Chapter 57: Honest and Just |
Once Cheng Gui Shuo was no longer interrupted, he continued:
— As Brother Song said before descending the mountain, Tang Su Su's man was supposed to deliver a letter to Niu You Dao. And Niu You Dao was supposed to hand that letter over to the Southern Mountain Monastery. So we spurred our horses onward at full speed, and upon reaching the monastery, we indeed waited for Niu You Dao. However, it seemed he already knew about the ambush, so he sent an ordinary bodyguard of Shang Chao Zong in his place. As soon as we captured the bodyguard, we also had to face Shang Chao Zong's bodyguards and Shang Chao Zong himself. In the end, Song Yang Qing produced a tablet from the supreme court, and Shang Chao Zong was forced to hand over Niu You Dao. But who could have known that Niu You Dao would turn out to be a skilled cultivator? His technique and power are unfathomable; they far exceeded our imagination...
— Unfathomable?— Luo Yuan Gong interrupted, his brows furrowing. — You're saying Niu You Dao's power is unfathomable?
Not only him, but everyone else was also surprised by Cheng Gui Shuo's words. Even Tang Su Su. She couldn't believe what she heard.
Cheng Gui Shuo nodded and continued:
— This disciple speaks the truth. Indeed, Niu You Dao's power is unfathomable. The three of us fought against him. He flung Su Yi Tian back with a single palm strike, inflicting a severe injury that made him cough blood. After Su Yi Tian, I drew my sword and attacked him. Niu You Dao, without even using his sword, simply kicked me away, also inflicting a severe injury. Immediately after me, Song Yang Qing attacked him. He, too, assailed Niu You Dao with his sword. This time, Niu You Dao drew his own sword and instantly severed one leg and both arms of Song Yang Qing! Thus, all of us ended up on the ground. We were no match for him at all.
Luo Yuan Gong, greatly alarmed, asked:
— How is that possible?
Fearing he wouldn't be believed and worried for his life, Cheng Gui Shuo began to explain:
Tang Su Su burst out laughing:
— Brothers, how can you believe such nonsense? Even if Niu You Dao had been secretly cultivating in Peach Blossom Spring all these years, he still wouldn't have been able to achieve such cultivation results. What is there to listen to?
Cheng Gui Shuo placed both hands over his chest:
— If this disciple lies, may I be struck by lightning and thunder. By the way, this disciple could discern that Niu You Dao did not seem to be using the Supreme Purity Sect's methods. His sword technique was exceedingly profound, yet it bore no resemblance to our own!
Tang Su Su sneered coldly: — And did you just make that up yourself?
Luo Yuan Gong raised a hand, gesturing for her to stop interrupting, and asked Cheng Gui Shuo: — What happened next?
Cheng Gui Shuo:
— After he defeated Su Yi Tian and me, and crippled Song Yang Qing, he ordered his men to take us to the monastery and interrogate us there. We revealed nothing, no matter how they questioned us. But when we were released, we no longer saw Song Yang Qing. It seemed he had already killed him. Then, right before my eyes, Brother Su Yi Tian was also killed.
Luo Yuan Gong: — You said Niu You Dao conveyed a message?
Cheng Gui Shuo nodded: — He ordered me to deliver a message, which is why I was able to return to the sect. He said that because of all the Supreme Purity Sect's actions, he would not make a fuss out of respect for his master, Uncle Dong Guo. He would not seek revenge. However, from this moment on, he severs all ties with the Supreme Purity Sect! He also said that the position of sect head holds no interest for him. He hopes that the Supreme Purity Sect will not seek him out or bring trouble upon him. Otherwise, he will reveal everything to the world, and the entire world will condemn the Supreme Purity Sect. I suspect that Brother Song Yang Qing revealed things he shouldn't have.
After his account, everyone fell into silence. Tang Su Su trembled violently. Luo Yuan Gong and Su Po were tense. They hadn't thought that Niu You Dao would eventually learn of the secret and now be armed against them.
Tang Yi lowered her head. A multitude of emotions swirled within her. She was especially tormented by the feeling of stealing something that didn't belong to her. Now, how would Niu You Dao look upon her, after she had married him for the sake of the sect head's position? After she had decided to kill her own husband for the sake of that very position? Who could ever look at her the same way again?
No one could accept such a thing. And Niu You Dao's unwillingness to settle all accounts spoke volumes of his magnanimity.
— Aaaah!— Su Po sighed heavily. And everyone understood what Su Po felt.
Luo Yuan Gong cast a cold glance at Tang Su Su.
— Junior Sister, didn't you say that Shang Shu Qing came to the sect for Dong Guo Hao Ran's disciple? Is that true?
Tang Su Su sneered: — Brothers, why believe such fabrications?
Seeing that she refused to say anything, Luo Yuan Gong and Su Po immediately understood everything. No more proof was needed. Her reluctance to speak implied a guilt that would have otherwise led her to silence Cheng Gui Shuo, making it impossible to prove anything. Everyone already understood why Tang Su Su had done all this.
Luo Yuan Gong looked at Cheng Gui Shuo and asked:
— Is there anything else?
Cheng Gui Shuo shook his head: — Only this.
Luo Yuan Gong closed his eyes, sighed, and said: — Then go to the capital and report this tragedy to the Song Family!
— As you command!— Cheng Gui Shuo stood up and hastily retreated.
No one stopped him. At this point, many already knew what had happened, so killing him would be pointless. Furthermore, Cheng Gui Shuo wouldn't have dared to come here alone and reveal everything without backing. Clearly, the Song Family had sent him to report on the incident. Cheng Gui Shuo had long been a Song Family man, and he was with Song Yang Qing before his death. Thus, he was no longer important to them. And to kill him now would be akin to striking at the Song Family directly. Luo Yuan Gong also understood that letting him go to the capital meant he wouldn't return. But what benefit would there be in him staying? Indeed, he was already a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect. Why keep additional eyes and ears for the Song Family?
Just as Cheng Gui Shuo reached the doors, Su Po's voice suddenly rang out:
— Cheng Gui Shuo, heaven and earth hold sway everywhere. Remember well that you are a disciple of the Supreme Purity Sect. No matter where fate takes you, you must never harm the Supreme Purity Sect!
Cheng Gui Shuo turned, bowed, and said:
— This disciple has deeply engraved it in his heart and will never forget!— He then immediately left.
Once silence fell in the hall, Luo Yuan Gong opened his eyes and glared angrily at Tang Su Su:
— Have you gone mad?
By this time, Tang Su Su had already admitted everything:
— I did all this for the sake of the Supreme Purity Sect. If he were left alive, who would benefit from it? Who knows, someone might later use him to sow chaos within our sect! Otherwise, the consequences could be dire!
Luo Yuan Gong slowly walked towards her:
— For the sect's sake? Did you not understand that *they* were the ones who sent him to report to us? The Song Family has made it clear that they already know what you've done. And after this, they have made it clear that they owe nothing to the Supreme Purity Sect. Song Shu's son, his only son, was killed by your doing. Do you think the Song Family will let this matter rest? You have now brought great disaster upon the Supreme Purity Sect!
Tang Su Su was startled and suddenly cried out:
— I didn't think it would turn out this way. Who knew that trash couldn't even manage such a small task!
— Bang!— Luo Yuan Gong slapped her across the face.
Tang Su Su staggered back two steps, then glared at him and said:
— How dare you...
Luo Yuan Gong cut her off: — This is me disciplining you on behalf of your master!
Tang Su Su wanted to say something, but remained silent. She pressed her lips together, utterly bewildered.
Luo Yuan Gong turned to Tang Yi:
— Sect Head, you will need to leave the Supreme Purity Sect and find a place to hide for a while. Sooner or later, disaster will strike the sect. Then, perhaps, the sect's techniques and foundation can be preserved! Afterward, you must wait for the opportune moment to rebuild the sect!—
He clasped his hands and then departed.
Tang Su Su cried after him: — No, you can't! This is the Supreme Purity Sect, which has endured for generations! You can't just abandon everything here!
However, Su Po also turned and left at a measured pace, neither rushing nor lingering.
In the hall remained Tang Yi, who had been silent all this time, and Tang Su Su, who was trembling from head to toe...
Behind the mountain, numerous rocky peaks soared. On the slope of one stone mountain was a cave, where the punished Wei Duo sat crouched. He constantly lamented everything.
Tu Han stood nearby, gazing into the distance. Su Po slowly recounted what had happened to him.
After he had finished speaking, Wei Duo spoke with vexation:
— The... the... the laws are... are... un... un... unbreakable. If the... the... the laws are... are... broken... then... then there will be disaster!
Su Po nodded:
— It's just that all the disciples in the sect didn't want the unknown young Niu You Dao to become the sect head. Back then, you couldn't do anything alone, and now Niu You Dao seems to be in danger. Do you want to protect him?
Wei Duo immediately stood up and nodded: — This disciple does!
Su Po nodded approvingly:
— Good! Protect that disciple. I will help you escape. In the gorge on the northern mountain, there will be no people in half an hour. You can leave from there. A bundle with provisions and all necessities has already been prepared there!
— As you command!— Wei Duo clasped his hands and immediately began to flee.
When Su Po and Tu Han emerged from the stone cave, Wei Duo was already out of sight.
Tu Han, looking at Su Po, said:
— Elder, the Supreme Purity Sect has done such a thing against Niu You Dao. I don't think Wei Duo will be welcomed by Niu You Dao.
Su Po: — It doesn't matter what Niu You Dao thinks. Right now, with the sect facing unforeseen circumstances, Wei Duo—that kind and righteous man—as soon as disaster strikes the sect, will not stand idly by; he will fight to the death. While others seek various excuses to distance themselves and save their own lives, I do not wish for such a good person to perish in vain.
Su Po turned to Tu Han: — You should go too. We need to quickly contact Master, who is at Werewolf Ridge. Once disaster strikes the Supreme Purity Sect, only he can help the sect!
— This...— Tu Han spoke with a hint of doubt: — Master has already been expelled from the sect. It might be difficult for him to leave the mountain.
Su Po: — He watched Tang Yi grow up himself. It's unlikely he'd want her to be in trouble. In any case, whether he comes or not, just tell him. When the sect is in trouble, the choice will be his!