Chapter 43

Chapter 43: The Martial Arts Alliance Assembly
Su Mo gazed at him for a moment, then suddenly burst into laughter.
Mu Bai felt bewildered: “What are you laughing at?”
He gritted his teeth, stepped forward twice, and leaned close to Su Mo’s ear: “Who gave you the right to arrange for Jinyi and Yexing to escort me back? Even if you truly couldn’t return, I would still go to the battlefield to find you.”
Su Mo raised his hand to smooth Mu Bai’s hair, sighed, and said, “Xiao Bai, you cannot accompany me there.”
“Why?”
“You have more important matters to attend to. I originally intended to let you rest in the residence for a couple of days… Never mind.” Su Mo said slowly, “Do you know about the Martial Arts Assembly?”
“The Martial Arts Assembly was traditionally held once every three years, but with the reemergence of the Red Lotus Sect and the frequent occurrence of massacres, the Chaosheng Pavilion has taken the initiative to gather the major sects and prepare to convene it ahead of schedule. This year’s assembly will be held in Liesha Zhou, located in the west of Wuti, adjacent to the ruins of the ancient Yeluo Kingdom.”
Mu Bai frowned: “How do you know this?”
If the Martial Arts Assembly were truly being convened early, it would be impossible for him not to have heard even a whisper of it.
Su Mo spoke softly, “This is the latest news from Yushu Villa. Barring any unexpected developments, the Jianghu Express will announce this tomorrow.”
Last time, Su Mo also learned of his whereabouts from the Yushu Villa outpost. Mu Bai vaguely sensed something was amiss but didn’t dwell on it, asking only, “So, what you need me to do is attend the Martial Arts Alliance Assembly?”
Su Mo nodded. “The Green Lotus Valley missed the last assembly, and other sects have already expressed considerable dissatisfaction. They should participate this time. As for Pianyu Temple, with Abbess Tingyu currently absent, even if they attend, they will likely hold little sway at the assembly.”
And as the young master of the Green Lotus Valley, if the sect participates in the Martial Arts Alliance Assembly, Mu Bai would inevitably have to appear in person.
Su Mo gently persuaded him, “Xiao Bai, return to the Prince’s Manor first. I reckon your senior sister’s letter will arrive in a couple of days.”
Mu Bai lowered his eyes, thought for a moment, then still shook his head. “I won’t go back. If the letter arrives, have Jin Yi Ye Xing forward it to me then.”
Su Mo added, “This time I’m not traveling by carriage. The Wuti Black-Maned Horse is far more spirited than the steeds of Lingyun Palace. After I put you through last night, can you still endure it?”
Better not to mention it; yet once mentioned, Mu Bai felt a dull ache throbbing deep in his tailbone.
He pressed his lips together. “I… can endure it.”
“Very well.” Su Mo, knowing persuasion would be futile, said no more. “Then let us go.”
Standing before the tall, dark-maned horse with its glossy coat beneath the palace walls, Mu Bai steeled himself with considerable mental preparation.
Su Mo vaulted onto the horse and extended a hand. Gritting his teeth, Mu Bai swung his leg over to mount; as he did, a sharp “crack” echoed from his bones, as though they were about to dislocate.
Mu Bai took a deep breath, forcing back any sound of pain.
Su Mo carefully arranged the palace robes spread across the horse’s back, lowered his eyes, and smiled softly: “Palace attire is inconvenient for riding. Since you’re coming with me, why would you wear this?”
“Didn’t you say last night that I looked beautiful in palace robes? Weren’t you unwilling to let me have just a few more glances?”
At that time, that scoundrel, taking advantage of his impending departure for battle, had coaxed Mu Bai into softening his heart, claiming he wanted to see him dressed in palace robes. Later, he even made Mu Bai wear a forehead pendant and white chalcedony… In short, all utterly perverse acts.
Su Mo sighed, “But I’d rather not let others see it.”
Mu Bai replied, “…That’s an overreaction. A couple of glances won’t hurt anyone.”
“Do you remember last time we visited the Peng residence? Peng Deshou kept staring at you the entire time?”
“…I noticed, of course. Didn’t I already drag him out and give him a good beating?” Mu Bai suddenly recalled, “Oh right, I still haven’t completed that bounty on him…”
Last time, when he infiltrated the Peng residence, his plan was not only to beat Peng Deshou but also to retrieve the evidence required for the bounty notice. Unexpectedly, a Red Lotus Sect Guardian appeared out of nowhere; before he could search, Manager Liu woke up, alerting the Peng family guards.
“Never mind, there’s no rush for a day or two.” Since no one had accepted the bounty yet, there was no worry about someone stealing the job.
“You don’t need to take on that bounty assignment anymore.”
“Huh?” Mu Bai turned around.
Su Mo said indifferently, “It was I who posted it at Yushu Villa.”
Mu Bai stared blankly for a moment before realizing, “Oh… so you’re the one seeking evidence of his crimes? In that case, once I claim this bounty, I’ll return the money to you.”
“No matter. I have already sent someone to kill him.”
“…Huh?”
Before Mu Bai could react, Su Mo had already raised his riding crop: “Giddyup—”
The black-maned horse galloped swiftly along the imperial road, leaving the palace behind and cutting through the bustling streets crowded with people.
Robes of black silk and white gauze fluttered in the wind; clad in vibrant attire atop a spirited steed, they drew countless glances from passersby lining the street.
If one ignores the pained expression on the beauty’s face, clad in white palace robes, this scene would resemble a bold and unrestrained ink-wash painting.
As the black-maned horse galloped out of the imperial capital’s gates, Mu Bai could finally endure no more; leaning back, he collapsed against Su Mo’s chest. “Dearest brother, I can’t take it anymore… It hurts so much.”
Su Mo lowered his riding crop and kissed his ear. “Be good; I’ll massage you once we reach the relay station.”
Recalling how every previous massage from Su Mo had led to unintended arousal, Mu Bai hastily straightened his spine, gritted his teeth, and said, “Better not. I can manage; I’ll be fine.”
“Oh, is that so?” A light chuckle came from behind, a warm and shallowly seductive voice drifting into his ears, making his heart flutter. “Are you really saying no?”
Mu Bai took a deep breath and declined firmly, “Stop tempting me; my resolve is far from steadfast.”
–
The letter arrived on the third day of their stay at the Baihe Relay Station.
Originally, they had planned to rest for just one night before setting off again. However, Su Mo ended up massaging Mu Bai’s lower back, which caused him such sharp pain that he nearly fell off his horse, forcing them to extend their stay for recovery.
Fortunately, Mu Bai received the letter and should now set out for Qinglian Valley; Su Mo will travel the remaining distance alone and, by quickening his pace, will arrive in time.
Mu Bai sat leaning wearily against the wall. Yesterday’s jianghu dispatch brought by Su Mo had led with news that the Martial Arts Assembly would be convened earlier than expected, and today he received a letter from his eldest senior sister; everything unfolded exactly as Su Mo had anticipated.
The letter stated that this time the Chaosheng Pavilion was sponsoring the Martial Arts Assembly, and Elder Meng had specifically demanded the young master of Qinglian Valley’s participation, likely still harboring resentment from their previous encounter and intending to wipe away that shame at this gathering.
Originally, the Martial Arts Assembly was conceived as a grand convocation of the major sects and renowned masters of the jianghu, where through competition a Supreme Leader of the Martial World would be chosen; this leader would then unite the martial community to deliberate on crucial matters and establish the codes governing the jianghu for the following three years.
But ten years ago, Luo Wangchuan, who had originally won the position of Alliance Leader with his “Flowing Wind and Returning Snow” sword technique, was publicly flicked on the forehead by Elder White Crane. He immediately abandoned the leaders of the various sects and fled, spending a long time thereafter wandering deep mountains and old forests in search of Elder White Crane’s whereabouts, completely neglecting his duties as Alliance Leader.
Then, at the next Martial Arts Assembly, Luo Wangchuan once again crushed all his opponents with sheer prowess.
Though Sword Obsessive was indeed formidable, he was not cut out to be an Alliance Leader. The other sects were unwilling to be governed by him; after negotiations, they abolished the position of Martial Arts Alliance Leader altogether.
Nevertheless, the sect that achieved victory at the Martial Arts Assembly would still retain greater influence in subsequent councils.
The Green Lotus Valley’s absence last time already provoked dissatisfaction among other sects, so the senior sister hopes that Mu Bai can use the Green Lotus Sword Technique to make a name for herself at this gathering.
Mu Bai read the letter twice carefully, then handed it to the bedside lamp shade and ignited it with the candle flame. Looking at Su Mo, he said, “Just as you said, my senior sister has instructed me to attend the martial arts tournament in the name of the Young Master of Qinglian Valley.”
Su Mo was sitting at the table reading today’s latest courier report. Upon hearing this, he raised his eyes and replied, “That works out perfectly. I’ll hire a carriage tomorrow to see you off on your journey.”
Mu Bai lowered his eyes and merely replied, “Alright.”
Su Mo set down the courier report, rose to his feet, and went downstairs to instruct the accompanying shadow guards to hire a carriage.
As the door closed, Mu Bai looked down at the pillow beside him, reached out to touch it, and found it cold to the hand.
Over these past two days, he had increasingly sensed that Su Mo’s intelligence network was both extensive and precise, and that he was secretly plotting something. This man was nothing like Peng Deshou had claimed; though he appeared to be an easy target, in truth, he had a clear understanding of the situation regarding Wu Ti and even the broader jianghu.
Su Mo issued a bounty at Yushu Manor to gather evidence of Peng Deshou’s crimes, likely aiming to undermine the Third Prince’s faction, which suggests he is not entirely without ambition for the throne. No wonder when Mu Bai merely mentioned a few ministers’ names, Su Mo immediately understood his intentions yet remained silent without revealing anything.
Mu Bai raised his hand and tapped his temples.
Compared to Su Mo, he was still too naive.
He flipped off the bed, walked to the table, picked up the courier report, and intended to see what new news there was in the jianghu today.
Yesterday’s headline was the Martial Arts Assembly; today’s is…
Mu Bai’s pupils constricted sharply.
Bold black characters on white paper declared: “A High Official of Wuti Found Dead in His Residence, Eyes Gouged Out. Who Committed This Heinous Act? A Collapse of Morality or a Distortion of Human Nature…”
At that very moment, the mastermind behind it all pushed open the door and entered.
After giving instructions to the shadow guards, Su Mo casually brought up a plate of pastries.
He offered the entire plate to Mu Bai, but Mu Bai did not take it.
“Did you send someone to do this?” Mu Bai held the express report up before him, pointing at the striking line of black characters.
Su Mo glanced at it and replied indifferently, “Yes.”
“You…” Mu Bai pressed her lips together, unsure of what to say.
He had killed before, but unless the bounty notice explicitly demanded it, or unless he encountered someone truly irredeemable like a Guardian of the Red Lotus Sect, Mu Bai typically completed his missions without taking lives lightly.
Yet according to the courier’s report, Peng Deshou’s death was so gruesome that even his eyes had been gouged out, sending an involuntary chill down Mu Bai’s spine.
“Originally, I hadn’t intended to kill him,” Su Mo said.
“So why suddenly decide to kill him… and even gouge out his eyes?”
Su Mo replied indifferently, “In the past, it didn’t matter how he and my third elder brother manipulated me, but he should never have harbored such filthy thoughts toward you… Since I sent someone, his eyes were gouged out. Had he fallen into my hands, not even a complete corpse would have remained.”
Mu Bai gazed at the dark brows and eyes before him, only then remembering that Su Mo, as the original novel’s villain, had always been ruthless; committing such an act was actually quite normal for him.
It was just that this villain had previously appeared so laid-back that his sudden display of such cruelty left Mu Bai momentarily unable to adjust.
“What’s wrong?” Su Mo raised his hand to touch Mu Bai’s forehead. “Did I scare you?”
“…Not really.” Mu Bai thought for a moment, still feeling somewhat annoyed. “Why didn’t you tell me anything?”
Su Mo smiled. “What would be the point of telling you?”
“Killing villains falls within my line of work. You could have hired me directly instead of posting a bounty at Yushu Villa. That way, there’d be no middleman taking a cut.”