Each of the nine dragon maidens possesses extraordinary abilities.

"What do you plan to do? Although Pride hasn't regained her senses, you can forcibly awaken her and use her as your weapon. Wait until Qing Zaishan has completely dealt with Mo Zhiyan, then you can deal with Qing Zaishan, killing two birds with one stone," the Holy Emperor said.

Lu Yueyuan glanced at the sleeping Arrogance, then subconsciously licked his chapped lips. So, what should he do? This was the last time; there was no turning back. Now that it was confirmed Qing Zaishan had indeed been hiding a trump card, this was truly a golden opportunity. Cooperating with the Fengdu Ghost Palace—wasn't this exactly what he had planned from the beginning? By wiping them all out, he could break both of the Holy Emperor's seals in one fell swoop.

“But this is not what I planned,” Lu Yueyuan said.

Lu Yueyuan sat there, his back gradually hunching over, his breathing becoming heavy, as if tugging at his clothes. He didn't have much time to think; he needed to make a decision quickly.

Qing Zaishan, Qing Zaishan, Mo Zhiyan, Mo Zhiyan... The storm roared in his mind, and his heart pounded.

With a splash, Lu Yueyuan tumbled down the valley and landed in the corridor, where there was a lake and a pleasant fragrance. He called out Su Zhaoran's name, but there was no response. A girl in a Taoist robe stood at the end, beckoning him to come over.

"You can't make loud noises here." She put a peach in his hand; it was a delicious peach.

"Oh." He looked around, then suddenly asked, "Is there anything fun to do here?"

"Yes, lots! I have lots of fun things to do!" The girl's eyes lit up.

They played all afternoon that day. The girl really had a lot of fun things to do, including peculiar mechanical creations and chess pieces with interesting rules. She played until evening, until Su Zhaoran, who was anxious, came looking for them with the sect leader's people.

"Come visit me next time!" the girl waved to him.

But Lu Yueyuan didn't come to visit her anymore, because she was the protector of the Zhiyan Clan.

In fact, promises made casually are quickly forgotten... For example, when we were young, we said we'd be best friends for life, but in the end, we all forgot that a lifetime is too far away, and humans are the most fickle species. Yet, even this simple promise can't be kept next time. We say goodbye next time, but there is no next time. This is the last time. Even if there is a next time, it might not be for this purpose. Lu Yueyuan didn't actually feel guilty because he really just said it casually. But sometimes, in the endless cycle of reincarnation, after killing Mo Zhiyan for so long, he easily dreams of that bright, sunny afternoon when a girl in a Taoist robe beckons him over and offers him delicious peaches.

Those peaches were really delicious.

Lu Yueyuan stood up and strode out of the room.

Chapter 109: Lu Yueyuan and Mo Zhiyan (7k)

Lu Yueyuan opened his eyes. It was already daylight outside. He felt pain all over his body.

He started groaning in pain; there was no way around it, this stuff had a lasting effect. He smelled a familiar scent, turned his head and saw his fourth senior sister, Shi Wanqing, pounding medicine beside him. He quickly patted the edge of the bed and called out, "Senior sister, what time is it now?"

"It's just past 9 AM. What, didn't your senior brother beat you enough yesterday? Do you want to get beaten up again?" Shi Wanqing said expressionlessly.

Senior Brother is really ruthless! Lu Yueyuan gasped in pain as he heard Shi Wanqing pounding the medicine with increasing force, clattering and pounding.

"Tsk." The medicine-pounding tool broke, and Shi Wanqing let go of it.

"Such resentment, Senior Sister." Lu Yueyuan struggled to his feet. "Look, I'm fine now."

"I'm angry with you. Your senior brother should have just killed you." Shi Wanqing glared at him, and Lu Yueyuan immediately cowered, shrinking his neck and not daring to speak.

Fourth Senior Sister was usually gentle, but when she got truly angry, Lu Yueyuan didn't dare to be playful. Actually, it wasn't anything serious; he'd only said a few good words for Su Zhaoran yesterday. The Grandmaster hadn't spoken, but his Eldest Senior Brother was unhappy and beat him up. What kind of cultivation did his Eldest Senior Brother possess? He was the most talented person in the sect leader's lineage, with extremely powerful natal magic weapons and celestial phenomena. What could Lu Yueyuan possibly withstand? He was beaten unconscious, and in his last moments of consciousness, he saw Shi Wanqing holding him, exchanging insults with his Eldest Senior Brother.

"Senior brother, are you still alive?" The sixth junior sister poked her head out from under the bed.

"Fifth Senior Brother, you're amazing! You survived being beaten like that by Eldest Senior Brother." Seventh Junior Brother also peeked out.

"Impressive, junior brother. Can you perform that again? The one where the eldest brother spins you around like a top and whips you." The third senior brother sat on the chair with a grin.

"A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit." Second Senior Sister sat opposite, slowly sipping her tea.

Lu Yueyuan squinted at his fellow disciples who were making sarcastic remarks and treating him like a fool. Yes, he was the one who should get a beating, all because he had the audacity to speak up for Su Zhaoran. Even their master hadn't said a word, and he, a junior, jumped out—wasn't he just asking for a beating?

But there was nothing they could do. Su Zhaoran was, after all, a disciple of their grandmaster; they couldn't really issue a kill order. Actually, Lu Yueyuan felt that Su Zhaoran hadn't done anything wrong; she hadn't betrayed the sect and joined the demonic cult. Was it really necessary to go to such lengths?

"Here, drink your medicine." Shi Wanqing took another bowl, filled it with the medicine, and placed it in front of Lu Yueyuan. "Next time you want to get a beating, you don't need to do this. Just ask your second senior sister."

"No, I won't hit a jerk." The second senior sister declared that she wasn't one to stick to the pot, what if Lu Yueyuan got his fill of beating her?

Lu Yueyuan could only laugh awkwardly, letting everyone ridicule him. He couldn't help it; he had acted impulsively. As the saying goes, "A man's anger is for the sake of a woman," but the woman treated him like an idiot. Su Zhaoran had already run away and wouldn't see his heroic deeds, so why bother? He didn't manage to gain any goodwill and just got beaten up for nothing.

Shi Wanqing sighed.

"Things have gotten complicated, you know?" Shi Wanqing's face was no longer stiff, but her expression was filled with sorrow.

"Is this troublesome? Just because I said a few nice words, Senior Brother still won't let me go and is going to keep hitting me?" Lu Yueyuan opened his mouth slightly. Surely it's not that serious. What grudge could there be?

"No, it's Su Zhaoran. She came back last night, but she didn't go through the main gate. She ambushed your senior brother near his cave and had a big fight with him. After the fight, she ran away. Now she's not only defected, but she's also attacked her fellow disciples," Shi Wanqing said.

"You're back? Wow, that's great." Lu Yueyuan blurted out, then realized he'd misspoke and tried to smooth things over, "Um, is Senior Brother alright?"

Everyone was laughing, even the usually aloof Second Senior Sister had a smile on her face. Shi Wanqing glanced at Lu Yueyuan speechlessly and said, "Of course your Senior Brother is fine. Those two weren't serious. But doing this will give the other guardians something to hold against him. The kill order will most likely be issued soon."

"Ah... this, is it that serious?" Lu Yueyuan was dumbfounded and didn't know what expression to make.

After taking the medicine, the pain subsided, and Lu Yueyuan went to his senior brother's cave. His senior brother preferred quiet, so his cave was located in a dense forest halfway up the mountain. But now… it couldn't really be called a dense forest anymore. Some terrifying magic had been used; now only a bare patch of white ground remained, covered in scratches. And those scratches weren't random; from a distance, they looked like insults. Lu Yueyuan broke out in a cold sweat. "Master Aunt," he thought, "a sneak attack is one thing, but to add insults like that?"

The protective array outside the cave was still operating, but the senior brother's protective array generally didn't protect the junior brothers and sisters. Lu Yueyuan peeked out and tiptoed in like a mouse. His senior brother was sitting at the very back, a swollen patch on his handsome cheek that made him look like a pig's head from a distance. He noticed Lu Yueyuan's arrival, opened his eyes, and stared at him coldly.

"What is it?" he asked.

"Um... Fourth Senior Sister asked me to bring you some ointment. Senior Brother, are you alright? Auntie went too far. Hitting you is one thing, but slapping you in the face too?! Don't worry, I'll definitely avenge you when I see her again. How dare she bully our most respected Senior Brother! As a junior brother, how can I allow such a thing? No! How can I let it go? No! I'll remember this grudge for you." Lu Yueyuan said indignantly, carefully taking out the ointment from Fourth Senior Sister and handing it over.

"Will you remember for me? Then I thank you. Just don't hold a grudge against me." The senior brother casually waved his hand, and the ointment flew into his hand. He applied it casually a few times, and the redness and swelling subsided at a visible speed.

"Senior Brother, are you alright?" Lu Yueyuan asked, looking him over.

The eldest brother looked at him speechlessly.

“Neither did I, nor did she,” the eldest brother said.

"Oh, oh." Lu Yueyuan didn't know what to say.

He didn't know why his senior brother had gotten so angry yesterday and beaten him to a pulp, nor did he know how Su Zhaoran knew about it and even came back to avenge him. What kind of nonsense was this? Wasn't this just infighting? He really didn't want to see it, especially after his fourth senior sister told him that doing so would leave him with leverage.

"What do we do next..." Lu Yueyuan muttered, "Should we really issue a kill order for our Martial Aunt? They're both from the Sect Master's lineage..."

"Even now, you're still speaking up for her?" the senior brother asked, looking at him.

"You're really jumping on a tiger's tail! Lu Yueyuan, weren't you beaten enough yesterday?" But this guy's courage kept rising, and he kept asking what to do, making his senior brother laugh in exasperation. He said, "This isn't up to me. The one who made the judgment is Mo Zhiyan, the protector of the seventh meridian. If you're so capable, go find her." Lu Yueyuan muttered, he didn't know her, but his senior brother shooed him away like a gust of wind.

What to do now? Should he go find his grandmaster? He heard that his grandmaster went into seclusion this morning, and his master has disappeared. Sure enough, none of the adults are reliable. Sigh, he wonders what kind of resentment Su Zhaoran has incurred that no one is willing to help her.

If he didn't help, Su Zhaoran would truly have no home left. Lu Yueyuan felt this was a very sad thing, so he decided to help.

The Hall of Words is located in the valley, where a dungeon has been set up. No one wants to go there. Lu Yueyuan stands on the hillside and looks down. He can see the tall building, quiet and solemn, sacred and inviolable.

How can I put it? Everyone knows that the sect leader's lineage and the protectors are at odds. If it were Ming Huaiwei, Lu Yueyuan could at least say a few words, but Mo Zhiyan... Lu Yueyuan did meet her once, but that was a long time ago, and she might have forgotten him.

Ming Huaiwei isn't in the sect right now, otherwise she could have come with him; sisters can talk easily. But Lu Yueyuan knew it was useless. Ming Huaiwei had never been able to integrate into the circle of guardians. She only associated with Yun Gui and Yun Hai, and then him. Her social circle was so simple, and Mo Zhiyan was a homebody, so the two of them were probably even less familiar with each other.

Lu Yueyuan felt a headache coming on. How could someone from his sect convince the guardian of the lineage? If it were his grandmaster, everyone would be willing to give him face. But for some reason, his grandmaster remained silent and refused to comment on Su Zhaoran's defection. So, like Su Zhaoran, Lu Yueyuan had no teammates and had to take matters into his own hands.

He arrived at the entrance of the main hall, coughed a few times, and transmitted his voice as solemnly as possible: "Lu Yueyuan of the sect leader's lineage requests an audience with the protector of the Zhiyan lineage."

The door opened immediately, startling Lu Yueyuan. To be honest, he was prepared to be ridiculed and slink back home, but that didn't happen. Not only that, but it seemed that the guardian of the meridians came in person. Who else could that girl in the Taoist robe be but Mo Zhiyan?

Why did you come in person? He forced a smile and said, "Hi?"

Mo Zhiyan looked at him: "You've come?" She turned slightly to the side, "Please come in."

"I'm here... uh, yes, I'm here." Lu Yueyuan felt something was off. "Can I come in?"

"I don't get many visitors. Those who come are disciples who have broken the rules. Don't worry, come in."

Lu Yueyuan entered the main hall, and they walked through it into the garden behind it, strolling along the covered walkway that encircled the central lake. Lu Yueyuan racked his brains for a topic of conversation: "The weather is nice today."

Mo Zhiyan paused for a moment, then looked up at the sky. "Yes, that's right."

"Sunny days, sunny days, clear weather makes people feel good, so people say the weather is the face of Heaven. But now everyone's cultivating immortality, constantly changing the weather, slapping Heaven's face. Sigh, it's kind of awkward." Lu Yueyuan didn't even know what he was talking about. "Actually, I think it's best to just let things be natural. Sunny days, rainy days, even overcast days are fine. We should accept whatever Heaven gives us. As the old saying goes, thunder and rain are all the Emperor's grace." He felt his tongue was a little tied. "Even if Heaven wants us to die, there's nothing we can do about it, right?"

“Oh, is that so?” Mo Zhiyan replied.

"Hehehehehe..." Lu Yueyuan chuckled awkwardly, unsure of what to say next.

Would you like some peaches?

Mo Zhiyan handed over a peach as if by magic.

"Haha, thank you! Wow, what a big peach! It looks so juicy and sweet. Did you grow it? I didn't know you had this talent. You're amazing! Is it one of those peaches that can increase lifespan? Then I'll have to eat a few more. Wow, it's so sweet! I've never eaten such a sweet peach before." Lu Yueyuan was biting into the peach, but he didn't really care about the taste at all. He was absent-minded.

Mo Zhiyan didn't speak. She invited Lu Yueyuan into the room. The room was simply furnished. Apart from basic necessities, there was practically nothing else. The only bright spot was the peach branch in the vase.

Lu Yueyuan looked at Mo Zhiyan sitting opposite him, feeling somewhat uneasy. He tossed the leftover peach pits onto the table. Mo Zhiyan didn't speak either. Lu Yueyuan could only look around aimlessly. Several rules were written on the wall: [1. As a guest, one should patiently wait for the host to summon you]... But in the blink of an eye, those rules disappeared. Lu Yueyuan didn't know how much time had passed. Crackling sounds, Lu Yueyuan even heard Mo Zhiyan scratching the table.

"Actually, I have something to ask of you today." This awkward silence couldn't go on, so Lu Yueyuan decided to take the plunge. He straightened up, his face serious. "It's about Su Zhaoran."

“Oh, so you came here for this.” Mo Zhiyan, who had been about to get up to get something from the cabinet at the back, sat back down. She smacked her lips a few times, and her expression became serious. “Su Zhaoran has violated the sect rules. Not only has he defected, but he has also attacked a fellow disciple. I will hold a trial meeting in the back and issue a kill order.”

"My senior brother has already forgiven her."

“It has nothing to do with your senior brother. Just the fact that Su Zhaoran defected is enough for me to issue a kill order.” Mo Zhiyan said righteously.

Lu Yueyuan was speechless. He knew that Mo Zhiyan was not such a righteous person at all. She was a super hypocrite. If other disciples made mistakes, she would torture them to death, but if the disciples of her own lineage made mistakes, she would turn a blind eye.

In fact, given Su Zhaoran's crimes, a kill order was really unnecessary. It was just a matter of not being able to agree on a price. Lu Yueyuan only hoped that he could afford the price Mo Zhiyan was asking for.

“Yes, the heinous Su Zhaoran deserves a kill order!” Lu Yueyuan cursed fiercely, then smiled ingratiatingly, “But she’s also my master’s beloved disciple, could you please consider my master’s sake…”

"Sect Master? Why didn't he come and tell me?" Mo Zhiyan asked.

Damn, checkmate. Lu Yueyuan had no idea why his grandmaster was silent. He could only sigh deeply and put on a helpless expression.

"Oh dear, Master, I'm so sorry to have sent me to say the same thing," Lu Yueyuan said. "Sister Mo, you are so kind and benevolent, why bother with that fool Su Zhaoran?"

"You want me to refrain from issuing a kill order?" Mo Zhiyan asked.

"I'd go through fire and water for you, Sister Mo."

Mo Zhiyan's face darkened, startling Lu Yueyuan. Had he said something wrong? Why did his face suddenly turn dark?

"What I mean is, please let Su Zhaoran off the hook, and then I'll do my best to get you whatever you want," Lu Yueyuan said cautiously. "I'll even pluck the moon from the sky for you, okay?"

Mo Zhiyan looked at him coldly, and the rules on the wall behind him suddenly appeared: [1. As a guest, one should patiently wait for the host to summon you] [2. As a guest, one should suggest staying for a meal] [3. As a guest, one should give the host face]......... Lu Yueyuan felt something descend upon him, he screamed and immediately collapsed onto the table.

No wonder he's so unlucky. He got beaten up yesterday, and it looks like he's going to get beaten up again today. He could only smile bitterly to himself, thinking to himself, "Su Zhaoran, just how many people have you offended? Not to mention the sect leader's lineage, not a single one of them spoke up for you. And the other guardians are all eager to kill you. How much suffering have I had to endure for you?" Lu Yueyuan sighed. He tried to mobilize his spiritual energy, but due to the restrictions of the rules, even his spiritual energy perception disappeared.

"Let's talk this out, why resort to violence? We're all from the Jiuyi Sect, we shouldn't fight each other!" Lu Yueyuan yelled.

"Give me the moon?" Mo Zhiyan asked.

"I was wrong, I was wrong. I said the wrong thing. I'm not worthy to pluck the moon for you." Lu Yueyuan begged for forgiveness, not even knowing what he had said wrong.

Mo Zhiyan said, "I hate people who don't keep their promises. I hate them very much."

“That’s right, I’m just like you. A person without integrity cannot stand, and a person who doesn’t keep their word deserves to die!” Lu Yueyuan didn’t know what else to say, so he could only go along with Mo Zhiyan.

The heavy pressure of the rules suddenly disappeared, and the rules on the wall behind Mo Zhiyan also vanished. Lu Yueyuan breathed a sigh of relief and sat up again. He really didn't understand this guy's thought process.

"You pleaded for Su Zhaoran so sternly, and so what?" Mo Zhiyan said sternly, "She completely ignored you, deserting like a coward. Do you think she attacked your senior brother to avenge you? No, that was a foolish impulse. Besides, what does my issuance of a kill order for her have to do with you? She has her own senior brothers and sisters, her own master, but none of them pleaded for her. Have you ever thought about why?" Mo Zhiyan slammed his fist on the table as he spoke. "And you, what right do you have to presume to tell me all this? What do I have to do with you? Just because you say I can't issue a kill order doesn't mean I won't. Am I the protector of the Zhiyan lineage, or are you?"

"Yes, yes, I was wrong." Lu Yueyuan could only apologize. "You were right to scold me, you were right to scold me, I know all that. I shouldn't have come to beg for mercy, I was a fool."

“I won’t issue a kill order, fine, but you have to kneel down and beg me,” Mo Zhiyan suddenly said.

Without hesitation, Lu Yueyuan knelt down with a thud, his speed so fast that even Mo Zhiyan was stunned. But then, she became even angrier, slapping the table so hard it shattered.

“A man’s knees are worth gold; how can you kneel so casually?” Mo Zhiyan asked.

Lu Yueyuan shamelessly said, "I've saved up so much gold for so long, might as well use it. As a guardian of the pulse, I can't go back on my word. We agreed that if I kneel down, you can't issue a kill order." He knelt down openly, as if Mo Zhiyan were his mother.

“I always keep my promises, unlike you,” Mo Zhiyan said coldly.

Lu Yueyuan was completely baffled by what he heard. He wanted to ask something more, but Mo Zhiyan was already planning to see him out.

After Lu Yueyuan left, Mo Zhiyan returned to her room. She opened the cabinet and stared blankly at the toys and various board games she had collected. Then she closed the cabinet, sealed it with her spiritual energy, and went to the Sifu Bell Tower.

"Here you go." She tossed a precious treasure back to Zhong Sifu. "I won't issue a kill order against Su Zhaoran. She doesn't deserve such a crime."

"Are you out of your mind?" Zhong Sifu looked at her. "You clearly know why Su Zhaoran ran away. This is our best chance to get in touch with the core secrets of the sect leader's lineage. As long as you issue a kill order, we can openly hunt down Su Zhaoran. As long as we search her soul, we will definitely be able to get in touch with the core of the sect leader's lineage. And now you're telling me you're not doing it?" Zhong Sifu laughed in exasperation.

“I have no interest in the secrets of the sect leader’s lineage,” Mo Zhiyan said. “I’ve been following the rules. It’s true that Su Zhaoran has defected, but she hasn’t actually betrayed the sect. At most, she just refused to accept the sect’s missions. And the sect leader hasn’t said anything, so why should I issue a kill order for her? The Jiuyi Sect has many enemies; there’s no need to add another Su Zhaoran.”

Zhong Sifu tilted his head and looked at Mo Zhiyan.

"What's wrong with you today? This is really interesting. The guardian of the lineage is speaking up for the sect leader's lineage. I thought that apart from that idiot Ming Huaiwei, there wouldn't be anyone else. I didn't expect there to be another one. Haha, our nine lineages are all doomed." Zhong Sifu said in an exaggerated tone.

"Fourth sister, you can't talk about our sister like that." Mo Zhiyan frowned and said, "What Ming Huaiwei wants to do is her own decision."

Zhong Sifu rolled her eyes: "Hehe, fine, I wish you continued success in your game of sisterly affection. If there's nothing else, you can go back now."

"I... I wasn't playing a game. Aren't we sisters...?" Mo Zhiyan was a little stunned.

"Sisters? Hahahaha, sisters. I've had enough! Why would someone like you have the blood of the Dragon God?" Zhong Sifu laughed loudly. "My dear sister, do you even know what a dragon is? A dragon is the most selfish and greedy creature in the world. The deity who bestowed power upon our bloodline, the ancient Dragon God, was an even more despicable, greedy, and evil god. That kind of blood flows in our veins. Do you know why I gave you that secret treasure? It was a damn deal, you understand?"

“I know, that’s why I returned it to you. But you also gave me a birthday present, and I gave you one too,” Mo Zhiyan said. “...Aren’t we mutually respecting and loving?”

As if to prove her point, Mo Zhiyan quickly took out the flower wreath from her storage ring. It was a gift from Zhong Sifu to Mo Zhiyan on her birthday last year.

"It's meaningless. You take something that's just a perfunctory gift as a present. Have you lost your mind?" Zhong Sifu said speechlessly.

"My eldest sister played the zither for me, my second sister gave me a martial arts manual..." Mo Zhiyan said, one by one. "Even my ninth sister wished me a happy birthday. We... haven't we always gotten along very well?"