The Seeker Bird chased them out of the mountain range. The group also followed them out of the mountain range and arrived at the horse farm. The Seeker Bird found another fragrant bait outside the fence of the horse farm.
Now that they were here, it was obvious that Niu Youdao and the others had used their mounts.
The six of them bought mounts and chased in the direction the Seeker Bird had gone.
When they arrived at this open area, they could basically confirm Niu Youdao's whereabouts. The group released a golden wing on the horse's back and sent a message to Gao Sucong.
It was a golden wing released by the Fuyun Sect. It was inconvenient for one sect to carry too many golden wings, so the three sects all carried golden wings for communication. As long as the person was on Gao Sucong's side, they could send the message to anyone.
The six of them chased after them quickly.
On the other side, Niu Youdao's group of six had already galloped out of the Gobi Desert. The land in front of them was faintly green. The greenery grew thicker and the group gradually entered the grassland.
Then came the faint green mountains.
The journey was considered smooth, but from time to time, they would encounter some coyotes. Once they saw prey, they would chase in packs.
Of course, Niu Youdao and the others were not afraid of a mere wolf pack. However, Niu Youdao did not allow them to be killed. It was not because of the concept of animal protection from his previous life, but because he did not want to leave any traces. He could only scare them away.
There were many coyotes in this Gobi Desert. There were also vultures fighting for food. Vultures circled in the sky from time to time.
Black Peony put away the map in her hand and kicked the horse's abdomen with her heels. She sped up and caught up to Niu Youdao. Pointing ahead, she said, "Daoye, there are vast mountains in front. There is no path. If we change our route to the east, we should be able to reach the official road in four hours."
Niu Youdao glanced at her. "I know."
"…" Black Peony was speechless. She really did not understand him.
They galloped across the grassland and arrived at the foot of the mountain. Niu Youdao pointed to a hilly area with gentle terrain and led his horse up.
A group of people rushed up the hill one after another and followed Niu Youdao down.
Niu Youdao reined in his horse and stopped beside a small stream at the back of the mountain. He jumped off the horse and allowed the panting horse to drink and rest.
Seeing this, the others followed suit.
Looking at Niu Youdao standing by the stream with his sword in his hand and his back facing them, and then looking at the surrounding forest, no one knew why Niu Youdao had stopped here.
"Daoye, are you resting here? We haven't traveled that far. The horses should still be able to walk for a bit with their strength. "Black Peony reminded, speaking carefully.
Along the way, he didn't know if he was hallucinating, but Niu Youdao didn't seem as carefree as he was when he first met him. He seemed to have become more reserved.
When she first met Niu Youdao, although she had been miserably abused by Niu Youdao, she had felt their hearts grow closer. But along the way, she had gradually felt a barrier between them.
Niu Youdao stared at the gurgling stream in front of him and said calmly, "This place is desolate and uninhabited. It's hidden and quiet. No one knows what you do. It's the perfect place to kill someone and dump the corpse. If you don't make your move now, when will you?"
The meaning behind his words was the opposite. He was worried about exposing his whereabouts and wanted to find a hidden and safe place to fall out with them.
Yuan Fang, who had been looking all around, was startled. He suddenly stared at Black Peony and the others, his hand gripping the hilt of the saber at his waist. He was instantly on high alert.
Black Peony and the others were stunned. They looked at each other. Lei Zongkang's heartstrings tightened.
Black Peony said in surprise, "Daoye, why do you say that?"
Niu Youdao was silent for a moment. He had led them all the way here, so he had a rough idea of what was going on.
The reason was very simple. If there really was something wrong with these people, if they all had ulterior motives, then the successive changes in his plan should have long since alerted them. They wouldn't have followed him regardless of whether it was a trap or not.
If there really was something wrong with all of them and they sensed that something was wrong, then they would definitely try to probe him. If the probe failed, they would turn hostile. Because the other side had many people, they didn't need to be afraid of him. They wouldn't obediently follow him into a trap that might appear.
Taking a step back, if there was something wrong with all of them, then once he left the protection of the Inviting Moon Tavern, it was possible that they would make a move on him for the Retaining Immortal Sect!
Of course, some things still needed to be confirmed.
Seeing that he didn't say anything, Black Peony asked, "Daoye, is there a misunderstanding?"
With his back to her, Niu Youdao said, "Misunderstanding? Do you know Huang Enping and Cui Yuan? "
When he said this, Lei Zongkang's heart skipped a beat.
Black Peony was a little puzzled. She didn't know why he mentioned these two people. "I do. They're disciples of the Retaining Immortal Sect stationed in Star picking City. We're often in Star picking City, so we naturally know some of the people in the shops."
Niu Youdao slowly turned around to face the crowd. "Bang!" He raised the sword in his hand and stabbed it in front of him, sending the pebbles under his feet flying. Expressionlessly, he asked, "Why did you conspire with the Retaining Immortal Sect to harm me?"
Yuan Fang knew that Daoye wouldn't speak without reason. He slowly unsheathed the Buddhist Commandment Blade at his waist. He had already spent a large sum of money to buy a good blade from the Cloud Implement Sect's shop.
Black Peony and the others looked at each other. Duan Hu said in a deep voice, "Daoye, where did this come from? When did we conspire with the Retaining Immortal Sect?"
Niu Youdao said, "The location is the Inviting Moon Tavern! Yesterday, during the day, someone had a secret meeting with Huang Enping and Cui Yuan in the room. Yesterday, during dinner, I informed them that we would depart the next day. Later, someone ran to Cui Yuan's room to inform him. Last night, I changed my travel plans, and someone ran to Cui Yuan's room to inform him. "
Even the time, place, and people were pointed out. It was most likely not a lie. It wasn't something that could be brushed off with a simple "Is there some kind of misunderstanding?"
Black Peony and the others were bewildered. Their hearts turned cold, and a chill ran down their spines. Each of them sized up their own people. Could there really be a traitor among them? They had been brothers for so many years, and they had been through life and death together! If they were stabbed in the back, they probably wouldn't even know how they died!
Yuan Fang's heart was pounding, and he was also a little confused. What was going on? How come he didn't know anything about what Daoye was talking about? He had basically always been with Daoye. How did Daoye know about these things, and in such detail?
In the end, Black Peony, Duan Hu, and Wu San 'er all stared at Lei Zongkang. This was because Lei Zongkang's ashen face was too obvious.
"It was me!" Lei Zongkang suddenly roared. He stared at Niu Youdao. "So what?"
"..." Even though they had some guesses, when he roared out and admitted it, the three of them still found it hard to believe. They didn't dare to believe that Lei Zongkang would betray them. However, Lei Zongkang had admitted it himself.
Niu Youdao said, "Black Peony, I could have sent him away and dealt with him at any time yesterday, but I gave you face and didn't touch him! Black Peony, remember I told you to kick out unreliable people? You said that they were brothers who had gone through life and death with you and could be completely trusted. Good! I believed you! But now? Shouldn't you give me an explanation? "
Duan Hu and Wu San 'er stared at Lei Zongkang with grief and indignation. Duan Hu yelled, "Why?"
Black Peony almost crushed her teeth. She stared at Lei Zongkang and yelled, "We've been together for so many years. When have we wronged you? Why did you betray us?"
"I didn't betray you. I did it for the good of everyone!" Lei Zongkang patted his chest. He looked as if the heavens and earth could bear witness to his actions. He was very agitated. He pointed at Niu Youdao. "It was him! Ask him if he dares to reveal his identity. He can't even protect himself. He's tricking us into selling our lives for him. If I don't do this, everyone will die. The Immortal Retaining Sect won't let us go. The Yan Imperial Court won't let us go either. That's not something we can resist. If we follow him, we'll only die! "
How did the Yan Imperial Court get involved? The three of them stared at Niu Youdao in bewilderment.
Black Peony gritted her teeth and asked tentatively, "Daoye, who exactly are you?"
Even though Lei Zongkang was pointing at him and questioning him, Niu Youdao had no intention of arguing with him. He said calmly, "Who I am is not important. The path is chosen by oneself. I've never forced anyone, and I've never wronged anyone. If you're afraid of trouble, you can leave. I won't force you to stay. If there's anything, you can discuss it among yourselves. I don't care what the outcome of the discussion is, but you must give me an explanation!" He was implying that he wouldn't let Lei Zongkang off.
Lei Zongkang pointed at him and said loudly, "He's Niu Youdao! He's the disciple of the Shangqing Sect who was rumored to be a follower of Shang Chaozong, the Second-rank Yan Prince of Yongping. He's the Niu Youdao who caused the uproar of killing Yan's envoy. He's already been kicked out by Shang Chaozong. He can't even protect himself now! "
Kicked out? Yuan Fang curled his lips in disdain. He felt that ignorance was truly pitiful!
Whether he was kicked out or not, for these low-level cultivators, Niu Youdao didn't need to explain the ups and downs of the matter to them. However, there was one point that he couldn't help but interject. "Let me add that I'm not a disciple of the Shangqing Sect. I've already been expelled by the Shangqing Sect!"
No matter who brought up this identity, he would deliberately deny it.
These words undoubtedly admitted his identity, and it also proved the other meaning behind Lei Zongkang's words — that he didn't have any influence or background.
He was Niu Youdao? Black Peony and the others were shocked. They looked him up and down in disbelief.
The matter of killing Yan's envoy had already made Niu Youdao famous all over the world!
Lei Zongkang said, "He's already admitted it himself. Do you still think I'm selling you out? I'm doing this for everyone's sake! "
Black Peony shouted, "Then why did you hide it from us? Why didn't you tell us in advance?"
Lei Zongkang waved his arm. "You're still asking this now? Even now, you still don't know which side to stand on. Even now, you're still questioning me. Why didn't I tell you? What I was worried about? Do you still not understand?"
Niu Youdao said, "He's right. Since things have already been made clear, it's necessary to figure out where to go from here."
Duan Hu and Wu San 'er frowned. If that was the case, then Lei Zongkang couldn't really be considered to have betrayed them. It was very difficult for them to choose which side to stand on.
Black Peony suddenly turned around to face the three people and said decisively, "Listen to me this time. We'll go with Daoye! Old Lei, listen to me too. As long as you sincerely agree to go with us, we'll plead on Daoye's side for you. I believe that with Daoye's breadth of mind, he won't care about this! "
The reason why she made such a quick decision was because she had faintly seen some clues from Niu Youdao. She saw it as a chance to gamble on her future. If they helped the Immortal Retaining Sect, they might be able to escape danger once, but what would the Immortal Retaining Sect give them? She had only been with Niu Youdao for a short period of time, yet he had already given her fifty thousand gold coins. The gold notes were on her!
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