You Have a Problem, I'll Shoulder It!

That was all they had for now. You couldn't force them to produce something that didn't exist. They would just have to make do for the time being.

He had just picked up the small meat-cutting knife and was about to cut the meat when a graceful figure appeared at the door. Who else could it be but the County Princess, Shang Shuqing?

Monkey was nowhere to be seen, yet this woman had come instead. Interesting! Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes with a faint smile, raised a hand in invitation, and set down the knife.

Shang Shuqing walked over to the small table and knelt across from Niu Youdao. "Sorry to disturb Daoist Master during your meal. I beg your pardon!"

Daoist Master? Niu Youdao wore a half-smile. She had actually changed the way she addressed him to "Daoist Master." In this world, that title was Monkey's exclusive privilege. He smiled and said, "No offense, no offense. I don't have much of an appetite anyway."

Shang Shuqing asked, "Were the people below lacking the skill to suit Daoist Master's taste?"

That deserved to be called skill? Niu Youdao grumbled inwardly. He couldn't be bothered to discourage her, so he shook his head. "Today's events affected my appetite. I was worried that the Prince and County Princess would blame me."

Shang Shuqing fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "The dead are gone. All we can hope for is that the living can live better and give the dead an answer. That is stronger than anything else. Everyone should look forward. There's no point in drowning in the past and being unable to pull oneself free."

Both of them spoke vaguely, neither exposing the matter outright.

Niu Youdao smiled. "What brought the County Princess here to chat with me?"

Shang Shuqing went straight to the point. "Is Daoist Master preparing to leave?"

Niu Youdao smiled faintly. "I've had that thought."

Shang Shuqing straightened her chest and said with dignity, "Qing'er came here hoping that Daoist Master would stay and lend my brother and me a hand!"

Niu Youdao smiled. "I'm only a minor cultivator in the Qi Refining realm. I'm afraid I don't have the ability to help you two. You should seek out some other expert."

Shang Shuqing said, "To be frank, Daoist Master, and without meaning any disrespect, my brother and I have fallen into such dire straits that our future is uncertain and dangers surround us. No one is willing to associate with us anymore. Everyone avoids us like snakes and scorpions. We no longer have the right to be choosy. Anyone with ability is worth trying our best to win over. Little by little, we can gather strength, like grains of sand piling into a tower. I believe that one day it will become vast and surging. Besides, Daoist Master is Mr. Dongguo's disciple!"

Niu Youdao chuckled. "I don't know what relationship my master had with you. That connection can't bind me, and invoking my master is meaningless. Let's discuss the matter itself. Why should I stay and work for you?"

Shang Shuqing said, "If Daoist Master helps us, we will do everything in our power to provide you with cultivation resources!"

Niu Youdao raised his brows and drawled, "You can barely protect yourselves. Do you have cultivation resources to provide me?"

Shang Shuqing said, "That is why I wish to join hands with Daoist Master and strive together, not have Daoist Master work for us! Aside from having offended the Song Family, simply as a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, Daoist Master will find it difficult to find acceptance anywhere in the world of cultivators. It will be hard for you to obtain cultivation resources. Though my brother and I have nothing to offer you now, anything we obtain, no matter how little, will belong to you. If Daoist Master helps us, we will do everything in our power to earn cultivation resources for you!"

Niu Youdao toyed with the small knife on the table. After listening, he seemed somewhat impatient. "All right, enough of this rambling. Let's settle it this way!"

"Hm?" Shang Shuqing was puzzled. "What does Daoist Master mean?"

Niu Youdao said indifferently, "I agree to stay."

"Uh..." Shang Shuqing froze, her face full of disbelief. Had she really convinced him so easily? She had prepared for a hard battle and carefully composed a whole series of arguments, yet she hadn't even used them. It was settled just like that? Suspicious and uncertain, she asked, "Are you serious?"

Niu Youdao looked up at her and asked in return, "Does the County Princess think I'm someone who goes back on his word?"

Shang Shuqing was overjoyed. She hurriedly stood, straightened her clothes, and gave a deep bow. Then she straightened again and said excitedly, "Daoist Master, please wait. I'll call my brother over to thank you!"

"No need for thanks. You have nothing to give me anyway. Empty formalities are unnecessary. Just hear me out first." Niu Youdao ran his thumb along the blade in his hand, his gaze cold as he stared at her. "I can stay, but I have a condition. Don't let Monkey charge into battle, and don't use Monkey as a weapon. Otherwise, don't blame me for being rude!" The small knife shuddered in his hand and shot free, plunging into the meat on the plate.

Shang Shuqing froze, caught in a dilemma. Wasn't the reason her brother wanted to retain Yuan Gang precisely because he believed Yuan Gang had that kind of ability? If Yuan Gang wasn't sent into battle, what use would there be in keeping him? If it was only a matter of personal combat strength, then Niu Youdao was indeed more suitable than Yuan Gang.

After hesitating again and again, she found the choice easy to make. If she refused, he would leave and they would gain nothing. If she agreed, at least two people would remain. Since things had already reached this point, having something was better than having nothing. In the end, Shang Shuqing nodded. "All right. I agree, Daoist Master. I can guarantee it on my brother's behalf!"

Niu Youdao nodded. "Then it's a deal!"

After exchanging a few courtesies, Shang Shuqing took her leave. She had arrived full of spirit, but when she left, her enthusiasm had waned. They had retained him, but the result was not what she had expected.

Not long after Shang Shuqing left, another person appeared outside. Yuan Gang silently walked in.

Niu Youdao sat cross-legged, staring motionlessly at the food in the plate before him. Yuan Gang sat cross-legged across from him and asked, "I just saw the County Princess leave. What happened?"

Niu Youdao said calmly, "What else could it be? With a hideous monster like her, just looking at her ruins my appetite. Could I possibly be talking about romance with her? She hoped we would stay and help her and her brother... I agreed."

Yuan Gang lowered his head slightly. "This is my fault..."

Before he could finish, Niu Youdao cut him off. "It has nothing to do with you. I couldn't refuse the terms she offered. She agreed that if they ever succeeded, the two siblings would do everything they could to provide me with cultivation resources."

Yuan Gang lowered his head and said silently, "Daoist Master, I was wrong about what happened today. I said something I shouldn't have. I'm sorry!" He knew that some things could not be hidden from Daoist Master. They understood each other too well. Daoist Master had stayed because of him.

Niu Youdao drawled indifferently, "Saying sorry is a bit much. We've lived two lives, but in one of them we were brothers. If you have a problem, I'll shoulder it!"

Yuan Gang fell silent, the muscles in his cheeks tightening briefly.

Niu Youdao reached out and tapped the table, saying irritably, "Look at this, look at this! It's another huge lump. We're all refined men—can't you eat with a little decorum? Eating like a glutton every day is enough to make anyone lose their temper. Once things settle down, think of something."

Yuan Gang said nothing. He reached out, pulled the small knife from the huge lump of meat, and began cutting it into slices. His technique was practiced, and every slice was evenly thick.

Only then did Niu Youdao take out his own chopsticks, pick up a slice of meat, and slowly chew it in his mouth.

After cutting the entire lump of meat, Yuan Gang simply used his hands, stuffing the slices into his mouth one by one and chewing slowly.

The two of them sat facing each other in silence and slowly finished the whole plate of meat.

After Yuan Gang had cleaned up the scene, Niu Youdao stretched, grabbed the sword set to one side as a walking stick, and pushed himself to his feet. "Come on. We're full. Let's take a stroll!"

Outside, the courtyard was dim. The lanterns beneath the eaves cast swaying shadows, some lit and some dark.

Wandering here and there, they reached the courtyard where Shang Chaozong was staying. Someone went in to report, and Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Shang Shuqing all came out.

"Daoist Master!" They had all changed how they addressed him. Yet hearing the title come from Lan Ruoting, who was relatively older, felt somewhat strange.

Niu Youdao paused, then glanced at Shang Shuqing. Clearly, the woman's guarantee had worked—the others had agreed.

Since that was the case, he no longer beat around the bush. "I was under house arrest in the Shangqing Sect and know nothing about the situation outside. Given your backgrounds, you must have maps on hand. I want a map, as well as control of the surrounding situation and conditions—especially the area around the fief of Cangwu County!" Before this, he had never planned to go to Shang Chaozong's fief, Cangwu County, so he had paid no attention to it. But this time was different. He had begun to take an interest.

Yuan Gang, who was standing beside him, brightened. The moment Niu Youdao spoke, his bearing let Yuan Gang see the shadow of the Daoist Master who had once cut a swath through the martial world. He realized that Daoist Master was about to get serious—truly intervene in these people's affairs.

The few of them exchanged glances. In their impression, accompanying cultivators usually only protected their target or handled matters ordinary martial men could not. The way Niu Youdao was asking for a map seemed a little off.

Still, Shang Chaozong nodded. "We do. Daoist Master, please wait inside!" He gestured for them to enter.

Everyone went in, and soon someone brought over several maps. There was everything from a detailed map of Cangwu County to a rough map of the Yan Kingdom.

Just as they were about to spread the maps out for him, Niu Youdao raised a hand. "No rush. I want to ask about a few things first. I hope the Prince will answer truthfully."

The few of them exchanged glances. Shang Chaozong nodded. "Ask whatever you like, Daoist Master!"

Niu Youdao frowned. "Must you go to Cangwu County?"

They more or less understood what he meant. Lan Ruoting replied, "Daoist Master may not know this, but if we dare deviate from the route, we will likely draw pursuit from the Imperial Court immediately. With our strength, we have no ability to resist at all. We cannot afford that risk!"

Niu Youdao gave an "Oh." "If the Imperial Court treats you this way, why let you leave the capital at all? Could Cangwu County be some extraordinary place that can imprison the Prince like a cage, leaving him unable to escape?"

The true reason left Shang Chaozong and the others somewhat unable to speak.

Seeing their reactions, Niu Youdao said calmly, "Staying beside you is playing with our lives. My brother and I only have one life each. We don't want to die without knowing why. I want the truth! Speak if you're willing. If you're not, the two of us will leave right now!"

"Brother, Mr. Lan!" Shang Shuqing suddenly spoke, nodding at the two men.

Shang Chaozong slowly nodded as well. Lan Ruoting sighed and said with a bitter smile, "Back then, the Imperial Court found an excuse to arrest the Prince. It was clearly trying to put him to death. Seeing that something was wrong, I spread a rumor..."