“I have to admit, at first, I thought he was just an average Joe.”
The gaze of the Lingxi Gate scout suddenly turned deep and serious:
“But when he started buying up everyone’s shops, I suddenly found him incredibly handsome.”
Everyone was momentarily stunned, leaning back slightly. Good gracious, just hearing about it sounded like he was a dazzling gem on the jade tree! Who could compete with him on the beauty scale?
“You went out to gather information and all you came back with is that he’s very handsome?”
Mo Chaozong, the head of Lingxi Gate, glared at the scout with a dark expression.
If it weren’t for so many of his men being lost in the Eastern Sea, leaving him with a skeleton crew, he might have seriously considered digging a pit for this scout.
You were supposed to gather intel, and all you tell me is he’s super handsome? What’s that supposed to help me with?!
The scout shrank his neck, snapped back from his daze of cash shock, thought hard for a while, and finally added before Mo could blow up:
“Recently, Li Mo and a few of his buddies seem to have hit a wall in their realms and are brainstorming on how to break through.”
“And what kind of methods are they looking into to break through this wall?”
“Not sure yet.”
Mo Chaozong narrowed his eyes; this could actually be somewhat useful information.
He waved his hand:
“Go investigate further.”
“Yes!”
Once the scout left, Mo Chaozong continued to frown deeply. He’d suffered a big loss from intel last time in the Eastern Sea.
Thus, he’s been especially cautious about this recently.
Not just with Li Mo—he’d sent people to watch him—he even had spies mingling among those bringing congratulatory gifts to keep an eye on Qingyuan Sect.
To say Qingyuan Sect was more formidable than he expected would be an understatement.
There was the mysterious Supreme Elder, the undoubtedly skilled divine beauty, and the brawny champ of the fifth realm from Qingyuan…
“Should we make a move?”
Mo Chaozong was feeling a bit unsure.
Bang!
Suddenly, the door was swung open with a loud crash.
“What do you mean you’re back? I’ve told you so many times—knock, knock, knock, you moron!”
Mo Chaozong slammed his hand on the table.
When he saw who stood at the door, his expression shifted to one of wariness.
This wasn’t the scout he had sent out.
“I am Luo Yexian, head of the Hall of Beasts of the Divine Sect!” Luo strolled in casually with his men.
The tension in the room was palpable.
After all, squeezing a dozen or so burly men in black into a small private room would make anyone nervous.
“You, over by the Eastern Sea, killed so many disciples of Lingxi Gate, plus one of our stewards. Are you still sulking over it?”
Mo Chaozong didn’t make any sudden moves.
Though he was of the sixth realm and not afraid of Luo, he was wary of the Huanmo Sect.
The Huanmo Sect had tanked after the battle at the Imperial Capital, but their centuries of foundations were still far beyond what Lingxi Gate could hope to match.
That being said, having suffered such a major loss, Mo’s tone had gone a little sour.
“I certainly didn’t k*ll any of your disciples; I killed bandits impersonating my Divine Sect members! The government even sent me a flag of honor, which I conveniently forgot to pick up.”
Luo Yexian shrugged, striking a relaxed and carefree pose as if channeling the Black Earth Immortal.
Mo Chaozong: “…..”
You might actually go pick it up.
But Luo had a point—Lingxi disciples first pretended to be from the magic sect, attempting to frame the Huanmo Sect. So, it was reasonable for them to retaliate.
It seemed the magic sect, usually unreasonable, was here more to talk things over rather than looking for a fight?
Sure enough.
Luo nodded to his men, who then pushed forward a figure, badly bruised but very much alive—an old steward of theirs.
“Here’s your guy back.”
“Everyone, put away your weapons.”
Mo Chaozong signaled his men, then asked:
“What’s your intention for barging in here?”
“Naturally, to discuss cooperation.”
Luo had recently gotten a nod from his leader, and another vice-leader was already on their way.
“Our Lingxi Gate is a reputable sect! We can’t possibly conspire with a tiger!”
Mo Chaozong tried to sound righteous but had no intention of sending them off.
“Hey, if we’re talking right and wrong, the Divine Sect has been the state religion of Da Shang for thousands of years! Evil or not, we’ve been the rightful evil! Times are changing! I thought Mo Chaozong was unique, not a stick in the mud!”
Luo stood up, making a proactive move:
“If the Divine Sect makes a move, we’re guaranteed confidence. If you’ve come to your senses, let’s meet tomorrow at dusk on the outskirts of the city.”
With that, he and his entourage turned to leave.
Mo Chaozong had no immediate reaction, nor did he stop them; instead, his mind was swirling with thoughts.
He feared that the Huanmo Sect wanted Lingxi Gate to be cannon fodder.
But judging by Luo’s demeanor, it seemed he actually had something to back him up.
“Master, should we go?”
The steward beside him asked.
Mo Chaozong pondered for a moment before answering firmly, “Let’s go!”
“Headmaster, your voice sounds a bit shaky… maybe we should reconsider?” The steward wiped his sweat; teaming up with the magic sect was risky business.
Seeing his men hesitating, Mo slammed his palm on the table with all his might, declaring:
“Wealth lies at the edge of danger! Let’s go!!”
His voice boomed, echoing throughout the room.
A light clicked on in the adjoining room, followed by a somewhat screechy female voice:
“What are you howling about in the middle of the night? People have to work tomorrow!”
“You old hag, Headmaster, let me go take care of her!”
“Forget it, we don’t want to make small losses into bigger ones.”
Mo Chaozong took a deep breath. He was crafty, unlike the reckless Qiao Ziyu.
“I wonder what Luo Yexian is banking on, anyway…”
—
On the other side, at the Li residence in Ziyang Mansion…
“Alright, got it, when the time comes, I’ll lend you a hand.”
Li Mo tucked away the divine sect’s token.
Earlier, Luo Yexian had contacted him, speaking very respectfully about recent big moves in the Huanmo Sect.
Given the lack of certainty, he suggested that Li and the previous sect master launch a joint effort, promising substantial rewards from the magic sect.
Li Mo then inquired about the nature of the operation.
Luo didn’t elaborate in the token but mentioned a major operation near Qingyuan Sect, inviting him to the outskirts of Ziyang Mansion tomorrow at dusk to discuss further.
Well, that sounds convenient.
He was practically at Ziyang Mansion already; just a short trip and he’d be there.
