“Eh, why not give it a try. I’ll give it a try.” Niu You Dao nodded. Glancing around and seeing no outsiders, he asked, “Manager, so what’s going on? Why this treatment? What’s the reason, in the end?”
Chu An Lou smiled, “Chief Da said to treat you well, sir. Once you’ve rested, he wishes to speak with you about a matter.”
“Chief Da?” Niu You Dao asked, perplexed, “Why?”
Chu An Lou replied, “I don’t know the exact details. However, the Chief made it perfectly clear that you must be treated well. He harbors no ill intentions!”
Niu You Dao remained silent.
Did he truly know nothing? Most likely, he knew what was going on clearer than anyone else.
He had another purpose when he painted Black Peony’s portrait. He painted Black Peony’s portrait precisely for Sha Huang Li. But painting Sha Huang Li’s portrait wasn’t even the main goal! His true objective was right here!
The moment he learned that Sha Huang Li was a good friend of Xue Lao Er, the head of the Ice and Snow Palace, he had already devised this entire plan.
It was simple. Wouldn’t a girl, upon receiving something beautiful, tell her friend about it?
And he had not come here merely for the Red Yang Fruit; in reality, it was because of the oppressive might of the Yan Kingdom’s imperial court. After he killed Song Yang Qing, he realized he had courted significant trouble. And he alone could not contend against the Yan Kingdom’s imperial court.
There were things one could accomplish alone, but also things one could never achieve by oneself. He had killed Song Yang Qing out of necessity. He knew the Song family would not compromise with him. It mattered not whether he killed Song Yang Qing or not; the Song family would never let him go. Their relationship was already of the "Only if you die, shall I live" kind. But if he lacked firmness of spirit, resolve, and courage, how could he be Lord Dao!
The wood was already a boat. Now, he clearly understood that he had to deal with the consequences. Niu You Dao knew that the imperial court would not let him go now, and that many dangers awaited him on his path. That was precisely why he had come here: to put an end to this current predicament once and for all!
He saw all the subtle threads quite clearly.
It wasn’t that he didn’t understand; he understood everything with perfect clarity. That was why he wanted Chu An Lou to personally accompany him around the city.
They walked at a slow, measured pace, and he enjoyed Chu An Lou’s courteous treatment!
At the entrance of the Heavenly Jade Sect’s shop stood Manager Wu Kong. He also noticed Chu An Lou and his group.
A disciple rushed over to him and excitedly said, “Uncle, do you know who is walking beside Chu An Lou? Try to guess!”
Wu Kong gave him a sidelong glance. “How would I know? I’m seeing them for the first time!”
The disciple said, “Uncle, that’s precisely the person we’ve been looking for. Niu You Dao!”
“Ah!” Wu Kong was startled and asked, “Are you sure?”
The disciple replied, “I recognized the four people walking behind him: Black Peony, Lei Zong Kang, Duan Hu, and Wu San Liang. They are precisely the ones we were told about. And the young man leading them perfectly matches the description of Niu You Dao. How could it not be Niu You Dao?”
The people of the Heavenly Jade Sect here had never seen Niu You Dao. Shang Chao Zong had requested their help, but he didn’t have much specific information regarding Niu You Dao. It was fortunate that Yuan Fang, worried, couldn’t hold back and spoke about Black Peony and the others.
The Heavenly Jade Sect hadn’t even had time to send people from the southern region of the Yan Kingdom.
Moreover, the higher echelons of the Heavenly Jade Sect believed that Niu You Dao was not worth raising a stir and mobilizing forces for. After all, Niu You Dao meant little to them.
He came for the Red Yang Fruit, so what? What does that yield for the Heavenly Jade Sect? Whether Hai Ru Yue was alive or not, whether her son was alive or not, meant little to the Heavenly Jade Sect. The main thing was that Wandong Heavenly Palace and the Heavenly Jade Sect had reached a secret agreement.
And for the Heavenly Jade Sect, it didn’t matter who Wandong Heavenly Palace appointed. The important thing was that they cooperated, and Shang Chao Zong was able to raise a new Wuli and Yinyang Guard.
The personal problems of Hai Ru Yue and Shang Chao Zong did not concern the Heavenly Jade Sect.
They also didn’t particularly wish for the ties between Hai Ru Yue and Shang Chao Zong to be strong. Otherwise, it would be harder for them to control Shang Chao Zong.
Furthermore, the expedition for the Red Yang Fruit itself didn’t particularly please them. If Niu You Dao offended the Ice and Snow Palace, what would the Heavenly Jade Sect do? They wouldn’t dare provoke those stronger than themselves. Especially since Niu You Dao had killed an envoy of the Yan Kingdom. The Heavenly Jade Sect did not wish to openly support such a person!
Of course, they couldn’t simply refuse Shang Chao Zong, so they sent word here. But that was largely the extent of their involvement.
“...Wu Kong wondered what to do. What was this? The situation had changed!”
He looked at the departing Niu You Dao. He couldn’t approach him now, for Chu An Lou was right beside him.
After much thought, he turned his head towards the shop and went to send a message back to the sect.
In the Wandong Heavenly Palace’s shop, in its furthest room, sat the shop manager, Gao Mulan, meditating on a stone stool.
A knock sounded, and Gao Mulan slowly opened her eyes.
“Enter!”
A disciple entered and, cupping his hands, reported, “Master, Niu You Dao has appeared!”
Gao Mulan frowned. “Have him come immediately!”
Shang Chao Zong was worried about Niu You Dao and had also asked Hai Ru Yue to help. Thus, Hai Ru Yue had asked Wandong Heavenly Palace for assistance.
However, Wandong Heavenly Palace also felt a strong aversion to this matter. In truth, the high command of Wandong Heavenly Palace had a contradictory attitude towards Hai Ru Yue. Some opposed Hai Ru Yue’s rule in Qingzhou, while others supported it. And then there was Niu You Dao, who had killed an envoy of the Yan Kingdom. Who knew what he might do at the Ice and Snow Palace. They dared not be associated with Niu You Dao if he were to offend the Ice and Snow Palace. If Elder Li Wu Hua had not supported Hai Ru Yue this time, Wandong Heavenly Palace might, on the contrary, have severely punished Hai Ru Yue!
Gao Mulan had received instructions that as soon as she saw Niu You Dao, she was to immediately find him and instruct him to be cautious and not cause any disturbance. In an extreme case, she was even permitted to kill Niu You Dao!
The insignificant Niu You Dao meant little to Wandong Heavenly Palace either.
How could Wandong Heavenly Palace send people to Niu You Dao’s aid?
“This...” The disciple hesitated slightly. “Chu An Lou, the manager of the Rainbow Inn, is personally accompanying him. If we call him over now, I fear it will be inconvenient!”
He didn’t know his master’s attitude towards Niu You Dao.
Gao Mulan froze. “What? Chu An Lou is personally accompanying him? Are they strolling around?”
“They are strolling outside the Ice and Snow Palace. From a distance, it appears Chu An Lou is being very polite to him.”
Gao Mulan immediately stepped out of the shop, and the disciple pointed out the departing group, who were circling around.
Upon seeing her target, Gao Mulan instantly soared up and waited on the other side.
And when Niu You Dao and his group approached from the other side, Chu An Lou, pointing to some gates undergoing repairs, said, “This is a new shop. In the cultivation world, sects rise and fall. Thus, shops constantly change hands...”
At that moment, the disciple approached Gao Mulan and whispered, “The four people behind him have been identified. They are Black Peony, Duan Hu, Wu San Liang, and Lei Zong Kang. The young man in front matches Niu You Dao’s description. It’s him, no doubt!”
Black Peony and the others had not previously drawn attention. But now, many were looking at them. They were simply subjects of widespread attention.
Gao Mulan was speechless. Why on earth was Chu An Lou treating Niu You Dao so well right now? He was clearly acting as Niu You Dao’s guide!!!
Niu You Dao had killed an envoy of the Yan Kingdom! And Chu An Lou was openly accompanying him before everyone? What did this mean? What was the Ice and Snow Palace planning? Why did it seem to her that they wanted to show everyone that Niu You Dao was under their protection here!
The situation had changed. Gao Mulan dared not act on her own discretion, so she quickly returned to the shop and began writing a message to her masters...
In a clean room with a white jade floor, a bath filled with hot spring water stood; on the walls hung paintings, not just any, but each of supreme quality. Also, scattered throughout the room were the Four Treasures of the Study.
This room was situated in a high position within the inn. If one approached the window, they could see the snowy mountains and the entire canyon of the Ice and Snow Palace.
Upon inspecting the room, Lady Pei sighed to herself. She had never before lived in such exquisite surroundings. It was no wonder that only honored guests were received here. It was fortunate that they had the opportunity to stay here thanks to Huangdi Dao.
Her young master—the girl—emerged after bathing and began to dress. And when Lady Pei turned her head to look at the girl, she was surprised. Because the girl had put on a female outfit.
“Young master, aren’t you going to dress in male attire?” Lady Pei asked in surprise.
The girl, dressed in a pink gown, sat before a mirror and said, “That manager already knows I’m a girl. So there’s no need to dress as a man. Comb my hair!”
Lady Pei was speechless. You only just figured that out? It’s not as if everyone around didn’t already know you were a girl.
She walked over to her and began combing her hair. “Young master, you are indeed more beautiful dressed as a girl.”
The girl replied, “It’s strange that you call me young master. Don’t call me that anymore.”
“As you wish, mistress.” Lady Pei cursed inwardly.
The girl gestured around with her finger and said, “Look, this inn is truly worth its price. It’s genuinely beautiful. Not like those hovels we used to stay in. Although this room is smaller than our castle, it is still more exquisite.”
“Only honored guests reside here. Not everyone can stay here.”
As soon as her hair was combed, the girl stood up, spun around, and asked, “How do I look? Am I beautiful?”
Setting down the comb, Lady Pei replied, “Beautiful. Young mistress, you are the most beautiful of all.”
The girl said contentedly, “Let’s go. Let’s find this Huangdi Dao and take a stroll with him.” She turned and left.
“Find him?” Lady Pei thought she had misheard.
What was wrong with this girl? Why had her character changed so suddenly?
“Mistress, you already lost to him. And we already owe him a million! It will be difficult for us after we return.”
“Ah, that’s my concern. Don’t worry, money is a trivial matter. There’s no need to think about it.”