Chapter Eighteen: Seeking Help

Mo Bai, already walking close to the Heavenly Vein Hall with Master Yun Kong, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart. Licentiousness may be a grave offense, but even in the government’s eyes, it was merely a crime punishable by exile to the frontier. He hadn’t expected the rules of the Yuntian Sect to be so severe. Then, a new thought occurred to him—something was amiss. If that were truly the case, why had Shun Qing begged for mercy before his death?

A wretched, piercing scream echoed, followed by flames leaping skyward outside. The fiery furnace blazed fiercely, a terrifying sight—clearly, Shun Qing had been reduced to ashes. Before Mo Bai could react, Master Yun Kong spoke with satisfaction, “Young friend, your compassion is that of a Bodhisattva. Today, you have done a good deed.”

Mo Bai had not yet spoken when Wu Luohua chimed in from the side, “Upholding justice and eradicating evil is our duty, Master. There’s no need for praise. If you really wish to reward me, then a thousand taels of gold would suffice. I’m a bit strapped for cash lately, hehe, hehe.” He said this with a mischievous grin.

Master Yun Kong’s face showed a trace of embarrassment, but he quickly smiled and replied, “Although the Yuntian Sect is one of the largest spiritual sects under heaven, I, alas, have no money. All the sect’s wealth and treasures are managed by my fourth junior brother, Yun Tong.”

Yun Kong paused in surprise then, and Mo Bai smiled, “Master, why do you say I have done a good deed?”

Master Yun Kong explained, “Your spiritual prowess is extraordinary. If you had wished to kill Shun Qing, it would have been effortless. Yet, you chose instead to trouble yourself and bring him here to be dealt with by my junior brother Yun Punish—it shows your thoughtfulness.”

Wu Luohua, puzzled, interjected, “My brother Mo was only showing respect to our sect, it has nothing to do with compassion!”

Master Yun Kong shook his head. “Not so. In truth, young friend Mo feared that if word spread among the Yuntian Sect that Shun Qing had been killed by an outsider, those disciples close to him might go to Yun Jian Town and cause trouble. That would bring great suffering to the townsfolk.”

Wu Luohua glanced at Mo Bai and said, “I didn’t expect you, Brother Mo, to be not only charming but also so kind-hearted.”

Mo Bai laughed, “You flatter me, truly.”

Suddenly, Master Yun Kong said, “If young friend Mo were not so considerate, how could the esteemed son of the Wu family so willingly call you his brother?”

The two young men exchanged glances and burst into awkward laughter. Wu Luohua, in particular, seemed embarrassed, his cheeks flushing red. “So Master Yun Kong has already recognized me.”

“Haha, how many people could so casually produce a jade treasure pouch?” Master Yun Kong chuckled.

Wu Luohua was taken aback, protesting, “Though the jade treasure pouch is a treasure, there are fourteen such items in the Linglong Continent. How could you be so sure, Master?”

Suddenly, Master Yun Kong’s eyes grew deep and distant, as if recalling something from long ago. Rising slowly, he said, “I remember, twenty years ago, before my master secluded himself in the Palace atop the Clouds, he and I journeyed together, arriving at the Wu family, renowned for their spiritual cultivation. I picked up a toddler—he was but a year or two old, yet already possessed extraordinary talent, surely destined for greatness. As I stood in amazement, the child suddenly urinated on me. Haha, it snapped me back to my senses.”

Wu Luohua burst out laughing, “So Master Yun Kong has even experienced my childhood mischief! But it’s a pity—I’m hardly gifted, in fact, I can’t gather the least bit of spiritual energy. I’m a complete good-for-nothing.”

Yun Kong paused, then, inexplicably, reached out a hand. Though his motion was slow, Wu Luohua could not evade it. Mo Bai softly remarked, “Little Hua, the master wants to check if your spiritual veins remain.”

Sure enough, as soon as Master Yun Kong placed a hand on Wu Luohua’s pulse, his brow furrowed tightly. “Impossible, impossible. Even if I lacked my current cultivation twenty years ago, I could not have been mistaken—you truly have not a trace of spiritual energy.”

Wu Luohua replied with a bitter smile, “Did you think just now, Master, that my cultivation was so advanced you could not even sense it? The Wu family may be renowned for spiritual cultivation, but compared to the five major sects, we fall short. There’s no need to be alarmed.”

Yun Kong blushed. “You jest, young master. Perhaps you are hungry. Allow me to have my disciples prepare some of our sect’s special dishes for you to try?”

Wu Luohua muttered, “If you’re willing to give a slap and then offer a sweet date, Master, I am only too happy to accept. Brother Mo, let’s eat together.” Clearly, Wu Luohua was still annoyed at Yun Kong for checking his pulse without permission.

Yun Kong’s face turned ashen, but Mo Bai said, “I’ve eaten too much beef, Little Hua. You go ahead, I’d like to speak with the master for a while.”

Wu Luohua floated away, waving as he went, “All the better, so you won’t steal my share again, haha.” With that, he departed, led by the disciples outside the Hall of the Heavenly Veins.

Once Wu Luohua was gone, Mo Bai quietly said, “Master, if you have something to say, please speak freely.”

A look of delight appeared on Yun Kong’s face. “You truly are astute, Hero Mo. I do indeed have something to ask.”

Mo Bai replied solemnly, “Please speak, Master. Whether I can be of help remains to be seen.”

Yun Kong sighed. “With your skill, Hero Mo, able to subdue Jiu Tong without moving a muscle, if you cannot help the Yuntian Sect, it would be a great pity.” Clearly, news of what happened in Yunxia Village had already spread throughout the sect.

Mo Bai now sensed the gravity of the matter and felt a sudden reluctance to get involved. The scar on his left brow twitched unconsciously. Then Yun Kong went on, “The Yuntian Sect has always been a flourishing school of spiritual cultivation. But ever since my eldest brother Yun Jin entered Cloud Palace three years ago, strange things have begun to happen within our sect.”

Strange things? Yun Kong’s words piqued Mo Bai’s curiosity. He asked, “What exactly has happened to the Yuntian Sect?”

Master Yun Kong gazed up at the sky and lamented, “At first, many core disciples vanished without reason. Then, scattered among the thirteen peaks, their corpses were discovered. Finally, even my fifth junior brother was attacked and injured—he has been unable to wield spiritual power for a long time.”

Mo Bai was shocked. “You mean, this is the work of someone within the sect?”

Yun Kong’s eyes flashed. “I knew inviting Hero Mo to investigate would not be a mistake.”

Mo Bai was stunned, realizing he had unwittingly fallen into Yun Kong’s trap. Now privy to such confidential matters, he could not simply walk away, even if he wished. Mo Bai shook his head and smiled—some things, after all, could not be avoided.