Cui Yuan, with a solemn expression, escorted Niu You Dao and Yuan Fang. He understood that he could do nothing to them, and thus would obey them.
Before leaving, Yuan Fang turned and smiled at him.
From the moment Yuan Fang began to follow Lord Dao, he realized that his previous way of thinking had been mistaken. Before, Yuan Fang had believed that the strongest person in this world was a cultivator. However, he now saw clearly. The strongest person was one who thought skillfully. Such a person could kill people invisibly. Here in the mountain valley, there were many people whose cultivation was higher than Lord Dao's. Yet, all of them carried out Lord Dao's orders.
Yuan Fang now understood why Lord Dao wanted to kill that Shao Ping Bo. It was because he was just like Lord Dao. And Shao Ping Bo, in turn, could not let Niu You Dao go either.
Once Lord Dao's true nature was revealed, Shao Ping Bo would not rest until he killed him.
Yuan Fang discovered another secret about Lord Dao. In truth, Lord Dao meticulously concealed his true strength.
He had seen Lord Dao fight near the Southern Mountain Monastery. He had also seen Lord Dao fight outside Zhaixing City. How ruthless Lord Dao had been then. He brutally killed and maimed people. Moreover, he fought alone against a crowd of cultivators and defeated them single-handedly. They couldn't even withstand a few of Niu You Dao's blows.
However, Lord Dao was not one to show off his strength. Therefore, even those close to him had no idea how powerful he truly was.
Upon returning to the hut, Niu You Dao noticed young men scrambling up the mountain slope, carrying either water or firewood. Niu You Dao observed this and asked:
"Has Monkey returned?
Yuan Fang: "Not yet. Lately, he's constantly bringing in dozens of people and tells us to give them work, but also to feed them well. He says they need to strengthen their bodies."
Yuan Fang scratched his head and asked:
"Lord Dao, why is Monkey doing this?
Niu You Dao calmly said:
"Every person has their own thoughts. Just like you, a shapeshifter who became a monk. In truth, I admire you."
"Admire us?" Yuan Fang was astonished. He didn't know what to say.
Niu You Dao did not answer him and left...
The Governor's Palace in Beizhou. Shao Ping Bo, clad in white robes and a black cloak, emerged from the residence.
On either side of him stood a group of people, greeting him.
He mounted his horse and rode down the street. Of course, he was always accompanied by guards everywhere he went.
As he rode down the street, many maidens gazed at him. All of them stared wide-eyed, some biting their lips, others peeking from windows. Such attention from the opposite sex was no surprise, for Shao Ping Bo was young, handsome, graceful, unburdened, uninhibited, held power in his hands, came from a wealthy family, and was still unmarried. What maiden wouldn't look at him with a predatory gaze?
Every time Shao Ping Bo appeared on the street, he captivated the attention of all the maidens.
Every high-society maiden constantly sought a way to get closer to him.
However, Shao Ping Bo remained perpetually cool and detached. He was constantly occupied with state affairs; his ambitions were far grander and did not incline him towards relationships with women. He had no time for them. This was why he remained unmarried, dedicating himself entirely to work.
But those maidens only knew one side of him and were unaware of how cruel and ruthless he truly was.
Returning to Lingbo Palace and changing out of his casual clothes, he decided to stroll through the garden and, at the same time, inquire about news from Shao San Sheng:
"How long has Pu Yong Fang been in Qingzhou?
Shao San Sheng, following behind him, replied:
"Half a month already."
Shao Ping Bo: "And Hai Ru Yue still hasn't invited him?
"They say no." Shao San Sheng shook his head and asked:
"Perhaps we should order him to go to her himself?
Shao Ping Bo: "There's no need. If he goes on his own, it might stir the grass and startle the snake. Hai Ru Yue has already revealed herself. It seems the effect of the Red Yang Fruit is good."
Having said this, he stopped and, looking at Shao San Sheng, spoke:
"Almost. The net can be gathered. Act!"
Niu You Dao thought he was in the dark, watching everyone. But Shao Ping Bo believed he was the one in the dark, watching everyone.
"Understood!" Shao San Sheng nodded.
Great Snow Mountain. Within the canyon, a strong wind was blowing, but inside a certain tavern, it was warm.
People sat at tables, unsure when the wind would subside. At that moment, a man with a short beard chuckled and remarked:
"Though the wind is strong, the game will soon begin."
Someone at a table asked:
"Friend, what game are you speaking of?
The bearded man replied, turning his head:
"Friend, do you not know there was an avalanche on the snowy mountain?
That person replied: "And what does that have to do with the game?
"Do you not know what was on that mountain?
Another person sitting nearby said: "The Red Yang Fruit tree grew there."
Two people sitting in a corner turned their heads and looked over. They began to listen intently.
The bearded man smiled and said:
"That meteor, which shattered the mountain and caused the avalanche, is rather strange. And why did it fall precisely where the Red Yang Fruit tree grew? They say a similar meteor previously fell on Qingzhou in the Zhao Kingdom. And did you know that the ruler of Qingzhou suffers from a strange illness that only the Red Yang Fruit can cure? And then recently, a person from Qingzhou, who supposedly has a good relationship with the ruler of Qingzhou, visited the Ice and Snow Palace. What's most peculiar is that after his arrival, another meteor, identical to the first, fell directly onto that very snowy mountain where it was needed. Isn't the game beginning?"
As soon as he uttered this, many fell silent. Some sank into thought, while others began to whisper to one another.
One person asked:
"Friend, who is this person from Qingzhou?
"That matter doesn't concern me. I'm merely repeating what I've heard. But I don't need any extra trouble."
The bearded man smiled, stood up, left some money, and departed.
The two people sitting in the corner also stood up and left.
As soon as the bearded man exited the tavern, he immediately left the canyon.
He had already spread the rumor. Now, as he had been instructed, he needed to leave the canyon quickly.
However, before he could leave, two figures suddenly appeared before him, blocking his path.
The bearded man was startled. He turned to flee, only to find two more people appearing behind him as well.
The gusting wind howled fiercely, as the four individuals surrounded the bearded man and began to attack.
"Thud!"
The bearded man lost one arm, which fell to the ground. With his other hand, he now clutched the wound on his chest. One person flashed past and struck him in the chest. He flew backward, but was also struck from behind, sending him forward again like a ball. Then, a black sack was thrown over him, and he was carried away.
These four individuals carried him into the Liuxiang Sect's shop, behind whose counter stood Xiao Tie.
Seeing the four disciples bring in a black sack, Xiao Tie furrowed his brows and asked:
"What is this?"
One of the disciples replied:
"Uncle, just as the masters said. Someone was spreading rumors about the Red Yang Fruit. So we apprehended one."
Xiao Tie immediately stepped out from behind the counter and, opening the sack, looked at the bearded man. He did not recognize him.
Meanwhile, outside, other sect disciples brought in another black sack.
The disciples standing in front said: "It seems another one has been caught."
Xiao Tie opened the black sack and looked at the other person. He didn't recognize him either. He waved to his assistants to carry the victims to the back of the shop, and said in a cold tone:
"Separate them and make them talk."
Several people immediately took the two victims and carried them inside the shop...
Ice and Snow Palace.
Chu An Lou quickly approached a pavilion and slowly stopped before Hai Bing, who was sipping tea:
"Chief Manager."
Hai Bing said in a cold tone:
"Have you found the source of the rumors?
Rumors were now circulating throughout the canyon, and the Ice and Snow Palace had, of course, heard about them.
Chu An Lou replied: "Some people have been apprehended. But everyone claims they heard it from others. And those who truly spread these tidings must have already left the canyon. Someone has planned all this very well."
He was responsible for the Rainbow Inn and for affairs within the canyon.
Hai Bing smiled: "A sudden wind has begun to blow. It seems someone has no shortage of courage! Who do you think could have done this?"
Chu An Lou: "It seems someone is stirring trouble towards Qingzhou, or perhaps... perhaps towards Niu You Dao."
"Do you think it's a false rumor?" Hai Bing whispered. "Wind doesn't blow from an empty cave. I think there's truth to this matter. Do you think Qingzhou or Niu You Dao could have done this?"
Chu An Lou was surprised and asked: "Chief Manager, did something truly happen with the Red Yang Fruit?"
He was unaware of the specific situation with the Red Yang Fruit. He was only responsible for the inn's affairs and the canyon. But when the avalanche occurred, Hai Bing had not summoned him. Thus, he had no information about the Red Yang Fruit.
Hai Bing nodded.
Chu An Lou cursed Niu You Dao inwardly and regretted taking money from him. If anything came to light, Niu You Dao would drag him down with him.
"Niu You Dao and Qingzhou are unlikely to have been so bold," Chu An Lou said with a hint of doubt. Yet, in truth, he believed that Niu You Dao, that scoundrel, was indeed audacious enough. He had even dared to use the authority of the Ice and Snow Palace right in front of him.
Chu An Lou felt a chill within. What a pity he had taken that money back then. Now he had to remain silent and pray inwardly that this madman hadn't caused any more trouble behind his back. Otherwise, both of them would be doomed.
Hai Bing calmly said: "No wind, no wave. It seems I will have to go to Qingzhou myself."
"You...!" Chu An Lou was speechless and cursed Niu You Dao with every word in his vocabulary. At the same time, he desperately hoped this affair was not Niu You Dao's doing...
Qingshan County. The weather was clear and sunny. Black Peony approached the hut's door and spoke.
"Lord Dao, Head Fei has arrived."
Niu You Dao, sitting in the hut, let out a deep breath after cultivating and opened his eyes.