As dusk fell, Niu You Dao and his group appeared on a sloping road. They had already traversed the mountainous terrain and were now galloping across the plains, following the river.
Black Peony pointed to the bridge ahead:
"Lord Dao, shall we go straight or cross the bridge?"
"Let's cross the bridge!" Niu You Dao replied.
The group reached the bridge, sharply turned, and rode across it.
Beyond the bridge, a hill rose. People in black were hidden there, watching the fork in the road. They descended from the treetops and released a Bird King with a message...
On the other side of Flowing Clouds Mountain, Hou Qing Tian, with over twenty men, emerged from the mountain range. They took a shortcut directly to the location indicated by the intermediary.
In the mountain forest, Hou Qing Tian paced back and forth, while the group of men watched him, restless.
Not long after, one man asked:
"Chief, what does this mean? How much longer do we have to wait?"
Hou Qing Tian: "We wait. We won't leave until we receive news. Either way, we already have the deposit."
Just as he spoke, a Bird King flew towards them. One man reached out and took the letter. He handed the letter to Hou Qing Tian.
Hou Qing Tian took the letter, read it, and pointed in one direction:
"The target will pass three turns. We need to get there ahead of time. Let's move out!"
The group immediately left the mountain forest and crossed the plains, mountains, and rivers. Floating through the air, they reached their destination.
In about an hour, they reached a peak, from where the road was visible under the moonlight.
Hou Qing Tian ordered them to monitor the situation below, while he waited.
Less than half an hour later, a man approached and reported:
"Chief, someone is approaching. It's likely the target."
"Confirm it," Hou Qing Tian called out.
The group descended. They took positions on both sides.
Gradually, the sound of hooves grew louder. At the top of the mountain, a tree stood, and Hou Qing Tian was hiding just behind it.
The people approached, and though their faces still couldn't be distinguished in the moonlight, their numbers could be made out. Twelve horses and six riders, led by a young man.
Hou Qing Tian descended. He drew his dagger and, leading two men, stopped at the crossroads, blocking the targets' path of retreat.
Meanwhile, Niu You Dao and the others rode calmly, completely unaware of the ambush awaiting them ahead.
At the turn, a glint of a blade flashed in the moonlight. The horses immediately halted.
Niu You Dao's group looked around and noticed they were immediately surrounded by cultivators from all sides.
"Hand over your treasures, and you shall avoid death!" Hou Qing Tian said calmly.
Black Peony and the others were astonished. They immediately gripped their swords.
Yuan Fang drew his blade and glared fiercely at everyone. He used to be a thief himself; now he was to be robbed?
Under the moonlight, Niu You Dao calmly surveyed his surroundings. The man in front had seemed quite familiar to him from the start. And after hearing his voice, Niu You Dao narrowed his eyes and said:
"Hou Qing Tian, what do you intend to do?"
He slowly rested his hands on his sword, and a murderous intent appeared in his eyes.
As soon as he spoke, Yuan Fang and the others were astonished. What was Lord Dao saying?
Black Peony began to peer at Hou Qing Tian.
The werewolves around were also surprised. The target immediately identified their chief?
Hou Qing Tian was also surprised. He immediately released a Little Moon butterfly towards Niu You Dao, and when Niu You Dao's face was illuminated, Hou Qing Tian was speechless.
Then the butterfly circled the group of people once more. That's right, twelve horses and six riders. Huangdi Dao. The youngest among them.
It turned out he was the one they were supposed to kill? Hou Qing Tian felt a little awkward. Niu You Dao had given them 200,000 gold, and he was about to kill him for 20,000? Nonsense. Moreover, Yun Huang hadn't told them to kill Niu You Dao. So he immediately said, waving his hand:
"Let them go, let them go. We didn't recognize our own. These are our people!"
He sheathed his sword and quickly approached Niu You Dao. Hou Qing Tian cupped his hands and said:
"Lord Dao!"
"Our people? What's going on?" The werewolves slowly lowered their weapons and exchanged glances. They couldn't understand where this 'Lord Dao' had come from.
One werewolf, trying to sound smart, muttered softly:
"That's right, I was just saying. These clients seemed strange. They probably wanted to frame us."
Yuan Fang and the others also didn't understand what had happened. Everyone exchanged bewildered glances.
Niu You Dao still kept his hand on the hilt of his sword and looked coldly at Hou Qing Tian:
"Did my sworn brother send men to kill me?"
Hou Qing Tian immediately waved his hand:
"How could that be? You and our master are sworn brothers. Our master might kill anyone, but never you!"
"What?" The group of werewolves was utterly terrified. This turned out to be their master's sworn brother?
Yuan Fang and the others didn't understand what was happening. "What sworn brother? The chief of Flowing Clouds Mountain, Yun Huang? When did Lord Dao and Yun Huang become sworn brothers?"
Niu You Dao: "Then why did you block our path?"
Hou Qing Tian smiled:
"Lord Dao, this is a mistake. Truly a mistake. It wasn't you we intended to rob. We were just planning to rob passing travelers, but who knew we'd stumble upon you?"
Niu You Dao: "You arrived here quite quickly. I left much earlier than you. Yet we've met again. You must have come directly here. And you want to tell me this is a coincidence? You moved swiftly to this place not just to rob, but with intent. It's hardly a coincidence!"
Hou Qing Tian gave a bitter smile. Indeed, it was no coincidence. He cupped his hands:
"To be frank, Lord Dao. A client came to our mountain. He placed an order for us to block the road here and capture the target. But who knew it would be you? If we had known, would we have dared to act like this?"
Niu You Dao believed him this time.
"We are being watched!" This thought immediately occurred to Niu You Dao.
He said displeased:
"Have your men thoroughly search the vicinity. There must be suspicious people around here."
"...Hou Qing Tian froze: "Did you really think that you and our master had become inseparable friends?""
However, he didn't dare to say that, so, looking at the werewolves, he shouted:
"Are you deaf? Lord Dao said to quickly search everything around!"
"Understood!" The group of werewolves immediately began to carry out the order.
Niu You Dao dismounted from his horse and slowly approached Hou Qing Tian:
"Who asked you to kill me?"
Hou Qing Tian: "Lord Dao, I truly don't know. I'm also unaware of the current situation. I also wanted to know who the client was. Our chief wants to know as well. We only dealt with an intermediary."
Niu You Dao: "Who is the intermediary?"
Hou Qing Tian said with a sigh:
"Lord Dao, you shouldn't ask about this. Firstly, the intermediary has immense power backing them and cannot be offended. Secondly, this is a shadowy business, and no one wants to reveal their identity. I don't even know who they are. Thirdly, every profession has its rules. Even if I knew the intermediary, I couldn't tell you. If I violate the rules, it will create problems for Flowing Clouds Mountain. Moreover, the intermediary themselves won't reveal the client, even if you find them."
Niu You Dao understood him. So he asked:
"How much were you offered for me?"
"Heh heh," Hou Qing Tian said apologetically:
"30,000. If we had known it was you, we wouldn't have accepted the order."
Niu You Dao: "If you don't kill me, what will you tell the client?"
Hou Qing Tian said with a sigh:
"We already took a deposit of 10,000. And according to the rules, we'll have to return the deposit, moreover, double the amount. Of course, our chief cannot harm you."
Niu You Dao looked back and said:
"Black Peony!"
Black Peony dismounted from her horse and approached:
"Lord Dao!"
Niu You Dao: "How much money do you have?"
Black Peony: "50,000."
Niu You Dao knew how much money she had, which was why he called her instead of Yuan Fang. He couldn't show that they had so much money.
Niu You Dao pointed at Hou Qing Tian and said:
"Give him 50,000."
"Squandering money like that?!" Black Peony sighed inwardly. But there was nothing to be done. She took out the banknotes and handed them all to Hou Qing Tian.
Hou Qing Tian feigned refusal:
"What is this? There's no need!"
Niu You Dao: "I won't allow you to suffer losses because of me. Take it."
"Since Lord Dao insists, I will take it." Hou Qing Tian cupped his hands and accepted the banknotes, and inwardly rejoiced: "Not only will we not suffer losses, we'll earn even more! We didn't come here for nothing!"
Niu You Dao: "When did you receive the order?"
Having received the money, Hou Qing Tian readily replied:
"As soon as you left."
Niu You Dao narrowed his eyes.
While they were talking, the werewolves returned. They found nothing.
Hou Qing Tian, after questioning them, asked Niu You Dao:
"Lord Dao, what should we do next?"
Niu You Dao: "You may return."
"Alright! However, Lord Dao, it seems you are being watched. And the client might ask others to go after you," Hou Qing Tian reminded him. Such a money bag had fallen into their hands, and if anything happened to him, it would be a pity.
"Mm-hm. When you return, give my regards to my sworn brother."
"Alright! Then I shall take my leave. Lord Dao, take care!"
Watching the werewolves disappear among the mountains, Niu You Dao gestured to Duan Hu and Wu San Liang, instructing them to thoroughly inspect the surroundings.
And when the two men confirmed that the werewolves had indeed left, Niu You Dao remounted his horse.
He looked straight ahead. His eyes gleamed, and he suddenly turned his horses around:
"Let's go!"
They didn't continue on their path; instead, they turned back. And when they found a crevice near the road, they veered into the depths of the mountains.