The man before him was Lai Caisheng—not the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart. Mo Mo was stunned at first, but then things began to make sense.
Back when Zhan’er received the Edict and fled with Mo Mo, no matter where they hid or what direction they escaped to, Daoist and Demon forces always found them—early and often. It wasn’t just powerful and terrifying enemies with strong magic or demonic energy; even low-level practitioners from all walks of life easily tracked them down.
In the end, even when they hid beneath the ancient well of the Song Family Ancestral Mansion, they were still found.
“This rattle…” Mo Mo gave a bitter smile. “So from the mont you gave it to Zhan’er, you had already planned everything, didn’t you?”
“Actually, I didn’t know who would receive the Edict,” the man with the bronze mask—Lai Caisheng—said calmly. “When I gave the rattle away, I wasn’t thinking in that direction… You could say it was fate. But if you insist on believing it was all part of a plan, I don’t mind.”
“You... you impersonated the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart?!” Mo Mo took a deep breath.
A wave of fear washed over him.
All this ti, the Daoist and Demon factions—and even the Managent Bureau—had blad the 71st generation of Heavenly Heart. But what if it hadn’t been the 71st generation at all? What if it was Lai Caisheng, the 72nd generation, pulling the strings?
As the current heir of the Plain-Clothed Dao, Lai Caisheng had the respect of both Daoist and Demon circles and was a representative of the Daoist Association—half an official figure. He likely maintained frequent contact with the Managent Bureau.
And because he operated in the open, he could use the power of the light to control the intelligence networks of the Daoist and Demon worlds—and the Managent Bureau. That kind of influence, even without expertise in feng shui or mysticism, would let anyone stay ten steps ahead.
But this ti, Lai Caisheng didn’t respond to Mo Mo’s accusation.
He calmly put the bronze mask back on. “I only ca here to take care of so things. Running into you was unexpected. And since it’s unexpected, let’s keep it brief.”
He turned to leave. Mo Mo instinctively threw a powerful talisman from Dragon-Tiger Mountain—but it was instantly blocked by an invisible force and turned to ash before it got close.
Seeing Lai Caisheng about to leave so casually, Mo Mo shouted, “Why did you reveal yourself to ?! Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose your identity?!”
“Expose it or not, it doesn’t matter… Even if they know it’s , nothing will change,” Lai Caisheng’s voice faded as he vanished into the mist.
“Co back! Lai Caisheng!!”
“Use your own eyes to see… to see the truth beneath this seemingly peaceful world.”
“Lai…” Mo Mo ran forward, but there was no trace left of him.
…
Only a few support personnel remained at the estate, and none of them were disturbed by the commotion Mo Mo caused.
After Lai Caisheng left, Mo Mo stood dazed in the courtyard for a long ti before wandering out.
At that mont, Yan Xiaoxi returned—along with the three teams that had attempted to stop the sixth Jade Dragon Pillar.
Their mission had failed. When Mo Mo entered the main hall of the estate, he saw disappointnt on many faces.
Among the group, Mo Mo was only familiar with a few: Yan Xiaoxi, Firecloud Evil God, and Mr. Blind.
He quickly walked up to Yan Xiaoxi. “Chief Yan, what happened with your operation?”
Yan Xiaoxi shook his head—an answer in itself. He patted Mo Mo’s shoulder and casually asked, “Anything unusual happen while we were gone?”
Mo Mo opened his mouth, ready to speak about Lai Caisheng—but then he rembered what Lai Caisheng said before leaving:
“See for yourself… see the truth beneath the peace.”
The words choked in his throat. He glanced around at the others and quickly replied, “Nothing special happened… Besides, with the barrier outside, no one can enter.”
“I see.” Yan Xiaoxi looked at Mo Mo for a mont, then nodded. With six Jade Dragon Pillars already erected, their priority was stopping the seventh. Mo Mo’s odd behavior was noted, but not pressed.
“Everyone, get so rest. We still have a tough battle ahead.”
Yan Xiaoxi dismissed the group, then left with Firecloud Evil God and Mr. Blind.
Mo Mo wanted to do sothing—but didn’t know what. He wandered out of the hall in defeat.
“See the truth… but how?”
Unconsciously, he walked past the gates of Croaching Dragon Estate into the mist.
He didn’t plan to go far—just wanted a change of scenery. The estate felt too stifling.
As he walked, a door appeared before him.
An old pinewood door—Mo Mo had seen this door before.
…
…
Back at the villa, Firecloud Evil God returned and imdiately coughed up a mouthful of blood.
His disciple Yan Xiaoxi rushed to help him sit. Mr. Blind pulled out a small porcelain bottle and told Yan Xiaoxi to have Firecloud Evil God take the dicine inside.
“Senior Qingxiaozi, what’s wrong with my master?” Yan Xiaoxi asked, calm despite his worry.
Mr. Blind sighed. “Your master recklessly wielded the Tiger Soul Blade, using two of its ultimate techniques in a row. As the saying goes: once with vigor, twice with strain, thrice with exhaustion. The Tiger Soul Blade is an ancient demonic weapon—wild and hard to control. When its intent awakens, it doesn’t stop until it kills. With my help, your master forcibly suppressed it, but the backlash is severe. Still, don’t worry—his constitution is special. He’ll recover in ti.”
Firecloud Evil God sat in ditation, adjusting his breath. As his complexion gradually regained color, Yan Xiaoxi finally relaxed, then looked at Mr. Blind.
“Daoist, with six Jade Dragon Pillars now in place, do you have confidence in locating the last one?”
“I need a bit more ti,” Mr. Blind said in a low voice. “Before tomorrow, I’ll give you an answer… Though I was the one who originally created this grand array, the ergence of these six pillars is vastly different… I’m afraid my senior brother painstakingly improved it.”
At this, Mr. Blind suddenly gave a bitter smile. “Ridiculous that I always claid to be the most outstanding mber of the Plain-Clothed Dao. But today, it seems my senior brother’s accomplishnts may have long since surpassed mine… Judging from the placent of the six pillars, he has pushed the original array to near perfection.”
“The 71st generation of Heavenly Heart has probably been preparing for a long ti,” Yan Xiaoxi said. “He may have begun after the Dragon Fiend incident. Spending decades refining a formation—it’s not surprising he made breakthroughs. This array was originally created by you—it’s the foundation. What the 71st generation did was only to build upon it. Please, don’t belittle yourself, sir.”
“You’re nothing like your master,” Mr. Blind chuckled. “He never cared about such things. If it was ti to ridicule , he’d do it without hesitation.”
“You old blind man—is that how you talk about soone’s master?” Firecloud Evil God slowly opened his eyes.
“How are you feeling, Master?” Yan Xiaoxi asked with concern.
Firecloud Evil God stood up after finishing his breathing exercise. “Say what you want, this old blind man’s dicine really is effective. Not necessarily the best, but it always works quickly.”
“Sir, you're truly talented.” Yan Xiaoxi couldn’t help but admire Mr. Blind—this forr generation mber of the Plain-Clothed Dao wasn’t only skilled in arcane arts but also had impressive dical knowledge, and his own cultivation was unfathomably deep.
“Talented? I say he’s a fool!” Firecloud Evil God snorted. “Clearly gifted, but dabbles in everything—tries a bit of this, a bit of that. Looks like he's covered in blades, but not one of them is sharp. Jack of all trades, master of none—sothing even a toddler understands, but it seems to have completely eluded this blind man! A wasted genius! If you had stuck to one path, your cultivation today might not be weaker than mine! Even your diocre senior brother has surpassed you now!”
Yan Xiaoxi frowned but didn’t say anything. He was clearly used to his master’s venomous tongue.
“If I’d stuck to one path, I probably would've been beaten to death by you by now,” Mr. Blind muttered. “Enough nonsense. Have your disciple prepare a few things for —I need to enter seclusion for a day.”
Firecloud Evil God waved his hand at Yan Xiaoxi and sat back down, closing his eyes.
…
Ding-ding—!
The bell at the door suddenly rang.
Mo Mo had co to this place for the third ti now… Cold, damp, but strangely soothing. The negative feelings vanished completely here, and the faint scent in the air made one relax unknowingly.
But this ti was different—he saw a new face. A young man wearing a scarf. As for the tallic dog crouched at his feet, Mo Mo didn’t think much of it.
He also saw Nero, and of course, You Ye, the maid.
Nero popped her head out from behind You Ye and waved excitedly. “Hey, Justice Bro! Long ti no see… Here to shop? Co on, I’ll take care of you!”
In a flash, Nero zood to his side and grabbed his wrist, dragging him to a nearby table and pressing him into a seat. “Here, here! What do you want to drink?”
Her enthusiasm was intense—probably because Mo Mo’s arrival gave her the perfect excuse to escape Miss Maid’s training.
“You…”
Mo Mo was stunned by her energy.
“Surprised?” Nero grinned slyly. “Starting today, I’m an employee here!”
Mo Mo opened his mouth in surprise but said nothing. As he looked at the lively Nero in front of him, he rembered the searing pain Nero had once endured—pain so intense he couldn’t even last five seconds under it.
Mo Mo didn’t believe that pain justified killing. But after everything he’d seen, he had to admit—it could be a reason for so people.
He gave a bitter smile. “Then… congratulations.”
Nero blinked, giving Mo Mo a strange look, then turned her head. “Grand Overseer, I can’t handle this guest.”
“Mr. Mo Mo, is there sothing I can help you with?”
Miss Maid walked over and slightly bowed.
Looking at her perfect face, Mo Mo replied without thinking, “I don’t know why… but I sohow ended up here. I’m sure I didn’t walk this far…”
“I see,” Miss Maid said with a gentle smile. “Then please wait a mont, Mr. Mo Mo. I’ll call the master.”
The master…
Mo Mo’s heart skipped. He blurted out, “The elder… has returned?”
…
Luo Qiu hadn’t handled a business deal in a long ti—now, in the great hall of the club.
Anyone who unknowingly found themselves here was undoubtedly a custor.
“Mr. Mo Mo, is there anything I can help you with?” Luo Qiu asked, tilting his head slightly.
Miss Maid and Nero—now in maid attire—stood quietly to the side.
Mo Mo was uncomfortable being addressed this way by soone he had always regarded as a senior. He frowned, opened his mouth several tis, but hesitated.
Luo Qiu gave a gentle smile and snapped his fingers.
Suddenly, the hall dimd.
Darkness spread from the edges, swallowing the surroundings… until only the space where Luo Qiu and Mo Mo sat—about a ter wide—remained lit.
A strange scene. Though surrounded by darkness, this small space was fully visible, calm, and… peaceful. The kind of quiet that made people instinctively feel safe.
“Is this better?” Luo Qiu asked softly.
Mo Mo nodded, avoiding his eyes. Looking into the surrounding darkness, he gave a bitter smile. “Co to think of it, I’ve said a few embarrassing things in front of you before.”
“Like what?” Luo Qiu asked curiously.
Mo Mo lowered his head. “Senior… do you think I should buy sothing from you?”
Luo Qiu was silent for a mont, then slowly said, “Whether you buy or not is not my decision. Only when you truly desire sothing… will it appear before you.”
Mo Mo looked at him—and finally spoke.
“Senior… I want to see. I want to see the truth.”
(End of Chapter)
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