Gao Shu became gloomy after Jing Wen’s words. In the end, Jing Wen was right; he was no longer a powerful Qi Manifestation cultivator, and his current state is lower than most of his former subordinates in his former division.

“Even as a Qi Manifestation cultivator, I am still ordinary.” Jing Wen said emotionlessly, “There are countless great masters who have reached ‘xian’ state.”

Gao Shu inwardly sighed. There were countless flaws to Jing Wen’s arguments, yet he knew Jing Wen would likely not reason with any objections. Looking at Jing Wen, Gao Shu said, “I’ll protect you if I must… If I fail to do that, I will take revenge for you.”

“There’s no need for that. If I perish one day, I suggest you retire to Jianghu and settle down with.” Jing Wen said. “Revenge is a fool’s game that brings no fulfilment.”

Gao Shu didn’t understand why Jing Wen would not say this to Hong Jingfei, but eventually nodded without any future discussion. Hearing the sound of footsteps, Gao Shu quickly turned around and disappeared into the dense vegetation.

It was a servant, who was anxiously looking around for Jing Wen. After finally seeing him, the servant hastily gave a bow, saying nervously, “Young master, a guest is waiting at the front gate… it’s M-Mo Xi.”

The servant was called Liwei (利偉) had once belonged to Mo Xi’s household, and though he was not among the ones imprisoned by Mo Xi, he was still fearful of his former master.

Jing Wen did not want to see Mo Xi at this moment but had no excuse to see him away. Leaving the fruit tree forest, Jing Wen greeted Mo Xi, who was accompanied by a small retinue of servants, each carrying paulownia wood boxes.

Mo Xi greeted Jing Wen amicably, bearing no resemblance to his previous cruelty. After sitting on a chair Jing Wen had invited him to, he had the servants place the boxes down before dispelling them.

With a suppressed voice, Mo Xi said, “You heard, right? The merchant Hua Quanfu carries with him an elixir of immortality created by the Great Shaman of the Northern Sea.”

Naturally, Jing Wen was aware of this; he had returned to the capital for this elixir after all. The majority of the Great Zhu’s upper echelon had long been aware of this, and some of it had even diffused to the common masses through gossip and hearsays.

However, hearing Mo Xi mention this, Jing Wen could not help but feel suspicious, especially with the vast quantities of gifts he had brought. And considering the punishment from His Majesty for Mo Xi’s previous case, the offerings here should be a least a substantial portion of Mo Xi’s personal wealth.

Jing Wen sighed. “Officer Mo, let us not put on any pretences. What do you wish to discuss?”

Mo Xi smiled bitterly. “Since Sir Jing had said so, I shall not be frank. The elixir of immortality is said to be enough for two people to consume. Yet there are thousands, nay, millions of people who seek immortality. How can be allowed to be in the hand of two individuals?”

Jing Wen asked rhetorically, “Officer Mo, you are such an upright individual?”

Mo Xi naturally understood Jing Wen’s rather blunt meaning. Frowning, he said, “Sir Jing, I am aware of the reality of the world. There are countless experts that are more skilled than I am. When one of them takes the elixir, everyone else suffers, including me. To be frank, I’m afraid.”

Mo Xi said these words calmly, and his face showed no trace of expression, yet for some reason, the warm air within the guestroom suddenly became colder. The edges of Mo Xi’s eyes were bloodshot, causing him to appear even more ghastly than typically.

Jing Wen asked, “What are you afraid of?”

Mo Xi gave a nervous laugh and said, “Sir Jing, are you not afraid?”

Jing Wen indifferently replied, “Officer Mo, I haven’t the time to keep you occupied as you grow senile.”

Mo Xi forced down his agitated smile and expressionlessly said, “The former Emperor Gaozu was originally an ordinary peasant near the edges of the State of Zhao (趙), and your father was an impoverished scholar. If it were a time of peace and prosperity, His Majesty would have never left his allotment of land, while your father would remain a third-rate official serving at the whims of others.”

“It is by virtue of the world being in chaos and turmoil that the former Emperor and Prime Minister could achieve the fame and glory that they had on their deathbed.”

Jing Wen frowned and said, “Since your birth, you had been the heir to Hedong. Why mention the rise of heroes during times of chaos when you were born into a privileged position?”

Mo Xi continued, “To live in a time of chaos is a misfortune. Only the truly talented can turn the chaos into opportunity.”

After a moment of silence, Jing Wen asked, “Officer Mo, just what are you trying to tell me?”

Mo Xi expressionlessly said, “I am aware that I am an individual devoid of talent. I cannot turn misery into a great fortune. Hence, I do want anything to threaten my current way of living. I am asking you, Sir Jing, to unite against the chaos that will be caused by the arrival of the elixir of immortality.”

Jing Wen did not immediately respond.

Those resistant to change are not only the ordinary commoners, but also the rotting wood that is beneath the order. If the Great Zhu indeed collapses, Mo Xi, as the heir of the Mo couple in Hedong, would soon lose his privilege once the Mo couple died. Whether it be through an internal or external conflict, he cannot ensure his current way of living without the Imperial court’s backing.

It was an incredibly selfish reason, extremely fitting of Mo Xi’s personality. Compared to Zhou Aimin’s intentions, it was the difference between day and night.

Jing Wen sighed, “I do not owe you any debt, nor do I wish to involve with you any longer. I can forgive your torture, but for me to cooperate with you in a life and death situation… Officer Mo, my apologies, but I am not such a courteous individual.”

Mo Xi was prepared for Jing Wen to bring up that incident. Smiling rather awkwardly, his ghastly face appeared rather eerie as he said, “I naturally don’t expect Sir Jing to be so generous for my mistake.” Mo Xi then paused for a moment, as if what he said next was extraordinarily painful, “For today’s visit, first of all, I’m here to apologise; I have brought medicine from across the Huangliang (荒涼) Ocean as compensation, along with some of my other treasures. I hope Sir Jing will not take offence.”

Jing Wen ‘looked’ at Mo Xi with an apathetic expression.

Mo Xi did not feel any discomfort due to Jing Wen’s ‘stare’. It was not because Jing Wen’s eyes were covered by that strip of cloth, but rather, because he had seen such scrutinisation many, many times. He said, “Aside from me, there are also five other Qi Manifestation experts and twenty-three Heart Purification experts in the alliance. Sir Jing, I am merely here as a representative. You needn’t bother with me afterwards.”

Jing Wen said calmly, “If your group merely steal the elixir before everyone else, you would simply become that target of the united experts of the empire.”

“I value my life above all else; how can I risk it in such a manner?” Zhou Aimin looked at that piece of cloth and said, “The elixir shall be presented to His Majesty. Even if others wish to become immortal, none will dare oppose His Majesty.”

Jing Wen was somewhat stunned by these words. Only after a long period of time did he say, “You are not going to give His Majesty the elixir, are you.”

Mo Xi looked at Jing Wen with a smile that was not really a smile and said, “Of course. Aside from immortality, the elixir in small quantity would undoubtedly be an exceptionally potent medicine. If you are involved, there would naturally be benefits.”

Mo Xi leaned slower towards Jing Wen, and continued to speak with a low voice, “Considering that the elixir is said to be capable of healing all wounds… it may also be your best path to regain your vision.”

Jing Wen did not reply.

Mo Xi continued to look at that piece of cloth as he resumed, “What benefits are there in being blind? You cannot read documents, so you cannot manage your estate or serve as an official. And there are countless more individuals more fit for manual labour compared to an amaurotic. The only choice once you run out of capital is to become a beggar.”

Jing Wen calmly replied, “So what? If that day comes, I have no qualms about becoming a beggar to survive.”

Mo Xi once again gave that forced smile. “Is that so? When you are unable to pay for your servants, who will help you dress? Who will help you eat? Perhaps you will continue to be looked after by that sister of yours, but are you really satisfied with that, relying on a woman?”

There was a subtle change in Jing Wen’s expression. Slightly increasing his voice, he said, “Just what are you proposing?”

Mo Xi replied, “First, at the very least, we must ensure we are the first to attack Hua Quanfu.”

Jing Wen seriously said, “You think it is so simple?”

Mo Xi answered, “It is still unknown if the elixir of immortality is genuine. Even those most desiring immortality would not cut off relationships based on a simple rumour. Only after they confirmed its legitimacy would they act.”

“And since we never intended for immortality, to begin with, it is simple to do away with that hesitation.”

Jing Wen shook his head, “You cannot take it so easily. Hua Quanfu has travelled half the empire, yet his caravan remains untouched. There must be countless experts guarding him.”

Mo Xi said expressionlessly, “No matter how capable they are, they are powerless against the over thirty experts over the Heart Purification State.”

Jing Wen said expressionlessly, “But I am still a Body Purification state cultivator.”

Mo Xi smiled and said, “You are still among the best bowman in the world, not to mention that you will function no differently in the dark while others would be akin to rotten mud, unable to hold the wall (爛泥扶不上墻).”

Jing Wen went silent for a very long time, then suddenly gave a faint, yet distinct nod of acknowledgement.