Chapter 283

Chapter 283: Mo Zhu’er, Do You Know Your Crimes? (4000 words, Combined Edition)

The Western Lands.

It is divided into two parts.

On the left side of the Western Lands lies countless Buddhist nations.

On the right side of the Western Lands are tens of thousands of Demon Sects.

As if this division serves as a reminder to others – one thought leads to enlightenment, another to becoming a demon.

Among the numerous Demon Sects on the right side of the Western Lands, four major Demon Sects stand at the center.

The relationship between these four Demon Sects isn’t particularly good; some have formed alliances, others engage in mutual attacks, and there are even those who betray each other after forming alliances.

In the territory of the Western Sect of Demons, everything is shrouded in chaos. The human dynasties are merely puppets controlled by various Demon Sects.

There are no clear laws or rules here; everything is determined by strength alone.

Every day, people die here. Perhaps in the Western Sect of Demons, the least valuable thing is life.

But overall, the Demon Sects of the Western Lands maintain a relatively balanced state.

Originally, the Black Lotus Sect intended to break this balance, integrating all the Demon Sects to create an unprecedented sect in the history of the Western Lands.

The method the Black Lotus Sect used to break this balance was by utilizing the Heavenly Profound Gate from the Central Plains.

However, with the failure of the Heavenly Profound Gate, the Black Lotus Sect’s dream has completely turned into nothing but a fantasy.

“Pay your respects to Holy Maiden-sama.”

“Pay your respects to Holy Maiden-sama.”

“Pay your respects to Holy Maiden-sama.”

At the main headquarters of the Black Lotus Sect, a woman dressed in black walked in.

All the disciples of the Black Lotus Sect who saw her bowed respectfully, their expressions appearing extremely reverent. However, in reality, the woman didn’t know and didn’t care what they truly thought.

These people weren’t worth her attention or energy.

The woman simply nodded faintly in acknowledgment and headed straight toward her room.

Returning to her familiar room, the woman didn’t feel any sense of relief.

On the contrary.

Her heart was weighed down with a heavy burden.

She sat in a chair, drank a few cups of water, and kept calculating everything she had done during her time in the Central Plains.

Cause and effect, every cause has its effect. When there are enough causes, the effects become more certain.

The woman was calculating the consequences of everything she had done during this period.

But no matter how she calculated, the image of that man always lingered in her mind.

Recalling the various moments with that man, a blush appeared on her face.

“One day, I will make you obediently crawl beneath my skirt. Even if I kick you away, you won’t want to leave!” The woman took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling dramatically as she temporarily suppressed the image of that man in her mind.

“Holy Maiden-sama, the Sect Leader wishes to see you.”

A voice of a maidservant rang out outside the woman’s door.

“The inevitable has finally come,” the woman had anticipated this situation.

She already knew why the Sect Leader wanted to see her.

“I understand. You may withdraw for now,” the woman said to the maidservant outside the door.

“Yes, Your Highness.” The maidservant retreated.

The woman’s pale, delicate, and long fingers gently tapped on the table.

After half an incense stick had burned, the woman stood up and left the room.

The Black Lotus Sect wasn’t some dark, damp cave where torches were always lit. It wasn’t a place where all the disciples lived like rats in the shadows, avoiding sunlight.

In fact, most Demon Sects were not much different from ordinary sects. They chose places rich in spiritual energy and built their sects there.

For example, the Black Lotus Sect was also built along a mountain. Within the sect were continuous ranges of mountains, each peak serving as a training ground for different halls and elders.

Even these peaks were enveloped in mist, resembling fairylands.

If you didn’t know, you wouldn’t think you were inside a Demon Sect. Instead, you might believe you were in a prestigious righteous sect dedicated to “exorcising demons.”

“Hey, isn’t that Junior Sister Bamboo Ink? Junior Sister has returned from the Central Plains, hasn’t she?”

A man approached Mo Zhu’er.

“Senior Brother Lu, it’s been a while,” Mo Zhu’er smiled.

“It certainly has been a while,” Lu Chang, the Holy Son of the Black Lotus Sect, smiled back. “Junior Sister Bamboo seems to be getting more beautiful, more feminine.”

Mo Zhu’er covered her face and giggled lightly. “Senior Brother Lu is becoming more ‘down’ lately.”

Lu Chang questioned, “Down? What does that mean?”

Mo Zhu’er’s eyes curved into crescents. “It doesn’t mean anything special. I learned it from a friend, it’s a compliment to Senior Brother Lu~”

Lu Chang: “…”

Lu Chang felt unless his brain was flooded with water, he wouldn’t believe she was genuinely complimenting him.

“Who would’ve thought Junior Sister Bamboo actually has friends?” Lu Chang let out a cold laugh.

Mo Zhu’er also chuckled. “Could it be that Senior Brother Lu is so pitiful that he doesn’t even have a single friend?”

Lu Chang: “…”

“Senior Brother Ji is dead, does Junior Sister know about this?” Lu Chang changed the subject.

Mo Zhu’er nodded. “I do. When Senior Brother Ji died, it was quite tragic. Hopefully, when Senior Brother Lu dies, it won’t be as tragic.”

“Ha ha ha.” Lu Chang naturally picked up on the threat in Mo Zhu’er’s words. “Junior Sister Bamboo can rest assured, I am quite confident in my abilities.”

“That’s good.” Mo Zhu’er nodded, looking like she genuinely cared about Lu Chang.

“Something significant happened at the Heavenly Profound Gate. Have you heard about it?” Lu Chang changed the topic again.

“Of course, I was there at the Heavenly Profound Gate. I almost couldn’t escape,” Mo Zhu’er said, her tone laced with a hint of lingering fear, appearing very frightened.

“Junior Sister Bamboo’s statement is somewhat amusing. I heard that during the chaos at the Heavenly Profound Gate, Junior Sister did quite a lot. In fact, the resolution of the internal strife at the Heavenly Profound Gate was partly due to Junior Sister’s efforts,” Lu Chang stared directly into Mo Zhu’er’s eyes, observing her reaction.

“Not really, not really.” Mo Zhu’er maintained a calm smile throughout. “I’m just a cultivator at the Dragon Gate Realm. What skills could I possibly possess? I merely took advantage of the situation and played a small trick on the Sect Leader of the Heavenly Profound Gate.”

Most people had witnessed Mo Zhu’er’s actions at the Heavenly Profound Gate, and this news had definitely spread.

Moreover, the Black Lotus Sect had its own intelligence network. Therefore, most high-ranking members of the Black Lotus Sect were aware of what had transpired at the Heavenly Profound Gate. As one of the Holy Sons of the Black Lotus Sect, Lu Chang was undoubtedly informed.

Mo Zhu’er had never intended to hide anything.

Still, despite everyone knowing the truth, they were still engaging in polite exchanges without outright confrontation.

Lu Chang let out a few cold laughs. “Just a small trick, huh? I hear it wasn’t such a small deal. My master told me that the secret cooperation between the Black Lotus Sect and the Heavenly Profound Gate was a grand plan spanning nearly a hundred years for our sect.

But it seems that Junior Sister Bamboo used the Black Lotus Sect’s grand plan for hundreds of years merely to pave the way for herself.”

“This is slander! How dare someone speak ill of me like this! I am loyal to the Black Lotus Sect. Senior Brother Lu shouldn’t be deceived by idle gossip,” Mo Zhu’er looked as if she had been defamed, clearly upset.

“Whether I am deceived or not is irrelevant. But whether the various hall leaders and elders of the Black Lotus Sect believe these words, that I don’t know,” Lu Chang gazed at Mo Zhu’er, hoping to see some signs of panic on her face.

To Lu Chang’s disappointment, Mo Zhu’er remained composed.

“I believe our hall leaders and elders of the Black Lotus Sect will surely understand my well-intentioned efforts. On the contrary, Senior Brother, you should worry less about trivial matters. It’s detrimental to cultivation. I heard upon my return to the Black Lotus Sect that Senior Brother was beaten like a dog by Shi Xin, the top-ranked beauty on the Red Beauty List,” Mo Zhu’er smirked.

Lu Chang furrowed his brows, and a skeletal hand shot toward Mo Zhu’er.

But in the next instant, a silver-white dragon emerged beside Mo Zhu’er.

The dragon’s tail shattered the skeletal hand and then swung toward Lu Chang.

Startled, Lu Chang quickly invoked the “Rakshasa Protective Technique,” summoning a demonic remnant body to shield him. However, the silver dragon’s tail crushed this remnant body.

Lu Chang was thrown dozens of feet away, spitting out blood.

“The Dragon Vein of the Heavenly Profound Gate is indeed in your possession,” Lu Chang wiped the blood from his mouth, glaring fiercely at Mo Zhu’er, his eyes filled with jealousy and surprise.

She managed to refine it so quickly!

“Houuuu!” The silver dragon roared angrily at Lu Chang, displaying its wrath before coiling around Mo Zhu’er.

Mo Zhu’er patted the silver dragon’s head and smiled. “I never said the Dragon Vein of the Heavenly Profound Gate wasn’t on me.”

“Ha ha ha…” Lu Chang let out a few cold laughs. “You sacrificed the Black Lotus Sect’s grand plan for your own gain. Do you think you can hold onto it?”

Mo Zhu’er gently patted the silver dragon’s head, which growled once more and settled over her dress.

“I don’t need Senior Brother Lu to worry about that. The Sect Leader summoned me, Senior Brother Lu, please step aside. Otherwise, if I arrive late and the Sect Leader blames me, I’ll blame it on Senior Brother Lu.”

Lu Chang narrowed his eyes, glaring fiercely at Mo Zhu’er.

“Hmph! Just wait and see how long you can keep acting so arrogantly!”

With that ominous statement, Lu Chang flew off.

Watching Lu Chang flee, Mo Zhu’er sighed and shook her head. “There are really too many useless people in the Black Lotus Sect…”

Mo Zhu’er flew toward the location of the Black Lotus Sect Leader.

Half an incense stick later, Mo Zhu’er arrived at a mountain peak.

This mountain peak was entirely covered in bamboo, and deep within the bamboo forest stood a bamboo house.

A middle-aged man was meditating in the courtyard.

“Disciple Mo Zhu’er pays respects to Sect Leader.”

Mo Zhu’er stood at the entrance of the courtyard, bowing respectfully to the Black Lotus Sect Leader.

The Black Lotus Sect Leader slowly opened his eyes. The black aura surrounding him gradually dissipated, and his originally hollow gaze began to resemble that of a normal person.

The Black Lotus Sect Leader stared intently at Mo Zhu’er, his fiery gaze seeming to consume her whole. “I thought you would scatter elsewhere forever. Unexpectedly, you dared to return? Do you truly believe I won’t punish you?”

“Disciple dares not.” Mo Zhu’er bent lower.

“Dare not? Is there anything you don’t dare to do?”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader’s voice echoed throughout the bamboo forest, stirring up gusts of wind.

“Cooperating with the Heavenly Profound Gate is a grand plan for our Black Lotus Sect!

I sent you to assist Xia He, and after the mission was completed, you would naturally receive credit.

But look at you! For the Dragon Vein of the Heavenly Profound Gate, you disregarded our grand plan entirely!

Do you know your offense? According to the sect rules, what should the punishment be?”

Mo Zhu’er responded promptly. “Disciple naturally knows. According to the rules, anyone who ruins the grand plan of the Black Lotus Sect is considered a traitor, subjected to being sliced into ten thousand pieces and tormented by candle flames burning their soul!”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader narrowed his eyes. “Are you willing to accept the punishment?”

Mo Zhu’er: “Although Disciple ruined the Black Lotus Sect’s plan, Disciple has never betrayed the Black Lotus Sect. Moreover, Disciple acted to minimize losses for the Black Lotus Sect. Disciple refuses to accept the punishment!”

“Hahaha, you say you acted for the Black Lotus Sect?” The Black Lotus Sect Leader laughed as if angered. “Then tell me, how exactly did you minimize losses for the Black Lotus Sect?”

“To Sect Leader, that Sect Leader Xia He of the Heavenly Profound Gate never intended to cooperate with us.” Mo Zhu’er explained.

“Oh? How so?” The Black Lotus Sect Leader asked.

“Xia He was supposed to collaborate with us after entering the Ascension Realm, moving near the Black Lotus Sect to serve us. However, Xia He planned to cross the bridge and dismantle it, intending to go to the Northern Wilderness after entering the Ascension Realm.”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader frowned. “How do you know this?”

“One of Xia He’s confidants told me.”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader: “Why would Xia He’s confidant tell you?”

Mo Zhu’er: “Because he had a personal grudge against Xia He.”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader: “Where is Xia He’s confidant?”

Mo Zhu’er: “Sect Leader, Xia He’s confidant is already dead.”

“Dead?” The Black Lotus Sect Leader paused, then burst into laughter. “Hahahaha, good! Good job being dead!”

Mo Zhu’er: “Disciple speaks the truth, word for word. Therefore, Disciple thought it best to directly kill Xia He, seize the Dragon Vein of the Heavenly Profound Gate, and minimize losses for the Black Lotus Sect!

Furthermore! Even if Xia He hadn’t betrayed us, his plans would have failed anyway.

Disciple doesn’t know what happened, but Xu Cang and others from the Three Stone Peak were released. Although Xu Cang and others weren’t at their peak, they were all upper-level cultivators of the fifth realm and had dominated the world for a long time.

At that moment, Xia He’s plan was destined to fail! If Disciple hadn’t directly killed Xia He and seized the Dragon Vein, the Heavenly Profound Gate would have ended up with nothing.”

“…”

The Black Lotus Sect Leader glared coldly at his disciple.

Xia He planning to betray? A joke.

Xu Cang and others emerging meant Xia He’s defeat was certain?

Who could be sure? Besides, the place where Xu Cang and others were hidden was so secretive that only a few knew. Who could easily release Xu Cang and others?

All this was nothing but Mo Zhu’er lying! Or perhaps she personally orchestrated everything behind the scenes!