"No, even though I agreed to your challenge, I will only take part if one of my disciples willingly steps forward to fight," Yu Hao declared, his voice calm yet resolute. He wasn't someone who forced others into battle.
There was a large crowd watching, and if he pressured anyone, not only would his personal honour be tarnished, but the dignity of his sect would also be dragged through the mud. If disciples were being forced into wagers, who in their right mind would ever join the Iron Clad Sect? Wouldn't their lives always be at stake then?
"Master, allow me to take the fight!" Feng Rui stepped forward with unwavering resolve, his voice respectful and clear.
"Are you certain of this?" Yu Hao asked, giving him one last chance to reconsider.
"Yes, I am," Feng Rui replied without hesitation.
"Then I won't stop you... go ahead." Yu Hao gave a firm nod, entrusting the battle to him.
With steady footsteps, Feng Rui advanced and halted at the designated spot. His voice rang out with pride as he walked, each word echoing across the gathering.
"I am Feng Rui, a chosen disciple of the Iron Clad Sect, guided by Master Yu Hao himself. I accept your challenge with honour."
Yang Zhai observed the entire exchange in silence, eyes unreadable. But just then, he caught a whisper behind him.
"Do you know why Master Yu Hao seemed so provoked? I heard it's because he used to be one of Del Mo's slaves. When war erupted between the Iron Clad Sect and the Moonlight Sect, the former sect master took in many slaves from Moonlight Sect. Among them was Yu Hao. He stood out, became a favourite of the sect master, and rose to the position of elder—unlike the others who remained slaves," a servant murmured discreetly into Zuh Qil's ear.
Yang Zhai said nothing, but quietly absorbed every word, his mind working behind his composed expression.
Some people love pretending to be all-knowing, and in doing so, they unknowingly spill secrets better kept buried. Even though Zuh Qil hadn't asked anything, the servant had gone ahead and released a flood of information he had been holding back like molten lava.
No wonder Yu Hao accepted Del Mo's provocation despite being a veteran. It touched his past, his pride. When you wound a person's ego, it can shatter them more than any weapon. Pride, after all, can crumble mountains. Yang Zhai reflected on this bitter truth, his eyes calm.
"No, I will select a fighter of my own," Del Mo said coldly, rejecting the idea of letting Mil Do Nim face Feng Rui.
"Then forget the duel entirely, I cannot participate in an unfair fight," Yu Hao replied, his tone firm, unwavering.
"Yu Hao… you've really grown," Del Mo began speaking, her voice taking on a strange fondness. "Do you remember how you used to trail behind me when you were young? You said you'd serve me until your dying breath…" She paused, her lips curling into a smirk. "I wanted to raise my husband with my own hands. That's why I let you bond with me when you were only thirteen years old… or have you forgotten?"
At that moment, Li Min turned to look at Yu Hao, her gaze strange and unreadable.
"You're crossing the line now, Del Mo," Yu Hao said, his voice cool but with an undertone of barely restrained rage, his eyes narrowing.
"What line?" Del Mo shrugged, amused. "We crossed every line years ago. You were addicted to me, remember?"
"Del Mo… you were always the one pulling the strings," Yu Hao muttered, voice low, as if bitter memories had begun to resurface.
"Yu Hao, want to hear something impressive?" she said, her smile widening. "I never manipulated you. Not once. Everything you did was of your own free will. You wanted it, needed it—that was your truth." Her words were gentle, but they struck like a blade.
Yu Hao's expression shifted, barely perceptibly. His right hand clenched tightly, knuckles whitening.
Del Mo noticed the change instantly, and like a predator smelling blood, she pounced.
"You know why your companions who were taken with you died? Because they couldn't become loyal. You, however, survived. Not because you were stronger—but because you were loyal. The Iron Clad Sect couldn't trust the others, so they sent them on a mission... and let them die. All of them. You were the only one spared."
Yu Hao's eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "You're lying…"
"Yu Hao, the higher-ups are like puppeteers. You still think the world is fair. But you're too naive. Everything happens behind curtains, in silence. Even you... you thought I was controlling you, but in truth, you wanted to be controlled. You let it happen because it gave you comfort. This world isn't ruled by strength or love or wisdom—it's something far darker…"
"People… They are the most terrifying creatures in existence. We survived wars against heaven and hell alike, and you know why? Not because of power, not courage, not love, not even intellect. Otherwise, sages would rule the world. No, the most dangerous weapon is something else. But never mind… if you think I'm wrong, ask your sect master. See if he denies it. I never imprisoned you. I never hurt you. I didn't kill your loved ones. So tell me—why do you hate me?"
"Fine. I try to control others. But that's all I know. I was taught to survive that way. Should I have just let myself die instead? Yet, even now, you paint me as the villain. So tell me… who is truly controlling you? Me… or the Iron Clad Sect? Did you ever feel trapped in the Moonlight Sect? Did you ever once feel like a prisoner there? But, after leaving the Iron Clad Sect…your whole perspective changed."
Throughout her speech, Del Mo kept smiling faintly, like someone watching a play they had written unfold on stage.
Yang Zhai observed Yu Hao with an unreadable gaze. Yu Hao's face was visibly shaken, cracks forming in his usual composure.
What she's using now is the deadliest weapon of all—doubt. If wielded properly, it can unmake any man. Even if Yu Hao hadn't known her before, this would still have rattled him. But with their shared past, her words cut far deeper. She's already planted the seed in his heart. Now it's only a matter of time before that seed becomes a storm. But, for now, I must act. If I delay, she might ruin my plans too. I need Mil Do Nim on our side. Looks like I have no other path left. I will help you this time Yu Hao, do not disappoint me, Yang Zhai decided.
Zuh Qil's hand came to rest gently on Yang Zhai's right shoulder. Yang Zhai glanced back, and Zuh Qil simply shook his head.
"As you wish, Master Zuh," Yang Zhai said softly, bowing his head and taking a step back.
Zuh Qil moved forward, positioning himself beside Yu Hao like a shield.
And behind him, Yang Zhai too stepped ahead, the air tense with calm.
"Elder Yu Hao, Master Zuh wishes to compete. Believe me, he's far stronger than Feng Rui. If Master Zuh enters the fight, you might just find yourself with a new prodigy," the voice was firm, confident. But behind the words, Yang Zhai's mind churned. Since he was already involved, the butterfly effect had likely begun to ripple. Had Zuh Qil not been here, Del Mo might have chosen Feng Rui… or perhaps Jin Su or Min Ho—both of whom would've been present if Yang Zhai hadn't ordered them to stay behind and repair the room. Now, the pieces had shifted. He needed to tread carefully. No mistakes could be made.
At first, I wanted to let Feng Rui check the waters for me, but Del Mo directly went for Yu Hao. I cannot lose him before reaching the Iron Clad Sect or…we might get attacked on our way back.
Yu Hao snapped out of his daze, startled by the words. His gaze shifted to Zuh Qil with disbelief. A layer of sweat had formed on his brow, glistening under the sunlight.
"Ah… good. Since my disciple has now agreed, let's move forward. Send whoever you wish. Stop wasting time with all this nonsense. I've got far too many matters demanding my attention," Yu Hao said, trying to regain his composure with a tone that sounded impatient but was clearly defensive. He agreed without even looking after waking from his stupor. I was almost on the brink of betraying.
Del Mo's gaze slid from Zuh Qil to Yang Zhai, her sharp mind racing.
Why now? Why did he have to interfere at this moment? I was so close. I had Yu Hao dangling on the edge. Yes, I've already planted the seed of doubt in his heart, but I intended to take him with me today. And yet…why does this kid seem off? Why do I feel like he's the master—not the Zuh boy? As someone who's walked the path of control, I can feel it—this one isn't ordinary instinct. Something doesn't add up.
Yang Zhai had stopped Zuh Qil at first—and Zuh Qil had obeyed without question. But now, without warning, Zuh Qil wished to fight. And Yang Zhai didn't stop him. In fact, he encouraged Yu Hao to let Zuh Qil fight. That…was the link she had missed. The dynamics didn't make sense. She suddenly felt that Yang Zhai might be the true master here, but couldn't explain how or why she thought of this.
It was just that as she walked the path of control, so she had a natural instinct that a mind game was being played here.
It was subtle. Too subtle for most eyes to notice. But not impossible to detect. And that was the danger. Yang Zhai knew full well that if someone looked closely enough, they might begin to doubt his role. They might begin to question who was truly pulling the strings. But he had no other choice. Some risks were unavoidable, even for him.
!|!*****!*****!|!