Chapter 748: Head of the Morning Moon Palace |
Yu Cang said in a gloomy tone, "Haven't you done shameless things yourself?"
Niu You Dao asked in surprise, "Oh, I have?"
Yu Cang didn't dwell on it. For he didn't know if Niu You Dao had indeed committed such deeds, and discussing them would be pointless. "Brother, when Shang Jian Xiong sought to kill you, our Morning Moon Palace sacrificed many lives to protect you. And this happened twice. When you killed the Song Kingdom's envoy, we also helped you accomplish it. Even the Bird Kings you fly on—we never investigated their origin. We assisted you greatly, enabling you to gain advantages. In this world, is good not repaid with good? The Morning Moon Palace has treated you well. Even now, do you truly not wish to repay kindness with kindness?"
Niu You Dao replied, "It's pointless to talk about it. If we start tallying, didn't you yourselves pursue and try to kill me? And the Shang Mirror, how should that be accounted for? Who truly helped whom here? Past matters, no matter how they occurred, were done by mutual consent. You chose to help me."
Yu Cang said, "This benefits both of us. We help you eliminate the danger from the Zhao Kingdom; both sides will profit. Everyone will gain. What more is there for you to ponder? Are you truly thinking of haggling? Very well, if that's the case. Then state your terms. Everything can be discussed."
Niu You Dao asked, "Do I look like a greedy person? Of course, there's much I desire. But trivial matters aren't worth mentioning. What I truly want, you cannot provide. To put it simply, whether I agree or not depends first on whether I wish to!"
Yu Cang declared, "Such a rare opportunity has appeared before us. There won't be another like it. Our Morning Moon Palace has awaited this for many, many years. Generations have anticipated this moment, and now it is finally upon us. For this moment, the Morning Moon Palace will spare no effort! This time, whoever dares to obstruct the Morning Moon Palace will become our mortal enemy. Does Brother truly wish to shatter the hopes of the Morning Moon Palace? Is Brother prepared to face the full might of the Morning Moon Palace?"
At these words, Niu You Dao frowned and, with a cold expression, said, "Is Master Yu Cang threatening me?"
Yu Cang retorted, "I am not threatening you! To help you, many disciples of the Morning Moon Palace perished. Many sacrificed their lives, but all knew the price. They knew we supported you so that you would support us. This is our price. In this world, there is no free gain. Since I have come, it means you have no choice!"
Yu Cang nodded at himself, "If you wish to kill, then kill. I did not plan on returning alive. But by killing me, you will declare war on the Morning Moon Palace. Either agree, or it's war. You will experience the full accumulated might of the Morning Moon Palace!"
Niu You Dao furrowed his brows. "The Yaoyue Inn in Zhaixing City, or the Rainbow Inn of the Ice and Snow Palace—I can hide there. Can the Morning Moon Palace truly reach me there?"
"A jest!" Yu Cang countered, "Is that a place to hide forever? And how long could you stay there? Would you abandon the Southern Domain just like that?"
In principle, he spoke correctly. One could temporarily hide in the Yaoyue Inn, but everything had its rules.
Of course, one could hide for a while, but not forever.
Many cultivators could afford 10 gold coins for a single day. However, if one continued to reside in the inn, the daily rate would increase to 100 gold coins after a month. And the following month, the rate would rise again. Thus, no matter how wealthy one was, it would still be impossible to hide there for an extended period.
Of course, the Nine Supremes could offer you protection, but that protection would not come cheap!
Therefore, one could only stay for a limited time. Hiding there long-term would be pointless.
Niu You Dao changed the subject. "What if I am a person of the Palace of Mystery? Would the Morning Moon Palace have enough strength then?"
"..." Yu Cang was speechless. He took a long moment to compose himself, then said, "You are a person of the Palace of Mystery? No, that's impossible!"
Niu You Dao said, "What sense would there be in me simply trying to scare you? Whether I am a person of the Palace of Mystery or not is unimportant. What matters is that I know what the Morning Moon Palace truly represents. And if you come for me, I will retaliate. I can also cut off many of your vital lifelines! To speak plainly: if you wish to help, do not threaten. The best approach is to show sincere intentions."
Yu Cang asked, "And what, in your opinion, are sincere intentions?"
Niu You Dao repeated, "I ask once more, who is the Head of the Morning Moon Palace?"
Yu Cang replied, "When the matter is concluded, and that person steps into the light, then you will understand for yourself." He hinted that there was no point in asking too many questions before the deed was done.
Niu You Dao scoffed, "I will not allow anyone to fool me. Is it right to help someone I don't even know? If you want to threaten, then threaten. We'll see who prevails! And what I am capable of!"
Yu Cang said, "Is that one condition? If I tell you who, will you agree then?"
Niu You Dao pressed, "To allow the Yan Kingdom to continue this battle would be to send many more people to their deaths. And it would also lead to additional expenses. Who will cover these expenses?"
Yu Cang wanted to say: *Are you the one incurring these expenses? If we begin our operations, won't we reduce your losses?*
However, speaking of that now would be pointless. His interlocutor was seeking an excuse to profit, so he asked, "How much do you want?"
Niu You Dao held up five fingers. "50 million!"
Yu Cang said gravely, "That's a great deal! As soon as our operations begin, the Morning Moon Palace will also incur expenses!"
"Fine! Out of a sense of friendship, I won't press the matter. Half. 30 million!"
"Half of 50 million is 30 million? Isn't it 20 million?"
"Alright, as you say. 20 million it is! Tell me, who is the Head?"
"Xia Lin Pei!"
"..." Niu You Dao was speechless. "What does that mean?"
Yu Cang simply stated, "Xia Lin Pei is the Head of the Morning Moon Palace!"
Niu You Dao dared not believe it. "Are you joking? That bookworm is the Head of the Morning Moon Palace?"
Yu Cang replied, "His grandfather, his father. You will soon learn everything. There's no need for me to lie to you."
This time, Niu You Dao froze. He had long pondered who the Head of the Morning Moon Palace might be. And it turned out to be his own disciple? The one who had lived in the Pavilion for so long? Who was practically within arm's reach?
He mused. Indeed, considering how much importance the Morning Moon Palace placed on that young man, the probability was high. After all, this disciple had been under Yu Cang's protection.
"And who is Zhuang Hong? Is she the one who truly holds power in her hands?"
"No one. Only the Head's mother. She has no relation to the Morning Moon Palace."
"Then the one truly running the Morning Moon Palace is you, Master Yu Cang."
"I am merely one of them. Like an elder in a common sect. Even if you seize me, you still won't break the Morning Moon Palace."
"Heh heh, so the Head of the Morning Moon Palace turns out to be my own disciple. If your plan succeeds and Xia Lin Pei comes into the open, then my ties to the Morning Moon Palace will also be exposed. And I won't be able to wash my hands of it."
"Who insisted on taking him then? Didn't you try every method to obstruct me! Furthermore, you needn't worry. When the Morning Moon Palace truly comes into the open, how important will your connections be?"
They said what needed to be said, and also what didn't. After everything was discussed, Yu Cang departed.
He hadn't brought that much money with him. They agreed on how the transfer of funds would take place the next day.
As Yu Cang left, Guan Fang Yi immediately flew over. Seeing Niu You Dao sitting distractedly on a stone, she couldn't help but ask, "Why did he seek you out?"
"Xia Lin Pei is indeed the Head of the Morning Moon Palace. Do you believe it?" Niu You Dao said with a sigh.
"Ah!" Guan Fang Yi was startled, thinking she had misheard.
"The Morning Moon Palace has long harbored its scheme..." Her questioning wasn't even necessary. Niu You Dao recounted everything himself.
Upon hearing everything, Guan Fang Yi recalled how Black Peony had died and immediately asked, "Did you agree?"
"Nothing comes for free. They dared to attack, so let them pay. And in this situation, it's hard to refuse!" Niu You Dao stood up, leaning on his sword, and said with a strained smile, "Such a massive network, constantly hidden in the shadows. Once it floats into the light, it will be easier to deal with them!"
On the second day, Guan Fang Yi was ecstatic with joy. After all, 20 million gold coins had appeared in her pocket!
...
The Palace of Mystery, the highest place among the seven kingdoms. It is called the Peak of the Gods' Abode!
The Forbidden Territory of Gods' Abode, which would soon open, was not far from here.
Most of the Peak of the Gods' Abode was desolate and uninhabited. Only at its summit were all places like spring. There were hot springs, diverse plants, wondrous beasts, and other creatures.
In this place, pavilions stretched towards the sky. All were lavish and imposing.
Night and day succeeded one another, yet the lights here simply did not dim. And when one looked up, it seemed as if one could reach out and touch the stars.
The Palace of the World's Edge, the venue for meetings. This was the supreme palace among the world of cultivators. Only the leaders of the foremost sects under heaven occupied seats here.
Outside, there were only stars. Inside the Palace of the World's Edge, lights were ablaze. The palace walls were adorned with a mosaic of a sea of pearls.
Thirty tables stood along the sides. Precisely thirty people were seated at these tables. Gong Ling Ze and others were also present. None of them knew why they had been summoned here.
As many sat quietly, a group of people entered from outside. Leading them was a lean man. He had a cold, pallid expression. A unique qi emanated from him.
The moment he entered, all thirty guests immediately rose, greeting him. They looked upon the group with reverence.
One who commanded the respect of the heads of powerful sects would, of course, be no ordinary person. This was a disciple of one of the Nine Supremes, a student of Luo Qiu, and at the same time, Luo Qiu's son-in-law, the father of Zhaixing City's ruler Sha Huang Li—Sha Ru Lai.
The Palace of Mystery was established by the Nine Supremes. And the people of the Nine Supremes oversaw it. This time, it was Sha Ru Lai who had come to preside over the assembly.
Passing by the tables, he reached the master's seat. Sha Ru Lai looked at everyone and calmly said, "Everyone has arrived. Please be seated."
After everyone was seated, he sat down as well. Then, looking at them all, he said, "Everyone has been called here for a matter of importance. The Forbidden Territory of Gods' Abode will soon open. The rules are the same as before. Everyone has already submitted their lists of entrants for the territory. We did not compel anyone. I have reviewed the lists, but they are incorrect. Therefore, I wished to ask you all, masters, what has happened? I hope you will explain yourselves clearly."