You Have Something, I'll Carry It!

For now, these are the conditions. You can't force them to produce something that doesn't exist. Just make do for now.

Holding the small knife he'd been using to cut meat, he was about to slice it when a graceful figure appeared at the doorway. Who else could it be but County Princess Shang Shuqing?

The Monkey was nowhere to be seen, yet this woman showed up. How interesting! Niu Youdao narrowed his eyes slightly, a smile playing on his lips. He extended a hand in a welcoming gesture and put down the small knife.

Shang Shuqing walked over to the small table and knelt opposite Niu Youdao. "I apologize for disturbing Daoist Master's meal, my sin!"

Daoist Master? Niu Youdao's smile held a hint of amusement. She had actually changed her address to 'Daoist Master'. This title was exclusively used by the Monkey in this world. He chuckled, "It's nothing, nothing at all. I've lost my appetite anyway."

Shang Shuqing: "Is it that the skills of your subordinates don't suit Daoist Master's taste?"

Does that even qualify as skill? Niu Youdao grumbled inwardly, too lazy to crush her spirit. He shook his head. "It's today's events that have affected my appetite. I'm afraid the Prince and the County Princess will blame me!"

Shang Shuqing paused for a moment before slowly saying, "The deceased are gone. What matters is that those who live can live better. Being able to give an account to the departed is better than anything. Everyone should look forward. It's unnecessary to be trapped in the past and unable to extricate oneself."

Both were speaking vaguely, neither revealing the truth of the matter.

Niu Youdao smiled, "What brings the County Princess to seek out Niu for a chat?"

Shang Shuqing got straight to the point, "Is Daoist Master preparing to leave?"

Niu Youdao chuckled, "I have that thought."

Shang Shuqing straightened her chest and said with dignity, "Qing'er has come to request that Daoist Master stay and lend my siblings a hand!"

Niu Youdao smiled, "I am but a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage. I'm afraid I lack the ability to lend you a hand. You should seek out a more capable person."

Shang Shuqing: "To be frank with Daoist Master, it's not out of disrespect. My siblings have fallen to such a state, our future is uncertain, and we are fraught with danger. No one is willing to associate with us anymore; everyone shuns us like the plague. My siblings and I no longer have the luxury of being picky. Anyone who is capable, we will do our best to win over. Accumulate little by little, and gather sand into a tower, and I believe there will be a day of vast and surging power. Moreover, Daoist Master is a disciple of Mr. Dongguo!"

Niu Youdao chuckled, "I am not clear about my master's relationship with you. That connection does not bind me, and using my master's name is meaningless. It's better to discuss the matter on its own merits. Why should I stay and risk my life for you?"

Shang Shuqing: "If Daoist Master lends us a hand, we will do our utmost to provide Daoist Master with cultivation resources!"

Niu Youdao raised an eyebrow and said slowly, "You can barely protect yourselves. Do you have cultivation resources to provide me?"

Shang Shuqing: "Therefore, we wish to join hands with Daoist Master and work together, rather than have Daoist Master serve us! Not to mention that Daoist Master has offended the Song Family. Just by being a disciple of the Shangqing Sect, it is difficult for cultivators in this world to tolerate Daoist Master, making it hard for Daoist Master to obtain cultivation resources. Although my siblings and I currently have few cultivation resources to offer Daoist Master, any little we gain will be Daoist Master's. If Daoist Master lends us a hand, we will do our best to earn cultivation resources for Daoist Master!"

Niu Youdao played with the small knife on the table. After listening, he seemed to grow impatient. "Alright, enough of this rambling. It's meaningless. Let's just settle it like this!"

"Hm?" Shang Shuqing was a little confused and asked, "What does Daoist Master mean?"

Niu Youdao said casually, "I agree to stay!"

"Uh..." Shang Shuqing was stunned, filled with disbelief. Was he persuaded so easily? She had prepared for a tough negotiation, brewing a whole set of arguments, but they hadn't even been used, and it was settled? She asked with surprise and uncertainty, "Is that true?"

Niu Youdao looked up at her and retorted, "Does the County Princess see Niu as someone who goes back on his word?"

Shang Shuqing was overjoyed at this. She quickly stood up, tidied her clothes, bowed deeply, and then straightened up excitedly. "Daoist Master, please wait a moment. I'll go invite my brother over to thank you!"

"Forget the thanks. You don't have anything to thank me with. There's no need for empty pleasantries. Listen to me finish first." Niu Youdao fiddled with the blade of the knife in his hand, his gaze cold as he stared at her. "I can stay, but I have conditions. No letting the Monkey charge into battle, and no using the Monkey as a pawn. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite!" He flicked the small knife in his hand, and it flew out, embedding itself in the meat on the plate.

Shang Shuqing was taken aback, falling into a dilemma. Her brother wanted to keep Yuan Gang precisely because he believed Yuan Gang had that kind of capability. If Yuan Gang wasn't allowed to charge into battle, then what was the point of keeping him? If it was just for personal combat strength, then Niu Youdao was indeed more suitable than Yuan Gang.

After much hesitation, the decision wasn't difficult. If she didn't agree, the other party would leave, and they would get nothing. If she agreed, at least they would still have two people. Based on the fact that they had reached this point, having someone was better than having no one, Shang Shuqing finally nodded. "Alright, I agree to Daoist Master's terms. I can guarantee it with my brother!"

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

After some pleasantries, Shang Shuqing took her leave. She had come with high spirits, but she left with a sense of dejection. The person had stayed, but the outcome wasn't what she had expected.

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

Niu Youdao sat cross-legged, staring motionlessly at the food on the plate before him. Yuan Gang sat cross-legged opposite him and asked, "I just saw the County Princess leaving. What's going on?"

Niu Youdao said calmly, "What else could it be? With her ugly appearance, it makes me sick to look at her. Could I be in a romantic relationship with her? She hopes we can stay and lend her siblings a hand... I agreed!"

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

Before he could finish, Niu Youdao interrupted him, "It has nothing to do with you. The conditions she proposed were hard for me to refuse. She promised that if their endeavors succeed, her siblings will provide me with cultivation resources."

Yuan Gang lowered his head in silence. "Daoist Master, I made a mistake today. I said things I shouldn't have. I'm sorry!" He knew in his heart that some things couldn't be hidden from Daoist Master. They understood each other too well. Daoist Master was staying because of him.

Niu Youdao said casually and slowly, "Saying sorry is a bit much. Two lives, one brotherhood. If you have something, I'll bear it!"

Yuan Gang remained silent, his jaw tightening slightly.

Niu Youdao tapped the table with his hand and said impatiently, "Look at this, look at this. It's another huge chunk. We're all civilized people, can't you eat with a little more grace? Seeing you eat like a glutton every day makes me agitated. When we settle down, you think of a way."

Yuan Gang didn't say anything. He reached out, pulled the small knife from the chunk of meat, and began slicing the meat into pieces. His knife skills were proficient, and the meat slices were of uniform thickness.

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

After finishing slicing the entire chunk of meat, Yuan Gang directly used his hands to grab the slices and eat them, chewing each piece carefully.

The two of them ate the entire plate of meat in silence, sitting opposite each other.

After Yuan Gang had cleaned up the scene, Niu Youdao stretched, grabbed the sword placed beside him to use as a cane, and stood up. "Let's go for a stroll after eating!"

They went outside. The courtyard was dim, and lanterns swayed under the eaves, some lit, some not.

Wandering around, they arrived at the courtyard where Shang Chaozong was staying. Someone went in to announce their arrival, and Shang Chaozong, Lan Ruoting, and Shang Shuqing all came out.

"Daoist Master!" They greeted him, and their address had changed. However, hearing the address from the older Lan Ruoting felt a bit strange.

Niu Youdao paused for a moment and glanced at Shang Shuqing. It was clear that her guarantee had been effective, and they had agreed.

Since that was the case, he decided to get straight to the point. "I've been confined at the Shangqing Sect and am not aware of the outside situation. You all must have maps readily available. I want maps, and I need to understand the surrounding situation and conditions, especially in the area of Cangwu County and its fiefdom!" Before this, he had never considered going to Shang Chaozong's fiefdom in Cangwu County, so he hadn't paid much attention to it. But this time was different; he was starting to pay attention.

Yuan Gang, standing beside him, perked up. As soon as Niu Youdao spoke, his demeanor made Yuan Gang see the shadow of the Daoist Master who had once dominated the martial world. He realized that Daoist Master was getting serious this time and was truly going to formally involve himself in these people's affairs.

The group exchanged glances. In their impression, escorting cultivators were usually there to protect the target or perform tasks beyond the capabilities of ordinary warriors. The way this person was asking for maps seemed a bit off.

However, Shang Chaozong still nodded and said, "Yes, Daoist Master, please wait inside!" He gestured for them to enter.

The group went inside, and soon someone brought several maps, ranging from detailed maps of Cangwu County to a general map of the Yan Kingdom.

Just as they were about to help him spread out the maps, Niu Youdao raised his hand. "No rush. Let's ask some questions first. I hope the Prince can be truthful."

The group exchanged a look, and Shang Chaozong nodded. "Daoist Master, please speak freely!"

Niu Youdao frowned. "Is it absolutely necessary to go to Cangwu County?"

The group seemed to understand his implication. Lan Ruoting replied, "Daoist Master, you may not know, but if we dare to deviate from the route, we'll likely be immediately pursued and killed by the Imperial Court. With our strength, we have no ability to resist. We cannot afford that risk!"

Niu Youdao said, "Oh. If the Imperial Court treats you this way, why did they let you leave the capital? Is Cangwu County some incredibly important place that can trap the Prince like a cage, preventing him from escaping?"

The true reason behind it made Shang Chaozong and the others somewhat reluctant to speak.

Seeing their reactions, Niu Youdao calmly said, "Being with you means risking our lives. My brother and I only have one life, and we don't want to die in confusion. I want to hear the truth! If you're willing to tell, tell. If not, my brother and I will leave immediately!"

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

Shang Chaozong then slowly nodded as well. Lan Ruoting sighed and gave a wry smile. "At the time, the Imperial Court used an excuse to arrest the Prince, clearly intending to put him to death. Seeing that things were not right, I spread a rumor..."