Chapter 727: Chao Jing's Fury |
Cheng Shao Tong’s defeat had a profound impact on the Song Kingdom.
More precisely, the shadow of Meng Shan Min once again loomed over the Song Kingdom, a shadow some had already begun to forget.
The atmosphere in the Song Kingdom instantly changed. The common folk once again began to speak of Meng Shan Min, saying that he was disgracing the Song Kingdom again, only this time far more severely.
In battle, one cannot blame the enemy for their might, especially when the opponent is weaker but still victorious. Many said that the Song Kingdom had only themselves to blame. After all, they had provoked the Yan Kingdom by attacking it. And all this responsibility fell upon Luo Zhao.
At this time, many people condemned Luo Zhao. Many said that Luo Zhao was risking the kingdom, some claimed he had underestimated Meng Shan Min. Some even suggested that Meng Shan Min was acting so ruthlessly because Luo Zhao had angered him with his gift of a white horse. Now, that three-year-old child was reaping what he sowed.
Great pressure fell upon the Emperor of the Song Kingdom. Luo Zhao’s strategy had failed. Now, everyone was gnawing at him.
Though Meng Shan Min’s strategy did not necessarily guarantee the Song Kingdom’s demise, who knew what might happen?
The three sects of the Song Kingdom also grew restless...
"What do the sirs think of this matter?" Si Hai Tang stood in the center of the hall, looking at everyone.
Additionally, the three sects of the Song Kingdom were questioning the Thousand Beast Sect, asking what had happened, what had transpired.
Therefore, there was silence in the hall. Chao Jing suddenly spoke, "Head, is it possible that someone among our inner circle leaked the secret method?"
As soon as he said this, a stir went through the hall. After all, there were not many people in the inner circle.
Each faction within the sect had its own disciples. No disciple could gain access to all methods and skills. One could only gain access to the knowledge of their specific faction upon advancing within the sect. And such secret methods were known only to the relevant disciples and the elders present in the hall.
By saying this, Chao Jing was hinting at everyone present.
Si Hai Tang looked at him with a cold gaze. "Elder Chao, now is not the time for baseless accusations without proof! No one outside could possibly know the sect’s secrets. It’s not important now. We will investigate later. Right now, we need to decide how to respond to both sides!"
Therefore, the Thousand Beast Sect had initially chosen neutrality and refrained from participating in conflicts between kingdoms. They had argued about this for a long time.
Ultimately, they decided that rather than becoming a common enemy, it was better to maintain neutrality. After all, beasts could indeed crush common folk, but if cultivators surrounded them, the Thousand Beast Sect would not last long. Hence, the Thousand Beast Sect adopted neutrality and slowly developed its trade. As a result, over time, it developed to its current standing.
This time, they were forced to lend a hand. The Thousand Beast Sect had no sphere of influence of its own. So they only showed a little of their strength and did not offer full assistance.
The group of people discussed what to do next. Although the three sects of the Yan Kingdom had proven their guilt, they seemingly expressed understanding and did not wish for the Thousand Beast Sect to continue participating in the conflict between kingdoms.
Therefore, the council's decision was to agree to the Yan Kingdom's terms: no participation in battles!
And to the imperial court of the Song Kingdom, they replied that the Thousand Beast Sect, due to its original principles, would not participate in battles!
Yue Yuan departed, utterly pleased!
Subsequently, Chao Jing, suspecting a leak, approached Si Hai Tang. He voluntarily offered to secretly investigate the matter.
Si Hai Tang agreed to this. Later, Si Hai Tang summoned Elder Jiu and also instructed him to conduct a secret investigation.
Not only Jiu Shan, but he also called other elders. And he secretly ordered them to investigate this matter as well.
Si Hai Tang even asked others to investigate this matter...
A hundred li from the Thousand Beast Sect, in a gorge with a forest, two birds landed.
Niu You Dao sent people to escort Chao Sheng Huai, as well as Cheng Pin, Gao Lang, and Liu Ding An. As for Qiu Weng Xiang, he had already been killed by Chao Jing.
"Brother Chao, be careful." Duan Hu removed the restriction on Chao Sheng Huai's body and, smiling, cupped his hands and spoke.
After recovering, Chao Sheng Huai sighed and discontentedly said, "Tell Niu You Dao, if he acts like this again, he shouldn't be surprised if I'm not fair! Let him not think..." He did not finish his sentence.
As cries sounded from behind him.
Cheng Pin, Gao Lang, and Liu Ding An fell to the ground, bleeding. Lei Zong Kang and Wu San Liang were sheathing their blood-stained swords.
"What are you planning?" Chao Sheng Huai asked, terrified.
Duan Hu said, "Lord Dao is a man of his word. Since he said he would deal with them, he will. Just a little late. As for the money, since Brother Chao says it's not needed, Lord Dao won't insist. In any case, the matter is concluded. Is Brother Chao satisfied with this?"
This was, in fact, pleasing. After all, they had killed the witnesses. But they hadn't exactly helped Chao Sheng Huai. Rather, they had killed the captives because they were in a secret place, full of poisonous gases, where Niu You Dao was cultivating, and Yuan Gang was guarding him.
That secret place needed to be hidden. After all, Gao Jian Cheng's son and other people were there now. And Niu You Dao, though he knew this place would eventually be discovered, didn't want it exposed so early. The Thousand Beast Sect was not to be trifled with. If they learned anything, they could fly their birds and pinpoint Niu You Dao's secret location.
Chao Sheng Huai did not know what to say. He truly did not know how to get rid of them. He never thought they would help him themselves.
"Brother Chao, take care. I won't escort you any further." Duan Hu smiled faintly. He turned and, along with Lei Zong Kang and Wu San Liang, jumped onto a bird. And so, they flew away.
Swallowing dryly, Chao Sheng Huai looked around and disposed of the bodies. Then he left.
He had no idea what had happened during his detention by Niu You Dao. And when he returned to the Thousand Beast Sect, he learned what had transpired.
Niu You Dao, it turned out, had used him to get to his grandfather!
In a room, a furious Chao Jing was slapping Chao Sheng Huai. His face already resembled a pig's, his cheeks completely swollen.
Chao Sheng Huai would have tried to justify himself, but as soon as he learned that Niu You Dao had already reached his grandfather, he stopped. And he was genuinely terrified. In the end, he confessed everything. From beginning to end!
Chao Jing almost coughed up blood from what he heard. It turned out his grandson dared to put the Song Kingdom's envoy in danger? And he even ruined their birds. He stole five birds!
Moreover, Niu You Dao had killed the witnesses to the influx of Rakshasa Butterflies in the Illusory Butterfly World right in front of him. The funny thing was, Qiu Weng Xiang had been killed by his own grandfather.
And now, before his grandfather, he was like an open book.
Chao Jing was furious. He wanted to kill his grandson. But if he killed him, it would arouse suspicion. So, for now, he could only vent his spleen by beating him.
After he was done, he ordered his grandson to quietly recover and not leave until his wounds healed.
People seeing his grandson’s wounds must not suspect anything. Therefore, he had to heal him.
After Chao Jing left, his grandson lay on the ground, on his last breath.
After being beaten like that, Chao Sheng Huai understood. That demon named Niu You Dao had finally let him go. Because for Niu You Dao, he had lost his value. And Niu You Dao had turned his attention to his grandfather. In this life, he most wished never to meet Niu You Dao again. That most terrifying man...
In the mountains, where there was a mountain river. Niu You Dao was bathing, naked. He narrowed his eyes and looked towards the shore.
Through the mist, Guan Fang Yi approached. She reported, "Duan Hu sent news. Everything has been carried out."
Niu You Dao grunted and asked, "Does Monkey have results?"
Guan Fang Yi: "Don't you know him? If he does, he won't tell me."
Niu You Dao: "Tell him to come."
Guan Fang Yi left and soon returned with Yuan Gang. She also wanted to know the situation of this girl.
A wet towel was on Niu You Dao's head, making it difficult to discern his expression. He asked, "Did you get her to talk?"
Yuan Gang was silent for a moment, then replied, "She constantly calls herself Su Zhao. As for her past, she won't speak!"
Niu You Dao: "General Meng is already leading the troops away; we must leave too. If you can't get her to talk, then once the military campaign is successful, her status won't matter. I know you won't kill the innocent. Hand her over to the matchmaker then; she'll deal with her."
Yuan Gang understood him. It wasn't safe to constantly carry around a person whose background was unknown. He pondered for a moment and said, "Lord Dao, give me a little more time."
Niu You Dao said nothing, and Yuan Gang turned and left.
Amidst the mist, he removed the towel from his head and calmly said, "Did torture not work?"
Guan Fang Yi adjusted her skirt and sat beside him. "That girl looks well-kept. She must not have tasted bitterness. And Monkey treats her too gently. You won't get her to talk that way. If you don't want to trouble Monkey, just let her go."
Niu You Dao soaked the towel in the water: "Let people know I'm near the troops? How can I release her without knowing her background? If she could be released, Monkey would have done so secretly long ago."
The kneeling Guan Fang Yi couldn't resist and glanced at Niu You Dao's lower body in the water. But due to the murkiness, she couldn't make anything out. She reached out and began pouring water over Niu You Dao's shoulder. She asked, "Then what should we do? We can't keep carrying her with us, can we?"
Niu You Dao continued washing himself with water and slowly said, "Whether enemy or friend, it is right to make them one of our own. You are a woman. And you understand women's weaknesses better than men. You can find a way."