The atmosphere in the hall was strange. Not only the residents, but even Black Peony looked at Niu You Dao with a peculiar expression.
Hou Qing Tian looked from Niu You Dao to Yun Huang, unsure if his master would accept Niu You Dao's proposal.
Yun Huang, too, was inwardly hesitant. He thought to himself, "Where did this man come from? What's his situation?"
Seeing Yun Huang hesitate, Niu You Dao asked in surprise:
— Is Sir truly refusing?
Yun Huang immediately nodded to Hou Qing Tian. Hou Qing Tian approached Niu You Dao and took the banknotes, muttering to himself with a click of his tongue, "Another 100,000 gold!"
He ascended the steps and handed them to Yun Huang.
With another 100,000 gold from Hou Qing Tian, Yun Huang now held 200,000 gold in his hands. He couldn't help but chuckle. Overjoyed, he descended the steps and clapped Niu You Dao on the shoulder:
— It would be awkward to refuse such generosity! Brother is straightforward. Good, I like it!
He turned his head to Hou Qing Tian and waved his hand:
— This is my first meeting with Brother Huangdi Dao, yet it feels as if I've known an old friend. Behind the mountain retreat, set up an incense burner for offerings. Let the heavens bear witness that Brother Huangdi Dao and I shall become sworn brothers!
— Understood! — Hou Qing Tian turned and departed.
Niu You Dao patted his chest, as if pleased that he had achieved his desired outcome.
— What cultivation level is Brother at?
— Zhu Ji.
Yun Huang twisted his lips. He, a Jin Dan cultivator, to become sworn brothers with a mere Zhu Ji cultivator? And this young fellow dared to ask for it?
— Brother is so young, yet he presents himself with such distinction...
— The Head appears truly heroic, with the aura of a dragon and a tiger...
The two immediately began conversing amicably, exchanging pleasantries as if they truly were sworn brothers.
Standing nearby, Black Peony watched this spectacle, bewildered. She had initially thought Niu You Dao might have ingested some peculiar medicine to be speaking so boldly. Yet, the esteemed Head of Flowing Clouds Mountain also seemed to have swallowed something, as he was now responding to Niu You Dao. Had he truly accepted him as a sworn brother?
She understood that 200,000 was a substantial sum. But could it truly possess such great power?
Niu You Dao... a fool? No!
The Head of Flowing Clouds Mountain, Yun Huang... a fool? No, not him either!
Then what was it she didn't understand? Was she the fool? Or did she simply have a narrow perspective?
After only a brief, pleasant chat, Yun Huang decided to withdraw under the pretense of preparing for the ceremony. Niu You Dao, too, immediately expressed a desire to stroll outside and admire the scenery. Yun Huang at once ordered his people to accompany Niu You Dao.
Ultimately, only Yun Huang remained in the hall. He pulled out the 20 banknotes and began examining them again. He doubted if they were genuine.
Hou Qing Tian, having given all his orders, returned. He asked doubtfully:
— Head, do you truly wish to become sworn brothers with him?
Yun Huang: He gave 200,000, and how much will we spend on the incense offerings? A few coins?
Hou Qing Tian: This person is clearly not telling the truth. How can we agree to this without knowing anything about him? Perhaps we should reconsider several times?
Yun Huang shot him a sidelong glance:
— I am not blind, why remind me? If he offers money, why not take it? We'll take the money; the rest doesn't concern me.
Hou Qing Tian was astonished, then understood his master's intent. He simply wanted to take the money. Thus, he cupped his hands and said:
— The Head is indeed most sagacious!
Outside, Black Peony and Niu You Dao walked around like ordinary folk. After all, their cultivation had been sealed, and they couldn't run far.
Outside, the platform bustled with activity as everything was being prepared for the ceremony.
And while no one was near them, Black Peony whispered:
— Lord Dao, does Yun Huang truly wish to become your sworn brother?
Niu You Dao slowly turned his head to her and looked at her as if she were an idiot.
From his expression, Black Peony understood she had asked a foolish question. Yet, still confused, she asked again:
— How could Yun Huang agree to this so easily?
Niu You Dao: For money, of course.
Black Peony, glancing around, said again with doubt:
— Just for 200,000?
*200,000?* Niu You Dao twisted his lips. How could Yun Huang have been swayed by a mere 200,000? That was merely an appetizer to the main gift. Thus, Yun Huang's hopes were set on something greater!
However, he didn't wish to explain. Let Black Peony figure it out herself.
Realizing Niu You Dao had no intention of answering, Black Peony didn't press him further, only reminding him:
— Lord Dao, Flowing Clouds Mountain is a dangerous place. We must be cautious. They might be harboring malicious intentions!
Niu You Dao calmly replied:
— It's too late for caution now. If he harbors treacherous thoughts, we won't be able to escape anyway. If he hadn't agreed to become sworn brothers, then we'd truly have problems. Since he agreed, for now, everything is fine.
He himself understood the danger that lay before them.
He had already given them everything. And he had done so merely to create a facade. If Yun Huang were to realize this and learn who truly stood before him, his chances of success would be slim. Niu You Dao needed something to grasp onto, which was why he acted so casually, demonstrating how authoritative he could be. Yun Huang, after all, did not know his true identity, and thus should not pose problems for Niu You Dao.
Having prepared everything for the ceremony, Hou Qing Tian approached and gestured for them. He wasn't sure how to address Niu You Dao. However, he decided to use the same title Black Peony had used earlier:
— Lord Dao, everything is ready. We may begin.
— Hahaha! — From the other side, Yun Huang emerged, laughing heartily.
They met Niu You Dao and walked together towards the incense burner atop the cliff.
Mist swirled around the cliff. On both sides, more than ten beast-demons stood. The two cultivators approached the incense burner in turn. Hou Qing Tian lit the candles and presented them.
Smiling, the two men exchanged glances and knelt on the prayer mat.
Yun Huang took a candle and said:
— Heaven above, Earth below. I, Yun Huang, wish to become sworn brother to Huangdi Dao, and from this day forward, share joy and sorrow with him!
Niu You Dao also bowed and, smiling, spoke in kind:
— Heaven above, Earth below. I, Huangdi Dao, wish to become sworn brother to Yun Huang, and from this day forward, share joy and sorrow with him!
After repeating this three times, they rose in turn, approached the incense burner, and cast in the candles.
Then, they turned to face each other.
Niu You Dao cupped his hands and declared: "Greetings, Brother!"
Yun Huang burst into laughter, slapping Niu You Dao on the forearms: "Brother!"
The beast-demons standing on either side, at Hou Qing Tian's signal, also cupped their hands and cried out:
— Congratulations, Master! Congratulations, Lord Dao!
Niu You Dao cupped his hands, offering them an apologetic gesture.
The ceremony concluded somewhat haphazardly, and Yun Huang waved his hand, dismissing everyone.
Then, turning to Niu You Dao, he said:
— Brother, stay here. We shall have a grand time on Flowing Clouds Mountain.
He wished to understand Niu You Dao's true nature more thoroughly.
Niu You Dao sighed and said:
— Brother, I understand your kind intentions, but I have an appointment to meet someone. I cannot fail to uphold my promise to him, and thus I cannot linger. However, I am truly happy to have met you.
He was being hunted outside; how could he dare to stay here for long?
— Such haste? — Yun Huang asked, a little surprised. He had thought Niu You Dao hadn't yet revealed the true purpose of his visit, yet here he was, suddenly preparing to leave. Had he truly overthought Niu You Dao's intentions?
— Indeed! — Niu You Dao slapped his forehead: "I nearly forgot. I haven't seen Aunt yet. I shall visit Aunt, and then I will be on my way!"
Niu You Dao wished to see who this famous Lady Yun was.
Yun Huang replied, somewhat annoyed: "That won't be possible for now, Brother. Mother has secluded herself for cultivation and is not receiving guests at the moment!"
In truth, he simply didn't wish to disturb his mother. How could he possibly escort just anyone to her presence?
Niu You Dao sighed and immediately nodded:
— It is indeed inconvenient to disturb her. Then, I hope to see her next time. Brother, I bid you farewell... By the way, I had a small request I wished to ask of Brother!
Yun Huang's interest was piqued. This was the main topic. He narrowed his eyes and said:
— Speak!
Niu You Dao: Brother, a few days ago in Zhaixing City, I killed several people from the Liuxiang Sect, the Floating Clouds Sect, and the Subtlety Mountain Sect. Now their people are pursuing me. I've drawn them here. I wonder if Brother could help me resolve this issue with them?
Yun Huang's eyes flashed. He had heard of the three sects, but had never actually encountered them before. Therefore, he said joyfully:
— Good, good. Rely on me!
— Brother is truly a magnanimous man. I dare not delay you any further!
After this, Niu You Dao reminded him about his seal. Yun Huang immediately called out angrily for his people to remove the seal.
Then, under the pretext of urgent matters, Yun Huang left, not intending to personally escort Niu You Dao. He merely instructed Hou Qing Tian to see them off.
As soon as they left the mountain, Black Peony felt that it was no longer as lively here.
Once they were alone, Black Peony asked:
— Lord Dao, do you believe Yun Huang will truly eliminate the people from the three sects?
Niu You Dao chuckled:
— I don't particularly count on it! Of course, if he does eliminate them, that would be good.
Black Peony couldn't understand him, so she offered a bitter smile and said:
— Lord Dao is truly generous. You simply left 200,000 behind.
Niu You Dao: "Wandering the world on horseback, one must embrace both wind and rain. On the road, one makes friends; as for money, there's no need to dwell on it."
Black Peony: "But I don't think Yun Huang wishes to be a friend."
— You think too much. How many in this world think as you do? Friendship has a beginning, and only then does it find its continuation. As for whether it will continue, we shall see later.