Chapter 36: Severing Ties |
As soon as the secret was unveiled, Niu You Dao was utterly shaken!
Sect Head? Niu You Dao had never dreamed that Dong Guo Hao Ran making him his disciple would lead to him becoming the Sect Head???
Niu You Dao found this secret hard to believe.
Many things that had previously been unclear now became transparent to Niu You Dao. All the fog had lifted, and everything became obvious.
He finally understood why Tang Su Su had tried to kill him at first sight, without even giving him a chance to explain anything.
He now understood why he had been placed under house arrest in Peach Blossom Spring and forbidden from speaking to anyone. They simply didn't want him to learn anything, to learn of his true position. They concealed the sect's laws from him, otherwise, the Supreme Purity Sect wouldn't have been able to pressure him.
He finally understood why he had suddenly been summoned and asked if he desired to become the Sect Head. Of course, knowing nothing of what awaited him, he would refuse his right to be the Sect Head.
He finally understood why he had suddenly been married to Tang Yi. This way, Tang Yi's position as Sect Head was made unimpeachable. And all of this was the work of that old hag. She played it quite well.
He now understood why he hadn't been given any cultivation resources. They feared that he would advance in cultivation and pose a threat to Tang Yi.
Niu You Dao also understood that it was disadvantageous for Tang Su Su to dirty her own hands, which was why she sent Song Yang Qing. Many disciples clearly saw the Supreme Purity Sect's situation. And it wasn't certain that someone wouldn't try to use all the events involving Niu You Dao against Tang Yi. Therefore, it was best to get rid of Niu You Dao once and for all.
"Hahaha! What a shame, and how laughable..." Niu You Dao shook his head and laughed. He had been played so thoroughly, and this was the outcome.
He hadn't known that the position of Sect Head rightfully belonged to him. Dong Guo Hao Ran had instructed him to give the bronze mirror to Tang Mu, the head of the Supreme Purity Sect. But Tang Mu was gone, and he was now supposed to be the Sect Head. If the Supreme Purity Sect had acted appropriately: appointed him as Sect Head and provided him with cultivation resources, he would have simply cultivated and regarded the Supreme Purity Sect as his family. Then he would have put all his strength into protecting the Supreme Purity Sect in this world. But why did the Supreme Purity Sect act this way?
Yuan Gang remained silent, but he knew what Niu You Dao had said earlier. He, too, hadn't imagined that so many secrets lay hidden here.
Shu Qing, her face hidden beneath a bamboo hat, sympathized with Niu You Dao. When she first saw him in Peach Blossom Spring, she'd even thought he was a lazy man who lay under the trees all day. It turned out he had simply been kept under constant guard, not even allowed to descend the mountain.
Shang Chao Zong also hadn't imagined that the man before him was a potential Sect Head of the Supreme Purity Sect. Yet, this status had been stripped from him. And now, they even wanted to eliminate him on the road!
Lan Ruo Ting sighed and said:
"I, in fact, know a little about the laws of the Supreme Purity Sect, and some laws were created to prevent internal strife within the sect. The Sect Head must appoint their successor. This way, they eliminate the possibility of influential people within the sect, such as elders, contending for power. And elders are no longer allowed to become the Sect Head! This is an unbreakable law!"
In general, the three people were now convinced that Niu You Dao was indeed Dong Guo Hao Ran's accepted disciple.
"Brother, don't mind me. Don't mind me. I was truly forced... Save me!" Song Yang Qing lay there, completely pinning all responsibility on others. Not only were his legs and arm severed, but he also suffered severe internal injuries. The bleeding wouldn't stop, and he was growing paler and paler. Thus, he incessantly wailed for salvation.
Several people looked at Niu You Dao. What would he do? Although it was already clear that after today's incident, the Song Family would not let Niu You Dao go. Even if Song Yang Qing survived, he would remain disabled, and the family would not forgive that. What could Niu You Dao offer them to make them let him go after such an event!?
Niu You Dao paid no attention to Song Yang Qing. Leaning on his sword, he turned his back.
Yuan Gang slowly approached, and kneeling beside Song Yang Qing, he lifted him, supporting him. Song Yang Qing thought they wanted to save him. He looked at Yuan Gang gratefully and even wanted to utter words of thanks, but Yuan Gang suddenly drew a dagger from his knee. A cold glint flashed, and Song Yang Qing's neck was slit. Yuan Gang then grasped Song Yang Qing's head with both hands and twisted it. In the end, Song Yang Qing's face was turned backward.
Shang Chao Zong and the others were speechless. They had actually dared to kill the son of the Song Family? Did they not realize the consequences awaiting them? A hostage Song Yang Qing would have been more advantageous!
However, several people noticed that Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang seemed no strangers to such deeds. Yuan Gang understood Niu You Dao without words.
Yuan Gang wiped the blood-stained dagger on Song Yang Qing's clothes and then returned it to the sheath attached to his thigh.
Niu You Dao, his back still turned, sighed again and said:
"Check on the other two."
Yuan Gang nodded silently, turned, and entered the temple. He told them to bring Su Yi Tian and Cheng Gui Shuo.
"The tree desires tranquility, yet the wind never ceases!" Niu You Dao said, disappointed, and walked higher up the mountain, surveying everything. His gaze was quite serious.
Behind him, the three individuals exchanged glances. Why did it seem to them that Niu You Dao's demeanor didn't match his age at all? He appeared so mature, like a man who had seen much of the world. Moreover, he even had his own bodyguard. The three were not foolish. And the Supreme Purity Sect likely had no idea of his true strength. Otherwise, would they have only sent Song Yang Qing and the others? Niu You Dao had spent several years under house arrest in the Supreme Purity Sect. And the Supreme Purity Sect, seeing only a fraction, began to guess at the whole, yet never truly learned Niu You Dao's real power.
Shang Chao Zong, Lan Ruo Ting, and the others also entered the monastery. They ordered their warriors to attend to the deceased brothers.
As for Niu You Dao being the cause of the brothers' deaths, out of respect for Master Dong Guo, they didn't investigate the matter. Moreover, even if they were to investigate, would they find anything with Niu You Dao's skills? For now, it was best to set this matter aside and discuss it later.
The evening sunset illuminated the land, and a playful breeze swayed Shu Qing's hat. She slowly approached Niu You Dao, stood shoulder to shoulder with him, and asked:
"Master, do you wish to return to the Supreme Purity Sect and reclaim what is yours?"
Niu You Dao knew what she was talking about. Was it not the position of Sect Head? Leaning on his sword, he chuckled and said:
"No need. That is all in the past. Why should I go back?"
Shu Qing was surprised: "You won't return? You'll just abandon the position of Sect Head? Is this because of Tang Yi?"
Niu You Dao shrugged and said, "It has nothing to do with Tang Yi. Circumstances arose, but why would I want that? Especially now that everything is clear. Although Tang Su Su is an elder, she couldn't have gone against the sect's laws without the tacit consent of others. Since the Supreme Purity Sect doesn't want to see me as their head and isn't pleased with me, why should I then show myself to them? Why create difficulties for them and for myself?"
Shu Qing didn't know if it was just her imagination, but Niu You Dao seemed upset. "Master is magnanimous, but what about Tang Yi? She is your wife, after all!"
"Does that matter? Everyone refused to see me! It's all in the past!" Niu You Dao muttered, as if mocking himself.
Shu Qing wanted to say something more, but fell silent. Then she wanted to ask if he would leave them or not, but also didn't dare.
Not long after, Yuan Gang returned. He looked at Shu Qing and stood beside Niu You Dao. He said nothing.
Shu Qing understood that the two men wanted to speak alone, and tactfully found an excuse to withdraw.
As soon as Shu Qing left, Yuan Gang whispered to Niu You Dao: "Lord Dao, those two are much more stubborn than Song Yang Qing. They'll talk about anything except matters related to the Supreme Purity Sect. It will take time to make them speak."
Niu You Dao waved his hand: "Alright, let them go. Let them return."
Yuan Gang reminded him: "The power behind the Song Family is immense, so perhaps it would be better to kill the witnesses?" He didn't want to say this in front of Shu Qing.
Niu You Dao understood him. If these two were released, the Song Family would definitely learn what had happened. They would seek Niu You Dao for revenge. He gently shook his head:
"So many people saw it; then everyone would have to be killed. Moreover, three people arrived from the Supreme Purity Sect. And the Song Family themselves most likely don't know what happened. Therefore, Tang Su Su will probably find a way to deceive them. Bring those two; I need to speak with them."
Seeing Niu You Dao's resolve, Yuan Gang said nothing more. He returned to the temple and brought out the bound Su Yi Tian and Cheng Gui Shuo.
Seeing Song Yang Qing's corpse, cold filled the hearts of the two. They were terrified and couldn't calm down.
Niu You Dao turned and calmly said: "I ask you to return to the Supreme Purity Sect and deliver my message. The Supreme Purity Sect has acted so poorly. Out of respect for my master, I will not take any action. However, from this moment on, nothing connects me to the Supreme Purity Sect! I sever all ties with the sect. Let them be at ease. I am not interested in the position of Sect Head. I will not return to claim this position. I hope the Supreme Purity Sect will no longer trouble me. Otherwise, I will reveal everything to everyone. And everyone will judge the actions of the Supreme Purity Sect!"
He waved his hand: "Release them!"