Chapter Sixty-five: Undercurrents (Third Update!)

“Master of the Mo Family, what’s become of my wayward disciple, Kalu?”

As soon as Mu Xun ascended the stone tower of the Mo Family, he launched his attack. His voice was not particularly loud, yet it carried across the entire Divine Stone Square; every warrior present, unless deaf, heard his words clearly.

Mo Tuo stood atop the Mo Family’s tower, his expression dark and shifting. Under the gaze of the crowd, Mu Xun’s blunt questioning left Mo Tuo’s old face flushed with embarrassment. He had hoped to resolve matters privately, but Mu Xun’s demeanor showed no sign of letting things go.

Left with no choice, Mo Tuo raised his voice: “Master Mu, Kalu has long since died. I have no idea who killed him.”

Mu Xun stood tall beside the stone tower, his figure visible to any warrior who simply looked up.

“Dead?”

Mu Xun sneered, his expression sinister, his tone mocking: “What skillful methods you employ, Master Mo! You learned my disciple stole my treasured map and invited him to the Commerce Alliance. On the way, you had him killed and took the map for yourself, only to wash your hands of the matter. Truly worthy of the Mo Family’s head! Is this how your vast family empire was built?”

“Haha, everyone in the Commerce Alliance knows about Master Mo’s tactics,” Stone Jian laughed from the Stone Family’s tower, gloating. “Many of the Stone Family’s businesses disappeared thanks to Master Mo’s ‘good methods’.”

“Stone Jian!” Two hundred meters away, Mo Tuo glared fiercely at Stone Jian, barking, “This has nothing to do with your family. Stop slandering me!”

Stone Jian ignored him, continuing to laugh: “Indeed, it has nothing to do with my family. I’m just making an observation, Master Mo, you needn’t be so agitated.”

Stone Yan, standing nearby, chuckled inwardly. For the first time, he found the old man Stone Jian amusing, knowing exactly when to kick someone when they’re down.

Mo Tuo knew he couldn’t do anything to Stone Jian, nor was it wise to quarrel now. Instead, he forced a smile, explaining to Mu Xun, “When my Mo Family invited Kalu to the Commerce Alliance, we had no idea he’d stolen your map. It was only out of respect for you that we sent people to receive him. We truly didn’t know the details. Master Mu, you’re wronging my Mo Family.”

“Wronging?” Mu Xun’s face grew darker, sneering, “If you hadn’t known Kalu stole my map, would your Mo Family have gone to such lengths to fetch him? The Commerce Alliance is ten thousand miles from our Medicine King Valley—what could you want with him if not for the map? Surely not for his mediocre alchemy skills? Hmph!”

Mo Tuo could only smile bitterly, “That really was the case.”

“Master Mo, I don’t care for your excuses. Whether Kalu is dead or not means nothing to me. Just hand over the map, and I’ll leave at once. I won’t trouble your Mo Family further,” Mu Xun said impatiently.

“The map truly isn’t in my possession.”

“If Master Mo insists on withholding it, then I have nothing more to say.” Mu Xun gave a cold snort, turning to leave. “Our Medicine King Valley doesn’t meddle in the disputes of nations, but we are not to be bullied. Master Mo, mind your own business.”

With that, Mu Xun and his disciples left the Mo Family’s stone tower.

“Master Mu, you are always welcome at the Stone Family. Anything can be discussed,” Stone Jian’s voice rang out from the Stone Family’s tower, laden with obvious meaning.

Mu Xun glanced over, nodded lightly, and said, “I think we’ll have opportunities to cooperate. If I need your help, I hope you won’t refuse, Master Stone.”

“I despise petty schemers, and serving Master Mu would be the Stone Family’s honor,” Stone Jian laughed, bowing graciously from afar.

“Thank you, Master Stone.” Mu Xun nodded, then cast a cold glance at the disgraced Mo Tuo atop the stone tower before departing the Divine Stone Square.

Within the square, all duels had paused. Only after Mu Xun left did the contests resume.

That day’s martial tournament became all the more interesting thanks to Mu Xun’s unexpected arrival.

After Mu Xun’s departure, many began quietly inquiring about the incident, and soon the full story was known. Upon learning the truth, many warriors found the Mo Family’s actions despicable and spoke of them with disdain behind closed doors. Quite a few who had planned to join the Mo Family abandoned the idea, causing the Mo Family to lose many valuable talents.

Kulo of the Misty Pavilion was present in the arena and witnessed Mu Xun’s confrontation with Mo Tuo from start to finish. Even before the tournament concluded, Kulo slipped away, returning to the Misty Pavilion near Divine Stone Square.

…

Evening.

In a secluded side room of the Misty Pavilion, Kulo bowed and recounted the day’s events to Xia Xinyan.

After hearing him out, Xia Xinyan’s brows furrowed slightly. She pondered for a moment before saying, “If Mu Xun spoke truthfully, then the fragment of the map should still be in Mo Tuo’s hands. I came here solely for the ‘Heaven’s Gate’, and I’m open to cooperating with anyone. Kulo, tonight go to the Mo Family and tell them we are willing to share the map and explore the mystery of ‘Heaven’s Gate’ together.”

“Understood,” Kulo nodded.

“The King of Asura, Xiao Hanyi, will arrive in half a month. The people you’ve found are all false; you need to hurry,” Xia Xinyan said lightly.

“I will do my utmost!” Kulo’s heart leapt, his voice trembling with anxiety. “I’ve already ordered the search to expand to other cities. Results should come soon.”

“Very well, you may go.” Xia Xinyan waved him away.

Kulo bowed and departed.

…

That night.

Kulo went alone to the Mo Family, requesting an audience with Mo Tuo. Though Mo Tuo was seething inside, he forced himself to meet Kulo. When Kulo stated his intentions, Mo Tuo could only smile bitterly, shaking his head. “The map is truly not in my possession. Even if I wished to cooperate, I am powerless.”

“Master Mo, my mistress offers genuine goodwill. The opening of ‘Heaven’s Gate’ requires the complete map. If we work together, we can begin at once. Please reconsider!” Kulo clearly didn’t believe him, his expression sour. He suspected Mo Tuo had ulterior motives and might target the Misty Pavilion, his irritation growing.

“It really isn’t in my hands. Don’t listen to Mu Xun’s nonsense,” Mo Tuo replied, equally displeased, his mood sour. “Please go, Kulo. I must prepare for the tournament. Farewell.”

…

In the middle of the night, Kulo returned to the Misty Pavilion, conveying Mo Tuo’s words verbatim to Xia Xinyan.

“The map exists in two parts. One is with me; the Mo Family’s refusal to cooperate shows they intend to monopolize the secrets of ‘Heaven’s Gate’. It looks like they’ll make their move soon,” Xia Xinyan’s gaze turned icy. “I’ll wait for them to come and try to seize it. If we don’t show them some force, they’ll never cooperate honestly.”

“Miss, should we simply seize their map from the Mo Family?” asked a burly man behind Xia Xinyan, his voice deep.

A powerful murderous aura suddenly emanated from him, startling Kulo.

“Forget it. This isn’t our territory, so we’d best follow the rules. If we provoke the five great families to join forces, it would be troublesome. However, when the King of Asura, Xiao Hanyi, arrives, if the Mo Family still refuses to yield, we can use more drastic measures,” Xia Xinyan replied calmly.

“Oh.” The burly man nodded and said no more.

“Alright, Kulo, go about your business. You may quietly spread word that I possess the map. I’ll wait for them to come and try to snatch it. Whoever comes for it, that’s where the other half of the map lies,” Xia Xinyan smiled faintly.

“Understood.”

…

Late at night, within the Zuo Family.

Zuo Xu and Chixiao spoke quietly in a secret chamber.

“Shadow reports that the map isn’t with Kulo, but with a young girl in the Misty Pavilion. She seems to have appeared out of nowhere; her origins are unknown,” Zuo Xu said.

“Let’s wait for the final day. During your five families’ tournament, I’ll visit the Misty Pavilion. It’s only a young girl; it shouldn’t be an issue,” Chixiao nodded, feeling slightly awkward and smiling wryly. “It feels strange to target a little girl, but I’ll leave behind a couple of secret treasures afterward as compensation.”

“Still, be careful. Don’t reveal your identity. Many are after this map; if anyone learns we’re behind it, it’ll be troublesome,” Zuo Xu warned.

“I know what I’m doing.”

…

That night, in the secret chambers of the five families, many whispered about the day’s events.

Within the Stone Family’s secret chamber.

Stone Jian held a letter, a strange smile on his lips as he addressed Han Feng beside him. “Mu Xun is truly formidable; within a day, he’s sent a letter. Mu Xun plans to strike the Mo Family. Though we can’t openly assist, we should help him covertly as much as possible.”

“What is Mu Xun planning?” Han Feng asked.

“He wants to abduct several key figures from the Mo Family and use them to threaten Mo Tuo. These individuals are also thorns in our side,” Stone Jian replied, feeling delighted. “Madman, have your men track those people and send their movements to Mu Xun. I’m eager to see how Mo Tuo copes.”

The map taken from Kalu was pressed close to his chest. Even if Mo Tuo were killed, he couldn’t produce it. Those key Mo Family members were clearly doomed.

Just the thought of Mo Tuo raging made Stone Jian feel refreshed. He smiled and said, “Madman, fetch a jar of wine—I want a few drinks.”

“Master, all the good wine at home has been secretly drunk by Young Master Yan. Only common spirits remain,” Han Feng replied, keeping his head down, his mouth twitching with amusement and a spark of laughter in his eyes.

“That little rascal!” Stone Jian slapped the armrest, cursing with a smile. “That brat’s got guts, daring to steal my wine. If he doesn’t bring glory to me in the tournament, I’ll skin him alive!”

“With Young Master Yan’s second-stage Stone Transformation soul, no innate warrior can break through his stone state. Against them, he’s basically cheating. Victory is assured!”

“That’s true enough,” Stone Jian laughed heartily, his mood greatly improved.

…

PS: The third chapter is delivered—keep sending recommendation votes, everyone! If you’re following the story, remember to bookmark it~~