Chapter 197: Speaking Plainly

Chapter 197: Speaking Plainly

Su Mo's thoughts were actually quite simple.

I’m not interested in you, and you don’t feel anything for me.

Since that’s the case, why keep it hidden?

The elder's thoughts are the elder's thoughts, but young people have nothing to hide from each other.

As long as Su Mo and Wei Ziyi stand firm on their positions, regardless of the decisions made or actions taken, it’s just a minor irritation.

Moreover, the worst thing in such matters is keeping them secret.

If certain things aren’t discussed, the outcome can be unpredictable.

If things get entangled, they only lead to confusion.

If Wei Ziyi finds out, who knows how she’ll view me?

So, Su Mo decided to be straightforward with her.

The water roared, and under the starry night, the sails of the riverbank camps fluttered in the wind.

Wei Ziyi's eyes widened in shock.

She thought she must have misheard.

"What did you say?" Wei Ziyi asked, her eyes wide with astonishment.

"I mean, your grandfather plans to find you a husband and has set his sights on me as the prize."

Since it was already said, repeating it wasn’t a big deal.

Wei Ziyi was momentarily stunned, then her brows furrowed.

Her first concern wasn’t about personal feelings.

In fact, at Wei Ruhan’s level and in Hua Qianyu’s situation, when considering matters, there’s no room for emotional entanglements.

The only thing that matters is the bigger picture.

Recently, around Su Mo, Wei Ziyi had let her true nature show a little.

It was simply because, at this moment, she didn’t need to worry about the broader goals of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

Nor did she need to consider the dangers of the jianghu.

With Su Mo in front, all troubles naturally subsided.

She relished the peace, and in her relaxation, her true self emerged.

However, upon hearing Su Mo’s words, her first thought was what Wei Ruhan’s decision would mean for the Fallen Phoenix Alliance.

The answer was clear: it meant strong backing!

Su Mo’s martial arts skills were clearly demonstrated in the battle at Profound Theory Valley.

This recent battle has once again reshaped Wei Ziyi's impression of Su Mo.

No one knew how this man honed his martial arts; he seemed like an unfathomable abyss.

No one could guess what lay beneath his calm exterior.

Having such a powerful ally join the Fallen Phoenix Alliance would undoubtedly be a great benefit to its development.

Although… Su Mo was merely a minor escort from a certain agency.

But was he just any ordinary escort?

In Profound Theory Valley, half of the southwestern martial world owed Su Mo a significant debt.

At his command, many would rally to his call.

Today, a minor intervention from him made the major bandits on the river eager to show their respect.

With the Ziyang Escort Agency’s banner, even a low-ranking escort could travel unimpeded on this river.

As for Su Mo… he had only been the Chief Escort of the Ziyang Escort Agency for about half a year.

In that short time, he accomplished so much.

Looking ahead, his potential was boundless.

If he were to marry into the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, after Wei Ruhan’s passing, the alliance would be even more stable.

Perhaps even more stable than during Wei Ruhan’s time.

The name Su Mo was a stabilizing force; anyone who dared to challenge the Fallen Phoenix Alliance or harm her in any way would have to consider whether this force would come crashing down on them.

Wei Ziyi only needed to think a bit to understand this logic.

But did she feel repulsed? Not really.

Did she like him? Certainly not.

She had no thoughts of sacrificing her youth or future. As the young princess of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, she had never considered marriage.

She had more important matters to attend to than finding someone to spend her life with.

The great cause of the Fallen Phoenix Alliance needed to be continued, and its future rested on her shoulders.

Moreover, there was the heavy burden of avenging her father pressing down on her.

All along, she had been bearing what a girl her age should not have to bear.

Marriage… though she had never considered it before, was indeed just a bargaining chip.

Now, Wei Ruhan was placing that chip on Su Mo. Even if it wasn’t him, it would be someone else.

In her position, she could consider the Fallen Phoenix Alliance, or even the entire world, but… she could not consider herself.

Wei Ziyi sighed softly and glanced at Su Mo:

"What are your thoughts?"

"..."

Su Mo was taken aback. Wei Ziyi seemed much calmer than he had anticipated.

However, this did not sway Su Mo's stance. He smiled lightly, "I have Sister Xiaoyun."

Just six simple words, but his intention was already clearly expressed.

"A real man can have multiple wives, which is quite common."

Wei Ziyi said, "Sister Yang harbors deep feelings for you. I imagine she wouldn't object, would she?"

"..."

Su Mo sensed something amiss in her words. He had intended to be direct to gain an ally.

But now it felt like he had created an enemy instead.

He shook his head gently, "Wait... Young Miss Wei, what do you mean by that?"

"What do you mean?"

Wei Ziyi asked curiously, "Since Grandfather has this idea, I naturally comply with his wishes. Otherwise, what other meaning could there be?"

"That's not quite right..."

Su Mo rubbed his face. Despite his martial prowess, he found this situation difficult to navigate.

One was thinking about the larger picture, while the other was focused on personal feelings. They were not on the same wavelength at all.

He pondered for a moment and said, "Forgive my bluntness, Young Miss Wei, but it seems you don't have any romantic feelings for me."

"Indeed."

Wei Ziyi nodded repeatedly, "I associate with you because you are someone worth befriending. I want to be your friend because I have had few friends in my life.

"Whether it's you or Sister Yang, I cherish our friendship sincerely, with no ulterior motives."

"That's great, but since you don't have any romantic feelings for me, how can you just go along with this and follow orders?"

Su Mo faintly heard the sound of his worldview crumbling.

Wei Ziyi smiled, "Chief Escort Su, you're a smart person. There's no need for me to explain the rationale. If you put yourself in my position, and in my grandfather's, you should understand."

Su Mo furrowed his brow. He had never considered this from that perspective before.

It wasn't that he hadn't thought about it at all... mainly, he hadn't considered it from Wei Ziyi's standpoint.

He had considered why Wei Ruhan had this idea.

The answer wasn't hard to guess.

But Wei Ziyi had resigned herself to it... This wasn't how he had imagined it.

And it was different from what happens in TV dramas too!

He sighed immediately: "Young Miss Wei, please don't disappoint me."

"Hmm?"

Wei Ziyi half laughed, half cried: "What could I possibly do to disappoint you? Tell me."

"In my heart, Young Miss Wei, you have great depth and wisdom. When we first met, you demonstrated exceptional methods, far from ordinary."

"How could someone like you let your fate be controlled by others?"

"With your intelligence and martial skills, shouldn't you be the one controlling all variables and shaping your own future?"

Su Mo spoke with righteousness.

Wei Ziyi thought for a moment and nodded: "That’s true."

"In my heart, Young Miss Wei is someone who never gives up."

Su Mo continued: "Years ago, the eldest son of the Wei family, your father, died tragically by the Heng River. Remember, when we first met, Young Miss Wei told me that you had few desires in life, but this matter was a deep obsession."

"How difficult this task is doesn't need to be said; you are well aware of it yourself."

"Have you ever thought about giving up?"

"Avenging my father is a matter of deep enmity; how could I give up easily?"

Wei Ziyi said seriously: "Even if it means risking my life, I will see this through to the end!"

"Exactly."

Su Mo said: "This is the Young Miss Wei I know—someone who, once setting a goal, never changes course easily and cannot be swayed by others. Even if Grandmaster Wei is your grandfather, he shouldn’t be able to easily control your future."

"Ha ha."

Wei Ziyi couldn't help but laugh: "You’re quite amusing... as if marrying me would somehow be a loss for you."

"Not to mention, the vast Fallen Phoenix Alliance could fall into your hands. And while I may not claim to be a beauty of unparalleled national status, I dare say I’m not bad to look at, am I?"

"…Young Miss Wei is indeed as beautiful as a celestial being, but you are not the one I love."

"Your deep feelings for Sister Yang and your unwillingness to betray her are truly rare and commendable."

Wei Ziyi nodded and then sighed: "I understand Grandfather’s intentions and your thoughts."

"For now, let’s set this matter aside and continue to treat each other as friends."

"Why ‘for now’?"

Su Mo felt something was off when he heard this: "Why is it only for now?"

"Because for now, it’s ‘for now’," Wei Ziyi smiled: "Grandfather has shown me a path I had never considered before. If, in the future, there comes a day when I have nowhere else to turn and can no longer continue on my own, even if it’s difficult, I will have to try and work towards that path."

"But for now, it’s clear I’m not at that point of desperation, so as you said, I’ll rely on my own abilities to handle things for the time being."

"If I could really do that, why would I make it easy for you?

"However, if I can't do it... why go the long way when there's a shortcut?"

"…Listen to my advice, this path may seem straightforward and quick, but in reality, it's a dead end, impossible to navigate."

Su Mo sighed, "My late father regretted burdening so many people. That day in the City Lord's mansion, you were right.

"If I have no interest, why provoke? I don't want to provoke or get involved in emotional entanglements. Xiaoyun jie has deep feelings for me, and I am equally devoted to her. That path is already blocked."

"Then… I only have one method left."

Wei Ziyi looked at Su Mo.

"What method?"

"When I'm about to die, I'll follow the example of the chief of the Black Dragon Water Village and shout, 'Chief Escort Su, save me!' How about that?"

"That would definitely be more effective than your clear path."

"Fortunately, you didn't mention that this path is also blocked."

Wei Ziyi sighed with relief and said, "So, this is what your grandfather told you?"

"That's right."

"My grandfather has dedicated his entire life to the Fallen Phoenix Alliance. Now, at the end of his life, the two things he's most concerned about are the Fallen Phoenix Alliance and me."

Wei Ziyi lightly sighed and looked at Su Mo, "Chief Escort Su, tell me… when a person is about to reach the end of their life and still thinks about my safety, how can I resent him for guiding my future?"

Hearing this, Su Mo was taken aback.

Then he lightly sighed, "Miss Wei… is truly exceptional."

"That's right."

Wei Ziyi smiled and said, "If you were in my position, knowing from a young age that you had a father's murderer to avenge, without knowing who that person was,

"you don't know how powerful, skilled, or what background this person has. You can only train in martial arts day and night, hoping for a chance to avenge your father.

"And while you're striving for this, someone tells you that you will inherit a large sect.

"But before you can be happy, they tell you that this sect has many leaders, each with sinister intentions and unfathomable schemes.

"Every two or three months, there's an assassination attempt against you.

"After more than a decade like this… I imagine, Chief Escort Su, you would also become as exceptional as me."

"…"

Su Mo was momentarily speechless but couldn't help asking, "Young Miss Wei, it really wasn't easy for you to grow up. But hasn't the Grand Master kept your matters strictly confidential, with no outsiders knowing?"

"To most people who don't care, it was indeed strictly confidential.

"But there's no such thing as a secret that doesn't eventually leak.

"In fact, it was because I was nearly harmed in my childhood that my grandfather sent me to Cold Moon Palace.

"They actually…"

Wei Ziyi had a peculiar look on her face and whispered something to Su Mo.

Su Mo couldn't help but stare. "Are you saying they bribed your wet nurse?"

"Exactly... I only learned about this later from my mother. The wet nurse... attempted to poison me.

"Fortunately, my mother discovered it in time. Otherwise, I would have lost my life while still in my cradle.

"Given this incident, along with the precedents set by my father and those two uncles,

"How could Grandfather risk leaving me in the Fallen Phoenix Alliance?

"However, throughout the entire Eastern Wilderness, there were few safe havens for me.

"He had to seek help, leading to my being sent to Cold Moon Palace to study martial arts."

Wei Ziyi waved her hand. "Why am I telling you all this for no reason? It's like I’m asking for your pity.

"And even when it comes to pity, it's not my turn... There are so many pitiful people in this world, all enduring hardships. It’s not just me, is it?

"At least I have my grandfather, my mother, and the vast Fallen Phoenix Alliance."

Su Mo gently sighed, not knowing how to respond.

But recalling something, he said, "So, is the Flower City Lord’s identity known to anyone else?"

"Absolutely not."

Wei Ziyi replied, "Have you ever heard me mention who my mother is in my story?"

"Without you telling me, I would never have guessed the connection between the Flower City Lord and you."

"Exactly."

Wei Ziyi nodded slightly. "Back then, Grandfather erased my mother’s identity and, through a clever scheme, created the persona of Hua Qianyu, shedding her past to become the Flower City Lord we know today.

"If this were known, the act would be over."

"That's true."

"Alright, I won’t talk to you anymore..."

Wei Ziyi said, "I’ve been running around with you all night, only to be told that Grandfather wants to betroth me to you.

"And you didn’t even agree. What a mess!

"If I had known, it would have been better if you hadn’t told me."

Shaking her head in disbelief, she turned and returned to the cabin to rest.

Su Mo’s lips twitched. "If you didn’t ask, then..."

Watching her disappear into the cabin, Su Mo let out a soft breath.

Tonight, they laid everything out, and although it didn’t achieve the desired effect,

He had made his position very clear.

Wei Ziyi’s thoughts exceeded his expectations, but it was clear that there were no romantic feelings between them.

There shouldn’t be any major issues in the future.

It’s just barely manageable, and I can finally let out a sigh of relief.

But should I tell Yang Xiaoyun about this later?

Su Mo was torn, feeling that if Yang Xiaoyun found out, things would spiral out of control, and he wouldn’t be able to stop them.

"So… who exactly is that swordsman?"

He returned to guard the cargo while deep in thought.

……

……

By the riverbank, in the dense forest.

The black-clad figure withdrew his hand from Qi Shaoming’s back and frowned slightly.

Qi Shaoming slowly opened his eyes, and before he could speak, he coughed up a mouthful of blood. His expression changed as he turned his head:

"Lord!?"

"I was careless. I didn’t expect Su Mo of the Ziyang Escort Agency to be involved."

The black-clad figure stood up. "The Ziyang Palm is indeed the unique skill of the Purple Sun Sect. Your meridians were nearly completely scorched by his pure yang internal energy. If not for the regenerative powers of your 'Water Dragon Chant,' you would already be dead. He showed mercy."

Qi Shaoming struggled to his feet. "Thank you for saving me, Lord. I truly didn’t expect Su Mo’s martial arts to be so formidable."

"Indeed formidable."

After saying these four words, the black-clad figure couldn’t help but cough, frowning slightly.

"Lord… are you alright?"

Qi Shaoming was taken aback.

The black-clad figure waved his hand. "With him involved in the situation on the riverbank, we’ll set aside our previous plans for now. I must head to Tianqu City as quickly as possible…"

As he spoke, he paused and glanced back at Qi Shaoming:

"Have you found that person yet?"

"…Not yet."

Qi Shaoming’s expression was uneasy.

"Find him quickly. As long as he lives, many people will not find peace."

As he finished speaking, the black-clad figure turned, drew his sword, and melted into the night, vanishing without a trace.