Chapter 73

After their discussion with Bai Xiang, they set the departure date for the next day to attend the meeting at the Wu Lin Alliance and unpacked their bags in the accommodation arranged by Bai Xiang. In fact, since they were leaving the next day, there was no need to unpack, but there were a few things they needed to do.

They chatted over tea, and Leng Suochuan asked Chao Liubin, “You said there’s someone who can compete with me in playing the flute? Since we have some free time, wouldn’t it be nice to enjoy some refined entertainment?”

Bai Yunyu then agreed with a coquettish tone, “Wow, that’s a great idea. I’ve heard that person is really good at playing the zither, and I’ve also heard that you, Young Master Leng Suochuan, are exceptionally skilled. Please broaden our horizons.”

In fact, Leng Suochuan’s skills in playing the flute and the guqin were widely known. He also excelled in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, so everyone called him the Prince of Refinement. As a result, many women were in love with him.

With everyone’s encouragement, Chao Liubin had no choice but to lead them to where Mo Xiang was staying.

‘Surely, he won’t announce that he’s a demon sect member. If he does, I’m doomed…’

“Sure, let’s go.”

Mo Xiang was still in the same position when Chao Liubin left. He was sitting cross-legged on a mat in a corner of the garden with his eyes tightly closed. When people started to gather and chatter, he slowly stood up, and a plain three-foot long sword hanging from his waist was briefly visible.

Xue Lianyun was chatting with the others and entering the annex when he saw this and froze. This was the person who had given him countless nightmares.

There was almost no change from the last time. He was wearing old black clothes then, but now he was in new ones, bought because of the poison at the Bai family estate. His face looked slightly younger than in the dreams, and his sword seemed a bit different, but the way he carried it was the same—very arrogantly hanging behind him.

‘Damn…’

Xue Lianyun suddenly stopped and stared at the black-clothed man, sweating profusely, which made everyone curious.

“What’s wrong?”

When Chao Liubin asked, Xue Lianyun, realizing his current behavior, tried to move as naturally as possible. After all, if the deputy leader of the Yellow Dragon Sect froze in fear, it would be embarrassing for everyone.

“This is Mo Xiang, the leader of the Taizhu. These are Ximen Ji, Xue Lianyun, Mai Yingren, and Leng Suochuan, all top young talents of the 7 Dragons and 4 Peaks.”

“Pleased to meet you. I don’t like noisy places, so I’ll go somewhere else. Since you’re here, please make yourselves comfortable.”

Mo Xiang answered brusquely and slowly walked towards the annex door. Xue Lianyun, gathering his last bit of courage, urgently called out to Mo Xiang.

“Wait… Mo Xiang, leader of the Taizhu.”

Mo Xiang turned around, and Xue Lianyun continued, “Do we know each other?”

Mo Xiang tilted his head and said, “I don’t have a very good memory…”

“Then do you remember this?”

Before anyone could stop him, Xue Lianyun pulled out his sword and performed a sword technique. Mo Xiang still tilted his head.

“Qingyue Sword Technique? It does look similar. But what do you want me to remember?”

“Has the leader of the Taizhu ever fought someone from the Wudang Sect who uses the Qingyue Sword Technique?”

Everyone looked at Mo Xiang and Xue Lianyun with disbelief. Mo Xiang smiled and said, “If you had asked me directly from the beginning, it would have been simpler. Of course, I’ve been to Wudang once and showed a young practitioner of the Qingyue Sword Technique what real skill looks like. What’s the point of this?”

Now, the others looked at Mo Xiang with astonishment. Was this person a Xianjing-level expert?

Xue Lianyun stammered, “I… I challenge you to a duel.”

Mo Xiang replied with a bored expression, “I refuse. I don’t do duels. If you want a fight….”

“A fight?”

Mo Xiang smiled coldly and said, “Are you prepared to risk your life? If so, come at me! I’ll kill you.”

Xue Lianyun’s hand holding the sword trembled. He knew he couldn’t possibly match him. This person had sent the Lightning Sword Emperor, one of the Three Emperors, to the afterlife. He had heard this from the Wudang Sect’s leader. But Xue Lianyun feared that if he backed down now, he might never be able to wield a sword again. The nightmares were already making life unbearable, and if he became even more intimidated, he would have to give up the sword.

His grip on the sword tightened, and the trembling slowly subsided. He wanted to perform a single move confidently. The fear he felt when his trusted sword technique was shattered… But he had practiced so much for this. If he could confidently perform a single move against this monstrous opponent, he might finally be able to sleep peacefully.

“Hmm, you have some spirit.”

As Xue Lianyun repeated, “Just one move…,” and took his stance, Mo Xiang slowly drew his sword. Used to the short, curved Mo Hun Sword, drawing a straight, long sword was a bit cumbersome. Thus, Mo Xiang pulled out his ordinary sword with a slightly awkward movement. Seeing this, the others, who knew the course of events through a brief conversation, couldn’t help but doubt if this person was really the one they had heard about.

When Mo Xiang drew his sword and took his stance, Xue Lianyun was momentarily taken aback. Before he drew his sword, Mo Xiang seemed somewhat approachable, but the moment he drew it, that feeling disappeared. His body seemed to have many weaknesses, but they could also be traps, or he could be so perfect that there was no way to attack. It was impossible to read.

‘Theoretically, it’s best to use a few feints to break the opponent’s stance and then attack with a real move. But this opponent is not someone that will work on. I’m not sure if I can even perform a single move properly, so I’ll go for a strong attack from the start… Defense is not an option. I’ll just perform one move properly.’

“Hya!”

Xue Lianyun had a precious sword called Quan Lu, which he had bought with all his money in preparation for this day. He believed that even with the sword technique, it wouldn’t be easy to cut this sword in half.

His sword moved in the form of Shuiliu Tianyue, sending a burst of energy towards Mo Xiang from the short distance. However, Mo Xiang had already moved closer and quickly stabbed Xue Lianyun’s left waist. A small opening appeared as the move was being formed, and Mo Xiang took advantage of it. If Xue Lianyun blocked it, his move would be disrupted, and he would have to withdraw his energy, potentially causing internal injuries.

Xue Lianyun hesitated for a moment but decided to push through. If he got hit in the waist, it would be a matter of mutual destruction. Mo Xiang, seeing that Xue Lianyun was not withdrawing his move, quickly retreated. At the same time, the completed move sent a burst of energy towards the retreating Mo Xiang. Mo Xiang’s sword glowed blue, and he easily deflected the energy. Then, he rapidly closed the distance again. His speed was unbelievable. Mo Xiang was already too close to Xue Lianyun, who had just finished his move, and there was no time to perform another one. Mo Xiang’s sword aimed for Xue Lianyun’s neck, and Xue Lianyun barely moved his head to avoid it, then stabbed Mo Xiang. It was not a move but a desperate attempt to survive.

Mo Xiang easily caught Xue Lianyun’s sword between his fingers and kicked him in the stomach.

Thud!

“Ugh!”

Xue Lianyun screamed and flew to a corner of the garden, then got up. He was not severely injured but was in pain, so he staggered out. The duel, though described in detail, was so fast that most of the onlookers, except for a few skilled ones, couldn’t even see what was happening.

It looked like Xue Lianyun performed a move, Mo Xiang quickly moved forward and then retreated, waited for Xue Lianyun’s move to finish, and then moved forward again, and Xue Lianyun was hit and flew to the garden. Even Bai Yunyu, the least skilled among them, didn’t see Mo Xiang’s retreat and advance.

Mo Xiang slowly sheathed his sword and said, “That was impressive. Most people die without even knowing how. Considering your age, your skill is exceptional. It’s time for you to break free from the Qingyue Sword Technique. If you remain bound by the moves, you won’t progress further. Do you want to try again?”

Xue Lianyun, clutching his stomach, coughed a few times and said, “Cough, cough, no. Thank you for your guidance. Is the senior in the imperial palace?”

Mo Xiang looked puzzled and asked, “Imperial palace? What are you talking about?”

“Mai Yingren said that after the leader of the Taizhu was expelled from the demon sect, he went to the imperial palace. I don’t know if it’s true…”

“How can a great demon become a servant of the royal family? I have always been, am, and will always be a demon.”

“Has the leader of the Taizhu recovered his memory? Or is Mai Yingren mistaken?”

“Is that Mai Yingren?”

“Yes.”

“From the information he has, it seems his sect is better informed than others. I have recovered my memory.”

As the others marveled at the information-gathering ability of the Wu Ying Sect, a servant entered and said to Mo Xiang, “Sir, there’s a visitor looking for you. Shall I bring them in?”

“Bring them in.”

“Yes.”

Chao Liubin was a bit tense. Mo Xiang had always said that if something happened, he would come looking.

Soon, a man in old black clothes with a long sword arrived, guided by the servant. A strong demonic aura emanated from him, clearly indicating he was a highly trained member of the demon sect. He bowed before Mo Xiang and shouted, “I greet the Deputy Leader!”

The others’ eyes widened. Deputy Leader! Not just a branch leader?

“What is it?”

“The General has urgently called for you to return.”

“The General? Understood.”

Mo Xiang looked at Bai Yunyu and said, “I have to go now. But I still don’t approve of digging up other people’s graves. Before we part, let me tell you this: digging up graves won’t yield much. The power of Gou Hui’s martial arts, though unknown, is likely inferior to the Northern Ming Technique. The reason our sect hasn’t touched Gou Hui’s grave is that we already have the Northern Ming Technique.”

The others were shocked and exclaimed, “Is that true? The Northern Ming Technique is in the Heavenly Demon Sect?”

“It’s true. The Northern Ming Technique is one of the three techniques that only the Sect Leader can master. So, don’t waste your energy on pointless things. Go home and practice. By the way, are you coming with me?”

Chao Liubin replied with a bitter smile, “Of course, a man’s word is as good as gold. I’ll go with you.”

“Good. If we meet again, it will be by fate. Farewell.”