Chapter 27: A Bitter Smile

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In that instant, Jiu Xi shot out like a flash. His fingers moved swiftly in midair, and streaks of light coiled around the main spiritual acupoints of Yu Fei’s body. Yu Fei, fallen to the ground, could no longer move.

Yun Fa spoke coldly, “Yu Fei, do you know what you’re doing?” Such an incident had occurred within Cloud Sky Sect, and right before the eyes of Master Yun Fa, who oversaw punishment. How could this strict cultivator not be furious?

Yun Kong slowly stood up and said, “Jiu Xi, release his mute acupoint so he can speak.” Jiu Xi nodded, flicked his fingers through the air, and Yu Fei felt a sourness in his throat. He coughed and drew a long breath.

Mo Bai’s face showed no hatred; instead, he regarded Yu Fei calmly and asked, “Why did you try to assassinate me?”

Yu Fei shouted angrily, “Why do you think? Aren’t you the same kind of scoundrel? Didn’t you use such dishonorable means to injure my uncle?”

Everyone was stunned. While most did not understand, Yun Fa suddenly sensed something. He asked, “Yu Fei, is your uncle from the Peak of Boundless Heights?”

Yu Fei’s tone was proud but tinged with grief. “My uncle is Dong Zi Xuan.”

Master Yun Fa nodded, and astonishment swept across everyone's faces. So Yu Fei was the nephew of the Lord of Boundless Heights! No wonder, as an outer disciple, he had managed to stand out among a hundred inner disciples.

Yet what shocked them even more was not Yu Fei’s identity, but the fact that Dong Zi Xuan had been injured—and, from Yu Fei’s tone, not lightly. To know that the Lord of Boundless Heights, though part of the outer sect within Cloud Sky Sect, possessed spiritual power comparable to the Six Elders of Cloud Sky, and held the highest position among the outer disciples. That he could be injured was truly unexpected. Moreover, Yu Fei accused Mo Bai without hesitation—how could this not surprise everyone?

Yun Fa turned and gave Mo Bai a long look, yet found nothing in his expression. He turned back to Yu Fei and asked, “Yu Fei, what proof do you have to accuse Hero Mo of harming your uncle?” Yun Fa’s question was clearly offering Yu Fei a chance.

Yu Fei squared his shoulders and said with sorrowful indignation, “Though I have no concrete evidence, last night after my uncle was struck, I saw a figure. That figure I will never forget—it was him, Mo Bai!”

Mo Bai shook his head helplessly, and Master Yun Fa also felt this reasoning was flimsy. He asked again, “Is that all?”

Yu Fei was taken aback, then retorted, “Mo Bai, can you claim you never left your quarters last night? Did you ever leave Cloud Jun Peak?”

Everyone looked at Mo Bai. Mo Bai nodded, “I did go out.” There was a collective gasp.

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Yu Bai continued, “Where did you go? Dare you say?”

Mo Bai smiled bitterly, “It’s not that I don’t dare, but that I cannot.”

All eyes turned to Mo Bai, especially Master Yun Fa. At this moment, Jiu Xi had fully released Yu Fei’s acupoints. Master Yun Fa coughed and said, “Hero Mo, though you are a guest of our Cloud Sky Sect, such an incident has occurred. We hope you can give an explanation, so that everyone might understand.” Though Yun Fa’s words were courteous, everyone heard the implication—he too doubted Mo Bai.

Mo Bai touched the scar at his brow, and slowly spoke, “Forgive me for not being able to answer truthfully, but I can promise that last night I did not go to Boundless Heights, nor did I injure Lord Dong Zi Xuan.”

Master Yun Fa’s face darkened further; this was a challenge to his authority. In Cloud Sky Sect, no one had dared to behave so boldly before him. Unconsciously, he took a large step forward—an action laden with meaning.

Many disciples of Cloud Sky Sect immediately closed in, drawing their swords and encircling Mo Bai. Mo Bai could only smile bitterly and bow his head, but a sharp light flickered unnoticed in his eyes.

Master Yun Fa shouted, “Hero Mo, since things are thus, do not blame me for being impolite. Our sect, though upright, cannot allow outsiders to act wantonly within our walls. The rules must be upheld—pardon me.”

Even as Yun Fa spoke, Jiu Xi moved like lightning to stand before Mo Bai. Ever since Mo Bai had arrived, the two had been engaged in a silent contest. Now, finally, a legitimate opportunity had arisen—Jiu Xi would not let it slip. His spiritual power surged, crackling like thunder, and he struck at Mo Bai. Mo Bai remained motionless, gambling on a question in his heart.

With a boom, a formless wave of spiritual energy struck, shattering Jiu Xi’s thunder-infused attack. Jiu Xi stared in shock at Master Yun Kong, at his slowly lowered arm, and exclaimed, “Second Uncle, why?”

Yun Kong replied slowly, “I trust Hero Mo’s character; he is not the culprit who harmed Zi Xuan.”

Yun Fa pressed urgently, “Second Brother, you—”

Yun Kong waved a hand to cut him off. “Third Brother, you are the head of the Punishment Hall; every penalty must be based on solid evidence. Do you have any now?”

Yun Fa was stunned, then lowered his head in silence.

Yun Kong turned to Mo Bai with earnest gravity. “Hero Mo, today’s events have caught me off guard. To ensure fairness, I must ask one thing—please promise to comply.”

Mo Bai looked at Yun Kong’s aged face and smiled, “Master, please speak. I will obey.”

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The wrinkles on Yun Kong’s face seemed to relax. “Good, good. Then, I ask Hero Mo not to leave the Cloud Jun Peak guest residence until this matter is resolved, so as to avoid unnecessary trouble.” As soon as he finished, he cast Mo Bai a meaningful glance.

Mo Bai understood and nodded in agreement.

Yun Kong then turned to Yun Fa and said, “Third Brother, so much has happened today. Regarding the disciple selection tournament, how should it conclude?”

At this moment, Yun Fa was extremely fair. He said, “There is still Zhi’er who hasn’t fought. We must finish according to the rules before drawing any conclusions.”

Yun Kong nodded, but suddenly heard Yun Tong say, “Second Brother, Third Brother, I think there’s no need for further matches. With Yu Fei’s incident, he’s already forfeited, and as for Jiu Ling, alas, I believe Zhi’er should advance directly. What do the other brothers and sisters think?”

Everyone praised Yun Tong’s impartiality. He was neither biased nor unfair. If Jiu Ling became the Fifth Brother’s direct disciple, would it be right or wrong? The silent Jiu Zhi unexpectedly entered the final list, becoming Master Yun Zui’s fourth direct disciple. Truly, the ways of the world are unpredictable.

Cloud Qi Peak dispersed in disquiet. Mo Bai, accompanied by Jiu Xi, returned to the Cloud Jun Peak guest residence. Also returning was Wu Luo Hua, who had just finished viewing the scenery. Though Wu Luo Hua didn’t know what had happened, the strange atmosphere alone made him uneasy.

Inside the residence, Young Lord Luo Hua waited until everyone had left, then whispered, “Brother Mo, what happened?”

Mo Bai smiled, “I’ve been wrongfully accused again. It seems I am a bringer of misfortune.”

Wu Luo Hua laughed warmly. “Brother Mo, you must be joking. Isn’t life splendid precisely because of such things? I believe you’ve gained much from this injustice.”

Mo Bai looked deeply at Wu Luo Hua, asking with hidden meaning, “Little Hua, did you also gain some unexpected insight while sightseeing with Nalan Xin’er?”

A trace of brightness flashed in Wu Luo Hua’s eyes, and he smiled, “Nothing escapes Brother Mo. I saw Cloud Heavenly Palace!”

Even Mo Bai was startled by these words. It seemed Cloud Sky Sect was indeed full of surprises and wonders!