After Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo left, Mo Tiange and Nie Wushang remained silent for a long while.
After a moment, Nie Wushang suddenly asked, "Do you think they're trustworthy?"
Mo Tiange shook her head. "I can't say for sure. I'm not familiar with them."
Nie Wushang nodded, stroking her chin thoughtfully. "Don't you think Yunzhong and the Tianji Region are very different in certain aspects?"
Mo Tiange had been pondering the same thing. "Indeed. If this were the Tianji Region, most cultivators would suspect City Lord Mei of having ulterior motives upon hearing such a 'good deal.' But the Yunzhong cultivators don't seem to have such reservations."
"Yes, they're less guarded against others, and their way of thinking is much simpler..." Nie Wushang thought for a long moment before sighing. "Originally, I thought we could give this a try. But seeing the attitude of these Yunzhong cultivators actually makes me feel uneasy."
"Hmm." Mo Tiange pondered. "But the problem is, even if we refuse, will City Lord Mei let us leave?"
The two exchanged a glance and both shook their heads.
Although City Lord Mei had treated them politely before, they didn't believe he would simply let them go. Even if the customs of Yunzhong and Tianji differed somewhat, the ironclad rule of this world remained: strength reigns supreme. They were merely Core Formation cultivators and hadn't displayed any notable background. Making a choice different from the other cultivators might very well arouse City Lord Mei's suspicion.
They thought for a long time but couldn't come up with a good solution. Both were wealthy in resources, so the promised rewards weren't particularly enticing. However, Nie Wushang wanted to seek a method to eliminate her Origin Demonic Qi, while Mo Tiange was quite intrigued by the profound mysteries of the Ancient Divine Abilities that Yong Ruyu had mentioned. Yet, being from Tianji and having experienced their own share of hardships, their wariness towards others was far greater than that of the Yunzhong cultivators. They truly didn't dare to trust others so easily.
"Let's go." After a long while, Nie Wushang spoke cautiously. "If we don't go, there's clearly no way out."
Mo Tiange slowly nodded as she considered the situation.
That was right. The current issue wasn't whether to go or not, but that if they refused, the two of them likely couldn't leave. They were in Xingluo City, and City Lord Mei was a Nascent Soul cultivator. While they feared no one among Core Formation cultivators, they weren't arrogant enough to think they could defeat a Nascent Soul cultivator, especially one who held the advantage of home ground.
"Since we're going, should we travel with those two?" Nie Wushang asked.
Mo Tiange thought briefly. "In terms of pure strength, we are stronger than them. There's really nothing to fear."
"Hmm." Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo were both early-stage Core Formation. Even if they were from a major sect and stronger than ordinary cultivators, she and Mo Tiange were no ordinary cultivators either.
"So, is it decided then?" Mo Tiange looked at Nie Wushang.
Nie Wushang nodded. "That's it."
"If that's the case, we need to prepare thoroughly. If we sense something wrong along the way, we leave immediately."
"Agreed." Nie Wushang concurred. Once they were out of Xingluo City—or even just out of the city lord's mansion—with their skills, they would have a chance to escape.
With the decision made, the two busied themselves with preparations.
Mo Tiange returned to her room, set up a formation, entered the Void Heaven Realm to rest and prepare everything, keeping all three of her spirit beasts by her side.
As for Nie Wushang, her hand had a minor injury, but it wouldn't significantly affect her combat ability.
Once both were ready, Mo Tiange had a maid relay a message, inviting Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo over.
"Fellow Daoist Qin, Fellow Daoist Tian Can." Yong Ruyu smiled warmly as soon as they entered. "Have the two of you reached a decision?"
"Indeed." Mo Tiange smiled, inviting them to sit in the hall. "Fellow Daoist Tian Can and I have discussed it. Since both of you feel it's worth a try, we are also willing to make the journey."
"Excellent!" Yong Ruyu's face lit up with joy, and he clapped his hands. "With the two of you accompanying us, we'll feel much more at ease."
"The feeling is mutual."
The four chatted for a while longer before Yong Ruyu and Qiu Chengruo took their leave to make their own preparations.
Before leaving, Qiu Chengruo warmly took Mo Tiange's hand. "Fellow Daoist Qin, it's rare for us Core Formation female cultivators to meet sisters of the same rank. What's even rarer is that we are both Dao cultivators. I imagine we have many topics in common. Let's find more opportunities to chat."
Mo Tiange smiled politely. "If Fellow Daoist Qiu wishes to talk, feel free to visit anytime, or simply send a message."
Hearing this response, Qiu Chengruo was delighted and said many more pleasantries before finally leaving with Yong Ruyu.
Watching their retreating figures disappear, Nie Wushang leaned against the moon gate with her arms crossed. She tilted her chin towards Mo Tiange, a hint of disgust in her voice. "Why were you so polite to that woman?"
"That woman?" Mo Tiange was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled. "You mean Qiu Chengruo?"
"Who else?" Nie Wushang curled her lip. "I really don't get it. Does she truly believe her Senior Brother is universally adored? She's a cultivator, yet she acts like a mortal woman, guarding against other women as if they were thieves. If that's the case, why did she even bother cultivating? She..."
She went on for a while before noticing that Mo Tiange had also crossed her arms and leaned against the moon gate, watching her with a faint, knowing smile. Nie Wushang couldn't help but touch her own face—nothing was amiss; her veil was still on, and cultivators of the same rank couldn't see through it.
This made Nie Wushang somewhat uneasy. "What is it?"
Mo Tiange stroked her chin, revealing an inscrutable smile. "Why do you dislike her so much?"
"Because..." Nie Wushang irritably removed her bamboo hat and pulled off her veil. "Perhaps it's jealousy. She has such favorable conditions, yet she focuses her mind on such trivial matters. It's simply a waste..."
Mo Tiange let out a soft laugh and patted her own forehead. "How do you know that her way is a waste?"
"Anyone with eyes can see it," Nie Wushang muttered.
"..." Mo Tiange looked up at the sky. "Actually, think of it from another angle. That Fellow Daoist Yong doesn't seem like a fool. Why does he turn a blind eye to his Junior Sister's behavior?"
Nie Wushang was taken aback. "This... maybe he doesn't care?"
"Possibly. But he clearly doesn't dislike it either." Mo Tiange spread her hands, looking at the lines on her palm as she spoke. "In other words, all of Qiu Chengruo's actions are under her Senior Brother's control. Yet Yong Ruyu remains oblivious. If he isn't exceptionally dense, then he tacitly approves of his Junior Sister's behavior."
"What does that matter?"
"It doesn't," Mo Tiange said calmly, her gaze settling on Nie Wushang's face. "It's just their life. If they themselves have no issue with it, why should we trouble ourselves over it?"
"..." Nie Wushang's expression gradually softened. After a long moment, she nodded. "You're right. It's their own affair. It's not my place to meddle."
Mo Tiange smiled. "Besides, that Fellow Daoist Yong... do you even find him appealing?"
"What are you thinking?" Nie Wushang shot her a sidelong glance. "My dislike for Qiu Chengruo has nothing to do with her man."
"That's not what I meant either." Mo Tiange said. "Since neither of us finds him particularly appealing, then Yong Ruyu's 'conditions' aren't that great. No matter what, Qiu Chengruo is a Core Formation female cultivator. She's a disciple of a major sect, her cultivation is decent, her aptitude likely isn't bad, and she's quite beautiful. If she were more calculating, she could easily find a more powerful Dao companion. But she hasn't. Thinking of it from this perspective, might you view her a bit more favorably?"
"..." Nie Wushang remained silent for a long time.
Mo Tiange chuckled. "Qiu Chengruo certainly has aspects we find disagreeable, but that doesn't necessarily mean she's wasting her life. Judging by her age, she's probably under three hundred. Even with good aptitude, advancing to Core Formation before three hundred is no easy feat. We only see her constantly clinging to her Senior Brother; we don't see her moments of hard work."
Nie Wushang's expression slowly softened. After a long pause, she nodded gently. "You're right. I was too presumptuous."
Mo Tiange shook her head. "We who cultivate immortality can follow our hearts' desires. Sometimes, we don't need to know if a person is good or not. If we don't like them, we simply don't get close. However, making too many assumptions can lead to underestimating others."
"Hmm..." Nie Wushang rubbed her brow, murmuring, "So there are still so many things in this world I don't understand..."
Her demeanor made Mo Tiange laugh. "I really can't tell you're several decades older than me. Looking at you now, you seem almost completely ignorant of worldly affairs."
"..." Nie Wushang pouted. "When did I ever have the chance?"
Mentioning this, Mo Tiange grew curious. "By the way, I haven't asked you yet. How did you become Venerable Songfeng's disciple?"
"..." Nie Wushang fell silent for a very long time. Just as Mo Tiange thought she wouldn't answer, she heard her low, hoarse voice. "I... my mother was his wife."
Mo Tiange was stunned, almost thinking she had misheard. She thought for a moment, incredulous. "So, he... is actually your father?"
"No." Nie Wushang's expression turned cold. "I'm not his seed. In other words, I'm the bastard child my mother bore from an affair."
"..." Mo Tiange frowned. How could anyone use such words to describe themselves and their own mother?
Seeing her expression, Nie Wushang gave a self-deprecating smile. "Since I was little, that's how Master referred to me."
"Then..." Mo Tiange hesitated before asking, "What about your mother and your biological father?"
"I don't know. Probably dead." Nie Wushang's tone was flat, indifferent. "Given Master's temperament, if my mother betrayed him, she absolutely wouldn't be alive. As for that man, he wouldn't have had a chance to live either."
"I'm sorry," Mo Tiange said softly.
"It's nothing." Nie Wushang shook her head, a bitter smile on her lips. "I should have told you before. Master... he can't really be considered human. So, it was impossible for him to have children. I don't know why he married my mother, but I know what kind of inhuman life my mother lived with him."
"..."
"So, I understand perfectly well why my mother fell in love with another man and even had me with him—though I resent her for giving birth to me." Nie Wushang said calmly. "Ever since I became aware, Master treated me like that. Beating and scolding me at the slightest provocation, calling me a bastard, yet still teaching me cultivation and making me work for him. I don't know what his mindset was. Perhaps tormenting me gave him a sense of vengeful pleasure."
"Then... do you miss your mother?"
Hearing this question, Nie Wushang stared blankly for a long while. Finally, she gave a faint smile. "Before I was ten, perhaps. I told you, Master was too successful. He completely molded me into what he envisioned: afraid of him, hating him, yet having to rely on him, dreaming of leaving him, but nearly unable to survive after escaping."
She laughed at herself. "Unfortunately, I ultimately disappointed him. I will survive. I will live better than he ever did."