm cultivators, and one Lian Qi realm cultivator.
Leading Yuan Fang, Niu You Dao dared not swiftly flee, fearing such a reaction would betray his true intentions. Thus, he continued to walk amidst the throng.
Yuan Fang knew precisely what was unfolding, and a cold dread coiled in his gut. A clammy sweat broke out on his body. Thankfully, it seemed they had, for the moment, escaped immediate peril.