Chapter 38: Is There Something? Speak. |
In such circumstances, one would have to make do with what was available. You couldn't demand what people currently couldn't provide.
Niu You Dao took out a knife, preparing to cut the meat, when at that moment, an elegant figure appeared at the doorway. If it wasn't Shang Shu Qing, then who could it be?
Not seeing Monkey, but rather this young woman, Niu You Dao found it quite interesting! He smiled faintly and placed the knife on the table, gesturing for her to sit down.
Shang Shu Qing took small steps, approaching and sitting opposite Niu You Dao:
— "I have disturbed Lord Dao. Please forgive me!"
"Lord Dao?" Niu You Dao was surprised. Apart from Monkey, no one else in this world called him that. He replied with a smile:
— "It's nothing, nothing. I simply have no appetite."
Shang Shu Qing: — "Are the subordinates preparing the food poorly?"
Of course, the subordinates and their current capabilities were indeed limited. However, Niu You Dao was too lazy to discuss it now. He shook his head:
Shang Shu Qing remained silent for a while, then slowly said: — "The dead are dead; the living must continue to live and, in place of the departed, strive to be better. Everyone needs to look forward; there is no need to sink into sorrow and melancholy."
The two had been circling the subject, so Niu You Dao immediately asked with a smile:
— "Why has this Niu become of interest to the Princess? Just to talk?"
Shang Shu Qing replied directly: — "Does Lord Dao intend to leave us?"
Niu You Dao answered with a vague smile: — "I suppose so."
Shang Shu Qing straightened her back, puffing out her chest, and with a dignified bearing, she spoke seriously: — "This time, Shang Shu Qing has come with the hope that Lord Dao can stay and help us!"
Niu You Dao narrowed his eyes and replied with a smile:
— "I am merely a minor Lian Qi cultivator. I fear I lack the skills to assist you. You would do better to seek a more powerful cultivator."
Shang Shu Qing: — "To be frank, Lord Dao. It's not that we, brother and sister, are impolite; it's simply that our situation has deteriorated to such an extent that our future is uncertain, and dangers lurk at every turn. No one is willing to accompany us anymore. Everyone has hidden away like snakes and scorpions. And we ourselves lack the ability to protect ourselves. However, in all situations, if a person is capable, we will fight for them and exert all our efforts for their sake. From small accumulations, greater things grow; from gathered grains of sand, a pagoda is built, and I believe that one day, we will all achieve success. Moreover, you are Master Dong Guo Hao Ran's disciple!"
Niu You Dao replied:
— "I do not know the exact nature of your relationship with my master, so it does not concern me. Furthermore, I was sent to you merely because a suitable pretext was found, nothing more. There's no need for idle chatter. Tell me directly, for what reason should I stay and help you?"
Shang Shu Qing:
— "If Lord Dao helps us, we will strive to provide Lord Dao with all the cultivation resources we acquire!"
Niu You Dao furrowed his brows and slowly said:
— "You cannot even protect yourselves; how then will you be able to provide me with resources?"
Shang Shu Qing: — "That is why we need to cooperate. We are offering cooperation, not subjugation! Furthermore, Lord Dao has offended the Song Family, and merely by virtue of Lord Dao being a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect, it will be difficult for you to find cultivation resources. Although we, brother and sister, have little to offer Lord Dao at present, if we find even a single shred of resources, we will immediately provide that shred to Lord Dao. Lord Dao will help us, and we will do our utmost to help Lord Dao with resources!"
Niu You Dao picked up the knife from the table and began to twirl it. Then, as if he could no longer bear it, he said:
— "Very well, it seems there's no difference between here and there. Let's settle it then!"
— "Hmm?" Shang Shu Qing did not understand and asked doubtfully: — "What does Lord Dao mean?"
Niu You Dao replied indifferently: — "I agree to stay!"
— "Eh..." Shang Shu Qing froze. It was hard for her to believe. He agreed so easily? She had prepared herself for a long session of persuasion, concocting various arguments, but it turned out... nothing was needed.
She asked again, doubtfully: — "Is this certain?"
Niu You Dao looked at her intently and asked:
— "Does this Niu, in the Princess's eyes, cast words to the wind?"
Shang Shu Qing's joy knew no bounds. She quickly stood up, her dress accentuating her graceful figure. She said excitedly: — "Lord Dao, please wait a moment. I will call my brother, and he will express his gratitude to you!"
— "Thank you, but there's no need. You have nothing to give me. What's the point of empty talk? First, let me finish." He ran his thumb along the blade of the knife, his gaze fixed on the Princess's eyes: — "I will stay, but I have conditions. Monkey must not go to the front lines in battles, nor can he be used as a weapon. Otherwise... don't be surprised!"
He threw the knife and plunged it into the meat.
Shang Shu Qing froze. Wasn't it precisely for this reason that her brother wanted to keep Yuan Gang? If one disregarded his martial prowess, then Niu You Dao truly suited them better.
She hesitated and weighed all the factors. The choice was limited. If she didn't agree, they would leave immediately, and nothing would be left. If she did agree, at least they would have two people. In their current predicament, more people were already a good thing. And their presence was better than their absence. Therefore, Shang Shu Qing finally nodded:
— "Very well. I agree, Lord Dao. My brother will also vouch for it!"
Niu You Dao nodded: — "Then it's settled!"
The two exchanged formal farewells, and Shang Shu Qing departed in high spirits. She had still been worried he would refuse to stay, yet he had remained. Shang Shu Qing had never imagined she would succeed so easily.
As soon as Shang Shu Qing left, after a short while, the silent Yuan Gang appeared at the doorway.
Niu You Dao sat cross-legged, meditating. The food opposite him remained untouched. Yuan Gang sat down across from him:
— "I just saw the Princess leave. What happened?"
Niu You Dao calmly replied:
— "What else could happen? That unsightly girl ruined my appetite. What else could it be? We weren't exactly declaring our love to each other, were we? She was hoping we could help them... and I agreed to stay!"
Yuan Gang nodded slightly and said: — "It's my fault..."
Before he could finish speaking, Niu You Dao interrupted him:
— "This has nothing to do with you. She offered me something that was hard to refuse. All cultivation resources they obtain, they will provide to me."
Yuan Gang: — "Lord Dao, I was at fault today. I said what I shouldn't have. My apologies!"
He knew that some things would not escape Niu You Dao's notice. Both of them understood each other well. Lord Dao had, in fact, stayed because of him.
Niu You Dao slowly replied: — "What's the point of apologies? In this world, we two are brothers. I am responsible for all your actions here!"
Yuan Gang remained silent, his jaw clenching.
Niu You Dao reached out and tapped the table. He said, annoyed:
— "Look at this, what even is this? Just a pile of rice. How can one even eat this? Every day, it's the same thing. Never mind, we'll figure something out later."
Yuan Gang remained silent, reached out, and began to evenly slice the meat with a knife. He carved the meat quite skillfully.
Niu You Dao took out his chopsticks and began to eat the meat.
As soon as Yuan Gang had sliced a portion of the meat, he put down the knife, grabbed a larger piece with his bare hands, and began to eat as well.
Thus, the two men dined in silence. As soon as they finished, Yuan Gang thoroughly washed and put everything away. After the meal, Niu You Dao stretched lazily and, leaning on his sword, stood up:
— "Let's go. We've eaten our fill; now we need a walk!"
It was dark outside. Lanterns hung under the eaves of the houses in the courtyard. Some burned brightly, casting good light, while others did not. After strolling through the courtyard, Niu You Dao and Yuan Gang reached the Prince's courtyard. Someone reported the arrival of guests to the Prince, and Lan Ruo Ting, Shang Chao Zong, and Shang Shu Qing came out to greet them.
— "Lord Dao!" As soon as Lan Ruo Ting saw them, he immediately greeted them. Only, coming from the elder Lan Ruo Ting towards the younger Niu You Dao, it sounded rather odd.
Niu You Dao squinted, looking at Shang Shu Qing. Clearly, she had already told them everything.
Since that was the case, he decided to speak directly:
— "I was constantly under house arrest in the Supreme Purity Sect and unaware of the outside situation. What is the masters' current situation, maps of the area... I need to know everything. Especially the terrain of Cang Wu County!"
Before this, Niu You Dao had not intended to go with Shang Chao Zong, so he had not inquired about Cang Wu County. But now, he could no longer ignore all these nuances.
Yuan Gang, standing nearby, noticed that Niu You Dao, speaking so seriously, had truly taken matters to heart. After all, before, he had only spoken nonsense. Evidently, he had now officially joined their ranks.
Several people exchanged glances. They seemed impressed by him. Normally, a guardian-mentor was only responsible for the safety of their charge or performed the duties of a common warrior. But now, Niu You Dao was asking for maps and wanted to inquire about geographically important locations; this was strange.
However, Shang Chao Zong nodded: — "Very well. Lord Dao, please come in." He gestured towards the house, inviting him to enter.
As soon as the group entered, someone quickly brought out maps. They brought a small map of Cang Wu County and a large map of the entire Yan Kingdom.
As soon as the maps were unrolled, Niu You Dao raised a hand: — "Don't rush. First, we need to understand the situation. I hope the Prince will tell the truth."
Several people exchanged glances, and Shang Chao Zong nodded: — "Lord Dao, speak your mind!"
Niu You Dao furrowed his brows: — "Is it possible not to go to Cang Wu County?"
Several people understood what he meant, but Lan Ruo Ting replied:
— "Lord Dao does not know everything. If we deviate from the route, the Imperial Court's spies will surely report it immediately. And then the Imperial Court will send troops that we cannot resist at all. Such a risk is too great for us to bear!"
Niu You Dao sighed: — "Since they treat you this way, why did they let you leave the capital at all? Is there something special about Cang Wu County? Perhaps it's a mobile cage for the Prince? Since they sent you there?"
Several people did not know how to respond.
Niu You Dao understood from their reaction that there was something: — "Going with you is like playing with fire. My brother and I only have one life each. And we do not wish to waste it on uncertainties. Either tell the truth, or we will leave!"
— "Brother, Master Lan!" Shang Shu Qing suddenly nodded at both of them.
Shang Chao Zong also nodded slightly, while Lan Ruo Ting sighed and said with a bitter smile: — "Originally, the Imperial Court found an excuse to imprison the Prince and kill him. Therefore, understanding the threat looming over the Prince, I began to spread rumors..."
***
Comments 1