Chapter 140: Failure and the Visit
“My Six Gates will never compromise!!”
A furious roar burst from Zhu Dongfeng’s throat as he raised his Silver-Ringed Blade and slashed toward Mo Lin.
At the same time, Lin Huai, who was bound to Mo Lin’s tail, began struggling with all her might. She did not beg Mo Lin for mercy, nor did she plead with Zhu Dongfeng to save her life.
Her expression showed that she was ready to perish together with Mo Lin.
Were all members of the Six Gates this fierce?
It merely wanted some information about the Western Regions—did they really need to react so violently?
When Mo Lin had slain Fei Wu and his group back then, it had only been to prevent the leak of its whereabouts and plans. This time, even though it had bound Lin Huai, it honestly had no intention of killing her.
After all, once it learned what it wanted from Zhu Dongfeng, it intended to head directly to the Western Regions.
Killing Lin Huai for no reason and earning the eternal hatred of the Six Gates was not a good idea.
Yet unexpectedly, before the kidnapper had even decided whether to kill the hostage, the hostage herself no longer wished to live!
This sudden twist threw Mo Lin’s plan into complete chaos.
“Stop! Do you not care about this woman’s life at all?!”
The only reply Mo Lin received was a vicious slash of a blade.
“For the sake of my Six Gates, Lin Huai will never blame me for her sacrifice!”
Bullshit!
Mo Lin clearly saw Zhu Dongfeng’s shiny bald head glistening with tears and snot as he swung his blade wildly.
You’re already crying like this—what’s wrong with backing down a little?
The others already died! You should learn to look forward in life!
This Lin Huai isn’t even dead yet!
However, watching the crazed Zhu Dongfeng and Lin Huai, Mo Lin realized its plan had completely failed. It had misjudged the fortitude and character of the Six Gates’ higher-ups.
It thought that since the Six Gates had soft-boned men like Fang Yu, their superiors would be easily swayed as well.
Who would have thought the leader of the Six Gates would be this unyielding?
Then again, if they were not, they would never have launched the “Locust” Operation that caused the brutal war between humans and demons in Yongzhou.
Since the plan had failed, Mo Lin no longer hesitated.
Lin Huai, still struggling violently, suddenly stiffened. Zhu Dongfeng’s eyes went wide.
“No!!!”
Ordinary restraints would not kill Lin Huai—Mo Lin had only infused a bit of Lightning Orb energy into its tail.
After completing Soul Refinement, the fusion of its spirit and flesh deepened, granting it greater insight into demonic arts. It had dismantled the Lightning Orb’s basic principle and transformed it into pure, powerful electricity.
At that moment, Mo Lin was akin to a gigantic electric eel.
The electricity coursing over Mo Lin’s scales traveled straight into Lin Huai’s wounded flesh, delivering a fatal surge her body could not withstand.
Since reasoning had failed, Mo Lin could only place its hopes on the Falcon Beak’s information. That meant it and the Six Gates were now enemies.
And since they were enemies, Mo Lin naturally had to eliminate the Six Gates’ capable members first—lest they cause trouble later.
Watching Lin Huai die before his eyes, Zhu Dongfeng pulled out a magical artifact and hurled it into the air. It exploded into a thick, lingering cloud of smoke.
Clearly, he was signaling the other members of the Six Gates.
Mo Lin’s keen senses picked up numerous footsteps approaching rapidly through the forest—other Six Gates members were on their way.
It wanted to swallow Lin Huai’s corpse whole, but Zhu Dongfeng’s relentless interference left it no chance.
It was as if he wished for Mo Lin to die alongside Lin Huai.
It couldn’t afford to delay. If it waited until the others arrived, armed with Soaring-Hong Crossbows or other restricted-grade artifacts, escaping would be nearly impossible.
Helpless, Mo Lin flung Lin Huai’s corpse aside to distract Zhu Dongfeng, then fled in another direction.
“Gate Master!”
“Gate Master!”
“Gate Master!”
No sooner had Mo Lin fled than many Six Gates members rushed onto the scene. They had only enough time to salute Zhu Dongfeng before spotting Lin Huai’s corpse nearby, their faces turning pale in horror.
“Lin Huai!”
“Gate Master, what happened? Lin Huai, she—”
Zhu Dongfeng’s face was as dark as ink.
“Members of the Six Gates, heed my order! I, Gate Master Zhu Dongfeng, declare that the Python Demon Mo Lin has murdered Lin Huai, Fei Wu, Fang Yu, and nine of our disciples—his crimes are unforgivable!”
“All men, follow me to hunt down the Python Demon Mo Lin! Do not let it escape!!”
After finishing, he raised his Silver-Ringed Blade and charged toward Mo Lin’s direction.
“Quickly! After him!”
The other members, agile and swift, followed closely behind.
Yet, when they caught up, Zhu Dongfeng was standing still, motionless.
“Gate Master, where’s the Python Demon?”
Hearing this, Zhu Dongfeng clenched his blade tightly, veins bulging on his forehead, as he lifted his gaze to the heavens.
Following his sightline, the others saw the enormous Python Demon spreading its wings and soaring through the sky, soon vanishing into the distant clouds.
Zhu Dongfeng, being only of the Earth Rank, no matter how fierce his killing intent burned, could never reach a beast that flew in the sky.
“This…”
Everyone fell silent, none daring to speak further.
“The Python Demon may have returned to Ningjiang County. Send word to our people there to investigate and be on guard.”
“This vengeance—our Six Gates will surely repay!”
Elsewhere, Mo Lin, whose plan had failed, returned to its lair, full of frustration.
The Six Gates’ tenacity had far exceeded its expectations. Its plan to extract intelligence from them had collapsed—it would have to find another way.
If that too failed, it would have to rely on Falcon Beak.
However, before Mo Lin could think of an alternative, the Mountain Lord came knocking—unexpectedly seeking it out first.
That snapped Mo Lin to attention. Had a whole month already passed?
“Are you ready, Python Demon?”
When Mo Lin saw the majestic white tiger, its pupils contracted sharply.
“Earth Rank Upper Grade?”
Indeed—the aura radiating from the White Tiger Mountain Lord was unmistakably that of an Earth Rank Upper Grade!
It had advanced to that level in just one month?
Mo Lin was surprised only briefly before it understood.
The Mountain Lord had ruled these hundred miles for many years and possessed treasures like the Purple Crystal Dragon Ore. With such a foundation, a breakthrough to Earth Rank Upper Grade had long been due.
Even when it was still at the Middle Grade, it could already fight evenly with those above. Now, its strength must be even deeper and more unfathomable.
However…
Mo Lin glanced meaningfully at the nonchalant Mountain Lord.
It was one thing for this White Tiger to visit—but it even released its oppressive aura so brazenly, as if afraid Mo Lin wouldn’t recognize it as a hostile show of dominance.
So—it came to show off?
Just to boast?
Huh?
The Mountain Lord pretended not to notice Mo Lin’s expression.
Indeed, it had come precisely to flaunt its advancement to Earth Rank Upper Grade.
To gain fortune and not show off would be like wearing fine brocade at night—utterly wasted.
After such a breakthrough, it had to find someone of comparable strength to boast to, to reaffirm its position as the Mountain Lord.
Besides, it still hadn’t settled the matter of the Purple Crystal Dragon Ore that this Python Demon had stolen before.
This visit was both a show of power and a reminder—
I haven’t sought revenge, not because I can’t handle you, but because I, the Mountain Lord, am magnanimous.
Even if we must work together for a time, remember—you are beneath me. Do not get presumptuous and think we stand as equals.
Mo Lin understood perfectly well.
But it merely smiled faintly.
All its life, it had never been one to bow under pressure.
And just now, having suffered humiliation at Zhu Dongfeng’s hands, it was time to reclaim some pride from the Mountain Lord.
A spark flared in Mo Lin’s mind as it released its own aura—one that rivaled the Earth Rank Upper Grade White Tiger Mountain Lord!