They seemed to understand, but the three showed no reaction. Instead, they looked hesitant and indecisive.
Niu Youdao said, "Xu Huo, your master can't bring himself to do it. You take the lead." He gave him a look.
Xu Huo seemed to get the hint. He looked at his master, who was frowning in silence, then slowly knelt upright and bowed toward the three words "Black Peony," pressing his forehead to the ground.
Niu Youdao said, "Don't go through the motions. Show some sincerity. Say it out loud—say, 'Black Peony, I was wrong!' Don't stop until I tell you to."
"Black Peony, I was wrong! Black Peony, I..." Xu Huo did as told, shouting as he kowtowed.
Niu Youdao tilted his head toward another Myriad Beasts Sect disciple. The latter immediately followed Xu Huo's example, kowtowing and shouting, "Black Peony, I was wrong..."
Chao Jing looked at the disciples on either side of him. He had been high and mighty for too long; making him do something like this was truly harder than death. He would rather do something despicable and shameless than kowtow and admit fault.
Niu Youdao paced over, crouched beside him, and muttered in his ear, "I say, Elder Chao, is there something wrong with your head? Can't you see I'm doing this for your own good? At a time like this, don't you understand that a man must be able to bend and stretch? I came here with good intentions for your sake, so don't make things difficult for me. Don't make this trip a waste. Of course, if you're truly tired of living, I have no objection."
Chao Jing looked at the words on the ground, glanced at the black fox, then gave Niu Youdao an inquiring look, as though asking: Would this work?
Niu