Hou Niao felt utterly bewildered and indignant, but he could only swallow his anger, knowing this was not the place for him to act recklessly.
So he walked out of the altar, passed countless Daoist sectors, pavilions and buildings, and nobody minded him, as if he were invisible, insignificant.
Only when he reached the Great Dao did his anger start to subside. He could defend his case in front of the heavenly immortals above, yet he felt utterly powerless before the Daoist sect below. What could he do?
It was only after he left the Dao Mansion of Divine City and a light rain began to fall, letting the rain wash over him, that Hou Niao's clarity gradually returned.
Cursing and swearing was futile - this world only believed in strength. Without strength, you deserved to be looked down upon.
Thinking back on the events of the day, although he hadn't gained much, he at least hadn't lost anything either. It seemed the Daoist sect wouldn't pursue the matter of his indiscriminate killing of the Wang family's sons. Perhaps it was considered compensation for being used as a sacrificial object?
Regaining his freedom was a minor gain in itself. He couldn't compare with Zhou Qianyang, a Yijie wild cultivator who had managed to reach the Grain Avoidance Realm.
He was somewhat lost, not knowing where to go. He didn't want to return to Fufeng City; the old saying goes, 'Stand up where you fall,' but how could he stand up there again if he was still his old self?
Moreover, the Daoist sect wouldn't allow him to engage in such obviously provocative actions.
Yet he couldn't bear to stay a moment longer in Divine City, where it felt as if the whole city was laughing at him.
So he walked in the rain, not minding that his clothes were soaked through. For a lowly cultivator who had lost his sense of direction, he couldn't see where his hope lay.
Unconsciously, he found himself at the southern gate of Divine City, about to leave, when unexpectedly, someone at an open-air liquor stall near the city gate called out loudly,
"Daoist friend, please wait!"
Open-air stalls like this were commonly frequented only by soldiers and laborers for their simple and rough food that was served in abundance to satisfy hunger; it wasn't mealtime, and with the drizzle, there was only one person sitting at a table with a plate of beans and a jug of wine.
Hou Niao didn't ask any questions but went straight up and drank the wine in the cup to the last drop. Feeling hungry and thirsty, he had thought that today he would either get his wish or his soul would return to the Underworld. Unexpectedly, nothing had changed and he found himself completely penniless and embarrassingly so.
Chong Ling maintained his usual carefree and unexcitable demeanor, "You've taken the wrong path! You shouldn't take the south gate; you should go out through the north gate."
Hou Niao turned his head, "Shopkeeper, cut me a large plate of beef and cook a bowl of noodles, put it on this Daoist's tab."
After another cup, he started to feel warmer, "Do I still have a path to follow?"
Chong Ling nodded, "Yes, there is one! It may be challenging, it all depends on how you choose?"
As the shopkeeper brought over the sliced beef, Hou Niao didn't hold back, eating meat and drinking wine, all the while contemplating how to ask for some travel expenses.
"Let's hear it?"
Chong Ling watched him devour his food and was quite satisfied with his control over his emotions; though angry, he did not vent, though upset, he did not show it. This was a dog that didn't bark before biting, which was good.
"In a few days, I am to take up a post at the border of Liuyang, overseeing the defenses of a city..."
"Congratulations on the high position..." Hou Niao mumbled indistinctly, thinking to himself, what do your movements have to do with me, and how does it concern me?
"It may not be a cause for celebration; it could be a disaster. Liuyang City is located at the northern border of Anhe Country, strategically situated with convenient transportation, connecting all directions. It's the most vital thoroughfare for trade between Anhe and Shan Country. It feels a bit lonely going there alone with no one to rely on..."
Without hesitation, Hou Niao refused, "Hold on! I can't help with that; I lack the talent for business and don't have the prowess for combat. If I went, I could only help you with punishments and end up attracting a whole heap of troubles.
I know my limitations; I might just manage it in Guangchuan, but Liuyang, right next to Shan Country, that's a different story..."
Chong Ling Daoist spoke indifferently, "What is that place like?"
Hou Niao stuffed the last piece of beef into his mouth, thought for a moment, and said, "I've heard that the Northern Territory isn't very peaceful. The people of Shan Country are fierce and valiant, theft is as common as cow hair, the government is incompetent... and also, their Daoist Sect..."
Chong Ling shook his head, "That's not a Daoist Sect, that's the Demon Sect!"
In Anhe Country, discussing the Demon Sect was taboo, even for those within the Daoist Sect; but if it was among the Daoist themselves, that was a different matter.
Hou Niao did not continue, not because he was afraid of anything, but because he truly did not understand this so-called Demon Sect. His family had a legacy in criminal law and had been mingling in Fufeng City for generations, seldom leaving Guangchuan Continent, which inevitably led to limited knowledge.
Chong Ling returned to the main point and revealed his true purpose, "I didn't invite you to Liuyang City, but dispatched you to carry out a mission on the Da Feng Plain in Shan Country! That's the area inside Shan Country that borders Anhe's Liuyang.
There, the Demon Sect is holding their once-a-decade grand gathering, where anyone with the desire and meeting the criteria can join."
Hou Niao's eyelids twitched at the news. "Why should I join the Demon Sect? Am I eager to die quickly?"
Chong Ling was composed. He knew well the ambitions within this young cultivator's heart. Where there was desire, there was no risk humankind would not dare to take.
"Because I need a source of information within the Shan Country Demon Sect, I need a pair of eyes, a pair of ears..."
Hou Niao feigned ignorance, "Isn't it good for you to live your days peacefully in Liuyang City? Why are you so eager to know the Demon Sect's intelligence? If there's a real conflict, won't you be the unlucky one?"
Chong Ling Daoist stared at him, "Because I don't want to spend decades in that place, not knowing whether I can come back alive!
Conflicts happen every year, whether or not I keep an eye on those demon spawn. Rather than being caught off guard by an unexpected event, I'd prefer to take control of the conflict trends proactively! Accumulate enough merit quickly so that I'll have a chance to be transferred away from there!
To achieve this, I need my own eyes."
Hou Niao remained unaffected, "I see, you are dissatisfied with the Daoist Sect's arrangement for your stationing, so you want to gain merit quickly to switch to a safer and more relaxed place. But what's that got to do with me?
The Daoist Sect is not short on talents; those who enjoy its benefits should repay it in kind.
What do I owe the Daoist Sect? I have already been offered as a sacrifice once; do you expect me to do it a second time?
Daoist, are you trying to fool me as if I were a three-year-old child?"
Chong Ling Daoist did not get angry. He knew how to persuade this man. The foundation of cooperation is mutual benefit. If they couldn't agree, it was simply a matter of price.
"Don't be in a hurry to refuse, why not listen to my conditions?
If you agree to infiltrate the Demon Sect, whether you pass on important news or not, you'll be considered as having contributed to the Daoist Sect. When I leave, that will be the moment for you to leave the Demon Sect and join the Daoist Sect.
Whether the Da Feng Plain Demon Sect suffers a significant loss or the intelligence you provide is of great value, either one will be a chip for your exit from undercover to join the Daoist Sect!
I can offer you a guarantee here, in the name of the revered members of the Daoist Sect, that we will never break our promise or go against our word!"
Hou Niao fell into deep thought. He knew the efforts he had made in recent days had finally given him a direction, but he had no idea what awaited him at the end of that path – was it a dead end or would it lead to a brighter future?
He needed to weigh his options thoroughly.
To evaluate, then understand the importance; to measure, then know the length and shortness.