Chapter 43

Chapter 43

This process wasn't slow, but both Ji Qinghe and Mo Jiao paid close attention, waiting for Qin Yu to verify the authenticity of the Kirin Tendon. After all, wasn't this what they had been waiting for all night?

Ji Qinghe's gaze turned slightly cold, signaling Yan Suiyu with a look.

Yan Suiyu nodded subtly, watching as Qin Yu opened the pouch, took out a jade box, and then opened it to inspect. A faint aroma immediately filled the room as he opened it, revealing the Kirin Tendon, black and red, only a few inches in size, with a fragrant medicinal smell. Qin Yu briefly inspected it, then nodded.

The item was genuine.

But at that moment, Yan Suiyu suddenly reached out, Qin Yu quickly put away the jade box, and retreated to avoid the others.

"You're crossing the river and demolishing the bridge!"

Ji Qinghe smiled slightly, "It's not exactly betraying you. Xuan Yue Palace has had an agreement with Mo Jiao beforehand, and you've done me a great favor by finding my sister's daughter and the Gu King. I'll let you off this time, but it would be best if you hand over the Kirin Tendon now."

"What if I don't?"

Qin Yu was visibly upset, "No wonder you only told me that Mo Jiao was poisoned with gu but refused to elaborate on the type of gu. These years, you were just using me to find the Gu King. The old sect leader was once kind to your Xuan Yue Palace, is this how you repay him?"

Ji Qinghe calmly said, "Indeed, the old sect leader helped Xuan Yue Palace, but my master has already repaid him what was due. Now, with each new emperor comes his court, Qin Yu, you surely understand this principle."

"Are you insisting on competing with me for the Kirin Tendon today?"

Ji Qinghe nodded, not afraid to reveal the secret, simply stating, "You only know that the old sect leader instructed you never to let the Kunlun Divine Wood and the Kirin Tendon fall into Mo Jiao's hands because these two items are very important to him. But the third thing, the old sect leader hoped you would find my master to avenge him, unfortunately, my master is already dead."

He laughed somewhat heartily, as if he never really valued that master.

"But then, I won't pass up something usable. You want the Kirin Tendon, and so do I. If you leave it behind, I assure you safe passage out of Hongxiang Valley, otherwise..."

Qin Yu interrupted him with a cold laugh, "In that case, there's no need for cooperation."

As he attempted to leave, Yan Suiyu and Hong Ying, who had been waiting for this moment, made it impossible for Qin Yu to escape instantly, forcing him into a fight with them.

Master He Yun stood silently aside, her dark pupils showing neither joy nor sorrow, as if these affairs had nothing to do with her.

In the shadows, Mo Jiao breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems Ji Qinghe hasn't broken his word, and it wasn't in vain that he helped Ji Qinghe to his position as palace master years ago. But Ji Qinghe is still untrustworthy; if he can turn on Qin Yu, how long will the agreement between him and Mo Jiao last?

No one knows, but this let Mo Jiao know what the old sect leader had entrusted Qin Yu to do.

Indeed, Mo Jiao was poisoned by the old sect leader, but fate would not have it, as he sought help from Ji Yanling, Ji Yanling suddenly died.

This led to the loss of the gu poison's mother worm in Mo Jiao, with no one to activate the offspring gu, allowing Mo Jiao to barely live for another decade or so.

The gu poison has been effective within Mo Jiao for many years, cannot be forcibly removed, and Mo Jiao still suffers from it, shrinking in size each year. This gu worm is the root of Mo Jiao's peculiar illness.

No one can cure this gu poison, only the former palace master of Xuan Yue Palace, Ji Yanling, who crafted it.

But he's already dead, and for some reason, perhaps the old sect leader had a moment of conscience before dying, leaving Mo Jiao a prescription for curing the gu.

However, Mo Jiao feels the old sect leader might have been playing him, as the ingredients listed require several years to gather, including some that are legendary and mythical!

Although brothers from the sect traveled far to procure medicines for Mo Jiao, turning over several years for gains, and even receiving good news at the beginning of this year, Mo Jiao is still not entirely reassured.

Now, everything is almost ready, only lacking the final piece. If the brothers can successfully procure the miraculous medicine from Youming Mountain Villa, all Mo Jiao needs then is the Kirin Tendon.

The Kirin Tendon is very important to Mo Jiao, whether he can cure the gu might depend on it.

For years, the Kirin Tendon has been treasured by the Xianxia Sect on Xuannv Peak, inaccessible to anyone, not even Mo Jiao dares to claim he could obtain it by overthrowing the Xianxia Sect. Now that an opportunity has arisen, he naturally wouldn't let it pass.

Zhong Yi Xiao couldn't understand the fervor in Mo Jiao's eyes, also anxious lest Qin Yu take away their Xian Xia faction's treasure.

Qin Yu, being skilled in martial arts and escape, has managed to elude Mo Jiao several times. Yan Sui Yu and Hong Ying carelessly allowed him to escape from the hall.

"Chase!"

Ji Qing He bellowed in anger.

Ashamed, Yan Sui Yu, along with Hong Ying, set off in pursuit, but at that moment, the sound of fireworks bursting resounded from the mountain's base.

Everyone was startled, their faces illuminated by the fiery red fireworks, all showing surprise. Then came the hurried report—

"Valley Master! The Martial Alliance has stealthily infiltrated the valley, set fire to the Poisonous Miasma Forest below, and is now advancing up the mountain. We're nearly unable to hold them back!"

Momentarily disheartened by Qin Yu's escape and turning around to find Red Fragrance Valley set aflame by an arsonist, Yan Sui Yu saw the blaze below and glared at Murong Qing through clenched teeth.

"What a strategy, Alliance Leader Murong!"

Ji Qing He half-squinted his eyes, also remarking, "The Martial Alliance also has its share of young talents. Qing He is impressed."

Murong Qing coldly laughed, "Release my daughter, or neither of us will leave today."

Ji Qinghe also coldly laughed in response, "Then it's impossible."

Meanwhile, in the corner, Mo Jiao had already taken the chaos as a chance to sneak away, right when Zhong Yixiao saw Qin Yu fleeing and the commotion started, someone beside him instructed, "I'll chase after Qin Yu. You stay hidden here and don't come out!"

Zhong Yixiao instinctively reached out to grab his sleeve but caught air instead. Mo Jiao noticed and, unwilling to just watch the Qilin's marrow being taken by Qin Yu, approached Zhong Yixiao and left a kiss on his forehead.

The utmost gentleness, yet it scared Zhong Yixiao out of his wits.

Mo Jiao said, “Wait for me to come back, I'll cure your gu poison.”

Zhong Yixiao was stunned for a long while, his ears turning a deep red, not only had he been embraced by a man he had just met, but he had also been kissed!

Perhaps it was because the other's appearance was so appealing that he didn't even feel like he was at a loss, his face flushing in embarrassment, utterly bewitched.

By the time he came to his senses, Mo Jiao had already slipped out of the back hall.

When Mo Jiao caught up with Qin Yu, it was right at the edge of a cliff.

Qin Yu was taken aback when someone landed in front of him; it was hard to make out who it was in the night, but it was clear that it wasn’t Yan Suiyu or the others.

Without time to think, the person attacked Qin Yu, who hastily responded, but with his hands empty, Mo Jiao spoke up.

“Where is it?”

Qin Yu frowned, “You're also here for the Qilin's marrow? Who are you?”

“Enough talk, hand it over!”

Mo Jiao didn't spare him any further mercy; he didn't intend to kill Qin Yu, but given Qin Yu's repeated interference, if he wasn't dealt with promptly, there would be endless troubles later.

Realizing his life was at stake, Qin Yu, recognizing he was outmatched, quickly thought of the few who could defeat him and who might also appear in Hongxiang Valley.

In the end, to no avail, forced to confront death, but after only a dozen moves, his long sword was snatched away and pointed at his neck.

"Hand it over."

At this moment, Mo Jiao was still masked, and with the Demonic Sect in the midst of its July sacrifices, Qin Yu had never expected the person blocking his path and trying to take the Qilin Qi would be Mo Jiao.

"Who exactly are you?"

Mo Jiao remained silent, but his long sword opened a gash on Qin Yu's shoulder. Qin Yu grunted, looking down to see the bone-deep wound. This person was ruthlessly efficient, instantly pointing the sword blade at Qin Yu's neck, leaving a trace of blood on the vulnerable throat.

Qin Yu knew this person intended to kill him today, but he couldn't allow the Qilin Qi to fall into someone else's hands.

Already hanging by a thread, Qin Yu didn't care whether he lived or died, understanding the importance of the Qilin Qi to Mo Jiao. Yet, even in death, he intended to vanish from this world with the Qilin Qi, also determined to unveil the true face of his blocker.

Thus, Qin Yu pretended to yield, urgently saying, "Don't kill me, I'll give it to you!"

Mo Jiao, half-skeptical, slowed his movements, watching Qin Yu reach into his chest. Killing Qin Yu would also yield the Qilin Qi, but if Qin Yu was willing to hand it over, Mo Jiao was in no rush to act.

Unexpectedly, what Qin Yu pulled from his chest wasn't the Qilin Qi but a bag of powder.

The white powder unexpectedly flew towards his face, Mo Jiao instinctively closed his eyes and stepped back, giving Qin Yu the chance to escape and even attempt to remove Mo Jiao's mask.

Mo Jiao couldn't cover up in time, revealing a face marked with bloodstains.

"You're Mo Jiao!"

Qin Yu's eyes widened in utter astonishment.

How could he be here! Shouldn't he be with the Demonic Cult?

In that brief moment, Mo Jiao recovered and thrust his long sword into Qin Yu's abdomen.

Qin Yu grunted but managed to laugh, glaring at Mo Jiao.

"Mo Jiao, even in death, you won't get the Kirin Marrow..."

Mo Jiao thought this was bad, but just then, Qin Yu slapped his shoulder, unable to harm Mo Jiao. Mo Jiao countered with his palm force, but in that instant, Qin Yu used this force to fall backward, escaping the blade and plunging straight down the hundred-zhang cliff!

The Kirin Marrow...

Mo Jiao realized the trouble, staring in disbelief but could only watch as Qin Yu, with a satisfied yet resentful sneer, plummeted down the mountain.

"Mr. Mo!"

A familiar voice called from afar. Mo Jiao, in a daze, turned to see Zhong Yi Xiao waving at him from a distance, holding someone. It seems the scene of Qin Yu falling off the cliff was also witnessed by him.

Zhong Yi Xiao paused, releasing the person he was holding, who then swiftly escaped down the mountain, while Zhong Yi Xiao, disregarding everything else, rushed towards Mo Jiao.

Mo Jiao's face was splattered with crimson blood droplets, blood still dripping from the edge of the long sword in his hand, blooming blood flowers on the ground.

Zhong Yi Xiao glanced down the cliff, seeing only darkness. He asked, astonished, his voice soft and carried away by the mountain wind.

"Did Qin Yu... fall down there?"

Mo Jiao nodded, carelessly tossing aside his long sword, which clanged as it hit the ground. Zhong Yi Xiao was still in shock, eyes fixed on the precipice.

Qin Yu was injured and had fallen. He must be dead, right?

Mo Jiao, with a grim face, again thwarted by Qin Yu, lost the Kirin Marrow. Even if Qin Yu died a hundred times, it wouldn't matter.

"What about the Kirin Marrow?" Zhong Yi Xiao suddenly remembered the Kirin Marrow, turning to look at Mo Jiao.

Mo Jiao shook his head, pressing his lips together, "It's gone."

In those brief words, only Mo Jiao understood the immense impact this had on him. If the Qilin Qi disappeared with Qin Yu's death, what would become of the gu poison in his body?

What if he could never return to normal, forever unable to touch Zhong Yixiao?