Qin Guan understood, but he was still puzzled. "Then why did you tell the truth at the start? Why say that an honest man does nothing in the dark and that you would report everything truthfully to the Sacred Venerable?"
Niu Youdao teased, "If we didn't scare him a little, would he treat us politely?"
Qin Guan suddenly understood. First frighten him, then steady him... Once he grasped the reasoning, he could not help laughing. Looking at the items in his hands, he cupped his hands and said, "For Purple Gold Cave to have sent an Elder to preside over the training affairs is the fortune of Purple Gold Cave. For the two of us to follow Elder is also our fortune, and we have learned quite a lot from Elder as well. With Elder here, we disciples are at least not so afraid of the future. Elder is the backbone of us two."
His words were a little nauseating, but there was indeed some genuine admiration in them. He had discovered that this Elder truly dared to act and take responsibility!
He even felt somewhat fortunate. Luckily, Elder Niu had come. Had it been someone else—even his own master—given what he knew of his master, he truly did not know what his master could have done in the present situation. At the very least, he was certain his master would not have dared act as Elder Niu had.
Niu Youdao said, "Enough. Stop with the flattery and get to work."
"Yes!" Qin Guan accepted the order and withdrew. He swiftly sent out the petition he had prepared.
Niu Youdao, meanwhile, took out a map—the one Chang Qingshan had given him. Under the lamplight, he compared it carefully and found the Sacred Lands where the Nine Saints each resided.
He