Yuan Gang stood to the side, indifferently observing Chu An Lou's reaction. Niu You Dao was no idiot; of course, he had no intention of leaving.
— .... Chu An Lou was speechless.
The manager had clearly told him to treat Niu You Dao well. And now Niu You Dao wanted to escape?
He asked, "Are you suggesting I mean to harm you?"
Niu You Dao waved his hand, "No, no."
Chu An Lou, "You cannot leave right now."
Niu You Dao, "You want to release them, but not me?"
Chu An Lou didn't know how to explain everything, so he said,
— I repeat, the Rainbow Inn will not interfere in your disputes. You know who is behind this Inn, and you wish to take advantage of it? Your actions will have consequences you cannot bear!
Niu You Dao,
"When have I ever used the Ice and Snow Palace? I merely took the opportunity to conduct negotiations here. If the negotiations are successful, then I will release them. If not, I would not dare ask the Ice and Snow Palace for anything for myself."
Chu An Lou wanted to ask, "By saying that, are you not using the Ice and Snow Palace?"
But the most important thing for Chu An Lou was to prevent Niu You Dao from leaving.
Chu An Lou, without another word, turned and left.
— Manager Chu.... Niu You Dao called out to him several times, but he paid him no heed.
Yuan Gang approached the door, listened, and quietly murmured,
— He's gone.
Niu You Dao, "He's not his own master in this matter. He probably went to seek opinions from those above."
Soon, several staff members ascended to the floor. They began guarding the entire level, allowing no one to enter or leave. One could say they placed everyone under arrest, preventing anyone from escaping.
Chu An Lou exited through the rear of the inn. Behind the inn was a steep cliff from which a gurgling waterfall flowed. On either side of the waterfall, stone steps led upwards.
Chu An Lou did not bother with the steps, instead soaring directly into the winter sky, landing on a patch of green. The celestial palace was located there.
Inside the jade pavilion, there were women in white robes. They either stood or sat, constantly writing something, or receiving Bird Kings that flew in and out.
This was the center of the Dan List.
In an absolutely pristine hall stood a woman with gray hair. She walked among the women, occasionally stopping to observe what they were writing. This woman was the chief manager of the Ice and Snow Palace, Hai Bing.
Someone approached and reported something to her, and Hai Bing immediately left the spacious hall.
Outside, Chu An Lou bowed respectfully and greeted her,
— Chief Manager.
Hai Bing calmly asked,
— What is it?
Chu An Lou stepped closer and stood behind her,
— Reporting to the Chief Manager, there are questions regarding that Huangdi Dao.
Hai Bing asked,
— What is it?
— That Huangdi Dao actually turned out to be Niu You Dao, who killed the envoy of the Yan Kingdom.
— Did I ask you to investigate that? — Hai Bing calmly said,
— I have known his identity for a long time. So what? We just need to ask him to draw a portrait, and that's all.
— Draw? — Chu An Lou was astonished. They had known all along that it was Niu You Dao, and he was only just finding out now?
Hai Bing,
"He drew a portrait of Sha Huang Li. Sha Huang Li showed the portrait to the mistress, and the mistress liked it. It's simple. She also wants a portrait now. We just need to ask him to draw a portrait for us, and that's all. There's no need to reveal his identity. Understand?"
Sweat beaded on Chu An Lou's brow,
— Chief Manager, I didn't mean to reveal his identity. It's just that he already revealed it.... he broadly explained the situation.
Upon hearing this, Hai Bing sighed discontentedly,
— Truly a reckless person. He even dared to use the Ice and Snow Palace.
Chu An Lou, "I'll find another good artist."
Hai Bing shook her head,
— No need. The mistress said he draws in a special way. You won't find another artist like him in all the world!
— .... Chu An Lou was speechless: "Why exaggerate so much? Is there really no such artist?"
Hai Bing, "We have already notified the mistress, and she should be returning in a few days. We must ensure he waits for her."
Chu An Lou, "You mean to say?"
...
Chu An Lou met with Niu You Dao again.
Chu An Lou said,
— Release them at once!
Niu You Dao leaned towards Black Peony and nodded,
— Do as Manager Chu says.
— Understood! — Black Peony's heart dropped. She quickly turned and left.
Chu An Lou also turned and exited.
Yuan Gang leaned towards Niu You Dao and asked,
— Has something changed?
Niu You Dao leaned in and whispered back,
— Unlikely. Otherwise, he would have released them himself without even telling me. Now, he's showing respect.
The two men also left the room and saw Chu An Lou standing in the main hall.
Black Peony opened the rooms and called out the people. Soon, Wu Kong, Gao Mulan, Wu Shao Huang... even Lady Pei came out to see what was happening outside. Chu An Lou turned his head to Niu You Dao and asked, "Are these them?"
Niu You Dao nodded.
Chu An Lou cupped his hands,
— Gentlemen, I apologize for my negligence. I have caused you gentlemen inconvenience. The Rainbow Inn cannot interfere in others' affairs. You may return.
"They'll just let them go like that?" Yuan Gang looked at Lord Dao. This didn't match Lord Dao's expectations.
Niu You Dao stood with a stone face. He hadn't thought the Ice and Snow Palace would be so ruthless. They'll take the horse but won't even let it graze!
Niu You Dao resolutely said,
— Gentlemen, our friendship and enmity do not concern the Rainbow Inn. I bear responsibility for everything. Please report to your sects and ask your heads to come to the Rainbow Inn. As quickly as possible!
Chu An Lou turned his head and looked at Niu You Dao.
Then he looked at the others and, cupping his hands again, declared,
— Gentlemen, it is as he says. The Rainbow Inn has no involvement in your affairs. Once he leaves this inn, his life or death is of no concern to us. We will not avenge him!
Niu You Dao nodded, "Precisely!"
One sings, the other harmonizes! The group of people cursed Chu An Lou inwardly. He put them in their grave, and now he's putting up a monument?
However, they cupped their hands towards Chu An Lou but paid no attention to Niu You Dao.
Lady Pei and the others standing nearby didn't know what kind of show this was.
When everyone had left, Niu You Dao asked Chu An Lou,
— Manager Chu, can we leave now?
— Wait a few days. The mistress will meet with you later. — Chu An Lou took his hand from behind his back and extended it towards Niu You Dao's face. He whispered,
— Niu You Dao, I'm reminding you for your own good. I made concessions for you because of the task you will perform. But afterwards, you must not use the name of the Ice and Snow Palace for your own ends. Your body is frail, but the world is vast. If you invite a force beyond your control, you might perish under its pressure. — Having said this, he patted Niu You Dao's face twice with his palm.
Niu You Dao did not move or dodge, and two red marks appeared on his face. At the same time, he firmly restrained Yuan Gang's wrist. Seeing this, Wei Duo stepped forward, clenching his fists.
Chu An Lou noticed Yuan Gang's movements and, turning to him, said,
— I am in the Rainbow Inn. If you have questions, come find me!
Then, looking at them disdainfully, he turned and left.
Silence fell in the main hall. Black Peony and the others stared in surprise at the red mark on Niu You Dao's face. They hadn't thought the resourceful Niu You Dao would end up being humiliated by someone.
Lady Pei and the others also exchanged bewildered glances. Chu An Lou had treated Huangdi Dao so politely earlier; why had his attitude changed so suddenly?
As Chu An Lou walked away, Yuan Gang whispered,
— Should I rig his inn with explosives?
— I brought this upon myself. No need. Besides, we still have things to do. — Niu You Dao released his hand.
Yuan Gang, "What now?"
— No matter what you think, we must adapt to the situation. There's no point in arguing now. — Saying this, Niu You Dao turned and called Black Peony over.
Black Peony approached, "Lord Dao!"
Niu You Dao, "The situation has changed. Go quickly to the Wandong Palace shop and speak with Gao Mulan. Tell her it was all a joke. And regarding the Red Yang Fruit, tell her she doesn't need to come. Take Lei Zong Kang with you."
Shao Ping Bo is truly something! He forced him to lose control of the situation. That cannot be denied.
— Understood! — Black Peony immediately called Lei Zong Kang and left.
— Alright, everyone. You may all go rest. — Niu You Dao waved the others away again.
Lady Pei and the others approached Niu You Dao and, seeing the slap marks on his face, asked,
— What happened?
Niu You Dao smiled and said,
— I just offended some people. It's nothing serious. You can all continue living peacefully. If you wish, you may change rooms.
Two days later, Lady Pei and the others prepared to leave. Before their departure, they bid farewell to Niu You Dao and the rest, but did not mention the wager.
A person on a large golden bird descended into the canyon. Two more eagles followed behind.
Lady Pei pulled Hao Qin Qin, and they mounted the birds. Then, the three birds soared upwards.
Many people in the canyon watched them. Few could afford to fly on such birds. After all, each such bird cost tens of millions, and there were three of them.
— They didn't mention the wager, what a pity! — Niu You Dao, seeing the three black specks in the sky, muttered as he watched them depart.