Chapter 751: Yu Cang Is Alarmed |
Taking advantage of a fire to loot.
He was bleeding profusely then, and the palace personnel cast him out. It was fortunate that the cultivators accompanying him began to rescue him.
When he awoke, he realized he was in the Chancellor's courtyard, and he also understood that he couldn't speak.
The wound he bore was unimaginable to others. Even now, it was difficult for him to eat and drink. Without cultivators, he was unable to sustain himself.
Previously, he had thought his entreaties were futile, because he hadn't seen the Palace of Mystery take any action.
But now he had heard good news, and understood that he hadn't lost his tongue for nothing.
Aside from the people of the Song Kingdom, no one else in the world understood the significance of Gu Wu Chun's journey to the Palace of Mystery.
Initially, the Palace of Mystery paid no heed to the list of cultivators from each kingdom, nor did they believe there was any need to expend more cultivator resources, as they were already depleting them on their own. However, after Gu Wu Chun's visit, they decided to convene the sect leaders at the Palace of Mystery.
Because of Gu Wu Chun's compelling arguments, the Palace of Mystery decided to update the list of cultivators and to also add a list of rogue cultivators to it.
First his son-in-law died, then his daughter. His grandchildren cried every day, begging to see their parents. And now his close advisor looked like this. One could imagine the Chancellor's feelings at this moment.
He lowered his sleeve: "His Majesty wishes to personally thank you, sir. You should prepare yourself." That was why he had rushed here so quickly.
Gu Wu Chun froze and smiled bitterly. He understood that Zi Ping Xu wanted to highlight his own merits before the Emperor. However, he picked up a brush and wrote: "Does the Chancellor wish me harm? Through this journey, I have offended an unknown number of cultivators across the world!"
Zi Ping Xu froze, a realization dawning on him.
...
"What?"
Qi Kingdom, Fufang Park. Here, the decree from the Palace of Mystery was announced. Yu Cang's face turned ashen. For a long time, he couldn't collect himself.
He had already packed his belongings, preparing to send them to Tian Zhe Zhi and Ma Chang An. And the Morning Moon Palace was already preparing to officially announce itself to the world. Carriages were already gathered in the courtyard.
The Palace of Mystery typically treated such matters with indifference. Was this a joke? He even thought he had misheard, and he asked again.
Du Gu replied: "They say that due to the opening of the Secret Realm of Tian Du, all the kingdoms decided to preserve their gifted cultivators, and thus didn't enlist everyone. This displeased the Palace of Mystery. Therefore, the Palace of Mystery halted all wars, so that the kingdoms would first send their cultivators into the Secret Realm of Tian Du, and only then would they continue their battles..."
Listening intently, Yu Cang stroked his chin. Even sweat beaded on his brow. He felt a lingering fear.
If this news had arrived later, the Morning Moon Palace would have simply revealed itself in the Zhao Kingdom. And then the Morning Moon Palace would have been unable to continue its operations, nor would it have been able to retreat back into the shadows.
This was truly terrifying for them! Yu Cang placed his hands on his chest and said: "Good, good that it came in time. If they had announced it later, the consequences would have been unimaginable. Since the wars are frozen, the problem isn't big. We just need to maintain the current situation. This means that after the Secret Realm of Tian Du closes, everything will resume. And we will continue our work. We just need to wait. This will hardly affect us. We've waited so many years, we can wait a little longer!"
Then he asked: "What else did you want to say? Will rogue cultivators also be entering the Secret Realm of Tian Du this time?"
Du Gu extended a list: "This is the list announced by the Palace of Mystery. According to the information, due to the wars, each kingdom suffered heavy losses among their cultivators, which is why it was proposed to add rogue cultivators. This time, 1,000 rogue cultivators were added. They were recommended by the heads of 30 sects. Primarily, all of them are from the Dan List."
"Could I be on it too?" Yu Cang saw that Du Gu's expression was grim. Sensing something, he immediately snatched the list and began to examine it.
Du Gu shook his head: "Master's name is not on the list. It is clear to see how much the sect heads respect Master. Even if Master were to enter the Secret Realm of Tian Du, it's unlikely anyone would dare attack him. The Secret Realm of Tian Du is no problem for Master."
Hearing that his name wasn't on it, Yu Cang sighed and began to scrutinize the list.
Who knew that Du Gu would continue: "Niu You Dao is on the list. If Niu You Dao enters, it will be a disaster for him."
Yu Cang looked at him, then scrutinized the list even more carefully. Eventually, he saw the name *Niu You Dao* among the listed names. He froze, and his face trembled. He understood why Du Gu's expression had been so grim.
Indeed, the halt in battles was not a problem. The Morning Moon Palace could resume its affairs later. This would not affect their plans.
What truly mattered was that problems had arisen with a person crucial to the Morning Moon Palace. If Niu You Dao entered the Secret Realm of Tian Du and did not return, then the Morning Moon Palace's plans would be ruined.
Tian Zhe Zhi and Ma Chang An needed Niu You Dao's support.
Under the command of the two generals were people from the Zhao Kingdom. And problems with control would arise that needed to be resolved.
And if a threat emerged from Tian Zhe Zhi and Ma Chang An's side, then the Zhao Kingdom would no longer focus on the Yan Kingdom. It would instead deal with its internal issues.
Then the Zhao Kingdom would be ready to make any concessions to the Yan Kingdom.
And the Yan Kingdom would also need to preserve its strength to attack the Han Kingdom.
After all, they couldn't simply stand by and watch the Han Kingdom calmly devour the Song Kingdom. Therefore, by eliminating the danger from the Zhao Kingdom, the Yan and Song Kingdoms would have to resist the Han Kingdom together.
At that point, the Morning Moon Palace wouldn't be able to persuade the Yan Kingdom to help them. But Niu You Dao could.
Because of the Three Great Sects of the Yan Kingdom, the Yan Kingdom was unlikely to aid the Morning Moon Palace.
And when the Zhao Kingdom requested a truce, the Yan Kingdom would be able to demand not just 20 million gold coins, but significantly more. Moreover, this would align with the Yan Kingdom's interests. Therefore, they would be even less likely to help the Morning Moon Palace.
Therefore, they desperately needed Niu You Dao. That was why they agreed to give Niu You Dao 20 million gold coins.
They had already made an agreement with Niu You Dao, and the money had already been handed over. But now such a risk had arisen. What was to be done?
And it wasn't just about the money. The money could be recovered one way or another, especially since their relationship was good.
What was important was that he didn't want the money back; he wanted Niu You Dao's assistance in his affairs.
Compared to the accumulated wealth and power of the Morning Moon Palace, 20 million gold coins were merely a trifle!
If Niu You Dao had insisted, they would have given him even 50 million gold coins!
The Palace of Mystery, unwittingly, had thrown a wrench into his plans. This displeased Yu Cang. He said through gritted teeth: "Does the Palace of Mystery wish to seize this moment to weaken rogue cultivators?"
"Master, what should we do then?" Du Gu asked.
Yu Cang clenched the list in his hands and muttered through gritted teeth: "Niu You Dao is truly a scoundrel! However, the Yan Kingdom's forces are now in the hands of Shang Chao Zong and Meng Shan Ming. And the Southern Domain army is the backbone of the Yan Kingdom's military. Niu You Dao has absolute influence over all of them! Nothing must happen to this scoundrel who takes advantage of a fire to loot!"
He called him a scoundrel because Niu You Dao, knowing that the Morning Moon Palace's actions would benefit him, still demanded money for these military expenses!
And he even used such an absurd reason as past persecutions and army expenditures!
Du Gu said anxiously: "This will be difficult. The Palace of Mystery will not revise the list. And our influence within the Palace of Mystery is weak. Even if Niu You Dao feigns death, he will not escape the Secret Realm of Tian Du."
"Then we supported Shao Ping Bo, now we support Niu You Dao. Why? Because he managed and prepared the ground well for us in the Southern Domain. Nothing must happen to him!" Yu Cang stroked his beard and pondered. Then, looking at Du Gu, he said: "If nothing can be changed externally, then we must find all ways within the Secret Realm of Tian Du. This scoundrel must return alive from the Secret Realm of Tian Du. Nothing must happen to him. Understand?"