Chapter Seventy-Three: The Eve

Inside the Guihai Hall, the steward Li Tong treaded carefully, not daring to utter a single word. Yet a slip of desire had already betrayed Bai Yu’s character.

“Yu’er never managed to rid himself of that flaw, not even in death,” Guihai Xin sighed, closing his eyes.

Guihai Yidao stared intently at Bai Yu’s final blow. “His spiritual energy was fierce and domineering, but I wonder why Brother Bai didn’t even try to dodge. It must have been someone familiar to him—someone who caught him off guard and left him defenseless, resulting in his death.”

Guihai Rong’an asked, “Second Brother, are you referring to a woman?”

Guihai Yidao replied, “I only said it was someone he knew, not whether it was a man or a woman. Last night, Father sent Brother Bai to investigate Mo Bai, and after that, he was attacked. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with Mo Bai.”

Guihai Rong’an nodded, “Second Brother’s reasoning is sound, but no one witnessed what kind of conversation or interaction Brother Bai had with Mo Bai.”

Everyone nodded in agreement, but suddenly a voice spoke: “I happened to witness that duel last night.” Turning around, they saw the speaker—it was the Four-Fingered Emperor of the Zither, Ping Yichen.

Guihai Xin said, “So it’s Mr. Ping. I wonder, what exactly happened last night between my disciple and Mo Bai?”

The Four-Fingered Emperor answered, “Last night, Brother Bai and Mo Bai fought atop the cliff of Guihai Pavilion. Unexpectedly, Mo Bai subdued his throat with a special technique.” As Ping Yichen spoke, everyone was astonished. No one had expected Mo Bai to be able to seize the throat of Guihai City’s foremost disciple; after all, spiritual cultivators are not immortal—once their vital points are captured, their lives are in peril.

The Four-Fingered Emperor continued, “But Mo Bai did not take his life. He let Bai Yu go.”

“Then who killed Brother Bai?” Guihai Rong’an asked.

“That begins with last night’s moonlight,” the Four-Fingered Emperor recounted, seemingly indifferent to Bai Yu’s fate, narrating only as his mood dictated.

Guihai Rong’an had no choice but to restrain his impatience and listen as the Four-Fingered Emperor continued, “Last night, the moon was full and beautiful. I didn’t expect so many others to share my love for admiring all things beautiful. Mo Bai was one, and so was a stunning young woman. Yet, it seems your esteemed disciple did not hold your words as dearly as you might have hoped. Upon reaching the cliff, he was completely captivated by the woman, forgetting all about his mission to probe Mo Bai.”

Guihai Yidao understood at once and cursed, “That fool! His lust cost him his life.”

Guihai Rong’an asked, “Could it be that the beautiful woman killed Brother Bai? Mr. Ping, do you know her name, or remember her face?”

The Four-Fingered Emperor seemed to recall something delightful, and said intoxicatedly, “Once the eldest son sees her, he will never forget her visage.”

Guihai Rong’an was rather surprised, “Are there truly women of such unparalleled beauty in this world?”

The Four-Fingered Emperor smiled slightly, “Not necessarily. It’s not only peerless beauties who leave an impression; some women are simply extraordinary.”

Guihai Rong’an grew even more curious, “Then surely Mr. Ping knows her name?”

The Four-Fingered Emperor shook his head, “I must admit, all I know is that her name contains ‘Snow’. But unfortunately, she is a disciple of the Flower Sect.”

The crowd was shocked. From the Hall of Righteousness, Ouyang Zhenghe, the hall master, spoke loudly, “This woman is most likely the murderer of Young Master Bai. First, according to Mr. Ping, Young Master Bai must have had some discord or entanglement with her. Second, our greatest opponent in the Lingjue Tournament is the Flower Sect; fearing disgrace, they attacked Young Master Bai. This also supports Second Young Master’s analysis: Bai must have been shocked upon seeing that witch again, and thus was completely unguarded—leading to his death.”

Li Tong clung to this as a lifeline, immediately echoing, “Master Ouyang is right! It must be that witch from the Flower Sect with ‘Snow’ in her name. I will go and capture her to avenge Young Master Bai!”

Guihai Rong’an said, “Steward Li, be calm. Father, I think we should let this matter rest for now. When the Lingjue Tournament begins, we will seek revenge, one by one.”

Guihai Xin nodded slowly, “An’er is right. Dao’er, go handle the aftermath.”

Guihai Yidao bowed deeply to Guihai Xin, then turned a cold gaze to Li Tong, “Steward Li, come with me to find the person who first discovered Brother Bai’s body.”

Li Tong suddenly felt a chill in his heart—for the first time in all his years in Guihai City, he sensed such coldness. He realized Second Young Master intended to silence witnesses and prevent word of Bai’s death from leaking, to preserve morale. He shrank his neck, crawling after Guihai Yidao, stumbling out of the hall in a panic.

Guihai Yidao had just left the hall when he heard Ouyang Zhenghe mutter, “Master, should I go teach those ignorant women a lesson?”

Guihai Xin gave no reply, but his tacit approval was clear. A glint of murderous intent flashed in Ouyang Zhenghe’s eyes as he withdrew quietly.

“Sweet dreams, sweet dreams,” Mo Bai yawned with abandon, when someone knocked on his door.

“Hero Mo, Brother Mo, are you up yet? Tomorrow is the official start of the Lingjue Tournament. Shouldn’t we strategize?” Though the Cold-Faced Gentleman had drunk plenty last night, he was at Mo Bai’s door early the next morning.

Wu Luohua rolled over and mumbled, “That damned fellow—if not for exposing my fake father-in-law, I’d have spanked him properly.”

Mo Bai gave a bitter smile, “You should thank Brother Tian. Do you really want to seem a lazy man in Miss Gan’s eyes?”

“Ah, ah!” Wu Luohua leapt up, opened the door, and planted a heartfelt kiss on Tian Huashan’s forehead, “Thank you, Brother Tian!” Then he dashed away, legs flying.

Tian Huashan stared in confusion at the mischievous Mo Bai, who beckoned him inside, “Good morning, Brother Tian. I wonder what excitement today’s Lingjue Tournament will bring?”

Tian Huashan blushed and whispered, “I’m afraid today won’t be lively. The storm of Lingjue Tournament is about to hit.”

Mo Bai glanced at the morning sunlight outside, touched the scar on his left brow, and said, “No, today’s sunshine feels so warm.”