When the searchers returned with the items Li Ge had strategically discarded in the Spirit Herb Garden’s furthest corners, both Shang Zhantian and Mo Jinghong were stunned.
How could there be medicine from the Research Base in this garden? Shang Zhantian wondered, his heart sinking.
Why is a Mo Family identity token lying here? Mo Jinghong thought, his eyes narrowing.
The two patriarchs locked eyes, their gazes now thick with murderous intent and deep-seated suspicion.
Shang Zhantian knew that the younger generation of his family occasionally traded failed medicinal experiments to the garden guards in exchange for spirit herbs. Since the potions weren’t vital assets and the herbs were used to increase their family’s overall strength, he had always turned a blind eye to the practice.
He simply hadn’t expected those idiots to be so careless as to leave such obvious evidence behind.
However, that was a minor grievance compared to what else had been found. What truly blindsided him was the discovery of a Mo Family identity token in the garden. On this island, those tokens were vital symbols of status. Disciples carried them at all times; he couldn’t imagine any scenario where one would be left behind except during a desperate struggle.
Could the Mo Family have done this?
In terms of raw combat prowess, no one could match the Shang Family. However, the Mo Family’s mechanical arts and puppetry were not to be underestimated. Who knew if they had secretly developed some new, lethal weapon? While the Mo Family lacked masters capable of a single-strike kill, it wouldn’t be difficult for them to engineer some strange contraption to ambush the guards when their defenses were down.
The more he thought about it, the more the Mo Family seemed like the prime suspects.
While Shang Zhantian was doubting Mo Jinghong, Mo Jinghong was returning the favor. To Shang Zhantian, the presence of the Research Base medicine was a nuisance, but to Mo Jinghong, it was a revelation.
What did the presence of those potions prove? It proved his earlier theory was correct!
This entire situation was likely a charade directed and performed by Shang Zhantian himself. The goal was simple: to hoard these rare herbs—which could drastically increase one’s strength and extend life—for the Shang Family alone.
As for why a Mo Family token was found at the scene, the explanation was even simpler. The Shang Family’s martial experts could have easily pickpocketed the tokens from his disciples and tossed them here to frame them. For a family of fighters like the Shangs, such a feat was trivial.
Once the “evidence” against the Mo Family was established, the Shang Family could rally the island’s smaller factions to wipe them out. With the Mo Family gone, the Li Family would be unable to stand alone. At that point, wouldn’t the Shang Family become the undisputed tyrants of the island?
Cold sweat broke out on Mo Jinghong’s neck. The Shang Family’s wolfish ambitions were as clear as day.
Mo Jinghong’s logic was sound, but he had aimed his suspicion at the wrong target. The sequence of events was exactly as he imagined, but the “heavy lifting” he attributed to the Shangs had actually been performed by Li Ge.
As the Patriarch of the Li Family, even if her house was currently being marginalized, it wasn’t difficult for her to flip a few disgruntled Mo disciples with promises of protection and immense wealth.
While the two giants stood there stewing in mutual paranoia, Li Ge—the true culprit—effectively became invisible.
As she expected, after the tense standoff at the Spirit Herb Garden, both Shang Zhantian and Mo Jinghong sent messengers to the Li Family that very night. Both requested a private audience with Patriarch Li to discuss “matters of great importance.”
Li Ge visited the Mo Family first. Under Mo Jinghong’s earnest and painstaking persuasion, Li Ge maintained a facade of extreme hesitation.
“The Mo and Shang families have always been close,” she said, looking troubled. “I cannot be certain if this is a trap the two of you designed together to target my family. To be safe, I can promise to help you deal with the Shangs, but the Li Family will not be the first to move. However, if the conflict reaches a critical juncture and you truly need assistance, the Li Family will certainly stand in the same trench as you and lend a hand.”
Though Mo Jinghong wasn’t entirely satisfied with her passive stance, he forced himself to accept it. Currently, the Shang Family held the most power on the island and acted with typical arrogance. Aside from the “hard bone” that was the Li Family, no one else wanted to cross them. If he could pull the Li Family into his camp, he had a fighting chance. If the Shangs recruited them instead, the Mo Family would be truly isolated.
After leaving the Mo Family, Li Ge headed to the Shang residence. She performed the exact same script.
Unlike the relatively weakened Mo Patriarch, Shang Zhantian displayed blatant dissatisfaction. He hadn’t expected Li Ge to be so dismissive of his “face.” Looking at the unyielding Li Ge, Shang Zhantian felt a surge of rage.
If it weren’t for the Mo Family’s petty schemes, why would I ever care about a weakling like the Li Family?
He only feared that while he was at war with the Mo Family, the Li Family would run rampant and cause unnecessary trouble for him. Since Li Ge didn’t trust him, cooperation wasn’t mandatory—as long as she didn’t conspire with the Mo Family, it would suffice.
Under Shang Zhantian’s blatant threats and intimidation, Li Ge put on a display of “furious” indignation. She declared she had no interest in being dragged into their “filthy business” and stormed out, flicking her sleeves in a huff.
By the end of the night, both the Shang and Mo families believed they had successfully intimidated or recruited the Li Family. Both sides began sharpening their blades, preparing to make their move.
Li Ge was quite pleased with the day’s results. She hadn’t just cleared her family of suspicion; she had successfully driven a wedge between two “brothers” who were usually thick as thieves.
To ensure they actually came to blows, she had “accidentally” mentioned various past suspicious activities during their respective meetings, deepening their paranoia.
Recalling how Shang Zhantian and Mo Jinghong had tried to coerce her into making a choice, Li Ge sneered inwardly. Once the fire was roaring, they would find out exactly who the Li Family intended to “help.”
All that remained was to wait for the show to begin. She truly hoped these two wouldn’t disappoint her…
