Chapter 98

Leaving and Coming

The reorganization of the forces under Mo Xiang was surprisingly swift. Of course, all of this was due to Xue Wuji's efforts. Many high-ranking experts who had been imprisoned in the Thunder Prison were reinstated when Mo Xiang became the leader. Their joining was a windfall for Mo Xiang, as they were such outstanding figures that even Zhang Wenge had tried to persuade them to join.

Mo Xiang appointed Tian Dao Wang Ye Zhi, Shura Xue Xin Bu Kong Nao, Yin Du Dong Fang Nao Wu, Qian Li Du Xing Tie Ying, Gao Lu Xue Ma Yu Guan Pai, Yan Wang Di Zi Han Zhong Ping, San Mian Ren Ma Xiao Wu Mian, Di Yu Xue Gui Tian Jin E, and Wu Ying Shen Ma Zhang Ying Ji as the nine elders. He appointed Dong Fang Nao Wu as the Internal Chief to oversee the five major forces, and Xiao Wu Mian as the External Chief to oversee the external branches.

Thus, all major and minor affairs within the sect were planned by the military strategist Xue Wuji and executed through the Chief Elder Ye Zhi. Ye Zhi gave internal affairs to the Internal Chief Dong Fang Nao Wu and external affairs to the External Chief Xiao Wu Mian.

The Internal Chief had the authority to command the five major forces, and the External Chief had the authority to command all the branches. However, since they had no direct forces under them, their positions were not as powerful as they seemed. Mo Xiang had placed them in these positions to test their loyalty, as their martial arts skills were outstanding but their loyalty to him was still uncertain.

Mo Xiang gave independent forces to those who had helped him in the coup, such as Huo Ji E, Qian Li Du Xing, Gao Lu Xue Ma, Yan Wang Di Zi, and Di Yu Xue Gui, to show his deep trust in them.

Huo Ji E, who was the second elder, was appointed as the Chief Law Enforcer of the Law Enforcement Hall and given command over over 200 top experts, with Chao Jin Ge and Ye Wen Ji as his subordinates.

Qian Li Du Xing was given 200 carefully selected experts to form a new Blood Wolf Team, which had combat capabilities comparable to the Heavenly Horse Blood Sword Team, the only military force under Zhang Wenge.

Gao Lu Xue Ma Yu Guan Pai was given command of the Shura Demon Team, and Yan Wang Di Zi Han Zhong Ping was given command of the Heavenly Wolf Team. For his significant contributions in the major battle at the Shanxi branch, Tian Jin E was given command of the Yan Wang Team. Wu Ying Shen Ma Zhang Ying Ji, who had caused Mo Xiang considerable trouble with his outstanding strategy, was highly regarded for his command skills and given command of the Self-Reflection Demon Team.

Notably, Guan Zhi and Hong Jin, leaders of independent organizations not affiliated with the council, were also given the right to attend and speak at council meetings. Thus, while nominally there were nine elders, in reality, there were eleven.

While Xue Wuji focused on reorganizing the overall forces and strengthening internal unity, the fact that the Demon Sect was a place where the law of the strong prevailed made his efforts largely unnecessary, as everyone already respected and followed Mo Xiang.

After becoming the leader, Mo Xiang transferred a significant portion of the immense power traditionally held by the leader to his subordinates. As a result, the power of the Internal Chief, who relayed the leader's orders, was greatly reduced, and the power of the council rapidly increased. The Demon Sect nominally had nine elders, most of whom had independent forces, so to become an elder, one needed the leader's deep trust.

Mo Xiang deliberately increased the power of the council, thinking that even if he were absent, the nine elders could meet and, with the oversight of Xue Wuji, the Internal Chief, and the External Chief, lead the Demon Sect. This way, he could have the freedom he desired.

Thus, while Xue Wuji was busy reorganizing the Heavenly Horse Demon Sect, Mo Xiang left the headquarters alone, as his meeting with the Jade Flower Wu Emperor was only a week away. Things had been going well for Mo Xiang so far, allowing him to leave the headquarters with a light heart. He did not even bring any guards, as they were unnecessary for someone of his caliber.

Riding slowly and looking around, Mo Xiang, with a sword and a wrapped stick-like object tied to his saddle, looked like an idle scholar due to his average build. The bright blue robe that Ma Hua had forced him to wear suited his delicate white skin and his ruggedly handsome face.

Untying the wine bottle from the saddle to wet his lips, Mo Xiang felt a slight sense of loneliness. The person who had given him the wine bottle and filled it with potent thousand-day chrysanthemum wine was Ma Hua. He briefly wished she were there, but then he shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Anyway, she's too nagging."

"Welcome, sir!"

The waiter greeted him warmly, but Mo Xiang pushed him aside without a word and sat down at the table where a beautiful girl was seated. The men at the neighboring table instinctively reached for their swords but quickly realized the man in the blue robe was the guest their sect leader was waiting for and pretended to ignore him.

"It's been a while."

"..."

"First, I congratulate you on becoming the leader. What did you want to meet me for?"

Yue Hua Wu Di feigned disinterest, but her eyes sparkled. She couldn't understand why this simple, almost naive man had called her.

Mo Xiang did not answer but reached into his robe and quickly handed her something.

Clang!

The four men at the neighboring table instinctively drew their swords halfway but quickly sheathed them when they saw it was not a weapon.

"What is this?"

"It's a small token of appreciation for your cooperation so far. Don't complain that it's too little and take it."

Yue Hua Wu Di took the paper from his hand, which turned out to be a banknote, a highly reputable one issued by the Continental Money House, worth 500 gold coins.

The ratio of gold to silver was 20:1, so this was equivalent to 10,000 silver coins. Given that a family's annual living expenses were about 5 silver coins, this was enough for 2,000 families for a year. Considering that a family typically had about nine members, this was enough for 18,000 people for a year, though not a luxurious amount.

"This doesn't seem like a small token. But I expected something more grand from the leader of the Demon Sect..."

She feigned disappointment, and Mo Xiang smiled bitterly, then said sternly.

"Excessive greed invites disaster."

"Even if it brings disaster later, I still want to be greedy."

Yue Hua Wu Di replied with a deliberately cheerful smile, not looking like a 140-year-old grandmother.

"Will you not regret it?"

"Absolutely not."

"Good. It's tied to the saddle, so take it. Don't touch anything else."

"I have no intention of stealing. I'm just taking what you give me."

"Suit yourself. By the way, where is Zhang Wenge?"

When Mo Xiang asked, Yue Hua Wu Di deliberately smiled and looked out the window at the volcano, pretending to be distracted.

"Are you asking me to find him with my power?"

"The reason you rejected Ling Ren's proposal was because you were confident in your information network, wasn't it?"

"You've left me speechless. See you next time."

As Mo Xiang stood up, Yue Hua Wu Di followed, chasing after him.

"Why are you following me? We have no more business to discuss."

Yue Hua Wu Di smiled and replied.

"Because I didn't get my gift."