As Mu Xun stepped onto the Mo family's stone tower, he launched his attack immediately. Though his voice didn't seem loud, it carried across the entire Divine Stone Plaza, perfectly audible to any martial artist not afflicted with deafness.
Mo Tuo stood atop the Mo family's stone tower, his expression shifting between shades of dark uncertainty.
Under the gaze of so many eyes, being questioned so bluntly by Mu Xun left Mo Tuo deeply embarrassed. He had hoped to settle this privately, but Mu Xun's demeanor clearly indicated he had no intention of letting the matter rest.
With no other recourse, Mo Tuo finally raised his voice, "Mr. Mu, Karu died long ago. I do not know who killed him."
Mu Xun stood proudly on the stone tower, positioned right near the edge. Any martial artist looking up from below could see him clearly.
"Dead?"
Mu Xun let out a cold, sinister laugh, his expression venomous, dripping with sarcasm. "Master Mo has quite the knack for things! Knowing my wicked disciple stole my treasure map, you invited him to the Merchant Alliance, only to have him killed midway, thus directly seizing the map yourself. Now you wash your hands of the whole affair—truly worthy of being the head of the Mo family! I wonder if the vast wealth of the Mo family was amassed through such methods?"
"Hahaha, everyone in the Merchant Alliance knows Master Mo's methods."
On the Shi family's stone tower, Shi Jian roared with laughter, clearly relishing the misfortune. "Didn't many of the Shi family's assets disappear one by one under Master Mo's 'good management'?"
"Shi Jian!" Mo Tuo glared fiercely at Shi Jian from two hundred meters away, enraged. "This has nothing to do with your Shi family! Do not spout malicious slander!"
Shi Jian paid him no mind, continuing to laugh. "Indeed, it has nothing to do with my Shi family. I was merely speaking my mind. Master Mo, no need to get so agitated."
Shi Yan stood nearby, inwardly chuckling. For the first time, he found the old man Shi Jian somewhat interesting, knowing exactly when to kick someone when they were down for maximum impact.
Mo Tuo knew there was nothing he could do to Shi Jian, and fighting with him now was inappropriate. He could only force a smile for Mu Xun and explain, "When our Mo family invited Karu to the Merchant Alliance, we had no idea he had stolen your treasure map. We sent people to receive him only out of respect for your status. We truly didn't know the specifics then, Mr. Mu, you unjustly blame my Mo family."
"Unjustly?" Mu Xun’s face grew darker and darker. He sneered, "If you didn't know Karu stole my map, would your Mo family have sent people across a thousand miles to meet him? The Merchant Alliance is ten thousand miles from our Medicine King Valley. Why would you reach out so far, if not for the map? Surely not for Karu's mediocre alchemy skills? Humph!"
Mo Tuo forced a wry smile and explained, "It truly was for that reason."
"Master Mo, I have no desire to listen to these excuses. I care little whether Karu lives or dies. Just hand over the treasure map, and I will leave immediately, without troubling your Mo family in the slightest," Mu Xun said, his face impatient.
"The treasure map is truly not in my possession."
"Since Master Mo insists on holding on, then I have nothing more to say." Mu Xun gave a cold snort and turned to walk out, stating casually, "While my Medicine King Valley generally does not interfere in the power struggles of various nations, we are not to be trifled with. Master Mo, you should watch yourself."
With that, Mu Xun led his few disciples directly down the Mo family's stone tower.
"Mr. Mu, you are always welcome to visit the Shi family anytime. Everything can be discussed," Shi Jian's voice suddenly floated over from the Shi family's stone tower—the implication of this statement was self-evident.
Mu Xun descended the Mo family's tower, glanced towards Shi Jian, and nodded lightly. "I believe we will have opportunities to cooperate. Should I trouble you too much, Patriarch Shi, I hope you will not refuse my requests then."
"I, Shi Jian, despise petty schemers the most. It would be the Shi family's honor to serve Mr. Mu," Shi Jian laughed heartily and cupped his hands toward Mu Xun from afar.
"Then I thank you in advance, Patriarch Shi." Mu Xun nodded, then looked up one last time with a cold glare at Mo Tuo, whose face was ghastly pale atop the tower, before leading his people away from the Divine Stone Plaza.
In the Divine Stone Plaza, the martial contests in the fighting arena had all paused. Only after Mu Xun departed did the participants resume their duels.
That day's martial convention had become slightly more interesting due to Mu Xun's sudden arrival.
After Mu Xun left, many people were secretly inquiring about the matter, and the whole story soon came to light.
Once the full situation was clear, many martial artists secretly disdained the Mo family's actions, discussing them with looks of utter contempt. Many warriors who had been preparing to join the Mo family immediately dismissed the idea upon learning the truth, meaning the Mo family had invisibly lost a significant resource of skilled experts.
Kuluo of the Misty Pavilion was also present in the fighting arena, having witnessed Mu Xun’s entire confrontation with Mo Tuo from start to finish.
Before the martial convention had even concluded, Kuluo quietly slipped away, returning directly to the Misty Pavilion, not far from the Divine Stone Plaza.
...
Evening.
In a secluded side room of the Misty Pavilion, Kuluo, bending respectfully, recounted the day's events to Xia Xinyan.
After hearing Kuluo’s report, Xia Xinyan’s delicate brows furrowed. She pondered for a moment before saying, "If what Mu Xun said is true, that partial map must still be with Mo Tuo. I came here solely for the 'Heaven's Gate,' and I don't mind cooperating with anyone. Kuluo, visit the Mo family tonight. Tell him we can share the treasure map with them and explore the secrets of the 'Heaven's Gate' together."
"Your subordinate understands," Kuluo nodded.
"Asura King Xiao Hanyi will arrive in half a month. All the people you are looking for must be found quickly," Xia Xinyan added lightly.
"Your subordinate will do his utmost!" Kuluo’s heart skipped a beat, and he replied with apprehension, "I have already sent people to expand the search radius to other cities. I believe we will have results soon."
"Mm, you may go," Xia Xinyan waved her hand dismissively.
Kuluo bowed and departed.
...
That night.
Kuluo arrived alone at the Mo family residence, specifically requesting an audience with Mo Tuo.
Mo Tuo, still boiling with suppressed anger, could only pull himself together to receive Kuluo upon hearing of his arrival. When Kuluo stated his purpose, Mo Tuo offered a bitter smile and shook his head. "The treasure map is truly not in my hands. Even if I wished to cooperate with you, I am powerless."
"Patriarch Mo, my mistress means well. Opening the 'Heaven's Gate' requires the complete map. If we cooperate, we can act immediately. Please reconsider, Patriarch Mo!" Kuluo clearly didn't believe him, and his expression soured slightly. He suspected Mo Tuo might have other plans, perhaps plotting against the Misty Pavilion, and a flicker of anger began to rise within him.
"It is truly not with me. Do not believe Mu Xun's nonsense," Mo Tuo's expression also darkened. Already frustrated, his tone lost its politeness. "Mr. Kuluo, please return. I still need to prepare for the martial convention. See the guest out."
...
Around midnight, Kuluo returned to the Misty Pavilion, relaying Mo Tuo’s words exactly to Xia Xinyan.
"There are two parts to the treasure map. One is in my possession. Mo Tuo's refusal to cooperate clearly shows he intends to monopolize the 'Heaven's Gate.' It seems the Mo family will make a move sooner rather than later," Xia Xinyan said, her eyes chilling slightly. "I will wait for the Mo family to try and snatch it. If we don't teach them a lesson, they won't settle down to cooperate with us."
"Miss, perhaps we should go to the Mo family and seize that piece of the map?" Behind Xia Xinyan, one of the hulking men roared fiercely.
An intensely sharp aura of killing intent suddenly emanated from this person, startling Kuluo.
"Forget it. This is not our territory after all; it's better to abide by some rules. If we provoke the Five Great Clans to unite, it will be troublesome. However, once Asura King Xiao Hanyi arrives, if the Mo family still shows no sense, then more forceful measures can be taken," Xia Xinyan stated calmly.
"Oh." The giant nodded and said no more.
"That's enough. Kuluo, go attend to your duties. You can quietly leak the information that the treasure map is with me. I'll just wait for them to come and try to take it," Xia Xinyan smiled faintly. "At this point, whoever comes to seize the map must be holding the other half."
"Your subordinate understands."
...
Late that night, at the Zuo family residence.
Zuo Xu and Chi Xiao were speaking in low voices within a secret chamber.
"Shadow has reported back: that treasure map is not with Kuluo, but with a young girl in the Misty Pavilion. This girl seems to have appeared out of nowhere; her origin is unknown," Zuo Xu reported.
"Let's wait until the final day. Midway through your Five Great Clans' martial convention, I will visit the Misty Pavilion. She's just a young girl; it shouldn't be an issue," Chi Xiao nodded, looking slightly embarrassed, and offered a wry smile. "It feels rather awkward to target a mere girl. Never mind; I will leave one or two secret treasures behind afterward as compensation."
"Still, be cautious. You absolutely cannot expose your identity. Many people are watching this treasure map. If it becomes known that we were responsible, it will cause considerable trouble."
"Mm, I am aware."
...
That night, within the secret chambers of the Five Great Families, many were whispering about the day's events.
In the Shi family's secret chamber.
Shi Jian held a letter, a strange smile playing on his lips, as he spoke to Han Feng beside him. "Mu Xun is truly efficient; he sent the letter just one day later! Heh heh, Mu Xun intends to strike the Mo family. Even if we cannot openly assist, we must secretly do our utmost to facilitate him."
"How does Mu Xun plan to proceed?"
"He wants to abduct several key figures of the Mo family and use them to threaten Mo Tuo. Heh heh, these people also happen to be thorns in our side." Shi Jian was in high spirits. "Fengzi, send people to find out the whereabouts of those individuals, then send their recent movements to Mu Xun. Hahaha, I truly want to see how Mo Tuo will cope then."
That piece of the treasure map, taken from Karu, was currently tucked securely against his own chest. Even if Mo Tuo were beaten to death, he certainly couldn't produce it. These key figures of the Mo family were clearly doomed.
The thought of Mo Tuo erupting in fury filled Shi Jian with satisfaction. He smiled and said, "Fengzi, go fetch a jar of wine. I need a few drinks."
"Patriarch, all the good wine in the manor was secretly drunk by Young Master Yan. What's left now is just ordinary raw spirit liquor," Han Feng said, head bowed, the corner of his mouth twitching subtly, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"That little rascal!" Shi Jian slapped the armrest, laughing and cursing. "That brat is certainly bold enough to steal my wine! If that little scoundrel doesn't bring me glory at the martial convention, I'll flay the skin off him!"
"With Young Master Yan’s Stone Transformation Martial Soul at the second stage, it is impossible for martial artists at the Innate Realm to break his petrified state. Against an Innate Realm opponent, Young Master... is practically cheating. A guaranteed win!"
"That is true," Shi Jian chuckled, his mood greatly improved. "Hahahaha!"
...
: The third update is served. Please continue to send recommendation votes; be generous, everyone! Friends who are following along, remember to bookmark this as well~~M