When they emerged from the mountains, they immediately reached a stable. There, they found another tracking bead.
Here, they realized that Niu You Dao had taken horses.
The six men mounted their horses and continued their journey. Once they ventured deeper into the desert, they immediately realized that Niu You Dao was not heading towards Mountain Lake County. Continuing their journey on horseback, they dispatched a Bird King to Gao Su Cun. The people from the Flowing Clouds Sect's shop sent the bird. It was not cost-effective for each of them to send birds, and Gao Su Cun would find out anyway. Thus, the six continued their pursuit.
On the other side, Niu You Dao and the others had already crossed the Gobi Desert, and signs of greenery had begun to appear before them. A little later, they saw abundant green grass.
Before them, green hills rose.
Along the way, they encountered groups of wolves.
The tiny wolves could not frighten Niu You Dao and the others. However, Niu You Dao did not allow them to be killed. He simply retained a fondness for them from his previous life. After all, they were intelligent animals. At times, vultures also appeared in the sky. If a wolf pack spotted prey, they would immediately track it down and pounce. And if vultures were lucky, they would immediately swoop in to scavenge the remains.
Black Peony took out a map, spurred her horse with her feet, and, increasing her speed, drew abreast of Niu You Dao. She showed him the map and said:
"Lord Dao, there's a huge mountain ahead. It's best not to go straight through. If we head a little east, we can find a road in about two hours."
Niu You Dao looked her in the eye:
"I know."
— ... — Black Peony was at a loss for words. She didn't understand him at all at this moment.
As soon as they rode through the steppes, they reached the foot of the mountain. Niu You Dao pointed to a level mountain slope and galloped towards it.
Thus, they all galloped after him.
Niu You Dao stopped halfway up the slope. He dismounted from his horse and let it go to drink.
Everyone followed his example.
Niu You Dao, leaning on his sword, stood by a mountain stream. He looked around, enjoying the scenery. The others didn't know what Niu You Dao was planning to do.
"Lord Dao, are we stopping here to rest? We haven't traveled that far, and the horses still have strength. We can continue our journey." Black Peony asked cautiously.
Throughout the journey, she constantly felt that Niu You Dao was somewhat restless today. He wasn't acting as freely as he had during their first encounter.
Although he had treated her quite harshly the first time, she felt they were kindred spirits. Only now did she feel as if he was distancing himself from her.
Niu You Dao looked at the stream and calmly said:
"This place is deserted and tranquil. Whatever one does here, no one will know. If you want to kill someone, no one will blame you. What are you waiting for? Why aren't you attacking?"
He clearly stated his thoughts.
Yuan Fang stood nearby and was surprised. He intently looked at Black Peony and the others. He noticed that they immediately reached for the knives hanging from their belts. They were all on alert.
Black Peony was astonished. Lei Zong Kang's heart tightened.
Black Peony asked in surprise: Lord Dao, why do you speak like that?
Niu You Dao was silent for a moment. He had been calculating everything along the way.
The reason was simple. He constantly changed his plans to make them wary of him, to make them start doubting him. If they had doubted him too much, they might not have followed him.
Now they were here, in this deserted place, without the protection of the Yaoyue Inn. There were more of them now. If they truly were in collusion, there was no better moment to attack him.
That way, they would also free themselves from the Liuxiang Sect.
Of course, he also wanted to fully ascertain who had betrayed him and who had not.
Seeing that he remained silent, Black Peony said:
"Lord Dao, perhaps there's been some misunderstanding?"
Niu You Dao, with his back to them, said, "Misunderstanding? Huang En Gui, Cui Yuan... do you know them?"
Lei Zong Kang's heart completely seized up.
Black Peony was slightly surprised. She didn't understand why he would mention these people:
"We know them. They are from the Liuxiang Sect's shop. We sometimes traded in Zhaixing City, so of course, we'd know those shopkeepers.
Niu You Dao slowly turned around, looking at everyone... *Thud*!
He pierced a boulder with his sword and, with a stony face, said:
"Why then did you collude with the Liuxiang Sect to harm me?"
Yuan Fang knew that Lord Dao didn't speak such words lightly, so he immediately and slowly reached for his dagger. He had spent a considerable sum buying it from the Qiyun Sect's shop.
Black Peony and the others exchanged glances.
Duan Hu discontentedly said:
"Lord Dao, why speak like that? We haven't contacted the Liuxiang Sect. Where could we have?"
Niu You Dao: At the Yaoyue Inn! Day and night. Someone contacted Huang En Gui and Cui Yuan in their room. Yesterday evening, I said we would depart today. After that, someone went to their room and reported it. Last night, I changed the plan, and again, someone went to them in the night and reported it.
He even stated the time and place. These must not be empty words. Could there truly be traitors among them?!
Black Peony and the others wavered. Their hearts skipped a beat, and a chill ran down their spines. They looked at each other and thought, could there truly be a traitor among them? They had been together for so long. How many times had they risked their lives for each other? And now, if there was a traitor among them, it was akin to a knife in their backs. He could kill them, and they wouldn't even know it!
Yuan Fang was also astonished. He had been with Lord Dao constantly. They were always together. How could Lord Dao know everything so precisely?
Ultimately, Black Peony, Duan Hu, and Wu San Liang looked at Lei Zong Kang, because his face had turned pale.
"It was me!" — Lei Zong Kang shouted. He stared intently at Niu You Dao: And what of it?
— ... Though the others had already guessed, they dared not believe it until the very end.
They couldn't have imagined that Lei Zong Kang would betray them. And he had even admitted it.
Niu You Dao: Black Peony, I could have dealt with him yesterday. But I didn't, out of respect for you! Black Peony, do you remember what we discussed? Unreliable people should leave. You said everyone was reliable and could be trusted. Good, I believed you! And now? What will you do now? What will you tell me?
Duan Hu and Wu San Liang looked at Lei Zong Kang with sorrowful expressions.
Duan Hu shouted: WHY?
Black Peony also, gritting her teeth and staring intently at Lei Zong Kang, said:
"We've spent so many years together. Where did we wrong you? Why did you betray us?"
"I didn't betray you. I did this for your sake!" — Lei Zong Kang thumped his chest. He pointed at Niu You Dao again:
"It's him! Do you dare ask who he is? He can't even protect himself, yet he took us along to save him and work for him. If I hadn't done this, we all would have perished. The Liuxiang Sect wouldn't have let us go. The Yan Kingdom wouldn't have let us go. We couldn't resist them. We'll simply find death with him!"
Why was the Yan Kingdom mentioned here? Several people looked at Niu You Dao.
Black Peony bit her lip and asked:
"Lord Dao, who are you, after all?"
Though he was being pointed at, Niu You Dao didn't want to argue with them. He didn't need to. He simply replied calmly:
"Who I am, it doesn't matter. You chose to follow me yourselves; I didn't persuade anyone. If you want to blame someone, blame yourselves. Everyone is their own master of choice. I don't know how you'll settle this, but now you must repay me a debt!" — he hinted that he wouldn't let Lei Zong Kang go now.
Lei Zong Kang, pointing at him, loudly said:
"He is Niu You Dao! The one who was recently expelled from the Supreme Purity Sect in the Yan Kingdom. The one who followed the mere Prince Shang Chao Zong. The one who recently killed the Yan Kingdom's envoy. That very Niu You Dao. He has even been cast out by Shang Chao Zong. Now he doesn't know where to find refuge!"
"Expelled?" Yuan Fang curled his lip. It indeed sounded pitiful.
These people didn't know the truth and merely echoed the thoughts of others. Niu You Dao fundamentally didn't want to refute rumors, but he couldn't tolerate contempt. Therefore, he couldn't help but say:
"In any case, I was never a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect and thus could not have been expelled from it!"
No matter his situation, he would not tolerate contempt.
However, from these words, it could be understood that Lei Zong Kang believed Niu You Dao had no one backing him.
"He is Niu You Dao?" Black Peony and the others were frightened. They looked at him as if they couldn't believe it.
The killing of the Yan Kingdom's envoy had made Niu You Dao notorious!
Lei Zong Kang: He has already admitted it. Do you understand now that I didn't betray you? I did all this for everyone's sake!
Black Peony shouted: Why did you hide everything from us then? Why didn't you tell us?
Lei Zong Kang waved his hand:
"Even now, you're asking me? Even now, it's still unclear whose side you're on? Why didn't I speak? What was I worried about? Don't you understand?"
Niu You Dao: He speaks correctly; everything is clear now. Everything is clear now. And it will be clear how everyone will act.
Duan Hu and Wu San Liang frowned. So Lei Zong Kang had indeed betrayed them and put them in such a difficult situation.
Black Peony turned and resolutely said to the three:
"This time, listen to me. We will follow Lord Dao! Zong Kang, listen to me. You only need to sincerely agree to follow us. I will then ask Lord Dao to forgive you. I believe he can forgive you.
Why did she make such an immediate decision? Because she saw in Niu You Dao a key that unlocked opportunities before her. They could, of course, help the Liuxiang Sect to avoid risk. However, what could the Liuxiang Sect give them? And she had only recently started following Niu You Dao, and already she had 50,000 in her pocket! She had never been so wealthy!
It was still unclear what the Liuxiang Sect would do to them afterward. They might simply kill them, whereas Niu You Dao's capabilities were immense!
Now, they all had to make a decision.