Phoenix

"Feng Zhi, why are you acting so strangely today?"

"If you don’t want him for yourself, why stop the rest of us?"

"Could it be that this kid has ulterior motives?"

"Doesn’t seem like it. At first glance, he looks like a righteous gentleman. My eyes never deceive me."

"Feng Zhi, have you lost your mind lately?"

The Celestial Clan was utterly baffled by Feng Zhi’s behavior.

Feng Zhi remained silent. Under the scrutiny of so many eyes, she didn’t know how to explain. Should she say this was Ying Bing’s family?

She wanted to, but Ying Bing wasn’t in the city at the moment.

Moreover, even if Jiang Yu didn’t say it outright, she could sense his wariness toward Ying Bing.

And judging by Li Mo’s demeanor, it was clear he had forgotten his past. Whether the Celestial Clan believed her or not was secondary—Li Mo himself would probably be completely confused.

How could she explain this?

Feng Zhi racked her brain. After a moment, she waved her hand, summoning a wind barrier to encircle them, cutting off the noise from outside.

"So secretive—what’s really going on?" Lei Ze asked.

Feng Zhi took a deep breath.

"Since things have come to this, I won’t hide my plan any longer."

"What plan?"

"I’ve long intended to send someone to infiltrate Mo City to gather intelligence. After much observation, I’ve chosen the perfect candidate—Li Mo!"

"??"

The Celestial Clan members leaned back slightly in surprise.

The noble families beneath them had often hinted at this place in their conversations.

At first, they paid no mind, dismissing it as trivial conflicts among the lower ranks. After all, who would interfere in their pets’ squabbles?

But lately, that city had grown stronger, even producing individuals capable of threatening the Celestial Clan.

"I originally planned to carry this out in secret and reveal it only after results were achieved. But he’s proven even more exceptional than I anticipated."

Feng Zhi spoke with solemnity, her tone grave.

If this succeeded, Li Mo would return to his homeland while also solving the problem of drawing too much attention.

After spending so much time among mortals, her mind had grown sharp. She mentally gave herself full marks for this scheme.

"Li Mo... Mo City... Did you start planning this over a decade ago?"

"Exactly. He’s highly talented, skilled in martial arts, young, and has admired demon-slaying since childhood. He’s also had dealings with bounty hunters. Such a person would undoubtedly be valued."

Feng Zhi grew more confident as she spoke, adding,

"Unifying the three cities has also been Emperor Jiang’s long-cherished wish. This is of great importance."

The Celestial Clan members sighed in admiration, offering no further objections.

Feng Zhi was clearly ambitious.

......

Below the platform, the crowd congratulated Li Mo.

In their eyes, he had caught the attention of so many high-ranking Celestial Clan members—even prompting a private discussion—so his future achievements were bound to be extraordinary.

Now, everyone was curious about which Celestial Clan member would bestow their legacy upon him.

Before long, a voice rang out from above:

"Li Mo, step forward."

"Go on."

With a pat on the shoulder from Old Li, Li Mo ascended the jade steps to the summit.

As soon as he reached the top, all sound was drowned out by the howling wind, and countless scrutinizing gazes fell upon him.

Li Mo clasped his hands in salute, meeting their eyes with calm composure.

Old Li had briefed him on most of these Celestial Clan members.

If he had to choose one, he’d probably pick...

"Li Mo, we’ve reached a decision."

"We unanimously agree to send you to Mo City as an undercover agent."

Feng Zhi’s announcement left the Celestial Clan members nodding, though their expressions varied.

"Thank you... Huh?"

Li Mo leaned back slightly.

Even for a prodigy like him, it took a moment to process what had just happened.

Happiness had arrived... so abruptly?

"Do well. If you succeed, you may choose any legacy upon your return."

"Hahaha! I’d say there’s a good chance you’ll join the Celestial Clan in the future."

"Aim to rise quickly within their ranks and complete the mission as soon as possible."

The Celestial Clan harbored few doubts.

After all, Li Mo hailed from the Earth City, with his entire family under their rule.

The temptation of ascending to the Celestial Clan, combined with Feng Zhi’s claim of "over a decade of preparation," convinced them that Li Mo would excel in this task.

Background check: ✔

Ability: ✔

Li Mo had no reason to refuse. He saluted the Celestial Clan members and, as he descended, cast a glance at Feng Zhi.

Was this her idea?

He was almost certain it was.

Thinking back, his family had only run a blacksmith shop, with shallow roots in the city. It was Feng Zhi’s inexplicable protection and favor that allowed the Li family to thrive.

Moreover, she hadn’t let him receive a legacy—nor allowed others to grant him one.

And the moment they met, she had called him "brother-in-law"...

So who was her sister?

A sister of the Celestial Clan would also be a Celestial, yet that person was conspicuously absent.

Was Feng Zhi sending him to Mo City because of her?

"Everyone, come to our manor for a feast in a few days!"

Surrounded by well-wishers, Old Li beamed with pride, as if already envisioning the Li family’s meteoric rise.

He had even prepared a banquet, eager to reclaim all the gifts he’d given away over the years.

Li Mo hesitated but ultimately boarded the carriage without a word.

Soon after, Old Li joined him. After instructing the coachman to head home, he asked,

"Which Celestial Clan member granted you their legacy? Not Feng Zhi... was it Lei Ze?"

Li Mo didn’t know how to respond and shook his head.

"Yan Rong?"

"Not him either."

"Chun Mang? Yan Tu? Yuan Rong?"

Old Li listed several names, but Young Li kept shaking his head. Stunned, Old Li exclaimed,

"Don’t tell me... more than one?"

"No. They want me to be a spy."

"I knew it... Wait, what? Say that again."

"A spy. The kind who gets sliced into a thousand pieces if caught. They told me to work hard, and my family might one day produce a Celestial Clan member."

Old Li felt the Li family’s hopes had just been dashed.

After a long silence, he asked,

"Our Li family has only one heir in three generations. Couldn’t you have refused such a dangerous task?"

"I didn’t want to go either. As a bounty hunter, I’d rather slay demons and roam the martial world freely. But you can’t fight fate. Refusing wasn’t an option."

Li Mo sighed.

Old Li glared at him. "You’re practically grinning! Just looking at you pisses me off!"

Li Mo fell silent.

What’s done was done.

Two days later.

Under the festive lights of Earth City’s nightscape, Li Mo waited at home until the holiday arrived.

Amid the lively celebrations, the Li family’s sole heir—who had failed to receive a Celestial Clan legacy—left in despair, slipping out of the city unnoticed.

A perfectly plausible story.

With a bundle on his back and travel funds secured, Li Mo leaped onto the wall.

A sudden intuition made him glance back—and in the darkness, he spotted a figure.

Though the courtyard was unlit, he recognized Old Li.

They’d agreed to pretend ignorance, but Old Li couldn’t help himself.

"I’ll return soon and lift our family to greatness. Life is full of opportunities..."

He told himself silently.

Old Li watched him vanish beyond the wall, whispering in his heart:

"Come back soon..."