Still crying in the corner? Yuan Fang's mouth twitched, unsure what to say: You got your money back, your problem's solved, what's there to cry about? Shouldn't you be happy?
Yuan Fang was a little bewildered. He approached Niu You Dao:
— Lord Dao, what's with that girl?
— Don't mind her. Eat while it's fresh. — Niu You Dao waved him off.
Yuan Fang glanced around and immediately began to eat.
Yuan Fang enjoyed everything; both the food and wine were delicious. Only the person crying slightly spoiled the atmosphere. It felt strange to be eating while someone else was weeping.
Both men stopped paying attention to Hei Mudan.
Hei Mudan cried for a while, then her weeping gradually subsided. At times, she only sniffled. Then she wiped away her tears, stood up, and glared angrily at Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang, who were calmly eating. At the same time, she reproached herself. Why was she crying in front of them? Yet, she herself didn't understand. Why she hadn't managed to control herself.
When she calmed down, she tidied herself up.
Yuan Fang turned his head and noticed that Lord Dao had been right. Girls really did cry at the slightest provocation. Before you knew it, their clothes would be drenched.
Hei Mudan felt awkward. However, she sat down next to them, took out a receipt, and placed it before Niu You Dao:
— My capabilities are limited. I can't acquire much, but this is my token of gratitude. It's all I have.
Niu You Dao looked at her, surprised:
— How could I dare to accept?
Hei Mudan understood him. She had first given him the receipt, expecting him to help her. However, this time, she pushed the receipt forward again and awkwardly said:
— This time, it truly comes from the heart.
Niu You Dao didn't take it, instead nodding towards Yuan Fang.
Hei Mudan handed the receipt back to Yuan Fang, who, without ceremony, tucked it into his pocket with joy in his eyes. Why wouldn't he be happy about money?
Hei Mudan poured wine for Niu You Dao herself, and this time, she felt a sense of liberation. She moved with remarkable ease. The burden that had weighed her down before, when she feared making an extra move lest Lord Dao refuse to help her, was gone. She now felt comfortable. Not because Niu You Dao would or wouldn't agree to help her. She wasn't even angry with him, though he had brought her to tears. She herself didn't understand why she felt so good at that moment.
She suddenly felt a sense of security she hadn't experienced in a long time. The man sitting before her had just offended her. Yet, beside him, she felt safe. It was a complex sensation. Fear and danger had long pursued her. Fear resided in her heart and never let her go. But now, it was as if she had been set free. And it seemed all because of this man. This man was bad, but he was genuinely bad. And therein lay his charisma.
She hadn't felt this free in so many years.
Niu You Dao leaned back in his chair and said:
— There must be so many people here who want to establish their own sect. Why don't you all gather and create your own sect then?
Hei Mudan sighed:
— We've thought about it. It's just that there are many people. And if we create a sect, it will be difficult to manage. Who would be the sect master? How would we divide the profits? If something happens outside, who would take responsibility for the consequences? Moreover, among so many people, who would trust whom? It wouldn't be long before the sect crumbled. We might just end up killing each other. Furthermore, other sects could easily sow discord among us if they wanted to destroy us.
Niu You Dao nodded.
Hei Mudan asked with some hesitation:
— Lord Dao, I don't know, which sect will you ask to be our guarantor? When should we prepare? I still need to tell my brothers waiting outside.
Niu You Dao calmly replied: Is seeking a sect even important?
— ... Hei Mudan was stunned: "Isn't it important?"
Niu You Dao looked at her: Don't get fixated on one thing.
— ... Hei Mudan hesitated.
Niu You Dao calmly stated:
— From now on, you will follow me. I will take care of everything that needs to be done.
Noticing her hesitation, he added:
— Any questions?
Hei Mudan thought for a moment, but then answered decisively and nodded her head:
— Alright!
Niu You Dao held his cup, took a sip, and looking out the window, asked:
— How many brothers are outside? Men or women?
Hei Mudan: Three. All men.
— Are they reliable?
— On that, Lord Dao, do not worry. Absolutely reliable. If they weren't reliable, I wouldn't have been able to spend so many years with them.
Niu You Dao: You don't need to tell me that. I only ask you this. Will you take care of them?
Hei Mudan hesitated:
— No need to worry about that. However, they are capable and attentive.
Niu You Dao: If it's one person, I can guide them. Like with you now. But when there are many people, I won't have the time or energy. Listen, I don't need unreliable ones. Drive them away immediately. It will be better for both you and them. Otherwise, don't blame me later. If something happens, it will be bad for you too. A short pain is better than a long one. It's best to send away those who aren't suitable at once. Hei Mudan, I'm not joking!
Hei Mudan: Lord Dao, they truly are reliable. If there were any issues, I wouldn't have been able to stay with them for so long. I'm not blind either.
Niu You Dao: Alright then. Since you say so, I'll trust you! However, you must be responsible. You will be accountable for them.
Hei Mudan mused to herself that this man was quite organized. She immediately nodded: Understood.
— Give her four banknotes. Four thousand. — Niu You Dao gestured to Yuan Fang to give the money to Hei Mudan.
Hei Mudan and Yuan Fang were astonished. Yuan Fang seemed to hesitate, but he did as he was told. He handed Hei Mudan four thousand.
Hei Mudan asked with some hesitation:
— Lord Dao, this...?
— One thousand per person. No need to stand idly outside. Let them come in. — Niu You Dao waved his hand, instructing her to comply.
He understood that if one wanted to secure good, loyal people, one had to display strength. And wealth was precisely one such strength.
Hei Mudan shook her head:
— Lord Dao, although we can't acquire that much money. However, we can get enough money for a few days' living expenses.
Niu You Dao, frowning, said:
— It's nothing. If I told you to do it, then do as I said.
Hei Mudan had no choice but to take the money and leave:
— Alright. I'll tell them to come in.
As she opened the door, she remembered how Lord Dao had just tried to seduce her. At first, she found it repulsive, but then she turned and said:
— Lord Dao, if you really wanted to take me to bed. I was ready to go all the way today. Should I look for you later?
Niu You Dao's eyes widened, and he said:
— I prefer fair skin; dark ones aren't to my taste. Begone!
Hei Mudan smiled and left.
As soon as she left, Yuan Fang mumbled to himself:
— We received 1800 and gave away 4000. Now we're at a loss of 2200. Why do we need so many people? Lord Dao, will you even be able to sleep now? — Evidently, he felt sick from the loss of so much money.
Niu You Dao:
— A bunch of rogue cultivators, and they're led by a girl. This girl is capable. If not for her, I doubt I would have agreed. In some matters, a girl is more suitable. And I happen to need a capable girl by my side. And she's just the right fit!
As soon as Hei Mudan stepped out of the room, she strode with wide steps and breathed a sigh of freedom. True freedom. She stretched out her arms and flapped them around, like a bird.
As soon as she exited the inn, she immediately summoned her people. They entered a dark alley.
Someone asked:
— Boss, did you cry?
Hei Mudan: From joy.
Several people exchanged glances; it seemed the matter was settled.
Hei Mudan waved her hand and truthfully said:
— The matter of founding a sect will wait.
— "Ah!" Several people exclaimed.
One asked: Boss, what do you mean?
Hei Mudan: I'm telling you. The sect business will wait for now. I'm going to follow him. If you want, come with me. If not, then stay. I won't force you. Those who follow him, leave all your possessions to those who choose to stay behind. We've worked well together, but now we'll part ways amicably.
Someone asked: Boss, where is this man from? What is his background?
Hei Mudan shook her head:
— I don't know. Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me. I don't even know his status. — After saying that, she couldn't help but chuckle at herself. Had she gone mad? Was this truly her?
But Hei Mudan now felt such comfort and freedom. She hadn't experienced these feelings in a long time. Even if it meant harming herself, such freedom was worth it.
— This... this...
Several people thought she had truly lost her mind. She had done so many crazy things today. First, she collected their money to pay for a room for an unknown man for half a year. She even bought first-class snacks and wine. And now she intended to abandon what she had worked for in recent years and follow a stranger.
Someone asked doubtfully:
— Boss, did you fall in love?
Hei Mudan immediately said angrily:
— Don't talk nonsense! Everyone, stop spouting nonsense. Are you coming or staying? If you're not coming, then I'll give you everything I have. You can continue to live as you please. But I will follow him!