Chapter 65: Hidden Currents

"Master Mo, how is my wayward disciple Karu?"

As Mu Xun stepped onto the stone tower of the Mo family, he immediately launched into an attack. His voice was not particularly loud, but it echoed throughout the entire Divine Stone Square. Any martial artist with functioning ears could hear him clearly.

Mo Tuo stood on the stone tower of the Mo family, his expression fluctuating between light and dark.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Mo Tuo felt his face losing its composure due to Mu Xun's impolite questioning. He wanted to resolve the matter privately, but seeing Mu Xun's attitude, it was clear that he had no intention of letting it go easily.

With no choice, Mo Tuo had to raise his voice and say, "Mr. Mu, Karu has been dead for a long time. I don't know who killed him."

Mu Xun stood proudly on the stone tower, his body visible to the martial artists below as they looked up.

"Dead?"

Mu Xun sneered, his expression dark and sinister. "Master Mo, what a fine set of skills you have! Knowing that my wayward disciple stole my treasure map, you invited him to the Merchant Alliance, and then killed him on the way, taking the map for yourself. Now you deny everything. Truly worthy of being the head of the Mo family! Could it be that the vast Mo family estate was all acquired this way?"

"Haha, everyone in the Merchant Alliance knows about Master Mo's skills."

From the stone tower of the Shi family, Shi Jian laughed heartily, gloating, "Many of our family's businesses have also disappeared under Master Mo's 'fine skills.'"

"Shi Jian!" From a distance of two hundred meters, Mo Tuo glared at Shi Jian angrily. "This matter has nothing to do with your family. Don't spout lies!"

Shi Jian paid him no mind and continued to laugh, "Indeed, it has nothing to do with my family. I'm just expressing my feelings. Master Mo, there's no need to get so worked up."

Shi Yan stood to one side, secretly amused. For the first time, he found Shi Jian somewhat interesting, knowing when to kick someone while they're down to cause the most pain.

Mo Tuo knew he couldn't do anything to Shi Jian and couldn't afford to quarrel with him at this moment. He could only force a smile and explain to Mu Xun, "At the time, my family invited Karu to the Merchant Alliance without knowing that he had stolen your treasure map. We only did it out of respect for you. We truly didn't know the details, Mr. Mu. You are wronging the Mo family."

"Wronging?" Mu Xun's face grew even darker, and he sneered, "If you didn't know that Karu had stolen my treasure map, would your family have sent people to escort him from so far away? The Merchant Alliance is thousands of miles from our Medicine King Valley. Why would you extend your reach so far if not for the treasure map? Could it really be for Karu's mediocre alchemy skills? Humph!"

Mo Tuo laughed bitterly and explained, "It really is as you say."

"Master Mo, I don't want to hear your excuses. I don't care if Karu is dead or not. Just hand over the treasure map, and I'll leave immediately without causing any trouble for your family." Mu Xun looked impatient.

"The treasure map is really not in my possession."

"Since Master Mo insists on not letting go, I have nothing more to say." Mu Xun coldly snorted, turned, and walked out, saying calmly, "Although our Medicine King Valley does not meddle in the power struggles of various countries, we are not to be bullied. Master Mo, you should be careful."

With that, Mu Xun led several disciples and left the Mo family's stone tower.

"Mr. Mu, I welcome you to visit the Shi family anytime. Everything can be discussed." Shi Jian's voice suddenly came from the Shi family's stone tower, the implications of his words clear.

Mu Xun, having left the Mo family's stone tower, glanced in Shi Jian's direction and nodded slightly, saying, "I believe we will have the opportunity to cooperate. If we trouble the head of the Shi family, I hope you won't refuse."

"I Shi Jian detest those who use underhanded tactics. It would be an honor to serve Mr. Mu." Shi Jian laughed heartily and bowed from a distance.

"Then I thank the head of the Shi family in advance." Mu Xun nodded, then glanced coldly at Mo Tuo, who looked extremely displeased on the stone tower, before leaving the Divine Stone Square with his people.

The martial arts arena in the Divine Stone Square had paused its matches. After Mu Xun left, the matches resumed.

The martial arts tournament became more interesting that day due to Mu Xun's sudden arrival.

After Mu Xun left, many people began to secretly inquire and quickly learned the details of the incident.

Upon learning the truth, many martial artists looked down on the Mo family's actions and spoke of them with disdain in private.

Many martial artists who had planned to join the Mo family immediately changed their minds after learning about this, causing the Mo family to lose a significant number of skilled resources.

Kuro from the Ethereal Pavilion was also in the martial arts arena, witnessing Mu Xun's accusations against Mo Tuo from start to finish.

Before the martial arts tournament ended, Kuro quietly left and returned to the Ethereal Pavilion, not far from the Divine Stone Square.

...

Evening.

In a secluded room of the Ethereal Pavilion, Kuro bowed and recounted the events to Xia Xinyan.

After listening to Kuro's account, Xia Xinyan frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, and then said, "If what Mu Xun said is true, the fragment of the map should still be in Mo Tuo's possession. I came here for the 'Heavenly Gate' and am not averse to cooperating with anyone. Kuro, go to the Mo family tonight and tell them that we can share the map and explore the mystery of the 'Heavenly Gate' together."

"Understood." Kuro nodded.

"Xiao Han Yi will arrive in half a month. The people you found are all fake. You need to hurry up." Xia Xinyan added casually.

"I will do my best!" Kuro's heart skipped a beat, and he said respectfully, "I have already sent people to expand the search to other cities. I believe we will have results soon."

"Alright, you may go." Xia Xinyan waved her hand casually.

Kuro bowed and left.

...

That night.

Kuro went to the Mo family alone, requesting to see Mo Tuo.

Mo Tuo was in a bad mood but had to force himself to receive Kuro. After Kuro explained his purpose, Mo Tuo laughed bitterly and shook his head, saying, "The treasure map is really not in my possession. Even if I wanted to cooperate with you, I am powerless."

"Master Mo, my master truly means well. The opening of the 'Heavenly Gate' requires the complete map. If we cooperate, we can act immediately. Please consider it carefully!" Kuro clearly did not believe him, and his expression turned sour. He suspected that Mo Tuo had other plans and might take action against the Ethereal Pavilion, which made him increasingly angry.

"It's really not in my possession. Don't listen to Mu Xun's lies." Mo Tuo's expression was also unpleasant, and he was feeling frustrated. His tone was not polite, "Mr. Kuro, please leave. I need to prepare for the martial arts tournament. Goodbye."

...

In the middle of the night, Kuro returned to the Ethereal Pavilion and reported Mo Tuo's words to Xia Xinyan word for word.

"The treasure map has two parts, one of which is in my possession. The Mo family's refusal to cooperate clearly indicates their intention to monopolize the 'Heavenly Gate.' It seems they will take action soon." Xia Xinyan's eyes were cold, and she said indifferently, "I will wait for them to make a move. If we don't show them some force, they won't cooperate peacefully."

"Miss, should we go to the Mo family and take the map by force?" One of the giants behind Xia Xinyan asked, a strong aura of killing intent suddenly emanating from him, startling Kuro.

"Let's not. This is not our territory, and it's better to follow the rules. If we provoke the five major families to unite, it would be troublesome. However, once Xiao Han Yi arrives, if the Mo family still refuses to cooperate, we can take more drastic measures." Xia Xinyan said calmly.

"Understood." The giant nodded and said no more.

"Alright, Kuro, go about your business. You can quietly spread the word that I have the map. I'll wait for them to come and take it." Xia Xinyan smiled faintly, "At this point, whoever comes to take the map, the other part of the map is likely in their possession."

"Understood."

...

Deep into the night, at the Zuo family.

Zuo Xu and Chixiao were whispering in a secret room.

"The shadow reported that the treasure map is not in Kuro's hands but in a young girl from the Ethereal Pavilion. She seems to have appeared suddenly, and we don't know her background," Zuo Xu said.

"Let's wait until the last day. During the martial arts tournament of the five major families, I will go to the Ethereal Pavilion. It's just a young girl, so it shouldn't be a problem," Chixiao nodded, slightly embarrassed, and smiled bitterly, "Attacking a young girl feels a bit awkward, but I'll leave a couple of secret treasures as compensation afterward."

"Still, be careful not to expose your identity. Many people are watching the treasure map. If they find out it was us, it would be quite troublesome."

"Understood."

...

That night, in the secret rooms of the five major families, many people were discussing the events of the day in low voices.

In the secret room of the Shi family.

Shi Jian held a letter, a strange smile on his lips, and said to Han Feng beside him, "Mu Xun is truly impressive. He sent a letter in just one day. Heh, if Mu Xun attacks the Mo family, we can't openly help him, but we can secretly assist him."

"How does Mu Xun plan to do it?"

"He wants to kidnap several key figures of the Mo family and use them to pressure Mo Tuo. Heh, these people are also thorns in our side," Shi Jian said cheerfully, "Fengzi, send people to find out the whereabouts of these individuals and then pass the information to Mu Xun. I'm looking forward to seeing how Mo Tuo will handle it."

The treasure map from Karu was hidden in his chest, and even if Mo Tuo were beaten to death, he couldn't produce it. These key figures of the Mo family were clearly doomed.

Shi Jian thought of Mo Tuo's furious appearance and felt a sense of satisfaction, smiling, "Fengzi, go get a jar of wine. I want to have a few drinks."

"Master, the good wine in the house has all been secretly drunk by Young Master Yan. What's left is just ordinary liquor," Han Feng lowered his head, his lips twitching slightly, a smile flashing in his eyes.

"That little brat!" Shi Jian slapped the armrest, laughing, "This rascal is really bold, daring to steal my wine. If he doesn't bring honor to our family in the martial arts tournament, I'll skin him alive."

"With Young Master Yan's second-stage petrification martial soul, no innate realm martial artist can break his petrification state. In a battle against an innate realm martial artist, Young Master Yan... is practically cheating. He will win easily."

"That's true." Shi Jian felt pleased and laughed heartily.

---

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