Niu You Dao: "The master seemed to say that guests of the Yaoyue Inn in Zhaixing City receive protection. I'll spend these six months finding out if that's true or not."
Yuan Fang nodded cheerfully, "Lord Dao is right. We shall see."
"Fine, have it your way! But you won't stay in Zhaixing City forever. Someday, you'll have to leave!" Black Peony said, blushing.
She could only threaten verbally now. Here, she dared not start a fight. Only a handful of people in all creation would dare cause trouble here, for the owner of this establishment was one of the few truly powerful cultivators.
"Are you threatening me?" Niu You Dao looked at her with a strained smile. "Do I not have power backing me? Do you truly intend to assault me once I leave the city?"
"You just wait and see!" Black Peony spat through gritted teeth. She waved a hand and turned to leave.
As she walked around the table, Niu You Dao suddenly spoke:
"Don't rush. We can still talk, if you're willing."
Black Peony paused, looking at him hopefully. Perhaps he would offer terms that suited her better.
Niu You Dao calmly said:
"I haven't put it to the test yet, but I'm willing to. Alright, I'll concede. Not six months, but one month. How does that sound?"
Black Peony clenched her fist, showing it to him, and said with displeasure, "Don't even think about laying your hands on me!" She turned and continued to leave.
And just as she reached for the doorknob, Niu You Dao said indifferently:
"I'll concede again. One night. Just one night!"
Black Peony froze. She pondered. For so many years she had endured hardships, and for so long she had awaited this day.
How difficult it had been for them to reach the Zhu Ji level. How many times had they risked their lives for cultivation resources? How many dark deeds had they been forced to commit? And how many times had they had to seize resources from other cultivators just like them? How many times had they had to kill?
And after reaching the Zhu Ji level, they now needed even more resources. For the higher one's cultivation, the more resources were required to advance it. How perilous their lives were. None of their dark dealings could ever come to light before others. If they were ever exposed, death awaited them all. Or, perhaps now that they needed to acquire larger resources, their targets would also grow stronger. And eventually, even one constantly walking by the riverbank might get their shoes soaked. Who knew what high-level cultivator might be waiting for them?
How many of her friends had perished before this! And now the tasks were becoming even more difficult.
How many times had she awoken from nightmares, and by day they constantly lived in fear of some danger from past deeds. That was why they had toiled so hard to establish a sect. Few knew the hardships they endured to complete those thirty tasks.
For the sake of finding this person, she had been insulted by a staff member and the desk manager. For him, she had brought snacks and food. And for what?
And now, a chance lay before her; she only needed to spend one night with him. And this single night could change her life.
Just one night! She wasn't some virgin, after all. What did she have to lose?
She even told herself that she had to do it not just for herself, but for her brothers!
It truly was a good condition. Yet she lowered her hand and opened the door. In that moment, her hand felt as heavy as a thousand catties. She was about to open the door.
Yuan Fang, seeing her reaction, smiled. Yet at the same time, he sighed to himself.
Lord Dao is truly ruthless. He took her money, then forced her to serve him. And now... But this girl brought this misfortune upon herself. She courted her own sorrow.
Niu You Dao looked at the door, then smiled.
One night, and one life. He understood what Black Peony was feeling right then. He understood the difficulties this girl had agreed to, how hard it was for her to resist the temptation Niu You Dao offered!
He waved a hand at Yuan Fang, gesturing towards the door:
"Go, go and bring her back."
"..." Yuan Fang was speechless. He smiled bitterly and said, "Lord Dao, why bring her back? She won't agree."
He thought to himself, 'It's fine if you act so shamelessly, but don't drag me into this.'
Niu You Dao: "Tell her I'm retracting those terms. Tell her to come back... What are you staring at? Go quickly. If you don't bring her back, then don't bother coming back yourself."
'What does this have to do with me?' Yuan Fang was speechless. However, he quickly exited.
Not long after, Yuan Fang returned, with Black Peony entering behind him. Only this time, her head was bowed. She was no longer the confident, cheerful girl with her head held high.
Niu You Dao pointed at the empty glass and said:
"Pour the wine!"
Black Peony, biting her lip, walked to the table and poured the wine to the brim. When she set the glass down, she noticed Niu You Dao smiling as he looked at her face.
She immediately felt flustered and turned her head away.
Niu You Dao: "What's with your eyes? Red and wet. Were you crying?"
Black Peony found her strength and firmly said, "Tell me, have you changed the terms?"
Niu You Dao: "You know my terms perfectly well. I'm giving you one last chance to think. One night, and that's all!"
Yuan Fang's eyes popped out. 'Lord Dao, what are you doing?'
Black Peony was astonished and said sternly:
"Niu You Dao, I'll remember this!" She turned and was about to leave.
"Wait!" Niu You Dao took a sip of wine and added, "I was just joking, can't you tell? Don't be angry. Come back, and let's talk business."
Black Peony stopped, her chest rising and falling rapidly. She merely turned her head to look at Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao, smiling, said to Yuan Fang:
"Are those your funds? Take out the receipt and return it to its owner."
"Huh?!" Yuan Fang's eyes widened.
Black Peony also turned, disbelieving.
Niu You Dao: "I told you to return the receipt. Didn't you hear me?"
"Uh-huh!" Yuan Fang somewhat reluctantly reached into his pocket and pulled out a receipt. He then approached Black Peony and mumbled, "Here, take it."
Black Peony slowly took the receipt and stared at it, as if checking to see if she was dreaming.
She looked at the receipt, bewildered. What did Niu You Dao mean? Did this mean he wasn't agreeing?
If that was the case, then she hadn't lost anything at all.
Niu You Dao, seated at the table, said with a smile:
"Why were you in such a hurry to pay for me? Why would you do that? Did I ask you to?"
Black Peony wanted to curse. 'Didn't you yourself ask me! You clearly hinted at it.'
Niu You Dao continued smiling and said:
"As for the payment, I won't press the issue... Even if you had agreed, I wouldn't have slept with you. Perhaps I would have helped you anyway. Take back these 1800 gold. Since you refused, I don't want your money. You don't need to speak so candidly to anyone later. Tell your brothers the same."
Black Peony froze on the spot. She realized Niu You Dao had simply been toying with her.
Niu You Dao winked at her:
"Was it worth your tears?"
Saying this, he struck her Achilles' heel directly. Pain and resentment surged from her heart once more. Staring intently at Niu You Dao, she said:
"You truly are a scoundrel!"
Niu You Dao shrugged, "Thank you for the compliment! Remember, I returned the receipt to you for your tears."
Black Peony, looking at the receipt, felt herself losing control. She covered her mouth with her hands and slowly began to back away. When she reached the wall, she slid to the floor and began to sob.
"Wuuuuu..." She cried harder and harder, as if all the bitterness and pain were pouring out of her.
Niu You Dao held his glass and looked out the window. He sighed and said:
"Ah! Women. They do nothing but cry. Unbearable!"