Chapter 153: A Transaction

Although the sword qi within the Bright Deer’s body had been completely purged, making it feel much better—since these injuries could easily heal without internal sword qi and were bound to recover soon—the look in Wang Yuanfeng’s eyes made the creature feel as though it were plunging into an abyss of darkness. When Wang Yuanfeng sliced another wound into its neck and fixed his murderous gaze upon it, the deer had no doubt that a single wrong word would result in the immediate severance of its head.

The deer’s initially unyielding and defiant expression softened, replaced by a profound sorrow as it felt itself sinking into a bottomless chasm. The instinct to survive is primal in all living things, and in order to stay alive, the Bright Deer decided to submit for the time being.

Closing its eyes as if all hope had vanished, it then reopened them and looked at Wang Yuanfeng with a timid and fearful expression. "Fine, I agree to your terms, but... you must be a little gentler with me."

"Pfft!"

Wang Yuanfeng was almost choked by those words. Recalling the deer's previous fierce demeanor, a sudden chill raced up his spine straight to the top of his head, causing goosebumps to erupt and his scalp to tingle slightly.

Glaring angrily at the Bright Deer, he took a deep breath, swung his hand, and delivered a heavy slap straight across the creature's forehead while roaring murderously, "Get lost!"

The Bright Deer was completely baffled. Realizing that it had terribly misunderstood the situation—that Wang Yuanfeng had never intended to kill it in the first place—a wave of scorching embarrassment and awkwardness washed over it. Just as this realization hit, it received that resounding slap to the forehead.

The Bright Deer’s vision went black as it was sent flying through the air. Crashing heavily to the ground, it felt the world spin wildly before it finally lost consciousness.

"Spare him!"

Following the lingering aura of the Bright Deer—or rather, the horned youth—Taoist Three-Caves rushed to the scene. Arriving just in time to see Wang Yuanfeng swat the deer away with a single slap and step forward with unknown intentions, panic gripped his heart, forcing the cry from his lips.

Turning his head, Wang Yuanfeng saw a streak of light hurtling toward him at a speed rarely witnessed in his lifetime. Hearing the panic in the newcomer's voice, it was clear he knew the deer; coupled with the man's menacing aura and the heavy pestle he wielded, Wang Yuanfeng hastily scooped the unconscious deer up from the ground and pressed the edge of his sword against its neck.

With a flash, a middle-income figure materialized before him. The man had a pair of prominent front teeth and round, rolling eyes, and he clutched a heavy pestle that exuded a faint medicinal fragrance—undoubtedly a mortal medicine-pounding pestle.

Having failed to intervene in time and watching Wang Yuanfeng react with such lightning speed, even this Taoist, who prided himself on his mastery of movement, felt a chill of danger. Seeing the Bright Deer with its eyes tightly shut, held hostage in someone else's grip with blood seeping from a fresh slash on its neck, he spoke in a rush of anxiety, "Young master, please show mercy."

As he spoke, he took a couple of steps forward.

"Don't move any closer!" Wang Yuanfeng barked fiercely. "State your business from ten paces back, or I will kill him right now!"

"Alright, alright!" Taoist Three-Caves immediately retreated, stammering, "Don't kill him! I'm backing up, I'm backing up."

***

Watching the Taoist retreat the required distance, Wang Yuanfeng demanded, "State your business, whatever it is!"

Taoist Three-Caves cupped his fists toward Wang Yuanfeng and said, "I am known as Taoist Three-Caves. I can see that you harbour no personal grudge against Two-Horns here. If he has offended you in any way, allow me to offer my apologies on his behalf!"

"Three-Caves?" Upon hearing the Taoist's moniker, Wang Yuanfeng thought of the banners of the Three-Caves fluttering across the prefecture and asked, "Could you be the very same Taoist Three-Caves who holds dominion over these prefectural lands?"

The Taoist nodded. "None other than myself."

Wang Yuanfeng pondered the situation. These prefectural lands formed a vital thread of the southern region's destiny. If he could secure the cooperation of Taoist Three-Caves, taking control of the south would be within his grasp. However, since they were tracking down the crown prince's earthly soul, they were undoubtedly tied to the imperial court.

Seeing Wang Yuanfeng lost in thought, Taoist Three-Caves grew anxious and asked, "May I ask what it will take for the young master to release Two-Horns?"

"Release him?" Wang Yuanfeng echoed with a skeptical lift of his brow. "If you want me to release him, it is not impossible. I desire these prefectural lands. Hand them over to me, and not only will I set him free, but I will also bestow upon him a grand destiny!"

Taoist Three-Hollows hesitated for a moment, his eyes blinking rapidly while the corners of his mouth beside his prominent teeth twitched as if deep in calculation. After a sigh, he said, "If the young master wants them, take them. Just ensure Two-Horns is spared."

Wang Yuanfeng was momentarily stunned. He had expected to engage in a grueling negotiation, only for the Taoist to capitulate so readily. He then heard Taoist Three-Caves add, with a hesitant tone, "These prefectural lands have already become a breeding ground for trouble, besieged on three fronts. The young master must proceed with the utmost caution once they are in your hands."

Struck by these words, Wang Yuanfeng cast a surprised glance at the Taoist. Realizing the man was not inherently evil, he asked, "I perceive that you are no wicked sorcerer; why then have you entangled yourself with the imperial court?"

"The imperial court?" Taoist Three-Caves wore a puzzled look, though recalling the crown prince's presence, he ventured, "Ah, the young master must be referring to the crown prince!"

Wang Yuanfeng nodded, produced the jade vial containing the crown prince's earthly soul, and said, "The crown prince's earthly soul has been dislodged, and surely he himself remains here within the prefecture!"

"It is all a terrible misunderstanding!" Taoist Three-Caves sighed heavily before explaining, "A few days ago, the crown prince arrived in the prefecture bearing a secret imperial decree to rally the remnants of the imperial forces. Because my cultivation path seeks absolute freedom and abhors restraint, many of my subordinates are those who refused to bow to the three major factions of the south, which naturally led to frequent interactions with the court.

Recently, a fraction of those remnants sought refuge under my banner, which prompted the crown prince to track them to my domain.

I regarded these factions as nothing more than a burden anyway, so I was prepared to half-sell, half-gift the control of this prefecture to the court so I could retire to a life of leisure.

I never imagined that in my absence, the crown prince would clash with my two sworn foster sons, resulting in his soul being startled clean out of his body. That is why we were out searching for his earthly soul, leading to this unfortunate conflict with you."

Hearing this, Wang Yuanfeng understood the entire sequence of events and secretly rejoiced. Had the crown prince not come here and had his soul frightened out of him, finding someone whose destiny perfectly matched the astrolabe would not have come so easily.

Had the Bright Deer not intercepted him, they would have inevitably resorted to force, complicating matters immensely once they reached the battlefield surrounding the prefecture. Yet, the crown prince's sudden arrival raised lingering questions. He asked, "Does Taoist Three-Caves know the true purpose of the crown prince's journey?"

***

Taoist Three-Caves deliberated for a moment before answering, "He carried a secret imperial decree to act as circumstances required, and ultimately to take over the southern region once Marquis Wu'an pacifies it."

"Heh!" Wang Yuanfeng chuckled inwardly. *This fellow came simply to pluck the ripe peaches, without any concern for losing his teeth in the process.*

He turned to Taoist Three-Caves and said, "Since the Taoist is so straightforward, I shall show my sincerity in return."

With that, he withdrew his sword, pointed at the unconscious Bright Deer, and declared, "His destiny aligns perfectly with the heavenly constellations, bearing the aura of a star lord. The injuries he sustained were merely the result of a misunderstanding and pose no threat to his life. I now return him to your care. Once the affairs of this place are settled, I shall guide him to his rightful ascension."

Upon hearing this, Taoist Three-Caves’ mouth twitched violently, his entire body trembling as if overwhelmed by sheer emotion.

The pursuit of enlightenment was the deepest yearning of every practitioner. Though envious, the Taoist displayed not a trace of jealousy. Wang Yuanfeng nodded inwardly; it was clear their bond was genuine.

Taoist Three-Caves bowed and said, "On his behalf, I thank the young master for bestowing such boundless fortune upon him."

Pondering for a moment, Wang Yuanfeng tossed the jade vial through the air and said, "I leave the affairs of this place in your hands."

"Many thanks for the young master's trust." Taoist Three-Caves had not expected such unconditional trust from Wang Yuanfeng. Such a gesture stemmed from only two possibilities: either absolute confidence in one's own overwhelming strength, or absolute confidence in one's own judgment of character.

Regardless of which it was, it was something ordinary mortals could never achieve.

Seeing that Wang Yuanfeng was about to depart, Taoist Three-Caves called out, "May I ask the young master's honorable name?"

Wang Yuanfeng turned back, flashed a faint smile, and answered, "Wang Yuanfeng!"

With those words, he transformed into a brilliant stream of sword light and soared away toward the direction of Taixuan Lake, leaving behind the still-unconscious Bright Deer and a stunned Taoist Three-Caves.