Chapter 74

Chapter 74

Jinling was always unsafe. After Elder Mo learned that Mo Jiao and Elder Shang were going to steal medicine from Xuan Nu Peak, a group of people arrived near Xuan Nu Peak.

Thanks to Prince Jing's protection along the way, they arrived in Qingzhou smoothly and without incident.

The Lotus Residence, left unused after being disrupted by the Wulin Alliance last time, had already been claimed in the name of the official government by Elder Mo. This time, they settled there, with Prince Jing unwilling to leave his treasure behind, continuing to provide cover.

However, on the first day at the Lotus Residence, Mo Jiao, who was still unwell, went out with Elder Shang, claiming to go for a walk, but didn't return for half a day.

Elder Mo belatedly learned from the Left Protector that the Lotus Residence was originally the place where Xiao took his little sect leader home.

The lies that started from here, until they were exposed, and Mo Jiao returned here, were bound to trigger emotional pain.

When Mo Jiao returned, it was already dark. He saw two people talking in the pavilion in the backyard from afar, likely the Left and Right Protectors. As he approached and saw their situation more clearly, he suddenly stopped.

For some reason, the Right Protector was pressing the Left Protector against the stone table, closing in step by step, forcing the Left Protector to spread his legs on the table in an unseemly manner, while the Right Protector insisted on squeezing beside him, trapped between the Left Protector's legs, in an extremely ambiguous posture, but the Left Protector glared with his hands pressed in front of him, seemingly about to explode.

Mo Jiao halted as the two were fervently arguing about something.

Then, because the Right Protector deliberately moved closer, their faces were almost touching, and the Left Protector kept trying to dodge backward...

Just as the Left Protector was about to be pressed down on the stone table by the Right Protector, they were suddenly startled by someone approaching, and the smile on the Right Protector's lips disappeared in an instant.

Zuo Hufa hurriedly pushed away You Hufa and leaped off the stone table, making a distressed face and waving at Mo Jiao, quickly explaining, "Master! It's not what it looks like!"

Mo Jiao slightly raised an eyebrow, casually removing his veil, his handsome and icy face serenely turning towards You Hufa, with a hint of resignation in his eyes.

"The brother has returned," stated You Hufa, composed.

Mo Jiao nodded.

Seeing Mo Jiao disregard him, Zuo Hufa blushed and stepped back, intentionally keeping a distance from You Hufa, before hesitantly saying, "Master, you chat, I'll leave first..."

"Hey!"

The Left Protector escaped faster than a rabbit. The Right Protector, unable to stop him, showed a hint of disappointment, then smiled again. His handsome, youthful face always carried a light smile, sometimes sharp as a knife's edge, sometimes exceptionally gentle.

For instance, now, when facing Mo Jiao.

"Where did senior brother go today? Mo Lao has been looking for you for a long time."

Mo Jiao clenched the veil in his hand, responding lightly, "Just went for a walk."

He didn't intend to pry, but seeing the Left Protector's fleeing figure, he frowned and asked further.

"What was that about?"

The Right Protector paused, then cheerfully responded, "Are you referring to the Left Protector? I was just teasing him. I didn't expect him to actually come back with Shang Xuan to save me. I got curious and asked him if he wanted to devote himself to me, haha… If it weren’t for senior brother's interruption, I could have known his answer by now."

Mo Jiao frowned silently again. Is that really so amusing?

Seeing Mo Jiao’s expressionless face, the Right Protector felt somewhat foolish, rubbed his nose, and sighed, "The Left Protector is usually restless. After this trip, he seems to have changed entirely. How did senior brother discipline him? Teach me too."

Mo Jiao glanced at him, "You were never this frivolous."

The Right Protector, as if accustomed to being scolded, or perhaps ignoring it, kept a cheerful face, "I'm just curious. When we were surrounded at Qixuan Mountain, I didn't expect the Left Protector to save me."

Mo Jiao somewhat helplessly said, "Just let him be. Sometimes a little discipline is needed, but he's not a bad person. We don't have many people left now, and the loyalty of the Left Protector is rare, Xiao Jing, don't mess around."

The Right Protector obediently nodded, "Senior brother, rest assured, I'm just worried he still harbors hopes of seeing you dethroned as before. If he continues to behave, I won't do anything to him."

Mo Jiao didn't say anything more. The Right Protector was suspicious, but ultimately it was for his good, and as for the Left Protector…

"He saved you once, are you really going to devote yourself to him?"

Hearing Mo Jiao's question, the perennial smile on the Right Protector's lips almost vanished in shock. After thinking for a moment, he looked nervously at Mo Jiao's expression, then forced a relaxed laugh, "Senior brother worries too much. I was just teasing him. How could I possibly like someone as foolish as the Left Protector?"

Mo Jiao didn't feel anything particular, but unfortunately, someone who had returned heard this.

The moment that person stepped into the pavilion and heard the Right Protector's words, he stopped, lifting his dark eyes to glare at the Right Protector.

Unaware, since the person was behind him, but Mo Jiao saw the fleeting sadness in the Left Protector's eyes across him.

Mo Jiao imagined he could hear the sound of the Left Protector's heart breaking.

"Senior brother?"

Seeing Mo Jiao not speaking but staring behind him, the Right Protector felt something was wrong and slowly turned around, his eyes widening in the moment.

The Left Protector withdrew his annoyed gaze and quietly said to Mo Jiao, "Master, the medicine Mo Lao brewed for you is ready; he asked you to come over and take it."

Mo Jiao nodded, "Understood."

The Left Protector then very tactfully bowed and excused himself.

The Right Protector couldn’t laugh anymore, knowing the Left Protector must have heard what he just said. Given the close proximity, it would have been odd not to hear. But he had spoken his true feelings, thinking if he heard, then he heard, yet he felt an inexplicable panic in his heart.

After the Left Protector left again, the Right Protector set aside those unwarranted feelings of guilt and turned back, "Senior brother, go take your medicine. Focus on your health; I'll handle everything else."

"You haven't fully recovered from your injuries either," Mo Jiao thought for a moment, then earnestly said to the Right Protector, "Xiao Jing, you're not getting any younger."

The Right Protector was suddenly startled, nervously asking, "What's wrong, senior brother? You're not suggesting I should marry and have children soon, are you?"

"..." Do I look like someone who meddles in others' affairs?

Mo Jiao twitched his mouth, giving the Right Protector a sidelong glance and sighed, "Just be more prudent."

Holding his breath, the Right Protector waited for Mo Jiao to continue, but Mo Jiao walked past him towards the courtyard, obviously going to find Mo Lao.

Baffled, the Right Protector followed a few steps, asking, "And?"

Mo Jiao stopped, turned his head to look at his naive junior brother, and shook his head, "Don't speak carelessly in the future, or you'll eventually die because of your tongue."

Then, he turned and left, leaving the Right Protector standing there puzzled.

Mo Lao had indeed prepared the medicine. Seeing Mo Jiao entering the courtyard, the gloom on his face dissipated, replaced by a serene smile, as if the first light after snow, inexplicably warming Mo Jiao's heart.

"The Master has finally returned."

Mo Jiao nodded, and Jing Wang, who had been sitting beside Mo Lao for a while, suddenly stood up, gently saying, "I'll return to my room first," and then left the courtyard.

Even in Mo Jiao's presence, Jing Wang wouldn't make an effort to greet him, and of course, Mo Jiao didn't mind; he was already satisfied that Jing Wang didn't kick him when he was down.

Approaching the pharmacy with its door wide open, Mo Jiao just sat down at the table, tossing the veil onto the surface. Mo Lao, who had just been brewing the medicine outside, brought over a bowl of freshly poured medicinal soup and sat down beside him.

In an instant, the room was filled with the thick, pungent smell of medicinal herbs.

Mo Jiao looked at the bowl of steaming, dark red medicinal soup, holding his breath silently. Just as he was about to pick up the bowl, a hand stopped him. He looked up to see Mo Lao's face, brimming with smiles.

"Master, don't drink it yet. The medicine is still very hot. Wait for it to cool down a bit," Mo Lao advised.

Mo Jiao knew Mo Lao had something to say, so he withdrew his hand to wait for him to speak.

With a beaming smile, Mo Lao asked, "Master, you went to Xuan Nu Peak with Shang Lao today, didn't you? You're back, but Shang Lao hasn't returned. He probably didn't steal the Qilin Chi, and I guess if Shang Lao couldn't get it, he wouldn't come back either."

Mo Jiao nodded, affirming.

Mo Lao's lips curved further as he said, "I suppose you must have instructed Shang Lao with many tasks, like to leave early and return early, to avoid He Yun Shi Tai as much as possible, or even if you knew someone could help us get the Qilin Chi quickly, you wouldn't allow Shang Lao to make contact with that person, right?"

Mo Jiao silently watched him, sensing an underlying message in Mo Lao's words. His gaze wandered suspiciously around the pharmacy, suddenly frowning as something crossed his mind.

"Where is the little doctor?"

At this, Mo Lao's laughter grew even louder, clapping his hands, "Master is indeed clever! As you've noticed, the little doctor is not at the Lotus Flower Residence and has been sent to Xuan Nu Peak by my men to assist Shang Lao in persuading that young man, Zhong Yi Xiao, to help us get the medicine."

Mo Jiao was caught off guard, his eyes widening in cold fury.

"I said I didn't need his help!"

Mo Lao's smile faded as he looked at Mo Jiao seriously, "A dying patient doesn't have the luxury to demand so much in my presence. All I care about is getting the Qilin Chi and the Kunlun Divine Wood, which Zhong Yi Xiao possesses. If there's a shortcut, why should I give it up? My only goal is to rid you of the Gu poison within half a year, Master, so don't bother me with unnecessary details."

"You..."

Mo Jiao was almost furious, having explicitly forbidden it, yet Mo Lao defied his wishes again. But he was powerless to argue; he had lost everything, everyone wanted him dead, only Mo Lao had the means to help him, truly leaving him no ground to refuse.

Mo Lao's demeanor remained equally stern as he snorted, "Regardless, I've already sent someone. Shang Lao, prioritizing your health, will act according to my plan. Master, worrying now is futile. Better to sit back and await their good news."

"Besides…" Mo Lao's words carried an edge of teeth-gritting frustration, glaring at Mo Jiao with a look of disdain for his lack of fight.

Burning with indignation, Mo Jiao glared back. How dare Mo Lao secretly send someone to Zhong Yi Xiao and then glare at him?

Seeing Mo Jiao's furious, pale face, Mo Lao knew he had crossed Mo Jiao's bottom line, which undoubtedly involved Zhong Yi Xiao, and sneered, "Glaring at me is pointless! You gave the Kunlun Divine Wood to Zhong Yi Xiao privately; I had to send someone to retrieve our belongings."

Mo Jiao was left speechless, outmatched by Mo Lao's eloquence.

Noticing Mo Jiao's anger yet lack of impulsive actions, as he seemed unable to do anything else, Mo Lao contentedly added, "I'm doing this for your own good. I've promised to cure your Gu poison and restore you to health."

"Mo Jiao, my word is as good as gold," Mo Lao asserted, "Even if it means doing something against my conscience along the way, I won't stop. I just want you to live."

His words left Mo Jiao somewhat ashamed; he always acted unconcerned about his health, but those around him were a hundred times more anxious. He couldn't reject Mo Lao's kindness, but he had indeed promised not to seek out Zhong Yi Xiao again...

This put Mo Jiao in a difficult position. With Qin Yu and Bai Xun always watching, sending Shang Lao and the little doctor to Zhong Yi Xiao now worried him about potential accidents.

"Master, you absolutely must not act recklessly now. With less than five months left of the surviving Gu's half-year, and after using Qiu Xin Grass and the unfinished Xue Shu Dan, the Gu has momentarily stabilized. But who knows when it might collapse? We don't have much time."

After the death of the mother Gu, even with the ghost doctor Mo Xin's skills, the child Gu inside Mo Jiao could live no more than six months, and it's already been nearly two months since the mother Gu's demise.

By calculation, Mo Jiao has about four months left to prepare for the Gu curing.

The medicine Mo Lao provided could have delayed the timeline, but his body could only handle three such medicines, and the sudden toxicity of Qiu Xin Grass altered this situation.

Despite the fierce toxicity of Qiu Xin Grass, once stabilized, the Gu also seemed to gain some strength, potentially lasting a bit longer.

This led Mo Lao to speculate whether Qiu Xin Grass was intentionally given by Mo Shi Jie as a life-saving medicine for Mo Jiao, as it seemed to revive the Gu.

Moreover, Mo Jiao's attitude towards the demonic sect has always been peculiar, including his reaction to Mo Shi Jie's betrayal; he appeared utterly unbothered.

But Mo Lao, lacking evidence and unclear on Mo Jiao's intentions, is solely focused on curing the Gu connected to Mo Jiao's life force before the child Gu collapses, aiming to save Mo Jiao's life.

After all, four months can pass by in the blink of an eye, and with time pressing, obtaining the medicinal ingredients and concocting an antidote requires time; these 100+ days are just an estimate, what if there aren’t even four months?

Calmed by his words, Mo Jiao gradually quiets down. After a long silence, as the steam dissipates from the medicine bowl, Mo Jiao finally picks it up and slowly finishes the bitter concoction.

Seeing Mo Jiao's tacit agreement, Mo Lao breathes a sigh of relief.

"It's good that Master isn't acting impulsively; I was worried that after hearing all this, you'd rush to Xuan Nu Peak to stop Shang Lao."

With bitterness in his mouth, Mo Jiao glares darkly at Mo Lao.

What can he do in his current state? With most of his power lost and not yet recovered, he couldn’t even win against He Yun Shi Tai if he fought.

After speaking his piece, Mo Lao, realizing his tone might have been too harsh, reaches out to pat Mo Jiao's head in an attempt at reconciliation.

"Master, don’t be mad at me. I can’t just ignore you. You saved me first, and now it's my turn to save you. Even though my words were harsh, don't you know I truly have your best interests at heart?"

Mo Jiao rolls his eyes, dodging Mo Lao's hand, and says grumpily, "All I want to do now is punch you."

Excited by the challenge, Mo Lao rubs his hands together, "Alright, why don’t we spar a bit?"

Mo Jiao instantly scowls.

Mo Lao’s swordsmanship is unrivaled, with few peers or seniors able to best him. Not widely known, his martial arts skills are on par with Shang Lao. Mo Jiao, having lost much of his power, naturally stands no chance.

For the first time, Mo Jiao feels he might be the most unfortunate demonic sect leader in history.

Then he realizes his two protectors have turned against him, with Mo Lao assigning them to guard him closely, fearing Mo Jiao might head to Xuan Nu Peak to find Zhong Yi Xiao.

Mo Jiao, ever tolerant, puts up with Mo Lao’s arrangements, seeing no harm to himself and, upon waking, comes to a realization.

The Kunlun Divine Wood must be retrieved, and he is keen to see someone’s performance.

Mo Lao's actions had completely disrupted his original plans.

Since his return from the mountain, Zhong Yi Xiao had been severely injured, alarming all his senior sisters. Due to the severity of his injuries and the lack of certain medicinal herbs on the mountain, his situation was quite dire.

The next morning, He Yun Shi Tai sent disciples to fetch a doctor from the town below.

Zhong Yi Xiao awoke to pain the next day. His vision was blurry, but he could distinctly hear a young man speaking with his master.

"Rest assured, Master! With this acupuncture, isn't Young Master Zhong awake now? Although I'm merely the junior brother of Doctor Chang, I've been honored by the Emperor himself as a gifted young physician. Please, entrust Young Master Zhong to me and my assistant. Within half a month, I guarantee to heal all his external and internal injuries!"

"We're grateful for your help, young physician," came his master's calm voice in response.

The young physician then assured confidently, "No problem at all! Master, please be at ease."

Only then did Zhong Yi Xiao see the people at his bedside: his master, two unfamiliar men outside the mosquito net. He was momentarily confused, wondering since when men were allowed on Xuan Nu Peak.

Perhaps it was an urgent decision due to his severe injuries, causing his master and senior sisters to panic and break the rules. But considering he had been allowed up the mountain officially, this rule seemed already breached unwittingly.

After sleeping all day, Zhong Yi Xiao attempted to sit up, only to be frightened back into lying down by the sight that greeted him.

Yes, he was scared.

While most of his injuries were external, the sight of densely packed silver needles inserted all over his body was shocking.

Glancing at them, he felt dizzy, estimating about fifty to sixty needles had been used.

The sheer number and thickness of these needles would jolt anyone awake from pain.

Gradually calming down, he felt a soreness on his scalp and looked upwards, unsurprisingly finding more needles inserted there as well.

Unable to move due to the needles on his arms and chest, Zhong Yi Xiao listened to the conversation outside, realizing his master had truly entrusted his care to this self-proclaimed young physician, who seemed to be leaving with his master.

Curious about the person who had inserted so many needles, Zhong Yi Xiao suspected him to be a quack; who else would use acupuncture for external injuries?

But managing to deceive He Yun Shi Tai suggested some competence. At least the fever that had tormented him all night had subsided, and he felt much better, with no discomfort.

Someone approached the bedside and lifted the thin curtain. Zhong Yi Xiao thought it was the young physician returning, but the numerous needles on his body restricted his movements. He turned slowly and cautiously towards the bedside, only to be startled once again.

"You are..."

Dressed in simple gray, Shang Chang Lao's presence still radiated an imposing aura. Holding back the curtain, his gaze was icy, like a lone wolf on the snowfield eyeing its prey, his eyes dangerously cold as if seeing a dead man.

"Shang Chang Lao."

Zhong Yi Xiao finally remembered his name.

Shang Chang Lao glanced at him and silently took a seat beside the bed.

After the initial shock, Zhong Yi Xiao regained his composure, still involuntarily looking outside before speaking with a hoarse voice.

"The second in command of the Demon Sect, are you here to kill me?"

Shang Chang Lao saw through his thoughts immediately, replying indifferently, "The Sect Leader didn't come."

Zhong Yi Xiao paused, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief.

"I do wish to kill you," Shang Chang Lao stated.

Zhong Yi Xiao snapped back to reality, realizing the danger of being distracted in front of such a menacing figure, and asked nervously, "Then what do you want to do?"

"To retrieve the medicine for the Sect Leader's treatment."

Zhong Yi Xiao found this amusing, "You mean the Kirin Crest? Hasn't Qin Yu taken that away already? You coming to me for the Kirin Crest seems rather naive..."

"Kunlun Divine Wood."

Shang Chang Lao interrupted him coldly, causing Zhong Yi Xiao to look puzzled.

"What did you say?"

Shang Chang Lao appeared to be losing patience, frowning, "The sacred artifact of our sect, the Kunlun Divine Wood. Hand it over, now."

"How would I possess your Demon Sect's sacred artifact..."

Zhong Yi Xiao chuckled at Shang Chang Lao's serious expression, saying helplessly, "Shang Chang Lao, have you misunderstood something?"

Shang Chang Lao stated, "You were poisoned with a gu by Ji Qinghe, and to help suppress the gu worm inside you, the Sect Leader gave you the Kunlun Divine Wood. Zhong Yi Xiao, it would be best if you return the Kunlun Divine Wood immediately, otherwise..."

Initially, Zhong Yi Xiao found it amusing, but as he listened, he suddenly caught onto something, his heart skipping a beat, "Wait a minute! What Kunlun Divine Wood? Could it be..."

Could it be that the wooden pendant Mo Jiao once gave him... is the supreme sacred artifact of the Demon Sect?

Zhong Yi Xiao instinctively wanted to look down, but was hindered by the numerous needles on his body, making it inconvenient to move, so he had no choice but to lie still and listen to Shang Chang Lao.

"Apart from the Kirin Crest, the Kunlun Divine Wood is also essential for the Sect Leader to break the gu spell. Zhong Yi Xiao, you better hand over the Kunlun Divine Wood immediately, or I will kill you."

Zhong Yi Xiao was still in shock. Mo Jiao had never given him anything else, the wooden pendant was the only thing he had received, and it had never been reclaimed after their separation, Zhong Yi Xiao had kept it on his neck all along.

At this moment, with his robes open, the Kunlun Divine Wood was quietly lying on the soft pillow behind his neck.

Zhong Yi Xiao's eyes widened in realization after a long moment, his voice hoarse with negotiation, "Can you remove the needles first, then I will return the item to you?"

Shang Chang Lao's expression suddenly turned very ugly. He reached for a silver needle on Zhong Yi Xiao's arm and pressed it deeper, causing a drop of bright red blood to ooze out.

A piercing pain and numbness shot through Zhong Yi Xiao's arm, making him cry out in shock.

"Hey! Let go!"

Shang Chang Lao, clearly out of patience, coldly warned Zhong Yi Xiao—

"I know it's with you. The master trusted the wrong person. As his subordinate, it's my right to retrieve the Kunlun Sacred Tree scripture. Zhong Yixiao, if you don't hand it over today, I'll annihilate the entire Xianxia sect!"

Indeed, Shang Lao had the demeanor of a demonic path. Zhong Yixiao felt even when Mo Jiao, as the demonic sect's leader, was with him, he was never this fierce. He had underestimated the ruthlessness of those within the demonic sect.

The pain in his arm hadn't subsided; Zhong Yixiao gasped for air, glaring at Shang Lao with a mix of frustration and helplessness, "I didn't say I wouldn't give it to you! Pull out the needle, and I'll get the Kunlun Sacred Tree for you!"