"Waiter! Bring a pot of tea! Make it cold!"
Ling Xiaolu sprawled across the table in the roadside tea stall, mouth hanging open as he panted from the brutal heat.
It was the fiercest part of noon. The sun scorched the earth like a blazing furnace; in the distance the ground shimmered and smoked, white haze twisting above the desolate crossroads.
The waiter brought the tea. Ling Xiaolu didn't bother with a cup—he grabbed the whole pot and gulped straight from the spout. Only after draining more than half did he finally sigh in relief and wipe the sweat from his forehead with his sleeve.
Suddenly a young man's voice rang out from the roadside, still carrying the fresh edge of youth. "Whose horse is this?"
Ling Xiaolu turned. The youth was holding the reins of his snow-white stallion, Zhaoyue, the magnificent warhorse his senior brother had left him. He had ridden hard for days trying to catch up with the group.
Hearing the question, Ling Xiaolu stood. "It's mine."
The youth looked him over, saw another boy roughly his own age, and without hesitation pulled a heavy pouch of silver from his robes and tossed it over.
"I'm buying it."
Ling Xiaolu caught it reflexively. The bag was heavy, yet nowhere near enough for his senior brother's prized Zhaoyue. The arrogant tone instantly pissed him off.
"You think you can afford it?!" he snapped.
"Not enough?" the youth asked.
Ling Xiaolu snatched the pouch and hurled it back, smashing it against the youth's shoulder. "Even if you sold your ass, you still couldn't buy this horse!"
The youth staggered from the blow, clutching his shoulder and roaring, "Do you know who I am?!"
Ling Xiaolu stepped forward and untied the reins. "I don't give a damn who you are!"
"I'm from the Wulin Alliance!" the youth bellowed. "Our Alliance Leader wants your horse! Take the money and leave it!"
"The Wulin Alliance?" Ling Xiaolu was momentarily stunned, then sneered. "My senior brother says Alliance Leader Cheng Mo is a true hero. He would never bully people and steal using his name! You don't scare me—I don't believe a word!"
The youth was about to argue when a light, drifting voice came from the road behind them.
"Well said."
The youth spun around and bowed instantly. "Alliance Leader!"
Ling Xiaolu followed his gaze. Two riders approached slowly from the fork. The man in front wore azure robes and possessed strikingly handsome features; his gaze toward Ling Xiaolu held gentle, smiling warmth. Behind him rode a man in snow-white Taoist robes, hair bound with a Taoist crown, a long sword on his back. His face was refined and elegant, exuding an otherworldly aura—like an immortal untouched by mortal dust. A single vermilion mark between his brows added an alluring splash of crimson.
The azure-robed man rode up, dismounted, and cupped his hands politely. "Little brother, I apologize for the offense."
Ling Xiaolu stared for a long moment before his eyes widened. "You're really Cheng Mo?"
The man smiled. "Indeed. I am Cheng Mo. This is my attendant, Cheng San. We lost a horse on the road and I sent him to buy a replacement. I didn't expect him to be so arrogant and offend you. Please accept my apology."
Ling Xiaolu waved his hands quickly. "No need! No need at all! I never imagined I'd actually meet the Wulin Alliance Leader!"
At that moment the young Taoist riding with Cheng Mo approached. He glanced at the magnificent white horse and asked coolly, "Will you sell?"
Ling Xiaolu puffed out his chest. "No!"
"Then forget it," the Taoist said indifferently. "Let's continue."
Cheng Mo turned to the Taoist. "Zi Xiao, are you thirsty? Why don't we rest here for a bit?"
The man called Zi Xiao gave no objection. Cheng Mo tied his horse and walked into the tea stall, ordering two more pots.
Ling Xiaolu ended up at their table. "Alliance Leader Cheng, are you returning to the Wulin Alliance?"
"Yes," Cheng Mo replied. "The triennial Martial World Conference is approaching. I should have stayed to prepare, but bandits troubled Qiyun Mountain last month and I had to handle it personally. Luckily Zi Xiao arrived midway to assist and we eliminated them in time."
Ling Xiaolu looked at the Taoist. "May I ask… is this the renowned Zi Xiao Zhenren of the Yunyang Taoist Sect?"
Cheng Mo smiled. "The very same."
Ling Xiaolu's mouth fell open in shock. He had never expected this young, handsome Taoist to be the leader of the world's foremost Taoist sect. This was his first solo journey in the jianghu, and already he had encountered two legends.
Whether Cheng Mo was truly the strongest martial artist alive, Ling Xiaolu didn't know. But the man was a living legend. His father had been the previous Alliance Leader, and he had trained under the great Qing Song Elder since childhood. It was said the elder once defeated eight top masters with his Cutting Yang Skill, earning the title of the greatest under heaven before retiring.
Cheng Mo had only become Alliance Leader three years ago, yet he was already renowned as a great hero.
In Ling Xiaolu's imagination these two should have been a white-haired immortal elder and a tall, burly middle-aged warrior. He never expected two such elegant, handsome young men.
When Cheng Mo learned Ling Xiaolu was also heading to the Wulin Alliance, he invited him to travel together.
Having long admired the Alliance Leader and now seeing his graceful bearing in person, Ling Xiaolu naturally accepted. Before leaving, he invited the now horseless Cheng San to ride with him. Cheng San snorted but still reached out his hand, letting Ling Xiaolu pull him up.
When evening fell and they passed a town, Ling Xiaolu noticed they had no plans to stay at an inn. Curious, he asked, "Aren't we staying somewhere tonight?"
"Not far ahead is Linglong Mountain Villa," Cheng Mo replied. "The villa master is an old acquaintance. We can stay there for the night."
Ling Xiaolu nodded.
Sure enough, they soon saw a grand and luxurious estate. Cheng Mo went to have the gatekeeper announce them. Before long a beautiful young woman in peach-pink robes came out.
"Big Brother Cheng!" she exclaimed happily.
Cheng Mo smiled warmly. "Cai'er, it's been a while. Is your elder brother here? We're passing through and would like to request lodging for one night."
Xue Cai'er huffed. "No need to ask my brother. Big Brother Cheng, just stay as you please. I'll tell the kitchen to prepare food and wine. Follow the maids to the guest rooms and rest first."
Cheng Mo chuckled. "I should still greet your brother properly."
"That's too bad," Xue Cai'er pouted. "My brother isn't home. He went after Wan Xiong Feng."
"Wan Xiong Feng?" Cheng Mo's expression shifted. "The notorious Flower-Plucking Thief?"
"Yes, him. Don't worry about my brother anymore. Go put your things down—dinner will be ready soon."
Seeing that Xue Cai'er didn't want to say more, Cheng Mo and the others went to their guest rooms to unload their belongings, wash up, and later joined her for dinner in the front courtyard.
Throughout the meal Cheng Mo continued asking about her brother, but Xue Cai'er only said she didn't know. When he inquired about the conflict with Wan Xiong Feng she also claimed ignorance.
With no other options, the group returned to their rooms after dinner.
Back in his room, Ling Xiaolu sat on the bed, mind racing. He still couldn't believe he was traveling with two of the most powerful figures in the jianghu. Even his well-traveled senior brother probably never had such luck. The excitement made him restless. After pacing a few times he decided to visit Cheng Mo for a chat. Even hearing about the current state of the martial world would be an incredible opportunity.
Gathering his courage, Ling Xiaolu went to the neighboring room and knocked.
"Who is it?" Cheng Mo called from inside.
Ling Xiaolu cleared his throat. "It's me."
The door opened, but it wasn't Cheng Mo standing there. It was the cold and indifferent Zi Xiao.
Ling Xiaolu faltered. "D-Daoist Zi Xiao?"
"What do you need?" Zi Xiao asked flatly.
All his courage vanished. "Nothing…" he muttered and turned to leave as Zi Xiao closed the door.
Zi Xiao returned to the table and sat down.
Across from him, Cheng Mo listened to Ling Xiaolu's retreating footsteps and said, "You should have let the kid come in and sit for a while."
Zi Xiao's expression didn't change. "Your turn."
Cheng Mo shook his head and placed a black Go piece on the board.
After finishing the game, Cheng Mo was about to suggest they rest when he suddenly heard an extremely faint noise from the courtyard outside. His brows furrowed as he glanced at Zi Xiao.
Zi Xiao, holding a white piece between his slender fingers, also looked up. Then, with a light flick, the chess piece shot through the window paper and struck the intruder.
A muffled groan rang out. A figure burst from the bushes and fled desperately toward the outside of the villa.
Zi Xiao's figure blurred as he chased after the man like a gust of wind.
Cheng Mo followed right behind. The two pursued the intruder across rooftops and treetops until they reached the woods outside the estate. Zi Xiao suddenly slowed and stopped. Cheng Mo caught up and asked, "What's wrong?"
Zi Xiao raised a hand for silence.
Cheng Mo stared into the dark forest. Not a single sound could be heard. The person must have hidden himself. Whoever it was possessed high-level martial arts to have approached their courtyard undetected.
The man was likely hiding in one of the large trees. Any movement would give him away.
Cheng Mo looked up into the dense canopy. Suddenly a flash of white streaked toward him. He dodged instantly as a flying dart whistled past. Before he could recover, three more darts flew at him in rapid succession.
Cheng Mo had never faced such fast and precise hidden weapons. He was forced entirely on the defensive. Meanwhile Zi Xiao had already drawn his sword. With crisp ringing sounds he deflected every dart and charged straight at the attacker.
Cheng Mo's heart tightened. One dart grazed Zi Xiao's shoulder, yet the Taoist had already landed on a branch and thrust his sword shallowly into the assailant's chest. The man flipped down from the tree and fled. Cheng Mo moved to pursue when he saw Zi Xiao jump down but remain standing in place. Worried, he stopped.
"Zi Xiao?"
Zi Xiao glanced at him calmly. "It's poisoned."
Cheng Mo rushed back to his side. "The darts were poisoned?"
Zi Xiao nodded and switched his sword to his left hand.
Cheng Mo tore open the clothing at Zi Xiao's shoulder. The wound was long and deep, blood seeping out with a faint black tint.
"Sit down," he said.
Zi Xiao obediently sat on the ground.
Cheng Mo knelt beside him, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to the wound. He sucked out a mouthful of poisoned blood, turned his head, and spat it aside. He continued sucking several more mouthfuls until the blood ran bright red again. Only then did he breathe a sigh of relief.
Just as he lowered his head for one final pull, hurried footsteps sounded—Xue Cai'er came running. She slapped Cheng Mo hard on the shoulder. "Hey!"
Cheng Mo choked. The mouthful of poisoned blood slid straight down his throat.
In an instant his face turned deathly pale. He staggered backward and collapsed onto the ground, eyes glazed.
"Big Brother Cheng? What's wrong?" Xue Cai'er cried in alarm.
Cheng Mo's face remained ashen, his hands trembling.
Zi Xiao noticed immediately and reached for his arm. "Cheng Mo?"
Cheng Mo violently flung Zi Xiao's hand away. "Don't touch me!"
Zi Xiao looked puzzled. "Cheng Mo?"
Cheng Mo stood on shaky legs, took several stumbling steps back, then turned and fled toward the villa, pale and terrified.
Xue Cai'er stood frozen. "What's gotten into Big Brother Cheng?"
Zi Xiao said nothing. He sheathed his sword and strode back toward the villa.
Back in his guest room, Cheng Mo bolted the door and sat on the bed, shivering with cold. He kept telling himself there had to be a way, yet the Qing Song Elder's words echoed in his mind: "Incurable for life." He thought maybe he could avoid Zi Xiao forever… but that was impossible. Unless he abandoned the jianghu entirely.
Or perhaps he could cripple his own Cutting Yang Skill? But that would leave the Alliance and the entire Central Plains martial world without a leader right before the conference.
No. There had to be another way.
Suddenly a soft knock sounded at the door.
"Who?" Cheng Mo's voice cracked.
"It's me." Zi Xiao's cool, indifferent voice came from outside.
The moment he heard Zi Xiao, Cheng Mo instinctively wanted to retreat. He took a deep breath to steady himself. "I'm asleep. We'll talk tomorrow."
Silence. Then a sharp crack—Zi Xiao had shattered the wooden bolt with his fingers.
Cheng Mo watched Zi Xiao walk in and forced himself to stay seated. "What else do you need?"
Zi Xiao stopped right in front of him, towering over him.
So close, Cheng Mo could smell the faint scent of incense that always clung to Zi Xiao—his unique scent.
Cheng Mo's heart hammered. Blood rushed wildly through his veins, flooding his face and surging straight to his groin. His thin summer robes did nothing to hide the sudden, raging erection.
He scooted backward on the bed, curling his legs up to hide it, but the position only looked more obscene.
Zi Xiao stared at him coldly. "Cheng Mo, what exactly is wrong with you?"
Cheng Mo's breathing grew ragged, cheeks burning. He lowered his head, unable to meet Zi Xiao's eyes. "Just… just leave."
Zi Xiao leaned down until their faces were inches apart. "What did you say?"
The warm breath on his face made Cheng Mo's cock throb violently. His body turned to liquid heat. He wanted to grab Zi Xiao's hand and shove it between his legs.
Looking at Zi Xiao's pale, soft lips, Cheng Mo lost control. He surged forward and kissed him.
Zi Xiao remained expressionless, letting Cheng Mo kiss him. Only when Cheng Mo panicked and tried to pull away did Zi Xiao touch his own lips and ask calmly, "You've been drugged?"
Cheng Mo's chest heaved. "Y-yes… I've been drugged."
Zi Xiao straightened. "I'll find a woman to help you."
"No!" Cheng Mo shook his head frantically. "Just go. I can handle it myself."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure."
Zi Xiao nodded, turned toward the door—then picked up the broken bolt, locked it again, and came back. "Drugged? You think you can lie to me?" He drew his sword—scabbard and all—and pressed the cold wooden sheath directly against the massive bulge in Cheng Mo's pants. "Cheng Mo. Tell me the truth."
The icy pressure against his throbbing cock made Cheng Mo's knees buckle. He collapsed back onto the bed, panting helplessly. Looking up at Zi Xiao with something like despair, he finally broke.
"Fine… I'll tell you everything."
Zi Xiao slid the sheath slowly down the thick length, then pressed it firmly against Cheng Mo's heavy balls. "Speak."
Cheng Mo gasped, grabbing the sheath with a trembling hand. "Stop teasing me, damn it!" Then, in a rush, he told Zi Xiao the whole story.
It all stemmed from the Cutting Yang Skill he learned from the Qing Song Elder. The technique was unmatched… but it had one fatal flaw left by its creator. The flaw was called the Blood Pact: "Blood Pact inverts Yin and Yang, forcing submission." If the practitioner ever drank another man's fresh blood, his body would instinctively submit to that man, completely beyond his control.
The Elder had warned him repeatedly. Cheng Mo had thought it impossible—he possessed divine skill; how could he ever willingly lie beneath another man? Drinking blood was rare anyway. So he had simply sworn never to drink anyone's blood and dismissed the rest.
Now he knew how terrifying the Blood Pact truly was. The moment Zi Xiao came close, his body betrayed him completely.
When he finished, Cheng Mo said bitterly, "After tonight, we can no longer be brothers."
Zi Xiao's expression never changed. "Oh? So if I get close, you become completely powerless—even your martial arts disappear?"
Cheng Mo shook his head helplessly; the Elder had never explained the exact limits.
"Is there a solution?" Zi Xiao asked.
"I don't know."
Zi Xiao's eyes lowered. "Then we'll have to test it."
Before Cheng Mo could react, the scabbard slid back up the underside of his painfully hard cock, making him cry out.
Zi Xiao's voice was calm. "Take off your clothes."
Cheng Mo froze, ears burning crimson. "What did you say?"
Zi Xiao pressed the sheath harder, bending Cheng Mo's cock back against his own stomach.
Cheng Mo couldn't take it. He grabbed the tip of the scabbard and stared at Zi Xiao in humiliated shock.
Zi Xiao met his gaze, utterly tranquil. "Everything in the world has its counter. Since the creator deliberately left this flaw, he must also have left a way to resolve it."
"Resolve it? How?"
"People poisoned by aphrodisiacs need to fuck to clear their blood flow. Since your Blood Pact forces you to submit… why not try it?"
Zi Xiao spoke as if discussing the weather. Cheng Mo's mind exploded. "Zi Xiao, don't talk nonsense—you're a Taoist! We—"
"Dao follows nature and nurtures all things," Zi Xiao said calmly. "My Dao is not bound by mortal rules. I am the Dao, and the Dao is me."
Cheng Mo stared, speechless. At the same time an image of Zi Xiao naked and aroused flashed through his mind. His cock jerked violently and he unconsciously wrapped his hand around it.
The moment he touched himself he let out a shameless moan. Mortified, he tried to scramble off the bed.
Zi Xiao blocked him effortlessly with the sword, forcing him back against the wall with his legs spread wide.
"Continue," Zi Xiao ordered coldly.
Cheng Mo's hands shook as he unbuttoned his robes, cheeks flaming, eyes wet with humiliated tears. He couldn't look at Zi Xiao.
Zi Xiao watched the growing wet spot on Cheng Mo's pants, then used the tip of the scabbard to hook the waistband and yank them open.
Cheng Mo's thick, veined cock sprang out, already drooling long strings of precum from the slit.
He tried to cover himself. Zi Xiao knocked his hand away with the scabbard and continued teasing the throbbing length with the wooden sheath, spreading the slick all over the sensitive head.
Cheng Mo's robes fell open completely, revealing his lean, powerful warrior's body—tight muscles, smooth skin glowing with a faint sheen.
Zi Xiao dragged the scabbard up to one nipple and pressed down hard.
"Ah—don't—!" Cheng Mo cried, but his hand flew back to his cock, stroking desperately.
Zi Xiao wasn't satisfied. He pinched the nipple until Cheng Mo's eyes watered and commanded, "Open your eyes."
Cheng Mo obeyed and saw his own reflection in Zi Xiao's calm pupils—face flushed, lips parted, hand frantically jerking his leaking cock. The shame nearly made him cum on the spot.
Zi Xiao sat on the edge of the bed, covered Cheng Mo's hand with his own cool fingers, and began stroking him together—slow, firm, filthy strokes that made wet, obscene sounds.
Cheng Mo whimpered, "Zi Xiao…"
He leaned up and bit Zi Xiao's lower lip, then licked it, then shoved his tongue inside. Zi Xiao let him, never kissing back, but his fingers kept working Cheng Mo's cock, thumb rubbing the leaking slit until more precum gushed out.
Then Zi Xiao suddenly bent down and sucked hard on Cheng Mo's nipple—loud, wet, obscene suction.
Cheng Mo arched off the bed with a broken moan. Pleasure built unbearably, but no matter how fast he stroked, he couldn't cum. The skin of his cock felt raw. He grabbed Zi Xiao's wrist. "Stop—stop—I can't—"
Zi Xiao stopped and smeared the sticky precum all over Cheng Mo's abs.
"Not enough," Cheng Mo gasped, voice cracking. "I can't… get it out…"
Zi Xiao pinched both nipples and twisted. "Not enough?"
Cheng Mo's hole clenched desperately, slick and empty. He was so close to begging Zi Xiao to fuck him raw, but the words stuck in his throat. A proud Alliance Leader reduced to this—legs spread, cock dripping, ass twitching for another man's dick. Tears finally spilled down his cheeks.
Zi Xiao wiped one away. "Cheng Mo."
Cheng Mo gave a bitter smile. "Zi Xiao…"
In one desperate motion he grabbed Zi Xiao's sword and pressed it to his own throat.
Zi Xiao snatched it away instantly. He gripped Cheng Mo's hair, forcing his head back. "You want to die?"
Cheng Mo's voice trembled. "Do I even deserve to live like this?"
Zi Xiao's eyes were ice. "The Martial World Conference is in half a month. Alliance Leader Cheng Mo misses it because he couldn't cum and slit his throat naked in a man's bed. Is that funny to you?"
Cheng Mo's lips parted in horror.
Zi Xiao pinched his jaw, then shoved his face straight into his own crotch. "Lick."
Cheng Mo looked up, terrified.
Zi Xiao stared down at him. "Cheng Mo, I'm going to teach you how to keep living."
Shaking, Cheng Mo untied Zi Xiao's pants with trembling fingers. The heavy, half-hard cock sprang free. He swallowed hard, then opened his mouth and took the fat head inside.
It swelled instantly, stretching his lips wide. Zi Xiao thrust once, burying the entire thick length down his throat in one brutal motion.
Cheng Mo gagged violently, eyes watering, but Zi Xiao held his head and fucked his throat in deep, merciless strokes—again, again, again—until drool and precum ran down his chin.
When Zi Xiao finally pulled out, Cheng Mo coughed and gasped, but immediately dove back down, sucking greedily, tongue swirling around the throbbing vein, licking the slit, trying desperately to please him.
He was so hard it hurt. While still sucking, he reached back and shoved two fingers into his own hole, stretching himself open with wet, squelching sounds.
Zi Xiao's cool fingers traced his lips, then pushed inside alongside his cock, stretching his mouth even wider.
Cheng Mo moaned around the intrusion, fucking himself harder with three fingers now.
Zi Xiao leaned down and licked his ear. "Feels good?"
Cheng Mo could only nod frantically, tears and spit everywhere.
Zi Xiao sucked hard on his nipple again, then bit down.
Cheng Mo cried out and shoved a fourth finger inside, scissoring desperately. "Please… Zi Xiao… I need it…"
He climbed into Zi Xiao's lap, lined up the massive, dripping cock with his sloppy hole, and sank down.
The fat head popped inside and Cheng Mo screamed—burning stretch, too big—but Zi Xiao gripped his hips and forced him all the way down in one savage thrust.
Every thick inch slammed home until Cheng Mo was impaled balls-deep, guts bulging, hole stretched obscenely around the root.
"Fuuuuck—!" Cheng Mo wailed, tears streaming. The pain was blinding, yet his own cock spurted a huge glob of precum.
Zi Xiao didn't move, just held him there, letting him feel every throbbing inch.
Cheng Mo's voice broke. "Zi Xiao… kiss me…"
Zi Xiao kissed him—deep, filthy, tongue fucking his mouth while his cock pulsed inside Cheng Mo's guts.
Slowly, Cheng Mo started riding—lifting until only the head remained inside, then slamming back down, ass rippling with every brutal drop. Wet, filthy slapping sounds filled the room.
"So big… you're splitting me open—ah—fuck—harder—!"
He rode faster, bouncing on Zi Xiao's lap like a whore, nipples hard, cock slapping wetly against his own stomach.
"Deeper—breed me—please—!"
Zi Xiao finally took control. He flipped Cheng Mo onto his back, threw his legs over his shoulders, and started pounding—long, vicious strokes that hammered his prostate with every thrust.
Cheng Mo screamed in ecstasy, hole clenching greedily around the pistoning cock. "Yes—right there—fuck my slutty hole—use me—fill me up—!"
Zi Xiao's thrusts grew savage. He reached down and stroked Cheng Mo's cock in time with his pounding.
The pleasure was too much. Cheng Mo's vision whited out as his cock exploded, shooting thick ropes of cum all over his own chest and face.
The moment his hole spasmed, Zi Xiao buried himself to the hilt and unloaded—jet after jet of hot, thick cum flooding Cheng Mo's guts until it overflowed and ran down his ass in creamy rivers.
Cheng Mo lay there shaking, completely wrecked, cum leaking from his gaping, ruined hole.
Zi Xiao stayed inside him, gently stroking his hair. "You're alive now."
Cheng Mo passed out in his arms.
He woke at dawn to find Zi Xiao already dressed and meditating by the bed. His own body was naked under the blanket.
Zi Xiao opened his eyes. "Awake?"
Cheng Mo's face burned scarlet. "Mm…"
He circulated his qi. The helpless arousal was gone. He could breathe normally even with Zi Xiao so close.
"Seems… better," he said hesitantly.
Zi Xiao checked his pulse. "Stable for now."
Cheng Mo gave a bitter smile. He knew the Blood Pact wasn't so easily cured.
Zi Xiao stood. "We should leave."
Outside, Xue Cai'er tried to make them stay longer, but Cheng Mo refused. After saying goodbye, they set out.
Ling Xiaolu noticed Cheng Mo's pale face. "Alliance Leader, you look unwell."
Cheng Mo forced a smile. "Just didn't sleep well. It's nothing."
Zi Xiao mounted his horse and waited.
As they rode, Zi Xiao suddenly asked, "Have you figured out why you couldn't cum last night?"
Cheng Mo's hands tightened on the reins.
Zi Xiao continued calmly, "Your body seems controlled by mine. So I filled you with my cum on purpose—to test it."
Cheng Mo reined in sharply, face ashen. "You mean… I can only… with you?"
"Just a guess," Zi Xiao said.
Cheng Mo stared at the sky for a long moment, then laughed bitterly. "Cheng Mo, you really are the biggest joke in the world…"
Zi Xiao reached over and took his hand, urging the horses forward.
"Zi Xiao?"
"Let's go," Zi Xiao said quietly. "Back to your Wulin Alliance."
Cheng Mo repeated softly, "Wulin Alliance… Martial World Conference… Alliance Leader."
Yes. He was still the Alliance Leader. He had a duty to the entire martial world.
He squeezed Zi Xiao's hand. "Thank you, Zi Xiao."
Zi Xiao gave the smallest nod and they rode on in silence.