Chapter Seventy-Two: Baili Mo! The Storm Approaches

Seven Luminaries Chamber of Commerce, Heavenly Jade Pavilion.

“Master, the inheritance on the back mountain has already been activated.” A voice echoed in the room.

In a secluded chamber deep within the Heavenly Jade Pavilion, a man appearing to be in his thirties sat quietly. Dressed in white, his dignified and refined bearing, coupled with an air of graceful maturity, made him the very image of a distinguished gentleman. His handsome features, tempered by the passage of time, only enhanced his allure.

Before him, on his writing desk, lay a painting. The artwork depicted a solitary figure seen from behind, standing amidst an endless expanse of mountains. One peak in particular dominated the scene, rising majestically to pierce the clouds, veiled in wisps of milky white mist that swirled about, obscuring its form.

Xia Ziwen gazed at the young woman before him, no more than sixteen or seventeen, as she offered him a formal bow. With a sigh, he said, “Rong’er, there are no outsiders here. Why not simply call me ‘Father’?”

“We are within the Pavilion, Master. Please remember your position,” Xia Rong replied softly.

“Very well, very well. Now, what is the situation on the back mountain?” Seeing his daughter’s insistence, Xia Ziwen chose not to press the matter.

“Our suspicions were correct. Baili Mo’s inheritance lies within the back mountain of Greenhill Town. That secret seal we’ve been monitoring at the Lin estate, it was Baili Mo’s legacy that was locked away,” Xia Rong reported, her flawless, delicate face calm and untroubled.

“Well then, should the Lin family consider themselves fortunate, or doomed?” Xia Ziwen mocked lightly.

“They believed they could keep this secret, yet they were unaware that many already knew of it,” he added, shaking his head. Lowering his gaze to the painting once more, he murmured, “But Lin He of the Lin family is truly a talent. Compared to Lin Tao, whom they see as their great hope, he is far superior.”

“Is Master feeling regret? Is Lin He really so extraordinary?” Xia Rong asked, unable to understand the note of lament in her father’s voice.

“If you ever meet Lin He, treat him with caution. Perhaps I do regret it somewhat—for I am always eager to find capable people. But the Moonlight Pavilion acted with such speed, and who knows what that Mister Mo did to earn Lin He’s unwavering loyalty?” Xia Ziwen gave a helpless smile.

“In any case, our focus must remain on the inheritance in the back mountain. The Moonlight Pavilion is the foremost assassin organization in the Heavenly Domain—its strength is not to be underestimated. Unless we have no other choice, there’s no need to make an enemy of them. How much time do we have?”

“Judging by the rate at which the pillar of light is retracting and the location of the secret realm, about seven days,” Xia Rong calculated after a moment’s thought.

“Tell everyone to prepare—we depart immediately,” Xia Ziwen said coolly, without looking up.

“Yes, Master,” Xia Rong replied.

“Remember: whether Baili Mo obtained immortal arts or not, that has never been our true goal. Even if such arts exist, our priority remains that object. Do you understand?” Xia Ziwen’s tone grew stern at the mention of this “object.”

“Yes,” Xia Rong answered, understanding the gravity of the matter. After a moment’s hesitation, she added, “Also—”

“What is it?” Xia Ziwen asked.

“Mother sent a secret message a few days ago. The situation there is growing ever more unstable,” Xia Rong said quietly.

A long silence followed. The faint fragrance of ink filled the room, while a slender trail of sandalwood smoke rose from a small incense burner. Xia Ziwen’s expression grew complicated as he took a deep breath. “I understand. Once this is done, we’ll return home.”

“Alright.” Xia Rong was surprised by his answer, but a hint of excitement appeared on her face as she smiled and took her leave.

Alone, Xia Ziwen stared at the painting on his desk, his expression troubled. His clean, slender hands gently caressed the scroll as he murmured, “Is the item from that box truly in your possession, Baili Mo?”

Within the painting, the figure’s long robe fluttered as if in a dream, his silhouette growing ever more ethereal against the towering, cloud-piercing mountain—unreal and indistinct.

Lin Estate, Main Hall.

Crash! The head of the Lin family, Lin Ling, hurled a vase to the floor. His already stern face was contorted with fury, veins bulging as his eyes blazed.

“Why? Why has it come to this? Can anyone explain what’s happening?” Lin Ling roared at the elders standing nearby with heads bowed. “Years of painstaking effort, all for nothing?”

“How did our people fail to discover that breaking the seal would lead to this? Did I not warn that every step must be taken with caution?”

“Such a catastrophe! There’s no hiding it now! All our resources, all our manpower poured into this, and now we’ve prepared a gift for the whole world!”

His enraged shouts filled the hall as he slammed his palm onto the wooden table, shattering it instantly. The four legs pierced through the stone floor, which cracked and caved in.

“Patriarch, the records state that Baili Mo’s cultivation far surpassed ours. At that level, his actions were beyond our comprehension. Had the seal not weakened over the centuries, we’d never have been able to open it. None of us could have foreseen this outcome,” one of the Lin family members ventured, despite his trepidation.

“So! We’re to swallow this loss? If the main branch investigates, the charge of ‘traitor’ will be carved into our very bones! Then they’ll have all the excuse they need to destroy us!” Lin Ling’s fury did not abate.

“Patriarch, please consider the greater good. Now is not the time for anger—you must lead us,” another elder urged.

“The greater good? What good is there left? Send someone to inform the main branch at once—tell them everything. Clean up the secret realm at the estate. Not a trace must remain!”

“But if we do that, all our years of labor—” protested a middle-aged man with greying temples, bearing a resemblance to Lin Ling.

“If we don’t, there will be no Lin family left in Greenhill Town! Our original intent was to lead the family to greater heights, not destroy it with our own hands!” Lin Ling fought to contain his wrath.

After a moment’s deliberation, Lin Ling chose to endure this humiliation for the sake of the Lin family’s survival, no matter the cost.

“But even so, the main branch is not foolish. They’ll still discover something,” Lin Yan persisted.

“Don’t you see? I’m doing this for them to see! I want them to recognize our attitude! If fortune favors us, perhaps they’ll allow us to survive by the skin of our teeth!” Lin Ling glared at his brother, his anger intensifying at the man’s persistent coveting of the family seat.

“And what of Tao’er?” another asked.

“I will explain everything to Tao’er myself. You needn’t concern yourselves. For now, deal with anyone who knows too much!” Lin Ling commanded, his brow tightly furrowed. “Do whatever it takes! Reach our people inside the black pillar of light—tell them to act swiftly and leave no one alive! Time is not on our side!”

“Yes!” the assembly answered in unison.

Sitting back in his chair, Lin Ling pressed his fingers to his brow, breathing heavily. A long, weary sigh escaped him. If this matter were not handled well, he feared he would forever bear the name of the Lin family’s traitor, and years of effort would be lost.

The inheritance is about to begin; storm clouds are gathering.