Wave after wave of surprises assailed Lu Sheng Zhong. The Song family had fallen, three sects had sought refuge here, and Shang Chao Zong had dramatically risen from such a hopeless situation.
Had everything changed so quickly in such a short span of time?
It was hard to believe. But Lu Sheng Zhong understood that Niu You Dao had no reason to deceive him. After all, Lu Sheng Zhong would find out everything sooner or later.
"Is this Qingshan County city?" Lu Sheng Zhong asked.
Niu You Dao smiled and nodded.
Lu Sheng Zhong fell silent. He had seen the fortified city on the way here.
Lu Sheng Zhong: How would I know what's happening there now?
Niu You Dao sipped his tea and pointed to the Bird King.
"That is the Bird King you left in Cang Wu County. You can use it to contact your masters.
Lu Sheng Zhong looked at the Bird King and said with a bitter smile:
"It seems you've set your sights on the Wuliangshan Sect as well.
He was right. Niu You Dao had indeed set his sights on the Wuliangshan Sect from the very beginning. This sect was originally a gift for Shang Chao Zong. Only later did the situation change, and plans shifted.
Niu You Dao: That's out of the question. Why force people to do what they don't want? I advocate for mutually beneficial relationships.
Lu Sheng Zhong: You want the Wuliangshan Sect to turn to us?
Niu You Dao immediately said:
"The Wuliangshan Sect has reached its current state thanks to Sect Master Gong Sun Bu. More precisely, thanks to his incompetence. In truth, I believe Brother Lu is far more talented and capable of managing the sect. Brother Lu can lead the Wuliangshan Sect to prosperity.
Lu Sheng Zhong scoffed:
"Are you joking?"
"Joking? This is serious, no jokes." Niu You Dao replied slowly, shaking his head. Then, taking a sip of tea, he said:
"Here, we have the Heavenly Jade Sect, along with the Liuxiang Sect, the Flowing Clouds Sect, and the Subtlety Mountain Sect. Take any one of them, and they could annihilate the Wuliangshan Sect. The moment your sect arrives here, Brother Lu can take the Wuliangshan Sect into his hands. Brother Lu can, at any moment, kill Sect Master Gong Sun Bu and all disciples who resist him. It's just a matter of a word. This is no joke at all.
He spoke plainly and frankly, while Yuan Fang, standing nearby, trembled.
Lu Sheng Zhong narrowed his eyes. Niu You Dao, standing before him, was so casually suggesting he kill his own master?
Niu You Dao, ignoring his surprise, continued speaking:
"Though Brother Lu has spent a long time in captivity, it is not for nothing that they say: 'After misfortune comes good fortune.' If Brother Lu can become the sect master instead of Gong Sun Bu, how could that be bad? Of course, first, Brother Lu needs to find people from the sect who can persuade Wuliangshan to come here. This way, Brother Lu will please me. And if I am pleased, making Brother Lu the sect master is no problem at all.
Lu Sheng Zhong said unhappily:
"Is this a joke!? Though I may be untalented, I do not go against my mentors!"
Niu You Dao: What nonsense about going against mentors? If a sect master is incompetent, where can he lead the sect? And if he's replaced by a more capable master, what then? Wouldn't that be better for the Wuliangshan Sect itself? Wouldn't the very same mentors and ancestors rejoice? If an incapable person sits as sect master, that would truly be an insult to the ancestors. A wise decision for a limited master would be to choose a more worthy person. But a selfish person will only hinder everyone. Such a one should indeed be driven out.
Lu Sheng Zhong's face tightened:
"And if I refuse? Will you kill me?"
Niu You Dao: No. I am not the kind of person who forces others. If you disagree, then I will release you.
Lu Sheng Zhong narrowed his eyes: "Really?"
Niu You Dao: Of course! It's just that I fear for Brother Lu's future. After all, you have offended Wang Heng and the Wuliangshan Sect! Wang Heng certainly won't let you go. Moreover, your betrayal of Wuliangshan will not benefit you. I don't think Brother Lu will have peace in the Wuliangshan Sect. However, it will be difficult in the Yan Kingdom.
"Of course, perhaps Brother Lu could return to the sect and endure all the insults and contempt. Such things have existed since ancient times. Or he could travel far away, conceal his surname, and become a rogue cultivator. But how are cultivators who rebel against their masters regarded?
Lu Sheng Zhong froze. Chaos reigned in his mind.
"Unless you find another way. You could tell the Wuliangshan Sect that you persuaded me to accept them here. Then, even the Yan Kingdom wouldn't do anything to them here, much less Wang Heng.
Saying this, Niu You Dao sighed and said:
"Alright. I've said all I wanted to say. I don't like to force people. Bear, release him and remove his seals.
Yuan Fang approached, placed a hand on Lu Sheng Zhong, and removed the seal from him.
He immediately felt his Qi begin to circulate throughout his body. It was such a relaxing and pleasant feeling. But Lu Sheng Zhong was not in the mood for it right now.
"Please!" Yuan Fang invited Lu Sheng Zhong with a gesture.
Lu Sheng Zhong sat, not intending to leave just yet. He had been about to say something but remained silent. He shifted his gaze from Yuan Fang to Niu You Dao and finally spoke:
"You yourself said that there is the Heavenly Jade Sect here, and three other sects. Why then do you need the Wuliangshan Sect?
Niu You Dao waved his hand, motioning Yuan Fang to exit, and then said himself:
"That's why I say the sect needs a different master. Does Sect Master Gong Sun Bu want to compete with other sects? Why? And can the sect even compete with others now? The Wuliangshan Sect is currently treading on thin ice. It needs to find a stable place to settle down now.
Lu Sheng Zhong said seriously: "One must be farsighted!"
Niu You Dao: It's all very simple. You need to find your place anew. There's no need to compete with others. Your strength is currently insufficient. Sit quietly, establish yourselves. And when you feel firm ground beneath your feet, only then can you begin to contend.
Lu Sheng Zhong said gravely:
"The Wuliangshan Sect does not seem to be in an advantageous position right now.
Niu You Dao: That's precisely why an advantageous position must be created. Look, what significance does the Wuliangshan Sect hold now? Even if they acquire their own territories, will they be able to defend them?
Lu Sheng Zhong: I beg you, guide us on the right path.
As he said this, Niu You Dao immediately replied directly:
"I need a group of people who can be dispatched to various locations in different kingdoms to observe the situation.
Lu Sheng Zhong understood him and, after a moment of thought, asked:
"If the sect disciples are not guardian-mentors, then how will the sect be provisioned?
Niu You Dao: Of course they will be financially supported, otherwise people will simply disperse like flowing water!
Lu Sheng Zhong pondered for a while longer and asked again:
"Can you truly make me the sect master?"
Niu You Dao smiled. He already knew that Lu Sheng Zhong had made his choice:
"I will not guarantee that, nor do I wish to. It all depends on you. If you possess the ability to become the sect master, then I will certainly assist. If not, I will not lift a stone only to drop it on my own foot. And I have no need for internal strife within the Wuliangshan Sect.
"I can only give you one chance. If you can seize it, then it is yours. First, find a way to bring them here, and then I will give you a task. Complete it, and consider that your opportunity!"
Lu Sheng Zhong remained silent. Did he really have a choice?
As Niu You Dao had said, even if he released him, it would not lead Lu Sheng Zhong to a good outcome.
Even if his master wasn't killed, he wouldn't be allowed to rise. To flee and become a rogue cultivator—that would be a brand for life. He would be a rebel and a traitor to the sect, and that was a disgrace.
No matter how you looked at it, every option was... subpar.
But Niu You Dao offered him an option to continue living.
Lu Sheng Zhong looked at the Bird King in its cage and said:
"So much time has passed. I don't even know if I can contact my masters."
Niu You Dao said with a smile: "Try."
Lu Sheng Zhong nodded:
"If it doesn't work, I'll go and try to find them myself."
Niu You Dao tilted his head and called out: "Four Treasures of the Scholar!"
Before long, writing implements were brought.
Lu Sheng Zhong thought for a while and then wrote a secret letter.
He placed the letter with the Bird King and released it, watching it fly away.
Niu You Dao, standing behind him, said to Yuan Fang:
"Arrange a room for Brother Lu and treat him well.
Yuan Fang led Lu Sheng Zhong away.
Yuan Gang approached Niu You Dao and asked:
"What do you want Lu Sheng Zhong to do? Do you think he can handle it?"
Niu You Dao understood him. Yuan Gang was asking why he wouldn't send him for this task.
"I'm waiting for Shao Ping Bo to make his move, but it seems he's waiting for us! In Beizhou, Wei Duo isn't suitable for this task. Wu San Liang also lacks the necessary capabilities. Both of them could fall into Shao Ping Bo's hands, which is why I tell them to keep their distance. Asking you would be risky. Besides, you'd have to do things you wouldn't want to do. Shao Ping Bo is, in truth, an utterly ruthless person. And Lu Sheng Zhong is the most suitable for this task!" Niu You Dao said calmly.