Chapter 162: The Cruel Truth! A Choice!
Mu Changlan's motive for approaching Xiahou Jinxuan and the others wasn't entirely pure, but it couldn't be considered malicious either—because she had no idea what Mo Yi's real intentions were. From her perspective, it was no different from the usual intelligence transactions.
Moreover, Mo Yi had always used the alias "Kumu" when acting in the human world. Mu Changlan didn't even know who he truly was.
So, Chu Yang didn't see her as a bad person, but she did bear responsibility for her actions.
"Miss Mu, I can step in and help—but before I do, isn't there something you haven't told us yet?"
Chu Yang watched her closely, hoping she would confess her dealings with Mo Yi before it was too late.
Mu Changlan, feeling guilty, suddenly panicked and blurted out, "How did you know?!"
Chu Yang replied, "Xie Cangxing and the others have spent enough time with you that they've gotten used to you. But to an outsider, your thoughts are written all over your face."
Mu Changlan clenched her jaw tightly.
"Big Sis Mu, if there's something you need to say, just say it. We've been traveling together for so long—we're friends by now, aren't we? Or... do you not see us that way?"
Xia looked hurt as she spoke.
Emotionally overwhelmed, Mu Changlan responded, "Of course not! I've long seen you as my own sister!"
"Then what is it that has you so torn?" Xia asked, unable to understand.
Mu Changlan's expression twisted with inner turmoil before she finally sighed and said, "I made a mistake. I was afraid you'd all hate me, so I didn't dare say anything."
Judging from Chu Yang's earlier attitude, Jiang Cheng suddenly realized something and said in a grave tone, "Miss Mu... do you know the mastermind Chu Sect Master was referring to?"
Mu Changlan nodded with difficulty.
Xia covered her mouth in shock, retreating instinctively as if trying to put distance between them.
Mu Changlan gave a bitter smile. "You probably won't believe me, but I truly didn't know that man's real identity. I was just trading information with him, that's all."
"What kind of information?" Xie Cangxing asked, stroking his chin.
"Mostly about Xia and Jiang Cheng's recent activities, and Young Master Xiahou as well," Mu Changlan answered. "But I swear it was only about relaying information—I never did anything to harm any of you!"
Xiahou Jinxuan frowned. "It's understandable that he was interested in Xia and Brother Jiang. But why would he want to know about me? That part's a little odd."
"Yeah, exactly! What, I'm not even worth spying on now? Who's he looking down on, huh?" Xie Cangxing joked with feigned indignation.
Tears welled in Xia's eyes as she choked out, "So from the moment we met in Bixi Village, everything was already part of a plan? Even you helping me deal with those thugs?"
Mu Changlan no longer tried to hide the truth and nodded honestly. "Those thugs were people I arranged. I created trouble on purpose so I could come in and 'help' you, gaining your trust."
Jiang Cheng shook his head helplessly. "I always thought that situation felt strange. I even suspected you had an ulterior motive—but I didn't expect this."
Chu Yang explained, "Mo Yi's goal was to expose your demon bloodline at the right moment, isolate you from your companions, and leave you utterly alone—so he could control you at will."
"Ultimately, he wants you to gather all the half-demons drifting through the human world and force open the seal beneath the Demon-Sealing Tower on Shu Mountain."
Jiang Cheng broke into a cold sweat just imagining that scene—it filled him with hopeless despair.
Mu Changlan apologized in shame, unable to meet Jiang Cheng's gaze.
"Miss Mu, none of what Sect Master Chu described has happened yet. Now that we know the truth, we can stop things from spiraling into disaster."
Xiahou Jinxuan reassured her. "Instead of apologizing for what hasn't happened, it's better to gather your strength and figure out how to make things right."
Xia took a deep breath. "The bookworm's right. Sis Mu, I'm furious—but I still choose to forgive you. But from now on, you can't hide anything from us again."
Mu Changlan nodded repeatedly.
Still confused, Jiang Cheng looked at Chu Yang and asked, "Sect Master Chu, no matter what happens, the demon bloodline within me is a fact. The truth will come out sooner or later—what am I supposed to do then?"
Chu Yang pondered for a moment before answering, "I suggest you find an opportunity to speak privately with Lord Ouyang. He's broad-minded. Even if he can't accept your heritage, he won't make things difficult for you."
"If the Broken Sword Manor of the Ouyang family ever refuses to accept you, Shu Mountain will always have a place for you."
"And not just you. Any half-demon who's never harmed innocent lives—I'll give them a home and a chance to live with dignity."
His declaration moved everyone in the hall.
It was hard to imagine how much courage and resolve it took for the head of Shu Mountain to say something like that.
His words gave Jiang Cheng some much-needed hope and helped calm his doubts.
Xie Cangxing scratched his head with a grin. "I'd love for Brother Jiang to come to Shu Mountain with us, but as your friend, I still hope you get what you want and stay at Broken Sword Manor."
Jiang Cheng nodded gratefully.
"Don't worry," Xia added, "we'll go with you and help explain everything to your master. I'm sure he'll understand. Sect Master Chu said we can't judge right and wrong based on race alone."
But after careful thought, Jiang Cheng still declined. "It's better if I speak to him alone..."
Seeing him getting stubborn again, Xia turned to Xiahou Jinxuan. "Bookworm, you talk to him!"
But Xiahou Jinxuan had been silent, head bowed, deep in thought. He didn't respond.
Xia leaned over and patted his back. "What are you thinking about?"
Startled, Xiahou Jinxuan patted his chest to calm himself. "I was just thinking about this Mo Yi guy... Why would he want information on me? I'm no more connected to him than Brother Xie is."
Xia nodded. "It is pretty strange."
Mu Changlan asked, "Could it be that he actually knows you, but you've forgotten?"
"That's impossible," Xiahou Jinxuan replied. "Didn't Sect Master Chu say that Mo Yi can't descend into the human world himself? Unless... the puppet he controls met me before."
"If it was just a brief encounter," Jiang Cheng said, "he wouldn't need your information. Most likely, you didn't just meet the puppet—you knew it very well."
Both Jiang Cheng and Xiahou Jinxuan were highly intelligent. From a few clues, they were already closing in on the truth.
Since they'd already guessed so much, Chu Yang decided to just say it outright—he might as well spoil the whole thing.
"Mo Yi found two bodies during the earthquake. One was Xia. The other—was the second elder of the Xiahou family, Xiahou Tao."
Xiahou Jinxuan froze, stunned by what he'd just heard.
He simply couldn't accept the cruel truth.
"That's impossible… It can't be!"
Normally calm and refined, Xiahou Jinxuan showed hysteria in front of everyone for the first time.
Only now did he understand how hopeless Jiang Cheng must've felt after learning he was a demon.
Had anyone else told him this, he would've called them crazy. But so far, Chu Yang hadn't spoken a single falsehood.
Xiahou Jinxuan had always been close to his second uncle. Their personalities were a perfect match, and because Xiahou Zhang had been busy with official matters, his upbringing had been entirely entrusted to Xiahou Tao.
Recalling his uncle's careful instruction over the years, he refused to believe that the man could be a lie. But his reason told him otherwise—Chu Yang was telling the truth.
"It's said that the second elder rarely left the family estate due to health issues and managed the Xiahou family business from home. Under his guidance, their enterprise has flourished."
Mu Changlan recited what she knew, also struggling to link Xiahou Tao to Kumu—Mo Yi.
Xiahou Jinxuan remained dazed.
Jiang Cheng, concerned, reminded him, "Young Master Xiahou, what matters most right now is Lord Xiahou's safety. If that man truly is Mo Yi, who knows what he might do to your father?"
The mention of his father finally snapped him out of it. He stepped forward anxiously. "No—I need to tell Father right away!"
But Jiang Cheng stopped him. "Your father won't believe it so easily. Even if it's from Sect Master Chu himself, if he confronts Mo Yi directly, it'll only tip him off."
"But—" Xiahou Jinxuan was at a loss. "I can't just stand by and watch my father walk into danger!"
"As long as he feels everything is under control, your father won't be in danger," Jiang Cheng said. "We just need to act carefully on our end."
Xia turned her big, watery eyes toward Chu Yang. "Sect Master, you're so powerful. Can't you just destroy that guy?"
Chu Yang paused before answering, "Of course I can destroy Mo Yi. But how we deal with him—or with the Yasha Kingdom—that's up to you. Whether we choose to kill or to save... it all hinges on your decision."
Silence fell over the side hall.
Earlier, Chu Yang had explained that the whole affair stemmed from the demon realm's water veins running dry. The Yasha Kingdom had only two options: repair the veins or migrate en masse to the human world in search of a new home.
Mo Yi's methods were ruthless, but without him, Xia wouldn't have survived—and Xiahou Jinxuan was practically raised and educated by him.
Now that his emotions had calmed, Xiahou Jinxuan couldn't bring himself to face the man with the intent to kill.
Xie Cangxing and Mu Changlan were outsiders in this matter and had no say. In the end, everyone's gaze fell on Jiang Cheng. If not for Chu Yang revealing the truth, he would've been the one most tragically manipulated—so it was only right that he make the final decision.
"Sect Master Chu said that we can't judge right and wrong based on race alone. Regardless of whether Mo Yi deserves to die, the people of the Yasha Kingdom are innocent. I want to save them."
Now knowing that he was a descendant of Chiyou, Jiang Cheng no longer resented the demons. In fact, he began to see them as ordinary people.
"Well, if Brother Jiang doesn't mind, then I don't either," Xie Cangxing said breezily.
"When did you get to speak for all of us?" Mu Changlan frowned. "Not that I object either."
Xie Cangxing sighed, giving her a helpless look. He didn't know why he always managed to annoy her.
Chu Yang swept a sharp gaze over everyone. "Repairing the water veins requires the Shennong Cauldron and the Water Spirit Pearl. The Shennong Cauldron is currently missing. So for now, take the Water Spirit Pearl to Mingzhou and have a frank talk with Mo Yi."
"If it goes well, great. If not, I'll step in myself. I just hope Mo Yi doesn't let ambition cloud his judgment."
Jiang Cheng nodded. "Then I'll head to Mingzhou first. After that, I'll speak with my master about my Chiyou lineage."
Xia and Xie Cangxing said they'd go with Jiang Cheng and Xiahou Jinxuan back to Mingzhou.
Only Mu Changlan still looked nervously at Chu Yang.
Chu Yang said, "As for the matter of Twilight Mist Village, wait until you return from Mingzhou to deal with it."
Hearing his reply, Mu Changlan let out a long sigh of relief. Her face lit up with excitement. Just thinking that her brother and the villagers could return to normal made her so happy she wanted to shout for joy.
After wrapping everything up, Chu Yang led the group out of the side hall and returned to the main hall.
As soon as they came back, countless curious gazes landed on Jiang Cheng. Everyone seemed quite interested in his background.
Jiang Cheng didn't say much. He silently returned to the Ouyang family's area and cupped his fists in salute to Ouyang Ying.
Although Ouyang Ying said nothing, he was just as curious about Jiang Cheng's origins. He stared at Jiang Cheng's face, hoping to catch some clue from his expression—but Jiang Cheng's face was as cold as ice.
Left with no choice, he could only wait to ask later.
Back in the main hall, Chu Yang was pulled aside by Qingwei to catch up on old times with the people of Qingyun Sect. During their conversation, they suddenly brought up Qingyun Sect's once-every-few-decades event—the Seven Peaks Martial Meet.
Daoist Master Daoxuan chuckled and suggested, "Brother Qingwei, our two sects are like family. Since this rare chance to meet has come up, why don't we have the Shu Mountain Sect join this martial meet too?"
Qingwei looked hesitant. Even with sword flight, traversing the vast Ten Thousand Great Mountains was still a risky venture.
Chu Yang smiled and said, "I think it's a great idea. But how about holding the event here instead? Since you've already made the trip."
Daoist Master Daoxuan nodded with a pleased smile. "No problem."
Suddenly, the old master of Fragrant Valley, Yun Yilan, popped in and let out a hearty laugh. "Since Shu Mountain is joining Qingyun Sect's Seven Peaks Martial Meet, why don't we of Fragrant Valley join in for some fun too?"
Daoist Master Daoxuan immediately felt troubled. The Shu Mountain Sect was invited to exchange sword techniques—but what business did Fragrant Valley have here?
Just as he was racking his brain for a polite way to turn Yun Yilan down, Chu Yang's voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
"Sure, why not."
Yun Yilan's real goal was to make the name of Fragrant Valley known across the Central Plains. The region's prosperity had stirred in him the ambition to establish a sub-sect here.
In truth, he wanted to cling to Shu Mountain's coattails.
A sect that could interact with both gods and demons—such a legend existed only in myth in their region. How could Yun Yilan, with his grand ambitions, not be tempted?
Coincidentally, Master Puhong of Tianyin Temple also expressed interest in joining. His reasoning was similar to Yun Yilan's—since the Buddhist sects in the Central Plains were barely visible, if they came over, they'd practically dominate the scene.
With these two sects fanning the flames, what was originally just the Seven Peaks Martial Meet suddenly turned into the "Great Martial Assembly of the World."
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