Chapter 121: An Invitation

Chapter 121: An Invitation

Liu Mo and the Heavenly Blade Sect?

Su Mo's brows furrowed slightly as he suddenly recalled how Liu Mo's expression had indeed changed when Shopkeeper Cheng mentioned the Heavenly Blade Sect last night.

At that time, Su Mo had merely thought that the news had shocked Liu Mo, so he hadn't given it much thought.

Now, with this mention from the guard, it seemed more significant.

"Liu Leader has been with Wanxin Trading Company for about ten years. I assume you all aren't unfamiliar with him, but do any of you know anything about this matter?"

Su Mo glanced at the guards present.

They looked at each other, then one of them spoke up, "Chief Su, we don't really know much about this. As you know, Liu Leader is usually quiet and keeps his thoughts to himself. Although we've worked together for many years, there's still a hierarchy, and he wouldn't open up to us."

The others nodded in agreement, and even Su Mo had to admit that Liu Mo was the type who wouldn't reveal much even if you beat it out of him.

Such a person kept everything inside and rarely shared with others.

For a moment, everyone was at a loss, suspecting that Liu Mo might have some connection with the Heavenly Blade Sect, but it was just a guess.

There was no concrete evidence to suggest whether Liu Mo had gone to the Heavenly Blade Sect or not.

Su Mo decided to send people out to search. If they found him, that would be ideal.

If not...

Su Mo could return with the guards.

But leaving Liu Mo here alone didn't seem right.

However, going to the Heavenly Blade Sect specifically to investigate would be baseless. They couldn't just say they suspected Liu Mo had ties with the Heavenly Blade Sect and demand his return.

"If nothing else works, we'll have to wait a few more days at this inn. If he still doesn't return, we'll head back to Sunset City."

Su Mo made up his mind.

Yang Xiaoyun nodded, "The escort agency and the guards aren't on the same team. Waiting for him here for a few days is already doing our best."

Just as she finished speaking, someone walked into the inn. It was Shopkeeper Cheng.

"Old Liu is missing?"

Shopkeeper Cheng was straightforward.

Su Mo stood up to greet him, and after sitting down, he explained the situation with Liu Mo.

Shopkeeper Cheng frowned, took a sip of tea, and sighed, "I knew this day would come. I always thought he would go to the Heavenly Blade Sect, but why now?"

Su Mo looked at Shopkeeper Cheng, "What do you know, Shopkeeper Cheng?"

"Ah, Old Liu may seem quiet and hard to approach, but he's actually a good person at heart.

"I've seen many people, and I rarely misjudge them.

"That's why I was willing to get closer to Old Liu. Over time, we became old friends.

"One time, I got him drunk, and asked him why he always seemed fixated on the Heavenly Blade Sect...

"He let slip that he wanted to go to the Heavenly Blade Sect to find someone.

"This person has a grudge against him, a big one, but he wasn't sure if he should seek revenge or if he could."

Should he or shouldn't he? Could he or couldn't he?

Su Mo was momentarily confused. If there's a grudge, you take revenge; what's the question of should or shouldn't?

The question of whether he could take revenge was understandable. Seeking revenge at the Heavenly Blade Sect wasn't easy.

That's the Heavenly Blade Sect, not a place where anyone can just barge in and wreak havoc.

"Do you know what kind of grudge they have?"

Su Mo asked.

"No idea."

Shopkeeper Cheng shook his head, "This matter is truly inscrutable. Even when Old Liu was completely drunk, he wouldn't say a word. The only thing he admitted was that there was a grudge.

"Last night, when I mentioned the Heavenly Blade Sect to you, it was mainly to him.

"The Hidden Blade Pool at the Heavenly Blade Sect is heavily guarded. When the Heavenly Blade Sect suffered such a blow, I told him the news to cheer him up, so he wouldn't be so gloomy all the time.

"But I never expected him to just disappear like this.

"It looks like he went to the Heavenly Blade Sect, thinking that with such a major incident, there might be an opportunity."

Su Mo was speechless after hearing this.

Liu Mo, though quiet, was not irrational.

To think that someone stealing a sword from the Heavenly Blade Sect would give him an opportunity was underestimating both the Heavenly Blade Sect and Liu Mo.

Unless the person he had a grudge against was Tong Yun?

After pondering for a moment, he suddenly asked, "Shopkeeper Cheng, do you know if there's any connection between the Unstoppable Blade Tong Yun and Leader Liu? Since Leader Liu said he has a grudge with the Heavenly Blade Sect, did he specify which person in the sect he has a grudge with?"

"This... he didn't say."

Shopkeeper Cheng shook his head. "Moreover, I am a businessman and know very little about the affairs of the martial world."

At this point, Shopkeeper Cheng suddenly stood up, clasped his hands in a salute, and bowed deeply.

Su Mo was taken aback and reached out to help him up. "What is this, Shopkeeper Cheng?"

"Liu Mo is an unknown figure; even if Heavenly Blade Sect kills him, they won’t give it a second thought."

"Chief Escort Su, you are a young hero with a renowned reputation in the martial world. Even Heavenly Blade Sect cannot afford to ignore you..."

"Therefore, I have a request that may seem unreasonable. If Liu Mo... if this person has not committed any unforgivable act, and if he were captured by Heavenly Blade Sect, could I humbly ask Chief Escort Su to try and save him?"

"Of course, I understand that this request might be too much to ask. I only hope that under the condition that Chief Escort Su does not offend Heavenly Blade Sect, if it is within your power, please do not hesitate to lend a helping hand."

After saying this, he bowed deeply again.

Su Mo gently shook his head and helped him up. "Shopkeeper Cheng, don't do this. Leader Liu has traveled with me, and we have formed a bond. Naturally, I wouldn’t just stand by. However, where he has gone is still unknown, and it may not be as you think."

"I will wait here for three days. If he hasn’t returned after three days, I will make other plans."

He did not commit himself fully, knowing that a casual promise could lead to complications if things between Heavenly Blade Sect and Liu Mo turned violent, leaving no room for intervention.

If Liu Mo returned the next day, the matter would resolve itself.

Shopkeeper Cheng nodded repeatedly. Su Mo’s words were already more than he could have hoped for. The escort mission with Wanxin Trading Company was over, and saving someone was beyond Su Mo’s responsibility.

Gratitude filled his heart.

After seeing off Shopkeeper Cheng, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun exchanged glances, their eyes reflecting a mix of emotions.

"How did this sudden complication arise?"

Yang Xiaoyun sighed, somewhat helplessly. "Liu Mo has been obedient and followed orders all along, but who would have thought it would end like this? Wei Ziyi told us this man was not simple, yet we didn’t see it until now. Indeed, he is not simple."

Su Mo smiled. "Enough, let’s not dwell on it. We don’t know the full story. Anyway, there’s no connection between Heavenly Blade Sect and us. If there’s really a problem, it’s between Liu Mo and them."

"We’ll stay here for three days. If Liu Mo hasn’t returned by then, we’ll visit Heavenly Blade Sect. Since we’re already in Wufangji, a visit won’t seem out of place."

"If there’s truly an unresolved grudge, it’s beyond our control, and we should leave it alone."

"But leaving now would be premature."

"Um."

Yang Xiaoyun nodded.

As the scouts they sent out gradually returned, there was still no trace of Liu Mo.

He left at midnight when everything was quiet, and few people saw him go.

Naturally, there was no news to gather.

They could only wait.

In fact... Su Mo and his companions didn’t wait the full three days.

The next morning, someone came knocking.

A group of young men arrived.

Their faces were cold, as if someone owed them money, each carrying a sword at their waist, silent and ready to draw their blades at the slightest provocation.

Disciples of Heavenly Blade Sect!

The leader was a young man with a distant gaze, who bowed respectfully.

"Feng Baichuan of Heavenly Blade Sect greets Chief Escort Su!"

"Please, Feng Brother, what brings you and your fellow disciples of Heavenly Blade Sect here?"

Feng Baichuan said coldly, "To be honest, someone infiltrated Heavenly Blade Sect two nights ago, lingering near Grandmaster Tong’s residence. He was discovered by the night patrol and detained. From the credentials found on him, we learned that this person is Liu Mo, the leader of Wanxin Trading Company’s guard!"

Su Mo’s lips twitched. This guy really went to Heavenly Blade Sect?

And got caught?

Wasn’t he supposed to be a formidable fighter?

How could he be captured so easily?

Though his thoughts raced, his face remained calm, feigning surprise.

"What? Leader Liu actually went to Heavenly Blade Sect? To be honest, he has been missing since the night before last. We searched yesterday but found no trace of him. I never imagined he had the audacity to cause trouble at Heavenly Blade Sect."

Feng Baichuan’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes were sharp. "So Chief Escort Su didn’t know either. Well, does Chief Escort Su have time now to accompany us to Heavenly Blade Sect?"

Su Mo’s eyebrows arched slightly. What did he mean?

With that cold look, was he planning to take him to Heavenly Blade Sect for interrogation?

A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, but before he could respond, Feng Baichuan continued, "When this person was discovered, he did not resist. We couldn’t determine his intentions, and he refused to speak. However, he showed no hostility towards Heavenly Blade Sect and did not damage or disrespect anything in Grandmaster Tong’s residence, suggesting he had some hidden reason. Heavenly Blade Sect is currently facing many issues. While we are willing to release him, we fear he might return and infiltrate again... Therefore, we have come to ask Chief Escort Su to take him back to avoid further trouble."

"..."

Su Mo was momentarily speechless, then frowned.

Is it really the unstoppable blade Tong Yun, the ancestor master?

Liu Mo said he had a grudge with the people of Heavenly Blade Sect; it must be this person.

So, when Innkeeper Cheng mentioned last night that Tong Yun had gone missing, that's why he rushed to Heavenly Blade Sect to investigate, right?

However, this person didn't even put up a fight, allowing the people of Heavenly Blade Sect to take him down.

This... This is not something someone with a grudge would do.

And the decision made by Heavenly Blade Sect also surprised Su Mo.

He thought these people were coming to cause trouble, but what... What is this?

Did they come to pick up a mischievous child from Heavenly Blade Sect?

Am I a kindergarten parent?

Su Mo inwardly complained for a while but then saw Feng Baichuan looking at him coldly.

For a moment, he felt a bit angry, but then he heard Feng Baichuan ask coldly, "May I ask, Chief Escort Su, do you have time?"

"...Yes."

Su Mo could only nod, but couldn't help asking, "Why didn't you bring him back directly?"

Feng Baichuan replied coldly, "He wouldn't leave."

"..."

Su Mo was momentarily confused.

After some thought, he finally understood.

After Heavenly Blade Sect captured Liu Mo, Liu Mo did not resist and showed no hostility towards Heavenly Blade Sect. However, no matter what they asked, he wouldn't speak. When they tried to send him back to Wufangji, he refused. If they let him go, they feared he might return.

If Heavenly Blade Sect were evil or ruthless, they could have simply killed him, and no one would know.

But they didn't kill Liu Mo; instead, they sent someone to find Su Mo, hoping Su Mo would take Liu Mo back...

This was already a very humane approach.

With that said, Su Mo had nothing more to say, just nodded, "Alright, then I'll trouble all of you to lead the way."

"I'll go with you."

Yang Xiaoyun stepped forward.

Su Mo glanced at her and nodded.

Xiaochuan and others, along with the guards, also wanted to follow.

But Su Mo waved his hand, "We're going to pick someone up, not start a fight. Why bring so many people? Stay here, Xiaochuan. While I and the Deputy Chief Escort are away, take care of things here."

"Yes, Chief Escort."

Xiaochuan had no choice but to bow and agree.

"Feng, please lead the way."

After giving instructions, Su Mo extended his arm to Feng Baichuan.

Feng Baichuan extended his arm, "Please."

After leaving, there were no horses, and the group actually ran all the way from Heavenly Blade Sect.

Seeing this, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun didn't feel right riding horses either, so the group set off from Wufangji, using their lightness skills to head north toward Heavenly Blade Sect.

On the way, the disciples of Heavenly Blade Sect, from Feng Baichuan down, were unusually quiet.

It was as if several Liu Mos had suddenly appeared, but compared to Liu Mo, these people exuded an additional air of "keep your distance."

But after a day of running, Su Mo realized that these people weren't as cold as he imagined.

In fact, they observed everything around them.

Feng Baichuan led the way, and whenever a junior brother's internal strength waned, he would coldly suggest a rest.

The breaks wouldn't last long; once their internal strength was mostly restored, he would suggest continuing.

Occasionally, he would observe Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, and seeing that they weren't struggling, he wouldn't look anymore.

They set out in the early morning, and before they knew it, it was nearly dusk.

By the time they reached here, Mount Tianmen was already in sight.

Feng Baichuan suggested another rest, and the group sat down in the woods.

Su Mo took out a water pouch from his chest, frowned, and found it empty. He said to Yang Xiaoyun:

"We left too hastily this morning."

Yang Xiaoyun shook her head, "Never mind, I'm not thirsty."

Just as she spoke, Feng Baichuan suddenly stood up, like a sword suddenly drawn from its sheath.

His cold eyes swept over his junior brothers before coming to Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun. Without a word, he took out a water pouch and handed it over.

"..."

Su Mo took it hesitantly: "Thank you..."

"You are our guests; it's only proper."

After saying this, he turned to leave but stopped after just one step and looked back at Su Mo coldly: "I haven't used it; there's no poison inside."

"..."

Su Mo felt that dealing with people from the Heavenly Blade Sect was indeed quite interesting.

Every move was unexpected, leaving one unprepared.

After taking a sip, he passed the water pouch to Yang Xiaoyun, pondering what to say to Feng Baichuan to ease the awkward atmosphere.

Suddenly, his brows furrowed as he looked into the depths of the forest.

Seeing this, Xiaoyun immediately became alert.

Feng Baichuan and the others were still unaware, but they soon sensed something amiss.

They all stood up and looked in the direction of Su Mo's gaze.

Suddenly, a figure broke through the air, flying backward, about to land. Feng Baichuan suddenly called out:

"Save him!"

As his voice fell, several disciples of the Heavenly Blade Sect moved instantly. Two of them leaped up, and as they moved, a faint sound of swords being drawn echoed.

They caught the person who was flying backward in their palms.

The rest, along with Feng Baichuan, stood in front of the person, ready to face whoever had attacked.

A black-clad figure gradually came into view.

His eyes swept over the group from the Heavenly Blade Sect, then shook his head: "Why don't you just let yourself be killed? Why do you always involve others? The one before was too powerful for me, but now... it's just the difference between killing one or many..."

Just as he said this, his pupils suddenly contracted.

His gaze shifted and landed on Su Mo.

Without a second thought, his figure blurred, and in an instant, he was gone.

The people from the Heavenly Blade Sect had already prepared themselves, waiting for the clash of blades.

But they didn't expect that this man, despite his harsh words, would act so cowardly.

Without another word, he fled.

For a moment, even the cold and ruthless members of the Heavenly Blade Sect were left in confusion, unsure of what to do.

Only Feng Baichuan seemed to understand something. He turned to look at Su Mo, his face cold, his eyes slightly surprised, which seemed to be the limit of his emotional expression.

Su Mo shook his head slightly, indicating that he hadn't done anything.

All he did was sit there and glance at the other person...

If he wanted to run, what did it have to do with me?

Then he heard someone from the Heavenly Blade Sect shout: "Senior Brother, look, it's him!"

The disciple from the Heavenly Blade Sect was referring to the person they had just saved.

Su Mo glanced over and, unsurprisingly, saw Ji Feiyang!