Chapter 102: Stance

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Guihai Xin had devoted years of painstaking effort to building up Guihai City, yet now, due to a single misstep, he found himself facing this dire predicament. His already weathered face forced a trace of color in a feeble attempt at self-reassurance, but inwardly he was beset by helplessness. However, when he saw Mo Bai today, an audacious thought suddenly sprang forth in his mind: could this enigmatic man be the one to change his fate? Guihai Xin did not know, but, being subject to others’ control, he was willing to take a gamble.

“Young man, I, Guihai Xin, pay my respects.” Dressed in his deep purple-red robe, Guihai Xin stood before Mo Bai, his manner exceedingly courteous.

Mo Bai, in turn, regarded this true overlord of Guihai City, though his mood was clearly not as composed as Guihai Xin’s. “Can you bring my friend back?”

Guihai Xin was momentarily taken aback; he had not expected someone so young to address him in such a tone. Still, his heart surged with anticipation. “Brother Mo, please tell me the full story. Perhaps I may be able to help you.”

Mo Bai sneered. “If this truly was not the city lord’s doing, then I suppose I must speak plainly.”

At this, Guihai Xin’s brow furrowed—could this matter really be tied to Guihai City? That would be nothing short of disastrous. The Yuntian Sect had already sent the likes of Yun Fa, an old fox; if a master like Mo Bai were to be provoked further, the consequences could be dire. “I truly know nothing of this. Please, Brother Mo, speak openly!”

At this point, those present could not help but sigh, lamenting the bloodshed and carnage of the Lingjue Arena. Though the battles on the stage seemed fair enough, who could say how many had already died in secret? The greatest losses had fallen upon the brothers of the Nine Sects and Eighteen Gangs; it was clear the person Mo Bai wished to help must be one of their own.

Meanwhile, the woman in red, Hong Lin, suddenly felt a chill. She too had discerned Mo Bai’s intent in coming here. Her thoughts coincided with Guihai Xin’s: the arrival of such an unfathomable opponent would alter the course of the entire conflict.

Who could have imagined that a great battle between Guihai City and Yihua Sect would be changed so drastically by Mo Bai’s sudden appearance?

Yet at this moment, Guihai Xin’s face was tinged with joy. It seemed this mysterious expert was not here to aid Yihua Sect—at least, not for now. If he could be persuaded, perhaps he might be won over. Guihai Xin, with a touch of sorrow, said, “Brother Mo, I bear an inescapable responsibility for your friend’s death. After all, anyone who enters Guihai City falls under my protection. Rest assured, I will uncover the murderer as swiftly as possible and give you a satisfactory answer.”

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Hong Lin inwardly cursed the old fox, but Mo Bai spoke coldly, “You are indeed responsible, for it was your son who killed my friend. He murdered, then abducted my other two companions, using them to coerce me into doing his bidding. Hmph.”

Guihai Xin’s old face flushed red; he had not expected his flattery to backfire so spectacularly. Across from him, Hong Lin could not suppress a laugh. “Hoisted by your own petard—some people are simply vile and despicable, unworthy of being called a righteous sect. Such lowlifes dreaming of founding a sect of their own? What a joke.”

Stung by Hong Lin’s retort, Guihai Xin’s expression grew markedly grim. Mo Bai continued, “I care nothing for who is righteous or wicked. If anything happens to my brothers, I swear here and now: anyone involved—even tangentially—will accompany my brothers to the grave.”

Hong Lin’s face turned cold. She could not fail to grasp Mo Bai’s meaning—his friends had been taken precisely because of the feud between Guihai Xin and Yihua Sect. But now was not the time to say more, for she could not discern the true nature of the man before her, who was not much older than herself.

Guihai Xin said darkly, “Rong’an, Yidao, what is going on? Speak, now!”

Guihai Yidao started, then turned to look at his elder brother on the viewing platform. Guihai Rong’an was in utter turmoil—he had never imagined things would escalate so far. He had hoped to control Mo Bai through Wu Luohua, and even when he’d been forced to flee, he figured at worst Wu Luohua would be rescued; surely Mo Bai, a man of sense, would recognize the chaos and withdraw once his comrade was safe. But he never expected Mo Bai hadn’t managed to save Wu Luohua at all—where had she gone? Even he was at a loss. Still, Guihai Rong’an was a shrewd man. Since Mo Bai hadn’t rescued the hostage, there would be no proof of his crime—he could simply deny everything. “Father, I don’t know what he’s talking about,” he called out.

Guihai Xin regarded his two sons coldly, seeking some clue in their eyes or expressions, but in the end, he was disappointed. Both Rong’an and Yidao looked utterly natural, even faintly contemptuous. Guihai Xin turned back to Mo Bai with a smile. “Brother Mo, I believe there must be some misunderstanding. The Guihai family would never stoop so low. Besides, as you can see, today is a grand occasion for my family, with many powerful friends present—far more than Yihua Sect. Our victory in the Lingjue Arena is practically assured, so why would we risk harm to ourselves or others? There must be another explanation. I suspect the arena’s fame has drawn too many cultivators of every stripe; perhaps your friend ran afoul of one of them. Still, I promise you: no matter who committed such a treacherous act, once I find out, I will not spare them.”

After Guihai Xin’s lengthy speech, Mo Bai replied calmly, “I care little for who committed the crime. I only want my brothers safe. City Lord Guihai, I have an unreasonable request—may I speak it?”

Seeing Mo Bai’s tone soften, Guihai Xin was delighted. “Brother Mo, speak freely. I will agree to anything.”

Mo Bai sighed. “City Lord Guihai, it grows late, and the first day of the Lingjue Arena has already made quite a stir. Further contests seem pointless. Why not end things here for today? First, you may wait for Master Gu Meng himself to arrive and settle matters; after all, unless you defeat the true Gu Meng, Guihai City cannot truly claim its place among the five powers. Second, I ask all present—” Mo Bai cupped his hands to the gathered cultivators—“I say again: whoever helps me find my friends and brings them safely back to Guihai Pavilion, I will stand with them tomorrow in the arena, and risk my life on their behalf.”

Watching from the stands, Xiao Xue felt a chill. She could not understand why Mo Bai would do this. Even if they failed to rescue Wu Luohua and the others today, there was no need to be so rash. Now they were at a disadvantage—Guihai City’s influence was overwhelming, while their side had only a few people, even counting those from Yuntian Sect. Why was he doing this?

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A woman may never truly understand what lies in a man’s heart—just as a man may never fathom the thoughts of a woman.

Guihai Xin stroked his now-gray beard, then laughed heartily. “Very well, let it be as Brother Mo wishes. Tonight, Guihai City will not rest until we have an answer for you by dawn. I hereby declare today’s Lingjue Arena closed.” Then, turning sharply to the woman in red across the arena, he called out, “Hong Lin, if I were you, I would send a swift junior disciple back to Yihua Sect with news—otherwise, don’t blame me if tomorrow I show no mercy!”

Hong Lin responded with an enchanting smile. “Good, then I’ll see how merciless you can truly be. Perhaps Brother Mo will stand with Yihua Sect against Guihai City tomorrow?”

Guihai Xin laughed heartily. “Confidence is a fine thing, but I fear you’ll be disappointed. This is my Guihai City, not your Yihua Sect atop Maple Mountain.”

Hong Lin was unfazed. She knew this matter would not be easily resolved, but as Yihua Sect’s chief disciple, she could not lose face on the arena stage. “We shall see.” She flashed her most bewitching smile. “Elder, you’re not going to throw us girls out of Guihai Pavilion to wander the streets tonight, are you? Ah, ha ha ha.”

Guihai Xin was instantly furious. “Hmph, I am not so petty!”

“That’s good, that’s good.” Hong Lin spun gracefully off the stage, secretly pleased she’d managed to rile the old man at the end.