The Empress's No.1 Lackey-Chapter 633 - 439. Mo Chou’s Advice (5k)_3

The disciples of the Qingshan sect are divided into those who are "on the mountain" and "off the mountain." Generally speaking, those who have achieved success in their cultivation or feel they can no longer make breakthroughs on the mountain will choose to "go down the mountain" and enter the Martial World.

Those who go down the mountain, aside from maintaining ties with Qingshan, are free to do as they please and align with any faction. This is a personal choice and unrelated to Qingshan.

The assassination attempt on Zhao Duan’an by Duan Shuiliu is a typical example.

The status of the Qingshan sect in the hearts of martial artists of the martial world is built by generations of those who descended the mountain, together with the deities on the mountain.

Everyone knows that if any faction dares to attack Qingshan, those disciples scattered throughout the martial world, serving various factions, will surely return in force—a fearsome power.

In contrast, the disciples still cultivating on the mountain are directly related to the main sect of Qingshan in their every move.

"Two more?" Zhao Dou’an curiously asked, "Who are they?"

Even the court finds it difficult to ascertain intelligence about Qingshan, and he doesn’t know much.

Mo Chou said, "One of them is named Qi Ye, a swordsman of top-grade Divine Chapter. He is a good friend of the young monk Tian Hai."

"...so?"

"So, he’s very interested in you. Last year, you gravely injured the young monk Tian Hai with the Taia Sword. This incident doesn’t reflect well within the martial world. Many feel sympathy for Tian Hai, believing you are vainly seeking fame, but most people are afraid of the court and don’t dare to speak out publicly. But this Qi Ye dares to," Mo Chou sighed. freeweɓnovel-cøm

Zhao Dou’an blinked, curiously asking, "Does Miss Mo also think I’m vainly seeking fame?"

Mo Chou replied irritably, "You think your victory is unassailable? Back then you couldn’t even defeat Chai Keqiao of the Divine Chapter Realm, and you had to summon troops to suppress him—ha, by your own frequent claims, isn’t that a ’black history’?"

What black history, it’s called my journey... Zhao Dou’an was displeased. He has come a long way since last year and really wanted to say: Ice block, don’t look at people with outdated views!

After venting, Mo Chou continued, "As for the third person, it’s a woman named Xiao Ran."

She dipped her finger in tea and wrote the name on the hardwood table surface.

Zhao Dou’an puzzled, asked, "Is this person special? Could she be very strong?"

"Not weak, but she’s only of top-grade Divine Chapter and hasn’t entered the world," Mo Chou shook her head.

Zhao Dou’an was perplexed, "Then why did you specifically write her name... forgive my ignorance."

Mo Chou glanced at him and said, "She originally had the surname ’Xiao’—like Noble Princess Consort Xiao. In terms of seniority, she should call Noble Princess Consort Xiao her aunt, and she is a direct descendant of the outsider Xiao family."

Isn’t it... the outsider family that rebelled with Jian Wen? Wasn’t it annihilated with the great crime of treason, leaving only Xiao Noble Consort, who went mad? Where did this niece come from?

Zhao Dou’an almost dropped the walnut he was cracking in his hand.

Mo Chou, seeing what he was thinking, explained, "Xiao Ran was sent to Qingshan to practice martial arts by the Xiao family a long time ago. During the extermination of the family, because she had already joined Daqing Mountain and was protected by Wu Xiankui, she survived. But as a price, she also changed her surname, to show a clear demarcation from the treasonous Xiao family."

Zhao Dou’an was speechless, "Why is it so confusing..."

Mo Chou ignored him and continued:

"Xiao Ran doesn’t know about Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s madness, but that’s not important. What’s important is, in her eyes, His Majesty is the enemy who killed her entire family, and you, me... all of us are accomplices."

Zhao Dou’an had a headache:

"What kind of combination is this, one Chai Keqiao has a grudge against me, Xiao Ran is hostile towards me, and Qi Ye also sees me unfavorably. So this group is against me? Some kind of Avengers Alliance..."

"Avengers Alliance?" Mo Chou was stunned for a moment; she thought this description was a bit exaggerated but was used to Zhao Dou’an’s occasional odd vocabulary. She gently said:

"It’s because you’ve made too many enemies."

Zhao Dou’an sighed, holding his forehead:

"Like the saying, ’The tallest trees in the forest get their tops blown off,’ it’s because I’m excessively outstanding... So you came all the way to tell me to be careful, to prevent getting assassinated?"

Mo Chou laughed, "This is the inner court of the Imperial Palace. Even if they dare make a move, they can’t accomplish it."

After a pause, she seriously said: "I hope you can be a bit more tolerant."

"Huh?" Zhao Dou’an was surprised.

Mo Chou’s dark eyes earnestly fixated on him:

"I know, because of the assassination attempt on Yansuo Lake, you are quite displeased with the people of Qingshan. With your revengeful nature, haven’t you long wanted to settle the score to vent your anger?"

Zhao Dou’an did not deny it.

Mo Chou said bitterly:

"And these three all bear hostility towards you. They definitely won’t push too far, but within the rules, using the guise of martial arts exchanges, it’s not surprising if they clash with you. I know that as long as it’s not too outrageous, His Majesty won’t stop you. Uh... perhaps you’ve already coordinated with His Majesty..."

Zhao Dou’an brushed off the walnut shells in his hand and frowned:

"Mo Zhaorong, you and I are old acquaintances; there’s no need to beat around the bush. Speak directly."

Mo Chou sighed and said seriously:

"You know the current state of the world, the Eight Princes are restless, and the court has just emerged from the shadows, taking a breath. If we break relations with Qingshan now and it’s too ugly, once Wu Xiankui is pushed to the side of the Eight Princes..."

Zhao Dou’an interrupted her:

"I understand; you’re afraid that Qingshan deliberately arranged for three people with grudges against me to provoke me into taking action, then use it as an excuse to interfere in the struggle between His Majesty and the Eight Princes? Or simply afraid it will escalate, causing Qingshan to side with the Eight Princes... so you’re asking me to be more tolerant? Is this your personal opinion?"

Mo Chou’s eyes dimmed, and she nodded her head: "It’s my own opinion; I know you don’t have much goodwill towards me either. Given the past disputes between us, it’s reasonable for you not to agree. I just don’t want Her Majesty to bear too much... If you don’t want to, then forget I came."

With that, she slowly stood up, not holding much hope, and walked towards the door.

As she crossed the threshold, she heard Zhao Dou’an’s calm voice from behind: "I can only promise you, I won’t actively seek trouble with them."

Mo Chou was taken aback; a flash of joy crossed her face. She turned around just as footsteps were heard from outside the courtyard.

"Junior Guardian Zhao, Mo Zhaorong, Eunuch Hai sent word," Tributor Song Jinxi walked in and proclaimed loudly, "saying His Majesty has finished meeting the Qingshan disciples. Now it’s time for us from the Martial Arts Hall to meet them."

They’re already here?

Zhao Dou’an and Mo Chou exchanged a glance, then Zhao Dou’an raised his teacup, drained it, stood up, and smiled: "Let’s go, meet these out-of-towners."

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