Chapter 110: Well-Intentioned Efforts

Page 1/3

Jiu Xi suddenly felt something was wrong. Master Yun Fa was entangled by a ghostly figure for a moment, and in the next instant, both Jiu Xi and Hu Feng were stunned to see that Master Yun Fa had disappeared into the pine and bamboo forest.

“Ah, what’s going on?” Hu Feng muttered in disbelief. He had never imagined anyone could escape his Xuanyuan’s One Kill technique, especially with Jiu Xi’s Nine Sword Locking Mantra in effect. It was truly unimaginable.

Jiu Xi’s expression darkened deeply. This was a grave threat to him. The newcomer’s allegiance was unknown—friend or foe—but if Yun Fa were to reveal his true feelings to this person, it would pose an enormous danger to Jiu Xi himself. Although Yun Fa was currently atoning for his crimes, he had received the permission of the Ku Zhi Patriarch to descend the mountain and aid the Yi Hua Sect through this calamity. If Jiu Xi assassinated him now, it would be a serious offense. If the Ku Zhi Master heard of this, Jiu Xi would not be punished as lightly as Yun Fa, who was only sent to the Repentance Cliff for reflection.

The more Jiu Xi thought about it, the grimmer his face became, cold sweat forming on his forehead. Hu Feng, noticing Jiu Xi’s expression, ceased to dwell on his own failure and anxiously asked, “Brother Jiu Xi, what shall we do now?”

Jiu Xi said fiercely, “We cannot let Yun Fa live.” Even now, his murderous intent remained strong.

Hu Feng nodded. “Indeed. Before Yun Fa spreads word that we attempted to encircle and kill him, rest assured, Brother Jiu Xi, I will give orders at once. My men will search for Yun Fa with all their might. The moment we find any trace, I will send you a signal.” He sheathed his precious sword, flicked his body, and vanished.

Watching Hu Feng’s retreating figure, Jiu Xi felt a chill in his heart. Suddenly, he thought of someone—a person the whole world was watching. Could it be that this individual saved Yun Fa? If so, why would he still have time to come here? If not, how many mysterious figures still lurked in Guihai City? Was assisting Hu Feng the right choice? Could Hu Feng truly shoulder this great responsibility and become his most steadfast ally? One thought after another flashed through Jiu Xi’s mind, but he had already set off. He must find that person and get clear answers.

Page 2/3

Master Yun Fa was still immersed in the terror of moments before. Throughout his life, he had faced countless battles and intrigues with enemies, but never had he felt so helpless as he did then. He did not know if, without this person’s timely rescue, he could have withstood that fatal sword strike. Even if he could, it would never have left him unscathed like now. He could not be harmed—at least, not by Jiu Xi’s hand.

“My friend, thank you for your timely aid,” Master Yun Fa said gratefully with a respectful bow.

“No trouble at all, Master. Consider this a favor returned,” the man replied, slowly turning around.

Master Yun Fa was stunned, momentarily speechless. “You? Mo Bai!”

Indeed, it was Mo Bai who had saved Yun Fa. He nodded at Yun Fa. “Yes, it’s me. Why do you look so surprised, Master?”

Yun Fa sighed. “Of course I’m surprised. I never dreamed it would be you.”

“Oh?” Mo Bai shrugged and asked.

Yun Fa said, “Mo, to be honest, our encounters have been brief and far from pleasant. Even if we are not enemies, I don’t think we could ever be friends. So I never expected you to save me.”

Mo Bai replied, “Perhaps there are other reasons.”

Yun Fa frowned, then suddenly laughed aloud. Always serious, this unexpected laughter took Mo Bai aback. Yun Fa’s voice rang out: “You’re sharp, nothing escapes you. Of course, there must be other reasons. The most surprising is that tonight, you should be the most anxious and confused person. Yet you had the presence of mind to come out here—and even more, to save me. How could I not be surprised?”

Mo Bai smiled faintly, fully understanding Yun Fa’s meaning. Tonight, the fate of Wu Luohua was uncertain—whether she lived or died, and who she would fall into determined Mo Bai’s own path, even his future. At such a time, anyone would be restless and anxious. If no one sought him out, that would be fortunate enough; how could he spare the heart to meddle in others’ affairs? Yet, regretfully, Mo Bai had come—and saved Master Yun Fa.

“Master, why?” Mo Bai was about to ask, naturally wondering why Jiu Xi and Hu Feng had sought to encircle and kill Yun Fa in the pine and bamboo forest.

But Yun Fa interrupted, “I know what you want to ask. I can only tell you this is an internal matter of the Yun Tian Sect. We do not want outsiders involved. Though we may now consider ourselves friends—or nearly so—you are still an outsider to me, Mo Bai. Do you understand?” The last three words were laden with profound meaning. Having spoken them, Yun Fa gazed expectantly at the night sky, in the direction of the Yun Tian Sect.

Mo Bai nodded in understanding, silently admiring Yun Fa’s strategic vision. How could he not guess Yun Fa’s hidden intentions? Since the Battle of Yun Kong, the Yun Tian Sect had become strong in appearance but weak inside. Though Mo Bai did not know how Yun Fa had lifted his ban, a mere drop of water could not quench the fire. Jiu Xi was a rising talent in the younger generation, and with time, would surely contribute to the revival of Yun Tian. Even if he was reckless now, he would gradually change. This was Yun Fa’s hope—he preferred to bear hardship himself rather than let outsiders exploit these gaps as an opportunity to destroy the Yun Tian Sect.

After a long pause, Yun Fa seemed to recall something and cleared his throat awkwardly. “Mo, why have you come here?”

Mo Bai sighed, “It’s my own incompetence. I carelessly put Xiao Hua in danger. I thought I had planned everything perfectly, but human schemes can never surpass heaven’s will. Now, with Xiao Hua and Miss Gan’s lives uncertain, how can I sit idly by? So...”

Yun Fa nodded, “So you must take the initiative, refusing to be controlled by others.”

Mo Bai shook his head helplessly. “I just wanted to try my luck.”

Yun Fa said, “Indeed, among so many in Guihai City, only masters like Hu Feng remain hidden. But perhaps you have chosen the wrong person. From my point of view, Hu Feng would not be the one to rescue Master Wu.”

Page 3/3

“Oh? Why do you say that, Master?” Mo Bai knew Yun Fa had already seen through his thoughts. Now, on the Lingjue Arena, Guihai’s clans, Yi Hua Sect, Yun Tian Sect, and many reclusive experts had all stepped forth. Yet Hu Feng, once praised by Tian Huashan as the most ambitious in Guihai City, had yet to show himself. Considering Guihai Rong’an’s goal in capturing Wu Luohua was to have him eliminate the Yi Hua Sect on Lingjue Arena and secure victory for the Guihai clan, Mo Bai naturally suspected Hu Feng might share a similar ambition—seizing Wu Luohua halfway, then threatening Mo Bai to help him establish his position in Guihai City’s chaos.

If so, Hu Feng's appetite was enormous; he faced two formidable enemies: the Guihai clan and the Yi Hua Sect. The former would never allow another faction to rise in Guihai City to rival them. The latter, if victorious, would crush the Guihai clan utterly. Would the Yi Hua Sect tolerate any other sizable factions surviving? Perhaps they would use the momentum from eradicating the Guihai clan to destroy all gangs in Guihai City, eliminating future threats altogether. In such an environment, how could Hu Feng succeed? Clearly, with Mo Bai’s help, his chances might increase. From the moment Mo Bai left Xiao Xue and ascended Lingjue Arena, he was already watching Hu Feng. Coincidentally, Hu Feng and Jiu Xi had slipped away together, further attracting Mo Bai’s attention. Only after the recent events in the pine and bamboo forest did Mo Bai act, saving Master Yun Fa.

“Master, perhaps you are right. Compared to Jiu Xi, my allure to Hu Feng is too weak. The head of the Yun Tian Sect’s Punishment Hall surely carries more weight than a nobody like me,” Mo Bai admitted.

“Both are ambitious men, but who knows how far that ambition will be utilized? If managed well, it could benefit everyone. But if it’s excessive, I fear neither will survive this catastrophe,” Yun Fa sighed.

“Master, do you mean...” Mo Bai suddenly asked.

With a mysterious smile, Yun Fa replied, “Let’s wait until we find Master Wu before we discuss further.”

Mo Bai could only nod silently. Another lead lost—then who had kidnapped Wu Luohua and Gan Yu?

Lan Ruoting pondered the same question. She had followed her spirit bird over ten miles beyond Guihai City, reaching its outskirts. How could Wu Luohua have been abducted so far away? Yet, to her astonishment, her most trusted spirit bird began circling in place, repeatedly flapping its delicate wings but refusing to move forward. Lan Ruoting secretly channeled two streams of spiritual energy, but the bird resisted, unwilling to proceed.

She muttered, “Damn bird, never obedient when it counts. What good are you?”

Suddenly, a silvery bell-like laugh rang out: “No one in this world can be trusted; what is there to believe in with a mere beast?”