Battle Through the Heavens: Beauties Abound Starting with Yunlan and Her Disciples

231: Section 231Old Master Mo, the patriarch of the Mo Family, who was originally chatting and laughing with the guests, heard this news and was instantly struck by lightning, nearly jumping out of his chair in shock!

The festive smile of a birthday celebrant on his face vanished without a trace, replaced by unbelievable shock and a hint of imperceptible panic!

”Quick! Come with me to greet them!”

Old Master Mo almost scrambled out of the banquet hall, personally leading a group of direct descendants of the Mo Family to the mansion gate at the fastest speed, waiting respectfully for their arrival.

When he saw the three young men and women, with their exceptional aura, slowly walking out of the rain like celestial beings...

Mo Cheng quickly put on an extremely humble, respectful, and even somewhat fawning smile, bowing deeply and speaking with a slight tremor in his voice:

”Oh my! I didn’t know the three Young Sect Leaders would grace us with their presence. This old man has failed to welcome you from afar, a sin! A grave sin!” ”The Young Sect Leaders’ personal visit truly makes my humble Mo Residence... bloom with brilliance! Shine brightly!”

His solicitous manner, as if he couldn’t lower himself enough, if seen by an uninformed person, would only make them think that this Old Master Mo was truly the Cloud Mist Sect’s most loyal and reliable ”loyal Servant”!

162 Full of distinguished guests?

”Please! Young Sect Leaders, please take your seats!”

Mo Cheng personally led the way, inviting Yun Xiancheng and the other two to the most honored seats in the banquet hall.

At Old Master Mo’s birthday banquet, the most prominent figures were not the birthday celebrant himself, but rather these three young ”distinguished guests” from the Cloud Mist Sect. Mo Cheng himself could only take a subordinate seat.

Yun Xiancheng unceremoniously took his seat at the main position in the center.

Nalan Yanran and Xiao Yan, like two conjoined lotus flowers, knelt on his left and right sides respectively.

The two of them, with great understanding, each extended a hand and gently held Yun Xiancheng’s hand, silently demonstrating their extraordinary intimate relationship to everyone present.

As for Yun Ziyi, Yun Yan, and Qing Lin, they did not come along.

Yun Ziyi knew that this was the best time for Xiao Yan to face her enemy and temper her mind, so she did not interfere too much. Thus, she held an umbrella, used a breath-concealing technique, and quietly hid her figure, taking the two little lolis with her.

She sat like a ghost on a nearby large, leafy tree, observing everything that was about to happen in the Mo Residence from what she considered the best vantage point.

Xiao Yan knelt beside Yun Xiancheng, looking at the Mo Family Head who, a moment ago, had cruelly attacked her brother, but now was bowing and fawning. Her heart was filled with immense confusion and bewilderment.

How... how did things turn out like this?

Why would this Mo Cheng, who seemed so respectful and fearful of the Cloud Mist Sect, have dared to be so audacious as to secretly instruct the Sand Mercenary Group to ambush her brother’s Mo Tie Mercenary Group?

Could it be... he didn’t know that Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were her, Xiao Yan’s, biological brothers? They were the Young Sect Master of Cloud Mist Sect’s eldest brother-in-law and second brother-in-law?! If he knew... it doesn’t make sense.

Xiao Yan clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

Her mind felt like a tangled mess, her thoughts chaotic and disorganized, yet she couldn’t find a clear thread, nor did she know... what to do next.

Just then, a warm large hand gently rested on her shoulder. Yun Xiancheng’s voice, as if carrying some kind of magic, softly whispered in her ear: ”Remember, Yaner.”

”Treat our enemies as cruelly and mercilessly as bitter winter, leaving no room for leniency.”

This was Yun Xiancheng’s lifelong motto — and perhaps, it was gradually becoming the shared motto of their ”big family.”

Nalan Yanran, who was beside them, didn’t fully understand the ins and outs of the situation, but she had almost blind trust in her Senior Brother. She knew that as long as she followed her Senior Brother’s arrangements, there would be no mistake.

She didn’t ask further, but simply watched the fidgeting Mo Family Head below with cold, sharp eyes.

Mo Cheng felt a chill in his heart from Nalan Yanran’s icy gaze, and a fine layer of cold sweat seeped onto his forehead. But he still forced a smile and cautiously probed:

”I wonder if the Young Sect Master finds anything in my Mo Family’s arrangements to be less than thorough or inappropriate?”

Just then, a Servant rushed in, leaned close to Mo Cheng’s ear, and whispered a few words.

Upon hearing this, Mo Cheng’s face first froze, then a fierce resolve flashed in his eyes! He slammed the table and sternly shouted:

”Good! What a rebellious son! To commit such lawless acts! Guards! Immediately! Right now! Tie up that good-for-nothing rebel son Mo Li and bring him here!

He will be at the mercy of the Young Sect Master of the Cloud Mist Sect!”

As soon as these words were uttered, all the guests in the hall were in an uproar!

Before long, a young man, tightly bound with ropes, his mouth gagged with cloth, and his face filled with terror and despair, was forcibly dragged up by several fierce-looking house guards. It was none other than the Mo Family’s eldest young master, Mo Li!

Speaking of which, this Mo Li, in the original work, was also a minor ”passerby” with a bit of a role — he once accompanied Nalan Yanran as one of her followers to the Xiao Family to break off the engagement.

However, in this world, due to Yun Xiancheng’s appearance, he failed to curry favor with the Young Sect Master and was merely an unknown ordinary disciple of the Cloud Mist Sect.

Of course, he had also tried to ingratiate himself with Yun Xiancheng, the Young Sect Master, before, but unfortunately... Yun Xiancheng was never interested in men. ”Young Sect Master Xiao! Three Young Sect Masters!”

Of course, he had also tried to ingratiate himself with Yun Xiancheng, the Young Sect Master, before, but unfortunately... Yun Xiancheng was never interested in men. ”Young Sect Master Xiao! Three Young Sect Masters!”

Mo Cheng knelt on the ground with a ”thud,” pointing at Mo Li, who was pressed to the ground, and tearfully wailed:

”This matter... this matter is all my Mo Family’s fault for failing to raise our son properly! It’s all because of this rebellious son! He was blinded by greed! Arrogant and overbearing! In order to achieve some so-called career, he dared to collude with bandits and harmed Young Sect Master Xiao’s two elders!”

”This matter... this matter is all my Mo Family’s fault for failing to raise our son properly! It’s all because of this rebellious son! He was blinded by greed! Arrogant and overbearing! In order to achieve some so-called career, he dared to collude with bandits and harmed Young Sect Master Xiao’s two elders!”

”Such rebellious and unfilial conduct, harming loyal subjects! My entire Mo Family absolutely does not support this! We will absolutely not tolerate it!”

As Mo Cheng spoke, he punched and kicked Mo Li, as if he wished to kill him immediately. His performance of ”righteous indignation against a family member” and ”heartbreaking grief” was so convincing.

It even made Xiao Yan a little confused; for a moment, she couldn’t tell if it was feigned emotion or genuine feeling.

Bound, Mo Li could only make muffled ”muttering” sounds, his eyes filled with endless fear and unbelievable despair. He seemed not to understand why the father who usually doted on him would now be so ruthless and cold-hearted.

Just then, Nalan Yanran had already picked up the teapot and poured a cup of fragrant tea for Yun Xiancheng, even thoughtfully bringing the teacup to his lips and personally feeding it to him.

Yun Xiancheng took a light sip of tea, calmly watching the ”filial piety” farce below, then turned his gaze to Xiao Yan beside him,

His eyes held a hint of inquiry.

Meanwhile, Mo Cheng seemed to feel that merely ”offering his son” was not enough, so he repeatedly waved his hand, signaling the Servants to present the already prepared, towering piles of rare treasures, gold, silver, and wealth, one by one, before the three Young Sect Masters, like a sacrifice.

The dazzling array of gifts made the guests present secretly gasp, and they all began to whisper among themselves.

Although they didn’t know the full truth of the matter, through Mo Cheng’s emotional ”performance,” and the Mo Family’s eldest son, who was tied up and about to be ”righteously eliminated,” they could roughly guess.

It must have been this ignorant eldest young master of the Mo Family who somehow angered these three supremely noble Young Sect Masters of the Cloud Mist Sect, thus bringing about today’s calamity!

And this Mo Family Head’s performance was truly... exemplary!

Not only did he not show any favoritism or protection, but he actively handed over his son for disposal, and even offered such a generous compensation. This ”profound understanding of righteousness,” this ”decisiveness,” was truly admirable!

The whispers, like fine needles, pricked Xiao Yan’s ears one by one.

163 Yaner, just kill them in my name.

She looked at Mo Cheng below, weeping and swearing; she looked at Mo Li, whose mouth was gagged and whose eyes were filled with despair.

Looking at the piled-up gifts symbolizing ”compensation”; and listening to the self-righteous discussions of the surrounding guests. At this moment, she seemed... to somewhat understand Mo Cheng’s intention.

He intended to... use his eldest son’s life and these generous ”gifts” to completely conclude this matter! To turn the page on this incident, he would portray himself as a ”simple old man” who was misled by a rebellious son, deeply understood righteousness, and ultimately had to tearfully sever ties with his kin.

Shifting all the blame onto Mo Li alone, thereby washing himself and the entire Mo Family clean, making everything spotless! What a move—Sacrificing a Rook to Save the King! What a technique—Shedding the Cicada Skin!

Xiao Yan only felt her throat go dry, as if she had swallowed a handful of sand. Because she suddenly realized...

Facing Mo Cheng’s seemingly reasonable but actually ruthless ”acting according to the rules” strategy, she actually... for a moment, couldn’t find any direct or effective way to expose his hypocrisy or punish his crimes.

It was as if an invisible net, woven from worldly rules and social conventions, had trapped her securely, leaving her with a chest full of anger and resentment, yet nowhere to vent it.

Are these the operating rules of this world?

”Do you see, Yaner?” Yun Xiancheng’s voice slowly sounded beside her ear, like a stone dropped onto a calm lake surface. ”This is the so-called ’acting according to the rules.’”

His tone was flat, yet carried a weary indifference that came from understanding the ways of the world.

”Right now, his momentum is established, and we are left with nothing but two mouths making unsubstantiated claims. But the difference is, we are the Young Masters of Yun Lan, and our words are golden advice.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over Mo Cheng, who was still ”performing” below, and the guests who were holding their breath: ”The words we speak are the truth. He hopes we will state a win-win truth.”

”Then, Mo Li, the eldest son of the Mo Family, will immediately be beheaded, becoming the sole culprit of this incident.” ”Immediately afterward, the Mo Family will offer the valuable compensation gifts they have already prepared.”

”Finally, we take the gifts and leave with peace of mind. From then on, this matter will be completely concluded, completely turned over.” ”Even... even if my brothers... died like that, without clarity?!” Xiao Yan’s voice trembled with disbelief. ”Yes,” Yun Xiancheng nodded, his tone still calm.

”If you prioritize ’profit’ as the first standard for measuring everything, then the value of two people who have already died, no matter how close they were to you in life, can never compare to the tangible profits right in front of you, which you can hold in your hand.”

”As long as we nod our heads,”

His voice was like a cold carving knife, dissecting this cruel reality thoroughly:

”Then, in the official records of the Empire, in future historical accounts, and even in the stories passed down by common folk... the version will forever be fixed: Mo Li, the eldest son of the Mo Family, driven by greed, secretly harmed Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, the leaders of the Mo Tie Mercenary Group. The Young Sect Master of Cloud Mist Sect,

Xiao Yan, seeking revenge for her brothers, came to demand justice. Mo Cheng, the Patriarch of the Mo Family, understood righteousness deeply and tearfully executed his son, settling the turmoil.”

”Look,” a mocking curve appeared at the corner of his mouth, ”What a perfect play. Every person has a role they need to play, fulfilling their duties, reasonable and justified.”

”So... the Mo Family... by paying the life of one son, plus some external possessions... can not only clear themselves completely, but even... gain the reputation of being righteous and selfless?”

Xiao Yan’s voice was already low, like a whisper to herself, filled with absurdity and coldness.

”Yes,” Yun Xiancheng confirmed with another nod. Xiao Yan stopped speaking.

The entire banquet hall also fell into an eerie silence.

The guests who had originally been whispering now closed their mouths, watching the dramatic scene on the stage and below with varied expressions.

Yun Xiancheng had not deliberately lowered his voice just now, nor had he avoided anyone.

He was like a detached commentator, exposing all the calculations, all the malice, and all the cold balancing of interests behind this carefully choreographed performance, nakedly and mercilessly, before everyone present!

This was the confidence Mo Cheng had in daring to plot for the jade spirit three-flower eye. Even if he failed, he could still clear himself completely.

Mo Cheng, kneeling below, found the expression of ”grief and despair” on his face had completely frozen, stiff as if he were wearing a cheap mask. He raised his head, staring intently at the young man on the main seat—who appeared calm and collected, as if playing with everything in the palm of his hand—with an extremely complex gaze filled with terror and resentment.

Deep inside, his heart was already churning like the seas, yet... he couldn’t utter a single word.

Nalan Yanran was kneeling beside him. How intelligent was she?

Just by listening to the conversation between Yun Xiancheng and Xiao Yan, she had grasped most of the situation. Her gaze swept over the Mo Family members with icy coldness.

Having grown up with Yun Xiancheng for so many years, she had also been influenced by him and held her own simple beliefs. The girl’s thoughts involuntarily intensified the grip she had on Yun Xiancheng’s hand, and Yun Xiancheng, seizing the opportunity, laced his fingers with hers.

Noticing Yun Xiancheng’s action, Yanran glanced at him. Both remained silent in mutual understanding, their fingers tightly intertwined. After a long while.

Xiao Yan finally spoke again, her voice low, yet extraordinarily clear:

”Such rules.” ”They are too cold.” ”I don’t like them.”

Hearing these words, a genuinely relieved smile finally appeared on Yun Xiancheng’s face.

He reached out and gently patted Xiao Yan’s shoulder, his tone full of approval and encouragement: ”If you don’t like them, that’s exactly right.”

”We are still young. In our hearts, we should always retain a few parts that are not bound by worldly rules.”

”Youthful spirit!” Before the words even finished...

A flash of light was seen, and the next moment, it turned into a cold attack aimed at Xiao Yan. Nalan Yanran’s Longsword unsheathed, held horizontally in front of Xiao Yan, blocking the Dou Technique.

She looked at the Mo Family descendants who had gathered below, frowning coldly: ”Are you trying to rebel?”

”Go, Xiao Yan. Do it for yourself, kill them in my name,” Yun Xiancheng said to Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan leaped up, tightly gripping the xuan heavy ruler in her hand, with cyan flames attached to it, and without a word, chopped down toward Mo Cheng.

Nalan Yanran also held her sword, guarding Xiao Yan’s side. She was like a wisp of clear breeze, following Xiao Yan, fighting side-by-side with her.

164 Bloody Banquet

Upon the main seat, Yun Xiancheng sat peacefully, looking relaxed, as if he were an outsider.

He slowly raised his teacup, took a light sip, and calmly watched the conflict about to erupt below, as if enjoying a drama whose ending he already knew.

In the center of the banquet hall, the atmosphere was already tense!

Xiao Yan and Nalan Yanran, two Young Sect Masters of the Cloud Mist Sect, full of youthful vigor and whose cultivation had both reached the Great Dou Master realm, stood side-by-side at this moment, Dou Qi surging around them, their icy gazes locked onto the ashen-faced Patriarch of the Mo Family—Mo Cheng!

The flame of revenge had been ignited! A battle of the lower challenging the higher was imminent!

The surrounding guests were already stunned by this sudden turn of events, each one silent like a cicada in winter, caught between advancing and retreating.

Run? Where to? Didn’t they see that the outside had been sealed off? Stay? Stay and watch the excitement? What if they got caught in the crossfire?

For a moment, the entire banquet hall fell into a strange, suffocating atmosphere.

The reaction of the Mo Family disciples was even more direct. Seeing their Patriarch about to be attacked by the two Young Sect Masters of the Cloud Mist Sect, they instinctively wanted to rush forward and assist!

However, just as they were about to make a move, Yun Xiancheng’s calm yet slightly authoritative voice slowly sounded from the main seat: ”The ignorant are innocent. Those who confess their crimes and personally cut off the head of the criminal shall be pardoned.”

That simple sentence, however, seemed to possess magic, instantly causing the footsteps of those restless Mo Family disciples to halt simultaneously! None of them were fools!

Although they didn’t fully understand what outrageous deed their Patriarch had committed to provoke the three Young Sect Masters of the Cloud Mist Sect to demand accountability simultaneously.

But judging from Yun Xiancheng’s unreserved ”insider revelation” just now, and Mo Cheng’s extremely ugly expression, it definitely wasn’t anything good!

Coupled with Yun Xiancheng’s statement that ”accomplices may be pardoned” at this moment—only a fool would go down with Mo Cheng!

Instantly, those Mo Family disciples who had originally wanted to rush forward stopped in their tracks, and even looked at their nearby companions in unison, wanting to draw a clear line between themselves and the Mo Family!