Their talk was supposed to take a lot of time. And also to be arduous. Wu Guang not only intended to confirm out some information like why he was followed but far more. For starters, he wanted to gain more benefits. And mainly, to understand at least a part of the plan in which he would be used.

Unexpectedly for Wu Guang his plan of how to manage this talk went down the drain as right after the customary greeting, Elder Mo asked a question that in truth no one would expect...

This question was

"So what do you think about me sending people to follow you?"

Such a question and especially if asked by someone that not only was superior in both status and strength would make any normal youth nervous. But for Wu Guang, this was not the case. Not only during his past life he was very, very far above in both. But he also was far older than his counterpart. So without changing his calm manner and deciding that this was an opportunity good as any to confirm his theory, Wu Guang answered with what in his thoughts was the truth

"Protection for the weak link is always a sensible move and when dealing with a hidden enemy it could be said to be a must"

Elder Mo reacted to this phrase in the most unexpected way possible as in place of doubting, growing angry, or dismissing it directly, he laughed. And this laugh meant only one thing, Wu Guang was right.

"Old Chen was clearly not mistaken about your intellect. So tell me, what would I as the current mastermind of the plan to counter this... Hidden enemy if your term is used... Tell me, what would I use you for?"

"Bait"

"Oh... And that's all?" As he asked this Elder Mo expression grew disappointed as if he wanted to hear something else

Sensing that this was a moment where he could advance his second objective, Wu Guang answered

"In truth, my own actions would be a bit different, but I would only speak about it if the elder permits it"

"Ho, so you really think that I only planned to this level. Well, I permit you, so tell me, what would be your own actions be?"

Being sincere with himself, Wu Guang knew that Elder Mo would never use him as disposable bait or suspected him of being an infiltrated spy. As if any of that were true he would be given far more information, albeit most probably fake, and allowed to leave right away. Without giving him any time, manner, or resources to strengthen himself. But he could not say this directly, especially if his current persona was considered. So in exchange, he decided to play the role of someone who arrives at the right conclusion but with several mishaps. Something that would be natural for a youth, however intelligent. So in place of showing that he guessed the plan, Wu Guang started explaining his guess indirectly, by hiding it under the guise of it being his own idea

"I would go with the movement that in chess is called three-way pawn"

"That sounds pretty reasonable. And pray to tell me, how would you apply this strategy to yourself?" Elder Mo asked curiously while motioning for Wu Guang to explain further.

"I am currently a pawn in the investigation and at least to my knowledge the weakest member of it. All this should be known to the opponent, at least judging from the fact that they were intelligent enough to prepare for the fact of some of their own pawns to be captured. But even so, they can't know about all of our actions." Wu Guang said while rubbing his temples.

He continued, "Therefore, they would need to be vigilant, and follow all our movements. In such a scenario if I as the weakest member and most probably a simple pawn go somewhere where they have more power, I would be considered either an easy objective or a bait. How they act is obviously up to them."

"But the beauty of the three-way pawn is that it can not only be an easy target or a bait to disrupt the opponent but in the fact that it can serve a third purpose. By being promoted and becoming a key figure. In my case, this would mean that if the opponent is intelligent enough to understand that I am the bait then use this fact as cover for entering their territory." He finished, with a pondering expression.

"No doubt that both Old Chen and that youngster Zhen Mang vouched that you would be a vital part of the matter. Although it pains me to think that I am not held in such regard as to plan something like this, your explanation is very sensible and in truth is almost identical to the strategy I have formulated... " The part about him being treated with contempt was said in a very fake and almost comic saddened expression. And in truth only served Wu Guang's real objective of being accepted as someone capable, albeit with his inexperience not letting him gauge the strength and intellect of the others. Fully going along his own strategy to retain the image of an extremely talented and intelligent but at the same time inexperienced and young person. Basically a genius youth with all the expected faults of his age.

"Excuse me Elder Mo for I did not mean any disrespect"

"No offense taken. In truth giving out the fact that you were watched and considering that I normally try to cultivate such an image of lack of cunning, I understand how and why you came to this" If Wu Guang was not who he was this explanation would reinforce the image of Elder Mo sincerity. But regretfully for the latter, Wu Guang was far more experienced and cunning than he showed. And so although he bowed in a mixed show of asking for forgiveness and gratefulness for being so sincere with him, his real inner thoughts were along the lines of "Yeah, yeah, you are absolutely not cunning dear previous head enforcer of the sect".

"So... Elder Mo, if I can be permitted to know. How this strategy will be applied?"

"You are indeed permitted to. After all, you will be the main player in it. But first, what do the terms 'Underwater Hell', 'Inverted Tower' and 'Autumn Riches' tell you? And what do you know about them?"

"The first one is how the second is called by the people who have been there. After all, the 'Inverted Tower' is the only known prison for cultivators on Half-Island. As for the third if I am not mistaken it's the unofficial name of the trading fair and auction that occurs every autumn as the ships from Fiery Island and Green Pastures arrive in 'Coastal Hill City'. I don't know much about either of them as I was a mortal and too young while living in the city but judging from the fact that both of them are located there... I take I will be going to my hometown?" While laying out this short explanation Wu Guang thanked himself internally for the fact that he had carefully studied the original memories of the body. Disappointingly he found that they contained only a small bit of knowledge about the plane and the island itself. So even after reading and investigating everything he could, right now he could not say much more than what he said.

"Well, that is correct. But can you tell me how these two things could relate to the investigation in your opinion?"

"If Elder asks about it... Well, the first one could probably be related to the theory of this mysterious opponent gathering forces while the second one could serve as a good cover for visiting the city?" Wu Guang was not sure but from what he could judge and guess, this was the only explanation that seemed realistic.

"I give you a passing grade for your explanation. Especially as it's normal for you to not know about the 'Inverted Tower'. So let me explain about it before proceeding to the matter of the mission" After saying this Elder Mo took a brief pause as if to gather his thoughts and started to explain about the prison.

From his explanation, Wu Guang found out that the tower was managed by a council. A council formed by representatives from every city on the island. As well as a pair of observers from each of the three powers. As the powers were far above the cities, the council head position was given to the latter, the observers simply being there to ensure fairness during the trials.

All this came from the agreement that was signed when the tower was built a few hundred years ago. This agreement allowed the tower to be used by all the cities and powers. While the position of the head would rotate between all the representatives from the cities. The latter was mainly to ensure that there was no favoritism, after all, most of the cultivators on the island would be from one of the powers. And right now the head was the representative from Flowing Leaves City.

Elder Mo mentioned the head's identity a few times during the explanation and so Wu Guang understood he was connected to the matter. Something that was confirmed shortly. As the explanation reached how groups of inmates would be judged. Cultivators were judged on their arrival at the prison. While the one who assumed the head judge position was the head of the council. But what happened in the case of mortals mixed with cultivators? In such cases, the former would be separated on capture. Separated and left to be judged by the ruler of the area where the crime was committed. And if the latter was a city, then obviously imprisoned in the prison of that city.

From this explanation, one would be hard-pressed to understand why it was related to the investigation of Zao's mysterious group. But Wu Guang quickly connected the dots. After all, he was the one who found the writs of release. Writs that granted freedom to any inmate of the city that expedited them.