Chapter 110: Change of Plans—Freeze Her!
After a full day of non-stop travel, Xiao Yuan and his two companions finally neared the outskirts of Yancheng. When the blazing sun in the sky gave way to the cool silver moon, the silhouette of a massive city radiating a fierce aura came into view.
Bathed in moonlight, the distant black city shimmered with a cold luster, like an ancient beast coiled and waiting in the dark.
The trio landed several hundred meters outside the city for a brief rest, then changed into loose black cloaks that fully concealed their figures. The hoods over their heads hid their faces entirely.
Though none of them feared the Mo Clan, it was best to settle things discreetly. Besides, Hai Bodong wasn't keen on clashing directly with Misty Cloud Sect. That powerful entity still carried enough weight to make even the former Ice Emperor tread carefully.
Of course, Xiao Yuan understood this. If Hai Bodong were acting alone, even Misty Cloud Sect wouldn't dare press him. But now that he had returned to the Mittel Family, everything had to be considered with consequences in mind.
It was the standard rule of strong powerhouses in the Jia Ma Empire: if you made a move, you denied it. No one could force a Dou Huang to admit to anything without proof. If you had no evidence—tough luck.
If Hai Bodong really wanted to go all-out, he wouldn't hide his hand. That just wasn't his style.
But this time, he needed to act without making it absolute. He wanted plausible deniability. That was the unspoken rule among the top cultivators in the empire.
Xiao Yuan, however, had other plans.
He intended to bring Yun Yun in directly. As the Sect Leader of Misty Cloud Sect, finding and purging a corrupt former subordinate was only natural.
In fact, this could be a great chance to clean up the sect's image.
Yun Yun was kind-hearted and usually avoided extreme measures. But if the internal behavior of a sect member endangered its very survival, she could be absolutely decisive.
At least, she was one of the few in the sect who still acted with reason.
This time, the Mo Clan had only provoked two Dou Huangs on the surface.
But what about next time?
If the clan's organ-harvesting practices were exposed, Misty Cloud Sect's reputation would take a huge hit.
With all that in mind, Xiao Yuan trusted Yun Yun to make the right call.
"Kid, what did you mean by saying three Dou Huangs? Don't tell me you've got a terrifying force hidden inside you like your little monster brother."
Having finished changing, Hai Bodong finally asked with a sigh.
"Oh, not that. She might show up a little late. We'll go gather some intel first. The Mo Clan probably won't be wiped out, but they're definitely getting knocked to the bottom of Yancheng's power rankings."
Xiao Yuan smiled cryptically.
"The times really have changed. Back in my day, we were so much more innocent."
Hai Bodong looked exasperated and slightly nostalgic.
"Hehe, Elder Hai, you're being modest. For someone who made it big in the Mittel Family, I'm sure your younger self had a sharp mind."
Xiao Yuan smiled calmly.
"Bah, fine. I won't argue with you, brat. Let's see how you play this scene with the Mo Clan!"
Despite not being talkative in his youth, Hai Bodong had grown a little chattier with age. Now that Xiao Yuan had inherited his techniques, Hai viewed him like family—and teased him accordingly.
If old friends saw this version of Hai Bodong, their jaws would drop.
The trio strolled down the wide road toward the towering city.
As they approached the gates, they saw dozens of fully armored guards standing on both sides of the walls. Their sharp eyes scanned every passerby.
All three frowned slightly. This place was far from the imperial border—why was the security tighter than in Mo City?
Especially Hai Bodong. He clearly remembered from his last visit that there weren't this many guards.
They exchanged glances in confusion, but said nothing, quietly entering the city in line with the crowd.
Inside, the streets were packed with people and lavish stores on both sides, dazzling with opulence.
"Let's find a place to stay first," Xiao Yuan said, seeing exhaustion on Xiao Yan's face and Hai Bodong's drowsy expression. "I'll go gather information after. You two should rest."
"Agreed," Hai Bodong nodded. The situation was still unclear, and rest was vital. Even if the Mo Clan couldn't threaten him, keeping himself in peak form had long been a habit.
After all, sometimes it was that final bit of Dou Qi that determined life or death.
Xiao Yan didn't object. His strength was the lowest among the three, and his endurance and Dou Qi reserves couldn't match theirs.
Though he'd been flown here, he still expended energy. Rest was welcome.
Both brothers followed this principle: rest when it's time to rest, fight with everything when it's time to fight.
As they walked, Xiao Yan glanced around the crowded, luxurious shops in amazement. When they reached the end of the street, he chuckled.
"Third brother, I counted. This street has 103 stores. Seventy-four of them have the 'Mo' character in the signage. Looks like the Mo Clan really is the overlord of Yancheng."
"They've definitely grown. When I last came here, several factions could still compete with them."
Hai Bodong looked around and nodded.
"They've just been riding Misty Cloud Sect's coattails," Xiao Yuan said indifferently. "Small and mid-tier factions don't dare mess with them, and large factions avoid conflict due to fear of Misty Cloud Sect. So, even if the Mo Clan goes overboard, no one touches them.
In this empire, Misty Cloud Sect's influence might even surpass the royal family in some ways."
"Misty Cloud Sect is that strong?" Xiao Yan asked.
"Xiao Yuan's not wrong," Hai Bodong said seriously. "They may not look terrifying on the surface, but after nine generations, countless powerhouses have come out of Misty Cloud Sect. Many now operate across the empire—or even beyond it. In a way, they're like the sect's extended limbs.
As a whole, their power is frightening."
"Even I wouldn't want to provoke them lightly," he added. "I have some ties with the previous sect leader. Just be careful not to overdo it, kid. You don't want to make a real enemy of them."
"Don't worry, Elder Hai. I'm doing them a favor. If anyone's offended, it's them offending me."
Xiao Yuan smiled coolly.
Hai Bodong nodded, a bit intrigued.
He really wanted to see how this kid would handle things.
Eventually, they found themselves in front of an opulent inn called Mo Flower Courtyard.
"Looks decent. Let's stay here," Xiao Yuan suggested.
"Sure."
They walked in and saw the lobby packed with people.
Xiao Yuan discreetly activated Listening to the Whispering Wind to eavesdrop.
"One more month and it'll be Mo Cheng's birthday. Looks like these people are here early to celebrate."
He smirked and whispered to Hai Bodong.
"Hello, we'd like three rooms," Xiao Yan said to the front desk.
The pretty maid behind the counter brightened slightly when her gaze paused on Xiao Yuan's face.
"Sir, may I ask… do you have a Mo Clan invitation?"
"Invitation?" Xiao Yan frowned. "We need an invitation just to stay in the city?"
"Apologies, sir. Mo Flower Courtyard is Mo Clan property. During this period, we only accept Mo guests."
She smiled politely.
"Hmph, refusing business to paying customers?"
Xiao Yan shook his head and looked at Xiao Yuan.
Xiao Yuan smiled casually.
"So, can you recommend another inn?"
"All the other inns have been reserved by the Mo Clan. They're only hosting Mo guests… I'm really sorry."
She looked embarrassed.
"Tsk, the Mo Clan is pretty overbearing."
Hai Bodong snorted.
First time in years a Dou Huang had nowhere to stay.
The maid's face paled. No one dared criticize the Mo Clan publicly—she couldn't rebuke a guest either, especially one so powerful.
Xiao Yuan didn't want to make things hard for her and was about to suggest leaving—
When suddenly, a black shadow cracked against the counter with a smack!
"Where'd these bumpkins come from, daring to insult my Mo Clan in Yancheng?"
A mocking female voice rang out from Xiao Yuan's left.
Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan exchanged odd glances.
Hai Bodong—called a bumpkin?
Alright then. Someone clearly had a death wish.
Naturally, Hai Bodong wouldn't kill over a petty insult, but a Dou Huang's dignity couldn't be trampled.
"What do you think?" he asked Xiao Yuan calmly, eyes gleaming coldly.
"It's fine. If they don't want our business, we'll leave. The Mo Clan's strongest isn't even a Dou Ling."
Xiao Yuan could tell Hai Bodong didn't want this minor matter to derail the plan. But he wasn't one to let an insult slide either.
Plans were made to be changed anyway—and with the Mo Clan's mountain of crimes, evidence was everywhere. Even baseless accusations would turn out true eventually.
After all, normal people couldn't even imagine their atrocities.
With a nod, Hai Bodong waved his hand.
A burst of icy mist swirled around the red-clad woman who had insulted him. The air froze instantly, sealing her in a coffin of ice.
Then, the three finally turned toward the source of the voice.
It was a group of youths. The girl now trapped in ice had been wearing tight red clothes, her voluptuous body exposed by a thigh-high skirt. Her whip had been the earlier black shadow.
Those watching in the lobby—including her fancy companions—were all stunned.
(END CHAPTER)
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