Chapter 78 - Reverence and Regret

"Before we go to Mo Chaoren, there's something I'd like to discuss with you, Captain."

Bai Xunli nodded. "This way, Shengzun." She led Xuan Tian into her study. Before sitting, she poured him a cup of tea, then took a seat herself. She took a seat in one of the chairs while Xuan Tian sat across from her.

"I'll get straight to the point. I know you're concerned about where I stand regarding Mo Chaoren. You don't need to be. He's guilty—there's no question about it. And I have no objection to ICEB taking him into custody," Xuan Tian began.

"I'm here to inform you that I will not interfere with your investigation. I'm handing over Mo Chaoren, Feng Hailin, and all the victims to ICEB."

Bai Xunli listened intently. She hadn't expected this. She thought Xuan Tian would oppose ICEB taking custody of Mo Chaoren.

She was baffled. "You're not here to take custody of Mo Chaoren?"

Xuan Tian shook his head. "No, I'm not."

"Regarding the victims, Gu Zhenren said he wanted to take them to Ziyu Sect with him," Bai Xunli said, choosing her words carefully.

"I personally think that's a good idea. Those victims need proper guidance in cultivation. And Ziyu's reputation precedes them. They also need new disciples. It works out well," Xuan Tian replied calmly.

Bai Xunli blinked in confusion. She really hadn't expected this.

"Then—" she hesitated, "what is it that you wanted to discuss, Shengzun?"

"I want to ask your permission to see Mo Chaoren. I have a few questions regarding that day," Xuan Tian replied.

Bai Xunli leaned back in her chair, stunned. Xuan Tian was asking her permission? She thought she'd be the one asking him for permission to take Mo Chaoren. This man—he's on a completely different level!

Mo Chaoren was cultivating in his room—or trying to. His core was damaged, his cultivation level had dropped to Low Immortal Stage Five. His body was riddled with injuries that would take a long time to heal, if they ever did. Some damage might never recover. His cultivation was ruined. He could no longer ascend. He would be forever stuck.

Just like that, the future he had worked so hard for had shattered.

He sighed in defeat. He regretted his decision to follow Tie Yanfang in extracting cores. He had known it was wrong, but he had ignored his conscience and chased ambition instead. Now he was reaping what he had sown.

A knock came at the door.

It must be an ICEB Warrior bringing food. Mo Chaoren sighed again. I have to eat now, to survive.

His body was too broken to afford the luxury of fasting. Survival came first.

"Come in," he rasped. Another thing—his vocal cords were damaged. His voice had changed.

The door opened. Bai Xunli entered, followed by Xuan Tian.

Mo Chaoren's eyes widened in surprise and joy. He immediately jumped down from his bed, knelt in front of Xuan Tian, and pressed his forehead to the floor.

Bai Xunli was startled. She knew Mo Chaoren respected Xuan Tian, but she hadn't expected this level of reverence.

Xuan Tian quickly stopped him and helped him up.

Tears streamed down Mo Chaoren's cheeks. "This lowly Immortal cannot express his gratitude! Shengzun is still willing to see this lowly Immortal! Shengzun didn't abandon this lowly Immortal!" he wailed.

Bai Xunli could only stare and blink.

Xuan Tian waited a beat before speaking calmly, "Stop crying. You're an adult. Pull yourself together."

Mo Chaoren choked on his own sobs, trying to rein them in.

Bai Xunli shook her head subtly and saluted. "Shengzun, please feel free to chat. I'll leave you to it."

Xuan Tian turned to her, slightly surprised by her decision not to stay.

He nodded. "Thank you, Captain."

"No need to thank me, Shengzun." She exited the room and quietly closed the door behind her.

Silence fell in the room.

Xuan Tian stepped forward and took Mo Chaoren's wrist, checking his pulse. Mo Chaoren had the urge to pull away, ashamed of his condition.

As if reading his mind, Xuan Tian said, "You have nothing to be ashamed of. You did well. I came here, first, to thank you."

He released the wrist and met Mo Chaoren's eyes. "Thank you for fighting with your life. You laid it down for the doctors and the victims. That atoned for some of your crimes."

Mo Chaoren's lips trembled, and fresh tears rolled down his cheeks. He cried silently this time, overwhelmed with relief. He had been dreading this meeting, afraid that Xuan Tian would cast him aside. He truly wanted to become one of his people—he saw Xuan Tian as someone he could follow for life.

In a raspy voice, he said, "Shengzun, this lowly Immortal cannot express his gratitude. If Shengzun is willing, this lowly Immortal would follow you for the rest of his life." He bowed deeply, saluting.

"Sit down. You're still injured. I appreciate your allegiance."

Mo Chaoren obeyed and sat down, though his voice broke. "But Shengzun doesn't accept this lowly Immortal."

Xuan Tian sighed. He hadn't expected Mo Chaoren to change this much. What the man had done was despicable, yet now he had cast away his pride in a desperate wish to atone.

"I cannot accept your allegiance—not because I don't want you, but because I face complications I cannot share with you. My circumstances make it impossible for you to follow me."

Mo Chaoren met Xuan Tian's gaze. What he saw there was truth. That was enough.

He smiled through his tears. "Thank you, Shengzun. That means a great deal to this lowly Immortal."

He straightened his posture. "Is Shengzun here to ask about what happened at the inn?"

Xuan Tian shook his head. "I've already heard it from Dr. Lin."

Mo Chaoren's face turned grim. "This lowly Immortal came back late. Tie Yanfang arrived there before this lowly Immortal."

He stood up and saluted Xuan Tian. "Please, Shengzun, punish this lowly Immortal."

Xuan Tian looked at him calmly. "You've already been punished. Your Immortal Core is damaged, your cultivation has dropped significantly. You really want more punishment?"

Mo Chaoren remained saluting. "This lowly Immortal wishes Shengzun to bestow death!"

Xuan Tian chuckled. "Death? That's not punishment."

His voice turned cold. "That's escape. But for you, it's a release."

His eyes narrowed. "I wouldn't let you escape that easily."

Mo Chaoren dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the floor. "This lowly Immortal will gladly follow Shengzun's orders!"

Xuan Tian's voice remained cold. "I want you to fully cooperate with ICEB. Do not return to your old, evil ways. Repent. Atone. Only then can I consider accepting your allegiance."