Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 534 - 533 Everyone is Happy

Seeing both of them looking at him, Hou Niao spread his hands, "Splitting the Treasure Bead into three parts? I’m afraid no one would agree. Letting one family take it away would not sit well with the other two. A fight? The Monk thinks he has the numbers, while the Daoist believes he is unequaled, yet I’m willing because I know those who laugh last will certainly be me."

All fell silent. The Sword Cultivator’s words were blunt, everyone thought highly of themselves, but who could truly say they would be the last one laughing after a real struggle? They were essentially evenly matched: the Buddhist Sect with one more person, the Daoist’s Taiji Void Life Circle indissoluble, the Sword Cultivator’s blade too fast...

Hou Niao spoke with deep meaning, "Your silence means there’s some truth to my words. If we also account for the possibility of other unwelcoming powers coming after us, turning on each other here would be the most foolish act. After investing so much, would anyone like to simply hand over the Treasure Bead to someone else?"

Jiaye Monk sighed, "What do you propose?"

Tan Xiao, impatient, "Just speak if you have something to say, just fart if you need to, don’t beat around the bush and keep us hanging."

Hou Niao pointed in a certain direction, "In fact, we all seem to have forgotten something. There are actually four parties involved in the division of the Treasure Bead. Even though in our eyes the Winged Earth Clan receiving it would be a huge waste, as they can only use the Earth Spirit Pearl to nourish the mountains and spiritual fields... but we must admit, the original owners are them, it’s Heaven-bestowed!"

With a resigned air, "No one is willing to settle for less, not you, not I. But at this stage, after careful consideration, it seems like this is the only prudent course of action?"

No one was a fool, each as cunning as the next. Jiaye Monk thought it over, "Heartless Dao massacred the Winged Ones in Shanyin Town, a fact that cannot be hidden. It’s bound to spread throughout the Cultivation World and be subject to public condemnation. If we end up benefiting from this, we’re certain to face backlash, which is unavoidable. But if we stand in justice for the Winged Ones..."

Tan Xiao also nodded, "This Treasure Bead is stained with mortal blood; it’s hot to the touch! However, if we escort it back to their tribe and incidentally teach them how to wield the Earth Spirit Pearl, it would please both Heaven and moral standards. Compared to possessing a single Treasure Bead, this might not even be a lesser outcome? After all, none of us rely on such a bead for survival. My Chu Sect has always been compassionate to others..."

Jiaye Monk agreed, "This proposal is excellent, well said! Perhaps it’s the best solution for the moment; and let’s widely publicize the misdeeds of Heartless Dao as well. With this offsetting that, Heartless Dao surely won’t dare speak out and it will also lighten our burden. At the very least, in the short run, they won’t dare seek retribution."

Jiaye Monk smiled and clapped his hands at this satisfying thought. Now they wouldn’t have to bear the full brunt of Heartless Dao’s wrath, and it would be easier to deal with the repercussions back home, except...

"Delegate someone? Who exactly? We’re all in the same boat here; you two can’t treat one side more favorably than the other, right?"

Hou Niao smiled proudly, "A Sword Cultivator from Shan Sect dealing with matters fairly, never taking as much as a thread or needle from mortals, it’s a tradition of our Quanzhen; the same holds for this incident. My elder brother Luo Yewang Wang Qinglian is self-clean, refusing to mingle with those greedy ones, preferring to transgress direct orders over compromising the interests of the Winged Ones, which should earn him a glorious reputation!"

Tan Xiao retorted, "That’s nonsense! It was clearly my junior sister, Daoist Ying, who stood up first against all contention to maintain justice. How could this be credited to your Sword Cultivator’s efforts? The Dao Heart of Chu Sect is hard to find on the Continent, and my junior sister is its most distinguished representative..."

Daoist Ying and Luo Yewang, standing nearby, were dumbfounded by what they were hearing. This must be ’turning the hand for the clouds, covering the hand for the rain,’ wasn’t it? They had somehow become saints in the blink of an eye?

But that wasn’t the end of it, there was someone even more shameless.

Jiaye Monk raised his voice, "Buddhist Sect also has upright individuals who espouse justice for the Winged Ones. It’s just that your two factions did so publicly, while our Zhao Neng Temple’s traitor worked undercover, patiently waiting to assist at the right moment. Jialan, tell the truth, are you not a traitor?"

Jialan, listening to this by the side, was blindsided, "Elder brother, this is a misunderstanding! As your younger brother, my Buddhist heart is as clear as the sun and moon, when did I ever think about becoming..."

Jiaye Monk glared at him, "If I say you are, then you are! Dare to talk back?" freёwebnoѵel.com

Jialan was on the verge of tears, "...%￥#@MMP"

Hou Niao breathed a sigh of relief within himself, for him, whether he got the Earth Spirit Pearl wasn’t important, nor was the success of his own mission. What mattered most was ensuring that Luo Yewang wasn’t punished after defying Sima Mansion’s orders.

Now things were wrapping up nicely, Luo Yewang’s actions were cast as a credit to Quanzhen Sect’s reputation, and with the backing of both Chu Sect and the Buddhist Sect, Sima Mansion would have to acknowledge it whether they liked it or not!

As for the Earth Spirit Pearl, he had no interest in it anyway. With such an outcome, even if he didn’t receive collective merit, he should be blameless, right?

It was quite an accomplishment to bring some order to such a chaotic and unpredictable mission.

The group briefly conferred and agreed on their next course of action.

Hou Niao, ready to risk all, "A problem with the Earth Spirit Pearl? And two men killed? That’s indeed hard to explain, but if we continue at this pace, it will take the Winged Ones over ten days to reach a safe location in their territory. That’s too long and even enough time for Heartless Dao to regroup.

I could try to carry her and see if I can manage, to speed our journey. The rest of you, could you keep watch from the sky?"

Luo Yewang felt embarrassed, "Junior brother, how can we let you do such a thing? Let me handle it."

Tan Xiao waved a hand dismissively, "What is there to fight over? Everyone should try carrying her to see who’s able to do it more easily, who can leap higher, who can move faster... but first, we need the consent of the Winged Ones before taking further action, lest we harm them."

All agreed and took their turns at the task. Naturally, none could carry her as effortlessly as Hou Niao, in fact, most of them couldn’t carry her at all.

With duties allocated, the group set off immediately, daring not to linger too long; for no one knew how wide the news of the Earth Spirit Pearl had spread. The situation might have been manageable before, but after Teng Chongzhi’s intervention, even if he didn’t return to Heartless Dao for reinforcements, he would surely spread the word, enticing those fortune-seekers willing to risk their lives for treasure.

Since they had decided to return the Earth Spirit Pearl to its rightful owners, they needed to ensure this was done thoroughly. Such eminent cultivators from powerful sects may have some scruples and limits, but the rogue Loose Cultivators and wanderers of the Continent would not. If left unchecked, the young Winged Ones below would have little hope of survival, which was an outcome they could not tolerate.

Protection can never be foolproof, flawless, or completely safe, so the wisest choice was to leave swiftly.

With this strategy in mind, a group of cultivators began to perform their tasks.

Tan Xiao and Jiaye Monk took up positions above the Winged Ones as the final layer of protection, while the other four formed a broad circle in the sky, offering long-range warnings for the party below.

With such a lineup, including two True Disciples from major forces, their combined strength was formidable, making it virtually impossible for any band of rogue cultivators to approach.