"A generous gift?" Black Peony hesitated slightly.
Chao Zong and the others froze. They recalled Lord Dao having said something similar before secluding himself for cultivation. Remembering it now, they felt a chill.
Lan Ruo Ting asked, still doubtful:
"Lord Dao, could the aid of a few sects truly be considered a generous gift?"
Niu You Dao smiled faintly as he asked:
"Could these few sects, whose assistance will help us seize the Southern Domain... not be considered a generous gift?"
"No, no, no! A generous gift, absolutely a generous gift!" Lan Ruo Ting waved his hand dismissively, at a loss for words:
"I just don't know... Did Lord Dao already calculate this step back then?"
Niu You Dao shook his head:
"The situation changed. Initially, I didn't plan for this, but overall, it turned out no worse than intended."
Lan Ruo Ting sighed in relief. If Niu You Dao had truly calculated all of this from the very beginning until now, then this man would simply be terrifying to everyone.
The Shang siblings also breathed sighs of relief.
They had managed to take Feng Ru Nan as Shang Chao Zong's wife, borrow troops from Feng Lin Bo, establish themselves in Cang Wu County, persuade Hai Ru Yue, conquer Qingshan, and now several more sects had come to their aid. All of this was thanks to this young man.
None of them could deny that Niu You Dao had decisively altered their fates. At first, the siblings couldn't even imagine such a thing. They had originally just thought about how to escape the imperial family, believing they would have to flee overseas. But now?
Moreover, they had originally borrowed troops from Feng Lin Bo, but now they would take everything Feng Lin Bo had accumulated over the years. Such a thought left them speechless.
The Heavenly Jade Sect had yet to inform Feng Lin Bo. After all, this was quite a delicate matter.
Shu Qing couldn't help but glance several times at Yuan Gang, who stood behind Niu You Dao. She still clearly remembered his words, every single one: "I know what you're thinking. You believe Lord Dao's cultivation isn't high. But you don't see the whole picture; you're judging the gold setting instead of the jade itself. Lord Dao is more important to you. You've grasped the wrong goal!"
Remembering those words today, she understood just how limited their beliefs had been. Every word Yuan Gang uttered was simply worth its weight in gold!
Now, all his words had been proven true. It was clear just how well Yuan Gang understood Lord Dao. Most likely, Yuan Gang was the only one who truly understood Lord Dao!
She even felt a belated sense of dread. If they had let Niu You Dao slip away, what would their fate be now? Most likely, they would have only been able to evade the imperial household's pursuit for half a year!
After discussing the "gift," Chao Zong asked Niu You Dao:
"Lord Dao, Hai Ru Yue has urged us several times already."
Niu You Dao replied: "What was she hurrying you about?"
"She's waiting for the mighty Wuli and Yinyang Guards. I understand her concern. She worries something might happen to her son. If something were to befall her son, there's no telling what the Wandong Heavenly Palace would do. Her anxiety is understandable, but raising troops isn't a short-term affair. Just gathering warhorses alone takes time. And our resources are limited."
Niu You Dao pondered for a moment before replying:
"We have many tasks before us. Prince, pay her no mind; focus on your own affairs. This matter is not urgent."
Lan Ruo Ting asked:
"Does Lord Dao mean for us to let her go?"
Niu You Dao shook his head slightly:
"Now, it would be more advantageous for us if Hai Ru Yue controls Qingzhou. However, the Prince need not worry about this matter. Hai Ru Yue is my concern. I will soothe her worries."
Hearing this, several people surmised that it was no longer an issue. It seemed Lord Dao had already resolved it.
After that, they discussed the current main objectives. Niu You Dao occasionally gave emphatic instructions to Chao Zong, who nodded and carefully committed his words to memory.
And then, knowing that Lord Dao was weary from his journey, the few people decided not to trouble him further and took their leave!
Niu You Dao personally stepped out to see them off. Although they told him there was no need, Niu You Dao always observed proper etiquette. On another note, he escorted them to ensure Chao Zong wouldn't think he had grown arrogant due to his achievements.
He had expended so much effort, risked his life so many times for their sake, so merely seeing them to the door was no trouble at all for him.
After seeing them off, Niu You Dao turned around and whispered:
"Regarding the matter on the Great Snow Mountain, not a word to anyone!"
Black Peony nodded: "Understood!"
Yuan Fang wondered to himself, "What Great Snow Mountain?"
Yuan Gang remained silent. He understood why Lord Dao hadn't told the Shang family about this matter. Lord Dao wanted to keep an ace up his sleeve!
Black Peony asked: "Lord Dao, if there's nothing else, perhaps you should bathe and rest?"
Niu You Dao nodded. As she left to make preparations, Niu You Dao turned back to Yuan Fang and asked:
"Bear, how is that Lu Sheng Zhong?"
Yuan Fang grinned slyly: "Alive and locked up."
Seeing his enigmatic smile, Niu You Dao said:
"Take me to see him."
Yuan Fang nodded and led the way to the monks' courtyard. Passing under the eaves of the building, Niu You Dao could see through the windows many monks sitting and transcribing canonical texts by lamplight. In the end, these monks hadn't changed; they were still bald and just as devout.
Niu You Dao was speechless. The temptations of the outside world couldn't possibly sway so many monks at once. One by one, perhaps, but not all of them simultaneously. They wouldn't be able to accept it together. And Yuan Fang hadn't severed his ties with them either.
Evidently, Yuan Fang still wished to build a temple on the Southern Mountain. No matter how many sights he had seen or how much luxury he had experienced, he hadn't changed in this regard!
Regarding this characteristic of Yuan Fang, Niu You Dao didn't know what to do. Should he admire him, or kick him in the backside?
And then again, what could he say to him? What could be done against a Buddha that couldn't be seen? One that resided somewhere deep within Yuan Fang's soul!
Niu You Dao also knew that Yuan Fang's faith was strong. Before this, the monks had found him in the forest, prevented him from starving to death, and saved him from being devoured by other beasts. Therefore, Yuan Fang would be grateful to the monks for his entire life. Was it wrong for Yuan Fang to want to repay the kindness of saving his life with gratitude?
Niu You Dao himself was someone who believed in repaying kindness. So, there was nothing for it; it seemed Niu You Dao would have to keep a bunch of monks around him. This gave him a strange feeling. He had never imagined such a thing would happen in his life.
Yuan Fang led him to a cellar. He waved his hand, and the monk-guards opened the cellar door.
Immediately, a foul stench began to waft up from below. Niu You Dao furrowed his brows.
Two monks descended the steps, and from below, the clanking sound of chains could be heard.
From the cellar, the monks brought out a person whose hands and feet were shackled in chains. Niu You Dao didn't even recognize this person. His face was unwashed, his clothes hadn't been changed in who knew how long, and he was covered in some sticky fluid.
Lu Sheng Zhong tilted his head, and Niu You Dao noticed worms crawling in his hair. At such a sight, he even shuddered.
And then there was the stench. Niu You Dao wrinkled his nose and, furrowing his brows, said:
"Wash him, put him in clean clothes, and bring him to me tomorrow!"
He had originally intended to speak with him. But who would have known he'd be kept in such a state? It was a good thing Lu Sheng Zhong hadn't opened his mouth yet. After all, he hadn't brushed his teeth since the moment he was shackled!
Yuan Fang immediately signaled the monks to act.
Niu You Dao noticed that as soon as Lu Sheng Zhong heard his words, tears streamed from his eyes.
Niu You Dao turned and left. Along the way, he asked Yuan Fang:
"Why did you keep him like that?"
Yuan Fang's reasoning was simple. Lord Dao had said to ensure he didn't escape. So, they put him in the cellar, and for good measure, shackled him with chains.
In short, Lu Sheng Zhong had been in the cellar, eating, sleeping, and relieving himself there...
"Aaaah!" When everyone returned to the Prince's residence, Lan Ruo Ting sighed.
Sitting Chao Zong asked:
"Sir, why do you sigh so?"
Lan Ruo Ting, with a bitter smile, shook his head:
"If I weren't afraid of offending Lord Dao, I would personally travel to that village. I'd like to see what kind of miraculous village produces such talents. Yuan Gang alone is something! He is a talent in his own right. And Lord Dao? Someone like him is hard to find in all the lands under heaven. And he's still so young! Where does he get such vast experience and such a broad perspective? I feel ashamed before my teacher! How many years did I study under him..."
As he spoke, he shook his head. Remembering his teacher, he murmured:
"So young... I simply cannot comprehend it... One cannot deny he is a genius. Perhaps he is a legendary genius, sent by heaven!?"
Shu Qing began to comfort him:
"Sir, don't be so modest. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses. Sir is strong in military affairs and governance, while Lord Dao does not concern himself with such matters at all. In these aspects, he is far inferior to you."
"Enough!" Lan Ruo Ting waved his hand, as if to say, "There's no need to comfort me." Lan Ruo Ting thought for a moment and then said:
"Prince, there's a matter that is a little inappropriate to mention. Lord Dao constantly helps us, yet we have never once repaid him with anything. Not even cultivation resources..."
He didn't finish speaking before they understood. They had originally agreed to provide Niu You Dao with cultivation resources. But the Heavenly Jade Sect had taken everything. It seemed they hadn't kept their word.
Chao Zong replied:
"We must show our gratitude, but these are difficult times. However, he has already gathered so many people around him. He must have enough to support them and himself. At the very least, it should be enough for basic expenses. Nevertheless, we need to find at least ten thousand gold coins!"
It wasn't that Chao Zong was faint-hearted. It was simply that Qingshan County was an impoverished county to begin with. Moreover, when they seized the county, all the fleeing officials took most of the wealth with them. The Heavenly Jade Sect had even spent its own funds here. Asking the Heavenly Jade Sect for financial support now would be too much.
Lan Ruo Ting: "We might be able to get it, but will he believe our situation?"
Shu Qing: "Since Lord Dao persuaded the Heavenly Jade Sect to give the people a chance to breathe, it means he understands our difficult situation. One finds it easier to reach a compromise with young ladies; I will speak with him. He should understand us."