Chapter 739: Not Qualified to Enter |
Then keep her!
Guan Fang Yi personally checked Weng Mo Er's cultivation level. And when she realized Weng Mo Er posed no danger, Niu You Dao agreed to keep her.
In truth, even if the Black Gold Cave hadn't approached him, he would have sought ways to connect with the three sects himself.
As he himself said, some matters were unavoidable. He currently had no power whatsoever to stand against the three sects!
Originally, he had thought of beginning an alliance with the Palace of Bliss. This was because he had already frequently contacted them.
Previously, he hadn't agreed to join the Palace of Bliss not because he disliked Yi Shu, but because he was too weak for cooperation.
He wouldn't have been able to cooperate with them on equal terms, much less demand any conditions. If he had joined the palace at that time, he would have been like a sheep driven into a wolf pen.
Now, however, in this war, Meng Shan Ming and Shang Chao Zong had performed exceptionally well. He had already demonstrated the might of the Southern Domain. The Southern Domain now possessed the power to contend against the entire Yan Kingdom. And now, he had the leverage to dictate his own terms.
Only, Shang Chao Zong had acted too crudely. He had killed an elder of the Palace of Bliss. Therefore, it would now be difficult for him to cooperate with the Palace of Bliss.
Niu You Dao had no intention of haggling over every single term of cooperation. Better or worse terms, at the end of the day, the foundation of cooperation was mutual benefit. Everyone had to be satisfied. Thus, it was already enough for him that Gong Ling Ze was willing to listen to him and make concessions.
As the saying goes, sometimes one must take a step back to advance further!
Gong Ling Ze indeed possessed appealing methods. Though it was his first time contacting Niu You Dao, he had already pleased Niu You Dao!
Weng Mo Er was permitted to stay, but a clear instruction was given beforehand.
Weng Mo Er would act as a liaison.
Upon receiving news from Weng Mo Er, Gong Ling Ze was surprised. He hadn't expected Niu You Dao to agree so easily.
However, he didn't know the specifics; after all, not all details could be laid out on paper. He didn't know what role Weng Mo Er had played in this, but he clearly understood that he hadn't made a mistake by sending her. This made Gong Ling Ze joyful. He had made the right choice.
If Niu You Dao became his man, joining the Black Gold Cave, it would mean that the Southern Domain would fall under the Black Gold Cave's influence.
And now, the Southern Domain held a significant voice in the Yan Kingdom. This meant that the Black Gold Cave would wield the primary influence in the Yan Kingdom. It meant that among the three sects, everyone would first look to the Black Gold Cave. Who would dare to displease the Black Gold Cave?
However, returning to reality, he understood that within the Black Gold Cave itself, many would want to seize power in the Southern Domain. And he wished for his own people to assume that power.
Therefore, he still hoped that Niu You Dao would marry Weng Mo Er, his adopted daughter!
Once both sides had agreed to cooperate, the only remaining matter was to determine the timing. And Gong Ling Ze naturally wanted to initiate the cooperation as soon as possible, to announce as soon as possible that Niu You Dao was his man.
He informed Niu You Dao of this.
Pillars of dust swirled. A massive army moved forward. Meng Shan Ming constantly glanced out the window. He was surprised that Gong Ling Ze had suddenly changed his attitude towards him. Meng Shan Ming thought he was imagining things.
But Gong Ling Ze had begun consistently treating him well, smiling...
Meng Shan Ming wasn't imagining it. Soon, they would all be his people, which was why Gong Ling Ze had already started treating them differently.
...
In the center of a lake, three people stood on a raft.
Gong Ling Ze wanted to begin the partnership as soon as possible, but Niu You Dao was in no hurry. He asked him to wait.
Weng Mo Er understood the responsibility on her shoulders and wanted to clarify what was happening.
"Everything has been discussed now, does Brother Niu wish to change his mind?"
"Not as you think," Niu You Dao said, leaning on his sword.
"The Secret Realm of Tian Du will open soon. Haven't you heard?"
Weng Mo Er frowned. "Do you wish to enter there?" However, after a moment's thought, she continued, "But you are a rogue cultivator. You have no right to enter. If you wish to enter, then you must join the Black Gold Cave."
Niu You Dao rolled his eyes and shook his head:
"Miss Weng, are you ill or am I? You know it's a path to death, why would I rush in? Am I tired of living?"
"...." Weng Mo Er herself didn't know what to say and asked:
"Then what do you mean?"
Guan Fang Yi, standing nearby, spoke with a smile:
"Miss Weng, you've misunderstood Lord Dao. Lord Dao is precisely delaying his entry into the Black Gold Cave because he doesn't want to enter the Secret Realm of Tian Du. Think about it yourself, rogue cultivators cannot enter there. But if he becomes a disciple of the Black Gold Cave, they can ensure his path there."
Weng Mo Er understood and immediately said:
"That's impossible! Brother Niu, the forbidden territory opens once every 50 years. And a certain number of people are sent from each major sect to the Palace of Mystery. If you become a disciple of the Black Gold Cave, they wouldn't send you, of all people. Why would we send you there? It would be like lifting a rock only to drop it on our own foot. You're worrying too much."
Niu You Dao shook his head: "Don't say that. No one knows what might happen. Right now, I've offended many people from major sects in every kingdom. What if I enter the forbidden territory? Then I'd be hunted down there until I die. Do you think I'd take such a risk? As long as I'm not confident in the matter, I won't take risks!"
Weng Mo Er: "Brother Niu, if you merely join the Black Gold Cave, the Head won't allow such a thing to happen. And even if it does, the Black Gold Cave can summon the other sects of the Yan Kingdom to protect you. Nothing will happen."
Niu You Dao began to run his hand through the water:
"It's not just because of the Secret Realm of Tian Du! It's also because the battles haven't ended yet. I cannot publicly join the Black Gold Cave. Haven't you considered that the Palace of Bliss and the Spiritual Sword Mountain won't just calmly watch me join the Black Gold Cave? They'll hinder you in every way possible."
"The situation for the Yan Kingdom is already dangerous enough. Internal strife cannot be allowed. If the Yan Kingdom vanishes, what would be the meaning of my joining the Black Gold Cave? Therefore, we shouldn't publicize our agreements now. This is definitely not the time for me to join the Black Gold Cave. Don't worry, I said I would, and I will. As soon as the battles conclude, I will join the Black Gold Cave. I keep my word. Besides, aren't you watching over me here?"
It was precisely for this reason that Gong Ling Ze had insisted Weng Mo Er remain there.
Weng Mo Er didn't know how to respond. The Head himself needed to carefully consider this matter. Therefore, she didn't press Niu You Dao further.
Niu You Dao continued, "Furthermore, regarding the extreme scenario: if I join the Black Gold Cave and am sent to the forbidden territory, will the Black Gold Cave summon the other Yan Kingdom sects to protect me? Will the Palace of Bliss and Spiritual Sword Mountain protect me? Perhaps they themselves would help seal my doom. Would I have any chance of survival? Therefore, now is not the time for my entry. Miss Weng, there's no hurry."
Saying this, he placed both hands on his sword, lay down on the raft, and began to gaze at the night sky. The raft continued to drift freely across the lake.
Weng Mo Er looked at him, then slowly said:
"In the Zhao Kingdom, you killed an envoy of the Yan Kingdom; in the Qi Kingdom, you crippled a disciple of the Heavenly Fire Sect, the master of the hut. I thought Brother Niu was fearless. But today... it seems your reputation isn't entirely true."
Niu You Dao chuckled, "Are you trying to say I'm afraid of death?"
Weng Mo Er neither admitted nor denied it. She simply turned around, wrote a secret letter, and sent it via a Bird King.
Having finished her task and turned back to them, she noticed Guan Fang Yi smiling at her. Guan Fang Yi wore a strange smile.
Guan Fang Yi asked, "You speak to him like that. Aren't you afraid that after he becomes an elder of the Black Gold Cave, he'll seek revenge on you?"
Weng Mo Er remained silent.
Guan Fang Yi took her hand and continued with a smile:
"Miss Weng, do you truly not intend to leave?"
Weng Mo Er: "Matchmaker, do you wish for me to leave sooner?"
"No, I just want to remind you that he's not to be trifled with. If necessary, he won't care about your beauty. He'll dare to use any method. I'm worried about you." Guan Fang Yi pointed at the reclining Niu You Dao.
Weng Mo Er looked at Niu You Dao.
Niu You Dao, with closed eyes, smirked slightly.
He truly wasn't in a hurry to join the Black Gold Cave because of the current situation in the kingdoms.
Just like that, under the moonlight, one young man lay peacefully on the raft, while two beauties stood nearby, quietly observing everything...
Upon receiving news from Weng Mo Er, Gong Ling Ze, standing in his tent, sighed:
"Ah!" He realized he had been too hasty. And he had to admit, Niu You Dao's reasoning was sound. The Secret Realm of Tian Du was not the issue. But indeed, due to state affairs, it was truly better for Niu You Dao not to join their Black Gold Cave right now. The battles were the priority.
Following this, he sent a message to Weng Mo Er, instructing her not to rush Niu You Dao.