Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 115: Nalan Yanran's Suspicion

As Mo Yu entered Yan City, he couldn't help but be amazed by the numerous and intricate shops lining the streets. After walking through a few streets, he sneered, "Two-thirds of the shops on this street have the character 'Mo' in their names. The Mo family truly deserves its reputation as the local tyrant of Yan City. It seems this is no exaggeration."

"The Mo family has indeed been rising like the sun in recent years," Ye Cong remarked as he glanced around. "There was a time when they were no match for my Ye family, but with the support of the Yun Lan Sect, they gradually ascended to become the number one family in the northeast."

"Luckily, the Yun Lan Sect abandoned the Mo family. Otherwise, with their momentum, they might have unified all the forces in the east and become the dominant power," Ye Cong continued, casting a glance at the young man beside him.

Many were puzzled by the Yun Lan Sect's sudden decision to sever ties with the Mo family. Even Ye Cong's family had sent people to inquire, only to learn that the order had come directly from the Yun Lan Sect's current leader, Yun Yun. Why Yun Yun had grown to despise the Mo family and insisted on expelling them from the Yun Lan Sect, despite opposition from many elders within the sect, was a mystery—even to the high-ranking elders of the Yun Lan Sect.

However, Ye Cong had a faint suspicion that the young man beside him knew something about this. After all, Mo Yu had known about the sect's decision before it was publicly announced.

Mo Yu, however, feigned ignorance, admiring the scenery of Yan City, leaving Ye Cong with a wry smile. Although Ye Cong's family was providing the main force in this assault on the Mo family, the high-level combat strength and the young man's strategies made this a partnership of equals. If Mo Yu didn't want to reveal any details, Ye Cong couldn't force him.

For Mo Yu, the nature of his relationship with Yun Yun wasn't something he wanted others to know, not until he had the strength to back it up. After all, he was still a relatively unknown, weak figure, while Yun Yun was the leader of the most powerful sect in the Jia Ma Empire. From any perspective, it looked like a case of a toad lusting after a swan.

Lost in thought, Mo Yu's steps slowed as he gazed at a luxurious inn called "Mo Suo Flower Garden" along the street. Turning to Ye Cong, he suggested, "Shall we rest here for a while?"

Memorizing the name "Mo Suo Flower Garden," Ye Cong nodded and then said softly, "Alright, but I need to secretly meet with the Old Master first. I'll come find you afterward, and then tomorrow, we'll go to the Mo family for the birthday celebration."

Mo Yu nodded in agreement. A few days earlier, Ye Cong's family had secretly dispatched several elite forces to Yan City. Though Ye Fan was personally overseeing them, it was still wise for Ye Cong to reconnect with them.

After discussing their plans, Ye Cong took most of the Ye family's forces and quietly departed, leaving only Ye Zhen—someone Mo Yu had met before—behind.

Ye Zhen, having witnessed Mo Yu's abilities firsthand, and knowing about the plan to eliminate the Mo family, regarded Mo Yu as a figure as important as his clan leader and treated him with utmost respect.

Mo Yu simply smiled at this. Ye Zhen's strength likely rivaled that of Xiao Zhan. In just over a year since his rebirth, Mo Yu had reached a level where he could command Da Dou Shi (Battle Masters) as he pleased—progress he found acceptable.

The two made their way into the luxurious inn, scanning the interior and noticing that the lobby was already filled with people.

Eavesdropping on their conversations, Mo Yu soon learned that these people had all come from afar to attend the Mo family's grand elder's birthday celebration.

With a cold smile, Mo Yu approached the counter and requested two rooms. The servant girl, who had a pleasant appearance, glanced at them and then sweetly asked, "Sirs, do you have an invitation from the Mo family?"

"An invitation?" Mo Yu paused and turned to Ye Zhen, asking, "Do you have an invitation?"

Ye Zhen was also taken aback, then shook his head, "No, I don't."

This didn't surprise Mo Yu. The Mo family likely only invited friendly forces to this event. After all, the purpose of the early celebration was to form an alliance led by the Mo family. Since the four great families had similar levels of power and didn't get along well, the Mo family probably didn't invite the other three families to avoid potential troublemakers.

"I'm sorry, sir," the servant girl said with a polite smile, "but all the inns in Yan City have been fully booked by the Mo family recently. These inns are only accommodating guests of the Mo family."

"So the Mo family is this domineering," Mo Yu sneered as he fiddled with an ornament on the counter.

The servant girl's smile stiffened; it was the first time she had heard anyone speak ill of the Mo family in Yan City. She stood awkwardly in place, unsure of how to respond.

"Where did this bumpkin come from? How dare you criticize the Mo family in Yan City?" A young woman's cold voice suddenly rang out from Mo Yu's left, breaking the awkward silence.

Recognizing the voice as belonging to a Mo family member, Mo Yu's eyes flashed with cold intent. He turned to see a group of young people not far away.

This group was clearly young, and leading them was a woman in tight-fitting red clothes, her figure full and curvaceous. Her outfit, consisting of a short leather skirt that barely reached her thighs, exposed her long, snow-white legs.

Many of the men in the lobby couldn't help but steal glances at those legs, their eyes glinting with lust.

After scanning the red-clad woman holding a whip, Mo Yu recognized her as the one who had galloped past the city gates earlier—the Mo family's second daughter.

Mo Yu's gaze lingered on the arrogant woman for a moment before a sneer crossed his face. All Mo family members deserve to die!

"Boy! You're courting death!" Seeing Mo Yu's disdainful expression, the red-clad woman, who had always been pampered by those around her, instantly frowned. With a flick of her wrist, her whip transformed into a black shadow, lashing toward Mo Yu.

As the whip was about to strike Mo Yu, a flash of crimson lightning suddenly erupted, incinerating the whip and sending a fierce bolt of red lightning like a serpent straight toward the woman.

The moment the crimson lightning appeared, the temperature in the lobby soared, and the sound of crackling electricity filled the air.

Those in the lobby who had seen much of the world gasped in shock, recognizing the lightning for what it was. "True Lightning?"

The tiny bolt of crimson lightning shot straight toward the red-clad woman's face. At the speed it was moving, if it struck her, she might escape with her life, but her beautiful face would surely be ruined.

Just as the lightning was about to hit the woman, a shadow suddenly flashed in from outside, grabbing her and swiftly dodging the bolt.

"Young man, Linglin was too impulsive earlier. Please, for the sake of the Mo family, don't hold it against her," said the middle-aged man who had pulled the red-clad woman away. He stepped forward, cupping his hands respectfully, but with a hint of wariness in his voice.

The crimson lightning that had passed the woman struck the solid stone floor, leaving a charred, broken mark. Seeing the damage, everyone, including the Mo family member, was shocked by Mo Yu's power.

"Oh? The Mo family?" Mo Yu said indifferently. "In that case, I'll spare her for the sake of your Mo family."

To everyone's surprise, Mo Yu's response to the Mo family's name was to calmly back down. The anticipated confrontation—where the young man would defiantly clash with the Mo family—never happened.

This unexpected retreat caused some onlookers to sneer at Mo Yu, thinking he was all show and no substance. After all, he had struck so fiercely but backed down the moment the Mo family was mentioned.

If there had been anyone present with powerful soul perception, they would have noticed that Mo Yu's words, though spoken calmly, were tinged with a flicker of killing intent deep in his eyes.

His retreat wasn't out of kindness but rather because it wasn't the right time to act. Alerting the enemy prematurely would complicate matters.

Seeing Mo Yu back down, Ye Zhen immediately spoke up, "This is a distinguished guest of the Ye family from Black Rock City. He is here with our Patriarch to celebrate the Mo family's grand elder's birthday!"

At these words, the crowd's attention returned to the young man. The Ye family of Black Rock City was one of the four great families, on par with the Mo family. For this young man to be personally accompanied by the Ye family's patriarch, he must have a formidable background.

"Haha, so you're a guest of the Ye family from Black Rock City. My apologies. When I return, I will ensure our patriarch properly disciplines Linglin," the middle-aged man quickly said, his tone now even more respectful. Though he wasn't certain of Mo Yu's exact background, the young man's powerful lightning, combined with his youth and ties to the Ye family, made it clear that he was no ordinary figure.

As for why the Ye family had come to Yan City to celebrate the Mo family's grand elder, the man didn't question it. After all, rumors of the Ye family's old patriarch having trouble during his seclusion were well-known. Even though the Mo family had lost the support of the Yun Lan Sect, they remained the strongest of the four great families, so it wasn't surprising that the Ye family might want to curry favor.

Mo Yu wasn't concerned that Ye Zhen had revealed part of his identity. He wasn't worried about the Mo family discovering who he was. After all, the Vermillion Bird Flame Lightning had undergone significant changes since the time he was in Wutan City. Who could have guessed that the once-insignificant genius from the Xiao family would have progressed so rapidly in just six months?

The middle-aged man then offered courteously, "As guests of the Ye family, you'll find that every inn in Yan City has been fully booked by the Mo family. Therefore, even if you search the entire city, you won't find a place to rest. Please allow me to arrange for the two best rooms here as a token of our apology."

Mo Yu nodded in agreement, and as the man was about to lead the way, a voice as clear and melodious as a bell rang out from the entrance.

"Haha, Linglin, why are you looking so pitiful? Is there really someone daring enough to bully you in Yan City?"

The voice, ethereal and light like a distant bell, sent a shiver through everyone in the lobby. All eyes turned to the entrance.

Hearing this voice, Mo Yu paused, seemingly recalling something. He stopped in his tracks, joining the others in waiting to see the owner of the enchanting voice.

Seeing Mo Yu pause, both the middle-aged man and Ye Zhen exchanged glances and halted as well.

Soon, a figure dressed in an elegant moon-white robe appeared at the entrance.

As the graceful figure walked in, the men in the lobby held their breath, their gazes fixed on the woman.

She wore a moon-white long robe with wide sleeves that perfectly outlined her slim waist, which was cinched by a pale silver belt, accentuating her slender figure.

This newly arrived woman, in both demeanor and beauty, far surpassed the red-clad woman. Standing together, the contrast was stark.

The red-clad woman, Linglin, was initially startled upon seeing the smiling, elegant figure enter. After a moment, she recognized her and hurried over with a pleased expression. However, halfway there, she remembered the current strained relationship between the Mo family and the Yun Lan Sect, causing her steps to falter. Still, she eventually walked over, smiling somewhat awkwardly, "Sister Nalan, why are you here too?"

This woman was none other than Nalan Yanran, who had once annulled her engagement with Xiao Yan.

Due to the rift between the Mo family and the Yun Lan Sect, Linglin and Nalan Yanran's relationship had naturally become strained. Linglin was now unsure how Nalan Yanran would treat her.

Nalan Yanran, sharp as ever, noticed Linglin's hesitation but chose not to comment.

She was also puzzled by her master Yun Yun's sudden decision to sever ties with the Mo family. The Mo family had always provided substantial benefits to the Yun Lan Sect, much of which ended up in the hands of the sect's elders. Yun Yun's decision had undoubtedly displeased many within the sect's leadership.

Nalan Yanran had tried to subtly probe her master about the reasons for this drastic action but had gleaned nothing.

However, she had noticed something peculiar. Her usually composed and serene master had, during moments of rest from cultivation, often seemed lost in thought, murmuring a name—one that Nalan Yanran had only caught a part of, something with "Mo."

This detail piqued Nalan Yanran's curiosity greatly. Her master, who had never shown interest in any man—even the renowned alchemist Gu He—seemed preoccupied with someone connected to that name.

Connecting this to her master's abrupt severance of ties with the Mo family, Nalan Yanran began to suspect that her master might have fallen for someone from the Mo family, only to be betrayed, leading her to cut off all ties with them.

Though the idea seemed far-fetched, Nalan Yanran, still an innocent young girl unscarred by the trials of life, found it easy to believe.

Thus, under the pretext of attending the Mo family's birthday celebration, Nalan Yanran had snuck out of the sect to investigate.

Seeing Linglin's awkward smile, Nalan Yanran, ever the clever one, quickly reassured her with a smile, "I'm here today as a representative of the Nalan family to wish the Mo family's grand elder a happy birthday. You don't need to worry about anything."

Her words eased the tension in the room considerably. After all, with the Yun Lan Sect having just severed ties with the Mo family, it would be awkward for the Mo family to entertain the sect leader's disciple. However, Nalan Yanran's other identity as the heiress of the Nalan family, one of the empire's three great families, made her presence here more understandable.

The revelation that Nalan Yanran was here representing the Nalan family, and not the Yun Lan Sect, allowed the Mo family members in the room to breathe a sigh of relief. Though they were still grappling with the loss of the Yun Lan Sect's support, having ties to the Nalan family was a welcome consolation.

Little did anyone know, Nalan Yanran was actually here to uncover the truth behind her master's mysterious longing, hoping to find the heartless man who had seemingly broken her master's heart...

(End of Chapter)

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