Chapter Seventy-One: Provocation

The little witch wore an expression of utter happiness, boldly looping her arm through Mo Bai’s and resting the head adorned with a tiger hat contentedly on his shoulder, enveloped in a sense of peace.

The two of them sat together on the edge of a cliff on the top floor of Guihai Pavilion, gazing at the bright moon hanging in the sky. The mood was unconsciously poetic, when suddenly, with a swish, a white-clad figure soared up before them. That person’s face was frosted with indifference, yet as she ascended, the fluttering of her white garments made her seem like a celestial being descending to earth.

Her long black hair fell gracefully down her back as she seated herself on the cliff’s edge. She reached into a jade pouch, delicately drew out a porcelain flask, took a small sip, and then tilted her head back, gazing up at the sky.

With a nimble twist, Nalan Xin’er sprang to her feet, cheeks puffed in annoyance. “Brother Mo, let’s go somewhere else to watch the moon.”

But Mo Bai made a subtle gesture with his finger, and with that single movement, Nalan Xin’er quietly sat back down. Much as she disliked the ethereal beauty before them, she could only nestle closer to Mo Bai, tightening her grip on his arm as if afraid to lose the one she loved.

“Ten fathoms of icy pool reflect the moon’s shadow, snow falls, dew remains, and the western wind brings rain.” The woman in white murmured softly, then took another sip of wine and looked up at the moon, her heart swept with a deep, lonely sorrow.

“Beautiful lines, beautiful lines.” With a swish, another white-clad figure flew up beside her. “My name is Bai Yu, disciple of the old master of Guihai City. May I ask your name, miss?”

The woman in white cast a cold glance at him, then turned her head away without a word. Bai Yu’s cheeks flushed—he had intended to probe Mo Bai, but had instead encountered this extraordinary woman. The moment he saw her, his heart gave a jolt. Though he had met women more dazzling than her, he swore that none of them possessed that unforgettable magic—a single glance and she would haunt him forever. For that moment, Bai Yu even forgot about Mo Bai nearby.

Awkwardly, Bai Yu cleared his throat and said, “Though the moonlight is lovely tonight, it grows late. Perhaps you should rest, miss.” He now switched to a gentler approach.

“Don’t disturb my moon gazing.” The woman replied icily. Her words sent a chill through Bai Yu, but driven by desire, he persisted: “If you enjoy the moon, I shall keep you company until sunrise. The dawn over Guihai City is most beautiful, especially from atop this pavilion. I often admire such sights myself.”

Before the woman in white could reply, Nalan Xin’er burst out laughing. “Haha! Brother Mo, I used to think Brother Xiao Hua was already quite shameless, but I didn’t expect someone could be even more so. The lady clearly has no interest in him, yet he keeps pestering her relentlessly!”

Bai Yu shot Nalan Xin’er a fierce glare, only to realize that this young girl was herself strikingly beautiful. With measured composure, he said, “You’re mistaken, miss. Perhaps you’re still too young to understand what love at first sight truly means.”

Nalan Xin’er hated nothing more than being called young. She snapped, “Hmph! How am I young? Who says I don’t understand love?” As she spoke, she clung even tighter to Mo Bai’s arm for effect.

“Such beautiful moonlight, now ruined by noise and commotion,” the woman in white said with a sweeping glance, then drifted down from the pavilion, light as a feather.

Nalan Xin’er glared after her, calling out to the vanishing figure, “Hey, you—whatever your name is with ‘snow’ in it—how was I being noisy?” All that answered her was the whistling of the wind; the woman was already gone.

Bai Yu was left feeling regretful, but he finally remembered his purpose. He turned to Mo Bai and cupped his hands in greeting. “You must be the friend Master Tian of the Haikun Society invited. I am Bai Yu—an honor.”

Mo Bai slowly rose to his feet and said to Nalan Xin’er, “Xin’er, let’s go back. It’s getting late, and the night air is growing chill.” He paid no heed to Bai Yu’s words.

Bai Yu fumed inwardly. After being rebuffed by a goddess, he was now ignored by this Mo Bai fellow—an affront he had never endured before. “Mo Bai, wait! I have something to ask you!” His tone was now hard.

Mo Bai turned and looked at him. “Whatever dealings I have with Tian Huashan are between us. The matters of Guihai City are yours alone. Forgive me, but the night is cold—I’ll take my leave.”

“Leaving? Not so fast. Unless you explain which faction you belong to, don’t dream of leaving Guihai Pavilion alive,” Bai Yu spat out venomously.

Mo Bai responded with a cold smile. “Do you really think you can keep me here?” Truth be told, he had little regard for Bai Yu. Though Mo Bai was no stranger to flirtation himself, he understood decency and would never harass a woman who had no interest in him.

Bai Yu barked a laugh as if he’d heard the greatest joke. “There’s not a soul in Guihai City that your Uncle Bai can’t detain.”

Nalan Xin’er jeered, “Then why couldn’t you detain your ‘beloved’ just now?”

Bai Yu’s face darkened. “Hmph. Tonight I’ll show you just what I’m capable of. I’ll take your life, and—” He grinned wickedly, pointing at Nalan Xin’er, “—I’ll keep you as well.”

Nalan Xin’er understood his meaning all too well. Her eyes flashed, and with a swift movement, she flung three purple needles at Bai Yu. Thud! Thud! Thud! A shimmering spiritual shield appeared on his chest. Bai Yu roared with laughter, “Little girl, such paltry tricks are not worth displaying here.”

Mo Bai swept Nalan Xin’er behind him with a wave of his hand. “Xin’er, what would you have me do with him?”

Nalan Xin’er replied angrily, “Stop him from spouting nonsense ever again.”

Mo Bai smiled. “Rest assured—after tonight, he’ll never speak so freely again.”

Bai Yu let out a crazed laugh. “Good, good! Since you’re so confident, come on then! The Lingjue Arena is destined for carnage—I’m not afraid to start the slaughter early.”

Mo Bai shook his head in resignation, then with a sudden motion, appeared before Bai Yu in an instant. With a swipe of his hand, suffused with a unique spiritual energy, he struck directly at Bai Yu’s throat.