32. The Black-Clad Swordsman
Leng Yuli’s reputation in the Mo family was indeed quite good, just as she had claimed.
As soon as she finished speaking, Mo Yechong looked at Gong Yiling with surprise.
“Miss Su is also skilled in forging?”
Gong Yiling glanced at Leng Yuli and shrugged helplessly. “Ah… yes, a little.”
She felt like she had been scammed, and scammed big time.
“More than a little.” Leng Yuli added fuel to the fire. “Even my grandfather thinks Miss Su’s talent is remarkable!”
This girl… is she trying to expose all my secrets? This is clearly a personal vendetta, and she’s betting I won’t expose her either.
No way. If that’s the case, I have to return the favor a little.
“Even the esteemed Elder Leng said so?”
“Not at all.” Gong Yiling immediately retorted, “I didn’t even compete with you in the last forging competition. How about we have another one, with Mr. Mo as a witness?”
Hearing this, Leng Yuli’s cheerful expression immediately fell, and she coughed lightly. “There’s no venue here—”
Before she could finish, Mo Yechong smiled and waved his hand dismissively. “Not at all. If you two wish to compete, I can have a place cleared out immediately. And preparing the forging materials is no trouble for us.”
Good heavens, there really was one!
Seeing Leng Yuli’s flustered expression, Gong Yiling smiled slyly and draped an arm over her shoulder, whispering, “Still being naughty?”
Leng Yuli: “You win.”
Gong Yiling: “Likewise. As long as we’re friendly, we’ll be fine.”
Just as Mo Yechong was about to make the arrangements, Gong Yiling stopped him. “Mr. Mo, no need to trouble yourself. A forging competition is exhausting. Ah Leng and I are old friends. There’s no need to determine a winner.”
“I see…” Mo Yechong was initially a bit disappointed, but then he replayed Gong Yiling’s words in his mind and suddenly realized something.
“Wait, Miss Su, does this mean you’ve already decided to join the Mo family?”
First it was joining the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance, now it was the Mo family?
Although he might have blurted it out in his excitement, and the Mo family and the Sword Alliance were essentially the same thing…
But after overhearing their earlier conversation, Miss Gong didn’t think so.
—After all, the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance was also involved in something called the “Eight Desolations Deer Hunt.”
Unsurprisingly, this was likely another competition. If it were anything special, the system wouldn’t have been silent, and Leng Yuli wouldn’t be completely clueless.
“I’ll join.” Miss Gong said casually, “Ah Leng is also here. It’s good to have someone to look after.”
“Indeed.” Mo Yechong nodded. “Then please have Miss Leng take you to the guest hall. I’ll have a room prepared.”
Leng Yuli didn’t object and instead took Gong Yiling for a stroll around the mansion.
It seemed she was in a good mood, perhaps because she no longer had to marry that playboy Yin Wuzong, or for some other unknown reason—surely it’s not because of me?
Hahaha…
However, on the way to the guest hall, Leng Yuli, as if unable to contain her curiosity, continued to ask, “So… what is Miss Su really here for?”
Seeing her persistence, Gong Yiling gave a brief explanation.
“Have you heard of… the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance?”
As expected of a blacksmith’s daughter, Leng Yuli had actually heard of this organization, which occasionally made its presence known.
“Of course.” She said, “Isn’t the Mo family one of them? You didn’t get dragged into this without knowing anything, did you?”
Gong Yiling quickly replied, “I knew about the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance, but I don’t know everything. For example, what is the Eight Desolations Deer Hunt?”
“The Eight Desolations Deer Hunt?”
Leng Yuli stroked her chin thoughtfully. “I think I’ve heard of it.”
“Every time the Eight Desolations Sword Alliance emerges, this event is held, but—”
As for the event itself, Leng Yuli actually didn’t know.
She only knew that the alliance had a deep connection with the Eight Desolations Sword Master, or rather, they were two opposing factions.
But what exactly the Eight Desolations Deer Hunt was, and whether these people would tell her, she didn’t know.
Of course, although she couldn’t see the whole picture, she had managed to gather some information.
For example, after the Eight Desolations Deer Hunt, regardless of the commotion it caused, the entire Sword Alliance would immediately disappear.
So, this event happened after the Sword Master was dealt with. Why? Were they using the Sword Master’s remains for some shady purpose?
That was truly unknown.
Soon, during their conversation, they arrived at the guest hall in the Mo family’s main courtyard.
And the guest hall wasn’t empty. Several black-clad swordsmen in black cloaks were there.
They exuded an unusual—or rather, unfriendly—aura. When Gong Yiling and Leng Yuli entered, their gazes fell upon them, filled with hostility.
But Miss Gong was now a guest of the Mo family. Annoyed by their stares, she asked directly, “Who are you?”
No one answered.
“The Young Master Mo needs to discuss some matters with Miss Su in the guest hall.” Leng Yuli continued, “If you don’t state your business, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”
Young Master Mo… this title made Gong Yiling raise an eyebrow.
No wonder he walked around so freely. He was a Young Master.
Just then, one of the black-clad swordsmen’s qi condensed, and he charged towards Leng Yuli with clear ill intent.
Faced with this, Gong Yiling didn’t hesitate. By the time the man was within three steps, he suddenly found her sword already drawn, blocking his path.
