Chapter 184: True Mastermind Behind the Scenes?

Early the next morning, martial artists from various sects began to depart from Camel Bell Town. Many, primarily organized by the Suxin Convent, Great Saber Gate, and Cold River Gate, headed towards Peach Blossom Manor. The Great Saber Gate was now reduced to a mere handful of members, holding onto the title of one of the Eight Great Sects in name only. However, the Suxin Convent and Cold River Gate were different; despite suffering an ambush and losing their sect leaders, their elite forces remained intact.

Now that the mastermind behind the Corpse Arts had been exposed, they naturally wouldn't let the matter rest. Although they were all renowned righteous sects, direct annihilation for revenge was out of the question. While the saying "misfortune doesn't extend to family" is often empty talk, prestigious righteous sects still needed to save face and wouldn't resort to direct attacks. However, the major sects would certainly retaliate against Peach Blossom Manor under the guise of investigating the Corpse Arts.

Zhuo Qingfeng also led his forces towards Peach Blossom Manor early in the morning. Whether out of a sense of justice or to uphold the prestige of the Six Doors, he could not allow Peach Blossom Manor to be wiped out, nor could he permit various sects to indiscriminately kill innocent people for revenge. After all, while Peach Blossom Manor was Ke Wenhui's enterprise, not everyone there was a staunch loyalist; many were simply earning a livelihood.

Suddenly, Camel Bell Town, which had been bustling the day before, began to fall silent.

In the small courtyard of the Lu Family Manor, Chen Xiuyuan was eating with Gu Mo and Gu Chudong. Unlike Zhuo Qingfeng, his mission was to return to the Six Doors Yamen with the bodies of the bronze-armored zombies. Gu Mo and Gu Chudong had not yet received any information about wanted criminals, so they also planned to return to Changling County. Therefore, they decided to depart together after breakfast.

As the group ate and chatted, a Six Doors constable entered from outside, cupping his hands and saying, "Great Hero Gu, Sect Leader Lin Duanyun of the Qiongshan Sect requests an audience." Gu Mo was a little puzzled, wondering why Lin Duanyun would seek him out instead of focusing on settling accounts with Peach Blossom Manor. However, he had a good impression of Lin Duanyun, so he nodded and said, "Please invite him in."

Shortly after, Lin Duanyun entered, cupping his hands. "Great Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, Chief Chen, I apologize for this abrupt disturbance!" Gu Mo and the others all returned the gesture. Then, Gu Mo gestured for Lin Duanyun to sit down.

Lin Duanyun cupped his hands in thanks and slowly sat down, his gaze fixed on Gu Mo, feeling a great sense of emotion. He knew of Gu Mo's reputation as the Great Hero of Yunzhou and the tenth-ranked on the Qian Kingdom's Heavenly Ranking, knowing he was a Grandmaster. Yet, he himself was the top prodigy in Mobei; among the younger generation, only Ke Wenhui could barely rival him in Mobei. Later, he became the sect leader of Mobei's largest sect, greatly increasing his resources. Now, although still not very old, his martial arts skills, while not definitively Mobei's best, certainly made him a strong contender for the title.

He had always believed that his reputation wasn't widespread enough because Mobei was isolated and geographically unique. If he were in the central martial arts world, even if he wasn't a Grandmaster, he wouldn't be far off.

However, after last night's battle, he was truly struck. He had always thought that while Gu Mo undoubtedly possessed true ability, he was still so young, and his purported achievements were likely exaggerated. Yet, last night, Gu Mo pacified the zombie unrest, which had worried so many of them, with just three moves.

The first move defeated Ke Wenhui, the second killed Ke Wenhui, and the third killed six bronze-armored zombies.

Those three moves lingered in his mind. All night long, he kept wondering: Was the gap between himself and a Grandmaster truly so vast?

At this moment, Lin Duanyun looked at the young man, barely in his twenties and blind, feeling a surge of emotions. After a long moment of contemplation, he regained his composure and cupped his hands, saying, "Great Hero Gu, I have disturbed you without warning because I wished to thank you in person. If not for your intervention in slaying Ke Wenhui, I fear the martial arts world of Mobei would have been plunged into bloodshed, and my master's revenge would have been delayed indefinitely."

Gu Mo shook his head slightly. "Sect Leader Lin, there's no need to thank me. If you truly wish to thank someone, thank Lord Zhuo and the Six Doors. My intervention was at the invitation of Lord Zhuo and the request of the Six Doors. If your gratitude is sincere, you might consider supporting the Six Doors' work more in the future."

"I understand," Lin Duanyun said. "This time, the martial arts world of Mobei was spared a catastrophe entirely thanks to you and Lord Zhuo." At this point, Lin Duanyun paused, then continued, "Originally, I had planned to visit Lord Zhuo this morning, but unfortunately, he has gone to Peach Blossom Manor. I know, Great Hero Gu, that you are a close friend of Lord Zhuo. When Lord Zhuo returns to the Six Doors, please convey to him on my behalf that the Qiongshan Sect is willing to unconditionally accept the management of the Six Doors."

At Lin Duanyun's words, Gu Mo, Gu Chudong, and Chen Xiuyuan were all stunned. All of them were well aware of the immense difficulty Zhuo Qingfeng faced in establishing order in Mobei with the newly formed Mobei Six Doors. However, they also understood the Qiongshan Sect's standing in Mobei. If the Qiongshan Sect proactively pledged allegiance and offered assistance, then Zhuo Qingfeng's Mobei Six Doors would be one step closer to successfully establishing order in the Mobei martial arts world, solving half of its greatest challenge.

Gu Mo took a sip of porridge and slowly asked, "What is your reasoning, Sect Leader Lin?"

Lin Duanyun sighed and said, "It was only after witnessing your actions last night, Great Hero Gu, that I truly understood how narrow my perspective has been all this time. With your assistance to Lord Zhuo, his successful establishment of the Six Doors is an inevitable trend, unstoppable. Secondly, I personally quite agree with the Six Doors establishing order in the Mobei martial arts world. Mobei is too chaotic right now, causing widespread suffering among the common people and hindering the development of Mobei's martial arts. If this continues, evil will only flourish while righteousness declines, and the righteous path will be suppressed by the wicked. This is absolutely not what I wish to see. Thirdly, and out of self-interest, since I believe Lord Zhuo can successfully establish the Six Doors in Mobei, my being the first to pledge allegiance will be most beneficial for the future development of my Qiongshan Sect. The Qiongshan Sect has reached its limit of development in Mobei at its current level; next comes the inevitable decline after reaching its peak. The Six Doors suppressing the martial arts world is an irreversible trend. If the Qiongshan Sect does not want to decline, it naturally needs to become the Six Doors' designated martial arts alliance leader. Whether developing beyond Mobei or maintaining its status as the leading sect within Mobei, it will require the support of the Six Doors."

Gu Mo nodded slightly. "Very well, I will convey your message. If Lord Zhuo accepts, he will naturally send someone to notify you."

"Many thanks, Great Hero Gu," Lin Duanyun quickly cupped his hands in gratitude.

"However," Gu Mo asked, "are you not going to Peach Blossom Manor to settle accounts?"

"No," Lin Duanyun shook his head. "I've already learned from people at Peach Blossom Manor that after my master was harmed, Ke Wenhui enacted his revenge, leaving no trace of the bodies. I intend to return and erect a cenotaph for my master. As for Peach Blossom Manor, there's no need to settle accounts. Ke Wenhui is dead. Those truly connected to Ke Wenhui and the Corpse Arts have surely already fled. At this point, going to Peach Blossom Manor to settle accounts would merely be an act of venting anger. I cannot stop others from seeking revenge and venting their anger; I can only manage myself."

Gu Mo chuckled softly. "Sect Leader Lin possesses a truly high realm of understanding."

Lin Duanyun shook his head. "It's not that my realm is high; it's simply that every wrong has its perpetrator, and I don't wish to implicate others."

Afterward, Lin Duanyun chatted with Gu Mo for a while longer, exchanging some martial arts insights, before bidding farewell and departing.

Gu Chudong saw Lin Duanyun out of the courtyard, then returned inside and said, "This Sect Leader Lin is quite good. His character is admirable, and he can clearly see the big picture. I think he'll definitely achieve great things in the future."

Gu Mo smiled and said, "You're already judging people now?"

Gu Chudong pouted. "Brother, do you think I'm wrong?"

Gu Mo smiled. "He stands at the pinnacle of Mobei's martial arts world, enjoying the greatest benefits of the current order, yet his eyes aren't clouded by immediate fame and fortune. He can still rationally analyze the situation, make choices, and adapt. In this regard, he's already stronger than most people." Indeed, Gu Mo genuinely felt that Lin Duanyun was a remarkable individual.

Most beneficiaries of the current order in this world, when faced with societal changes or external shocks, only think about preserving the old order and stabilizing their own status. Even if they know the old order has issues and will eventually collapse, they will only pin their hopes on future generations, pushing the problem further down the line until it finally collapses. Just like dynasties throughout history, many in power are not unaware of existing problems, but they are unwilling to attempt change. After all, enjoying current benefits versus taking great risks to change the order without necessarily improving their own lives is not a difficult choice between the two.

"Lin Duanyun has always had an excellent reputation in the Mobei martial arts world," Chen Xiuyuan said. "He's known for his chivalry and righteousness, and like his master Bai Qiliao, he has always been dedicated to maintaining peace in the martial arts world. If the Six Doors truly needs to choose a representative for the martial arts world, he would be quite suitable. Of course, this is just my personal opinion; my level of thought is not high enough, and I see many things superficially."

Gu Mo smiled. "These matters aren't our concern. Just send a message to Brother Zhuo about what Lin Duanyun said today; he will decide for himself."

Within days, the incident in Camel Bell Town caused a great stir throughout Mobei. The news spread rapidly because there were many martial artists in Camel Bell Town that day; word-of-mouth spread quickly, and within days, it had circulated throughout the Mobei martial arts world. The matter was significant: the emergence of the Corpse Arts, the death of Ke Wenhui. Grandmaster Jingci, Ma Qingxiong, Yu Chi Feng, and the top figure in Mobei's martial arts world, the Qiongshan Sect's old sect leader Bai Qiliao, were all confirmed dead—each a monumental event in Mobei's martial arts world.

In the martial arts world, a massive wave of zombie-hunting and killing began. At the same time, within days, the Qiongshan Sect sent invitations to various sects across the martial arts world to erect a cenotaph and hold a funeral for their old sect leader, Bai Qiliao.

At Qingyan Ancient Post, on Mount Qiong, as Lin Duanyun brought the news of Bai Qiliao's death back to the Qiongshan Sect, a pall of gloom fell over the entire sect. Preparations for a memorial hall and funeral began, making the Qiongshan Sect bustle with activity. After all, it was the funeral of the Qiongshan Sect's old sect leader, and sects from all over Mobei's martial arts world would come to observe and offer condolences. The Qiongshan Sect naturally couldn't afford to be stingy and become a laughingstock. Consequently, hundreds of people within the Qiongshan Sect sprang into action.

As night fell, the Qiongshan Sect was brightly lit.

Lin Duanyun went to the back mountain, confirmed no one was around, then lightly leaped down a hundred-zhang cliff. After descending several dozen zhang, he grabbed a vine, swung gently, and entered a hidden cave. Passing through the long, dark entrance, about seven or eight zhang deep, he took a torch from the wall and lit it. The firelight illuminated the space, revealing a white-haired old man who was impaled by over a dozen iron chains through key acupuncture points on his body, with the other ends of the chains embedded in the stone walls.

The old man slowly raised his head, revealing a weathered face. It was none other than Bai Qiliao, the old sect leader of the Qiongshan Sect, whose death had been announced.

Lin Duanyun held up the torch and walked to Bai Qiliao, saying mockingly, "Master, I succeeded. The enemies who harmed my father have mostly been killed by me. Not only will no one suspect me, but I will also become the martial arts alliance leader of Mobei, enjoying the adulation of thousands!"