Chapter 366: Chapter 363: Mo Qi’s Layout (Part 2)

From the very beginning, Niu Kexin had never wanted to be a burden to Mo Qi.

Now that everyone else had their own missions, she wanted to do her part for Mo Qi, even more than she dreaded being separated from him.

Besides, she had her own pride and a strong will.

Being just a pretty face was clearly not her style.

Mo Qi opened his mouth to say something, but after seeing the determination in Niu Kexin’s eyes, he swallowed his words.

No one in the world understood Niu Kexin better than he did.

She might seem gentle, frail, and agreeable most of the time.

But once she made up her mind, nothing could change it.

"Alright. We’ll do it your way." After some careful thought, Mo Qi nodded in agreement.

Niu Kexin had received an energy feedback from his Nine Transformations into Spirit. After this period of cultivation, her body was already equivalent to a Half-Spirit Body.

Her cultivation was also just half a step away from reaching the Vajra Realm.

With such a cultivation level at her age, she would be taken under the special care of the higher-ups, no matter which Sub-Palace of the Hall of Envoys she joined.

Therefore, barring any major accidents, Niu Kexin would surely be able to reunite with everyone on the Demon Spirit Battlefield in a year’s time.

This was the ultimate reason Mo Qi had agreed.

"Alright, that’s all I have to say. You all should return to the Imperial City and prepare. Get to know each other better. I have a few things I need to think through alone."

As he spoke, Mo Qi opened the Transmission Channel to the Imperial City.

Liu Ruyan and Niu Kexin exchanged a look. It was obvious that something was on Mo Qi’s mind—of course they could tell.

But after a silent exchange, they both decided not to press him.

Since Mo Qi hadn’t said anything, it meant he didn’t want to talk about it yet, and the two women knew better than to pry.

And so, everyone led the Women’s Corps in a great, powerful procession through the Transmission Channel and descended upon the Imperial City.

Before he left, Liu Hui shot Mo Qi a grateful glance.

"Thank you, my lord, for making this possible."

Mo Qi kicked him in the ass, annoyed.

"Get lost!"

He knew Liu Hui was thanking him for what happened with Nangong An.

Mo Qi didn’t know what fate had befallen Nangong An, and he had no interest in finding out.

But this had undoubtedly resolved the obsession that had plagued Liu Hui for more than a decade.

The blood feud for the murder of his parents was an irreconcilable one.

Only with Nangong An’s end could that Chapter of his life be closed.

Liu Hui rubbed his sore backside and broke into a goofy, Jin Sanpang-esque grin before turning and stepping into the Transmission Channel.

Qian Duoduo, who had hung back, approached Mo Qi.

His expression was solemn. "Brother, there’s something I must tell you."

Mo Qi’s expression sobered. It was rare to see Qian Duoduo so serious; whatever he had to say must be important.

"Go on."

"Brother, have you heard of the Zhuge Family, the masters of strategy among the ’One King, Two Generals, and Three Grand Masters’?"

Mo Qi nodded. Before Qian Duoduo could speak again, he clapped him on the shoulder.

"I know what you’re going to say. Not only did the Zhuge Family betray the Mountain and Sea Empire, but they were also the ones who poisoned you with the Soul-Draining Mother Spider eleven years ago."

"Nangong An was just one of their pawns. The Zhuge Family was also responsible for his scrambled memories."

"For all these years, they’ve had everyone, including the Imperial Family—the Royal Li Family—dancing in the palm of their hands."

"And even when their plot was exposed, they managed a clean escape. No one knows where they went."

Mo Qi had dug all this information out of Huangfu Jun, and there were even more secrets about the Zhuge Family besides.

Qian Duoduo was stunned. "Brother, you knew all of this?"

Mo Qi smiled and nodded again. "Don’t worry. I know I inadvertently ruined years of the Zhuge Family’s plans and schemes. They’ll definitely retaliate."

"But strategy is just strategy. In the end, the Martial Dao is a world where strength reigns supreme. Besides, when it comes to strategy, I’m not so sure they can beat me."

Seeing Mo Qi’s confidence, Qian Duoduo breathed a sigh of relief.

"That’s my brother for you! So damn cool!"

With that, Qian Duoduo also led his people through the Transmission Channel and departed from the lands Within the Pass.

Soon, the only ones left Within the Pass were Mo Qi, the Pig Emperor, and a small handful of powerful experts who were originally prisoners there.

"Pig Emperor, do you think I’m doing the right thing?"

Mo Qi sat down on the ground, then lay back with his hands laced behind his head.

The Pig Emperor, who was lying to the right of his head, glanced at Mo Qi. "Are you talking about using them to build your own personal faction and power base?"

Mo Qi said nothing, which was a tacit admission.

After experiencing the series of events in the Mountain and Sea Empire, especially Niu Kexin’s capture and the destruction of the Void Sect, Mo Qi had come to an increasingly clear realization: in the Martial Arts World, one couldn’t build a good life with one’s own power alone.

At the very least, he couldn’t do it yet.

That’s why he needed helpers! He needed partners! He needed power, and even more, he needed a faction!

Building a faction in the conventional, step-by-step way was clearly not an option. He didn’t have the time, and he couldn’t wait that long.

So, desperate times called for desperate measures.

Whether it was Liu Hui and Jin Sanpang’s group or the Women’s Corps, they could all be considered sleeper assets that Mo Qi was putting into place.

In the near future, they were certain to bloom into a powerful force, allowing him to achieve his ultimate goal.

"Are you an idiot, kid?" The Pig Emperor looked at him as if he were a complete moron.

"Let’s put aside your goal of building a faction for a moment and just talk about their future. What, you plan on looking after them for the rest of their lives? Keeping them by your side forever?"

"You’re the one who said that everyone has to walk their own path. Everyone has their own destiny and their own opportunities. You can’t block their way, and there’s no way you could."

"Flowers raised in a greenhouse can never withstand the wind and rain. If you want them to survive in the cruel Martial Arts World, you have to let go and allow them to fend for themselves."

"Otherwise, you’ll find that future tragedies will only multiply, and your own life will become more and more exhausting."

"And let’s take a huge step back. You feel like you’re using them, but have you ever truly understood what they really think?"

"Whether it’s those two girls, Kexin and Ruyan, or Liu Hui and San Pang’s group, or even your Women’s Corps—do you really think they want to be gilded birds in a cage?"

"Did you see the unconcealable excitement and anticipation on their faces the moment they stepped out from the lands Within the Pass?"

"The Martial Arts World isn’t just full of danger. It’s full of wonders."

"If you keep them here out of fear that they’ll run into danger, preventing them from experiencing the wonders of this world, don’t you think that’s even more selfish?"

"Besides, this so-called ’using’ them is just your own one-sided notion. I believe that for them, the cruelest thing you could do would be to not have any expectations for them, to not place your hopes in them."

The Pig Emperor’s words were like a splash of cold water, and Mo Qi was suddenly enlightened.

’He’s right. What am I so afraid and conflicted about?’

’Why, and by what right, do I get to act like their savior and decide what kind of life is best for them?’

’What right do I have?’

’Isn’t this arrangement for the best?’

’They’re happy with this arrangement, satisfied and full of anticipation. At the same time, it accomplishes my initial goal. It’s a win-win, so what’s not to like?’