Chapter 70

The autumn woods were fully painted with vibrant hues, and the crimson maple leaves, as red as blood, fell into the lake with the sound of the ghostly carriage crossing the red-painted bridge, drifting with the waves.

After several months, the Guo Huo bird’s ghostly carriage once again carried Liuyu and Mo Lin back to Jiuyou Yedu.

“——Has there been any news from the Jiufang family?”

Bai Pingting, who had come out to greet them, walked up the stairs with Mo Lin and Liuyu, and answered:

“Last night, following the instructions of the respected master, we refused to respond. But today, during the Chen and Wei hours, the Jiufang family sent another communication order, saying it concerns Dazhao and Jiuyou, and they hope that the respected master could spare some time for a meeting.”

The first communication order only referred to the Jiufang family head, Jiufang Qian.

After being rejected twice, their tone had become much more sincere.

Liuyu laughed softly upon hearing this:

“Just as Granny Mu said, when dealing with Jiufang Qian, we can’t follow his lead. The more we oppose him, the more we can dispel his suspicions.”

Upon hearing that Jiufang Qian had suddenly contacted Mo Lin late last night, Liuyu had already suspected something.

Given Jiufang Qian’s status, this sudden action could not be a mere ruse—it was likely that he had important matters to discuss with Mo Lin.

But using this opportunity to test whether the Ji Mo family had any connection to Mo Lin and Liuyu was just a side effect.

Liuyu had originally planned to set a fire in a nearby alley, sending people disguised as herself and Mo Lin to take charge of the situation while they escaped from Longduo City amidst the chaos. If they abandoned the ghostly carriage and used Wind Manipulation, they could reach Jiuyou by late night.

However, when Mu Cangshui learned of this, he stopped her.

——Jiufang Qian is inherently suspicious. The more you try to prove that Ji Mo family has nothing to do with Jiuyou, the deeper his suspicion will become.

——It would be better to disrupt his rhythm and let you decide when to initiate the communication. No matter what he says, don’t appear too eager. If he suspects you three points, you should suspect him seven points. Play hard to get—he will fall for it.

“Don’t you think she knows Jiufang Qian a little too well?”

Mo Lin took off his robe from Longduo City and casually draped it over the screen.

The ghostly servant before them held a tray, on which was the new clothing made by the embroiderer that Liuyu had specially arranged before leaving Jiuyou for Mo Lin.

“Everyone has their own secrets.”

Chaoming held a copper basin, serving Liuyu to wash her hands. She looked at the water’s reflection in the basin and said:

“My mother always said, one should not treat subordinates as personal possessions. The amount you pay them is the amount of work they will do for you. As long as your interests align, they will remain loyal. Otherwise, even if you dig out their hearts and hold them in your hand, it will be in vain.”

If Mu Cangshui had told her the truth, Liuyu would naturally have been pleased.

But if she didn’t want to speak, Liuyu wouldn’t discard her just because of that little concealment.

Washing away the fatigue from the journey and the humidity from the disguise with cicada paper, Liuyu turned her gaze to the figure stepping out from behind the screen.

It was like a wave of damp spring night mist that gently swept toward her.

Liuyu watched as his green silk robes spread like rippling waves, the golden threads on his dark robes glittering with his movements. Some people might feel bound by expensive clothing, but Mo Lin wore it with ease.

The demon lord with emerald eyes raised his head, and the red-tassel copper coin earrings hanging from his ears swayed gently.

“So, you inherited your ability to handle people from your mother.”

Liuyu didn’t respond, but raised her hand to unconsciously touch the earring hanging from his ear, lifting her eyelids to smile softly:

“It’s not that I can handle everyone.”

A voice came from the main hall.

“Respected master, there’s a movement in the communication array again.”

This was the third time the message had been sent.

Liuyu and Mo Lin stepped across the threshold, and the communication array on the table in the main hall glowed, its disk rotating rapidly, marked with the heavenly stems, earthly branches, five elements, and eight trigrams, finally stopping at a specific position.

This chronological identifier is exclusively used for communications by the Jiufang family.

[The Demon Ghost Great Wall, the foundation of the dragon vein, I wonder if the Lord of the Nine Hells is interested?]

Liuyu’s expression changed abruptly.

She stared at the line of golden, flowing words for a moment, then suddenly sneered.

“…The Demon Ghost Great Wall uses four dragon vein foundations to form a barrier against the demon ghosts. Only the small emperor’s imperial jade seal, which is also carved from dragon vein foundation, can shake it. If he dares to trade the dragon vein foundation with you, either he’s bluffing, or the Jiufang family has infiltrated the royal family.”

This is also why Nangong Yao hasn’t left the capital for many years.

Mo Lin’s expression became slightly more serious as he raised his robe and seated himself on a low couch in the main hall.

“Everyone leave.”

Bai Pingting and the others exited one by one.

Mo Lin looked at Liuyu.

She nodded toward the nearby table.

“Place the communication array here. I’ll sit on the floor so he can’t see me.”

Mo Lin got her a cushion, and Liuyu knelt on the blackwood floor, just slightly higher than the low couch, positioning herself near him. With the table providing cover, she was perfectly hidden in the blind spot of the communication array.

However, when she rested her head between his legs, his gaze subtly flickered.

It was too close.

He wanted to move away, but she pressed his leg down.

“Don’t move.” The girl tilted her head, looking up at him with her bright eyes, her voice stern, “If you move, he’ll see us.”

Under her robes, her abdomen and thigh muscles were tensed.

Mo Lin sighed inwardly and looked away, reaching out to activate the communication array.

The moment the two parties were connected, a strange air, not belonging to the Nine Hells, suddenly filled the room. Both of them instinctively held their breath.

“Since our parting at Chao Tian Que, it’s been three years.”

A calm, deep voice flowed into their ears like the slow current of a river.

“Demon Ghost Mo Lin, you’ve truly changed since three years ago.”

Mo Lin silently observed the figure in the communication array.

It was a man from a noble family, seemingly in his thirties or forties.

His black hair was loosely tied with a branch, with a few strands falling over his refined, dignified features. He didn’t look like a newly appointed general but more like a Taoist with a clear mind and simple desires.

Compared to the young Jiufang Shaogeng who kneeled beside him, they shared some resemblance in their brows, but this man’s aura was heavy and solemn, not something a young person could compare to.

He was like a rock, sitting still in the flickering candlelight, solemn as if entering a temple, not needing to show respect to earn it from others.

Mo Lin leaned back against the armrest, his arm resting casually.

He suddenly cracked a smile.

“Did you just notice? I thought the Jiufang family’s dogs in the Nine Hells would report my every move to you.”

The deep, slightly mocking voice of the Demon Ghost Lord Mo Lin made Jiufang Shaogeng, who had been lowering his head obediently, suddenly look up.

It wasn’t that he recognized the voice.

But this voice… was too young, too… normal.

He would only admit that it was normal, not that it was quite pleasant to hear.

But when he looked up and clearly saw the figure in the communication array, Jiufang Shaogeng’s breath caught in his throat, his pupils constricting slightly as they reflected the flickering candlelight.

…This is Demon Ghost Mo Lin?

The same Mo Lin who had three heads, six arms, and sharp fangs—the demon ghost lord, and the husband of Yin Mountain Liuyu!?

At the time of the Chao Tian Que peace talks, only the heads of major families or elders could attend. Even Liuyu had snuck in, and few had seen Mo Lin’s true face.

Many had seen him in Wuse City, but unfortunately, most of them were dead by now.

Jiufang Shaogeng’s breath faltered for a moment.

He shouldn’t look like this.

Demon Ghost Mo Lin should have been so hideous that even the spotless Yin Mountain Liuyu would find him disgusting, regretting every day spent with him—the one who had rejected his older brother and the talented youth of Xiandu Yujing.

Regretting having chosen him among so many candidates.

…But how could he have such a face?

Dark thoughts bubbled silently in Jiufang Shaogeng’s mind.

“This is my son, Shaogeng. He’s second in line in the family,” Jiufang Qian spoke when he saw Mo Lin’s gaze fall on his son. “As he grows older, I thought it best to show him the world.”

Shaogeng is here?

Liuyu, who had been hiding behind the table, was a bit surprised.

Jiufang Qian had just been appointed as the General of the Nation’s Defense and Ghost-Slaying, overseeing the capital and the northern border’s ghost regions. Privately, he had dealings with Mo Lin, which was highly classified.

That Jiufang Qian would let his second son participate in this kind of situation showed how much he relied on him.

But Mo Lin wasn’t concerned about this.

Recently, Liuyu had been targeted by Zhongli Lingzhou, and the progress in Longque City and Longdui City had been slower than expected.

Even now, the Immortal Dao Academy couldn’t gather twenty teachers. If this delay continued, the treasury would soon run out, and Liuyu wouldn’t be able to fulfill her earlier promises. People would begin doubting her leadership.

Mo Lin noticed this but knew Liuyu had her own plan, so he refrained from calling on the power of the Nine Hells for help.

What displeased him was Jiufang Shaogeng.

The boy had sent numerous letters, offering help to resolve Jiufu’s urgent matters—if only Liuyu would apologize and submit.

He hadn’t shown any backbone when Liuyu slapped him, but now that he had a backer, he became arrogant.

He only bullied the weak and feared the strong.

Despicable.

Mo Lin sighed inwardly, took a sip from his ear cup, and spoke:

“The second young master? The one who lost the Xiangli family, lost Taiping City, and was beaten senseless by a young family head from a new house?”

Jiufang Shaogeng’s expression suddenly froze.

The ear cup struck the table with a sharp sound, and his indifferent eyes were filled with mockery.

“It seems all I need to do is wait for the death of the Ninth Fang family’s patriarch, and I can set fire to the banner of the northern expedition of the Great Chao, burning it clean.”

How could the young man withstand such provocation?

Ninth Fang Shaogeng clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking, his furious gaze nearly piercing the communication formation, as if he wanted to carve a piece of flesh from Mo Lin’s body.

Ninth Fang Qian chuckled softly.

His laugh echoed in the air like a stone dropped into a lake, deeply resonating in the ears.

“No need to wait for my death. The patriarch can burn it right now.”

Mo Lin calmly looked at him.

“The Dragon Vein cornerstone of the Demon and Ghost Great Wall, I can make some moves for you, such as the one near the Western Region’s Yuyuan. Once the cornerstone of the dragon vein loosens, the patriarch can lead the real ten thousand demons to march across the Great Wall, no longer trapped in the barren northern wasteland.”

A chill suddenly rose in Liu Yu’s heart.

The Western Region’s Yuyuan… wasn’t that close to the Demon and Ghost Great Wall?

Aren’t those cities all from the Shentu family?

Liu Yu was certain that neither the Zhongli family nor anyone else knew about the conversation between Ninth Fang Qian and Mo Lin today.

Mo Lin also understood the gravity of this.

It meant that demons and ghosts could invade the territory of the Great Chao, and the Ninth Fang family would have a new excuse to stir up public sentiment, demand military power and land.

It meant that he could take this opportunity to weaken the Zhongli family’s power, preventing this ally from becoming the next Yinshan family.

For Mo Lin, at least in the eyes of Ninth Fang Qian, if he could help the demons leave the desolate Nine Hells and open up new territories, this was a condition that was hard to refuse.

The premise, of course, was that he didn’t have Liu Yu.

Mo Lin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “What do you want me to do for you?”

Without discussing positions, Ninth Fang Qian actually liked this junior, Mo Lin.

The aristocratic families, although many had prominent figures, only the heads of large families knew that the era of talent emergence for the aristocratic families had long passed. Successors, raised in luxury, enjoyed the best resources, yet they were still as slow-witted as pigs and useless.

If possible, no family patriarch would refuse someone like Mo Lin, who rose from a mere slave to where he was today.

Unfortunately…

They were families built on rules.

If they violated the hierarchical rules of the aristocracy, their foundations would begin to shake, just like the current Yinshan family.

“It’s simple.”

Ninth Fang Qian smiled warmly, but the corners of his eyes, wrinkled and sharp, looked like curved knives.

“Kill the first person within the Nine Realms, Nangong Yao.”

The atmosphere in the inner room froze for a moment.

Mo Lin could feel the hand resting on his leg suddenly tighten, grasping his clothes.

So that’s it.

The clues in Mo Lin and Liu Yu’s minds finally connected, and the true purpose of Ninth Fang Qian’s visit today became clear.

A jade seal from the Central Continent could stir up the Nine Hells, the Shentu family, the Zhongli family, and even the Yinshan family. Ninth Fang Qian only needed to sit quietly in his dark room and speak a few words to manipulate the entire situation.

Allies, enemies, and the emperor were all pieces on his chessboard.

A brilliant strategist.

“…Has the Ninth Fang patriarch forgotten,” Mo Lin said淡然, “that when the Infinite Ghost Fire appears, the whole world will know who killed Nangong Yao?”

“So what?”

Ninth Fang Qian’s smile remained unchanged.

“When Xinglan returned from the Nine Hells, that’s not what he said.”

The Ghost Play Immortal Sacrifice, the day Ninth Fang Xinglan returned from the Nine Hells with a severed arm, Mo Lin had instructed Ninth Fang Xinglan to bring a message to the Ninth Fang family.

—If the Ninth Fang family had any plans to deal with the Yinshan family, the Nine Hells could cooperate, but with one condition: no one from the Great Chao could interfere with the internal affairs of the Nine Hells.

“I’ve already removed all the spies in the Nine Hells as per the patriarch’s request. When will you fulfill your promise? Or… are you, patriarch, being charmed by Yinshan Liu Yu’s appearance and have developed a sense of pity over time?”

The Demon Ghost Lord’s hand hung loosely, holding the rim of his ear cup, the veins on his hand barely visible beneath his pale skin, his posture relaxed.

“Charmed by appearance?”

He sneered lightly, his cold tone tinged with mockery.

His face, already cold and deep, needed no extra disdain to make it clear that there was an underlying sense of superiority.

“Just an average appearance, nothing special.”

Ninth Fang Shaogeng’s confusion was written all over his face.

“An average appearance? Nothing special?”

Who was he talking about?

The girl at the table gently rested her chin against his knee.

At the sound, her hand, which had been resting on his leg, slowly moved upward and silently raised an eyebrow.