Chapter 1513: Controlling Mo Hua
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Chapter 1511: Controlling Mo Hua
Yu Nujiao thought of Mo Hua’s eyes, dark and deep as an abyss, and felt a slight chill in her heart. The fine hairs on her fair, jade-like skin trembled slightly. Amidst the tension and excitement, she couldn’t help but wrap herself in the blanket and roll over a few times on the jade couch.
After rolling around for a while, she finally calmed down and lay silently, pondering her thoughts and schemes.
After an unknown amount of time, Yu Nujiao suddenly jolted and sat up, only to see a voluptuous, red-clad beauty standing by the bed at some point.
“Lady Rui, you’re back,” Yu Nujiao said with a smile.
This voluptuous, red-clad beauty was none other than Lady Rui.
She glanced at Yu Nujiao, who was as enchanting as a flower and as pure as snow, her expression complex and somewhat angry. “Who allowed you to play around like this?”
Yu Nujiao replied, “I wasn’t playing.”
Lady Rui glared at her slightly. “Still talking back?”
Yu Nujiao then stood up with a giggle, wrapped her arms around Lady Rui’s plump waist, and rubbed her delicate face against Lady Rui’s soft, fair chest, cooing sweetly, “Lady Rui…”
Lady Rui was furious, but seeing the girl’s charming, coquettish demeanor, she knew full well she was acting, yet couldn’t muster any anger. She only said coldly, “Don’t call me Lady Rui. You’ve grown up, and it seems you don’t listen to a single word I say anymore…”
Yu Nujiao replied in a clear voice, “I do listen!”
Lady Rui wished she could pinch her ear. “If you listen, how dare you provoke Young Master Mo?”
“He’s a calamity, a monster. You’ve seen how he killed at Dragon Pool back then—more terrifying than any demon, more sinister than any fiend. How could you—”
Yu Nujiao had indeed seen it, and even now, the memory sent shivers down her spine, yet she couldn’t help but speak her mind: “It’s precisely because he’s that kind of man that it’s interesting.”
Lady Rui was speechless with anger. “Then go ahead and provoke him yourself. It’d be best if you end up shattered to pieces, and I’ll just pretend I never raised you, the Holy Maiden.”
With that, Lady Rui turned to leave.
Yu Nujiao knew Lady Rui was truly angry and quickly grabbed her hand, pleading softly as she pulled her to sit on the edge of the jade couch. “Lady Rui, I was wrong.”
Lady Rui sneered, “You’re the Holy Maiden. How could you ever be wrong?”
Yu Nujiao cooed, “Lady Rui, you said it yourself, Lian’er is the Holy Maiden of the Joyous-Union Sect. As the Holy Maiden, I must naturally seek benefits for the Joyous-Union Sect.”
Lady Rui was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Yu Nujiao’s eyes sparkled as she said, “Lian’er wants… to bring Young Master Mo into our Joyous-Union Demonic Sect.”
This courtesan’s boudoir was impervious to eavesdropping, and Lady Rui had returned late, unaware of what Yu Nujiao and Mo Hua had discussed. Hearing this, she was genuinely shocked. “You little fool, have you gone mad?”
Yu Nujiao replied, “Why not? I’ve made thorough inquiries.”
She lay back on the bed in her sheer gauze robe, her fair, delicate feet dangling playfully by the edge:
“Young Master Mo… is a prodigy of Great Void Sect, the dual champion of Qianxue Formation Dao, and the top contender in the Qianxue Sword Debate.”
“Although it’s unclear why he only has an inferior-grade core quality, we in the Demonic Path value strength above all else and don’t care about such things. For a prodigy like Young Master Mo, our Joyous-Union Sect must do everything possible to win him over.”
“Moreover…” Yu Nujiao said with a smile, “Young Master Mo is also so handsome.”
Lady Rui thought of Mo Hua’s appearance, and her heart trembled slightly.
But at the same time, what stirred her even more was Mo Hua’s temperament: a heart as pure as ice, unmoved by desire.
Lady Rui remembered clearly that during the Dragon Pool incident years ago, Mo Hua, who was only at the peak of Foundation Establishment at the time, had withstood the temptation of her Crimson Flower Desire-Refining Art, remaining completely unaffected by the superior Demonic Art of the Hehuan Path.
A young master as flawless as jade, with a heart as pure as ice. This Young Master Mo was likely an exceptional Emotion-Refining Cauldron.
If that were truly the case, then drawing him into the Hehuan Path became extremely necessary. Although within the current Joyous-Union Sect, the Path of Emotion had already existed in name only, remnants of emotion-based cultivation methods still remained.
Moreover, in the current situation where the Joyous-Union Sect was sinking deeper into desire, with Young Master Mo’s talent and disposition, once he entered the Hehuan Path, he would undoubtedly become a remarkable figure within it in the future.
And at the thought of this celestial-like Young Master Mo possibly cultivating Hehuan Cultivation Methods and sinking into passion and desire, not only Yu Nujiao, but even Lady Rui felt a flicker of desire ignite within her heart.
Seeing Lady Rui’s expression, a hint of slyness flashed in Yu Nujiao’s eyes as she teased, “Lady Rui, you wouldn’t… have also been moved, would you…”
Lady Rui’s face flushed slightly, then she grew annoyed, pinching Yu Nujiao’s waist and gritting her teeth, “You little minx, daring to tease even me.”
Yu Nujiao laughed coquettishly, her voice like silver bells.
After a while, the two finally finished their playful banter. Lady Rui pondered for a moment, then suddenly frowned and said, “It still won’t do.”
Yu Nujiao asked, “What won’t do?”
Lady Rui sighed, “This Young Master Mo has a blood feud with our Demonic Path. Don’t forget, the Demonic Flood Dragon Mountain Lord, Ghost-Child Wanderer, and Silver Corpse Elder all died at his hands back then.”
“These three were no small figures; they commanded great influence within the Demonic Path and had numerous disciples and followers. These grudges will have to be settled sooner or later…”
Yu Nujiao, however, smiled and said, “Lady Rui, you’re confused.”
“The Demonic Flood Dragon Mountain Lord was the lord of the Ten-Thousand Demons Mountain, Ghost-Child Wanderer was a sanren from the Skull Cave, and Silver Corpse Elder was an elder of the Yin Corpse Valley… What does any of that have to do with our Joyous-Union Sect?”
Lady Rui was taken aback, finding some truth in this, but upon careful thought, she still shook her head, “Even so, if we draw Young Master Mo into the Joyous-Union Sect, we would likely become a target for all, coveted by other Demonic Sects…”
Yu Nujiao replied, “Even if we don’t try to win Young Master Mo over, aren’t we already coveted? What camaraderie exists among Demonic Sects?”
If interests aren’t aligned enough, they’ll tear off the facade. If interests are sufficient, past grievances are set aside.
Lady Rui frowned and pondered for a moment, feeling that what Lian’er said wasn’t without reason. Since they were a Demonic Sect, they should act according to their desires in all matters—why so many reservations?
Lady Rui weighed Mo Hua in her heart a little longer, then gradually formed an idea. She looked at Yu Nujiao and asked, “Earlier, did you invite Young Master Mo?”
Yu Nujiao nodded.
Lady Rui asked, “He didn’t agree?”
Yu Nujiao said, “Naturally… how could he agree? Or rather, how could he agree so easily…”
Lady Rui said, “Then what do you plan to do afterward? What leverage do you have to make this Young Master Mo agree to join the Joyous-Union Sect?”
Yu Nujiao lightly bit her lip, a thoughtful expression on her face.
Seeing this, Lady Rui, thinking of something, felt a jolt of alarm in her heart, “Don’t you dare play with fire. Your body… must not be broken.”
Yu Nujiao sighed helplessly, “Lady Rui, I understand.”
Seeing that Yu Nujiao truly grasped her meaning, Lady Rui finally relaxed, “I’m afraid you’re playing with fire. One misstep, and you could lose yourself entirely.”
To her surprise, Yu Nujiao wore an indifferent expression, “So be it. The Primordial Yin Essence I’ve nurtured for so long was never truly mine to begin with… it will belong to someone else sooner or later. In that case…”
“Rather than letting it fall into the hands of those dissolute young masters in Kun Province, the so-called noble scions of the Dao sects, or some unknown Ancestor or great power from the Demonic Path, it might as well go to this Young Master Mo.”
At least this Young Master Mo is clean… and quite thrilling. Yu Nujiao thought to herself.
Upon hearing this, Lady Rui immediately paled, hurriedly covering Yu Nujiao’s mouth as she scolded softly, “You little fool, have you lost your mind? How dare you speak such reckless words!”
Yu Nujiao merely giggled, delicate as a flower bud.
Lady Rui sighed in resignation, “Just be careful and guard yourself well. Otherwise, not only you, but even I will be held accountable…”
Yu Nujiao nodded, “Don’t worry, Lady Rui, I understand.”
Lady Rui fell silent for a moment before asking with a hint of suspicion, “Do you already have a plan?”
Yu Nujiao smiled but did not answer.
Lady Rui raised an eyebrow and sneered, “Well, you’ve grown up and become more cunning. Since you won’t tell me, I’ll take my leave. If you cause trouble, don’t come crying to this Lady Rui.”
Yu Nujiao quickly grabbed Lady Rui’s sleeve, cooing, “How could I ever hide anything from you, Lady Rui? It’s just… it’s not the right time to speak of it yet…”
Lady Rui was puzzled, “What do you mean?”
After much deliberation, Yu Nujiao realized that she could not hide this matter from Lady Rui, a core elder of high standing in the Joyous-Union Sect, and might even need her help. She explained: “Lady Rui, this Young Master Mo carries a treasure of our Joyous-Union Sect within him…”
Lady Rui was taken aback, then frowned, “So what?”
Over the years, the righteous and demonic factions had clashed, and even the Demonic Sects fought among themselves. Techniques and treasures were often taken as spoils of war.
It was hardly surprising for a Joyous-Union Sect treasure to fall into someone else’s hands. Moreover, someone like Young Master Mo could easily kill a few Joyous-Union Sect elders and seize several of their treasures.
Yu Nujiao shook her head, her gaze sharpening as she whispered, “The treasure within him is different, because this Joyous-Union treasure… is planted in his mind.”
“Planted in his mind…”
Lady Rui frowned at first, then, as realization dawned, her pupils slowly dilated, and her fair face turned pale.
In the Joyous-Union Sect, any treasure that could be planted in the mind was connected to a person’s heart, spirit, desires, the physical brain, and the intangible Sea of Consciousness. Such treasures were ancient artifacts, and this one might even be a lost ancient treasure of the Joyous-Union Sect.
Those capable of planting such an ancient Joyous-Union treasure in another’s mind were invariably old monsters of transcendent cultivation. Such an old monster would undoubtedly possess profound mastery of the Joyous-Union arts of heart and desire. Even the Ancestors of the Joyous-Union Sect itself might no longer be proficient in such methods. While planting was possible, the success rate could not be guaranteed, and it was likely that the recipient would soon perish from a ruptured Sea of Consciousness.
Yet this Young Master Mo seemed to be alive and well…
That was truly extraordinary.
Lady Rui’s expression shifted rapidly as she urgently asked Yu Nujiao, “How do you know that a Joyous-Union Sect treasure has been planted in Young Master Mo’s mind?”
Yu Nujiao smiled, “Sister Miao told me.”
Lady Rui frowned. “Miao Niángzǐ?”
Yu Nujiao nodded.
Lady Rui’s expression turned cold. “Why would she tell you these things?”
Yu Nujiao replied, “I asked her for information about Young Master Mo, and she told me everything she knew. She was reluctant to speak about the treasure, but I used the authority of the Saintess to intimidate her, and she revealed it all.”
Lady Rui’s face remained indifferent. “That little wretch Miao’er is no simple character either. She might not have told the truth.”
Yu Nujiao nodded. “I know, so I personally tested this Young Master Mo.”
Lady Rui frowned. “Tested?”
Yu Nujiao explained, “Sister Miao only said that Young Master Mo might possess a supreme treasure of the Joyous-Union Sect, and that its origins were significant. But even Sister Miao herself didn’t know what this treasure was or where Young Master Mo had hidden it.”
“Out of curiosity, during our recent meeting, I seized the right moment and used my innate Seduction Arts on Young Master Mo.”
At this point, Yu Nujiao looked somewhat dejected. “Of course, most of it failed. This Young Master Mo truly isn’t human.”
But then she smiled again. “However, in the end, the Seduction Arts did manage to stir his mind just a little.”
“Though it was only for an instant, I could sense up close that, under the influence of the Seduction Arts, something unusual stirred in Young Master Mo’s mind. Desire was eroding his consciousness, and I could roughly guess that the Joyous-Union Sect’s supreme treasure is planted in his mind…”
Lady Rui was momentarily stunned. She looked at Yu Nujiao, feeling surprised and suddenly finding her somewhat unfamiliar.
This girl she had watched grow up seemed to have truly matured. A girl changes greatly as she grows, and her cunning mind had become somewhat elusive.
Even she, an old hand of the Joyous-Union Sect, dared not touch or approach this man, yet Yu Nujiao had actually dared to test him. And she had indeed uncovered some secrets. She truly was the makings of a Joyous-Union Sect Saintess.
And that wasn’t all.
Yu Nujiao’s eyes grew brighter and brighter, as if she had thought of something. Her seductive gaze was like silk, and her cheeks flushed with excitement:
“If that’s really the case, then it’s easy.”
“Though I don’t know what this treasure is or who planted it.”
“But since this treasure comes from the Joyous-Union Sect, the methods for using it must be hidden within one of the sect’s traditions.”
“If I can find the tradition and methods related to this treasure, then it might be possible to regain control of this Joyous-Union Sect supreme treasure through these methods…”
“And since this Joyous-Union Sect treasure is planted in Young Master Mo’s mind, that means I could likely directly control… this Young Master Mo, control his thoughts, his Divine-Sense, and even his deeper desires.”
The thought of being able to control this dangerous yet handsome Young Master Mo, who was like a celestial being yet also a demon—controlling his mind, his reason, his desires—made Yu Nujiao bite her lips tightly, her cheeks flushed, and her body begin to tremble slightly.
Lady Rui’s pupils trembled as well, too shocked to speak.
This girl’s courage was truly immense… so immense that even she, a Golden Core-level demoness of the Joyous-Union Sect, was somewhat taken aback.
But what truly shocked Lady Rui was that Yu Lian’er’s speculations were likely correct.
At least, according to general logic, there was no flaw in them.
If it were truly possible to find such ancient Joyous-Union techniques and gain control over the Joyous-Union treasure within Young Master Mo’s mind, it would be equivalent to directly controlling Young Master Mo himself…
Controlling this prodigy of Great Void Sect, the dual champion of Formation Dao, the top contender in sword debates, whose background is unfathomable, and whose strength and methods are even more inscrutable… Young Master Mo.
Controlling this righteous anomaly who, at the Early Golden Core Stage, could crush three Late Golden Core Stage or even peak-level great demons in a single encounter… an utterly inconceivable feat.
Even Lady Rui felt her breath quicken and her heart pound uncontrollably.
The two beauties of the Joyous-Union Sect—one a senior elder, the other a saintess—both flushed with excitement at the thought.
“Lady Rui, you must help me,” Yu Nujiao whispered softly, her eyes bright.
Lady Rui pondered left and right, finding herself unable to refuse for the moment.
The risks were immense, but compared to them, the potential benefits were overwhelmingly tempting, stirring an irresistible greed. After all, to control Mo Hua…
Lady Rui took a deep breath and sighed, “Very well, I will help you. But you must be cautious. Your opponent is that Young Master Mo, you must be careful, doubly careful. Do not truly slip up and end up playing with fire only to burn yourself.”
Upon hearing the phrase “playing with fire only to burn yourself,” Yu Nujiao felt even more thrilled and excited. Her red lips parted slightly as she smiled and said, “Lady Rui, rest assured. I am the flower queen, the saintess, protected by the Undying Talisman. How could I possibly slip up…”
…
(TN: Imagine Mo Hua in the corner, using his concealment technique to listen in on the entire conversation.)