Chapter 80: Boss, You Really Have to Be Careful This Time!

As if understanding their confusion, Mo Xingjian said solemnly: “Because you two are the most suitable.”

Zhou Qing met his master’s gaze and seemed to grasp something: “So, are we the bait this time?”

Yan Xiaohu instantly grew tense.

But Mo Xingjian shook his head: “They won’t target you again. Losing a deputy director who’s been undercover for years over a Foundation Establishment cultivator? Even if they killed you, it wouldn’t feel satisfying—and it would make them look petty.”

“Then why are we the most suitable?” Yan Xiaohu asked, puzzled.

After all, the spiritual rice feeds the entire Taiqingmen, not just Xiao Ling Peak.

Mo Xingjian sighed: “Someone saw the Second Miss appear there.”

Zhou Qing and Yan Xiaohu immediately perked up.

“The Second Senior Sister is in Qingmu City?”

Mo Xingjian shook his head: “I don’t know. That girl is too reclusive—she’s been away for three full years without returning. No one knows where she went. When you get there, use your token to send a message and ask. Maybe you can still reach her.”

“Everyone’s such a worry. None of them even bother to send word they’re safe.”

After hearing this, the two sighed in unison.

They hadn’t realized it had already been three years—they missed the Second Senior Sister dearly.

Whenever their master scolded them, the Second Senior Sister was always the first to step in front of them. Even their master was a little afraid of her.

If you think about it, we really are the most suitable. No one else has added her as a contact, and even if they had, they wouldn’t go out of their way to look for her.

“By the way, take this—if you truly run into danger, activate it. Your master will arrive within half an incense stick’s burn, following the teleportation link!”

Mo Xingjian handed them another silver scroll.

“This is called a Spatial Scroll. It has a parent and child pair. The one in your hands is the child scroll; the parent scroll is with me. You know the current situation—we’re tied up with too many matters and can’t spare the time,” Mo Xingjian explained.

With this valuable item, the two felt considerably more at ease.

Zhou Qing hesitated slightly: “Master, what about Senior Brother Gao Xuan…?”

Mo Xingjian frowned: “Your Sect Master also went to that cave. The traces left behind are unmistakably his techniques. According to the Sect Master, if someone had faked it, the place would’ve been destroyed long ago—why would any traces remain for others to find?”

“Moreover, the Sect Master subtly questioned Gao Xuan, who openly admitted he was ambushed there and killed his attacker. It was an old enemy who somehow recognized him and followed him all the way here.”

“More importantly, Senior Brother Gao Xuan’s soul flame has never gone out. And when you two were attacked, it was he who appeared at the last moment to save you.”

Hearing Mo Xingjian’s words, Zhou Qing opened his mouth but found himself speechless.

“Don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. I’ll keep a closer eye on things in daily life,” Mo Xingjian said slowly.

Zhou Qing sighed softly. He had no concrete evidence, so he could only say: “Master, please stay extra cautious. Better safe than sorry.”

“I understand. Once you return, prepare quickly and depart as soon as possible. The matter in Qingmu City has already been going on for over two months, and the journey itself will take another half-month,” Mo Xingjian instructed.

Then the two bowed and took their leave.

At that moment, no one noticed a blue paper crane outside the window, gently flapping its wings as it silently flew away…

…………

As for the upcoming journey to Qingmu City, Zhou Qing felt no resistance—he actually looked forward to it.

After all, he finally had a chance to see the Second Senior Sister again.

Besides being level-headed, the Second Senior Sister was actually very beautiful—of the kind whose beauty grows on you the longer you look.

Unfortunately, to avoid attention, she rarely adorned herself, appearing plain and modest overall.

As for danger, his current cultivation techniques offered him some self-defense capability, not to mention he had Third Senior Brother and the parent-child scroll.

Watching the old hen asleep in the coop, he quickly began packing.

Meanwhile, Yan Xiaohu had sent messages to his eight subordinates—but within moments, a disheveled man with a swollen face arrived at his quarters.

His already small eyes were now squeezed into two thin slits, nearly invisible; his mouth was puffed up so high he could barely speak clearly, stammering with every word.

Seeing his condition, Yan Xiaohu was genuinely startled.

“Niu Guangmo, what happened to you? How did you end up like this?” Yan Xiaohu hurriedly asked.

Niu Guangmo’s swollen eyes darted away, but he still bowed: “Boss… today… was just… unbelievably bad. I didn’t see… a… spiritual stinger bee… coming… couldn’t dodge it…”

“Enough, enough. That’s bad enough. What’s the situation now?” Yan Xiaohu cut in quickly.

Niu Guangmo said: “I took… an antidote pill… but the swelling won’t go down… not yet… I’m afraid the brothers will laugh.”

“Understood. I’ll explain. The sting’s venom is indeed potent. Go back and rest immediately. If you can’t manage it, just skip tomorrow.”

Yan Xiaohu instantly understood his intent and couldn’t help laughing.

Niu Guangmo waved his hands frantically: “N-no problem. Boss, you… you really have to be careful this time.”

Yan Xiaohu chuckled: “I know, I know. Don’t forget who I am—when have I ever failed to bring you all back safe? Look at this venom—it’s even affecting your facial nerves. Are your eyes twitching like that because it hurts?”

“Y-yes, it’s… really painful. I… I’m leaving now!”

After speaking, Niu Guangmo sighed and turned to run off.

Yan Xiaohu watched his miserable back and burst out laughing, then pulled out a bronze mirror to inspect himself.

“You know what? After being stung, those little eyes of his are almost as tiny as mine. Hmph, single-lidded guys? Totally handsome!”

After his self-indulgent moment, Yan Xiaohu resumed packing.

Shen Yue Peak!

“Senior Brother, do you have any Foundation Establishment cultivation insights? Since I reached Foundation Establishment, I haven’t been able to settle down and cultivate properly. This time, I want to lock myself in for a serious retreat!”

That night, Lu Yaoyao approached her Senior Brother Li Daoxuan.

Li Daoxuan immediately beamed: “Of course I do. Good to see you’ve got this mindset. Wait a moment—I’ll find it for you.”

Soon, Li Daoxuan retrieved a jade slip.

“It’s been a while—had to search for ages. But looking back, so many years have already passed…”

“Senior Brother, thank you. During my retreat, I won’t go out again!”

Before Li Daoxuan could finish reminiscing, Lu Yaoyao eagerly snatched the jade slip.

Li Daoxuan looked at her with indulgent affection: “Don’t worry—I won’t disturb you. But if you have any questions, send a message anytime. Me, your Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother—we’ll all respond immediately.”

“Understood. Thank you all!”

Lu Yaoyao hugged the jade slip and skipped away happily.

…………

The next morning, Zhou Qing and the others had already gathered—only Niu Guangmo was missing.

Soon, they received a message from Mo Xingjian.

“For safety’s sake, I won’t come to see you off—don’t want anyone suspicious to notice. Safe travels!”

Seeing this message, Yan Xiaohu suddenly remembered something and hurriedly asked: “By the way, Master, since this is an official mission, can we get reimbursed for travel expenses?”

But after waiting a long while with no reply from Mo Xingjian, they saw Niu Guangmo finally arrive, late as ever.

Though still dressed in the purple robe of a true disciple, his face looked even more swollen.

Aside from the faint familiarity in his brows and eyes, no one—not even his own mother—could recognize him now.

He’d gone from ox head to pig head!

Everyone had learned from Yan Xiaohu that Old Niu had been stung by a spiritual stinger bee yesterday—but no one expected it to have worsened overnight.

“Old Niu, if you’d been stung down there and wandered around, hah, you’d have had half the senior sisters and junior sisters knocking on your window at night.”

“Can you even see through those slits? Should I carry you on my back? Hahaha~~”

“Man, you’re so unlucky. How did a spiritual stinger bee even show up on Xiao Ling Peak? Could someone be breeding them?”

…………

Facing their teasing, Niu Guangmo forced a smile and pointed to his mouth, quickly writing a line of tiny characters in the air with spiritual energy.

【My throat is swollen—I can’t speak!】

Yan Xiaohu walked over, slapped his neck, then cheerfully wrapped an arm around Niu Guangmo.

“Don’t worry, it’ll be fine in a few days. Your Yan Brother and all the guys here will take care of you,” Yan Xiaohu said.

Niu Guangmo rubbed his neck, gave Yan Xiaohu a strange look, then nodded slightly.

In the air appeared the characters: 【Thank you, Yan Brother】

“Alright, I think Old Mo won’t come to see us off. Since everyone’s here, let’s go!” Yan Xiaohu declared.

Then the group took to their swords and flew straight toward Qingmu City…

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(End of Chapter)