Chapter 219: Embracing the Sword

After a long moment, Mo Yuanjiao finally reined in his thoughts and tugged on the reins in his hand, turning to Mo Que. "Let's go, back to the residence."

When Mo Yuanjiao arrived at the gate of his family's General's Residence, the gatekeepers, upon seeing this tall, familiar youth, couldn't believe their eyes. They rubbed their eyes in disbelief but, once they confirmed it was indeed their young master, their faces lit up with joy.

"It's the young master! The young master has returned!"

After respectfully greeting Mo Yuanjiao, one of them hurried inside to inform the others, while the remaining gatekeepers welcomed their young master and Mo Que, taking the reins from their hands to lead the horses away.

Mo Yuanjiao, warmly received by the household staff, entered the residence. As soon as he stepped inside, the head steward approached and guided him to the front courtyard, where General Mo's study was located.

Inside the study, General Mo stood alone, his back facing the door as he meticulously polished his treasured sword. After leading Mo Yuanjiao into the study, the steward quietly exited, gently closing the door behind him. He then led the surrounding servants out of the courtyard, standing guard at the gate himself.

Only after everyone had left did General Mo turn around to face Mo Yuanjiao. General Mo had spent his early years fighting on the battlefield, and it wasn't until he was over thirty that he found time to settle down and father a few children. Although Mo Yuanjiao was only thirteen years old, General Mo was already at the age of fifty. However, thanks to years of martial arts training and the careful care of his virtuous wife, he looked like he was in his forties.

He first scrutinized his youngest son, whom he hadn't seen in half a year, from head to toe. Mo Yuanjiao, usually well-behaved in front of his father, stood straight, allowing his father to examine him without any antics.

Seeing that in just half a year, his youngest son's restless demeanor had largely faded and that he appeared much more composed than before, General Mo nodded with satisfaction. "Not bad. Going out has made you a bit more respectable."

Hearing his father finally speak, Mo Yuanjiao immediately darted over to him, like grease on a pan, full of enthusiasm. "Father, would you like to cultivate with me?"

General Mo: …

After half a year apart, shouldn't father and son first share some tender moments, then talk about the son's experiences on his journey? But what was his son saying now? Why did he both understand and not understand at the same time?

Unaware of his father's thoughts, Mo Yuanjiao eagerly continued, "Even our sect leader's father cultivates! His grandfather cultivates too! His whole family cultivates!"

Fortunately, General Mo was a seasoned warrior who had seen all sorts of situations. He cleared his throat and asked, "So, you're saying you want me to join your little sect and cultivate with you?"

Mo Yuanjiao nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, Father! You can't cultivate without joining the sect. I still have a few disciple slots left, so why don't I take you in as my disciple?"

General Mo: …

After a moment of silence, General Mo, expressionless, said, "Your mother and grandmother are waiting for you in the rear courtyard. Go see them, and bring Mo Que with you."

Feeling slightly disappointed but obedient, Mo Yuanjiao reluctantly agreed with a "Yes, Father" and left the study, albeit with a hint of regret. Upon seeing the head steward waiting at the courtyard gate, he asked him to summon Mo Que, then dashed off to the rear courtyard.

If he couldn't persuade his father, then surely he could try convincing his mother and grandmother!

As Mo Yuanjiao ran to the rear courtyard, ready to use his charm and persuasive skills on his mother and grandmother, General Mo remained in the study, finally hearing the full account of their journey from Mo Que.

After satisfying his mother and grandmother's desire to smother him with affection, Mo Yuanjiao returned to his own courtyard. His personal servant, Bao Jian, came running up to him, crying out as he grabbed hold of Mo Yuanjiao's leg, "Young master! How could you leave your Bao Jian behind for half a year without returning? Bao Jian has waited so long for you!"

Mo Yuanjiao, accustomed to this behavior, stood still until the moment Bao Jian's crying paused. He quickly counted aloud, "On the count of three. One, two, and…"

Bao Jian immediately jumped up, swiftly smoothing out the wrinkles he had created on his young master's clothes while smiling obsequiously. "I'm up, I'm up. Young master, next time you go on a long journey, please take Bao Jian with you. I can't bear the thought of you roughing it out there without someone to attend to your needs."

Mo Yuanjiao strode into the house, ignoring Bao Jian's lamentations. "In a bit, I need you to find out more about someone—an itinerant Daoist known as Qing Guan who frequents the Western Flower District. See what his background is."

Hearing that his young master had a task for him right after returning, Bao Jian felt his position as Mo Yuanjiao's trusted servant was restored. Energized, he eagerly followed behind and responded loudly, "Yes, young master!"

"Keep it discreet," Mo Yuanjiao added.

Bao Jian immediately lowered his voice to a whisper, "Understood, young master."

Mo Yuanjiao turned to look at him, exasperated. "I meant be discreet when you're gathering information."

After Bao Jian left to carry out his orders, Mo Que arrived in Mo Yuanjiao's courtyard. Seeing him, Mo Yuanjiao was a bit surprised. "Father's questioning is already over?"

Mo Que nodded. "The master said I'll be following you from now on."

Originally, Mo Que had been General Mo's personal guard. He had been assigned to accompany Mo Yuanjiao on his journey out of concern for his safety. After this trip, however, General Mo decided to have Mo Que stay with Mo Yuanjiao permanently. Although this wasn't entirely unexpected, Mo Yuanjiao still found it somewhat surprising.

Then Mo Que asked, "Young master, do you suspect that fortune-teller?"

Clearly, he had overheard Mo Yuanjiao's instructions to Bao Jian.

Hearing the question, Mo Yuanjiao responded, "Yes, the green cap he wore is identical in style to the one worn by the disciple from Shangyang Sect who saved me in Liaoju Prefecture."

"I suspect this fortune-teller might be from Shangyang Sect, and his fortune-telling may have been part of a scheme to deceive me."

Back in Liaoju Prefecture, after being rescued from the spirit stone mine by Lin Xiao, Mo Yuanjiao had followed the prefectural governor back to the prefectural office, where he had briefly encountered the Golden Immortal from Shangyang Sect.

Before joining Lingxian Sect, Mo Yuanjiao hadn't paid much attention to the location of Shangyang Sect. But after joining Lingxian Sect, he learned from his fellow disciples about Shangyang Sect's disciple recruitment in the province earlier that year. Only then did he realize that Shangyang Sect was Lingxian Sect's neighbor.

This confirmed his belief that his true destiny lay with Lingxian Sect. If there had been even the slightest deviation, he might have ended up at Shangyang Sect instead.

Now, seeing that the fortune-teller who had once given him a reading was likely connected to Shangyang Sect, Mo Yuanjiao's suspicions were immediately aroused.