Time for the undercover to come in handy

To the outside world, only a day had passed when observing the Scroll of Mountains and Rivers, but within Tianren City, two years had already gone by since Li Mo returned to Mo City.

In a tavern within the Earth City—

Thwack!

The sound of a storyteller’s gavel echoed through the bustling hall, momentarily silencing the clinking of cups and chatter.

A middle-aged man in a gray-blue robe and a melon-skull cap clasped his hands and addressed the crowd:

"As the next heavenly calamity looms, Tianren City once again faces life and death. Yet, chaos breeds heroes, and heroes emerge from the young. This humble storyteller has traveled far and wide, and today, I shall boldly recount the tales of the most remarkable figures of our time."

"Of course, these are merely accounts I’ve gathered, perhaps mixed with some speculation. I ask only that you lend me your ears and spare a bite to eat."

"When speaking of heroes, one cannot overlook the young master from Mo City—sworn brother to Sword Sect’s Dong Changtian, peerless in both hammer and sword, his hands stained with the souls of countless demons."

"Recently, he purged the demonic horde of the Stubborn Stone Clan in the Desolate Blazing Plains."

"..."

The mention of Mo City and its rising young hero instantly invigorated the crowd.

The excitement wasn’t confined to the first floor—the storyteller’s voice carried through the atrium, reaching the private chambers on the second floor.

There, a group of Celestials sat.

"Mortals live such fleeting lives, yet they’ve mastered the art of such delicious food."

Feng Zhi gnawed on a lamb leg, her cheeks bulging as she savored the flavors.

"I find the liveliness of the mortal markets far more vibrant than the Celestial City," remarked Chun Mang, a petite girl in a green dress, her playful nature making her Feng Zhi’s closest companion among the Celestials.

"I just heard Li Mo’s name mentioned," Lei Ze’s deep, magnetic voice cut in. "How has his mission progressed?"

Since Li Mo had gone undercover, Feng Zhi had declared that all reports concerning him were to be delivered solely to her.

Thus, the other Celestials remained in the dark about his actual progress.

...

Feng Zhi didn’t know either.

She had bluffed on the spot back then. Now, faced with the question, she paused for a moment before raising the lamb leg with an air of cold profundity.

"Just keep listening," she said mysteriously.

Yan Rong rumbled in his deep voice, "It seems Feng Zhi has great faith in her chosen agent. Let us listen closely, then."

Downstairs, the discussions continued.

"Mo City’s influence has grown tremendously lately."

"Indeed. Credit must be given to the Sword Sect’s foresight—recognizing Li Mo’s talent, even going so far as to swear brotherhood with him to dispel doubts."

"The results speak for themselves. Li Mo has slain countless demons, his sword skills transcendent, striking fear into the hearts of monsters."

"Who would’ve thought that after being overlooked by the Celestials and running away from home, he’d achieve such greatness?"

Among the demon hunters, Young Master Li’s reputation was now unparalleled.

Eighty-nine victories, zero defeats—his record spoke for itself.

"Earlier, I heard someone claim Li Mo’s greatest strength lies in his swordsmanship. While that is true, to consider it his ultimate reliance would be a grave mistake."

The storyteller spoke again.

"But I’ve heard tales of Li Mo’s sword cleaving through fourteen provinces in a single strike! And he’s sworn brothers with Sword Sect’s Dong Changtian. How could his sword not be his greatest asset?"

A puzzled voice rose from the crowd.

Others nodded in agreement—after all, few had ever seen Li Mo in person, let alone ventured beyond Earth City.

"His swordsmanship is indeed peerless, reaching the realm where the sword exists not in hand, but in heart. Yet, what truly defies the heavens is that hammer of his!"

"However, the young master has a playful streak. Every time he saves someone, he insists on calling himself a swordsman."

"For instance, just last month, he slew a mountain ogre—shouting sword incantations while smashing the demon, who tried to catch his blade bare-handed, into paste with his hammer. Ahem... this old man can’t fathom his obsession."

"How do you know all this?"

Suspicious eyes turned toward the storyteller.

After all, it was hard to accept that the renowned swordmaster was actually a hammer-wielder.

Li Mo’s moniker was the Swordmaster of Liqun!

"Because I was the one he saved that day."

The storyteller pointed at his own eyes, indicating he had witnessed it firsthand.

The crowd: "..."

If this was a lie, then this man had nerves of steel to spread such rumors.

If it was true... then he had even greater guts to admit it aloud.

Was this something you could just say?

"I can vouch for it. Li Mo was once a son of the Earth City’s Li Clan. I saw him swing that hammer with earth-shaking force myself."

"So it’s true?"

"What a twist of fate. A man like this, denied Celestial inheritance, yet thriving in the mortal city..."

"No need to pity him. Sword Sect’s Dong Changtian is aging. Soon, Li Mo may very well become Mo City’s ruler."

"Come to think of it... Li Mo... Mo City... Could it be destiny?"

Upstairs, the private chamber fell into silence.

"He’s done so many impressive things? Sounds like fun..." Chun Mang blinked, her interest piqued.

"He’s performed admirably. It seems our decision back then was correct."

Even the stoic Lei Ze allowed a faint smile. "With the future ruler of Mo City as our agent, uniting the Celestial and mortal realms is within reach."

"If we reclaim the mortal city, Feng Zhi deserves the highest merit," Yan Rong added with a chuckle.

"..."

Feng Zhi’s throat felt dry. She took a few absent-minded sips of tea.

The joys and sorrows of Celestials were not shared—she alone found the commotion grating.

Just two years.

And he’s about to become their leader?

Well, it wasn’t entirely unreasonable. Li Mo had always been Mo City’s true master. He was merely reclaiming his rightful place.

But... since when did a leader go undercover in his own domain?!

At this point, Feng Zhi was at a loss. She could only maintain her composure and pick up another lamb leg.

Best to focus on eating for now.

She could only hope the situation wouldn’t escalate further. One lie had spiraled into many, each demanding yet another to conceal it...

But soon, Jiang Yu somehow caught wind of the affair and assigned her a new task.

"I’ve heard of your agent’s exploits in the mortal city. Impressive work."

"Since that’s the case, it’s time for him to prove his worth."

"With the demons in the mortal city nearly eradicated and reconstruction underway, have him assist us in reclaiming it."

...

Meanwhile, in Mo City.

"Achoo! Who’s talking about me?"

Li Mo rubbed his nose, suddenly wary. Rumor had it someone in Tianren City was tarnishing his reputation.

He was a swordsman, damn it! What nonsense about hammers?

Who dared spread such outrageous truths? He’d better not catch them.

"Great-grandson, help me look into this," he said to Dong Geyu.

"I’m exhausted! I just got back, and I still have demon materials to process. No way!"

Dong Geyu’s temple twitched. "And who’s your great-grandson? You don’t even have a son, let alone a grandson!"

With that, she stormed off.

Li Mo shook his head and entered the blacksmith’s shop where he was staying. He still didn’t understand why his celestial sister’s home was a forge.

But that didn’t matter.

Because the moment he stepped inside, he saw her sitting beneath a tree, sewing clothes—an immortal unwilling to return to the heavens, content in the mortal world.

"Oh? Which celestial fairy sister is this stunning beauty? Did I take a wrong turn somewhere?"

"Yours, and no, you didn't."