Chapter 59: Stirring Up Trouble!
At the same time, near the eastern gate of Salt City
"So this is Salt City?" Qing Lin tilted her small head from side to side, her delicate face glowing faintly with excitement.
Having grown up in Stone Desert City, this was her first time visiting such a place. Young and full of curiosity, she couldn't help but marvel at the unfamiliar sights. However, the excitement on her face quickly dimmed as her eyes landed on several shops adorned with the Mo Clan's emblem, all brightly decorated and festooned with lanterns.
"Interesting. Is Salt City celebrating the New Year? It's like the whole city is rejoicing," Hai Bodong remarked, his brows slightly furrowed in confusion.
"Why don't we just ask around?" Lu Bu said with a faint smile. It seemed that Hai Bodong's recovery had coincidentally aligned with Mo Cheng's birthday celebrations.
The trio found an inn to settle in, and after casually asking around, they confirmed that it was indeed Mo Cheng's birthday in two days. However, unlike the original events, the Mo Clan hadn't booked out every inn in the city this time.
"So it's that bastard's birthday," Qing Lin muttered, a flash of hatred crossing her delicate face. It was that despicable Mo Cheng who had killed her two headed Flame Spirit Serpent!
"How convenient. Arriving at just the right time," Hai Bodong said, his gaze glinting coldly. Mo Cheng's strike was still fresh in his mind. He had already resolved to return the favor, and now fate had handed him this opportunity.
"What do you think about acting now?" Lu Bu glanced at the sky, his tone casual yet cold. His eyes flickered with killing intent anyone who dared target Qing Lin would have to pay the price.
"Agreed!" Hai Bodong's eyes gleamed with malice. The dignified Ice Emperor had never been one to let grudges fester overnight!
"Jie jie, perfect! Let's go!" Lu Bu chuckled, his gaze sharp as a blade.
With that, the three vanished from sight in a blur.
…
"How's the preparation for the banquet coming along?" Mo Cheng asked as he strode in, settling into the head seat with a satisfied air.
Mo Cheng was a man who craved attention and grandeur, especially when it was all directed toward him. A grand birthday banquet was the perfect way to achieve that.
"Everything is almost ready," Mo Lan replied, immediately adopting a serious demeanor.
"All the invitations have been sent out. The Misty Cloud Sect has replied Young Sect Mistress Nalan Yanran is already on her way."
The Mo Clan's current glory rested entirely on Mo Cheng's shoulders. As the pillar of the family, even the patriarch, Mo Lan, had to defer to him.
"Good. Leave the banquet arrangements to me," Mo Cheng said, handing Mo Lan a peculiar whistle. "You, however, are to assemble fifty Mo Guards and prepare to set out at any moment."
Salt City had sent word back, confirming that the Triple Jade Green Snake Flower Pupils hadn't left Stone Desert City. This saved him considerable trouble. This time, he wouldn't let them escape!
"E Elder…?" Mo Lan sprang up from his chair, his face pale with shock.
Fifty Mo Guards! The clan had spent over a decade training just seventy or eighty of them. Several had already been lost in Stone Desert City last time, and now the elder wanted to deploy fifty?
"Our chance to soar lies right before us! Don't be stingy with a few trifles!" Mo Cheng barked coldly.
"This… Alright," Mo Lan replied reluctantly. Though he didn't understand the elder's reasoning, he dared not defy him. In the Mo Clan, Mo Cheng's word was law. Failure to follow orders could cost Mo Lan his position as patriarch.
"Mo Guards, assemble!"
Outside the banquet hall, in an open training ground, Mo Lan blew the whistle and issued the command.
Shadows flitted through the air as squads of black clad warriors emerged from every corner of the Mo Clan's estate. Within moments, they stood in formation, their expressions cold and indifferent, exuding a thick aura of bloodlust.
The Mo Guards were the clan's private armed force, with each member at the rank of Da Dou Shi (Great Fighter). With fifty of them, they could hold their own even against the city lord's army.
Leading them was Mo Ran, the one who had extracted the Flame Spirit Serpent's magic core. His position as leader wasn't due to his personal strength but because of his backing Mo Cheng. The Mo Guards had only one true commander: Mo Cheng.
Before Mo Lan could speak further, Mo Cheng strode out of the hall with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Mo Lan, take thirty men and head to Stone Desert City," Mo Cheng ordered coldly, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Keep a close watch on those two. Don't let them escape!"
"Yes!" Mo Ran saluted crisply, standing tall and ready.
"The remaining twenty will rest for a day. Stay on standby," Mo Cheng continued, his gaze sharp. "This time, I will capture them!"
Just then, a faint swoosh cut through the air as two black robed figures appeared above the Mo Clan's estate.
Lost in his thoughts, Mo Cheng didn't notice, but Mo Lan also at the Dou Ling level instinctively looked up. His face turned pale as he spotted the three figures in the sky, one of them small and held in someone's arms.
"Damn it! Intruders!" Mo Lan roared, his voice booming across the estate and echoing throughout Salt City.
But it was already too late.
Four yellow streaks of light shot into the air, followed by a massive, square shaped yellow barrier that descended, trapping the entire Mo Clan fortress within.
"What's going on? What happened?"
"What's that light coming from the Mo Clan's direction? That's not one of their abilities…"
"Interesting. Did the Mo Clan provoke a big shot?"
…
"Miss Ya Fei, look at that," one of Ya Fei's guards whispered from her carriage. They were on their way out of Salt City when the barrier appeared.
Ya Fei frowned, her curiosity piqued. "What could've happened? I only left a short while ago…"
…
Inside the Mo Clan fortress
At Mo Lan's warning, everyone in the training ground snapped to attention. Mo Cheng and Mo Ran turned toward the sky, their expressions darkening.
The two black robed figures descended, and only then did the Mo Guards realize there were actually three individuals the third being a small figure held in one of the intruder's arms.
"Insolent fools! How dare you humiliate the Mo Clan!" Mo Cheng stepped forward, his crimson Dou Qi flaring as his icy voice and immense aura spread across the training ground.
However, Lu Bu and the others stood motionless, their black robes billowing in the wind. Mo Cheng's oppressive aura was like a stone sinking into the sea it had no effect whatsoever.
Both Mo Cheng and Mo Lan's expressions shifted. Anyone bold enough to barge into the Mo Clan like this was no ordinary foe.
"I'm here for three things: to kill, to kill, and to kill!" Lu Bu declared coldly.
"You bastard!" Mo Lan roared in anger. "A coward hiding behind a mask dares act so arrogantly?"
Mo Cheng sneered darkly. "It seems my reputation as Mo Cheng, the Butcher, isn't frightening enough." His crimson Dou Qi surged higher, his gaze fixed on the intruders.
Jie!
Lu Bu snorted dismissively and glanced at Hai Bodong. Catching the signal, Hai Bodong stepped forward, releasing a wave of energy as oppressive as a mountain crashing down.
Clang! Weapons clattered to the ground as the Mo Guards, drenched in cold sweat, instantly lost the strength to fight.
The training ground fell silent. The realization hit like a thunderclap this black robed man was a Dou Emperor!
(End of Chapter)
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