Mo Fan and Zheng Tao

Mo Fan endured the soreness in his teeth, watching Zheng Tao and his wife share their loving moments for quite a while until they finally fell asleep. 

He slowly approached their bedroom and used his dream-entering skill. 

In a haze of white mist, Zheng Tao's consciousness was awakened by Mo Fan. 

"Who are you?" Zheng Tao looked at the young man with white hair, who was even more handsome than himself, feeling inexplicably annoyed. 

"Mo Fan." 

"Mo Fan?" Zheng Tao's pupils suddenly contracted as he carefully scrutinized the young man before him, finding him somewhat resembling Mo Qingkuang. 

"The War Emperor Mo Fan?" 

"Yes, it's me," Mo Fan nodded indifferently, casually conjuring a stone stool to sit on, leaning his elbow on a stone table that appeared out of thin air beneath it. 

Unlike his interaction with the Empress, there was no stone stool for Zheng Tao, and no tea on the table; Mo Fan just made him stand. 

Before Zheng Tao, Mo Fan had to maintain his lofty demeanour and higher status. 

Seeing Mo Fan's magical actions, Zheng Tao was even more astonished. His previous displeasure vanished completely. 

Given that it was the War Emperor, it was only right for him to be so handsome. 

However, how could this mighty figure, who was rumoured to have perished years ago, appear here? Where was this place? 

Seeing his ability to create objects from thin air, Zheng Tao realized that Mo Fan's cultivation must be unfathomable, perhaps even beyond the Empress's capabilities. 

Could it be that Mo Fan had already achieved sainthood? 

Full of doubts, Zheng Tao respectfully saluted, "It turns out to be the senior War Emperor. Junior Zheng Tao greets Your Highness!" 

"Hmm," Mo Fan responded with a faint nasal sound, barely acknowledging him. 

Zheng Tao did not dare to be offended and respectfully asked, "Senior, where is this place? It was said that you passed away centuries ago..." 

Mo Fan looked at Zheng Tao with a hint of amusement, smiling, "Centuries ago? Haha. So, it seems some time has passed." 

Had it been someone else, there might have been some hesitation, but after interacting with Mo Qingkuang, Mo Fan sensed that Zheng Tao held him, the so-called War Emperor, in high esteem. 

Therefore, he chose to start with Zheng Tao. 

"It seems the rumours were mistaken. Senior is still alive," Zheng Tao cupped his hands. 

Mo Fan shook his head, "No, I am indeed dead. Today, I appear here merely to express my gratitude for all you have done for my Mo family." 

As he spoke, Mo Fan raised his hand, and a stone stool appeared in front of Zheng Tao, with a cup of tea materializing on the stone table, "Sit, have some tea." 

Having already established his authority, Mo Fan now intended to show kindness. 

A combination of authority and benevolence was the key to winning hearts. 

Seeing Mo Fan's miraculous creation of objects again, Zheng Tao became even more respectful. He carefully sat down, "Thank you, senior, for the tea. As for the Mo family, it was my duty. I also quite like Mo Qingkuang." 

Zheng Tao's words were sincere. Despite Mo Qingkuang being somewhat self-centred, his cultivation and combat talents were undeniable. 

Although Zheng Tao often belittled him, he actually cherished this talented disciple. After all, Mo Qingkuang was his asset to compete with Fu Qing in the future. 

Mo Fan did not take the opportunity to relax, maintaining his lofty posture, "Whether it was your duty or not; thanking you is my duty right now. Drink the tea." 

With that, Mo Fan stood up and personally refilled Zheng Tao's cup. 

Seeing this, Zheng Tao hurriedly stood up, bending slightly and holding the cup with both hands, looking flattered. 

Only then did Mo Fan nod in satisfaction and sat back down. 

Seeing Zheng Tao's demeanour, Mo Fan knew he had achieved the desired effect. The combination of authority and benevolence had worked perfectly. 

"Your protection of my family's bloodline is a great favour that cannot be repaid with just a cup of tea. Today, I am willing to solve a difficult problem for you," Mo Fan said profoundly, stroking a non-existent beard. 

He made this offer knowing exactly what Zheng Tao's current difficulties were. 

Zheng Tao was a person who understood what to ask for and what not to. 

The elixir of immortality was not something he could ask for. 

The elixir of immortality, even if he wanted to, he couldn't obtain it. 

Originally, he had two major problems. One was that the Imperial Academy lacked a high-grade cultivation technique as its mainstay, which had already been solved by Mo Qingkuang. 

The other was related to Prime Minister Wang Hua. Since the explosion on Chang'an Street over three months ago, he and Hua Ge had been led by the nose by Wang Hua. 

Regarding the assassination on Chang'an Street, Wang Hua openly admitted that it was orchestrated by his grandson, Wang Yu. Additionally, a government official came forward to take the blame, confessing that he planned it to curry favor with Wang Hua. 

All the evidence, including gunpowder, the route for the assassins to enter the city, and the instructions given to Han Meng (Zhanma Sword), was produced by Wang Hua. 

Even the words spoken during his secret discussions with Wang Yu were in Wang Hua's hands. 

Wang Hua thus managed to clear himself of any wrongdoing, and the official who took the blame was executed along with his entire family. 

Due to Wang Hua's special status, Wang Yu was pardoned and only sentenced to ten years of solitary confinement to reflect on his actions. 

Zheng Tao and Hua Ge could guess that the official was Wang Hua's scapegoat, but they were helpless. 

Throwing such dirty water on Wang Hua had little effect. 

Even if there was irrefutable evidence that Wang Hua had planned the assassination on Chang'an Street, and even if he personally killed Mo Qingkuang in front of everyone, the people of Tianxuan would not demand his life in exchange for Mo Qingkuang's. 

Even if Mo Qingkuang was the hero who had just saved the empire's reputation. 

Wang Hua's status in the eyes of Tianxuan's people was that high. 

This was the matter that troubled Zheng Tao the most recently. Although War Emperor Mo Fan was renowned for his combat prowess, Zheng Tao still wanted to give it a try and ask, hoping for a breakthrough. 

Sure enough, Zheng Tao spoke, "I shouldn't repay your kindness with a request, but I have a perplexing issue that I hope the senior can enlighten me on." 

"Alright, go ahead. Whether it's about cultivation or resources, I can provide answers," Mo Fan said, pretending to be magnanimous. 

Zheng Tao shook his head, "It's neither. Actually, it has to do with Mo Qingkuang..." 

Zheng Tao detailed Mo Qingkuang's remarks and the reasons for his recent headaches to Mo Fan. 

Mo Fan feigned surprise, "Oh? That rascal Mo Qingkuang is capable of such feats?" 

"Yes, although Qingkuang's character is a bit unruly and needs refining, his intelligence and talent are unparalleled," Zheng Tao nodded earnestly. 

Mo Fan felt a bit embarrassed. Little did Zheng Tao know, the person he was praising was standing right in front of him. 

Mo Qingkuang was merely a puppet with feelings. 

Fortunately, Mo Fan lived up to his name as the ancestor of Mo Qingkuang, maintaining a composed and unperturbed demeanour. He smiled modestly, "It seems the revival of my Mo family is promising." 

Zheng Tao agreed, "Barring any unforeseen circumstances, he will surely restore the glory you had in your day." 

Zheng Tao wasn't wrong. Despite his youth, Mo Qingkuang had already shown the invincible potential that Mo Fan had in his time, being nearly unbeatable within the same realm. 

The resurgence of the War Emperor's glory was within reach. 

Mo Fan nodded with feigned satisfaction, "That's good, that's good." 

Then he changed the subject, "You mentioned earlier that Prime Minister Wang Hua is a spy for the Blue Flame Empire? But you have no evidence, right?"

***

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