By saying, "we'll think about it," Niu You Dao implied that this matter also concerned him. It was his headache too.
Now, these three sects were under his patronage. They were his forces. And he already had to pay the Wuliangshan Sect 500,000 gold coins every year. He had already paid this year, but for the next year, he had no money left. He needed a stable income.
Most of the profit from the liquor went to the Heavenly Jade Sect. He couldn't produce the liquor without them, which was why they took so much.
Currently, Niu You Dao had set so many ventures in motion, yet he sat calmly here. To some extent, the Heavenly Jade Sect was his patron, and he paid for that patronage with the liquor...
In the underground prison, Shao Sansheng came to Shao Pingbo's cell. The jailer opened the door, and Shao Sansheng cheerfully said:
"Senior Young Master, everything is alright. The governor has already issued an order for your release."
Shao Pingbo, who was sitting over documents, was surprised.
"I thought I'd be here for several months. Why am I being released now? What happened?"
Shao Sansheng: Dachang Mountain no longer insisted on your imprisonment, so the governor released you.
Shao Pingbo: That's not it. There must be another reason for this. Otherwise, Dachang Mountain wouldn't have been able to release me so quickly.
Shao Sansheng pondered for a moment, then told the jailer to move further away. He said:
"Neither the Ice and Snow Palace nor Niu You Dao are taking any action. The master's decision is clear. That's why you were released."
Putting down his brush, Shao Pingbo stood up: Dachang Mountain would only have released me after they were completely convinced. And that wouldn't happen so quickly. Tell me, what happened outside?
Shao Sansheng didn't know how to put it.
Shao Pingbo, seeing his reaction, said with a smile:
"It seems like nothing major. Is there just... some unusual attention on me? Perhaps someone spread a false rumor that I killed Ruan Shi?"
Shao Sansheng was astonished and nodded his head: Senior Young Master, how did you know?
Shao Pingbo narrowed his eyes:
"What else is there to say? Niu You Dao, knowing the situation, how could he simply let me go? If there's an opportunity to spread a false rumor, why wouldn't he seize it? If I remained imprisoned here and such rumors spread about me, it would certainly serve as proof that I killed Ruan Shi. And then all of father's subordinates would believe the rumors. Many would think that I might try to harm father. And that's already dangerous. Because if anything were to happen to me, father would be left without an heir. And who would then manage Beizhou after father? Dachang Mountain wouldn't want such a Beizhou. Who knows what some might think in the darkness. Many would want to depose father, and then there would be forces willing to help depose him. Dachang Mountain wouldn't want such a situation, which is why they decided to release me. Isn't that right?"
Shao Sansheng bowed in admiration:
"Senior Young Master, you are truly enlightened. Commanders from all corners of Beizhou began to arrive. They wanted to see the governor and, it seems, to verify the rumors. Now, at the meeting, the governor wishes to appear with you."
Shao Pingbo nodded.
However, Shao Sansheng added: Senior Young Master, the rumors about you have spread throughout all the kingdoms.
Shao Pingbo's cheeks twitched.
"Cough, cough."
He coughed twice and, outwardly smiling, said: Perhaps I should be glad.
Shao Sansheng: Glad?
Shao Pingbo: This shows that I've also put pressure on Niu You Dao, seeing as he's focusing so much attention on me. He's acknowledged that my abilities aren't weak either, which is why he wants to hinder me as much as possible. It seems my sister was right. — saying this, he walked out of the prison.
Shao Sansheng nodded and followed him.
"Senior Young Master, Dachang Mountain has ordered the Supreme Purity Sect to leave Beizhou."
Shao Pingbo stopped in the prison and, turning his head, asked:
"How so?"
Shao Sansheng: Dachang Mountain believes that you and Niu You Dao are feuding over the sect leader, Tang Yi. Your confrontations are not beneficial to Dachang Mountain and Beizhou, which is why they are sending the Supreme Purity Sect away.
Shao Pingbo frowned:
"Nonsense! Others might not know, but you do! Tang Yi's father and Zhao Xiong Ge were fellow disciples, they were good friends. When the Supreme Purity Sect was on the verge of collapse, Zhao Xiong Ge appeared and saved them. Seeing a part, one can infer the whole. This means the sect still plays a significant role for him. Therefore, they cannot leave!"
Shao Sansheng said with a sigh: Dachang Mountain doesn't think so. What can I do?
Shao Pingbo fell silent, then continued walking with quick steps.
"I'll have to handle it myself."
The two immediately headed to the inner courtyard to meet Shao Dengyun.
When father and son met, Shao Pingbo appeared calm.
Shao Dengyun looked grim. His son's calm expression did not please him.
He stood up and, without a word, went to the meeting. His son bowed to him and followed him.
As soon as they appeared before the commanders, Shao Dengyun's expression returned to normal. He looked composed and authoritative. Following him was Shao Pingbo, still young and full of vigor.
Shao Dengyun sat in the highest seat, while Shao Pingbo stood beside him. All the commanders watched them attentively.
During the meeting, father and son conducted themselves as usual. Shao Pingbo actively posed questions and offered suggestions.
When the meeting concluded and everyone was about to disperse, Shao Dengyun suddenly looked at everyone with a predatory gaze and sternly said:
"Recently, rumors have appeared in all the kingdoms. Someone wants to sow chaos in Beizhou. You yourselves understand who benefits from this. The Yan Kingdom and Han Kingdom are ready to attack us at any moment."
"Bang!"
He suddenly slammed the table and looked at everyone.
"People have needs, but some love to slander and harbor base intentions! Man is selfish; I can understand that. Someone whose inner self is not like their outer appearance—I understand that too. However, I will not simply watch if someone exploits the situation and sows discord among brothers. I will not simply watch, and neither will the brothers!" — As Shao Dengyun spoke, it was as if thunder roared in the hall. A powerful aura emanated from him, causing all the commanders to lower their heads. Fear filled everyone's hearts.
Shao Pingbo sighed inwardly: "Father possesses a powerful aura. One cannot learn this in a short moment."
Suddenly, one commander declared: "Whoever dares to disrespect the commander-in-chief, I, for one, will not let him off!"
"That's right! I, too, will not allow anyone to insult the commander-in-chief!"
Immediately, everyone began to shout. And those who harbored dark, greedy thoughts, seeing this situation, had to extinguish those thoughts deep within their hearts.
Zhong Yangxu, sitting on a chair in the corner, calmed down. He knew that chaos in Beizhou had been prematurely suppressed.
He sighed. As long as Shao Dengyun was here, there would be no problems in Beizhou.
When everyone had dispersed, Shao Pingbo moved aside with Zhong Yangxu.
"Senior Young Master, is there something you need?" — when they stopped under the eaves of the roof, Zhong Yangxu asked.
Shao Pingbo: Uncle, have you heard that Dachang Mountain wants to expel the Supreme Purity Sect from Beizhou?
Zhong Yangxu: There is such a matter. What about it? Are you against it?
Shao Pingbo respectfully cupped his hands: "I wouldn't dare! It's just that the Supreme Purity Sect cannot leave."
Zhong Yangxu narrowed his eyes:
"It seems even Dachang Mountain's decision doesn't affect you? I'm telling you, keep your worldly affairs to yourself. Don't ask for more!"
Shao Pingbo quickly replied:
"Uncle, you've misunderstood. You, Uncle, should understand this matter well. The Ice and Snow Palace will monitor Niu You Dao's enemy, and the Supreme Purity Sect is connected to Niu You Dao. Tang Yi is also connected to Niu You Dao. This is no secret. And now, everyone has turned their gaze to Beizhou. If, at this moment, the Supreme Purity Sect is expelled from Beizhou, it will attract the attention of the Ice and Snow Palace as well. I implore Dachang Mountain to reconsider its decision!"
"— ...Zhong Yangxu frowned, unsure what to say.
Qingzhou. Governor's Palace.
Under the eaves of the roof, Hai Ru Yue paced back and forth. She gazed hopefully at the oval doors.
Li Wu Hua, standing nearby, looked at her:
"Why are you pacing back and forth?"
Hai Ru Yue stopped: Why hasn't he come yet? Has something happened?
Li Wu Hua frowned: The Devil Doctor appears and disappears unpredictably. Even our Wandong Heavenly Palace cannot find him. And few know what he looks like. Moreover, there has been no news of his disciples. Do you know a disciple named Hei Li?
Hai Ru Yue rolled her eyes: How would I know? A subordinate discovered him, and it doesn't matter if he's real or not; we can invite him and see what happens!
At this moment, a disciple of the Wandong Heavenly Palace arrived and, bowing to Li Wu Hua, said:
"Uncle, Steward Zhu has brought a doctor to meet with the Lady. We wanted to impose a restriction on him, but he refused and was about to leave. Steward Zhu stopped him and asked us not to impose the restriction this time. What should we do?"
Hai Ru Yue tensed up and quickly said to Li Wu Hua:
"A capable person has their own quirks. There are so many of you, what do you have to fear? Can't you just let him in this one time?"
Li Wu Hua remained silent. He also wanted to see the disciple of the legendary Devil Doctor. So he waved his hand, permitting them to bring him in.
Not long after, Zhu Shun could be seen respectfully leading a middle-aged man with a woven basket on his back. The man was dressed quite simply.
"Master Ming, please, this is the Senior Princess..." when guest and host met, Zhu Shun began to introduce them.
But the man unceremoniously interrupted:
"I did not come to meet the Senior Princess. Lead me to the patient."
Li Wu Hua, looking at him, asked: "Are you indeed the Devil Doctor's disciple?"
Master Ming looked at him and said:
"Who said I am... the Devil Doctor's disciple?"
"No, no one said that!" — Hai Ru Yue hastily waved her hand and then glared indignantly at Li Wu Hua. The doctor doesn't admit it, why do you keep harping on it?
"The patient is inside. Please, Master Ming."
Li Wu Hua was displeased inwardly. However, he still wanted to see this doctor. If he turned out to be a fraud, then he would see how proud this doctor could remain.
Li Wu Hua did not believe that this person was... the disciple of the legendary Devil Doctor.