Chapter Ninety-Five: The Mo Sect Leader, Yun Ziqi

Afterward, Yun Chuxue inquired about the situation at the Gathering Treasure Valley and the Falling God Valley. Yun Shi replied, "Scouts have reported that the Gathering Treasure Valley was overrun several years ago. The Pixiu led the spiritual beasts westward in retreat. As for the Falling God Valley, there has been no movement so far. It's currently safe."

Yun Chuxue understood the situation. They feared the Pure Water Old Man in the Falling God Valley and didn't want to expend manpower to eliminate him.

"Now, our empire and the Spirit Master Mansion's strength simply can't confront them. Someone must disrupt their plans for victory," she stated.

"I'll go, Xue'er," Yun Shi determinedly said.

Yun Chuxue shook her head. "No, you need to guard the Spirit Master Mansion. Besides, you're not their match right now."

"Then what do you suggest?"

"Exactly what you're thinking," she replied. "I'll go."

Yu Zixi tightly grasped Yun Chuxue's arm, her face filled with worry. "Mom, it's too dangerous."

Yun Chuxue smiled gently. "It'll be alright, Xixi. Your mom won't be in any danger."

Tang Ruoyu explained, "Xixi, you don't know about your mom's past reputation. Just hearing her name makes people tremble."

Although Tang Ruoyu seemed reassured by Yun Chuxue outwardly, she was still very worried.

"I wonder why the Mo Sect hasn't attacked earlier," Yun Chuxue mused.

"This..." Yun Chuxue's questions stumped them all. Then, Yu Zixi, in her innocence, suggested, "Maybe their target hasn't shown up yet?"

Target! Yu Zixi's words reminded Yun Chuxue because the High Priest had once told her that she was the Mo Sect's target.

Yun Chuxue ruffled Yu Zixi's hair. "You're quite clever, my little imp."

"Hehe."

The others were all puzzled by their conversation.

"That's settled then. I'll be the pawn and force the chess player to reveal themselves," Yun Chuxue declared.

Yun Shi didn't oppose Yun Chuxue's decision; he just stared blankly.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Yun Chuxue left with Yu Zixi and Yun Shi. Before departing, she instructed Shen Zixuan to spend more time with Tang Ruoyu.

Back in her room, Yun Chuxue handed Yun Shi a map of the continent, marked with various degrees of darkness.

"What's this?" Yun Shi inquired.

"This is a formation I set up earlier to detect who on the continent practices the Mo Sect's techniques."

As Yun Shi's gaze fell on the Spirit Master Mansion, his eyes widened in shock. "The Spirit Master Mansion is the darkest?"

"Yes, there's a traitor in the Spirit Master Mansion. And it's someone with significant influence within the Mo Sect."

Yun Shi pondered carefully. He first ruled out Shen Yueru and Yun Ziqi, but he couldn't discern who among the other elders and officials might be affiliated with the Mo Sect.

"Could it be an infiltrator among the Shadow Assassins?"

"Shadow Assassins?" Yun Chuxue was puzzled.

Seeing Yun Chuxue's confusion, Yun Shi explained, "The Shadow Assassins are a force I secretly cultivated, my biggest ace in the hole. I never told anyone about them."

Yun Chuxue felt somewhat shaken. "Yun Shi, let's cast a long line to catch a big fish. I believe they'll appear. But first, I need to find out what Shen Yueru is up to."

"After Junior Sister returned eight years ago, she looked pale and took a long time to recover. But her whereabouts have been unpredictable these years. Although she resigned as an elder of the Spirit Master Mansion, the servants say she looks tired and unwell every time she returns from outside. With recent events, I haven't paid much attention to her. Why, Xue'er? Do you suspect her?"

Yun Chuxue shook her head, thinking, Shen Yueru must have caught the attention of the Mo Sect leader. It seems he has a fondness for her. I'll use her as bait. I don't believe he won't show up. Let him tell me who the traitor in the Spirit Master Mansion is.

"Tomorrow, summon Shen Yueru to the Spirit Master Hall, tell her there's something to discuss," she instructed.

Yun Shi thought for a moment. "Alright."

In the Yun residence.

Upon hearing the news of Yun Chuxue's return, Shen Yueru flew into a rage, smashing all the cups on the table and kicking over the furniture.

Clatter, clatter...

"Yun Chuxue, Yun Chuxue, why did you have to come back?" Shen Yueru screamed hysterically.

Hearing the commotion, Yun Ziqi rushed over and found Shen Yueru in disarray. Concerned, he approached her, wanting to embrace her.

"Yueru, what's wrong with you?" Yun Ziqi asked, trying to hold Shen Yueru.

"Yun Ziqi, am I stupid? I regret it," Shen Yueru cried out frantically.

"Regret?" Yun Ziqi didn't understand what Shen Yueru meant.

Shen Yueru shook her head. "It's nothing."

Shen Yueru sat down at the bedside, staring blankly at the floor.

Approaching her, Yun Ziqi attempted to embrace Shen Yueru to comfort her, but she said, "Yun Chuxue is back."

"She's back, so what's the matter with you?" Yun Ziqi asked.

"Yun Ziqi."

"What's wrong?" Yun Ziqi asked with concern.

"If I told you I'm a despicable person, would you still love me?"

Yun Ziqi hesitated for a moment before replying, "Love, no matter what kind of person you are."

Shen Yueru smiled at him. "What if I were a member of the Mo Sect?"

"No matter who you are, you are the one I love."

The two embraced tightly, as if the changing world had nothing to do with them.

"Yun Ziqi, you're so good. I swear I'll never leave you, never."

Over the years, every time Shen Yueru went out secretly, Yun Ziqi always watched over her. Whenever she returned, weak and furious, Yun Ziqi silently endured and took care of her without reservation.

The Next Day

Shen Yueru arrived at the Spirit Master Hall and, upon seeing someone sitting in the chair, smiled faintly. "Yun Chuxue?"

"Shen Yueru, long time no see," Yun Chuxue replied from her seat, with Yun Shi standing beside her. With a snap of her fingers, the doors of the Spirit Master Hall closed swiftly.

"What's the meaning of this?" Shen Yueru demanded.

"No special meaning. I'm just here today to ask you something. Was your involvement in the deaths of Fang Yuetian and my grandmother, Xuan Mengyu?" Yun Chuxue inquired.

Shen Yueru froze. "It had nothing to do with me."

"Shen Yueru, I know it was you who killed them both. My grandmother was your doing, but Fang Yuetian, why did you poison him? You drove him into madness, provoked him to fight me, and in the end, he was mistaken by Yun Shi for my murderer. Then, you led the people from the Spirit Master Mansion to search for me. But those people you brought couldn't possibly be my match, so you found that man in black."

Yun Chuxue's gaze turned cold as she stared at the stern Shen Yueru, while Yun Shi clenched his fists tightly, his voice grim. "Shen—Yue—Ru, he was our master!"

Shen Yueru forced a bitter smile. "Yun Shi, do you know? I like you. I liked you the first time I saw you. At that time, your father and master said they wanted to betroth me to you, and I was so excited."

Tears welled up in Shen Yueru's eyes as she continued, "But that Fang Yuetian, because he liked Yun Chuxue's grandmother, he said he wanted to betroth you—to Yun Chuxue. I...I couldn't accept it. You've already killed my sister, why would you take away the person I love the most?"

"So, I devised the murder of your grandmother, and poisoned Fang Yuetian to drive him into madness. And I joined the Holy Sect."

"What? You're a disciple of the Mo Sect?" Yun Shi exclaimed in shock. His most trusted junior sister turned out to be a member of the Mo Sect!

"Yun Shi, don't get excited. I've known for a long time," Yun Chuxue said calmly.

Yun Chuxue stood up, facing Shen Yueru. "There must be a high-ranking Mo Sect member in Qingyun City. Tell me who it is, and I'll let you go."

"A high-ranking Mo Sect member? I don't know."

"Stubborn." With a flick of her finger, an invisible pressure immobilized Shen Yueru instantly.

"Speak."

"I...don't...know!" Shen Yueru struggled under the increased pressure, eventually falling to her knees.

Just as Shen Yueru was about to collapse, a clear voice rang out, "Stop."

Yun Ziqi burst in, waved his hand, and relieved the pressure surrounding Shen Yueru. He rushed forward and hugged her. "Yueru, are you alright?"

Yun Chuxue was surprised. When did Yun Ziqi become so powerful?

"Yun Chuxue, dare you touch Yueru?" Yun Ziqi questioned.

"Who are you?" Yun Chuxue demanded. "Do you finally realize who I am?"

"The Mo Sect Leader!" Yun Chuxue exclaimed in disbelief.

Yun Shi widened his eyes, looking at Yun Ziqi. "You're the Mo Sect Leader?"

"Senior Brother, I've been one all along."

With that, Yun Ziqi swiftly took Shen Yueru and dashed outside.

"Stop, leave Shen Yueru behind," Yun Chuxue pursued.

"Xue'er."

Yun Shi followed suit.