He asked Duan Hu and the others:
— How was the journey?
— Safe and sound! — several people immediately replied. They took out maps and pointed to the post stations along the way.
Niu You Dao told them to mark all the points on a single map. After that, they began to examine the map in detail.
Three people marked over 70 post stations in 3 days. And among them were stations where more than 10 new stablehands had appeared.
Even so! Niu You Dao was agitated. It turned out there were over 10 more agents on these three roads!
Although there were few people, Niu You Dao was still vigilant. He took out a charcoal pencil and began to draw circles around the stations where new stablehands had appeared. He noticed that the post stations where potential agents had appeared were mainly important post stations located at road junctions.
Aha! A clue emerges!
He drew more and more lines and circles on the three people's markings, making the map appear chaotic.
However, he did not know if these people were placed there for another mission or specifically to capture him?
Gradually, even the others began to see the pattern on the map.
Black Peony spoke:
— This explains a lot. Lord Dao, take a look. Around these post stations, there are many intersections. If one travels along these roads, most travelers stop at these very stations. It's precisely there that it's most convenient to change horses. By placing their people there, they don't need to deploy a large number of personnel. It's enough to have their people at these stations, and then the entire area will be under control.
Niu You Dao nodded. She dispelled his doubts. Indeed, if they were to place an agent at every single post station, how many people would the Yan Kingdom need then? This way, by distributing their personnel, the Yan Kingdom saves a great deal.
Yuan Fang blinked:
— So, if we just avoid these stations, we won't fall into their trap.
Niu You Dao: Not necessarily. Firstly, we don't know the exact situation. Once we reach a post station, we can find out. Look, there are three post stations... he pointed to a relatively long road.
— If they place people at two out of three stations, how will you determine which station we should enter? And river crossings. Who knows where their people are lurking near the bridges? Furthermore, to bypass everything unnoticed on horseback, we'd have to make a considerable detour. Wouldn't that exhaust us and our horses? In that case, we might as well travel on foot.
Yuan Fang scratched his head and smiled. He hadn't thought of that.
Black Peony and the others were puzzled. They didn't know where Niu You Dao intended to go, since he didn't want to travel on foot. This meant they were planning a long journey on horseback. But where?
— There's another point. Who can guarantee that our assumptions are correct? Who can say for sure that there won't be an enemy lying in wait somewhere?
Black Peony: Lord Dao, then what do you suggest?
Niu You Dao calmly said: It is unreasonable not to pay for evil. If we didn't know, then fine. But since we do know, now we must rip it all out by the roots.
Duan Hu spoke, full of doubt:
— Lord Dao, what can we, a few individuals, do?
Niu You Dao: Relying on our own strength, of course, we can do nothing. Before us is a power that a simple sect cannot overcome. The enemy possesses immense power, capable of easily dispatching several high-level cultivators. If we advance ourselves, we will merely find death. At most, we'll take a few more people with us.
Black Peony: So what should we do then?
— Let those capable of handling this take care of it for us. — Niu You Dao pointed at Duan Hu and Wu San Liang: I want to ask you to perform another task.
The two men immediately replied:
— Lord Dao, we are listening.
Niu You Dao: Ride to the capital of Zhao, ride without stopping. As soon as you reach the capital, find five people: the envoys of the Han Kingdom, Zhuge Xiong; the Song Kingdom, Tu Huai You; the Jin Kingdom, Chu Xiang Yu; the Wei Kingdom, Sui Pai; and the Qi Kingdom, Zuo An Nian. After you find them, don't tell them too much. Simply reveal the Yan Kingdom's secret network to them. There's no need to highlight anyone in particular. They will become wary themselves and will conduct their own investigations. And of course, they will send news to their own kingdoms, instructing them to check their post stations.
He originally didn't want to mention the Han Kingdom, as he was about to travel there. But now, danger is everywhere. And what's the point of him hiding anything if he can't leave now?
As for whether this network is established in all kingdoms or not, that's no longer so important. If it is, he will eradicate the enemy's tentacles. If not, it will put them on guard and scare them off. The enemy then won't dare to obstruct him, and Niu You Dao will be able to travel to the Han Kingdom in peace.
Now, as it turned out, a formidable enemy stood before him, so he no longer had the means to oppose them alone.
Black Peony and the others were surprised. They didn't know the envoys, because envoys were not people of their standing. But it turned out Niu You Dao was already acquainted with them. Evidently, Niu You Dao's circles and theirs were truly very different.
Wu San Liang anxiously said:
— Lord Dao, I fear that with our status, we won't be able to see them. Not to mention them, we won't even see their doors.
Duan Hu also nodded his head. Ordinary people couldn't reach such envoys. High-level cultivators surrounded the envoys. So, they couldn't be approached day or night.
Niu You Dao: Don't worry. When you go to them, simply state my name. Tell them I asked you to deliver a message. They will let you in.
Black Peony and the others exchanged glances and thought to themselves: "Are you truly that respected?"
In truth, the reason here was not respect at all. However, at the mention of his name, the envoys would immediately recall the matter in Qingzhou. Niu You Dao understood that if he asked for something, the envoys would hardly help him. But if it was in their own interest, why wouldn't they help?
Black Peony asked: Lord Dao, where shall we meet after this task?
Niu You Dao pointed to a spot on the map:
— In Beishan County. After you deliver the message, head straight to Beishan County. We will meet there at the largest inn.
— Alright! — The two men nodded their heads.
Niu You Dao wrote something on a piece of paper. Everyone watched, but no one understood what was written there. Then he handed the letter to Yuan Fang.
— You, disguise yourself and immediately head to Zhaixing City. Find the Wandong Palace shop there. Tell the manager my name and ask him to forward a secret message to the ruler of Qingzhou. Afterward, don't come back here, but return to the Prince and wait for me there.
Black Peony and the others exchanged glances. First the Wandong Palace, then the ruler of Qingzhou, and now even a Prince. It seemed the power behind Niu You Dao was considerable. No wonder five envoys would give him their attention.
Only a few people didn't understand something else. The Wandong Palace was one of the powerful sects of the Zhao Kingdom. Why didn't he tell them about the three sects: Liuxiang, Flowing Clouds, and Wuyou Mountain?
However, it didn't matter what that was about. From what he said, it was clear that the power behind Niu You Dao was immense. And that meant this power would also be behind them. After all, they were with Niu You Dao now, and that was far better than establishing a simple sect. How many small sects wished to connect with powerful sects. But it was very difficult.
Now, all of them had their spirits lifted.
Only Lei Zong Kang stood with his head bowed. He felt ashamed. He blamed himself for his lack of foresight and for not listening to Black Peony!
However, looking at it that way, he hadn't had a choice back then. The Liuxiang Sect had put immense pressure on him.
And Niu You Dao hadn't said this coincidentally in front of them either. He showed them what forces stood behind him, so that all malicious thoughts would vanish from these newcomers, and so that they would now fully devote themselves to the work.
However, Yuan Fang froze:
— Lord Dao, perhaps I can find you later?
He certainly believed in Niu You Dao's capabilities; he had broadened his horizons considerably during this journey.
Niu You Dao shook his head:
— Have you forgotten about the book I gave you at the Yaoyue Inn? I cannot keep you with me, and it's inconvenient for us to stay in contact. And ahead, I don't yet know how many people will oppose us. If we separate, I will worry about you. Also, get some money; I'll need it on the way.
As soon as Yuan Fang remembered the *records of wild animals*, he immediately shivered:
— Alright! But how can I contact you again?
However, when he remembered the money, his heart bled. That fellow was quite the spendthrift!
Only in this regard was Yuan Fang not his own master, so he reached into his pocket with a heavy hand and reluctantly pulled out the money.
— I'll figure something out on the way. Don't worry. — Niu You Dao counted out 80 banknotes and handed them to Black Peony. The rest he gave to Yuan Fang. After that, he waved his hand:
— Alright. Do everything as I've instructed. Go, eat, and then depart!
— Understood! — Several people nodded their heads.