Chapter 71

Reunion with the Monster

Bai Yunyu and Chao Liubin traveled together for almost two weeks to reach the Bai family estate, during which they closely observed Mo Xiang, a demon sect member they had never encountered before. Chao Liubin, who had entrusted her life to Mo Xiang, was ready to run away if she found her master unsuitable. Bai Yunyu, on the other hand, had only heard about the "evil demon sect member" and was seeing one for the first time.

In any case, through their intense observation, the two of them learned a few things about Mo Xiang. Indeed, as they had heard, she was a demon sect member. Her free-spirited nature was unbound by any conventions or formalities. Moreover, she had no respect for the traditions and hierarchies that were common in the martial world. This became evident on the fourth day of their journey to the Bai family estate when they encountered twelve disciples of the well-known "Jin Wu Men" (晋武门), a righteous sect. Despite wearing a veil, Mo Xiang saw a young lady and her servant and playfully teased them, only to break the legs of three and shatter the arm bones of four of the disciples. Astonishingly, she did this with a smile, without any hesitation.

When the five bodyguards of the young lady arrived with horses and a carriage, they realized who they had provoked and quickly fled. However, Mo Xiang's cruel expression left a lasting impression on Bai Yunyu and her servant.

Mo Xiang was quite kind to people who were not martial artists, especially to Chao Liubin, who had become her subordinate. She paid considerable attention to Chao Liubin, even evaluating his martial arts skills. One day, Bai Yunyu, feeling a bit jealous of Mo Xiang's warmth towards her servant, made a comment.

"Do you have feelings for Jin Lang? Would you like to borrow him for the night?"

In those times, it was not uncommon for a master to lend a favored servant to a guest. Thus, Mo Xiang initially took the question lightly.

"No, it's not necessary."

"You seem both weak and strong towards women. I can't quite figure you out. Can you give me a hint?"

"Hmm, as long as you don't try to pry into my inner thoughts, I can get along with anyone. That's why I can't get along with you."

With that, Mo Xiang, with a sour expression, left to take a bath, leaving Bai Yunyu behind.

Through the long journey to the Bai family estate, Bai Yunyu, Chao Liubin, the servant, and the five bodyguards came to understand Mo Xiang's eccentric personality. They concluded that she was unpredictable, like a ball that could bounce in any direction, and the best strategy was to avoid provoking her.

The servant adapted to Mo Xiang's personality the fastest. Having served in the Bai family estate since childhood, she was quick to read her master's moods and knew how to avoid trouble. A good master was fine, but a difficult one could lead to a slap at any moment.

In this sense, Mo Xiang's straightforward personality, without any pretense, was the best for those who served her. If she seemed unhappy, it was best to stay away. If she seemed happy, one might even get to hear her play the qin (a traditional Chinese zither) if they lingered nearby.

The bodyguards adapted next. Their conclusion was simple: as long as they didn't provoke her, they could stay out of her way. She wouldn't come looking for trouble if they kept a low profile. Thus, they could just stand far away and watch whatever happened.

Perhaps the person who found it hardest to adapt to Mo Xiang's personality was Bai Yunyu. As the pampered daughter of the Bai family estate, she had grown up surrounded by people who catered to her every need. Her clash with Mo Xiang's unpredictable nature was inevitable. After a slap two days ago, she had finally decided to ignore Mo Xiang.

When the carriage arrived at a large manor, their journey came to an end. Once known as Bai Family Manor, it had grown into the Bai family estate, a massive martial organization with over a thousand members. The estate had expanded its influence through various businesses, using its martial power as a foundation.

Even the demon sect, known for its evil and terrifying power, controlled numerous businesses, both openly and secretly. The martial world and the business world were inseparable. People needed more than just soil and air to survive, so strong martial power was necessary to protect their business interests, and more money was needed to maintain that power. Thus, whether a sect had excellent martial arts or not was irrelevant. The key was to protect their own business interests and, if possible, seize others'.

Losing business interests meant losing money, which in turn meant fewer martial artists to maintain. Why did they lose business interests? In most cases, it was due to competition and conflict between sects, not fair trade. This led to numerous disputes in the martial world, where once-renowned families could become destitute overnight.

Considering this, the development of a small manor, once known as Bai Family Manor, into a massive sect with over a thousand members was a testament to the outstanding abilities of its leaders.

"Welcome back."

A man in his forties, dressed in the attire of a scholar, greeted Bai Yunyu as she stepped out of the carriage. He was a towering figure, nearly six feet tall.

"I'm back, Father."

"Who are they?"

"These are Chao Liubin, the Sword of the Chao family, and Mo Xiang, the branch leader. This is my father."

"Oh, welcome. Please come in."

Bai Yunyu introduced them, and Bai Shang, the deputy head of the Bai family estate, lightly clasped his hands in greeting. Mo Xiang and Chao Liubin returned the gesture. Mo Xiang, indifferent to such formalities, still acknowledged the respect due to a major righteous sect.

"It's an honor to meet you."

"Hehe, please come inside. I have some good tea."

The fragrant aroma of Longjing tea filled the air as the host and guests began their conversation. However, Bai Shang, having learned about Mo Xiang through Bai Yunyu's telepathic message, found the atmosphere less than pleasant. A demon sect member in the courtyard of the righteous Bai family estate was unsettling. But Bai Shang dared not provoke her, sensing her formidable strength. If she had seemed weak, he might have disabled her and driven her away, but she did not. With Chao Liubin by her side, it was unwise to risk humiliation or even death.

"Hehe, did my daughter cause any trouble during the journey?"

"..."

"Would you like more tea?"

"..."

Mo Xiang remained silent, and the awkward atmosphere was only somewhat alleviated by the chatter of Chao Liubin and Bai Yunyu. Finally, after finishing his tea, Mo Xiang stood up.

"I need to rest. Please show me to my room. And if anyone is looking for me, please inform me immediately."

"…Of course."

After Mo Xiang left, Bai Shang turned to his daughter with a barrage of questions.

"What exactly happened?"

"As I told you, we met her by chance. From what I gathered, it seems the demon sect was not involved in the tomb of Gu Hui. According to Mo Xiang, the demon sect is not particularly interested in the tomb. Given her high rank in the demon sect, her words seem credible."

Bai Shang listened to his daughter's explanation with a skeptical air. After all, just because a high-ranking official said something didn't mean it was true. It could very well be a lie. Chao Liubin, who had been listening, added his own insights.

"I believe her assessment is correct. From our conversations, it seems she holds a position within the top twenty of the demon sect. She was also a key figure in the recent rebellion in the Shanxi branch. Based on our travels together, I don't think she was lying. Of course, there are likely many things she didn't reveal."

Bai Shang was shocked. If Mo Xiang was indeed within the top twenty of the demon sect, she must possess incredible martial prowess. He felt a chill run down his spine. If he had provoked her earlier, the Bai family estate could have been wiped out.

"Within the top twenty of the demon sect?"

"Yes."

"Her name is Mo Xiang?"

"Yes."

"It's an unusual name. Perhaps it's an alias?"

"I don't think so. Her actions suggest otherwise."

"We can verify that. If she was a key figure in the rebellion, that's significant."

"By the way, we encountered some very unusual individuals. Among the group that tried to kidnap Princess Zhen Ying, there were experts wearing blood-red robes. Mo Xiang fought them. I didn't see the entire battle, but about eight of them surrounded her in a formation. They chanted strange incantations and then a leader joined them, emitting a black aura that enveloped Mo Xiang. After a while, there was a massive explosion. Mo Xiang emerged, saying it was a deadly poison. Her clothes were completely burned away, showing how potent it was. My description might be a bit disjointed, but are there any martial artists in the Jianghu who use such techniques?"

"Blood-red robes, incantations, black aura, poison, and a massive explosion…"

"Also, their weapons were unique. They used iron rods about five feet long with skull-shaped heads."

"Skull-shaped heads? Could it be the Chuxie Bang (出邪棒)? But that's a weapon of the Blood Sect… Are you sure it was a skull shape?"

"Yes, it was a skull shape. I couldn't bring any of their weapons because the area was heavily poisoned, but I saw their torn corpses."

"Torn corpses?"

"There was a massive explosion. Mo Xiang was at the center, and the blood-robed individuals were caught in it. Most of their bodies were completely destroyed. After a while, the corpses melted due to the poison."

"Hmm, the Blood Sect, once thought to be extinct after being crushed in the imperial palace, seems to be resurfacing. If they were involved in the kidnapping of Princess Zhen Ying, there can only be one reason."

"What is it, Father?"

"The collaboration between Prince Zhen Tian and the Blood Sect. That's the only explanation. The Blood Sect wants the martial world, and Prince Zhen Tian wants the imperial court. They share the same goal of controlling the Central Plains, but their methods differ, making a collaboration possible. Prince Zhen Tian needs the Blood Sect's power, and the Blood Sect wants to expand its influence during the chaos. The existing martial sects are likely to side with the imperial court, not Prince Zhen Tian, so this collaboration benefits both parties."

"From what I've heard, the Blood Sect once destroyed forty percent of the demon sect's forces. The demon sect suffered greatly for nearly thirty years, trying to rebuild. If the Blood Sect is now resurfacing, they must have made significant preparations. In a recent battle, the Chanhuan Black Wind Gang, which is almost on par with the demon sect, lost over two thousand members and had over seven thousand injured while destroying just one branch of the Blood Sect. If they were to face the Blood Sect head-on, the casualties would be even higher."

"That's different. Fighting humans is different from fighting zombies. Humans can get tired and injured, affecting their combat ability. Zombies, however, are different. Fighting zombies requires only the strongest martial artists who can cut them down with a single strike. Otherwise, they become a hindrance. Only the most skilled can effectively combat zombies. If the demon sect, with its five thousand elite members, were to attack, they would suffer far fewer casualties. The demon sect is a powerful sect with nearly five thousand elite members."

"Then why did the Chanhuan Black Wind Gang, which was once considered on par with the demon sect, collapse so easily?"

"That was due to the leadership of General Yu Yingzhen and the strong armor that provided excellent protection. The Chanhuan Black Wind Gang's reputation was built on these factors. However, fighting zombies is different. If they had faced the demon sect on a vast plain, the outcome would have been different."

"Does that mean the demon sect is so powerful that no one can stand against them?"

"No. Unlike the Blood Sect, the demon sect doesn't use zombies. That's why they are suppressed by the righteous sects. In a human-on-human fight, numbers matter. When the conflict with the demon sect begins, even reclusive experts will emerge, giving the righteous sects a numerical advantage. In fact, with these experts, the righteous sects have a significant edge. However, the demon sect is a cohesive force, while the righteous sects are scattered. They only unite in times of great crisis, which is why the demon sect still maintains its influence. Just like stagnant water, the righteous world will eventually breed corruption, making it no different from the demon sect. It's better for them to coexist and check each other."

After bathing, Mo Xiang sat in a chair and slowly sipped from a bottle of wine. The small annex where she was staying was a quiet, well-decorated place. The furniture was of good quality, indicating that the Bai family estate was quite prosperous. The garden, visible from her chair, was meticulously maintained with beautiful flowers.

Mo Xiang slowly stood and walked into the garden. Despite the garden being a perfect place for assassins to hide, Mo Xiang sensed no danger. The well-kept garden only pleased her eyes. She walked to a corner where chrysanthemums were growing. Although the flowers had not yet bloomed, the fresh, unblemished green leaves promised a beautiful display in autumn.

Even after regaining her memories, Mo Xiang's fondness for chrysanthemums remained. She no longer loved them obsessively, but they reminded her of a loyal assassin who had sacrificed his life for her. Out of respect, she still favored them more than other flowers.

As Mo Xiang gazed at the garden, a person entered. Turning, she saw a beautiful woman in her early forties. The woman seemed surprised to find someone there and greeted her warmly.

"This place is rarely visited. Are you staying here?"

"Yes, I apologize, but who are you?"

"I am the wife of Deputy Head Bai Shang."

The woman did not reveal her name to a stranger, but Mo Xiang understood. The old master was likely retired, and his wife was probably close to retirement. Thus, this middle-aged woman was likely the current mistress of the Bai family estate.

"Oh, I see. I am Mo Xiang, a guest here."

"The garden is beautiful. I often come here when I feel restless. Your presence here suggests you are a valued guest."

"Not particularly. I'll take my leave now. It's a beautiful garden. I hope it brings you some comfort."

Mo Xiang had a reason for being polite to the older woman. In the martial world, male experts were numerous, but female experts were rare. If both husband and wife were obsessed with martial arts, the household would suffer. Thus, if the husband was obsessed, the wife had to manage the household.

Managing the household… It was a noble term, but in reality, the wife had to run the household while the husband was locked away in his training room or, in the case of non-martial individuals, buried in studies. Therefore, it was rare for a wife to be stronger in martial arts than her husband, but if she was, she must be an extraordinary person. She would need to be several times more intelligent to maintain her martial skills while managing the household. It was a feat that required immense diligence.

Men and women received different educations from birth. Men were trained to dominate the world, learning martial arts or useless studies to achieve fame. Women, on the other hand, were taught practical skills. Noblewomen learned from their mothers how to manage numerous servants, employees, and sometimes even slaves, handling various businesses, including agriculture. They had to learn bookkeeping, mathematics, and how to purchase goods at the best prices, manage loans, and write promissory notes. These skills were essential for managing a household with hundreds of servants.

Thus, a woman's life of managing a household began the moment she married. It continued until she saw her daughter-in-law take over. Despite the immense power over the household's economy, it was a challenging task.

If the husband was a merchant, he might handle some external transactions, reducing the burden, but the constant flow of goods still required extensive management. Many women died from overwork after marriage, a fact known to all but rarely recorded in history.

Of course, concubines and other women who were not responsible for household management were different. They were often from the pleasure quarters, trained in language skills, massage, sexual techniques, singing, dancing, and playing musical instruments. If a wife's duties were assigned to them, they would likely flee within days. Concubines were often taken in by men who had no other responsibilities and were bored with reading or practicing martial arts.

For these reasons, Mo Xiang highly respected women who managed households. If everything was judged by martial prowess, they would be treated the same as their husbands, but they managed the household, not just martial arts. Like Xue Wuzhi, they handled significant responsibilities, even if some were related to martial affairs. Managing a household was a significant task, and it was a form of exploitation of free labor, a convenient method for men to exploit women's skills. Intelligent and capable women, trained from a young age, were not fools to be exploited. Thus, they endured the hard labor and heavy responsibilities, often without complaint, due to their husbands' sweet talk. Mo Xiang, who was uneducated in management and mathematics, respected and treated such women with great courtesy.