Chapter 299: Mo Yu's Plan: Targeting Qi Shan
"It's the Black Emperor Sect's leader, Mo Tianxing?"
"I've heard that Mo Tianxing reached the Dou Zong level over a decade ago and has been in seclusion ever since. I never expected him to make an appearance today."
Seeing the elder dressed in a yellow robe adorned with golden serpents, the crowd in the hall erupted into murmurs. Mo Tianxing's appearance stirred everyone, and the atmosphere grew tense.
Mo Tianxing scanned the room, his gaze briefly resting on Bai Han and the fiery red puppet, Fire Yao. His eyes grew serious. Whether it was Bai Han with his formidable aura or the terrifying presence of the Fire Yao puppet, both had the strength of Dou Zong warriors, and even Mo Tianxing had to tread carefully.
As he shifted his gaze to Mo Yu and Qing Lin, a flicker of surprise passed through his eyes. Their youth clearly astonished him.
"Father, Sect Leader!"
Upon seeing Mo Tianxing, Qi Shan and Mo Ya immediately walked over, standing respectfully behind him. They both exchanged embarrassed smiles and said, "Apologies, Sect Leader, it's our failure that caused such a commotion."
Hearing this, Mo Tianxing shook his head with a light chuckle. "Elder Qi, you're too harsh on yourself. These two represent the Heavenly Serpent Mansion and Yuan Manor—two forces not much weaker than our Black Emperor Sect. It's best if I handle this situation myself."
Mo Ya and Qi Shan nodded in agreement. Both Bai Han and Mo Yu's Fire Yao puppet possessed Dou Zong-level power. In such matters, only another Dou Zong could intervene fairly, and the only Dou Zong in the Black Emperor Sect was their leader, Mo Tianxing, a Four-Star Dou Zong. Only he could defuse the explosive tension.
Mo Tianxing let out a hearty laugh, addressing the crowd, "I am Mo Tianxing, and today, I welcome you all to Elder Qi's gathering. I thank you for your presence."
His warm words drew laughter from the crowd. The Black Emperor Sect had been a powerhouse in the Black-Corner Region for many years and had built strong relationships with various factions. Mo Tianxing himself was known for his wide network of friends, and many of the strong cultivators in attendance had ties with him, whether deep or shallow.
As the hall filled with laughter, Mo Tianxing's gaze swept across the room, pausing when he reached the center, where the earlier conflict had taken place. His eyes locked onto Mo Yu and Bai Han.
Feeling his gaze, Mo Yu, still holding Qing Lin's hand, looked up and met Mo Tianxing's eyes. Mo Yu returned the sect leader's stare with a calm yet polite smile.
"Ah, so you must be Mo Yu, the Lord of Yuan Manor. Today is our first meeting, though the circumstances are quite unexpected," Mo Tianxing said, his voice carrying a mix of amusement and seriousness. "I've heard about your Dou Zong puppet, and indeed, the rumors do it justice. However, as long as you are within the Black Emperor Sect, your safety is guaranteed. I kindly ask you to put the puppet away."
With that, Mo Tianxing's gaze turned to Bai Han. "Grand Elder Bai, we've known each other for many years, and our sects often engage in trade. You know the rules: no fighting within the Black Emperor Sect. I ask for your understanding."
Bai Han frowned slightly but knew he couldn't argue with Mo Tianxing. The Black Emperor Sect's leader was a Four-Star Dou Zong, more powerful than Bai Han. Even the leader of the Heavenly Serpent Mansion was only slightly stronger than Mo Tianxing. After a brief hesitation, Bai Han withdrew his aura, though his eyes remained cold as they glared at Mo Yu.
Ignoring Bai Han's icy stare, Mo Yu, now assured of his safety by Mo Tianxing, retracted the Fire Yao puppet.
"In that case, Sect Leader Mo, I will take my leave." Noticing the dark look in Qi Shan's eyes, Mo Yu knew staying any longer would be pointless, so he prepared to leave. Without waiting for a reply, he took Qing Lin's hand and walked out, with the Yao brothers following closely behind.
Mo Tianxing was briefly surprised by Mo Yu's abrupt departure. Just as he was about to ask him to stay, he caught sight of the smirk on Qi Shan's face and decided against it.
Watching Mo Yu leave, Bai Han's expression darkened. He wanted to follow, but after a moment of thought, he narrowed his eyes. With Mo Yu's Dou Zong puppet providing him significant protection, pursuing him now would be futile. This matter required more careful planning.
"Boss, where are we headed now?" Yao Da asked as they left the Black Emperor Sect's territory. The Yao brothers were also curious about Qing Lin, not just because of her beauty but because they could sense a terrifying pressure from her. They were astonished that their lord had such a powerful and loyal servant.
Gently stroking Qing Lin's head, Mo Yu's silver eyes flashed with thought before he spoke, "First, we'll find an inn nearby. You three will keep a close watch on Qi Shan. The moment he leaves the Black Emperor Sect, notify me immediately."
The Yao brothers exchanged glances before nodding respectfully in unison.
After asking for directions, they soon arrived at an inn called the "Happy Guest Inn."
"Let's stay here for a few days. Qing Lin, you'll stay with me from now on," Mo Yu said, glancing at the luxurious inn.
Qing Lin nodded obediently, her beautiful eyes filled with emotion as she gazed at Mo Yu. She felt a pang of guilt. It was clear that Mo Yu had come to seek something from Qi Shan, but because of her, things had fallen apart.
Noticing her expression, Mo Yu quickly understood her thoughts and reassured her, "Don't worry, it's not your fault. Besides, I've never let anything slip through my fingers once I've set my sights on it."
A cold gleam flickered in Mo Yu's silver eyes. Having failed to achieve his goal peacefully, he was now prepared to use more forceful methods.
After checking into the inn, Mo Yu and Qing Lin rested while the Yao brothers gathered information about Qi Shan. On the third day, Yao Da reported that Qi Shan was heading to a place called the Thousand Medicinal Hall.
"The Thousand Medicinal Hall?" Mo Yu raised an eyebrow, his silver eyes narrowing as a plan began to form.
After making arrangements for Qing Lin, Mo Yu donned a concealing black robe and set out.
He soon arrived at a massive building—one of the largest shops he had seen since entering the city. The sign read "Thousand Medicinal Hall," and the place was bustling with activity, people crowding the entrance.
Standing outside, Mo Yu smirked from beneath his hood. He blended into the crowd, using his Dou Qi to gently part the people around him as he made his way inside.
The moment he stepped into the hall, the noise from outside quieted. The air was thick with the scent of countless medicinal herbs, so strong that Mo Yu couldn't help but sneeze. Rubbing his nose, he scanned the spacious hall, which was filled with transparent display cases showcasing a wide variety of herbs. Crowds of people gathered around these cases, inspecting the goods.
Not particularly interested in the herbs, Mo Yu focused on his objective. He retrieved the VIP token that Yao Da had acquired through special means. After a quick verification by the staff, Mo Yu was escorted to the second floor.
The second floor was much quieter and filled with crystal display cases, each holding precious herbs that gleamed with a faint light. Most of the people here were alchemists, evident by their robes, all searching for rare ingredients.
Mo Yu's arrival drew several curious glances, especially as he was dressed in a black robe rather than the typical alchemist attire. Though non-alchemists could enter the second floor if they held a VIP token, alchemists tended to look down on those who took this route.
"Sir, are you here to exchange for medicinal ingredients?" A soft, sweet voice suddenly called out behind him.
Mo Yu turned to see a beautiful woman in a red palace dress. Her figure was striking, and her demeanor was full of grace. "Yes, you could say that," Mo Yu replied calmly, his gaze briefly flicking to an elderly man behind her, who seemed to be meditating but was actually highly alert. With his sharp senses, Mo Yu could tell that this old man was a skilled alchemist—likely on par with Fa Ma.
The woman introduced herself with a smile. "I am Yao, the owner of the Thousand Medicinal Hall. You may call me Mistress Yao. May I know your name, sir?"
"You may call me Yu Mo," Mo Yu responded indifferently.
Mistress Yao's eyes flashed with curiosity. Despite her beauty and the subtle allure in her voice, Mo Yu seemed unaffected, something that few men could claim.
Just as their conversation was about to continue, a loud, jovial voice echoed from the staircase. "Haha, Mistress Yao, why didn't you wait for me? Were you worried I couldn't afford the prices?"
The booming voice silenced the hall as all eyes turned toward the stairs, where a red-faced elder in a yellow robe appeared.
It was none other than Qi Shan.
(End of Chapter)
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