The several people exchanged glances, however, they ultimately decided that Hei Mudan would not deceive them.
Ultimately, trusting Hei Mudan, the several people deliberated for a moment and finally agreed to follow her. No one left.
Hei Mudan was naturally delighted by this and, taking out 4,000, she distributed it among them.
When the several people saw the money, they were immediately astonished:
— Boss, what is this?
— He gave it to us and said that we shouldn't huddle outside, but settle inside. — Hei Mudan said, laughing heartily:
— Now do you see? We can also live in the Yaoyue Inn.
The several people exchanged glances with each other.
— Ah, — one person exclaimed joyfully: He's quite generous. Boss, weren't you clever? Just now, you were testing us!
Hei Mudan, furrowing her brows, said: What nonsense! How many years have we been together? Don't you know me? I wasn't testing you; those were his conditions. He stated clearly that if you don't want to, no one will be forced, so that no one would regret it later.
She keenly looked at the several people:
— I don't know yet what we will have to do. He doesn't give all this for free. There are many rogue cultivators in the world, and he doesn't particularly need us. Therefore, he has his own rules. From now on, you must decide everything for yourselves so that there will be no room for regret later. If you follow him, then you must understand what needs to be done and what doesn't. What needs to be said and what doesn't.
— Even I don't know which path he will lead us down right now. However, I trust him. He is capable. You've all known me for years; I wouldn't deceive you and I won't say much more. Decide for yourselves now. If you don't come along, then whoever leaves now must hand over all their belongings to those who remain. And the 30 completed tasks will also remain with you so that there are no grudges between us.
The several people exchanged glances. Today, they truly had to make a decision that would affect their lives.
In the end, they all decided to follow Hei Mudan, which greatly pleased Hei Mudan. After all, they had been through much together, and if anyone were to leave now, they might well have resented him.
— Now listen to me: we are all going in to live there!
The several people followed her into the inn. An employee immediately stopped Hei Mudan and, smiling wryly, asked:
— These...?
Hei Mudan ignored him and said:
— They'll also rent rooms. Can't they?
Regardless of how the employee reacted, she went directly to the counter and placed money down again. She intended to rent two more rooms. She also requested that she be moved to a room adjacent to Niu You Dao's.
After they had settled in, Hei Mudan led the three people to Niu You Dao's room.
Yuan Fang opened the door, and Hei Mudan said with a smile:
— I've brought them to meet Lord Dao.
Yuan Fang turned, consulted Niu You Dao, and then replied to Hei Mudan:
— Lord Dao says it's already late. We'll talk tomorrow.
He didn't understand why Niu You Dao was acting this way. After all, they had already paid. Why didn't he want to get to know his subordinates.
Hei Mudan smiled; she understood him somewhat. Only the other cultivators immediately felt the pressure.
Hei Mudan looked at the beautiful park and, pointing to it, said:
— Grab some tea, and let's go drink it there!
The several people immediately rejoiced. Not because of the splendid scenery here, but because ordinarily, they weren't allowed in here!
The next day, when Yuan Fang opened the door, he saw Hei Mudan and the other cultivators waiting at the threshold.
Niu You Dao also emerged after him, and Hei Mudan immediately said with a smile:
— Good morning, Lord Dao!
Then, turning her head, she said:
— These are three of my brothers, whom I've known for several years. Lei Zong Kang, Wu San Liang, Duan Hu. This is Lord Dao, with Brother Jin.
— Lord Dao, Brother Jin. — The three men smiled and bowed to them.
Niu You Dao scrutinized them. Hei Mudan was young, but these men were middle-aged and certainly older than her. Yet they called her 'Boss,' which made Hei Mudan even more intriguing to Niu You Dao.
— Now we're all his people. — Niu You Dao smiled, turned, and walked away.
He had no intention of becoming close friends with every person, as he had with the monks. He only knew Yuan Fang well; the other monks did not concern him. If anything came up, he would tell Yuan Fang. And now, he didn't intend to get close to all the cultivators. Hei Mudan alone was enough for him, as he didn't have time to socialize with everyone.
Yuan Fang and Hei Mudan followed Niu You Dao, but did not let the other three cultivators get close to Niu You Dao. This was how Yuan Gang usually acted, and now Yuan Fang was, to some extent, imitating Yuan Gang's habits. After all, these three men were still strangers to them.
The three cultivators could only follow at the rear.
Niu You Dao walked around the inn and the forested park behind it. There was some sort of structure there. He said with a smile:
— What kind of place is this? Let's go take a look.
Sweat immediately beaded on Hei Mudan's face. Niu You Dao seemed to be in this city for the first time. She immediately said:
— Lord Dao, in front of the park is the inn, and behind it is the residence of the city ruler, Sha Huang Li. Outsiders cannot enter there. Otherwise, they will be killed!
Niu You Dao recalled reading *Supreme Purity Sect Notes*. Although there wasn't much information about the cultivation world within it, it did mention Sha Huang Li, the ruler of Zhaixing City and granddaughter of Luo Qiu, one of the nine Yuan Ying realm experts.
— Can't one even pay a visit? — Niu You Dao asked.
— Countless people in the city wish to visit her. But it's not just visiting; they can't even get a word in. — Hei Mudan shook her head. However, her eyes sparkled as she looked at Niu You Dao:
— Of course, if Lord Dao has a powerful backing, then perhaps it's possible.
Niu You Dao nodded: Where would we get such connections? By the way, have you seen her?
Hei Mudan: Many times. She often comes out into the city.
Niu You Dao: What is Sha Huang Li like? Is she beautiful or not? Is she married or single?
Hei Mudan wiped the sweat from her brow. Can one even speak of such things in a place like this? She whispered to him:
— Her appearance is rather ordinary, and she isn't stunningly beautiful. But with her status, no beauty can compare to her. I haven't heard that she's married.
Niu You Dao asked again: And what does she like?
Hei Mudan grew wary and immediately reminded him:
— Lord Dao, perhaps we shouldn't talk about this here? If people hear us, they'll think we're plotting something sinister.
— Ah, quiet. — Niu You Dao smiled and turned around. If they wouldn't be let in, there was no need to go.
Hei Mudan followed him and quietly added:
— I don't know what she's interested in. However, she doesn't lack for sustenance, and she shouldn't have any problems with resources. What could possibly interest her? Perhaps cultivation?
Niu You Dao nodded and asked again: What is she like as a person?
Hei Mudan: I don't know that. However, she appears peaceful. And every time she comes out into the city, she doesn't quarrel with anyone.
Niu You Dao: Do you know who she associates with?
Hei Mudan froze. Niu You Dao was definitely trying to learn everything about Sha Huang Li. What was he plotting? Doubts arose in her mind:
— I don't know. How could we, rogue cultivators, go to the same places as her? However, I've heard that she sometimes spends time with Xue Lao Er from the Ice and Snow Palace. They often come out into the city together.
— The Ice and Snow Palace? — When Niu You Dao heard this, he stopped asking questions. And a cunning glint appeared in his eyes.
As they were leaving the inn, the front desk manager and employee didn't pay much attention to Niu You Dao, but mostly looked at Hei Mudan following behind him.
The manager shook his head:
— Young man, he's easily deceived. It seems he's fallen into her snare.
The employee standing nearby said:
— Whatever! I already tried to persuade him. It's his business not to listen and do as he pleases. It doesn't concern us.
As they descended the stairs, many people were already waiting for them outside. Rogue cultivators looked at Niu You Dao with hope. Niu You Dao understood what they wanted. But without slowing his pace, he said indifferently:
— I have no interest in you. Leave! Whoever approaches will be killed!
The crowd didn't know who Niu You Dao was, so they didn't dare approach. They felt awkward.
Meanwhile, Hei Mudan and the other cultivators following Niu You Dao straightened their backs. They now felt that they were not like these people.
One of the rogue cultivators, watching them leave, said:
— It seems Hei Mudan has gotten hold of him!
— If I had known earlier, I would have joined yesterday too.
— So what if you joined? Hei Mudan is beautiful. She most likely spent the night with him...
Some spoke with envy and jealousy towards Hei Mudan.
An ancient city. Ancient ruins were everywhere, and one could see how various buildings and structures of wood or stone rose amidst these ruins.
Many people walked through the city streets. Some looked around as if searching for things they needed. Some stopped and whispered something into someone's ear.
Hei Mudan explained that those who were constantly whispering were likely rogue cultivators. They sold items cheaper than what could be bought in shops. Thus, they walked around, searching for potential buyers.