Chapter 20: Not a Beauty, But a Grand Princess |
Tang Yi said that it was the Grand Princess who had so suddenly appeared before him.
Niu You Dao thought to himself: *It seems Ning Wang and Dong Guo Hao Ran had quite a good relationship! Could Dong Guo Hao Ran have been Ning Wang's mentor?*
Tang Yi, pointing at Niu You Dao, introduced him:
— Grand Princess, this is Niu You Dao. Before his death, Master accepted him as a disciple, and now he is Dong Guo Hao Ran's last disciple!
Shang Shu Qing bowed again and politely said, "Greetings, Master!"
Niu You Dao also respectfully cupped his hands and said, "The Grand Princess is too kind." He, himself, glanced at Tang Yi. He didn't understand why she had brought the Grand Princess.
— Brother-disciple, surely you won't talk with our guests at the door, will you?— Tang Yi said.
— Brother-disciple?— Niu You Dao furrowed his brows and cursed inwardly: *Before, she addressed me as 'husband.' Now, in front of outsiders, she calls me 'brother-disciple.' What does this mean? I am talented and esteemed. I allowed an old cow to graze on tender grass, yet you act as if I should be in seventh heaven?*
He only dared to speak these words to himself, unable to utter them aloud. At this moment, he hastily extended a hand and invited them in: "Forgive my impoliteness. Please, enter!"
— Grand Princess. This was Master's residence during his lifetime, and now his last disciple lives here. Ah!
— Clean, detached, and elegant. A good place!— Shang Shu Qing nodded approvingly.
They walked through the courtyard and sat down in a pavilion. Shang Shu Qing took out a small box and placed it beside her.
Tang Yi winked at Tu Han. Tu Han brought tea, poured it into cups, and then withdrew.
The two young women drank tea and conversed, while Niu You Dao sat beside them in silence. He didn't understand the Supreme Purity Sect's situation and didn't want to speak, lest he disturb them.
Who would have thought that Tang Yi, putting down her teacup, would say:
— Brother-disciple, the Grand Princess was looking for you.
— Me?— Niu You Dao pointed at his nose.
Shang Shu Qing took out a wooden box, placed it on the table, and opened it. Inside the box lay a long sword.
Niu You Dao didn't understand what this meant. He looked at Tang Yi inquiringly, his gaze asking, *Is this for me?*
Tang Yi calmly and unhurriedly said, "This sword belonged to Uncle-Master. When Ning Wang extended his favor to the Supreme Purity Sect, Master presented this sword to Ning Wang, stating that if ever he required services within his power, he would repay the kindness shown to him and the sect! Today, the Grand Princess has come with the sword. However, Uncle-Master has already perished, and his promise is now transferred to you, Brother-disciple!"
Niu You Dao felt that something was amiss. Could it truly be that good? He understood, however, that he now had no right to object. He tried to ask:
— And how is this promise to be fulfilled?
Tang Yi calmly replied, "The Grand Princess and the young prince are embarking on an expedition, and they lack cultivators for their escort."
It sounded simple, but Niu You Dao was no idiot. There was also some young prince involved, and such high-ranking individuals required an escort. Moreover, during troubled times? And why had the Grand Princess come personally to request his service? Most likely, there was more to it.
He looked at Shang Shu Qing, understanding that he couldn't refuse, and replied, "This... " Niu You Dao said with uncertainty, "I will go. I just don't know if I'm suitable for this."
Tang Yi stood up and said, "Brother-disciple, come here."
Niu You Dao, steeling himself, followed her.
They entered the main hall and reached a room. Tang Yi suddenly turned, looked directly at him, and said:
— Our Supreme Purity Sect is a noble sect. And we are true to our word. We never regret fulfilling a promise. Master gave his word to those people back then, and if we do not honor that promise now, everyone will ridicule us. How could I allow that? Now that Uncle-Master is gone, who do you think should fulfill his promise?
Niu You Dao replied, "They need guardian-mentors. If I go, will that change anything? Do you think I look like a mentor?"
Tang Yi replied, "What is their status? Do you think they lack only you? So many disciples in the sect would want to escort them. But these distinguished guests came only because of Uncle-Master's promise. What do you say?"
Niu You Dao's eyes widened, and he calmly asked, "Can I not go?"
As soon as he said this, Tang Yi sharply turned around, unable to meet his gaze: "If you don't go, you will violate the sect's promise. Then, according to sect laws, you will be severely punished!"
Niu You Dao smiled bitterly and muttered, "It seems I have no choice. Very well, I will fulfill Master's promise!"
As soon as he agreed, Tang Yi immediately turned and left without another word.
As soon as they returned to the courtyard, Niu You Dao took the sword, having agreed to fulfill the promise. Before the two young women, he gripped the hilt and drew it from its scabbard.
Clang...
As soon as he pulled out the sword, a cold gleam illuminated the surroundings. The blade was engraved with patterns that seemed to incite slaughter. Niu You Dao couldn't help but say admiringly, "A good sword!"
Closer to the hilt were four characters, 'Fervent Heart and Jade-Transformed Blood.' It was a truly heroic statement.
Tang Yi said a few more words, and then they prepared to leave.
Shang Shu Qing cupped her hands and thanked him, "Thank you, Master!"
Niu You Dao returned the sword to its scabbard and, looking at her, said, "It does not suit the Grand Princess to hide herself completely..."
Before he could finish, Tang Yi cut him off, slightly scolding, "Don't be rude!"
— It's nothing!— Shang Shu Qing calmly replied. She extended her hand and removed the veil that concealed her face.
Niu You Dao had hoped to see something else. But who would have known that when he saw her face, he would contort his mouth and nearly jump in fright.
Her voice was melodious, her figure graceful—it seemed a beauty was hidden behind the veil. But who would have known that a large part of the Grand Princess's face was covered by a black mark? In truth, her face was disfigured. Only now did Niu You Dao understand why the Grand Princess wore a veiled hat.
Tang Yi looked displeasedly at Niu You Dao, as if her gaze asked, *Satisfied now?* "I am so ugly that I've frightened Master," Shang Shu Qing said apologetically, and once again concealed her face.
Niu You Dao felt awkward and, cupping his hands, said, "It is this Niu who was too rude. Please do not blame me, Grand Princess."
— Enough!— Tang Yi interrupted their pleasantries.
— It's already getting dark now—this is not a suitable time for an expedition. Pack your things, and tomorrow morning you will escort the distinguished guests.
— Understood.— Niu You Dao nodded his head.
Tang Yi gestured Shang Shu Qing towards the exit, and they departed.
Niu You Dao saw them to the door, where Tu Han waited for them outside. After a while, the place became deserted once more.
The peach blossoms continued to dance in the spring breeze. Niu You Dao walked to the peach tree and sat beneath it. He took out the sword and, without exerting force, began to sweep it across the ground. Clang... It was clear the sword was exceedingly sharp. Niu You Dao was surprised. First that bronze mirror, now this precious sword. It seemed the masters of this world far exceeded his imagination.
He examined the sword, but his thoughts were elsewhere. He was thinking that he could finally leave the sect. His joy knew no bounds. Yet, he clearly understood that there was still some hidden danger. He didn't know if this was a blessing or a misfortune.
He still did not know the current state of affairs of the Supreme Purity Sect.
The sun set in the west, its enchanting twilight rays bathing the peach tree. Niu You Dao lay peacefully beneath the tree, his thoughts unclear...
In a quiet chamber within the palace, Tang Su Su sat with closed eyes on a prayer mat. Tang Yi softly opened the door and slowly approached Tang Su Su. She respectfully greeted, "Elder!"
Tang Su Su asked, "Sect Head, has everything been handled well?"
Tang Yi nodded, but said nothing.
Tang Su Su: "Does Sect Head not think I'm acting excessively?"
Tang Yi: "I believe that the favor Ning Wang bestowed upon the sect back then should be repaid by the sect itself. Why place all the burden on Dong Guo Hao Ran's shoulders?"
Tang Su Su: "Is he not a disciple of the sect? Moreover, Dong Guo Hao Ran presented the sword back then. Now Ning Wang's daughter has encountered difficulties. If the Master cannot fulfill the promise, then the disciple must. This is the law of heaven."
Tang Yi looked down and sighed, saying, "The brother and sister are not idiots, and Niu You Dao has no abilities. Sooner or later, they will realize they've been fooled. And it was us who fooled them."
Tang Su Su: "So what? If they were truly smart, they shouldn't have come to us. There was no need to ask us to fulfill difficult tasks. They came uninvited and requested the promise be fulfilled. We gave them a person. The promise is fulfilled. What else is there?"
Tang Yi: "But by acting this way, we are sending Niu You Dao to certain death."
Tang Su Su slowly stood and stared intently into her eyes: "Sect Head. You don't harbor feelings for him, do you? Sect Head must understand one thing. The revival of our sect rests on your shoulders. We—a few old folks—place our hopes on you. You cannot forget our grand purpose because of a romantic entanglement!"
Tang Yi shook her head: "Elder has overthought things. We are only husband and wife in name, having met face-to-face only a few times. What talk of love is there? I only wonder if, by acting this way, we can still be considered a reputable sect?"
Tang Su Su, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, sharply retorted, "This is all Dong Guo Hao Ran's fault. He knew what Ning Wang's actions would lead to, and that all cultivators were against Ning Wang's motives. And sooner or later, he would meet his demise, yet Dong Guo Hao Ran dared to maintain ties with Ning Wang. Back then, your father wanted to make Dong Guo Hao Ran the Sect Head, but it was fortunate that several brothers dissuaded him. And indeed, everything turned out for the best. Where is Ning Wang now? Do you think those people will let the Supreme Purity Sect off the hook? How could the Supreme Purity Sect withstand their onslaught then? If they all come, disaster awaits our sect. You are the Sect Head and must know all the consequences!"
Tang Yi calmly said, "Elder seems to have forgotten. He is my official husband, and the moment he shows himself, the news will spread. And the Supreme Purity Sect will also be implicated in the matter. What difference does it make then?"
As if forgetting that Tang Su Su had lost her temper, she regained a serene expression and said in a cold tone, "Child. You needn't worry about that. I have already arranged everything. A long time has passed; your position is now affirmed. Now, you need not fear any consequences!"
Tang Yi was immediately startled. She understood what lay hidden behind her grandmother's words. Her eyes widened, and she stared intently at Tang Su Su...