Wandering Swordsman |

This unusual "cold treatment" aroused Shen Mo's suspicion. He observed everything around him calmly, secretly making arrangements and waiting for a flaw to appear.

Shen Mo has been busy these past two days. As the "envoy of the Martial Alliance," he got to know all the elders and important disciples of the Diancang Sect, visiting almost the entire sect, from the outer gate to the inner hall, from the martial arts hall to the alchemy room.

Among them, he noticed one person—Elder Yao Guangyuan of the Pill Hall.

This name awakened Shen Mo's memories. He had seen this name on the list of spies from the Heavenly Demon Sect that had been burned—it was one of the martial arts figures from the Central Plains who had secretly colluded with the Flame Demon Lord.

Shen Mo was startled and immediately decided to test this person.

That night, Shen Mo pretended to be "unwell" and went to the medicine hall to ask for medicine.

The Danyao Hall is located in a secluded spot halfway up Diancang Mountain, surrounded by ancient trees and filled with a faint fragrance of herbs. The stone steps in front of the hall are neat and tidy, and inside, medicine cabinets stand in rows, bottles and jars are arranged in an orderly manner, and several pharmacological atlases hang on the walls, exuding a rigorous and simple style.

Elder Yao was sitting at his desk reading a book called "The Classic of Herbs" when he saw Shen Mo enter. He immediately put down the book, stood up to greet him, and said with a gentle smile, "Young Master Shen, what brings you here so late at night? Are you feeling unwell?"

His tone was respectful and his manners were courteous, as if he were treating a distinguished guest.

Shen Mo returned the greeting with a cupped hand, his face showing slight fatigue: "I've been traveling and working hard these past few days, and the dampness in the mountains has made me feel a bit stuffy in my chest. I've come to ask for some calming and regulating pills."

Elder Yao nodded, and while preparing the medicine, he asked casually, "Young Master Shen, are you settling in well at the Diancang Sect? I heard that the sect leader has been taking good care of you."

Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately caught the probing meaning in those words. He replied calmly, "Sect Leader Duan is indeed very kind to me, but I am new here and dare not say more. I only wish to behave myself."

Elder Yao smiled slightly, but a hint of wariness flashed in his eyes.

As he poured the prepared pills into a porcelain bottle, he said softly, "This is 'Qingxin Powder.' Take one dose daily, and you'll see results in three days."

Shen Mo accepted the token, nodded his thanks, and then seemingly casually took out a token from his pocket and gently placed it on the table.

It was an exquisitely carved black and gold token, with a flame-shaped magic rune engraved on the front and the character "炎" (Yan, meaning flame) on the back. It was the exclusive token of the Flame Demon Lord.

The moment Elder Yao's gaze lingered on the token, his expression changed drastically, and his fingers trembled slightly, almost knocking over the medicine bowl on the table.

But he reacted swiftly, regaining his composure immediately, as if his earlier panic had never existed. He coughed lightly and asked casually, "This token... is quite rare. Where did Young Hero Shen obtain it? How is it so exquisite?"

Shen Mo's lips curled up slightly, and he had already confirmed in his heart that the other party was one of the Heavenly Demon God Sect's undercover agents in the Central Plains.

He slowly put away the token, his gaze sharp as he looked directly at Elder Yao, his voice low and calm: "Elder Yao, there's no need to pretend anymore. I know you have connections with the Flame Demon Lord, and I know you are his mole."

Elder Yao's face turned deathly pale instantly, and the pestle in his hand clattered to the ground with a crisp sound. He instinctively took a step back, his eyes filled with fear.

"Who...who are you?!" His voice trembled, his eyes no longer showing the composure they had before, his face full of vigilance.

Shen Mo slowly stood up, his gaze as cold as a knife: "I am a confidant of the Flame Demon Lord, and I was recently assigned to infiltrate the Elite Academy."

Having said that, he took out the token again, gently placed it on the table, and stared intently at Elder Yao with eyes like lightning. "Seeing this token is like seeing the Flame Demon Lord himself."

Upon hearing this, Elder Yao immediately breathed a sigh of relief, knelt down with a thud, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling: "Your subordinate... Your subordinate greets Your Excellency! Your subordinate was unaware of Your Excellency's identity; if I have offended you, I will be executed without consequence!"

Shen Mo slowly sat down, his expression as calm as a lake, yet his eyes were as deep and unfathomable as a still pool, concealing a hidden sharpness. His tone was unhurried, yet carried an undeniable pressure: "Since you recognize the token, that makes things easier. Just how much do you know about Duan Qianya's collusion with the Black Wind Gang?"

Elder Yao raised his head, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his lips trembling slightly, yet he dared not conceal anything. He lowered his head, his voice suppressed and urgent: "This subordinate... this subordinate doesn't know much, but Sect Leader Duan and Black Wind Gang Leader do indeed have secret dealings. They have repeatedly exchanged secret messages through the Xuanwu Saint Lord, the contents of which involve clues about the 'Martial God's Tomb' and how to deal with the Martial Alliance's investigation."

Shen Mo frowned slightly, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes. His tone was indifferent, yet carried an undeniable command: "I know all of that. Tell me what I don't know."

Elder Yao trembled, beads of sweat sliding down his forehead and dripping onto the bluestone ground with a soft "tap." He gritted his teeth, as if making a decision, and whispered, "This subordinate... this subordinate once overheard Sect Leader Duan mentioning to a trusted elder that the 'Martial God's Tomb' is located at the bottom of Erhai Lake."

"The bottom of Erhai Lake?" Shen Mo's heart skipped a beat, and a look of surprise flashed in his eyes.

He quickly recalled the information he had extracted from Duan Qianya the day before when he was disguised as "Xuanwu Saint Lord"—the "Martial God's Tomb" was most likely located on the shore of Erhai Lake, near the Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple. But now, Elder Yao was saying, "The tomb is at the bottom of Erhai Lake!"

What does this mean?

Duan Qianya lied to the Black Wind Gang!

Shen Mo immediately understood: Duan Qianya had not told the Black Wind Gang the real information, but deliberately released false information, intending to use the power of overseas martial artists to attract the attention of the Martial Alliance, and then quietly take over the secrets in the "Martial God's Tomb".

What a cunning and shrewd Duan Qianya!

Shen Mo's gaze darkened, his heart churning with turmoil, but his face remained impassive.

He slowly rose to his feet, his robes fluttering, his tone as cold as frost: "Now that you've made contact with Lord Flame Demon Lord, you should know that your life is no longer your own. From this day forward until I leave the Diancang Sect, you must serve me with all your might, without fail!"

Elder Yao kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead touching the ground, his voice trembling and urgent: "Your subordinate understands! Your subordinate will do everything in his power to serve you, sir! If there is the slightest mistake, I am willing to accept punishment!"

Shen Mo nodded, his gaze sharp as a blade, sweeping over Elder Yao's lowered head as if scrutinizing him, or perhaps measuring his loyalty and worth. After a moment, he turned and slowly walked out of the Pill Hall.

Outside the medicine hall, the night wind was like a knife, and the chill penetrated to the bone.

The night was deep, and the mountain wind howled, causing the wind chimes under the eaves to chime with a clear, tinkling sound, as if drawing a secret end to this conversation.

Shen Mo walked out of the pill hall, his steps light yet firm, his robes fluttering in the wind, like a solitary figure in the night. He looked up at the starry sky, his eyes flashing with complex emotions. He knew that the waters within the Diancang Sect were far deeper than he had imagined.