Chapter Sixty: Encountering Baize Once More

Mo Chengyu was speaking the truth: the war between humans and demons was about to begin. According to the latest intelligence gathered by the Mo family, Ji Mo was the one who had the most direct encounters with the demons. If they could glean any clues about the demons from her, it would greatly reduce the losses suffered by the Mo clan.

It was important to understand that before each official outbreak of the demon war, the demon tribe would send agents to infiltrate human cultivator territories, wreaking havoc and causing disturbances. If they could detect these movements in advance and prepare defenses, human cultivators would suffer far fewer casualties.

“If the head of the Mo family wishes to inquire about this matter, I must admit that what I know is quite limited. Though I engaged the demons twice directly, both encounters were coincidental. I have no knowledge of their movements or plans,” Ji Mo said thoughtfully.

Mo Chengyu and several elders present were slightly taken aback by her response. They had assumed that Ji Mo’s success in intercepting demons twice was due to her having tracked their whereabouts.

“You may find my words hard to believe, but I swear they are true. To be honest, before arriving at Wuchi Town, I had no idea that the time for the human-demon war had come again,” Ji Mo continued.

“From your appearance, it’s clear you are barely over a hundred years old. Most of that time you spent in seclusion cultivating. I never expected that on your first venture out, you would encounter demons. It was only after hearing Minister Yan of Zhongyue Kingdom mention the upcoming once-in-ten-thousand-years human-demon war that I recalled this matter,” she glanced at their expressions, sensing their doubt. Yet she had no choice but to explain further.

“I believe, even if we cannot track the demons’ movements for now, it doesn’t matter. The demon corpse that the Third Elder brought back today is invaluable. Perhaps we can find some clues within it. Immortal Ji, this is ‘Spring Drunkenness’, a wine crafted by one of our Mo family’s long-time connoisseurs. Please, have a taste and tell me what you think,” Mo Chengyu smiled warmly and personally poured a cup from the wine pot on the table.

The wine was clear with a slight jade-green tint, and a subtle fragrance lingered delicately at the nose. Ji Mo’s eyes brightened. “Spring Drunkenness? It’s produced by the Mo family?”

“That’s right. Spring Drunkenness is indeed a Mo family product,” Mo Chengyu responded, somewhat surprised by her question. Judging by Ji Mo’s tone, she did not seem to be a cultivator from the Eastern Abyss Continent. Otherwise, she would have known about Spring Drunkenness. But if she were not from the Eastern Abyss, how did she know of the wine?

“Heh, forgive my ignorance, Head of the Mo family. I once drank Spring Drunkenness from a brother’s hand. At the time, I only appreciated its taste but had no idea where it came from,” Ji Mo chuckled. Seeing Mo Chengyu’s expression, she knew her question had aroused suspicion, but she did not mind.

Mo Chengyu was about to ask more when suddenly a disciple hurried in, whispering a few words. Mo Chengyu abruptly stood up, disregarding Ji Mo’s presence, and urgently addressed the elders: “Quick, quick! Zilong has returned!”

“What? Zilong is back?” The others rose simultaneously, clearly surprised but also glowing with joy at the news.

Judging by their expressions, could this Zilong be none other than the legendary prodigy Mo Zilong, renowned throughout the Lihai cultivation world centuries ago? As Ji Mo pondered this, two figures entered. One wore a flowing cyan robe, his face strikingly handsome and aloof. Upon his arrival, all present from the Mo family looked at him with delight, calling out, “Zilong!”

Ji Mo’s gaze, however, was not on this man. Instead, she focused on the other who came with Mo Zilong—a burly man clad in coarse hemp garments, with a thick beard covering his face, appearing older than Zilong. Upon seeing his face, Ji Mo could not help but stand as well. “Brother Bai?”

“Ji Mo? You—you’re here? It’s been over 120 years since we last met, right? You, a practitioner of the Five Elements, have surged from Qi Refinement directly to mid-stage Core Formation? How can you live like this?” The newcomer was Bai Ze, who was equally astonished to see Ji Mo.

“Junior Brother Bai, this is Ji Mo, who once took first place in the Qi Refinement arena in the Flame Domain. Miss Ji?” Mo Zilong, upon hearing Bai Ze’s exclamation, stepped forward, ignoring his family elders, and examined Ji Mo with surprise. Though he had entered the Flame Domain years ago, he was already a Nascent Soul cultivator then and had never met Ji Mo in person.

“That’s right, it’s her. But wait, since Ji Mo is here at your Mo family, you should know her,” Bai Ze replied, then suddenly glared at Mo Zilong.

“Ahem, Young Master Bai, this is Miss Ji’s first time visiting the Mo family as well,” Mo Chengyu interjected hastily. From the exchange between Mo Zilong and Bai Ze, the Mo family already knew the burly man was their son’s junior fellow disciple and naturally did not dare show any disrespect.

“Oh, I see. Ji Mo, you’re from our Lihai cultivation world? After returning from the Flame Domain, our sect sent countless people to track your whereabouts but found nothing. Where have you been hiding?” Bai Ze exclaimed, full of joy upon seeing Ji Mo and momentarily forgetting the formalities with the Mo family.

“Ahem, that story is complicated. I’ll tell you when we have time, elder Mo, Head of the Mo family. I truly appreciate your warm invitation; otherwise, I wouldn’t have met Brother Bai so soon,” Ji Mo coughed lightly, unwilling to admit in front of so many that she was not from the Lihai cultivation world, deftly changing the subject.

“Miss Ji, you flatter us. We have always admired you greatly. Now that we know you are friends with Brother Bai, you are a friend of the entire Mo family. Since we are all friends, let’s not waste time on formalities. Please, everyone, take your seats,” Mo Chengyu said quickly, leading Mo Zilong and Bai Ze to the table.

He had long intended to befriend the mysterious Ji Mo. After hearing their conversation, he was even more determined that the Mo clan must never offend this woman.

“Grandfather, bring out more of the best Spring Drunkenness. My junior brother’s greatest love in life is wine!” Mo Zilong told Mo Chengyu.

“No, besides wine, also the meat Ji Mo roasted!” Bai Ze added quickly.

“Brother Bai, I was only a teenager back then. Calling me ‘Little Ji Mo’ was fine, but I’m now over a hundred years old. That nickname is no longer appropriate; you should change it,” Ji Mo said with a dark expression.

(To be continued…)