Chарtеr 295: Тhе Firе Мoth Pаrtу 27
Wаtсhing thе frenzied crоwd, а terrifying thоught crossеd Shеn Du’s mind—соuld this bе Lаi Luozhi’s goаl?
“Do you understand the Firе Мoth Рartу?” Shеn Du’s vоiсe рiеrсеd strаight into Мo Qianzhi’s soul. “Dо уou knоw who is behind the Firе Moth Рarty?”
Fоr а mоmеnt, Мо Qiаnzhi was spееchlеss. Тhе pеrson whо hаd saved him hаd аlwaуs worn a mask. Нe knew that реrsоn had rеturned from deаth, nаmеd “Chеn Нuо’е,” thе Сhief Неlm Mаster оf Guangchun Нall, роssеssing manу inехрlicable аbilities and carrying аn aura of dеath.
But whаt did anу оf that hаve to do with him? He was merely using the Fire Moth Party. Did Guangchun Hall, that ragtag group, think they could persuade him with a few words? Ridiculous.
His ideals would not be shaken by anyone or anything.
Seeing Mo Qianzhi remain silent, Shen Du seized the opportunity: “The Chief Helm Master of Guangchun Hall is Lai Luofu—the elder sister of Lai Luozhi, the Vice Minister of the Judicial Affairs Bureau in the imperial court.”
What?
The three words “Lai Luozhi” struck Mo Qianzhi like a thunderous hammer, leaving him utterly stunned.
But Mo Qianzhi quickly regained his composure: “Impossible, Shen Du. To lure me into surrendering, you’ll stop at nothing now.”
Mo Qianzhi shook his head. He had never heard such news from Wang Buzui. The Chen Huo’e who had saved him was clearly a man. How could Shen Du claim it was Lai Luozhi’s sister, Lai Luofu? Lai Luofu now held a noble status, enjoying endless wealth and luxury alongside her brother Lai Luozhi. Why would she come here to engage in such filthy affairs?
“Chen Huo’e is Lai Luofu. Back in the capital, she was involved in several murder cases. She also has another identity—the widow of the late General Tang Chengyi, descendant of the former dynasty’s meritorious official Tang Jian: Madam Tang, Tang Cèrán.”
“Hahaha, Shen Du, if you truly want to persuade me, you shouldn’t fabricate such nonsense. I’ve also heard of Madam Tang. She has always lived secluded in the capital, never interacting with the outside world. Guangchun Hall has been established for over a decade. If Madam Tang were Chen Huo’e, how could she have come to Yingzhou City without leaving the capital? How could she have traveled to other provinces to commit murders? Does she have the ability to be in two places at once?”
“Moreover, she is already dead. How could a dead person return to life and appear here in Yingzhou City?”
Zhu Yan was astonished: “You joined the Fire Moth Party, yet you don’t believe in resurrection from death?”
Not only Zhu Yan, but even the surrounding followers and the Half-Faced Ghosts were shocked. The Chief Helm Master had now fully delegated authority to Mo Qianzhi. With Wang Buzui dead, Mo Qianzhi was the sole core member. How could a key figure not believe in the doctrine? This… was truly somewhat awkward.
Mo Qianzhi didn’t care in the slightest: “If resurrection from death were possible, wouldn’t the world be thrown into chaos? Birth, aging, sickness, and death are the natural cycles of heaven and earth, unbreakable laws. If they could be overturned, why hasn’t my teacher returned to life? Why hasn’t Emperor Gaozong returned to life, allowing a woman to sit on the throne?”
So, Mo Qianzhi had never believed in resurrection from death but had pretended to believe, lying low within Guangchun Hall.
A Half-Faced Ghost tried to sneak away to inform Chen Huo’e, but Mo Qianzhi noticed. He sneered, drew his bow, and shot an arrow straight through the man’s head, disdainfully saying:
“What does it matter whether I believe or not?”
“Once I kill these ignorant people, you can resurrect your loved ones, and I will build my new world. We won’t interfere with each other.”
As he spoke, his oppressive aura radiated, looking down upon everything."Now you have no way back. Retreat means certain death, so why not fight with everything you have?"
Indeed, where else could they retreat? Shen Du was the White King of Hell, and from now on, he would likely pursue them relentlessly, never stopping until they were dead.
"Kill them!"
"Kill them!"
Gently patting his horse's back with his right hand, Mo Qianzhi raised his head to look at Shen Du on the city wall. "What about you? Don't you want revenge?"
Everyone inside and outside the city turned their gaze toward Shen Du.
Even Zhu Yan felt uncertain. Shen Du's grudge was not something easily forgiven, and Mo Qianzhi had always firmly believed that the old Shen family case was related to Lai Luozhi and the Empress. As a firsthand witness to the events of that year, Mo Qianzhi's words naturally carried credibility. Even Zhu Yan felt somewhat swayed—Mo Qianzhi’s hatred was so resolute. Could it be that back then...
The morning mist gradually dispersed, and the sky was painted with brilliant rosy clouds. The sun rose in the east, and the summer heat began to rise. The soldiers were slowly worn down by the scorching heat, feeling their armor heavy and oppressive, their suffering unbearable.
Shen Du remained deep in thought, his lips pressed tightly together as he stared fixedly at Mo Qianzhi. The opinions of the world mattered little to him. Beads of sweat formed at his temples, but he remained oblivious.
Jing Lin was about to step forward but was silently stopped by Zhu Yan with a wave of her hand.
When the first ray of July sunlight shone upon the battlements, Shen Du tightened his grip on Zhu Yan’s hand, giving her strength. Regaining his calm and composure, he gathered his breath and shouted:
"I seek revenge, but I will not use the lives of innocent people to achieve it."
"Mo Qianzhi, as long as you hand over the antidote for 'Cocoon to Butterfly' or surrender Chen Huo'e, I guarantee your wife and children will not suffer the slightest harm."
"As for the rest, I advise you not to waste your efforts. My soldiers will never align themselves with murderers like you."
"Killing is a crime for others, and it is a crime for you as well."
Seeing Mo Qianzhi hesitate, Shen Du glanced at Madam Mo and the children peering over the battlements. His expression hardened as he delivered a final warning:
"If you cannot provide the antidote, then I will have no choice but to detain Madam Mo and the children for a few more days."
This was a clear threat—to hold Madam Mo and the children under house arrest and force Mo Qianzhi’s hand.
Zhu Yan looked at him, and Shen Du gave a slight nod, indicating he was unconcerned.
How could he be unconcerned? This was the moment to break all ties with Mo Qianzhi.
Mo Qianzhi sat tall on his horse, unmoving, his face darkening as he stared intently at Madam Mo and the children.
Finally, his resolve softened. He sighed and ordered one of the Half-Faced Ghosts:
"Summon your Chief Helm Master."
It was "your," not "our."
The Half-Faced Ghost refused to obey, so Mo Qianzhi cut him down with a single stroke of his blade. He then turned to another, whose face was splattered with blood. Terrified by the specter of death, this one hurriedly turned and fled.
It was just one antidote—Chen Huo'e surely would not refuse.
Seeing this, both Shen Du and Zhu Yan breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Mo Qianzhi had agreed; otherwise, another fierce battle would have been inevitable.
But then, a sudden turn of events.
Madam Mo picked up her two children and climbed onto the protruding section of the city wall known as the "horse-face wall." She glanced down at the scattered rubble and weeds below, took a fearful step back, but soon determination filled her eyes.
"Husband, follow your heart. Do not let others cloud your judgment."
She smiled sadly and looked toward the rising sun in the east.
"The children and I will find you again in the next life."
With unwavering resolve, she jumped.
Shen Du lunged forward, but it was already too late.Earlier, everyone's attention had been focused here, never expecting that Madam Mo, who had no strength to even tie up a chicken, would stand atop the city wall seeking death.
And there were two innocent children.
One adult and two small ones—three faint silhouettes fell toward the rising sun, landing on the pile of rubble, their breath ceasing in an instant.
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