Chapter 105: Straw

Lan Ruoting resembled a sly raccoon. Relying on her family’s secret techniques, she relentlessly pursued Wu Luohua and Gan Yu, two individuals she had briefly encountered at a tavern. She knew both were fastidious about cleanliness, and such people, without realizing it, carried a unique personal scent. Yet, at this moment, they must have lost that scent, for those captured no longer concerned themselves with appearances—they fought simply for survival.

However, Lan Ruoting had her own method. With a deft motion, she produced a bamboo tube from behind her back. This tube was considerably larger than usual. She softly chanted a few words over a tiny opening, then infused a trace of spiritual energy. The bamboo tube began to stir restlessly. The young woman smiled gently, deftly opening the lid. A few buzzing sounds followed as a dozen bird-sized creatures, no larger than peanuts, fluttered out and scattered in all directions under her watchful gaze. Without pausing, Lan Ruoting continued on her way.

“Hey, look at that little girl. On such a beautiful moonlit night, she’s not here drinking or admiring the moon—she’s running off somewhere. Quite odd, isn’t it?” A slender man clad in armor asked curiously.

“You don’t know a thing. Just because you’re holding an axe while looking at the moon doesn’t mean you’re appreciating it,” retorted Er Wen, a burly scholar who stepped out from behind the armored man.

“Get lost! I like holding this axe and gazing at the moon more than you do with your sour scholar’s cup, which has already run dry. Doesn’t that feel awkward?” Er Wen shot back.

“Ah, it’s only because today’s Lingjue Arena has been so thrilling. You know me—I love a good show and some wine. I ended up drinking it all without noticing, so now I’m left only to face the moon with an empty cup,” said the scholar, none other than Da Wu.

With a swift motion, a wine jug flew through the air. Da Wu caught it effortlessly, inhaled its fragrance, and praised, “Excellent wine! Many thanks to Young Master Qing for the kind gesture.”

A handsome young master approached, his gaze following Lan Ruoting’s graceful figure as it vanished into the distance. “Perhaps tonight’s Guihai City will be livelier than the Lingjue Arena by day. Yet who will emerge victorious remains uncertain. It is surprising that such a commotion in Lingjue Arena could be stirred by a mere passerby.”

Shangguan Qing smiled faintly, fully understanding Da Wu’s meaning. With a wry smile, he said, “This time, I’m afraid I must refrain from intervening. After all, our orders are merely to survey the situation.”

Da Wu shook his head. “Young Master Qing, forgive my boldness, but our sect leader is farsighted. Layers of traps have been set across the Linglong Continent, and Guihai City is a critical stronghold. Otherwise, you would not have traveled so far here. This means Guihai City is a vital asset to the sect leader—perhaps, in his eyes, it may fall, but never utterly fail; it must retain its intrinsic value.”

Shangguan Qing nodded abruptly. “I understand. Perhaps tomorrow morning we should meet with Guihaixin.”

The moon ascended slowly, and Shangguan Qing lifted his gaze to behold the moonlight bathing Guihai City. Perhaps this radiance shone just for him.

“Third Grandfather, please let me go find Brother Mo,” Nalan Xin’er pleaded, her face marked by reluctance as she looked up at the stern elder.

Master Yunfa remained solemn. “No.”

The young witch pouted. “Why not? Can’t I be with Brother Mo?”

Master Yunfa’s tone grew heavy with meaning. “Perhaps yesterday it might have been possible, but from now on, no. The Yun Tian Sect has officially declared its stance today. Yesterday, Guihai City still showed you respect due to your sect identity, but from this day forward, they will regard us as enemies—thorns in their flesh. You must not leave; if anything happens, I will not be able to explain to Senior Brother.”

The young witch glared at Master Yunfa, speechless, scheming an escape opportunity. At that moment, a voice spoke up: “Third Uncle is right, Xin’er. This is not the time for recklessness. If you leave the Yun Tian Sect without permission, Senior Brother will not object, but for now, you must obey. Once the Lingjue Arena concludes, I will grant you a special allowance to continue traveling with Mo Bai.”

It was Jiu Xi’s voice.

Upon entering, Jiu Xi displayed the authority of the Punishment Hall’s Chief. Though humble before others, he would never show weakness before Master Yunfa. Though Yunfa’s dark face twitched, he dared not speak against Jiu Xi. Despite Yunfa’s seniority, he was merely a common disciple, while Jiu Xi held a high rank as Punishment Hall Chief.

Jiu Xi continued, “Junior brothers Jiu Ling and Jiu Tong, you two must accompany Xin’er closely. Third Uncle and I have matters to discuss.” Jiu Ling and Jiu Tong understood; they shared the question of why Master Yunfa—who should be repenting at Reflection Cliff—was here. After all, his crimes were grave, decreed by the sect founder, Master Ku Zhi.

Master Yunfa knew Jiu Xi’s meaning and was silent. Now, with a great threat looming, despite the many formidable fighters of Yun Tian Sect and Yi Hua Sect, they could not match the numbers of Guihai City. Moreover, Guihai City had hired many powerful cultivators. The Golden Elder of the Falling Leaf Sect alone was formidable. Master Yunfa sought to atone through merit and thus did not dare confront Jiu Xi. He turned and followed behind him into the inner hall.

“Third Uncle, why have you come? Moreover, why declare our sect’s stance so openly? I was sent by Deputy Leader Yun Ling to assess the situation and send a spiritual pigeon for instructions. Your arrival confuses me,” Jiu Xi asked as they entered.

Master Yunfa’s voice sank solemnly: “It is the command of our master, Ku Zhi.”

Those words alone shocked Jiu Xi profoundly.