Mo Li

With Xu Qingchen keeping an eye on Ancheng and the Murong family, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao felt even more at ease. Every day, Mo Xiuyao would take Ye Li around the city and its outskirts, aimlessly strolling as if they were just an ordinary young couple idly passing time before the Martial Arts Tournament. This frustrated the people assigned to tail them, as they couldn’t find anything unusual about the pair. Though the man was exceptionally handsome and skilled in martial arts, and the woman more beautiful and outstanding than the average noble lady, there seemed to be no connection to their master. They couldn’t understand why their master was so insistent that these two posed a threat.

After two days of surveillance with no findings, even Ren Qining felt embarrassed to continue and had to withdraw the people following Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li.

When they stepped out and noticed the absence of their tails, Ye Li was surprised. "They withdrew so quickly?"

Mo Xiuyao replied indifferently, "He’s a smart man. Since he couldn’t uncover our origins, continuing would only lead to an awkward confrontation." Ye Li frowned. "Has your brother found out anything about Ren Qining’s background?"

Mo Xiuyao shook his head. "Nothing yet. He and the forces behind him likely haven’t appeared in the martial world or among the nobility of any country, or there would have been some traces. But it doesn’t matter… this is Western Liang’s territory." Since Ren Qining had appeared in Western Liang, it was Lei Zhenting’s headache to deal with. "Your brother has already sent someone to alert Lei Zhenting and Lei Tengfeng. We’ll see how they react."

Ye Li nodded. Originally, she wouldn’t have taken an interest in Ren Qining if he hadn’t foolishly sent people to tail them and investigate their backgrounds. Since Mo Xiuyao had it under control, she didn’t bother with it further.

Over the past few days, despite the annoying surveillance, their wanderings around Ancheng had yielded plenty of information. Though the Murong family had little renown in the northwest or Great Chu, Ancheng was practically within their sphere of influence, being less than ten li from the Murong estate. Naturally, rumors about the family were abundant.

It was said that Miss Murong was as beautiful as a flower, gentle and kind-hearted. Her reputation in Ancheng was impeccable, and many commoners regarded her as a living bodhisattva. On the first day of every month, she would visit Zhaoning Temple outside the city to pray for her grandfather’s well-being. Coincidentally, today was the first of the month, and despite the impending Martial Arts Tournament, Miss Murong hadn’t altered her routine. As a result, young martial artists and noblemen who had caught wind of this rushed to Zhaoning Temple early in the morning, skipping breakfast entirely. This sudden exodus left the usually bustling Ancheng unusually quiet.

Since Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were here to join in the excitement, they naturally headed to Zhaoning Temple as well. After a leisurely breakfast, they ambled toward the outskirts. By the time they arrived, the temple was already packed with people—a sight that would surely astonish any uninformed outsider, making them marvel at the temple’s flourishing incense offerings.Although the crowd was overwhelming, fortunately, Zhaoning Temple itself was still a place worth visiting. The vast, tranquil mountain forests at the back were particularly picturesque. While most visitors flocked to the front mountain to catch a glimpse of Miss Murong, the back mountain remained exceptionally peaceful and serene. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li strolled hand in hand along the winding paths of the back mountain, the distant hum of noise only accentuating the solitude around them. Thinking of the eager crowd, Ye Li couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

Mo Xiuyao looked down at her. “What’s so amusing, A Li?”

Ye Li glanced up at his expression and suppressed another laugh. “I was just wondering if Mo Jingli and Lei Tengfeng might be among that crowd. And… what it would look like if Wang Ye were also standing there, craning his neck in anticipation.”

Mo Xiuyao let out a displeased huff. Prince Ding had always carried himself with pride—others waited for him, never the other way around. “Aside from A Li, who in this world is worthy of my patience?” Ye Li rolled her eyes helplessly, already somewhat immune to Mo Wang Ye’s sweet talk at any given moment.

As they bantered, Mo Xiuyao’s gaze suddenly sharpened, and he looked ahead. Without warning, he scooped Ye Li into his arms and leaped onto a slope beside the path, landing atop an ancient tree draped with green vines.

Ye Li wasn’t startled by his sudden movement. Nestled in his embrace, she followed his line of sight and soon heard the crisp sound of conversation. A group of people descended leisurely from the mountain. Among them were over a dozen robust men and women armed with swords. At their center was a young girl dressed in a pale purple silk gown, flanked by six maids in green and two elderly matrons. With just one glance, Ye Li recognized the girl’s gown as the finest of Nanzhao’s three treasures—Water Cloud Silk—while the sheer outer robe was made of Hibiscus Gauze.

In Nanzhao, blue and white were considered the most noble colors, so Water Cloud Silk was typically produced in subdued hues, never in deep shades like purple. This meant the purple silk couldn’t have been a tribute from Nanzhao. Since no other place in the world could produce such exquisite fabric, this purple Water Cloud Silk must have been crafted independently—proof that someone had already mastered Nanzhao’s most prized secret technique. If mass-produced, it would yield immense wealth. Yet, no one had ever heard of Water Cloud Silk being made outside Nanzhao. Clearly, whoever held this knowledge had no interest in commercializing it.

The girl’s jade hairpins, gemstone ornaments, and every accessory she wore were of the finest quality. Her attire was so extravagant that even a royal princess might not compare. Without a second thought, Ye Li knew exactly who this girl at the center of the entourage was.

“Miss, there’s a huge crowd at the main gate. Let’s leave through the side entrance,” one of the matrons beside the purple-clad girl suggested softly. Though the area was deserted now, it was only because people assumed the young lady hadn’t arrived yet. Unbeknownst to them, she had ascended the mountain before dawn. If they exited through the main gate now, it might cause a disturbance.

The girl smiled faintly. “No need to worry, Matron Su. Those people are all heroes gathered for the Martial Arts Tournament. Surely, they understand propriety.”"Exactly, the young lady is right. Those people would be scrambling to flatter her—who would dare offend her?" The maid beside the purple-clad girl giggled. "The family head and the granduncle have said they will select the most outstanding man in the world to be the young lady's husband. They also want everyone to know that our young lady is not only the daughter of the wealthiest family but also a peerless beauty."

"You silly girl, stop your nonsense! Be careful, or Grandfather will punish you when we return," the purple-clad girl scolded, though the eyes visible above her pale purple veil shimmered with faint amusement, clearly not truly angry. The maid, knowing her mistress was always kind-hearted, wasn’t afraid and continued playfully, "The young lady is the most benevolent—you’d never let the master punish Greenie." The purple-clad girl sighed softly. "Enough, let’s hurry back so Grandfather and Uncle won’t worry."

"Young lady is right." As their conversation faded into the distance, Mo Xiuyao finally released Ye Li, and they stepped back onto the path. Ye Li gazed thoughtfully at the now-empty trail and smiled. "It seems we’re quite lucky. We didn’t have to jostle with the crowd and still got a glimpse of Miss Murong first."

Mo Xiuyao let out a faint, indifferent hum. Ye Li poked him lightly in exasperation. "Don’t tell me you didn’t notice."

Mo Xiuyao looked down at her with a smile. "Notice what?"

Ye Li replied, "The hidden patterns on Miss Murong’s clothes and the hairpin in her hair—they were all phoenix motifs. It seems this Miss Murong is quite fond of phoenixes."

In Western Liang and Great Chu, where cultural customs were largely similar, phoenix motifs were not something just anyone could use. Given Ye Li’s current status, no one could dictate what patterns she chose, but back in Chu Jing, she had rarely used phoenix designs. What stood out even more was the hidden pattern on Miss Murong’s dress—subtle but unmistakable to Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao’s eyes. It was a nine-tailed phoenix, the true emblem of the king of birds. This alone was enough to prove that the Murong family—and this Miss Murong in particular—had ambitions far from ordinary.

"Just seeking attention. Why bother with them, A Li?" Mo Xiuyao said dismissively, wrapping an arm around her waist as they continued ascending the mountain path.

The back hills of Zhaoning Temple were known for their scenic beauty, often attracting pilgrims and sightseers. The temple had even built a pavilion at the summit for visitors to rest. When the two reached the top, however, they found the pavilion already occupied.

Ling Tiehan was seated inside with Leng Liuyue and Sick Scholar, deep in conversation. Hearing footsteps, they turned and were visibly surprised to see Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li. After a pause, Ling Tiehan spoke, "Prince Ding? Princess Ding?" Though Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li had made slight alterations to their appearances, those who knew them would never be fooled face-to-face.

Mo Xiuyao didn’t evade the encounter. Stepping onto the final stair with Ye Li, he arched a brow at the trio and smiled. "Master Ling? What a fortunate meeting." Ling Tiehan’s expression brightened at the sight of him. "Indeed, it is. I had thought Prince Ding wouldn’t make it this year. Yet here we are. So—how about fulfilling that long-overdue martial arts contest you promised me years ago?"Mo Xiuyao raised his sword-like brows, smiling as he looked at Ling Tiehan. "Does the Pavilion Master truly wish to engage in combat with this prince now? When the Martial Arts Tournament comes... Just now, this prince noticed that Miss Murong is a stunning beauty. Has the Pavilion Master not felt even the slightest stirring in his heart?" If the two of them fought with their full strength, whoever could still attend the Martial Arts Tournament afterward would only prove that both had been holding back.

Ling Tiehan scoffed, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes as he replied indifferently, "A self-important little girl, nothing more. This Pavilion Master did not come for the Murong family." Though Ling Tiehan was the leader of assassins, his temperament was steady and resolute, rarely showing such open mockery and displeasure in public. It was unclear what Miss Murong had done to provoke him.

"Originally, I intended to seek out Lei Zhenting. But since I’ve encountered you here, Lei Zhenting is no longer of consequence. What say you... Would Prince Ding be willing to grant me a lesson or two?"

Ling Tiehan spoke openly. Though he had wanted to trouble Lei Zhenting, Lei Zhenting could be dealt with anytime. Mo Xiuyao, however, was not someone he could spar with whenever he pleased. Over the past few years, Ling Tiehan had vaguely felt his cultivation stagnating, clearly having reached a bottleneck. A battle with a master like Mo Xiuyao might grant him new insights, allowing him to break through to the next level.

Mo Xiuyao glanced down at Ye Li, who gave him a faint smile, patted his arm, and then stepped back into the pavilion. Ling Tiehan, however, had already stepped forward.

Mo Xiuyao smiled and said, "In that case, this prince is honored to have the rare opportunity to learn from the Pavilion Master."

Inside the pavilion, Ye Li merely nodded at Leng Liuyue and Sick Scholar. All three were fixated on the two men outside, with no time for further greetings or chatter.

Ling Tiehan wore simple blue robes, his demeanor even more composed and majestic than it had been years ago. Though he was already past forty, his profound inner energy made him appear like a robust man in his thirties. A cold glint flashed as an ancient longsword appeared in his hand. Standing atop the mountain, the blue-clad man held his sword with the imposing presence of Mount Tai, commanding attention.

Mo Xiuyao, too, was dressed in plain white robes, his black hair like clouds, a faint smile playing at his lips. Clearly, the prospect of battling Ling Tiehan had put him in high spirits. A gleam flashed in his eyes as a streak of snowy light appeared before him—Mo Xiuyao wielded a gleaming, icy soft sword. Unlike Ling Tiehan’s heavy, archaic bronze-like blade, Mo Xiuyao’s sword was as thin as a cicada’s wing, its edge trembling lightly in the air with a flick of his wrist.

Neither made the first move, standing motionless as they studied each other. Their robes and hair stirred as if caught in an unseen breeze, drifting gently around them.

The three in the pavilion held their breaths, eyes locked on the two figures outside. The growing surge of energy around the combatants pressed upon them faintly.

After what seemed like an eternity, the two suddenly leaped into the air simultaneously, transforming into countless afterimages that streaked across the sky. Ye Li widened her eyes, straining to follow the exchange, but all she could discern were fleeting blue and white shadows.Ye Li knew it wasn't that they had truly become shadows, but rather their speed was so fast that her vision and skills couldn't clearly discern their movements. At this moment, Ye Li realized one thing: her abilities might be sufficient to deal with ordinary masters, but they were far from enough when facing supreme experts like Mo Xiuyao and Ling Tiehan. A faint pain throbbed in her chest, and she couldn't help but frown.

A hand rested on her shoulder. Ye Li reflexively wanted to counterattack when Leng Liuyue's calm voice sounded, "Don't push yourself."

Ye Li turned her head to see that neither Leng Liuyue nor Sick Scholar were intently watching the two combatants anymore. They only glanced occasionally—Leng Liuyue was fine, but Sick Scholar's complexion, which had improved over the years, had turned pale again.

Leng Liuyue explained seriously, "When true supreme masters fight, the gap between us is too great. Watching won't do any good and might even lead to qi deviation."

Mo Xiuyao and Zhennan Wang had fought before, but neither had gone all out—both had held back. This time, however, Ling Tiehan and Mo Xiuyao were confronting each other at their peak, giving their all. The energy and battle intent generated between them were enough to cause internal injuries or qi deviation in those with shallow cultivation or unstable minds. Ye Li's mental fortitude ranked among the top ten in the world, but her inner energy cultivation had started far too late. At best, she was on par with Sick Scholar and still fell short compared to Leng Liuyue. Earlier, she had focused all her attention on observing Mo Xiuyao and Ling Tiehan's moves. Had Leng Liuyue not stopped her, she might have already suffered internal injuries.

Ye Li naturally thanked Leng Liuyue for her kindness. Glancing at the two fighters, she sighed softly. She wasn't without envy for Mo Xiuyao and Ling Tiehan's martial prowess, but her own start had simply been too late. Martial arts, especially inner energy cultivation, required training from childhood. Stories about gaining miraculous elixirs or secret manuals to leap from nothingness to becoming a peerless master were just that—stories.

Leng Liuyue seemed to hold some goodwill toward Ye Li. Noticing her frown, she said softly, "It's fine to watch. Just don't overexert yourself. Prince Ding and my elder brother both have restraint—they won't truly fight to mutual destruction." Ye Li nodded. "Thank you, Pavilion Master Leng." Still, she couldn't help feeling helpless as she looked outside. If she pushed herself, she could barely grasp the general movements, but without straining, she couldn't see anything clearly. After a moment's thought, Ye Li stopped watching and instead closed her eyes, focusing on listening to the sounds outside.

Leng Liuyue observed this, a faint trace of approval flickering in her cold eyes.