Chapter 122: They Have Arrived

Returning to the Small Grand Palace, Qin Mo found the place empty.

Suspecting the person might have gone there, he ordered the palace guards to remain vigilant while he set out under the cover of night. Upon reaching the Twin Fiends Gate, a servant reported that the Gate Master was waiting for him.

From the outside, the Twin Fiends Gate looked like an ordinary residential house. Its location was somewhat remote, tucked away near the edge of the Royal City. While it wasn't exactly desolate, it felt quite bleak after dark. However, the interior was a different story. Activating the hidden mechanism revealed a sprawling underground maze, resembling an entire subterranean city. Those who weren't currently on missions spent their time there cultivating, and whenever someone grew restless, they would head up to take on a task. Once they grew tired of that, they would return below.

Of course, for security, they frequently changed their appearance; when Ding Miao had visited last time, the place hadn't looked like this at all. As Xuan Geyue put it, the old setup was unsightly—it looked like a mountain bandit’s lair, utterly tacky. Thus, at the Gate Master’s command, the underground base became a true city, its scale quite awe-inspiring. To maintain a low profile, Xuan Geyue insisted that the house above ground remain as austere as possible, while he went around boasting about his frugality and his love for the people. His subordinates would only smile in response: as long as you’re happy, sir.

When Qin Mo found Xuan Geyue, he frowned immediately. "Master, isn't this too extravagant? The next time we renovate or replace the council hall, how much silver will be wasted?" Even if you aren't short on funds, it would be better to save a little—at least there would be something left to count.

Xuan Geyue, lounging in his chair, pondered this with grave seriousness before nodding. "That makes sense. We’ll leave it as it is from now on."

"...If we don't change it, aren't you worried about being targeted?"

"Who would dare?" Xuan Geyue bolted upright, causing his headpiece to clatter to the floor and roll to Qin Mo’s feet.

"..."

Qin Mo sighed helplessly. If he was going to be like this, why had they gone through all that trouble earlier? Was he just burning money because he had too much of it? He picked up the headpiece, wiped it with his sleeve, and handed it back. "If you continue to be so self-indulgent, the Demon Empress will surely execute me when she finds out. By then, you’ll have to find someone else as resigned to their fate as I am."

Xuan Geyue kicked him in the thigh. "Cut the nonsense. How did it go? Any leads?"

"Yes, but we lost the trail."

"Expected. Even I nearly fell into her trap; it's no surprise you lot lost her." Xuan Geyue waved his hand dismissively and tossed the headpiece onto the chair. It looked nice, but it was heavy and gave him a headache. He preferred wearing his hair loose; it better displayed his masculine elegance.

Qin Mo pretended not to notice and bowed. "Should we continue to send people to follow her?"

"What are your arrangements?" Xuan Geyue glanced at him, tying his loose robes—sometimes this lad had the makings of a fussy old nanny.

"I’ve ordered the brothers to pull back and stay out of sight, avoiding unnecessary outings for the time being."

"Why?"

"We only followed her for three miles before losing her. This means either she was guarding against us, or we were discovered. It’s best to be cautious and not track her too closely for now."

Xuan Geyue nodded, picked up a piece of fruit from the table, and took a bite. "You’re right. Pull everyone back. Don’t keep an eye on the Nine Luminaries Pavilion either; tell them to recall all the scouts."

Qin Mo hesitated. "If we do that, we won’t be able to preempt any further moves from her. Wouldn't that be unwise?" Besides, if you pull everyone back, are you just going to give up on "revenge"?

Xuan Geyue froze, then hurled the fruit at Qin Mo. "Eat your food and stop with the chatter." Are you trying to pick at my scabs?

Qin Mo caught it, unbothered that it had been bitten, and took a large, crunchy bite. "Heh, thank you for the reward, Master. I was just thirsty."

"Even food can't plug that mouth of yours." Xuan Geyue picked up another fruit and sat by the window.

"But really, why? We’ve kept watch this long and confirmed this woman is suspicious—and that she is the one who transforms into those disgusting insects. To give up now, isn't it letting her off too easily?"

Xuan Geyue rolled his eyes. "You blockhead. Why do you think I had you watching her lovers in the first place?" Did he really have nothing better to do than count how many paramours she had?

Qin Mo stepped back, grinning sheepishly. "It’s not that, I just thought we should... vent a little." To win back some of your pride, right?

"Do I look like that kind of person?" He tossed the fruit to Qin Mo. "It’s enough that we’ve confirmed it’s her. Don’t do anything else."

Qin Mo caught the fruit, stealing a glance. "So, Master, you intend to wait and see?"

"Exactly. Since she went to such lengths to enter the Nine Luminaries Pavilion and orchestrate the current situation, she is clearly no simple woman. Her schemes cannot be simple either. Where there is a scheme, there will eventually be an explosion. Why should we go out of our way to intervene? Let’s just wait and see which unlucky fool she targets next." A wicked smile curled on Xuan Geyue’s lips. Someone else would deal with her, and he wouldn't have to dirty his own hands. Why not?

Qin Mo nodded, finished the fruit, wiped his hands on his tunic, and said, "A brilliant plan, Master. I will pass the word along."

Xuan Geyue waved him off. Just as Qin Mo reached the door, the servant responsible for reception approached and whispered something in his ear.

"Take them to the Hall of No Return," Qin Mo said. "I will follow shortly." The servant bowed and withdrew.

Seeing Qin Mo return, Xuan Geyue asked languidly, "What happened?"

"A contact wants to make a deal with us, but the target is rather special. I’m asking if we should take it."

"Who is the target?"

"Baili Sutu."

"Him?" Xuan Geyue’s interest was instantly piqued. "Who is the buyer?"

"Just an ordinary immortal, taking money to do a job. The one behind him is the same. However, our brothers discovered that the last intermediary had previously met with Baili Leren. Should we take this job?"

"Take it? Are we that short on money?"

"..." We aren't, you just love silver. And we did suffer significant losses earlier.

Xuan Geyue ignored him—the two things were separate and shouldn't be conflated. "Why is that lad, instead of flirting with Gu Lele, wasting his time trying to kill Baili Sutu?"

"I wouldn't know." How would he know about the young couple’s business?

"Whatever. Pass the word down: the Twin Fiends Gate will not take this job, nor any other job involving Baili Sutu in the future."

Qin Mo was puzzled; this went against his master's usual style. "Why?" You aren't going to regret passing up all that silver?

Xuan Geyue stood up and slapped Qin Mo on the head. "If I have him killed, I’ll be the one getting killed in return. Are you planning on visiting my grave this time next year?" He felt a headache coming on. If he didn't take the job, someone else would. There were many assassin organizations in the Desire Sea Heaven, and while they were better than the rest, they weren't the only ones. If this really was Baili Leren's doing, and he was determined to kill Baili Sutu, should he intervene?

On second thought, he decided against it. If Baili Sutu couldn't handle Baili Leren’s petty tricks, he wasn't worth saving. If he died, he died; it would just save Fuching Feng some medicine. "Go find out what has been happening in the Desire Sea Heaven recently." Why would Baili Leren go down this path, and why wasn't that old fox Baili Liunian doing anything about it?

"I know about that."

"If you knew, why didn't you say so? Looking for a beating?" Xuan Geyue raised his hand, but Qin Mo dodged.

"No, no! You only asked about Baili Leren and Gu Lele—how was I supposed to know about that? But I have heard some rumors. Even if Baili Leren didn't do it himself, it’s definitely related to him."

"Oh?"

"The brothers say the Wu Sheng Gate has admitted Baili Sutu as their youngest 'Bu'-ranked disciple in history. Moreover, it seems Baili Sutu has already entered the Royal City."

"Oh? When did all this happen?" Had he been in the underground city for so long that he’d missed everything?

Qin Mo replied, "Just in the last two days." You were holed up in the underground city sleeping, of course you didn't know.

Xuan Geyue cast a cold glance. "Why would Bu Feng admit Baili Sutu into the sect for no reason? Is the Wu Sheng Gate short on disciples?"

"They say Baili Sutu is the 'Seal-Breaker' of the Wu Sheng Gate."

"Oh." Suddenly, Xuan Geyue exclaimed, "What?"

"That’s the rumor, true or not. Baili Leren’s actions are likely linked to this."

"You’re right." Xuan Geyue clapped his hands and began pacing the room. *If this is the case,* he thought, *tonight will not be peaceful.*

"If there’s nothing else," Qin Mo said, dizzy from watching him pace, "I’ll have the Hall of No Return decline the job."

"Go, go. Don't bother me unless it's important."

"Understood."

At the Hall of No Return, the client was clearly shocked to be refused. The Twin Fiends Gate was known for its greed, yet they were turning down meat served on a platter. But knowing the Gate’s strength, the man tried to argue. When he was refused firmly, he left in a huff. "If you won't do it, others will. It’s just a killing job—do you really think you're that special?"

"You..."

"Let him go," Qin Mo said, emerging from behind the curtain to stop his subordinate.

"Understood, Envoy Yue."

"From now on, anything involving Baili Sutu is off-limits for the Twin Fiends Gate."

"Understood."

Qin Mo turned to the shadows. "Liang Yi, Liang San, follow him."

"Yes."

Two shadows darted out. That night, they returned as quickly as they had left, whispering into Qin Mo’s ear before vanishing back into the darkness. Qin Mo received the news and entered the room to report to Xuan Geyue.

After listening, Xuan Geyue said, "That’s enough. Go get some rest."

Qin Mo bowed and withdrew, leaving Xuan Geyue to his thoughts.

At the Wangyun Inn, the silence became strangely profound. Suddenly, a phantom shadow swept past Sutu’s door. Inside, the oil lamp was extinguished with a *puff*. The room plunged into absolute darkness. In the gloom, several dark forces lashed out toward Sutu. Sutu acted as if he didn't notice; the forces coiled around him for a long time before vanishing silently.

After a long while, he produced a fire-starter to relight the lamp, but it was extinguished again for no reason. Turning his head, he caught a glimpse of a shadow darting into Yi Qingchen’s room. He dropped the fire-starter and stepped out. The two rooms were opposite each other, only a few steps away. He knocked and called out in a low voice, "Miss Yi? Miss Yi?"

There was no response. Pressing his hand against the door, he felt it was slightly ajar. He pushed it open and stepped inside. The lamp was still flickering, but Yi Qingchen was in a deep slumber. Looking around the room, he saw a letter on the table.

He opened it, and his expression changed instantly. He glanced at the sleeping Yi Qingchen, then quietly slipped out of the Wangyun Inn, heading straight for the city gates.