Chapter 72: Mo Qingxian

“Brother, it’s Mo Qingxian!”

An old man entered alongside the county yamen officials. With a head full of silver hair and eyebrows as long as snow, he exuded an imposing presence without needing to show anger. He was tall and upright, his back ramrod straight, and his grey robe swayed with every step. He walked with a powerful gait, displaying an extraordinary demeanor.

Gu Chutong recognized him instantly; it was Mo Qingxian, the master of Lingyun Mountain Manor.

Among those involved in the martial arts world in Linjiang Prefecture, many might not know who the prefect was, but few were unfamiliar with Mo Qingxian.

Lingyun Mountain Manor was a top-tier influential force in the martial arts world of Linjiang Prefecture. Its master, Mo Qingxian, was nicknamed the "Unbeatable Divine Blade." While no one dared claim he was the absolute best in martial arts, no one could confidently say they could defeat him either.

Of course, Mo Qingxian’s success in Linjiang Prefecture wasn't solely due to his martial arts. Lingyun Mountain Manor also produced the Blood-Tear Pills, a renowned precious medicine in the martial arts world. Each pill was worth thousands of taels and was virtually priceless, yet Mo Qingxian was generous, and many martial artists had received the benefit of his donated medicine.

Lingyun Mountain Manor also actively maintained order in the martial arts world, championed justice, and apprehended criminals, earning an excellent reputation among both the public and martial artists.

Mo Qingxian himself was quite legendary. Born into poverty, he fortuitously acquired the Blood-Tear Stone Clam and quickly rose to fame, performing acts of chivalry everywhere he went. Many young people, including the siblings Gu Mo and Gu Chutong, grew up listening to his stories.

However, in the past, Gu Mo and Gu Chutong were merely minor figures in the martial arts world and had no opportunity to meet important people like Mo Qingxian. Gu Chutong had only seen Mo Qingxian once before, two years ago, when the government organized a bandit-suppression conference. Many martial arts veterans appeared to show their support, and Gu Mo and Gu Chutong had gone to watch the spectacle, catching a glimpse of Mo Qingxian from afar.

Seeing Mo Qingxian again today, and at such close proximity, made Gu Chutong feel a little excited.

“Manor Master Mo, please!”

As the county yamen officials and Mo Qingxian entered, Zhao Congwu invited Mo Qingxian to inspect the pieced-together glass-like stone clam on the ground.

Mo Qingxian squatted, observed for a long time, and then let out a long sigh. He said, “This is fate, pure destiny. My life was transformed by this stone clam; it was my benefactor. Now, nearing seventy, I’ve allowed my benefactor to suffer this calamity.”

Mo Qingxian became somewhat dejected as he picked up a glass fragment and explained the unique properties of the Blood-Tear Stone Clam to everyone.

Zhao Congwu cupped his hands. “Manor Master Mo, I am truly sorry. It was my negligence in disciplining my disciples that allowed this greed to arise and cause such a disaster!”

After a long pause, Mo Qingxian sighed. “Master Zhao, it’s not your fault. Thirty years ago, Master Lingji of Qingliang Temple divined my fate, saying my destiny was tied to this stone clam: ‘As long as the clam exists, so does my life; as long as my life exists, so does the clam.’ Our fates are intertwined, interdependent. Perhaps my time is short, and I’ve inadvertently caused this calamity for the clam. It’s fate, pure destiny. No blame, no fault, no blame, no fault!”

Mo Qingxian's detached perspective earned the respect and admiration of everyone present.

At this point, the Magistrate of Fang County stepped forward, cupping his hands. “Manor Master Mo, Master Zhao, though both of you are esteemed elders and I admire your lofty composure, the legal process must still proceed.”

“Of course, of course.”

Zhao Congwu and Mo Qingxian both nodded in agreement.

Subsequently, the yamen officials began their investigation, gathering evidence, and conducting inquiries.

Finally, after understanding the basic situation, the eyewitnesses — Gu Mo, Gu Chutong, and Zuo Yue — along with the owner of the Blood-Tear Stone Clam, were taken to the county yamen for questioning.

The outcome of this matter was consistent with Zhuo Qingfeng's judgment.

All evidence indicated that Song Zu of the East Mountain Sword Sect collaborated with someone to feign supernatural activity and steal the Blood-Tear Stone Clam. To avoid detection, they framed the thirteen escorts. To eliminate traces, Ma Jichang was killed to silence him. Furthermore, due to an uneven split of spoils or other internal conflicts, Song Zu was killed by his partner, who was disguised as a cat demon.

Gu Mo and Gu Chutong stayed at the Fang County yamen for a day and a night. Because it was a major case, they had many things to confirm and verify. They were only released the next morning, after having a meal at the yamen.

Walking out of the yamen, Gu Chutong said, “Brother, I think there’s something wrong with this case.”

“Tell me,” Gu Mo said.

Gu Chutong said, “If the cat demon was a person in disguise, what would they need Song Zu for in their collaboration? They could easily enter the East Mountain Sword Sect, kill people, and leave in plain sight. With such ability, why would they need Song Zu to do anything? And why would they hand over a natural treasure like the Blood-Tear Stone Clam to Song Zu?”

“If the cat demon was a real cat demon, how would Song Zu dare to deceive it? How could he obtain the Blood-Tear Stone Clam, then fail to uphold his promise, and subsequently be killed by the cat demon? That doesn't make sense either, brother, don't you agree?”

Gu Mo nodded. “Indeed, as you said, it’s very illogical. However, I can’t explain it either. The current issue is that the Blood-Tear Stone Clam was indeed found with Song Zu, and all evidence points to Ma Jichang having been killed by him.”

Gu Chutong thought for a moment and said, “Yes, it’s very strange. It feels illogical, yet at the same time, very logical.”

“It doesn’t matter if we can’t figure it out,” Gu Mo said with a smile. “Investigating the case is Commander Zhuo’s responsibility, and it doesn’t concern us too much. Our main goal was to clear Uncle Qu’s name, and now, that goal has been achieved, hasn’t it?”

“That’s true,” Gu Chutong nodded. “Let’s head back now and meet up with Commander Zhuo.”

Just as they exited the yamen gates, a yamen attendant brought Gu Mo’s carriage over and handed it to Gu Chutong.

Just as Gu Mo stepped onto the carriage, another carriage approached and stopped directly beside them.

The curtain was drawn open, revealing Mo Qingxian, the master of Lingyun Mountain Manor. He smiled and asked, “Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, are you heading back to Linjiang Prefecture?”

Gu Chutong was instantly excited to see Mo Qingxian. Hearing him call her “Heroine Gu” clearly indicated he knew her, and she asked in surprise, “Manor Master Mo, do you... do you know us?”

Mo Qingxian chuckled. “These days, there are few martial artists in Linjiang Prefecture who haven’t heard of the Gu siblings. Though I am old, I still keep abreast of the martial arts world. Yesterday, when I saw you two at the East Mountain Sword Sect, I sensed an extraordinary demeanor, not typical of ordinary people. However, I was in a hurry then and didn't get a chance to ask. Today, after inquiring, I learned it was indeed you two, so I specially waited here.”

Hearing Mo Qingxian's words, Gu Chutong was as delighted as a simpleton, grinning foolishly.

Gu Mo cupped his hands. “May I ask, Manor Master Mo, if you have any advice for us?”

Mo Qingxian said, “Hero Gu, you are one of the outstanding young talents in Yunzhou’s martial arts world. I’ve long wished to meet you and become friends, but the opportunity never arose. Now that I’ve met you, I naturally want to get acquainted. Are you two returning to Linjiang City now? If so, we could travel together!”

“We are indeed heading back now, but my eyes are inconvenient, and my pace is slow. I’m afraid it might inconvenience Manor Master Mo.”

“I’m just an old man with old bones; how fast could I possibly go? It would be perfect to travel together, perfect!”