Chapter 817: Chapter 816: Heavenly Dog Returns
“Who are you? Shangyu is the focal point of the entire continent, you cannot run amok here!”
The Daoists were given a taste of their own medicine. The grassland people said nothing and just kept moving forward, but the human shield formed by their bodies left them struggling, only able to passively follow.
Wei Liao and the other Daoists were bewildered, as was Daoist Xi. Having just escaped from the tiger’s mouth, they now found themselves in the wolf’s den, with seemingly no other option but to yield?
“Xiao Pang, I’m sorry for dragging you into this, without even knowing why.”
The young man chuckled lightly, “Why bother knowing why? Just keep moving forward.”
Xi Lin weakly said, “We’re almost in the city, it seems we can’t keep up.”
The sweeping momentum of the grassland people was swift. They left the Great Dao, heading towards Horse Hoof Town, one of the Nine Towns at year’s end. By this time, even the slowest among them realized the origin of these barbarians.
Horse Hoof Town is the domain of Hou Niao, the Constellation True Inheritor. These grassland people, without a doubt, belong to the Golden Sword Vein, all practitioners of swordsmanship. Their purpose is unsurprising, but when did the Golden Sword Vein start collaborating with the notorious Hou Niao?
Outside the town, a group of Shan Sect sword cultivators gazed coldly at the approaching crowd. Leading them was Fang Yazi, Li Shipeng, Rao Zongzhi, Wang Mian, Zong Qian, and Hai Xixi, friends of Brother Hou, along with many other sword cultivators.
The Daoists felt they could remain silent no longer; they did not want to be swept into this den. Surrounded by fierce sword cultivators, how could they cultivate and comprehend the Way?
One of the Daoists shouted, “We are Wei Liao cultivators, being coerced, this was not our intention.”
Li Shipeng stepped forward, waved his hand, directing the grassland sword cultivators to open a path: “Aren’t you grown adults? How could you go the wrong way?”
The group of Daoists emerged in embarrassment, Lin Ziya still unwilling to concede, “These three aren’t from the Sword Vein, they’re with us.”
Li Shipeng turned his gaze, “Daoist, are you with them?”
Daoist Xi quickly shook his head, “No, no, the three of us are independent, living as free as clouds and wild cranes, with no affiliations.”
Li Shipeng nodded, then his gaze sharpened as he turned back, “Lying to my face, do you take us Sword Vein disciples for fools? In a different setting, you’d pay with your life, now get lost!”
The Daoists dared not retort; they had no courage to resist the largest Demon Sect in the Southwest.
Before they’d taken two steps, a synchronized chant from the sword cultivators behind them echoed, “Welcome back, Sky Dog Star! Sweeping across all lands, swords washing over all directions!”
The Daoists turned back in confusion, seeing the previously hooded Mang Lao Er unveil, revealing a face imbued with natural authority.
“Disperse now! Enough with all these unnecessary theatrics, there are still many elder masters in the town.”
It turns out the formidable person traveling with Old Man Xi was Zhou Niao himself. The Daoists felt a chill in their hearts, fortunate that Shangyu prohibited conflicts in the air or else today might have been their last anniversary.
Hou Niao turned, extending his hand, “Now that you’re here, be at ease. Horse Hoof Town has many dwellings, you can make your own arrangements.”
As the group moved inside, the Xi family ancestor and grandson still buzzed with confusion, never having imagined that the very person who reached out a hand alongside the Daoist Road back then was the Sky Dog Star, infamous among the twelve Constellation True Inheritors.
Yet, he wasn’t so unreasonable, seemingly quite amiable.
The group entered Horse Hoof Town in a cluster, making Daoist Xi uncomfortable. This was the hardest journey of his life, even though these people were straightforward, the pressure in his heart was immense.
Upon reaching the first street corner of the town, he bowed out, “Brother Hou, this old man will take his leave now; I cannot delay your important matters.”
Hou Niao nodded but focused his gaze on the young girl, Xi Lin.
“Some people doom themselves in life not from bad fortune, but exemplary upbringing!
The hardships in life and cultivation stem from that commendable trait of being understanding. Avoid attention, be humble, keep a low profile—these seemingly perfect praises fundamentally undermine one’s future.
This persona becomes a shackle, leading to habitual self-sacrifice and forbearance, as though yielding is the natural order. Such a character is always at a disadvantage as if others are certain if someone has to suffer, it will be her, and without complaint.
An ordinary person’s opportunities come from quick reflexes, sharp eyes, and ruthless actions, not by being humble or following the rules.”
With those words, ignoring the pondering young girl, the group strode away.
In her eyes, they were just an arrogant, flamboyant, rule-breaking group!
So, who exactly does history favor?
…”Enough, disperse, no need to act like the big shots of an evil sect.”
The sheer number of cultivators surrounding him was overwhelming, not only from Shan Sect sword cultivators but also from North An Daoist Sect, Golden Bloodline of the grassland, Loose Cultivators from Lizhi Sea, friends who fought alongside in the Northwest, and others.
Despite being ousted from Shan Sect Quanzhen, his popularity surged instead of waning, turning Horse Hoof Town into the most crowded and bustling of the Nine Towns at year’s end, unforeseen by many.
Only a few close friends remained, as Li Shipeng watched him stride toward the familiar flower shop, he couldn’t help but remind:
“Brother, the town still hosts many masters, Quanzhen and Anhe included, along with several familiar Golden Cores. Shouldn’t you pay a visit first?”
Hou Niao sighed, “Visit whom? How should I? Visiting Shan Sect Masters implies telling Anhe Daoist Sect that Hou Niao is rejoining the family fold? Visiting Anhe Masters suggests a good horse doesn’t return to old pastures? There’s no proper way to visit, so better not to.”
He paused, not hiding his thoughts from his brothers at his side, as it was neither possible nor necessary to conceal something .
“I will return to Quanzhen Sect eventually, but certainly not . You might think, since the Masters have already backed down, why not go with the flow and make everyone happy?
Have you considered, if we reconciled , why would I have stirred the water at the annual banquet? I could have easily secured a True Inheritor position and ended up expelled, my flying sword confiscated.
I undertook all this to not just return to the Shan Sect Quanzhen’s original path, as before?”
His gaze sharpened, “Some things can be compromised, but not this! On this matter, I yield no ground!
Regarding returning, they have to seek my return, not I, theirs!
Shan Sect Quanzhen must change according to my vision, no bargaining accepted!”
Noticing his closest friends, except Fang Yazi, were somewhat bewildered.
He smiled gently, easing the atmosphere, “But, such a large sect cannot be led by a small cultivator, lest it becomes a joke, hence, I won’t return until I am truly powerful.”
These words were heartfelt thoughts, and finally, he had the chance to voice them.
Looking up, his gaze settled on the sky, silently vowing: Old Daoist, I have begun to fulfill my promise to you!