Chapter 329: Farewell

Chapter 329: Taking Leave

When Su Mo fell silent, Xiao Feng remained quiet for a long while.

After a moment, he sighed softly:

"Chief Escort Su, I have a presumptuous request."

"Elder Xiao, speak your mind," Su Mo said. "If it's within my power, I will not refuse."

"It’s a small thing... I just wish to invite that Brother Hu to come up and demonstrate those three blade forms. I hope Chief Escort Su will grant permission."

"Of course."

Su Mo nodded. "In that case, send someone to summon him."

"Good."

Wan Yutang gave a nod and immediately instructed Wan Zangxin, who then went to pass on the instruction.

Once the person sent to fetch Hu Sandao had left, Wan Yutang sighed:

"Xiao Xiong’s skill and judgment were truly no less than mine.

"In the past, when Jun Luo entered Wusheng Hall and I put him in high regard, Xiao Xiong repeatedly warned me that Jun Luo’s background was dubious and he should not be lightly trusted.

"Though I took his words to heart, I was ultimately consumed by the Abyssal Prison’s influence.

"One misstep not only harmed myself but also Xiao Xiong.

"The reason he met such a fate was likely because he noticed something amiss, which led to Jun Luo silencing him."

A heavy silence fell over the group.

Jun Luo, impersonating Wan Yutang, had indeed acted differently from the original Wan Yutang.

Yet who could have imagined such layers of deception lay beneath?

Even Li Zhongming had only sensed that the hall master had become aloof from him, never suspecting that it was actually a different person...

In hindsight, Xiao Xiong's disappearance was clearly connected to this.

At this point, however, Li Zhongming suddenly recalled another matter:

"Speaking of which, after yesterday's chaos, why has Hall Master Xing of the Seventh Hall remained missing to this day?"

Of Wusheng Hall's twelve hall masters, four were present now. Bei Zhangzhi had left injured, his whereabouts uncertain.

Wen Zhongtai, Qin Yuren, and Rong Zhantang had died in the Abyssal Prison.

Deng Fengbai and Lai Wenxiu, after hunting Xiao Feng down, were slain by Su Mo in the woods outside Wusheng Hall.

How this would be explained to outsiders and the disciples of Wusheng Hall was naturally none of their affair.

Those here knew the full story and believed those two had it coming.

Then there was Wu Yong, who had long been slain in the Fourth Hall.

Going down the list, out of the twelve, only Hall Master Xing is unaccounted for.

With others, we at least know why they vanished, but Hall Master Xing was just searching for the traces of 'Wan Hall Master' and those from the 'Dark Hall.' How did he disappear too?

Now, the Dark Hall’s top fighters have all emerged and were nearly wiped out by them.

What exactly did Hall Master Xing uncover in his investigation? Why has he yet to appear?

After hearing this, Su Mo withdrew into himself, completely unwilling to engage.

He couldn’t bring it up—at least not in front of the gathered crowd.

Yang Yizhi’s mission was covert. If any trace were revealed, who knew what might happen?

So, if Wusheng Hall’s members were left in the dark, then let them be puzzled.

Upon hearing Li Zhongming's words, those present looked at each other uncertainly.

Lin Tao hesitated slightly before saying,

"Hall Master Xing... he’s probably..."

Here, he glanced at Wan Hall Master and lowered his voice,

"He was loyal to Madam Wan, wasn’t he?"

"This..."

Duan Qinghen beside him was taken aback but nodded slightly,

"I’ve heard rumors too. It should be true... Considering what happened to Madam Wan, Hall Master Xing must have known some things.

"Now that he’s suddenly gone missing, it’s a real shame."

Hearing this, Su Mo felt a flicker of interest and deliberately pretended to hesitate before speaking.

Instantly, Li Zhongming caught it: "Chief Escort Su, do you have insight to share?"

"Well..."

Su Mo seemed troubled but then smiled and said,

"Wusheng Hall’s affairs aren’t mine to speculate about. But since the topic has come up, I do have a thought... Take it with a grain of salt, though."

"Chief Escort Su is shrewd as ever."

Li Zhongming quickly replied, "We’re all ears."

"...It’s just a thought. If Hall Master Xing had ties to Madam Wan, then by now, he may have gotten wind of her fate in the Endless Prison.

"The public story goes that Madam Wan led a rescue effort and tragically perished, but Hall Master Xing wouldn’t buy that story.

"Maybe... he’s already made a run for it?"

Upon hearing this, Li Zhongming immediately slammed the table and exclaimed, "Exactly! Chief Escort Su is absolutely right. Xing Lan is quite the fox—he's a master at feigning madness and stupidity, yet sharper than anyone when it matters.

"He must’ve been afraid the Hall Master would settle scores later, so he fled in advance."

"We can’t just let him slip away."

Lin Tao and the others quickly added, "Hall Master, please issue an order to apprehend him."

"No direct arrest," Wan Yutang said. "Have men look for him. If he's not nearby, expand the search outward..."

"Yes."

The Hall Masters got the message right away and rose to arrange the matter outside the hall.

When they got back, Hu Sandao was already there.

Su Mo waved him over and asked him to show off those three saber moves in front of everyone.

Hu Sandao agreed without hesitation. With a metallic ring, he unsheathed his battle-scarred blade and began demonstrating right there in the hall.

The three moves flashed by in an instant, but Xiao Feng’s face twisted with emotion as he murmured,

"That’s Father’s blade work..."

"Hall Master Xiao... you sure about this?" Ling Feimiao couldn't help but ask. "These three moves are indeed the Great Blaze Divine Saber. I once saw Hall Master Xiao use them... But can we really go by just these three moves?"

"It's not just the techniques themselves," Xiao Feng said softly. "It’s the little things in how he does them. When this brother performs the Great Blaze Divine Saber, his footwork and the way he moves his hands—just like my father...

"This is unique to my father. You couldn’t just pick this up by watching.

"My father must’ve trained him himself, drilling every little detail into him, which is why they’re a perfect match."

He paused, then stepped forward, clasped his fists, and spoke solemnly:

"Brother Hu, please... tell me where my father was held.

"I’ll owe you for life!"

"No need for that, no need."

Hu Sandao immediately opened his mouth, ready to reveal the location.

But just as he was about to speak, he grew so frustrated he started stomping his feet:

"I—I’m no good with words. I truly don’t know how to describe that place."

Su Mo shot Hu Sandao a look and said,

"In that case, Old Hu, why don’t you stay at Wusheng Hall for now?

"Later, you can personally lead Hall Master Xiao to that location.

"That way, you’ll find it for sure, yeah?"

"That should work..."

Hu Sandao nodded, but then hesitated:

"But Head Escort, there’s no telling how long this back-and-forth will take..."

"Hahaha."

Wan Yutang laughed loudly: "Staying awhile might be just what we need. Years ago, Xiao Xiong said that after you saved me, I should pass on the complete Great Blaze Divine Saber to you.

"Now is the time... Ah, it's just a shame that my collarbones are currently bound by the Mystic Heart Lock.

"Just explaining it might not capture the essence of the Great Blaze Divine Saber."

"Mystic Heart Lock..."

Upon hearing this, Su Mo looked up at Wan Yutang and suddenly stood: "Hall Master, excuse my boldness. Mind if I examine this lock?"

As he spoke, he had already stepped before Wan Yutang.

Wan Yutang was momentarily stunned but didn’t suspect a thing, holding out his arms freely and allowing Su Mo to examine closely.

Su Mo gave it a quick look, then felt around with two fingers, probing carefully for a moment before nodding lightly and saying:

"Hall Master, this might hurt a little."

With those words, he suddenly reached out and pulled Wan Yutang up from his chair.

The Hall Masters tensed up immediately.

They didn’t fear Su Mo would hurt Wan Yutang—

They just didn’t know whether the Mystic Heart Lock could be opened...

If it couldn’t, and Wan Yutang ended up suffering further, what if the Hall Master dropped dead right there?

But then they saw Su Mo suddenly extend two fingers, tapping Wan Yutang’s chest, gut, and back rapidly.

Wan Yutang’s expression immediately changed, his face twisted in pain.

The Hall Masters jumped up instinctively, but Wan Yutang hastily waved them back:

"Don’t come closer... the lock—it’s open!"

The Mystic Heart Lock had dug deep into flesh and bone—once locked in place, it was nearly impossible to undo.

If one forcibly severed it with a divine weapon, the lock’s hidden mechanisms would trigger, releasing a needle as fine as an ox’s hair, which would travel along the meridians and pierce the heart.

At that point, no cure could save them.

Thus, unless one knew the unlocking method, the Mystic Heart Lock would remain fastened to the collarbones forever, never to be removed.

It worked just like the Heart-Piercing Arrow.

Both were devices from the Heavenly Craft Compendium.

As for the Mystic Heart Lock, Jun Luo had only obtained its crafting method—even he couldn’t unlock it.

Wan Yutang never dreamed anyone could open this lock.

At this moment, he was utterly speechless with shock.

Unbeknownst to him, Su Mo had visited the Hidden Sword Pavilion and obtained a partial copy of the Heavenly Craft Compendium from the Hidden Sword Recluse.

It contained the method to unlock the Profound Heart Lock.

Now, following the method, everything proceeded smoothly.

The agony stemmed from Wan Hall Master being bound by the Profound Heart Lock for too long—his flesh had grown into the lock. Removing it inevitably tore at the fused flesh, making the pain extraordinary.

Yet, compared to liberation from the Profound Heart Lock, this pain meant nothing.

At that moment, Su Mo reached out with both hands, grasped the lock, and wrenched it open.

The lock ripped free, taking shreds of flesh with it.

Once removed, Su Mo flung it aside and swiftly sealed several acupoints near Wan Hall Master’s wound.

The bleeding stopped immediately.

Wan Hall Master’s face was slightly pale, but his solitary eye shone with relief.

Taking a deep breath, he clasped his fists and said,

"Chief Escort Su... this life-saving grace..."

"...Hall Master Wan, there’s no need for words," Su Mo replied. "If it’s within my power, how could I refuse? Moreover, you’ve promised to pass down the Great Blaze Divine Saber to my men in the escort. Between us, gratitude is unnecessary."

Wan Hall Master was momentarily speechless, struck by Su Mo’s skill.

No wonder, in the depths of Endless Prison, when faced with Jun Luo’s deadly trap, everyone felt instant relief the moment Su Mo arrived.

A man like this could only be the First of Donghuang.

For the first time, he was truly convinced.

"Take the rest step by step," Su Mo advised.

"In my opinion, working on one or two at a time over the next couple of days is best. This matter shouldn’t be rushed."

Wan Hall Master nodded. His real torment had always been the Profound Heart Lock.

With it gone, the others barely mattered.

By now, Su Mo had wrapped up most unfinished business within Wusheng Hall.

Among them, the most important to him was the inheritance of Hu Sandao’s Great Blaze Divine Saber.

Now, with Wan Hall Master’s personal assurance and the favor of unlocking the Profound Heart Lock, he had no doubts.

Thus, Old Hu would stay behind for now, while Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun took their leave of Wan Hall Master.

As for the secret Wan Hall Master harbored, Su Mo never mentioned it.

Though it involved the Mysterious Mechanism Token,

since it was tied to Wusheng Hall’s legacy secret, Su Mo knew better than to pry further.

Now that Hall Master Wan has escaped his calamity, it’s best to let this secret remain within Wusheng Hall.

To put it another way, Hall Master Wan endured twenty years of torment from Jun Luo for the sake of this secret, yet never breathed a word of it.

This shows the matter is no small thing.

To ask rashly would only put Hall Master Wan in a difficult position.

With that, Su Mo returned with Yang Xiaoyun to their residence.

After packing up briefly, they left Wusheng Hall.

At the gate, Su Mo did not see Wan Zangxin.

Hall Master Wan, badly wounded, naturally couldn’t see them off.

However, the other Hall Masters, along with Li Xuechun and the rest, saw them off at the gate.

After saying their goodbyes, Su Mo warned Old Hu to watch his words and actions while staying at Wusheng Hall. Just as he was about to leave with Yang Xiaoyun and the others, Wan Zangxin's voice called out from behind:

"Chief Escort Su, hold on! Chief Escort Su, wait up!"

Turning around, they saw Wan Zangxin arriving at the gate with Wan Yilan.

Su Mo smiled. "Brother Wan, Miss Wan."

Wan Yilan sighed softly.

"How can I still be called 'Miss Wan' now...

"Chief Escort Su, you're leaving so soon—why didn’t you let me know? I would have come to see you off properly."

"No need for formalities," Su Mo replied with a small smile. "But when do we get to toast your wedding with Brother Wan?"

Wan Yilan blushed, glancing at Wan Zangxin, who scratched his head awkwardly.

Wan Yilan scoffed lightly at this before turning her gaze between Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun.

"Forget about us—when’s your wedding?"

"Soon enough," Su Mo said plainly. "Soon enough, I’ll send you the invites."

"Really?" Wan Zangxin and Wan Yilan were both surprised.

Su Mo laughed heartily. "Would I lie?"

"Then... congratulations, Chief Escort Su, Vice Chief Escort Yang!"

The two quickly cupped their hands in respect.

Hearing this, the others chimed in with congratulations.

Su Mo looked smug, while Yang Xiaoyun shot him a look and said:

"The date isn’t even set yet, and you’re already spouting nonsense."

"If the date were set, I’d have brought the wedding invites today."

"...That’s true."

After a brief exchange, Wan Zangxin took out a letter from his sleeve and handed it to Su Mo, murmuring:

"My father wanted to come himself, but in his current state, he just can’t.

"So, he wrote this letter for Chief Escort Su.

"Read it and burn it right after."

Su Mo paused briefly, then nodded:

"Very well. The road is long—take care, Brother Wan. See you down the road."

"See you down the road!"

Wan Zangxin cupped his fists in salute, and Wan Yilan mirrored the gesture.

Su Mo led Yang Xiaoyun onto their horses, with Xu Lu and Zhen Xiaoxiao following behind. They rode off at once, disappearing in no time.

Wan Zangxin and Wan Yilan lingered outside Wusheng Hall, watching them fade into the distance, unwilling to leave.

Finally, with a long sigh, Wan Zangxin took Wan Yilan’s hand and turned back into Wusheng Hall.

Inside, a mountain of tasks awaited them—plenty to keep them busy.

…

…

At the tavern, Zhen Xiaoxiao—who’d gone half the night starving—was now wolfing down food with gusto.

Su Mo winced—not over Zhen Xiaoxiao’s hunger, but his emptying wallet.

Yang Xiaoyun nibbled her food, hiding a smirk, while Xu Lu kept his distance, eyeing Zhen Xiaoxiao warily.

No matter how often he saw it, he couldn’t shake this nagging fear—that she’d get so into it, she’d accidentally eat him too.

Zhen Xiaoxiao ignored them all, sighing between mouthfuls.

Su Mo couldn’t resist asking:

"If you’re not happy with this meal, we can skip the next one..."

"How could that be?"

Zhen Xiaoxiao shook her head at once. "It’s not the food... It’s this one-legged bronze dummy..."

She lifted the bronze figure beside her. "It’s all bent out of shape—won’t straighten no matter what I do."

Su Mo had nothing to say to that.

Probably when fighting Jun Luo, the hit was a bit too hard... the one-legged bronze statue got bent.

He shook his head lightly and scolded Zhen Xiaoxiao, "It must be because you threw the one-legged bronze statue too hard. When it fell, it got bent."

Zhen Xiaoxiao blinked and sighed again, her appetite wasn’t as good anymore.

She could barely handle two more tables’ worth of food before likely losing her appetite.

Xu Lu, listening nearby, held back his words.

He always wanted to say that when they found the one-legged bronze statue, it definitely wasn’t bent.

But before he could voice it, he noticed Su Mo glaring at him and immediately didn’t dare to speak.

The tavern sat in the town beneath Wusheng Hall’s mountain.

Su Mo had brought them here to eat and drink, hoping to find a chance to meet Yang Yizhi and the others again.

Now, seeing Zhen Xiaoxiao digging in, Su Mo was just about to slip away for a bit when a few martial artists climbed the stairs.

They plopped down at a table and immediately began talking:

"What a shame we missed the action at Wusheng Hall."

"Indeed. No one knows why, but the wedding between Young Master Li and the Wan family’s young miss was suddenly called off."

"This morning, all the wedding gifts got sent back by Wusheng Hall."

"Wonder what happened?"

At this, they all sighed.

Then someone else asked, "So, where to next, brothers?"

"Heh, I’m heading to the Fallen Phoenix Alliance."

"Oh?"

"Bet you guys haven’t heard yet, huh?"

"The Fallen Phoenix Alliance’s big meeting is set for the 25th this month!"