Chapter 22

Three days later, when Mo Xiang met Han Yingying, she indeed turned out to be a beautiful young lady as the rumors suggested. However, when she saw Han Yingying looking around with cunning eyes and sizing her up, Mo Xiang didn't feel very good about it. After instructing Nan and Zhu to drive the carriage and Mai and Guo to ride horses and guard from behind, Mo Xiang got into the carriage with Han Yingying and one of her attendants. This was Han Yingying's first time seeing the world, so she was distracted by the new sights and scenery and didn't bother Mo Xiang. But that didn't last long...

While Mo Xiang was lost in thought with her eyes closed, Han Yingying secretly gathered her inner strength and struck Mo Xiang's acupoints. However, it was Han Yingying who screamed in pain, not Mo Xiang.

"Ahh!"

Mo Xiang glanced at her, who was rubbing her sore hand and screaming, and then spoke calmly.

"Your hands are quite vicious. I was planning to leave you alone if you behaved, but since you started it, don't blame me."

Mo Xiang coldly sealed the acupoints of Han Yingying and her attendant, making them nervous.

"Surprising someone and making them suffer is my way, not yours. Now, what are you going to do?"

While Mo Xiang was thinking, the shocked Han Yingying shouted.

"Do you think you'll be safe after this? Let me go."

Regardless of whether Han Yingying cursed or not, Mo Xiang thought for a moment and then clapped her hands exaggeratedly.

"If it's a necessary journey, it's better to be comfortable. Since you two are occupying the carriage, this seat is too uncomfortable. Hey, Nan! Is the village far?"

"It will take two jiao to arrive."

"Then buy a big enough box for two girls."

"Yes."

After purchasing a box in the next village, Mo Xiang made several holes for breathing and then put the screaming Han Yingying and her attendant inside. She sealed their acupoints to keep them quiet and tied the box to the back of the carriage. Then, she whistled happily all the way to the next destination.

When they arrived at a village in the evening, Mo Xiang took the two girls out of the box. After unsealing their acupoints, Han Yingying's hand immediately flew towards Mo Xiang's cheek.

"Bad kid!"

However, Mo Xiang's cheek didn't change color, and it was Han Yingying's hand that hurt. Mo Xiang smiled and then slapped Han Yingying's cheek four times. The sharp sound of the slaps echoed, and Mo Xiang roughly pulled the staggering Han Yingying into a restaurant. After seating herself, she called the waiter.

"Hey, seven plates of dumplings and four bottles of sorghum wine! And bring some fresh vegetables if you have any."

"Yes."

Han Yingying, who was sulking, shouted.

"Dumplings? I don't eat that. Hey, what's the best dish here?"

Mo Xiang, who was frowning, glared at her and then at Si Junzi.

"Is there really something better than dumplings?"

Si Junzi, intimidated by the threat, had no choice but to lie. They were also tired of eating dumplings every day.

"No. Hehe... dumplings are the best."

Mo Xiang, smirking, ordered the waiter.

"Bring them quickly."

After the meal, Mo Xiang, who was in a good mood with her subordinates, picked up Han Yingying like a sack and went to an inn. She booked two rooms, sealed the acupoints of Han Yingying and her attendant, and threw them on the bed, instructing Nan to guard them. She then went to the other room with the rest of her subordinates to rest. Since Mo Xiang hardly slept, even a small room was fine for her.

The next morning, Mo Xiang unsealed their acupoints. Han Yingying growled at Mo Xiang but couldn't do anything more. After listening to her complaints for a while, Mo Xiang, looking annoyed, made Han Yingying shut up. Knowing what would happen next, Han Yingying quickly closed her mouth.

At the restaurant, Mo Xiang called the waiter and ordered the same as the previous day. This time, Han Yingying sat quietly. She was very hungry because she had skipped lunch and dinner the previous day. When it was time to leave, Mo Xiang had the box taken out of the carriage and said to Han Yingying.

"I like to travel alone and quietly. I don't want to be in the box, so you two need to make room for me. Will you get in on your own, or do you want me to seal your acupoints first?"

"I'll get in on my own."

Mo Xiang, after they got in, tied the box to the back of the carriage and set off. After a while, Han Yingying tried to break the box and escape. She jumped out of the carriage and fled with her attendant using light body techniques.

"We'll see when we get back to the sect! Bad kid!"

However, when she turned back to curse, Mo Xiang was already standing there. She tried to stop but, due to the momentum, both of them ended up in Mo Xiang's arms. Mo Xiang, holding both girls, said.

"There was a girl who didn't listen and tried to escape before... I remember, I made her quiet by breaking her bones a few times."

Hearing this, the two girls turned pale. Mo Xiang immediately sealed their acupoints. They turned even paler, their bodies twisting, and a cracking sound came from their bones. Mo Xiang, listening to their screams, waited for half a jiao and then unsealed their acupoints, smirking.

"How was it? Did you enjoy it? This time it was only half a jiao, but next time it will be one jiao, and the time after that, two jiao. I want to hear your enjoyable screams again, so try to escape again."

Han Yingying, grinding her teeth, had no choice but to follow Mo Xiang. After eating at the next village, Mo Xiang bought another box and made several holes for ventilation, saying.

"How about it? Do you know my preferences? Will you get in on your own, or do you want to be tied...?"

Before Mo Xiang finished, the two girls got into the box. They didn't dare to try to escape until they reached the next destination. When they arrived at a village in the evening, Zhu took the box out and opened it. Han Yingying, wiping her sweat with a handkerchief, enjoyed the cool autumn air. Even in autumn, it was extremely hot inside the box with two people. When Mo Xiang ordered dumplings and sorghum wine again, Han Yingying cautiously said.

"Um... won't you get tired of eating dumplings every day? Let's try something else."

"Hmm, but dumplings are delicious, aren't they?"

"There are many other delicious things. Ask Si Junzi, and he'll tell you."

Mo Xiang, frowning and glaring, growled at Si Junzi.

"Is there really something better than dumplings?"

With no choice, Si Junzi, who was also tired of dumplings, lied.

"No. Hehe... dumplings are the best."

Mo Xiang, smirking, ordered the waiter.

"Bring them quickly."

After the meal, Mo Xiang, noticing that Han Yingying was unusually quiet, let her sleep without sealing her acupoints. At midnight, Mo Xiang sensed movement in the left room. She followed quietly and found Han Yingying and her attendant sneaking out to the stable. Just before they entered the stable, they were paralyzed and fell. Soon, intense pain spread through their bodies, and the sound of bones cracking echoed. Despite their will, screams erupted from deep within their throats. A mocking voice came from behind.

"I thought you were going to the bathroom, but you were trying to escape. I told you, this time it's one jiao..."

After one jiao, Mo Xiang sealed their acupoints again, picked them up, and threw them into the room. Nan, who was guarding them, was also sealed and lying on the floor. Mo Xiang, smirking, unsealed Nan's acupoints. Nan, blushing, apologized.

"Sorry, I fell asleep..."

"It's fine. I left you here to prevent external intruders, not to watch these girls."

Mo Xiang returned to her room and meditated.

The next morning, after unsealing their acupoints and having breakfast, the two girls, who had suffered greatly the previous night, reluctantly ate the dumplings. Even if they were tired of dumplings, they needed to maintain their strength to escape. Han Yingying, forcing herself to chew and swallow, said.

"Don't you sleep?"

"If you ask Si Junzi, you'll know. I don't sleep outside, and even inside the sect, I only sleep for about one shichen a day."

"Then what do you do without sleeping?"

"Qi cultivation and meditation... things like that."

Han Yingying, realizing that escape was impossible, smiled and said softly.

"But have you thought about what will happen when we get back to the sect?"

"What will happen?"

"I'll tell my father to punish you."

"Your father, Han Yongsheng, the deputy leader?"

"Yes."

"Can your father kill me in a few seconds?"

"You're not even a match for my father in twenty moves."

Mo Xiang, smiling, said.

"Naive girl, in fact, it's the opposite. Even your grandfather might not last twenty moves against me. To say such things..."

Han Yingying, shocked, stammered.

"To call the sect leader 'grandfather,' you... you'll die a bad death."

"It doesn't matter. I call him 'grandfather.' And your grandfather trusts me absolutely. How do you think he plans to punish me?"

"Why would my grandfather trust a troublemaker like you?"

"It's simple. I'm the only one who can get within two zhang of the sect leader with a sword. Isn't that a sign of absolute trust?"

After thinking for a moment, Han Yingying, looking disgusted, said softly.

"You're the deputy leader. You refused the position of sect leader when your grandfather offered it..."

"Wow, you're well-informed. That's right. And you should know that I've sworn loyalty to the sect leader, not the grand sect leader or the deputy leader. Only the sect leader can give me orders, or rather, make requests. The sect leader asked me to bring you to the Wulin Alliance, and he didn't specify the method. Whether I tie you up and put you in a box or drag you behind the carriage, it's up to me. I'd like to drag you behind the carriage, but I don't want to damage your pretty face. However, since the sect leader didn't say not to hurt you, I might try that method later."

Hearing this, Han Yingying, though skeptical, saw a warning signal from Zhu, who sent a message secretly.

"The deputy leader is mostly telling the truth. And he's the type who will do what he sets his mind to. Don't provoke him further. He might really drag you behind the carriage."

Han Yingying, about to retort, swallowed her words. The cunning Han Yingying decided to change her strategy. She didn't want to be in the box again.

"Um... can we ride in the carriage? I'll be quiet, I promise."

After thinking for a moment, Mo Xiang said coldly.

"No. I told you, I prefer to travel alone and quietly. We've eaten, so let's go."

Without waiting for a response, Mo Xiang set off. Han Yingying and her attendant, knowing the routine, got into the box. Zhu tied the box to the carriage, and they set off. During lunch, Han Yingying, eating dumplings, continued to plead with Mo Xiang.

"It's hot in the box. I'll be quiet, so please let me ride in the carriage. I'll sit in a corner, I promise."

After continuous pleading, Mo Xiang, looking annoyed, finally said.

"Fine."

Mo Xiang sat with her eyes closed, and the two girls, sitting in front of her, dared not even breathe loudly. However, after about half a shichen, Han Yingying, growing bolder, started chatting with her attendant while looking at the scenery. Mo Xiang, remaining silent, let her voice grow louder. By the time they reached the village in the evening, Han Yingying was chatting freely.

After achieving one goal, Han Yingying tried to change the food. Starting with "Please, no more dumplings," she pleaded with Mo Xiang in a soft voice until they sat at the table, with her attendant joining in. People have a limit to how much they can hear the same thing. Han Yingying knew this, so when Mo Xiang frowned, she would change the topic, but soon return to the subject of dumplings.

By the time they entered the restaurant, Mo Xiang was exhausted and resigned to the situation. If she had gone crazy, she could have sealed their acupoints and locked them up, but she didn't. Mo Xiang had no choice but to listen. She had been eating dumplings to discipline this unruly girl, but she was also tired of them, to the point where her mouth smelled of flour. The effect of the two girls' persistent persuasion was evident when they entered the restaurant. Mo Xiang told Nan.

"You order the food."

From then on, the journey became more pleasant. After understanding Mo Xiang's temper, Han Yingying no longer provoked her and the journey was relatively peaceful. Over the next few days, Han Yingying learned that Mo Xiang could tolerate a lot of nagging, was an omnivore, and enjoyed being left alone but could also be coaxed into conversation and jokes. She also discovered that if she flattered Mo Xiang, she could even get gold coins.

Mo Xiang's gold coin skills had recently improved dramatically, impressing even her master, Xue Yaobi. At first, Zhu secretly suggested that Han Yingying ask Mo Xiang to show her the gold coin skills, and she was hesitant. Thinking there was nothing to lose, she tried to persuade Mo Xiang, who reluctantly showed her. Mo Xiang's skills amazed Han Yingying, and from then on, she constantly begged to see them.

Mo Xiang, who usually spent most of her time meditating with her eyes closed, found it difficult to enjoy such peaceful moments after Han Yingying joined her.

When Mo Xiang's group arrived at the Wulin Alliance, they realized it was much smaller than expected. While the Demon Sect's headquarters had a population of nearly 10,000, the Wulin Alliance was more like a small town with about 5,000 people. The reason for its small size was that, unlike the Demon Sect, power was not concentrated in the leader. The leader was usually from one of the five major families or nine major sects, and once elected, they served until death, but the position was not hereditary. The leader's bodyguards were sent by various sects, reducing the quality. The position of Wulin Alliance leader was more of an honorary title, and each sect had many ways to prevent the leader from having too much power, making it less influential than the Demon Sect. However, the number of high-level experts who followed the leader's orders was several times more than in the Demon Sect because most martial artists belonged to the righteous sects.

When Mei approached the gate and informed the guards that someone from the Demon Sect had come to pay respects, two guards came to guide them to their quarters. Mo Xiang, after being assigned a room, growled at Han Yingying.

"If you cause any trouble here, I'll tie you up and drag you back in the carriage. The sect leader won't say anything if you're a bit bruised after the formalities are over."

Han Yingying, sticking out her tongue, went out with her attendant to explore the Wulin Alliance, with Zhu and Guo following at a distance to guard her.

The leader's birthday celebration lasted three days, including martial arts competitions, creating a festive atmosphere. During the day, they attended various events, and in the evening, everyone gathered for a grand banquet. The leaders of various sects dined with the Wulin Alliance leader in a large hall. Before the meal, the guests from various sects presented gifts, and then the entertainment began.

As Mo Xiang's group approached the grand hall, "Man Bo Dian," the guards approached. A middle-aged guard with a black mustache said to Han Yingying.

"You cannot enter with weapons from here. Please hand over your sword."

Han Yingying, unstrapping her ornate sword, handed it to Mo Xiang, who passed it to Zhu. Mo Xiang also gave her sword and dagger to Zhu, saying.

"Wait here."

Mo Xiang, with a reluctant expression, followed Han Yingying inside, and four porters carried the gifts from the Demon Sect behind them. When they entered the hall, a red carpet led from the entrance to a large table, surrounded by various gifts. A guard announced.

"The Heavenly Horse Sect has sent guests to celebrate the leader's birthday."

When the Heavenly Horse Sect was mentioned, the crowd murmured and looked at Han Yingying's group. Han Yingying, bowing to a young man in his late twenties with gentle eyes sitting at the large table, said.

"Hello, my name is Han Yingying."

He smiled warmly and said.

"Thank you for the long journey. How is the sect leader?"

"He is well, thank you. Happy birthday. This is a gift from my grandfather."

The Wulin Alliance leader welcomed her.

"Please, come and sit. As a representative of the largest sect in the martial world, you can sit next to me without any objections."

The Wulin Alliance leader, warmly welcoming Han Yingying and showing her special attention, made her feel more confident. However, when she met Mo Xiang's cold gaze from a corner