Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts

Chapter 219

Xu Ming turned around.

Mo Zhuer stood with her hands behind her back, her eyes carrying a smile as gentle as water.

“Let’s go to the courtyard. Don’t disturb Shengsheng’s sleep.” Xu Ming glanced at Mo Zhuer before walking straight out of the room.

Mo Zhuer didn’t object. She followed Xu Ming lightly, almost playfully.

The two sat on the stone bench in the courtyard. Xu Ming brewed tea while Mo Zhuer rested her chin on her white, delicate palm, gazing at Xu Ming with a faint, teasing smile, as if she were observing something amusing.

“How did you sneak in?” Xu Ming poured himself a cup of tea, not bothering to spare her a glance.

But just as he was about to pick up the cup, Mo Zhuer reached out first, taking it and sipping leisurely.

“The Lord of Wangxing (Falling Star) City, Jiang Ruyan, is one of our Black Lotus Sect’s operatives in the Central Plains. She’s also a good friend of mine. Since Wangxing City isn’t far from Tianxuan Sect, she naturally received the invitation to attend. As the city lord, how could she not come? And so, she brought me along,” Mo Zhuer explained.

Xu Ming frowned. “You’re just casually telling me she’s an operative? Aren’t you afraid I’ll expose her?”

“Not at all~” Mo Zhuer’s tone was lighthearted. “If you reveal her identity, the business between us will fall apart, you know. Besides, unless you’re planning to give up your Martial cultivation or your Qi cultivation, you’ll need my help eventually. Don’t forget—only I can help you solve your problem.”

Xu Ming shook his head. “So what? Don’t kid yourself. I won’t do anything that goes against my conscience, even if it means giving up one path.”

Mo Zhuer rolled her eyes at him. “You’re unbelievable. Everything’s either ‘conscience’ or ‘morality’ with you. In your eyes, am I just always killing people or on my way to kill someone?”

Xu Ming met her gaze directly, his expression clearly saying: Isn’t that the case?

“That’s unfair.”

Mo Zhuer pouted, her lips forming a slight pout.

“I’m not a lunatic, okay? The people I kill, I always have a reason for it. Take you, for example—do we have any enmity? Why would I want to kill you? What would I gain from it? But if I don’t kill you, I’m disobeying sect orders, and then I’ll die.

And as for people like Ji Wuming, if I don’t kill them, they’ll kill me.

Do you think it’s easy for me?”

Xu Ming looked at her in silence. “I never said it was easy. Also, why are you telling me all this? Do you really need to explain yourself to me?”

“I…” Mo Zhuer’s mouth opened slightly, and she froze for a moment.

Huh? That’s true.

Why am I explaining myself to him? Do I even need to?

“I’m explaining because we’ll be working together a lot in the future,” Mo Zhuer said as she casually tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, clearly just making up an excuse. “Otherwise, if you keep thinking I’m some kind of bloodthirsty maniac, how are we supposed to cooperate?”

Xu Ming found her explanation reasonable but still harbored doubts about the “future cooperation” she mentioned.

“Oh, right!” Mo Zhuer suddenly crossed her fair arms on the table. “Don’t you want to know who wants you dead?”

“You’d tell me?” Of course, Xu Ming wanted to know who was after his life.

To command the Black Lotus Sect, the person must hold a significant position.

Mo Zhuer straightened her slender waist, raising her chin smugly. “Beg me, and I’ll tell you.”

Xu Ming: “…”

“Forget it. There’s no need to tell me.” Xu Ming appeared indifferent.

“You’re so boring,” Mo Zhuer muttered with a pout.

Mo Zhuer rolled her eyes at Xu Ming.

“Fine, this lady will graciously tell you. The person who wants you dead is from your Wuguo (Wu Kingdom), but as for who exactly, I don’t know. However, it seems your Xu family is quite influential. You could investigate it yourself. Start with those nobles, ministers, or high-ranking officials—you know as well as I do that ordinary people wouldn’t be able to mobilize the Black Lotus Sect.”

“I see.” Xu Ming nodded thoughtfully. “Thank you.”

Hearing his thanks, Mo Zhuer was momentarily stunned before her lips curled up like a smug cat’s. “So, you actually know how to thank me, huh?”

Xu Ming ignored her teasing. “I owe you a favor.”

“Hmph,” Mo Zhuer crossed her arms. “I’m not someone who likes to owe others, but I also don’t like others owing me. You’re the first person to owe me a favor. Make sure to pay it back.”

“What kind of favor, and how much of one? I’ll repay it appropriately, but don’t expect me to do anything against my conscience,” Xu Ming said.

“There you go again with your ‘conscience.’ Don’t you know that good people don’t always get good rewards?” Mo Zhuer seemed a little annoyed.

“Whatever.” She waved her hand as if to disperse her unhappiness. “Let’s get to the main topic—let’s talk about the deal I want to make with you today.”

“What kind of deal do you want to make with me?” Xu Ming asked.

“A deal where you won’t lose out, guaranteed.” Mo Zhuer’s lips curved into a triumphant smile. “By the way, you could say this deal is me saving your life.”

“Saving my life?” Xu Ming was even more confused.

Here I am in Tianxuan Sect, perfectly fine. There’s a protective sect formation outside, and inside, there are many cultivators in the upper five realms.

What danger could I possibly face? And how exactly are you saving me?

“Specifically, I can’t explain it clearly, and you wouldn’t believe me even if I did. You’d probably suspect I’m trying to set you up,” Mo Zhuer said.

“How would I know if you don’t explain?” Xu Ming found her cryptic attitude annoying.

“Alright, fine, I’ll just tell you straight.” Mo Zhuer spread her hands in an exasperated yet indulgent manner, even with a hint of playfulness. “The Sect Master of Tianxuan Sect, Xia He, plans to kill all the guests and half of the sect’s disciples.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Seeing Xu Ming’s expression, Mo Zhuer’s eyes curved as she smiled. “See? I told you. Even if I said it, you wouldn’t believe me.

It’s understandable. After all, on one hand, you have Xia He—the Sect Master of Tianxuan Sect, a cultivator at the peak of the Immortal Realm, renowned in the cultivation world as the ‘Gentleman of Water,’ a paragon of virtue who is known for doing good deeds. His reputation as a good man is widespread, even among the mundane world.

On the other hand, there’s me—a villainess of the Black Lotus Sect, infamous for countless evil deeds, killing without hesitation, and using any means necessary to achieve my goals. And don’t forget, I was trying to kill you before.

If it were me, I’d also believe the highly regarded Xia He over the villainous Mo Zhuer who was once after my life.”

“Evidence.” Xu Ming met Mo Zhuer’s gaze and said plainly.

Indeed, Xu Ming’s trust in Mo Zhuer was extremely low.

In the past, he would have assumed she was scheming something and wouldn’t have even sat with her in the courtyard for tea.

However, after spending some time with her, Xu Ming had come to understand her a bit.

Especially after that night in the Yuanyang Cauldron, when the barrier of intimacy between them had been broken.

That experience had created a subtle trust in Mo Zhuer. Xu Ming was aware that this kind of trust, born from physical intimacy, was irrational and unreliable.

Yet, after something like that happens, you can’t help but subconsciously believe that the woman before you wouldn’t harm you.

It’s human nature.

For Xu Ming to remain so vigilant toward Mo Zhuer now was already a considerable feat of self-restraint.

“I’ll give you a location. Go there yourself and see. Afterward, whether or not you want to cooperate with me, you can tell me then.”

As she spoke, Mo Zhuer poured a cup of tea. Then, with her white, slender finger dipped in tea, she wrote three words on the stone table—

San Shi Peak.

Seeing the words “San Shi Peak,” Xu Ming’s heart couldn’t help but race.

“This San Shi Peak is a forbidden area of Tianxuan Sect. The peak is about three hundred zhang high, and at the summit stand three massive stones, hence the name San Shi Peak.

Inside the peak lies the greatest secret of Tianxuan Sect. You’ll understand when you go there. Once you’re sure you want to cooperate with me, I’ll tell you all the details.”

Mo Zhuer looked seriously at Xu Ming.

“But you must be careful. After entering San Shi Peak, don’t interfere with anything, and don’t covet any treasures or spiritual resources inside. Otherwise, you’ll die!”

Xu Ming was silent for a moment. “How do I get in?”

“It’s simple.” Mo Zhuer retrieved a stone from her storage ring.

The stone was entirely black, with a thin outer shell. Under sunlight, faint green specks could be seen within, reminiscent of raw jadeite Xu Ming had seen online.

“This stone—take it with you. On the shadowy side of San Shi Peak, there’s a small path covered by bushes and rocks. At the entrance, there are Phoenix Flowers—a large patch of them, easy to identify.

This stone is the key. Take it with you and enter that path.

One more thing: the brighter the stone becomes, the closer you are to a trap. If it starts glowing, don’t go further. Understand?”

“Got it.” Xu Ming took the stone.

For some reason, he couldn’t shake the feeling that Mo Zhuer seemed to care about his safety.

Maybe it’s because she’s afraid that if I die, there’ll be no one to cooperate with her?

“Why do you know all this?” Xu Ming asked.

Mo Zhuer yawned. “Originally, I didn’t. The Black Lotus Sect’s headquarters sent a message, asking me to assist Xia He with his plan, and that’s how I found out.”

“And aren’t you worried that telling me all this will cause problems? Doesn’t this count as betraying the Black Lotus Sect?” Xu Ming asked.

“I have my reasons.” Mo Zhuer smiled seductively. “The Black Lotus Sect wants me to assist the Tianxuan Sect’s Sect Master, but what benefit does that bring me? Yes, I’m the Saintess of the Black Lotus Sect, but first and foremost, I am me—then I am the Saintess.”

“…”

Xu Ming had no retort.

Though he couldn’t help but wonder—are all Black Lotus Sect members like this? If they are, then the sect must be truly blessed.

“There’s another small deal I want to make with you,” Mo Zhuer said, moving on to the second matter.

“What deal?” Xu Ming asked.

“Well…” Mo Zhuer suddenly stood up and turned into a wisp of black smoke, swiftly wrapping around Xu Ming.

When her figure reappeared, she was sitting in Xu Ming’s lap, her soft, pale arms wrapped around his neck.

“Since coming to Tianxuan Sect, you’ve been through several battles. Your spiritual energy and martial true energy must be clashing again, right?” A warm, fragrant breath escaped Mo Zhuer’s soft lips and brushed against Xu Ming’s face.

To be fair, after reaching the Dragon Gate Realm and undergoing several body refinements, cultivators didn’t suffer from bad breath.

“What do you want?” Xu Ming asked coldly.

“You’re so cold.” Mo Zhuer’s finger traced circles on Xu Ming’s chest. “That night in the Yuanyang Cauldron, you weren’t this indifferent. No matter how much I called out, you wouldn’t stop.”

Xu Ming: “…”

Was this woman too bold? How could she talk about such things without blushing or flinching?

And it was her first time, too.

“I wiped out the Hehuan Sect,” Mo Zhuer said abruptly, shifting the topic.

“Hm?” Xu Ming looked at Mo Zhuer, who was still sitting on his lap.

“Don’t look so surprised.”

Mo Zhuer’s enchanting eyes blinked softly, carrying an unexpected trace of innocence.

“I’m a very vengeful person. The Hehuan Sect wanted my life, so naturally, I had to take theirs. Not to mention, with their sect master, Cui Renwang, dead, the Hehuan Sect is now leaderless. The remaining elders are fighting among themselves for the position of sect master.

This is the perfect opportunity to destroy the Hehuan Sect.

Of course, a sect like the Hehuan Sect, which rises again like spring grass after a wildfire, has branches all over the world. It’s impossible to truly wipe them out. Give it a few decades, and they’ll probably emerge again.

But that’s not important. This time, my harvest was quite fruitful.”

Mo Zhuer pulled a book out of her storage bag.

Xu Ming glanced at it.

The cover had four large characters written on it: The Great Path of Hehuan.

“This book, The Great Path of Hehuan, is the secret scripture of the Hehuan Sect,” Mo Zhuer patiently explained.

“In this world, all paths lead to the Dao.

The Confucian sage achieved enlightenment through reading.

The Daoist patriarch attained the Dao while dozing on a green ox.

The Buddha gained enlightenment through compassion, even feeding his flesh to an eagle.

The Mohist master found his path through the art of mechanisms.

The Hehuan Sect naturally has its own Hehuan Dao. After all, the matters of Hehuan are as natural as heaven and earth—why shouldn’t it lead to enlightenment?

But the Hehuan Sect of today is no longer the same as it once was.

The current Hehuan Sect is obsessed with desire, having forgotten its true path. But that’s understandable. The Great Path of Hehuan is divided into three volumes: upper, middle, and lower. One volume is in the Western Regions, one in the Central Plains, and one is lost entirely. Without the complete inheritance, the Hehuan Sect inevitably went astray.

That said, even just this upper volume is enough to practice.”

As she spoke, Mo Zhuer straightened herself in Xu Ming’s lap, leaning in close. Her lips brushed against his ear as she whispered, “I want you to help me cultivate it.”