Chapter 258

Chapter 258: Whom Do You Save?

An hour later, Wang Xuan and her group left.

Mo Zhu’er recounted the entire situation and her plan to everyone.

When the group saw the heart and understood Xia He’s exact intentions, they all felt Xia He had gone completely mad.

Even Wang Xuan, who originally thought her junior brother was beyond saving and was already on a dangerous path, was shocked by Xia He’s specific plans.

But Wang Xuan accepted the reality.

Wang Xuan further refined and improved Mo Zhu’er’s plan.

All that was left for everyone to do now was wait until the day of the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony and follow Mo Zhu’er’s steps accordingly.

Wang Xuan left Ming’s residence to inform ten elders she trusted most about today’s events.

Wu also needed to prepare the three thousand Dragon Leopard Cavalry.

This cavalry would be quite a formidable force.

Mo Zhu’er initially intended to stay.

Previously, Mo Zhu’er had told Ming to maintain restraint and not become overly obsessed with dual cultivation.

However, Mo Zhu’er discovered that whenever she didn’t dual cultivate with Ming for a single day, she missed him.

Especially after learning the significance of Qingwan to Ming, Mo Zhu’er felt an intense jealousy, making her extremely irritated!

Only when Mo Zhu’er dual cultivated with Ming could she release this pent-up frustration.

Moreover, Mo Zhu’er thought about how Qin Qingwan hadn’t even held Ming’s hand, yet she herself was entwined with the man she loved.

Ming hadn’t spent the night with Qin Qingwan; instead, he only practiced dual cultivation with her. Mo Zhu’er had experienced Ming countless times, which made her feel increasingly satisfied.

But clearly, today wasn’t the right time.

After concluding their discussion, she too had to quickly make arrangements. These days weren’t meant for cultivating with Ming.

But Mo Zhu’er wasn’t in a rush. There would be plenty of time in the future, and what mattered most now was their cooperation.

After everyone left, Ming sat quietly in the courtyard, calmly watching the clouds rise and fall.

After Sheng Sheng left, the courtyard became eerily quiet, and Ming found it somewhat unsettling.

“Never mind, let’s go drink.”

Ming stood up, planning to find Miao Feng and Yu Wen Xi from the White Deer Academy for drinks, subtly hinting they should leave.

Ming didn’t know many people, but those who needed reminding still required his attention.

Otherwise, they might die unnecessarily at the Heavenly Profound Gate.

Ming met them, drank some wine, but just as he was about to delicately warn them about potential trouble during the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony and suggest they leave, voices nearby interrupted from outside the tavern:

“The guys from Mountain Dao Sect truly died tragically.”

“Exactly! Those guys disappeared shortly after leaving the Heavenly Profound Gate, and by the time news came, all we saw were their corpses.”

“Didn’t you notice? It seems like anyone recently leaving the sect easily runs into trouble.”

“It’s probably the Demon Sect trying to cause chaos, lying in ambush near the Heavenly Profound Gate.”

“That’s right. The Heavenly Profound Gate has already announced that it’s best not to venture out during the ceremony period. After three days, the Heavenly Profound Gate will personally clear the surrounding areas.”

“These demons are becoming more and more brazen!”

As Ming listened to the conversations, his grip on the wine cup tightened, and his brows furrowed slightly.

“Brother Xu, is something wrong? Are you troubled?” Yu Wen Xi asked curiously upon noticing Ming’s demeanor.

Miao Feng added, “If Brother Xu has anything troubling him, please tell us. We’ve been through life-and-death situations together.”

“There are indeed some thoughts, but nothing serious. Let’s drink!” Ming raised his wine cup and clinked it with theirs.

The more wine Ming drank, the heavier his thoughts became.

To them, the deaths of those who left the Heavenly Profound Gate were caused by the Demon Sect, but Ming didn’t think so.

Those disciples who left the sect were likely killed by Xia He.

Xia He suspected that the two cultivators on Three Stone Peak might try to escape the Heavenly Profound Gate, so following the principle of better safe than sorry, he slaughtered them all, creating a barrier.

Furthermore, Xia He needed to perform blood sacrifices with cultivators, the more the better, so he created the illusion of danger outside to keep the disciples inside the Heavenly Profound Gate.

If Ming were to advise Yu Wen Xi and Miao Feng to leave now, they might end up dead on the road.

What worried Ming most was whether the blade escorting Sheng Sheng would encounter trouble.

Half-drunk, Ming excused himself, saying he had things to attend to, and left.

Ming directly headed to Wu’s residence.

It seemed Wu knew Ming was coming, as she was already waiting at the gate.

“Why do you smell like alcohol?” Wu frowned.

“I had a drink with some friends from the White Deer Academy.” Ming explained, dispelling the alcohol fumes. Looking at the girl before him, he asked, “Who are you waiting for?”

“For you.” Wu said calmly.

Ming smiled, suddenly feeling relieved. “Looks like you know why I’m here.”

Wu gave Ming a glare and turned back into the courtyard. “Come in.”

Ming followed Wu into the courtyard.

Sitting there, Wu wore a thin sleeping gown, looking refreshingly cool, though no skin was exposed.

“I know what you’re worried about. It’s probably whether the blade and Sheng Sheng will run into trouble.

Don’t worry. The blade informed me that she has already taken Sheng Sheng to Anyang County in our Wu Kingdom. The governor of Anyang County has dispatched a thousand Anyang cavalry to escort Sheng Sheng home.

Your concerns aren’t unfounded. They did encounter an ambush along the way, but fortunately, I sent five hundred Dragon Leopard Cavalry along with a Far Travel Realm expert, preventing the attackers from succeeding.”

“Thank you,” Ming sincerely expressed his gratitude.

“Do you know what I dislike most about you?” Wu glared at Ming.

“What?” Ming looked up.

“You always thank me occasionally.” Wu complained unhappily. “Not to mention, I like Sheng Sheng too. She’s like my little sister, and I’ll take good care of her.”

“Thank…”

“Hmm?”

Just as Ming was about to thank her again, Wu gave him another glare.

“I owe you a favor.” Ming quickly changed his words, refraining from saying “thank you.”

Wu: “Is your favor worth anything?”

Ming: “Maybe.”

“Hmph.” Wu chuckled coldly. “Let’s set aside your favor for now. I have a question for you.”

Ming: “Go ahead.”

“If on the day of the Purple Mist Grand Ceremony, both me and Qingwan are about to die, and you can only save one person, whom would you save?”