Chapter 144: Chapter 142: The Brave Are Victorious on the Narrow Path
’Qian Juduo?’
’Could the name be any more on-the-nose?’
’Figures for the family that manages the Mountain and Sea Empire’s wealth. Even their names are so... hm, prosperous. Blatantly prosperous.’
’I wonder if they have anyone named Qian Tons-of-Money, Qian Lots-of-Money, or Qian More-Money-Than-You-Can-Spend?’
Mo Qi grumbled to himself. He was surprised, but not to the point of being worried or afraid.
A person might be able to hide their personality, but their fundamental way of doing things is hard to change.
As a member of one of the Empire’s Six Great Clans, Mo Qi refused to believe that Qian Duoduo didn’t have any trump cards.
Yet, after being robbed by Mo Qi and his group, he hadn’t revealed his identity or called for backup. He hadn’t even used any powerful techniques. It showed he wasn’t the type to hold a grudge over every little thing.
’He’s probably more of a goofball than anything else.’
’An interesting guy,’ Mo Qi thought, rubbing his chin. ’But it seems like he’s not having an easy time. I’ll leave it to fate. If our paths cross again, I wouldn’t mind lending a hand to help him with his troubles.’
"Junior Brother Mo, you must not be careless. The Mountain and Sea Empire is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. This is especially true of the Imperial Academy, where the various factions are a tangled mess. The slightest misstep will come at a great price."
Yun Xuzi warned, his expression grave.
"However, the opportunities are also plentiful. I believe that with your talent and strength, you will eventually be recognized by the Mountain and Sea Empire. But until then, stay out of trouble and keep as low a profile as possible."
Mo Qi nodded. "Thank you for your concern, Sect Leader. I will be careful."
Just as Yun Xuzi was feeling relieved to hear this, Mo Qi turned to instruct Liu Hui and Jin Sanpang.
"You hear that? The Mountain and Sea Empire is full of geniuses. That means if we want more resources, if we want to get stronger, we have to seize every opportunity and use our fists to beat them into submission, one by one!"
"On the path of the Martial Dao, when adversaries meet on a narrow road, the valiant are victorious!"
Liu Hui’s expression turned serious. "Rest assured, My Lord. Every opportunity will be ours. All resources, seen and unseen, will belong to us. I guarantee that the Imperial Academy of the future will bear the surname Mo!"
Jin Sanpang rubbed his bald head and grinned goofily. "Whatever you say, Brother Mo. San Pang will do as you say."
Mo Qi smiled in satisfaction, a sharp glint in his eyes. "That’s the spirit. Let’s show them what we’re made of. At the annual selection, we’ll let the entire Empire know that the three of us have arrived!"
Yun Xuzi and Ji Lin looked at each other, speechless. ’So everything we just said was for nothing?’
’We told you not to cause trouble, and you’re already planning to beat people up and seize their resources!’
’And that "valiant are victorious on a narrow road" nonsense... The problem is, this road isn’t narrow at all! It’s crammed with all sorts of geniuses and experts!’
’Besides, one wrong move could have a domino effect!’
’Making the Imperial Academy bear the name Mo... How dare you even say something like that?’
’Do you have any idea who is in the Imperial Academy? Do you know what it represents?’
’It looks like it won’t just be the annual selection that’s thrown into chaos. The Imperial Academy, and maybe even the entire Mountain and Sea Empire, is about to be turned upside down!’
It wasn’t that Yun Xuzi doubted the abilities of Mo Qi and his companions; he just couldn’t quite accept their attitude yet.
At heart, Mo Qi was not an ambitious man, much less an arrogant or domineering one.
He would have much preferred to find a secluded place to settle down, tend a garden, drink tea, and cook in his spare time.
But now, his hand had been forced.
The Wolf Fang Sect had not given up its malicious ambitions, Jin Quan needed to be rescued, and his mother’s whereabouts were still unknown.
The black-robed figures from his dreams were like impossibly tall mountains, pressing down on him until he could barely breathe.
This was, after all, a world where might made right. On this path, a hundred vessels vied for the lead, and he had to brave the rapids and stay ahead of the pack. Otherwise, he would be eliminated before he could accomplish anything.
And elimination had only one outcome: death!
His experience at the Void Sect had taught him that being too low-key could actually attract unnecessary trouble.
It is said that the tree that stands out from the forest is the one the wind will surely destroy. But if a tree can withstand the gales and remain standing, it is destined to become the tallest and most magnificent in the entire forest.
Better to go down fighting than to die a pathetic death in obscurity.
Gazing at Mo Qi’s determined and confident profile, Niu Kexin smiled, filled with pride and happiness.
At the same time, she made a silent vow. ’Since the heavens have given me this chance at Cultivation, I will no longer be a burden to you. From now on, I will become your staunchest pillar of support!’
...
This was a land of darkness, a place that saw no sunlight year-round. The climate was not only frigid but also intensely humid.
A faint mist permeated the air. The land was desolate and empty for miles in every direction, devoid of any Life Aura.
Just then, a figure descended from the sky, radiating a cyan light that held the surrounding mist at bay. Where the light and mist met, a faint, corrosive sizzle could be heard.
"Wu the Old Ghost, where are you?"
The figure’s voice rang out, but even after a long wait, there was no reply.
"Heh." The figure chuckled. "Wu the Old Ghost, I was going to offer you a chance to get out of here. But since you refuse to show yourself, I’ll be on my way."
With that, the figure turned to leave.
BOOM!
With a tremendous roar, the ground a few hundred yards in front of the figure cracked open, and a middle-aged man with shackles binding his limbs burst out.
He was disheveled and grimy, his long hair matted over his shoulders. He wore a set of battered Armor that clanked and rattled as he walked, looking as if it might shatter at any moment.
"Wang Chen, you whelp! What did you say? Say it again!" The middle-aged man advanced, each heavy step leaving a deep impression in the ground.
The figure was none other than Wang Chen!
Watching the man approach, a flicker of wariness crossed Wang Chen’s eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a scornful sneer.
"As expected of Wu the Old Ghost, a man who could give the entire Empire a headache. Your Cultivation is sealed, each shackle on your limbs weighs countless tons, and you’ve been tortured for centuries in this shithole Within the Pass, yet you’ve lost none of your former glory."
"Hmph!" The man snorted. "Cut the crap, you little whelp. Get to the point!"
Wang Chen, knowing the man’s temper, cut to the chase. "I can give you the antidote for the seal and let you leave. In return, you have to do something for me."
The man’s expression flickered, but he shook his head in disbelief. "My imprisonment Within the Pass was ordered by that brat from the Li Family. You dare defy their decree?"
Wang Chen smiled. "That’s my business, not yours. Wu the Old Ghost, this place Within the Pass is a prison to you. And your meticulously planned escape, the one you’ve been working on for centuries, is just about ready, isn’t it?"
Wu the Old Ghost was stunned into silence.
Wang Chen continued, "You thought you’d fooled everyone, but you didn’t fool me. I can pretend I don’t know a thing. I can even lend you a hand and help you remove the Slave Seal."
"You know what that means. Without the Slave Seal, the Empire’s experts can no longer track your location. You’ll be able to change your identity and be completely free."
"Think it over. Do you want to stay and suffer in this sunless hellhole, or embrace the wonderful life waiting for you outside? The choice is yours."
The man’s head snapped up, his eyes locking onto Wang Chen.
"Aren’t you afraid I’ll wring your neck right here and now?"
