Chapter 222

Chapter 222: I Need Your Help for Cultivation (4000 words, combined edition)

Ming turned around.

Mo Zhu’er stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes twinkling with a watery smile.

“Let’s go to the courtyard. Don’t disturb Sheng Sheng’s sleep,” Ming glanced at Mo Zhu’er and walked out of the room directly.

Mo Zhu’er had no objections; she happily followed by Ming’s side.

The two sat on the stone bench in the yard. Ming brewed tea while Mo Zhu’er rested her chin on her white and tender palm, looking at Ming with a mischievous expression, as if scrutinizing something amusing.

“How did you sneak in?” Ming poured himself a cup of tea but didn’t pay attention to Mo Zhu’er.

But just as Ming was about to drink his tea, Mo Zhu’er quickly snatched the cup, took a sip herself, and said, “Jiang Ruyan, the city lord of Wangxing City, is our Black Lotus Sect’s mole in your Central Plains region, and also my good sister. Since Wangxing City is close to the Heavenly Profound Gate, they naturally received an invitation from the sect. As the city lord, how could Ruyan not come? So, she conveniently brought me along.”

Ming frowned, “You’re telling me her mole identity so casually? Aren’t you afraid I’ll leak it?”

“Not at all~” Mo Zhu’er said cheerfully, “If you expose her identity, we can’t do business together anymore~ Besides, unless you want to give up the Martial Artist realm or the Qi Practitioner realm, you’ll eventually need me. Don’t forget, in this world, only I can help you solve this problem.”

Ming shook his head, “Even if that’s true, what does it matter? You’re dreaming in broad daylight. I won’t do anything immoral for you, even if I have to abandon one path.”

Mo Zhu’er rolled her eyes at Ming, “You’re such a stickler. Always bringing up ‘immoral’ actions. Do you think I’m either killing people or on my way to kill someone?”

Ming stared directly into Mo Zhu’er’s eyes, his gaze seeming to say, “Isn’t that the truth?”

“That’s too harsh!”

Mo Zhu’er pouted.

“I’m not crazy! The people I kill, I have reasons for them, right? For example, if I wanted to kill you, why would I have any grudge against you? Why would I kill you? What benefit would it bring me? But if I don’t kill you, I’d be defying the sect’s orders, and then I’d die.

“For instance, people like Wuming Ji, if I don’t kill them, they’ll kill me.

“Do you think it’s easy for me?”

Ming looked at her speechlessly, “I never said it was easy for you. Anyway, why are you telling me all this? Do you need to explain yourself to me?”

“Me?” Mo Zhu’er opened her mouth slightly, momentarily stunned.

“Huh? That’s right.

“Why am I explaining all this to this guy? Do I need to explain myself to him?” Mo Zhu’er tossed her long hair over her shoulder and found an excuse on the spot, “I’m explaining because we’ll be working together a lot in the future.” She added casually, “Otherwise, you’d always think I’m a mad killer, and would we still be able to cooperate?”

Ming didn’t question Mo Zhu’er’s explanation, finding it reasonable enough. However, regarding the “future cooperation” she mentioned, Ming harbored significant doubts.

“Right, right.” Mo Zhu’er crossed her white arms on the table, “Don’t you want to know who wants to kill you?”

“Would you tell me?” Naturally, Ming wanted to know who was after his life.

Someone capable of mobilizing the Black Lotus Sect must hold a high status.

Mo Zhu’er straightened her slim waist and lifted her head haughtily, “Beg me, and I’ll tell you.”

Ming: “…”

“Fine, then you don’t need to tell me.” Ming appeared very calm.

“You’re so boring.”

Mo Zhu’er rolled her eyes at Ming.

“Alright, I’ll be generous and tell you. The person who wants to kill you is from your Wu Kingdom, but I actually don’t know who exactly it is. However, your Xu Mansion seems quite powerful, so you can investigate. Start with those nobles or high-ranking officials. You should know, ordinary people can’t summon us from the Black Lotus Sect.”

“I understand.” Ming nodded thoughtfully, “Thank you.”

Hearing Ming’s thanks, Mo Zhu’er paused, then her lips curled upward like a cat’s, “So, you actually know how to thank me?”

Ming ignored Mo Zhu’er’s teasing, “I owe you a favor.”

“Hmph.” Mo Zhu’er crossed her arms over her chest, “I don’t like owing others, nor do I like others owing me. You’re the first person who owes me a favor, remember to repay it.”

“Whatever kind of favor, however big, I’ll repay appropriately. It won’t involve doing anything immoral…” Ming said.

“Again with the immorality? Don’t you know good people don’t always get rewarded?” Mo Zhu’er looked slightly upset.

“Alright, alright.” Mo Zhu’er waved her hand, dispersing her unhappiness, “Let’s talk business. Let’s discuss the cooperation I want to establish with you today.”

“So, what kind of cooperation do you want to establish with me?” Ming asked.

“A cooperation where you absolutely won’t lose.” Mo Zhu’er smirked, clearly pleased with herself, “In fact, this cooperation might as well be considered me saving you.”

“Saving me?” Ming was even more confused.

“I’m fine in the Heavenly Profound Gate now. Outside, there’s the protective sect array, inside, there are cultivators of various upper realms.

“What danger could I possibly face? And what are you going to save me with?”

Mo Zhu’er: “I can’t tell you specifically, it’s complicated to explain, and even if I did, you probably wouldn’t believe me. You might even suspect I’m trying to harm you.”

“How will I know if you don’t tell me?” Ming really disliked Mo Zhu’er’s teasing manner.

“Alright, let me just say it then.” Mo Zhu’er shrugged, adopting a ‘what can you do?’ attitude, almost affectionately, “The sect leader of Heavenly Profound Gate, Xia He, plans to kill all the guests and half of the sect disciples.”

Ming: “…”

Looking at Ming’s expression, Mo Zhu’er smiled slyly, “See? I told you, even if I did tell you, you wouldn’t believe me.

“It’s normal, understandable. After all, one person is the sect leader of Heavenly Profound Gate, a cultivator who has reached the full mastery of the Immortal Realm, known in the cultivation world as the ‘Water Gentleman,’ renowned for his kindness, and his good deeds are widely celebrated in the mortal world.

“The other is the notorious Black Lotus Sect woman who kills mercilessly and stops at nothing to achieve her goals, who was previously trying to kill you.

“If I were you, I’d believe the famed Xia He rather than Mo Zhu’er, who keeps trying to kill me.”

“Evidence.” Ming looked at Mo Zhu’er seriously and spoke.

Indeed, Ming had very low trust in Mo Zhu’er.

Previously, Ming thought Mo Zhu’er had some sinister plan, and he wouldn’t even sit in the courtyard drinking tea and discussing matters with her.

However, now, after spending some time with Mo Zhu’er, Ming had gained some understanding of her.

Especially after that night in the Mandrin Duck Cauldron, when the thin barrier between them was broken.

Thus, Ming felt a bit more trust towards Mo Zhu’er.

Ming knew that this trust generated from their relationship wasn’t reliable or rational at all.

But after that incident, when you look at this woman in front of you, you instinctively feel she wouldn’t harm you.

That’s human nature.

It was already quite remarkable that Ming still maintained a high level of vigilance towards Mo Zhu’er.

“I’ll tell you a place, and you can go check it out yourself. Then, when you return, you can decide whether you want to cooperate with me.”

As she spoke, Mo Zhu’er poured a cup of tea and used her delicate fingers to dip in the tea water, writing three characters on the stone table—Three Stone Peak.

Seeing the words “Three Stone Peak,” Ming’s heart rate quickened involuntarily.

“This Three Stone Peak is the forbidden land of Heavenly Profound Gate. The mountain is approximately three hundred zhang tall, with three giant stones standing atop its peak, hence the name Three Stone Peak.

“Inside the Three Stone Peak lies the highest secret of Heavenly Profound Gate. Once you go, you’ll find out. When you decide to cooperate with me, I’ll tell you all the details.”

Mo Zhu’er looked earnestly at Ming.

“But be careful. Once you enter the Three Stone Peak, don’t interfere with anything, and definitely don’t covet any heavenly treasures or rare herbs inside. Otherwise, you’ll die!”

Ming remained silent for a moment, “How do I get in?”

“It’s simple.” Mo Zhu’er took out a stone from her storage ring.

This stone was entirely black, but its outer shell was relatively thin. In the sunlight, you could even see faint green spots inside.

It somewhat reminded him of jade rough stones he’d seen online.

“This stone, keep it well. On the shady side of the Three Stone Peak, there’s a hidden path blocked by bushes and rocks. At the entrance, there are Phoenix Flowers, a large cluster of them, making it easy to identify.

“This stone is the key. Just carry this stone into that hidden path.

“One more thing.

“If this stone becomes brighter, it means there’s a trap ahead. Don’t proceed further.

“Understood?”

“Understood.” Ming accepted the stone.

Ming wasn’t sure if it was his imagination, but he felt that Mo Zhu’er seemed somewhat concerned about his safety.

Perhaps it was because she feared that if he died, no one would cooperate with her? “Why do you know all this?” Ming asked.

Mo Zhu’er yawned, “I didn’t know before. The Black Lotus Sect headquarters sent a letter asking me to assist Xia He’s plan, and that’s how I found out.”

“Then, is it really safe to tell me these things?” Ming questioned, “Doesn’t this count as betraying the Black Lotus Sect?”

“I have my own considerations.” Mo Zhu’er smiled seductively, “The Black Lotus Sect wants me to assist the sect leader of Heavenly Profound Gate, but what benefits do I gain from it? Yes, I’m the Holy Maiden of the Black Lotus Sect, but first and foremost, I’m myself before being the Holy Maiden.”

“…”

Ming couldn’t argue.

However, Ming wondered if all members of the Black Lotus Sect were like this. If so, the Black Lotus Sect was truly fortunate.

“There’s another small deal I want to make with you.” Mo Zhu’er moved on to the second topic.

Ming: “What deal?”

“Naturally…” As she spoke, Mo Zhu’er stood up and transformed into a puff of black smoke rushing toward Ming.

When Mo Zhu’er reappeared, she was already sitting in Ming’s lap, her white arms encircling his neck.

“After coming to Heavenly Profound Gate, haven’t you experienced several battles? The spiritual energy and Martial True Qi inside your body should have started conflicting again, right?” Warm breath emanated from Mo Zhu’er’s pink lips, brushing against Ming’s face.

It must be said that once someone enters the Dragon Gate Realm and undergoes multiple body tempering processes, they don’t have bad breath.

“What do you intend to do?” Ming said coldly.

“Really, so cold?” Mo Zhu’er’s finger traced circles on Ming’s chest, “That night in the Mandrin Duck Cauldron, you weren’t so indifferent. No matter how much I called out, you wouldn’t stop.”

Ming: “…”

Could it be that this enchantress is too open-minded? She can speak of such things without blushing or hesitation.

“It was your first time that night too, wasn’t it?”

“The Happy Union Sect has been destroyed by me.” Suddenly, Mo Zhu’er changed the subject.

“Hmm?” Ming looked at Mo Zhu’er sitting on him.

“Don’t be so surprised.”

Mo Zhu’er’s alluring eyes blinked innocently, appearing surprisingly pure.

“I’m someone who holds grudges deeply. The Happy Union Sect tried to take my life, so naturally, I sought revenge. Not to mention, after the death of their sect leader Cui Renwang, the Happy Union Sect fell into chaos, with several elders vying for the position of leader.

“This is the best opportunity to destroy the Happy Union Sect.

“Of course, the Happy Union Sect, which spreads across various places in the world like grass regrowing after spring wind, cannot be completely eradicated. They will likely rise again in a few decades.

“But it doesn’t matter. This time, I’ve already gained significantly.”

Mo Zhu’er pulled out a book from her storage pouch.

Ming looked over.

On the cover of the book were four large characters—

“The Way of Joyful Union.”

“This book, ‘The Way of Joyful Union,’ is the ancient secret text of the Happy Union Sect.”

Mo Zhu’er patiently explained to Ming.

“In this world, every path leads to enlightenment.

“The Confucian sage attained the Dao through reading books.

“The Taoist patriarch achieved enlightenment while riding a blue ox and dozing off.

“The Buddhist patriarch attained enlightenment out of compassion for all beings, feeding eagles with his flesh.

“The Mohist master achieved enlightenment through mechanical arts.

“The Happy Union Sect naturally has its own path of joyful union, and such matters are inherently righteous, so why can’t they lead to enlightenment? Nowadays, the Happy Union Sect is far from the original one.

“Currently, the Happy Union Sect indulges in desires and has forgotten its true path.

“But it’s understandable. ‘The Way of Joyful Union’ is divided into upper, middle, and lower volumes. One volume is in the Western Regions, one in the Central Plains, and one is lost, breaking the lineage. Naturally, the Happy Union Sect has become increasingly deviant.

“However, even this upper volume isn’t impossible to cultivate.”

Speaking, Mo Zhu’er sat up in Ming’s embrace, her lips close to his ear, whispering, “I need your help to cultivate.”