Chapter 14

In the warm spring, as the petals of cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Moxiang continued his 'mad practice,' leaning against the window. That day, he left the pine forest and entered his house for the first time in a long while, intending to sleep. Recently, he had been going home every four to seven days. When he wasn't counting the pine needles, he spent all his time thinking about how to count even more. As he approached his home, he sensed that someone was inside.

'Three people. They are quite skilled, but from their aura, they don't seem to be from our sect. Then, who are these bold fellows who have entered our sect?'

With these thoughts, Moxiang approached the house. However, he did not reveal that he had already noticed them. Instead, he was already preparing for any eventuality and slowly gathering his inner energy. As he opened the door and entered, one of them pressed a dagger to Moxiang's neck. But since there was no killing intent, Moxiang did not counterattack. He couldn't kill them if they were sect members sent by the sect leader to test his skills. The dagger stopped about an inch from Moxiang's neck, and a low, threatening voice was heard.

"Be quiet!"

At the same time, another person beside him took the sword from Moxiang's waist. Moxiang glanced around the room. The man who had taken his sword had an irregular breathing pattern, indicating he was seriously injured. Another person was lying in the corner. Judging by the protruding chest, it seemed to be a woman.

'They all seem to be injured. They don't seem to be from our sect. Should I deal with them now? Or later?'

Moxiang chose the latter. These were people he could deal with anytime. He thought it would be better to buy some time and investigate their identities, so he obediently listened to them.

"Where are we? How much further do we need to go to leave the territory of the Demon Sect?"

"To leave the territory of the Demon Sect, we need to go another thirty miles."

The man who had taken the sword sighed in despair.

"Senior Brother, what should we do?"

The man with the dagger pressed against Moxiang's neck asked in a cold tone.

"Who are you, and why are you living here?"

Moxiang replied in a frightened tone.

"I have lived here for a long time. My father used to hold a position in the Demon Sect but was forced to flee here due to power struggles. I have been living here ever since. I practice martial arts a little, hoping to join the Demon Sect."

"Is that so?"

The man struck a flint to produce a spark and used it to see Moxiang's face. He then said to the person beside him.

"He seems to be telling the truth. He doesn't have any demonic aura, and he doesn't look like someone skilled in martial arts. Besides, he's quite young. Can you guide us out of the Demon Sect's territory?"

"My life is at stake. Hehe... I need some money."

"We can pay you later. Will one tael of silver be enough?"

"Since you're already spending, spend a bit more, sir."

"Alright, I'll give you five taels."

"Agreed. But it would be better to tend to the person over there first. I know a bit of medicine, so can I look at her wounds?"

The man put away the dagger and said.

"Alright."

Moxiang turned on a lamp and approached the person lying on the ground. The woman had severe external injuries and serious internal injuries.

'She was hit by the Black Demon Palm. This wound is from a sword, but it's not deep. She was hit a few more times, but the most severe was from the Soft Demon Fist. The user of the Soft Demon Fist, one of our sect's intangible martial arts, wasn't very skilled, and she has the pure inner energy of the Xianmen, so she didn't die. She must have been hit without realizing it. Her internal injuries are severe, and if not treated quickly, her life will be in danger. But this face is familiar... Who is she? I don't know anyone who has practiced the Xianmen's orthodox cultivation method for a long time...'

While thinking, Moxiang undressed the woman and inserted needles. Upon undressing her, he found that her external injuries were not as severe as he had thought. He took out some wound-healing medicine from his pocket and applied it, then gave her three pills for internal injuries. He also treated the two men. The man who had taken the sword had a deep sword wound on his abdomen, but it wasn't fatal. Moxiang gave him pills and applied the wound-healing medicine. The fact that they didn't have any wound-healing medicine, a necessity for martial artists, suggested they had been captured and had their supplies taken away before escaping.

There was one thing Moxiang couldn't understand. The woman had practiced the Xianmen's orthodox cultivation method, but the two men had not. Although their inner energy was stronger, the purity of the woman's inner energy was superior. In about twenty to thirty years, she would undoubtedly surpass the two men. Why did they have different cultivation methods? This was one of Moxiang's questions.

The next morning, Nan brought Moxiang's meal for his cultivation. Moxiang, who had been meditating on the veranda, took the food from Nan and said.

"Thank you, Yingying! I'm running out of rice and side dishes. Can you buy some for me? I can't keep relying on others. I need to cook for myself. Also, I'm running out of wound-healing medicine and Inner Strength Pills, so can you bring about thirty of each?"

Moxiang handed some silver to Nan. Nan, noticing that Moxiang's tone was different from usual, was slightly flustered and sent a mental message.

"Why are you doing this, Deputy Sect Leader? Have some escapees come here?"

"Don't tell anyone else. Just bring what I asked for. I need to investigate something."

"I understand. I'll bring it soon."

A short while later, Nan brought the food and medicine with the help of three servants.

"Thank you for your hard work. I'll eat well."

Moxiang gave each servant three coins as a tip. While doing so, he sent a mental message to Nan.

"Did you tell anyone else?"

"There's no need to tell anyone. Everyone knows they are at Deputy Sect Leader's house. Since you're here, they're staying put. The Sect Leader also knows."

"I'm busy, so I can't talk for long. Take care."

"Who are they?"

"Take care. See you next time."

Nan and the servants slowly moved away while sending a mental message.

"They are disciples of the Heavenly Earth Sect. The Heavenly Earth Sect and our sect had a conflict, and about three hundred of them were captured and imprisoned. Most were recaptured, but these three managed to escape. The Sect Leader is curious why you're keeping them here. Although he can't interfere with your actions, five high-level experts are waiting nearby. Please give your instructions."

"Ask the Sect Leader not to interfere with my actions. What are the plans for the captured Heavenly Earth Sect members?"

"No decision has been made yet. The Heavenly Earth Sect has lost about a third of their elite members, so they are quite flustered. They didn't expect this to happen. The secret branch was exposed, so it was sold and moved to a new location. The decision is whether to return them to the Heavenly Earth Sect for a ransom or execute them all."

"Then tell the Chief Elder, Elder Lü Zhigao, that I will handle this matter. I don't care what happens to the Heavenly Earth Sect members, but I have some concerns..."

The previous Chief Elder was the Demon Sword Devil, Lü Juefa, but after his death, his son, the Heavenly Saber King, Lü Zhigao, succeeded him. The Lü family was a highly skilled martial arts family within the Demon Sect.

"I understand. I'll pass the message along."

"Thank you."

"Understood!"

"By the way, is the Heavenly Earth Sect a branch of the Xianmen?"

"No, it's more of a Buddhist sect. I heard the founder of the Heavenly Earth Sect was a lay disciple of Shaolin Temple."

"I see. I might have more instructions, so come to the roof once a day. You can leave now."

At the same time, the presence on the roof disappeared.

Over a month, Moxiang learned a lot while treating them. He also found out the name of the woman he recognized. The men called her Su Shimei, and the man who had pressed the dagger to Moxiang's neck was the highest-ranking among them, called Tian Shixiong. The man who had taken the sword from Moxiang was called Lin Shidi.

'Su Shimei. So her surname is Su. Do I know any Su women? Su... Su... and the orthodox Xianmen... Ah, why didn't I think of it before?'

After realizing this, Moxiang treated them with great care. After about a month, their injuries were almost healed. They were grateful for Moxiang's kindness and gradually lost their suspicions. Once they recovered, Moxiang gathered them to explain the plan for their escape.

"To leave the Demon Sect's territory, we will have to be caught by the Demon Sect at least three times, no matter how we try to hide. The only way is to go out in disguise and act confidently."

"Isn't there a place with lax security?"

"There is no place with lax security. We will escape this way."

Moxiang drew a rough map on paper and explained.

"Going this way, we will be caught by five guards and noticed by people in hiding. But this is a busy path, so if I lead the way, I won't be suspected much since I often travel here. You need to disguise yourselves well."

Tian Shixiong, who was called the senior brother, looked at Moxiang with a suspicious gaze and asked.

"The path you mentioned is too conspicuous. Can't we go through the mountains?"

"The mountains are more heavily guarded, with various formations and traps. This is the headquarters of the Demon Sect, which has never been captured in a thousand years. Even if the mountains have fewer traps, the spies are so powerful that many people have died. If we're going to die either way, it's better to choose the safer and more feasible option."

Su Shimei asked Moxiang.

"Are you saying this is the safest path?"

"Yes. I have a pass for this route and often travel here, so I know the guards. We can say we are collecting herbs to sell in the city. Smear mud on your faces and wear the clothes I provide. If you wear your current clothes, you'll be caught within a mile."

They had no choice but to follow Moxiang. They put on shabby clothes and carried baskets with a few herbs. The guards, who had been instructed by Moxiang, did not stop them. Moxiang led them down the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain and said.

"Within a hundred miles of the Ten Thousand Peaks Mountain is the Demon Sect's influence. Once we're a hundred miles away, we can relax. We'll rest during the day and travel at night. Hehe... But what about the money? Shall we settle now?"

"We don't have money now. We'll send someone to pay you when we return to our sect."

"Give me back my sword. We're out of danger, and taking my sword is too much."

Lin Shidi, who was called the junior brother, untied his backpack and returned the sword.

"It's a good sword. I used it well."

Moxiang took the sword, sheathed it, and smiled.

"You're not completely rude."

Moxiang's tone suddenly changed, and they became tense, gathering their inner energy in a defensive stance. Moxiang ignored their actions and shouted.

"Nan!"

Nan, who had been waiting in the forest, ran to Moxiang and knelt down. Recognizing her as the woman who had brought food and medicine, their faces hardened and they became even more tense.

"Give me what I asked for."

"Here it is."

Moxiang took the small bundle from Nan and handed it to Su Shimei.

"I couldn't prepare anything good on short notice. Please accept this small token of my gratitude."

Moxiang spoke gently, and Su Shimei hesitated before taking the bundle. Moxiang then took out a small pouch from his pocket and gave it to Tian Shixiong.

"There's some silver in here. You must be penniless, so use it for travel expenses."

Moxiang looked at Su Shimei with a nostalgic gaze and said.

"It was nice meeting you. Take care."

Moxiang turned and started walking away. Su Shimei opened the bundle and found a pair of beautiful earrings and a gold necklace with a small gem. She was silent for a while, then suddenly remembered something and shouted.

"Uncle!"

But Moxiang didn't turn back and continued walking away. Nan, curious, asked Moxiang.

"Who is she?"

"She's my adopted daughter. I took her in when I was in Luoyang... I never thought she would join the Heavenly Earth Sect. She didn't want to be a martial artist."

"Shouldn't you at least acknowledge her?"

"No, I'm from the evil path, and she's from the righteous path. It's better for her future if this fact remains hidden. And with my young appearance, the other two won't suspect anything. They'll think I had some ulterior motives. Contact Zhu and have him secretly protect them until they reach the Heavenly Earth Sect."

When Moxiang returned home, Ju was waiting anxiously and said.

"The Sect Leader is looking for you. He wants you to come quickly."

"I understand."

When Moxiang arrived where the Sect Leader was waiting, the Elders and the Deputy Sect Leader of the Lingbi Pavilion were seated. Moxiang approached and greeted the Sect Leader, who said in a slightly angry tone.

"Deputy Sect Leader Moxiang, how do you explain this? Why did you let them go?"

"There were circumstances. Was there a decision on how to handle this matter?"

"No decision was made, but this is not a matter for you to handle alone."

"I humbly request that the Sect Leader consider releasing the Heavenly Earth Sect captives and secretly negotiate with them to maintain a peaceful relationship."

"Why the sudden change? The Heavenly Earth Sect, with about two thousand disciples, is a significant sect, but we don't need to bow to them. We can easily send elite experts to destroy them. Why waste time negotiating with them? Is there someone you know among those you released?"

"Yes."

The Sect Leader looked at the letter on the table for a while and then said to Moxiang.

"I didn't know you were so attached to a girl."

"She's my adopted daughter."

"Even so, you haven't seen her in over ten years, and she's not even related to you. Why did you take such a risk to release them? You should have consulted me first."

"I apologize."

The Sect Leader put down the letter and said.

"Sigh, I didn't know you were so sentimental. You were only together for three years in Luoyang, and she was the child of a servant. She's not from a good family, and she's not your disciple... You've already done enough for her."

"Still, she's my adopted daughter..."

"I can't understand. Since this is your doing, you must resolve it. Elder Hegu."

"Yes."

"Help Moxiang. And as punishment for this, Moxiang, you will be under house arrest for five years after resolving this matter."

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

"Dismissed... Tsk, everyone, dismissed."

The Sect Leader pointed to the Deputy Sect Leader of the Lingbi Pavilion and said.

"Stay. I have something to say to you..."