"You don't have to escort me this far."
Yaohua's voice was quiet—meant to sound cold, yet it trembled with a faint hint of uncertainty.
Mo Long shook his head, a faint smile curving his lips. "I just want to be closer to you."
Her cheeks flushed instantly. She lowered her head quickly, pretending to focus on searching for medicinal herbs in the damp soil.
Meanwhile, Hu Wei crouched on a thick tree branch above, his sharp eyes sweeping the surroundings, alert for any threat.
"I thought you weren't supposed to fight for a while," Yaohua said, her tone laced with worry despite her attempt to hide it. "It's dangerous for you to follow me."
"No need to worry," Mo Long replied lightly. "Haikun doesn't know about… us yet."
Yaohua nearly choked at his words. She bowed even lower, then sent a quick Qi Transmission.
'Don't misunderstand. Just because of what happened last night doesn't mean we're suddenly that close, boy.'
Mo Long chuckled inwardly and replied with a teasing tone through his qi.
'Isn't it obvious we're drawn to each other?'
Yaohua turned sharply, her expression a mix of irritation and embarrassment—the crimson on her cheeks betraying her true feelings.
Mo Long's tone flattened again. "Besides, if any Qi cultivator attacks me, Hu Wei will protect me. And… I have a strong woman by my side."
A soft laugh escaped Yaohua's lips. "I'm no longer a Qi cultivator."
Mo Long fell silent for a moment.
'So it's true… she's the woman who fought me back at Wudang. Those sharp, fearless eyes—I still remember them.'
A faint smile touched his lips.
'This woman… I need her.'
Yaohua sighed as she dug up several roots. "I'm much older than you. So stop trying to flirt with me."
Mo Long grinned. "Weren't you the one who pinned me down when I was unconscious—"
THWACK!
A small hoe flew straight at his face. He winced but burst into laughter anyway.
They continued walking through the forest, the damp leaves rustling beneath their feet. The air carried the mingled scent of wet earth and herbs.
"Who are you trying to cure from Shadow Qi poison?" Yaohua suddenly asked. Her voice was gentle, yet probing. "Have you ever hurt someone innocent?"
"I wasn't the one who hurt them. But I need their help."
Yaohua frowned, trying to guess who he meant.
"Where exactly is Haikun?" Mo Long's tone deepened slightly.
"I don't know. I've never even seen him again. But…"
She paused, eyes falling to the ground.
"A qi practitioner under his control—before he died from the side effects—regained consciousness for a moment and pointed east. That's all."
She looked down again, clutching the root she had just pulled from the soil.
"The mind-control effect doesn't last long. The old physician I worked under said the stronger one's qi, the harder they are to control. Even if possible, it only lasts a short while."
Mo Long's lips curved slightly.
'Flow Reversal Art… the Guang Clan once developed a countermeasure for it. If I can trace that thread…'
Suddenly, he stepped closer—so near his breath brushed her ear. His voice dropped low, deep, and resonant.
"Let me be your lover, Lady Yaohua."
Yaohua froze. Her body went rigid. She turned sharply, eyes wide in disbelief.
"Are you… serious? After everything I told you… you're not afraid?"
Mo Long's grin widened. "Haven't you heard? The fastest warrior to pass the qualification trials… was me."
"You're impressive, yes. But you're still young. A real battle isn't just a test—it's life and death."
"I just want to free you from your suffering,"
Yaohua clenched her teeth. "You don't need to. I can take care of myself. And if you think you've conquered my heart just because of what happened last night… forget it. I was only caught up in the moment."
Mo Long showed no disappointment. The faint smile remained on his lips. "Is it wrong… to be drawn to a woman I've only just met?"
Yaohua averted her gaze. Her eyes dimmed. "Enough. I've seen too many innocent men die because of me."
"I won't die,"
Yaohua turned sharply, her glare burning with irritation. Her lips pressed into a thin, trembling line.
Mo Long chuckled softly. "Alright. I can't force your decision. But as promised yesterday—help me heal someone this afternoon."
Yaohua huffed, her tone cold. "I've changed my mind."
"I'll buy you the finest wine in all of Long Ya City,"
"And after I help you… you go home," Yaohua replied icily.
Mo Long smiled faintly. "I'll think about it."
"Mo Long!" Yaohua's angry voice echoed through the forest, sharp enough to startle the birds.
From his perch atop a tree branch, Hu Wei sighed and muttered flatly, expression unchanging, "Young Master… so you do have a taste for older women."
Time passed. The sun slid westward.
***
Evening came.
Golden-red light filtered through the trees, painting the small city road in a warm glow.
In front of a modest house, Mo Long stood tall, dressed in a black hanfu embroidered with a silver dragon across his chest. The long robe amplified his imposing aura—his broad shoulders and sculpted frame radiating quiet dominance.
Beside him, Hu Wei wore a black-and-white hanfu, a sword hanging at his left hip, his long hair tied neatly into a ponytail as always.
"He said before sunset, didn't he?" Mo Long muttered, clicking his tongue as he glanced at the door again and again, waiting for a certain woman to appear.
"Yes, Young Master. The head of the Golden Crane Trading House—Jin Hayato—told us to arrive before sundown," Hu Wei replied.
"I could've completed several rounds of cultivation by now. Two sticks of incense have already burned away just waiting for Yaohua."
The wooden door creaked open.
From inside, a graceful figure emerged. Yaohua stepped out, dressed in a long crimson qipao that hugged her slender form. The silk fabric rippled fluidly with each step. Her black hair was tied up in a simple bun, yet it framed her radiant face perfectly.
In her hand hung a small woven basket filled with herbs and medicine.
Mo Long turned toward her. For a brief moment, his eyes gleamed; a faint, meaningful smile curved his lips.
"Isn't this woman far too beautiful to be a mere healer?"
"Be quiet," Yaohua said sharply without looking at him. "We're visiting a wealthy merchant's residence. The least I can do is look presentable."
Mo Long leaned closer, his voice low near her ear. "You sure it's not because you're accompanying me?"
Yaohua sighed and quickened her pace.
But before she could move too far, Mo Long reached out without hesitation and caught her hand—gripping it firmly.
"Hey!" Yaohua gasped, her face flushing crimson. "What are you doing?! Let go, Mo Long! Do you want everyone to see us? Do you want to draw Haikun's attention?!"
"That's exactly what I want."
"You've lost your mind!" Yaohua struggled to pull away, but his grasp didn't budge—it only tightened.
"No, I won't let go."
Yaohua huffed in frustration, her cheeks burning brighter.
They walked hand in hand down the main street. Mo Long's stride was steady, his posture daring anyone to challenge him. From a distance, townsfolk whispered among themselves—some with shock, others with curiosity gleaming in their eyes.
Hu Wei followed a few steps behind them, his face caught somewhere between confusion and worry. His hand never strayed far from the hilt of his sword.
From the corner of the street, hidden beneath the shadow of a large tree, a tall, broad-shouldered man in a blue robe stood watching.
Hiroshi, the head of the Law Hall, fixed his cold gaze on Mo Long and Yaohua. Two guards stood silently behind him. He let out a long breath and muttered under his breath, his tone frosted with unease.
"What is that boy trying to do this time?"
Before long, Mo Long and the others reached the towering gate of the Jin family estate.
The wooden gate loomed high, reinforced with iron and adorned with golden dragon carvings. Behind it stood two guards armed with long spears.
Mo Long paused, turning toward Yaohua. "Are you ready?"
Yaohua tightened her grip on the bamboo basket in her hands. "I'm ready,"
Mo Long gave a slight nod and raised his hand, knocking firmly on the heavy gate.
Moments later, one of the guards—broad-shouldered, with a scar running across his cheek—appeared. His tone was curt, laced with suspicion.
"Who are you? What business do you have with the Jin family?"
Mo Long stood his ground, unbothered. He pulled out a flat, round piece of black jade—the insignia of the Shadow Dragon Clan—and held it up for the guards to see.
"I am Mo Long. I made an appointment yesterday. I've come to treat the illness of Lord Jin Hayato's son."
Hu Wei stepped forward. "Lord Jin Hayato himself approved the visit for this afternoon."
The guards exchanged glances, their expressions darkening with disdain. Several of them subtly rested their hands on their weapon hilts, their distrust evident.
"Isn't he the heir of the Shadow Dragon Clan who injured Young Master Jin Yuu?" one of the curly-haired guards snapped.
"The Shadow Dragon Clan might think they can take control of this trading house," added another—thin, sharp-eyed, his straight hair brushing his shoulders. "But the Jin family won't let that happen."
"It seems there's been a misunderstanding," Mo Long said evenly, his voice calm yet commanding.
Then, without warning, another guard approached. He bowed respectfully before Mo Long, his tone urgent but polite.
"Please, come in. Lord Jin Hayato has been expecting you."
The tension that had gripped the air eased slightly, though the guards' wary gazes still pierced like blades.
One guard gestured for Hu Wei to remain outside. Mo Long turned and gave his subordinate a calm nod—as if to say, 'Stay put. I can handle this.'
They stepped through a wide courtyard lined with koi ponds and rustling bamboo. A long corridor led toward the inner pavilion, filled with servants and guards whispering among themselves. Their eyes were sharp, suspicious.
Yaohua kept her head lowered, her face stiff beneath the heavy atmosphere of hostility.
Mo Long, however, only smiled faintly. His steps were firm, unfazed—as though every accusing glance was nothing more than a passing breeze.
Inside the inner pavilion, Jin Yuu lay sprawled on a grand bed.
The boy's skin was deathly pale. Black veins crawled across his chest and neck, pulsing like the roots of a poisonous tree devouring him from within.
"Jin Yuu," said Jin Hayato, the master of the house. His deep voice carried authority. The middle-aged merchant sat upright in a high-backed chair, his sharp eyes unwavering.
"All the physicians said the lingering Shadow Qi in his body would take at least fifteen days to fade. But the entrance exam for the Heavenly Demon Academy is only forty days away. My son refuses to fall behind his peers—he wants to resume training immediately."
His gaze locked on Mo Long.
"Can you truly heal him… in three days?"
"The woman beside me," he said, "was once a gifted healing cultivator. With her skill—and my assistance as a member of the Mo Clan—we can purge the Shadow Qi completely. Two days from now, your son will be fully recovered."
Yaohua bowed her head slightly. Her composure carried a quiet authority, her every movement betraying the confidence of one who had seen countless battles.
Jin Hayato's expression was doubtful, almost condescending. "You? A woman can handle this?"
Mo Long's voice cut in sharply before Yaohua could respond. "The physicians who came before only relied on theory. Yaohua's experience with poisons and corrupted qi on the battlefield… is unmatched."
Yaohua approached the bedside, placing her fingers against Jin Yuu's wrist. Her other hand gently opened the boy's robe, revealing the darkened wound on his chest. Black veins pulsed violently, creeping toward his meridians.
"This poison…" Yaohua murmured calmly, "...is like a black serpent. It coils deep inside, wrapping around the meridians. It can be contained—but never expelled easily."
Jin Hayato narrowed his eyes. "What method will you use?"
"The Flow Purification Technique… But with Mo Long channeling and binding the Shadow Qi outward, we can force it to leave completely."
For the first time, Jin Hayato gave a small nod. His eyes softened with a trace of trust.
Mo Long sat beside the bed. He pressed his palm against Jin Yuu's chest. A thin current of black qi seeped from his body—dark as smoke.
Yaohua swiftly applied herbal paste over several meridian points, then inserted acupuncture needles with precise control.
Jin Yuu's scream tore through the room.
His body arched, trembling violently from the pain. The black veins across his torso pulsed erratically, then began to seep outward through his pores as dark, mist-like vapors.
Mo Long absorbed the toxin through his own body, his face paling as cold sweat ran down his temple.
Yaohua quickly pressed another needle and added a salve to prevent the poison from rebounding into him.
Every second stretched into an eternity.
"Long, draw out more of it!" Yaohua commanded, her hands steady as she adjusted the needle near the boy's solar plexus. "Hurry! Don't let the qi reverse!"
Through his palm, Mo Long pulled in more of the corrupted energy—the residue from Mo Feng's attack. The Shadow Qi surged violently, burning and numbing his hands as he contained it.
Jin Yuu's eyes rolled back, his body shaking uncontrollably. Then, slowly, the thick darkness began to fade. The last traces of Shadow Qi dissipated into the air.
Silence fell.
Jin Yuu's breathing steadied. Color returned to his face. The veins vanished.
Jin Hayato stood frozen for a long moment before finally rising to his feet. His voice trembled slightly as he bowed his head for the first time.
"Thank you… both of you."
Yaohua wiped the sweat from her brow, then smiled softly as she lowered her head.
"This is my duty as a member of the Shadow Dragon Clan. I apologize for my brother's actions that caused your son's illness," Mo Long said, bowing slightly.
The servants and family members watching from a distance still wore wary expressions. Yet, to his surprise, Jin Hayato offered compensation.
Mo Long raised a hand, refusing politely. "I don't need a reward. What I want… is to propose something."
Jin Hayato's brows lifted. "Oh? And what might that be?"
Mo Long leaned forward and whispered something too softly for anyone else to hear.
The master's eyes widened, shock flashing across his face. After a moment of silence, he nodded slowly. "Hmph. Very well. We'll discuss this further in my study."
Yaohua was invited to wait in a lavish guest hall. Servants brought an array of refreshments—fresh fruit, fine wine, and delicate snacks—while she sat quietly, hands resting in her lap.
Time passed slowly. Mo Long and Jin Hayato were gone for quite a while, long enough that Yaohua, bored of politely sipping her tea, began to wonder what kind of plan the young man was weaving this time.
At last, the door to the study opened.
Both men stepped out, their expressions lighter—almost pleased, as though a difficult deal had been struck.
"That's an outrageous proposal, Young Master Mo Long," Jin Hayato said, though this time his voice carried a note of admiration. "But after witnessing your strength… I believe it might just be possible."
Mo Long bowed slightly, his hands clasped before him in gongshou. "I won't disappoint your trust, Lord Jin."
He turned to leave—but paused midway, as if remembering something.
"Lord Jin," he said, "may I borrow two guards from the Shadow Dragon Clan stationed here at your estate?"
Jin Hayato frowned. "What for? You already have one with you."
Mo Long smiled faintly. "I'll be taking a short but… challenging journey. I'll return them within a week."
"Hm, I—"
"Please, send those who've reached the Expert Realm," Mo Long added smoothly, his tone respectful yet confident.
Jin Hayato gave a low grunt but eventually nodded. He called out two names. Moments later, two figures entered the room.
The first had wavy, shoulder-length hair and a broad jaw, his skin dark and his build solid. "Gao Shan," he introduced himself with a bow.
The second had straight black hair tied neatly in a topknot, his face sharp and pale as porcelain. "Gao Shui."
Both men performed gongshou toward Mo Long.
"Thank you for your generosity, Lord Jin," Mo Long said. "We'll take our leave."
Yaohua and the two guards followed him out. Hu Wei was already waiting by the gate, his posture alert.
But not everyone looked on favorably.
One of the Jin family elders leaned close to Jin Hayato, whispering. "Do you truly believe that boy is sincere? He could be far more dangerous than Mo Feng."
Jin Hayato didn't answer. His eyes followed Mo Long's retreating back—a mixture of admiration, doubt, and unease glinting within them.
Outside the gate, Mo Long's lips curved into a thin smile.
He turned slightly toward Yaohua and whispered, "One small step… but enough to make the Jin family owe me."
Yaohua frowned, eyes narrowing. "What exactly did you say to Jin Hayato?"
Mo Long didn't answer. His smile widened—cold and calculating.
Behind them, Gao Shan and Gao Shui walked in silence, though their eyes never left Mo Long, watching his every move.
Hu Wei drew closer, sending a quiet voice through qi transmission: 'Young Master… what are you planning?'
Mo Long's reply came calm and steady: 'I'm going hunting… for a demon in hiding.'
His gaze sharpened toward the east—the direction the dying qi warrior had once pointed to in Yaohua's story.
'Haikun… let's see how far you can run.'