Chapter 210: Identity Exposed

Just as Tianming was about to dismantle Duanmu Rong’s signboard, a mechanical wooden hand lifted him into the air, and an elderly man with a long white beard walked in.

"In the domain of the Mohists, one must not commit murder or arson," the white-bearded old man said with a chuckle as he held Tianming aloft.

"Who goes there?" The members of the Xiang clan, seeing this, all drew their swords, eyeing the newcomer with vigilant expressions.

"To dare to run wild in the Mohist stronghold—you lot certainly have some nerve!" Duanmu Rong gave a disdainful snort and flicked her wrist, sending several silver needles flying to knock the swords from the hands of the Xiang clansmen.

*Clang, clang, clang...*

Facing the incoming needles, Murong Feng instantly drew her soft sword, deflecting every needle Duanmu Rong had aimed at the trio.

"Hey, hey, hey, Miss Rong, don't get the wrong idea. We're just passing through; we aren't with them," Xiao Xie said with a mocking laugh.

Duanmu Rong looked at Xiao Xie and his companions with a solemn expression. Although she was not primarily a combatant, as one of the leaders of the Mohist sect, she was a martial artist at the peak of the Post-Natal realm. For someone to parry her hidden weapons so effortlessly, they had to be at least a master of the Pre-Natal realm.

"So, it is the Master of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion, Young Master Xiao Xie, who has arrived," Master Ban said, setting Tianming down, clearly having recognized Xiao Xie.

The suddenly emerged Ascending Heaven Pavilion had made a significant impact in its short time of existence. In particular, the incident where three Pre-Natal masters failed to storm the pavilion and were killed in an instant had made everyone fear offending its master.

Master Ban was responsible for the intelligence gathering of the Mohist sect. Furthermore, Xiao Xie had never made a point of hiding his identity, especially given the twin sisters who always accompanied him—a detail that confirmed his identity to Master Ban.

"Ascending Heaven Pavilion? Master?"

Hearing Master Ban’s words, Shao Yu and the others were astonished. Although the pavilion had existed for only three months, the fine wine and glass ornaments it produced had become a national sensation. Those who appreciated fine wine had no resistance to the "Clear Wind Drunkenness," and the glass ornaments were so precious that even the cheapest cost a hundred gold coins, yet they remained in constant short supply.

"Master of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion? Is that something very impressive?" Tianming asked Shao Yu, confused.

Shao Yu rolled his eyes at Tianming and replied, "The Clear Wind Drunkenness produced by the pavilion costs one tael of gold per jin. In the past three months, they have sold over two hundred thousand jin—that’s two hundred thousand taels of gold. As for the glass ornaments, while no one knows the exact figures, it is estimated they have brought in over a hundred thousand taels of gold as well. To earn hundreds of thousands of taels of gold in just three months—tell me, is the Ascending Heaven Pavilion impressive enough for you?"

"Hundreds of thousands of taels of gold?! How many roasted chickens is that?" Tianming began counting on his fingers, only to realize he couldn't even fathom how many chickens that could buy.

"I didn't expect my reputation to have reached the Mohist sect in just a few short months," Xiao Xie said with a smile.

"Young Master Xiao is a guest of our Mohist sect; please, come inside!" Master Ban invited him with a smile. As a massive organization, the Mohist sect required financial support. If they could gain the help of someone as wealthy as Xiao Xie, it would be a tremendous boon for the sect.

Hearing Master Ban, Duanmu Rong remained silent. She understood the immense influence Xiao Xie’s support could have on the Mohist sect. To overthrow the rule of Ying Zheng, an army was required, and while raising an army was easy, feeding one was not—it required vast wealth. With the financial power of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion, supporting an army of one hundred thousand would likely be quite simple.

"Brother Xiao, please, get this strange woman to heal my uncle!" Tianming called out as he saw Xiao Xie and his group being led inside by Master Ban.

"Miss Rong, this injured uncle is Ge Nie, and the sword in his hand is called Yuanhong," Xiao Xie said to Duanmu Rong after hearing Tianming's cry, then followed Master Ban inside with Murong Feng and the others.

Upon hearing the name Yuanhong, Duanmu Rong’s expression shifted slightly. "Leave the patient and the child, and everyone else must leave," she said coldly, turning and walking into the room without looking back.

Shao Yu and the others were left bewildered, looking at one another.

Yue'er smiled and said, "Sister Rong has agreed to save him. Why don't you hurry up and carry him inside?"

"Oh, right! Everyone, quickly, carry him inside!" Shao Yu reacted, hurriedly ordering his men to bring Ge Nie into the room.

"Brother Xiao, we are leaving now. Will you be coming with us?" Shao Yu asked Xiao Xie after Ge Nie had been taken in for treatment, having found them in another wooden hut.

Knowing that Xiao Xie was the Master of the Ascending Heaven Pavilion, Fan Zeng had hoped Shao Yu would cultivate a relationship with him. If they could secure his help, their hopes of restoring their kingdom would be much greater.

"No, we will be staying here for a while. You go ahead," Xiao Xie said, taking a sip of the tea Murong Huang had poured for him, declining the invitation.

"Very well! Then, Brother Xiao, we shall meet again." Shao Yu was not overly discouraged by the refusal; he bowed to Xiao Xie and turned to leave.

After Shao Yu left, Master Ban turned to Xiao Xie. "Young Master Xiao, I have some matters to attend to. Please, make yourselves comfortable."

When Shao Yu emerged, Fan Zeng cast an inquiring look at him. Shao Yu merely shook his head. Though disappointed, Fan Zeng had been prepared for this; the Xiang clan was currently fewer than a hundred people, and securing Xiao Xie's support so quickly was unlikely.

Once outside, Master Ban pulled a strange object from his sleeve: a small, red mechanical bird. After a moment, the bird’s head and tail lifted, its wings unfolded, and it began to flap rhythmically.

With a swift flutter of its wings, the wooden bird took to the sky, circled once, and flew off into the distance.

"I have sent word to the leader of the Mohist sect. Once he receives it, he will meet you at the usual place," Master Ban told Shao Yu and the others, stroking his long beard.

In addition to informing the Mohist Leader of the arrival of the Xiang clan, the message also included information regarding Xiao Xie. His sudden appearance was unexpected, but if he could become an ally, it would be a massive advantage. Master Ban needed to relay this to the Leader to decide how the Mohist sect should approach them.

Stepping onto their small boat, Shao Yu waved to the group. "Well then, we must be on our way. Farewell, everyone, until we meet again." He performed a respectful salute.

Tianming, however, was still staring blankly at the mechanical bird as it disappeared.

"Hey!" Seeing Tianming still dazed, Shao Yu picked up a stone and tossed it at the back of Tianming's head.

"Ouch!" Tianming cried out in pain.

Shao Yu laughed. "Your elder brother is leaving, and you aren't going to see him off?"

"Farewell? Hmph!" Tianming ignored him, snorting and turning away.

"Sigh!" Shao Yu shrugged helplessly and turned to leave as well. But just as the boat drifted a few meters away—

"Yah!" Suddenly, a small stone struck the back of Shao Yu's head. He turned around in shock to find Tianming on the shore, sticking his tongue out and making a face at him.

Shao Yu immediately picked up a stone and threw it back. Soon, the air was filled with stones flying back and forth, and before long, Fan Zeng was hit by a stray one as well.

"Giggle..." Yue'er, watching from the side, couldn't help but cover her mouth and laugh.

Seeing Shao Yu and the others depart, Yue'er returned inside to assist Duanmu Rong.