Chapter Thirty-Seven: Siege

The sky was shrouded in gloom, the wind trembling with cold. A young man clad in mourning robes knelt before a freshly dug grave, unmoving for so long that even those who had stood behind him for ages failed to notice. Mo Bai gazed at Yu Fei, understanding the turmoil in his heart; the sudden killing of Dong Zixuan had shattered the boy’s resolve. “The dead cannot return,” Mo Bai said gently, “grieve, but move forward.”

Yu Fei slowly turned his head, startled to see Mo Bai, for he could never have imagined that the visitor paying respects would be him. Tears stained his cheeks and his voice was choked as he asked, “Why are you here?”

Mo Bai replied quietly, “Do you still suspect me as the killer?”

Yu Fei hesitated. Although he knew what had transpired in the Tianmai Hall, Mo Bai still bore great suspicion. “Why aren’t you?”

Mo Bai walked forward, bowing before Dong Zixuan’s tombstone. “Though I never knew him,” Mo Bai said, “he died because of this hidden scheme, and I am but another piece in this vast puzzle. If I ever have the chance, I will avenge him.”

Yu Fei rose slowly, observing the man before him, no longer harboring any murderous intent. “Mo Bai, though the culprit remains unknown, I wish to know what this scheme you speak of truly is.”

Mo Bai answered solemnly, “Yu Fei, if you wish to avenge your uncle, you must steady your heart and become strong. Taotian Cliff lost Dong Zixuan, but it has you, Dong Yu Fei. Taotian Cliff will not fall.”

In that moment, Yu Fei’s eyes brimmed once more with confidence. He declared firmly, “I will.”

Elsewhere, Yun Ling sat lost in thought upon a bamboo chair, her hand propping her cheek, her beauty luminous in her distraction. A gentle, powerful hand rested on her shoulder.

Yun Ling smiled, a bittersweet emotion flickering within her excitement. “You’re here.” She did not turn, yet she knew who had arrived.

Mo Bai made no other gesture, his hand exuding infinite tenderness. “Perhaps tomorrow will be the day the clouds clear and the sun shines through. Will you help me?”

Yun Ling gave a wry smile. “Do I really have a choice?”

Mo Bai laughed as well. “Yet I may not be able to give you the life you want.”

Yun Ling countered, “Do you know what kind of life I desire?”

Mo Bai was taken aback. “I do not.”

Yun Ling raised her jade-like hand, pressing it atop Mo Bai’s, and after a long silence, finally spoke. “If one day we become adversaries, do not hold back against me, for I know I will not be able to strike you. If that happens, we will both be hurt.”

Mo Bai exhaled deeply. “Yes, rest assured, I will not let you be harmed.”

Only then did Yun Ling seem to set aside the unease in her heart. Pensive, she asked, “What do you need me to help with?”

Mo Bai knew that here lay the crux of the matter. He spoke slowly, “Write a note for me, to invite someone.”

Yun Ling turned, asking, “What should I write? Whom should I invite?”

Mo Bai used spiritual energy to trace several characters. Yun Ling’s mouth fell open in astonishment.

One of the summoned individuals spoke urgently, “At such a time, what important matter could you possibly have to seek me out?”

His counterpart was momentarily taken aback, replying in confusion, “Wasn’t it you who invited me?”

The other, alarmed, paused before saying, “Yun Fa, I can no longer help you.” With that, he shook his form and departed in haste.

Mo Bai nodded toward the distant Cloud Palace, then vanished into the boundless night.

Dong, dong, dong. The long-absent morning bell of the Yuntian Sect rang out. Whenever it sounded, something momentous occurred within the sect, and today was no exception. In the Tianmai Hall, Yun Kong coughed, signaling the disciples to quiet themselves. “Today, several major events must be announced, so all heads of the peaks and halls have been summoned.”

Once the hall was silent, Yun Kong continued, “The Master Yun Zui’s disciple selection contest has concluded, and seven disciples have emerged victorious, becoming Master Yun Zui’s personal students. Shortly, Master Yun Zui will be invited to conduct the acceptance ceremony himself.”

His words stirred the assembly, especially the seven chosen disciples. Since the contest began, none had met Master Yun Zui, which was peculiar. Among them, Nalan Xin’er widened her eyes, eager to finally see her rightful teacher.

Soon, however, shock swept through the crowd. Master Yun Zui was wheeled out by his attendant, looking pale and unable to walk. The seven disciples were stunned—what had happened to their master?

Yun Kong was unfazed, as if everything was foreseen. He spoke calmly, “Do not be surprised, disciples. Brother Yun Zui is gravely injured, which is why he must select disciples.”

The hall erupted in murmurs. One of the famed Six Sons of Yuntian, Master Yun Zui, hailed as the generation’s greatest spiritual cultivator—how could he be so severely wounded?

Master Yun Kong pressed on, “Indeed, unexpected events have occurred in the sect. Over the past three years, many outstanding brothers and disciples have been secretly harmed, and our sect has been at a loss. I hope you seven, upon entering Master Yun Zui’s tutelage, will strive to bring glory to Cloud Peak. Now, the acceptance ceremony shall begin.”

Yun Kong was about to commence the ritual when a shout rang out from outside the Tianmai Hall, “Second Uncle, please wait—I have something to say.” All heads turned to see a sharp-featured young man enter, still dressed in mourning. He spoke, “Second Uncle, does Master Yun Zui’s discipleship include me?”

Master Yun Kong frowned. “Yu Fei, why do you say this? You failed in the selection contest.”

Yu Fei replied loudly, “Second Uncle, my failure was not due to personal shortcomings, but because of the injustice suffered by Taotian Cliff. My uncle has just passed, the case is not resolved—do outer disciples have no chance at becoming inner disciples?”

Yun Fa, seated, said coldly, “Yu Fei, I am deeply saddened by what befell Taotian Cliff, but that has nothing to do with entering Cloud Peak, nor is it an issue of inner or outer disciples.”

Yu Fei spoke sadly, “If that is so, I shall say no more. But I earnestly ask the uncles and elders to determine first who shall be the chief of Taotian Cliff, so my uncle’s spirit may rest.”

Yun Kong agreed, “Taotian Cliff is an important outer division of our sect. It cannot be settled so hastily. Yu Fei, after the acceptance ceremony, we will reach a conclusion.”

Yu Fei gave a bitter smile. “Is the business of the outer division truly less important than that of the inner?”

At this point, Yun Tong spoke up, “Second Brother, if the outer is not settled, how can the inner be at peace for Master Yun Zui’s discipleship? Since Yu Fei is here, let Second Brother appoint him as chief of Taotian Cliff.”

Before Yun Kong could respond, Yun Fa abruptly stood. “Fourth Brother, the position of Taotian Cliff chief is of great importance, you know that. How can it be decided so lightly? Besides, Yu Fei is too young for this role.”

Yun Tong smiled slightly. “Third Brother, Yu Fei grew up at Taotian Cliff, knows every blade of grass and every person intimately, and from the contest, it is clear he has inherited Master Dong’s true teachings. I believe Yu Fei is the unique candidate.”

Yun Fa shook his head. “Yu Fei is still too young, unfit for the post. If the chief must be chosen today, I nominate Brother Yun Du, who has cultivated here for decades and is mature and steady, more than capable of this responsibility.”

Yun Tong was about to speak when Yun Ling interjected, “Third Brother, I agree with Fourth Brother. With Master Dong newly departed, both sentiment and reason dictate that Yu Fei should inherit his uncle’s post.”

Yun Fa’s expression darkened. “Little Sister, you’ve never involved yourself in such matters. I didn’t expect you to oppose me today.”

Yun Ling retorted proudly, “Third Brother, don’t you find that in recent years, too many positions lost to fallen brothers have been filled by your own disciples and their branches?”

Her words caused a commotion. Yun Fa’s face grew black as ink, even his eyebrows twitching in anger.

Mo Bai, who had been standing aside, finally stepped forward, smiling. “Master Yun Fa, do not be angry. I, an outsider, have something to say!”