Wu Tian Nan, startled, began to explain:
"That's right. My father is the assistant head of Pingchuan County. We are simply ensuring the safety of our people. We had no ill intentions whatsoever. I beg the preceptor to forgive us if we've been rude!"
"Assistant head of the county?" Lu Sheng Zhong doubted:
"Do they have official documents?"
Wu Tian Nan waved his hand, and his escorts immediately produced the documents.
As it turned out, all of them, except Wu Tian Nan, were county officials. They were carrying official documents to Beizhou and escorting Wu Tian Nan along the way.
Lu Sheng Zhong looked at the documents and indeed saw the county head's seals. He returned the documents and sheathed his sword. After that, he turned to the girl and said:
"Let's go."
Wu Tian Nan breathed a sigh of relief and watched them leave.
The girl got into the carriage, and the young man drove the horses. So they departed.
Several people also mounted their horses and rode on.
Their paths were the same, so the two groups gradually drew abreast and inadvertently began to converse.
Wu Tian Nan learned that the man was named Tao Jun and the girl Tao Yan Er. They were siblings.
They were originally from Pingchuan County, but the brother had been fortunate. In his youth, he had met a cultivator and embarked on that path. At that time, he had left Pingchuan County. Later, his mother fell ill and died. The siblings had just been performing memorial rites at her grave. Afterward, when turmoil began in the county, the Tao family moved away. But then, when their father fell gravely ill and was on the verge of death, he told his son that his little sister had a fiancé in Pingchuan. That was why they had come here. Only, who knew that the fiancé's family would be ruined during the turmoil? Thus, Tao Yan Er's wedding was canceled.
Tao Yan Er found it uncomfortable to ride in the bumpy carriage, which caused them to stop frequently along the way to rest.
Since the travelers were their fellow townsfolk, the brother and sister began to treat Wu Tian Nan and the others more kindly. Tao Yan Er even asked him questions herself.
"I remember there was a pagoda south of the city. As a child, I often ran there to play. But this time, I noticed the pagoda is gone. Why?"
Wu Tian Nan replied with a smile:
"I remember, I remember. It was originally a Buddhist pagoda. It was built even before the time of the Wu Kingdom. Because the pagoda was very old, it did not survive the onslaught of time. Unable to withstand strong winds and rain, the pagoda fell. And people who were building new homes or repairing their old ones took bricks and other materials left from the collapsed pagoda. Thus, nothing remained of the pagoda."
"I also remember that opposite the pagoda there was a bamboo grove, and a tavern was located there. My father and I often went there. But now it's gone too."
"That tavern burned down, as did the houses next to it. The fire was intense."
"Ah, the past can never be reclaimed." Tao Yan Er said sadly.
As if due to a flood of past memories, Tao Yan Er constantly asked Wu Tian Nan questions, to which he politely replied.
Her soft voice, polite and intelligent demeanor, slender waist, pleasant scent, and ample bosom utterly captivated Wu Tian Nan. He realized that this maiden was simply a world apart from his wife.
What especially excited him was that this girl was only preparing for marriage. Alas, if not for her cultivator brother...
Wu Tian Nan treated Tao Yan Er with great care. He fulfilled all her wishes and affectionately called her "fellow townsfolk." He said that fellow townsfolk should help each other. Though, would he help other fellow townsfolk?
Tao Yan Er began calling him "Brother Wu," which made Wu Tian Nan feel utterly adrift. He felt as if he were floating on clouds.
Thus, they reached the city, where Wu Tian Nan reluctantly had to bid them farewell.
However, in the following days, Wu Tian Nan constantly visited the brother and sister...
After refining another one of Dong Guo Hao Ran's Amulets, Niu You Dao emerged from the mountain gorge. Black Peony was there to greet him.
Niu You Dao waved her away, telling her not to follow him. He walked along the mountain valley, where a mountain river flowed. Eventually, he entered the mountain river's current and sat down, cross-legged, so that his body was submerged up to his chest.
Closing his eyes, he began to circulate his cultivation technique.
Very quickly, the temperature around him dropped so much that the water around him froze. Not long after, half the river was already frozen. The ice now covered an area of the river more than ten feet long.
However, a little later, the temperature began to rise, and hot steam emanated from Niu You Dao, causing the ice to melt again.
And when most of the ice had melted, the underwater current began to carry away the cracked ice floes.
"Thud!"
Niu You Dao suddenly burst from the water, sending countless water droplets flying in all directions. These droplets evaporated, leaving only white mist.
Then Niu You Dao landed on the water's surface and stood still, illuminated by the spring sun.
Niu You Dao, feeling his body damp, smiled. He was pleased with his cultivation speed.
He now noticed how well Dong Guo Hao Ran's Doctrine-Transmitting Amulets were helping him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be able to cultivate so quickly.
He heard the sound of falling water. He turned his head and saw a waterfall in the distance. Turning, he slowly began to walk on the water. Steam once again emanated from him, and his clothes dried. White mist enveloped him, creating an astonishing sight.
Just then, a silhouette flashed and called out:
"Lord Dao!"
It was Yuan Fang.
Niu You Dao, without turning his head, said:
"I said, don't disturb me with trivial matters."
Yuan Fang shouted from the bank:
"News has come from Qingzhou."
Niu You Dao immediately flashed and appeared on the bank. He had said not to bother him with trivial matters, but matters concerning Qingzhou were important.
If he didn't resolve some problems now, they would hinder his cultivation later.
"What is it?" Niu You Dao asked.
Yuan Fang: From the Song Kingdom, a skilled doctor named Pu Yong Fang arrived in Qingzhou. Many common people seized the opportunity to consult him. And his abilities concerned Hai Ru Yue.
Niu You Dao: What did Fang Zhe do?
Yuan Fang: As soon as this matter arose, Fang Zhe immediately visited Hai Ru Yue. He did everything as Lord Dao instructed. He warned that Pu Yong Fang was a doctor sent by Lord Dao, that he had another purpose, and would not be able to cure Xiao Tian Cheng. Therefore, she shouldn't summon him. To this, Hai Ru Yue displeasedly told Fang Zhe that Qingzhou was not Lord Dao's domain. At the same time, she asked about the Red Yang Fruit. When would Lord Dao hand over the fruit?
"It was good that he interfered." Niu You Dao smiled. He wasn't worried about Hai Ru Yue's concern.
"He truly mustered his courage. How long he waited... I thought I had misjudged him. However, it's all starting. The game begins, and the nets are cast."
Whether it was the Ice and Snow Palace, Beizhou, or Qingzhou—all were under Niu You Dao's control.
He was like a spider, having spread its web, and now huddled in a dark corner. He patiently waited for the moth to fall into the net. One in darkness, the other in light.
"Let's go visit Head Fei Chang Liu." Niu You Dao waved his hand and, taking Yuan Fang with him, headed into the cave.
The Liuxian Sect was now settled in a cave. When Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang reached it, they saw a disciple guarding the entrance. It was Cui Yuan.
Yuan Fang, looking at him, couldn't help but chuckle. Some things only they knew.
Cui Yuan also looked at them, feeling timid and uncertain.
After being announced, the two immediately saw Head Fei Chang Liu.
The Liuxian Sect was now under their protection, so he had no reason to refuse them.
At the meeting, they were invited to a table, tea was poured, and then Fei Chang Liu asked:
"Didn't you go into secluded cultivation? You told me not to disturb you unnecessarily?"
Niu You Dao: I came to remind you. The Ice and Snow Palace should soon begin to act. I would like your people to keep their ears sharp and their eyes open.
Fei Chang Liu frowned:
"Are you sure?" He had been impatient for a long time. He didn't know when the Ice and Snow Palace would act.
Niu You Dao nodded: "Definitely!"
In truth, he didn't know for sure himself. However, the nets were cast, and the threads of the web had moved, so something was bound to happen.
"Understood. I'll pass it on." Fei Chang Liu nodded slightly and then said:
"I've already heard news that the Heavenly Jade Sect is selling drinks quite expensively. One jar for 1,000 gold. 1 jar for 1,000 GOLD!!! That's exorbitant profit. When will you think of us?"
"That expensive?" Niu You Dao was a little surprised. He hadn't thought the Heavenly Jade Sect would dare to sell his liquor so dearly. Well, if that's the case, then they must be confident.
"Don't worry. They come for goods every month, I'll find a suitable moment and tell them."
After a brief conversation, the two parted ways.
Seeing Niu You Dao leave, Cui Yuan became worried. He wondered if they had come for him. If he wanted to hide here, he wouldn't be able to.
When Niu You Dao passed him, he smiled and asked:
"Brother Cui, long time no see."
Cui Yuan looked around and quietly whispered:
"What do you want to do?"
Niu You Dao: "Relax, nothing will happen. We've known each other for a long time, and a greeting means nothing special. Doesn't it? Let's take a walk."
Cui Yuan: "I'm on guard right now and can't leave!" He was clearly afraid of something.
Niu You Dao smiled:
"My friend certainly wouldn't want anything to happen to me either. From now on, if you notice anything strange, immediately notify me. Find Yuan Fang or Yuan Gang or Black Peony. Contact them. Don't tell me directly. If you encounter difficulties, you can also find us. Don't be afraid, I won't harm you. And if the opportunity arises, I will help you rise in the sect."
Yuan Fang smiled when he heard him. Initially, he didn't understand why Lord Dao had kept him alive, but now he did.
He noticed that Lord Dao liked to make outsiders his own. Cui Yuan, Yao You Liang, and also Lu Sheng Zhong. All of them had silently begun to work for Lord Dao. Lord Dao is far-sighted; there's much to learn from him!
In truth, he didn't know about another infiltrator who had also already penetrated Beizhou!