Gou Zai Fei Men made up myths

Inside the main hall, Shen Mo was listening to Su Xiao's report on the recent inventory of the sect's supplies.

The spoils brought back from the Water Mansion, especially the main root of the Vermilion Fruit and the inheritance jade slip, gave the Qingyun Sect a slight but crucial boost to its foundation.

But at this moment, there was not much joy between Shen Mo's brows; instead, there was a hint of solemnity that was hard to detect.

"Senior Brother Sect Leader," Su Xiao said softly, closing the ledger in his hand, "as you instructed, all the resources brought back from the Water Mansion have been registered, cataloged, and sealed in the warehouse."

"Over at the herb garden, Junior Sister Xiaocao is trying to cultivate the main root of the Vermilion Fruit, but... this thing is delicate and requires a lot of spiritual energy to nourish it. With our sect's current spiritual veins... I'm afraid its growth will be extremely slow."

"It's alright," Shen Mo waved his hand. "Just do your best and leave the rest to fate. Right now... we have more important things to deal with."

His gaze seemed to pierce through the walls of the main hall, looking towards a certain direction down the mountain.

Upon hearing this, Su Xiao's expression tightened slightly, and he whispered, "Is Senior Brother Sect Leader worried about... Black Wind Stronghold?"

The one-month repayment deadline set by Black Wind Stronghold has long passed! Logically, they should have come to collect the debt long ago, but they haven't come yet. Either something has happened, or they can't afford to deal with this spirit stone.

During the previous trip to the Water Palace, there were members of the Black Wind Village.

Although Shen Mo did not see Hei Yun Sha, he did see Steward Wang and Zhao Hu appear.

It is unknown whether Black Cloud Demon has not yet come to collect its debt because it was injured by the patriarch's stone lion or because it was intimidated by the stone lion's power.

However, this debt, like a sword hanging over their heads, remains a huge weight on the hearts of every Qingyun Sect disciple.

Even though the sect's reputation has soared, no one dares to be careless in the face of Black Wind Stronghold, a local tyrant with a notorious reputation.

"Hmm." Shen Mo nodded, his fingers lightly tapping the armrest of the chair. "Hei Yun Sha is a vengeful and ruthless man. Although we have some reputation now, it's hard to guarantee that he won't resort to desperate measures."

"Pass down the order: for the next few days, the alert level will be raised to the highest level! No disciple is permitted to leave the mountain without my permission!"

"Yes!" Su Xiao replied solemnly, and was about to turn around to pass on the order.

Sudden--

"Report—!" A hurried shout came from outside the hall! Wang Lie rushed in, panting, with a look of surprise and uncertainty on his face!

"What's the matter?" Shen Mo frowned and asked in a deep voice.

"Sect Leader...Sect Leader!" Wang Lie gasped for breath, pointing down the mountain, "A group of people are coming down the mountain! Judging from their attire...they seem...they seem to be from Black Wind Stronghold!"

What?! The Black Wind Stronghold people finally arrived?! Right after they returned from the Water Mansion!

The atmosphere in the hall froze instantly! Su Xiao's face turned deathly pale in an instant, and his hand instinctively went to the hilt of the sword at his waist.

What was bound to happen... finally happened! And it happened so quickly!

"How many people came? Who is in charge?" A cold glint flashed in Shen Mo's eyes, but his voice remained calm.

"There aren't many people!" Wang Lie quickly replied, "About seven or eight! The leader... is none other than the Black Wind Stronghold chief, Black Cloud Fiend!"

Black Cloud Demon has come in person! And he only brought this few people?

This situation surprised both Shen Mo and Su Xiao. They had expected that if Black Wind Stronghold came to collect debts, they would arrive with a large, menacing force.

The way they're traveling so lightly and simply... doesn't seem like they're here to fight, but rather... like they're here for a visit?

"They...they're carrying something!" Wang Lie added, "It looks like...several large boxes!"

Carrying boxes? What's going on here? Are they trying to be polite first and then resort to force?

Shen Mo's mind raced, a series of possibilities flashing through his mind. There was no way to avoid it.

He made a quick decision:

"Open the mountain gate's array passage and let them up the mountain! Notify Shi Tie and Zhang Daniu to lead all combat-capable disciples to line up and wait in the plaza in front of the main hall! Without my signal, they must not make any rash moves!"

"Yes!" Wang Lie accepted the order and hurried away.

"Junior Sister Xiao," Shen Mo said, turning to Su Xiao one last time, "you will come with me to meet this Black Chieftain. Remember, act according to the situation, and follow my lead."

"Yes! Senior Brother Sect Leader!" Su Xiao nodded vigorously. Although she was nervous, seeing Shen Mo's calm and composed expression reassured her somewhat.

A moment later, on the not-so-spacious plaza in front of the main hall of Qingyun Sect.

Led by Shi Tie, a dozen or so disciples, armed with weapons, formed a simple formation. Although the number of them was small and their cultivation levels varied, their eyes were firm and their faces were filled with a murderous aura, which gave them quite an imposing presence.

At the end of the square, towards the mountain gate, seven or eight men dressed in different styles and exuding a fierce aura were slowly walking up the stone steps.

The leader was a tall and burly man dressed in a black outfit. He had a fierce face and a hideous scar that ran from his left forehead to his right jaw. He was none other than Black Wind Stronghold Chief, Black Cloud Fiend!

At this moment, Hei Yun Sha's face did not have the arrogant and domineering look of the past. Instead, it carried an indescribable... caution? Even... a little bit of barely perceptible... unease?

The henchmen behind him, including Steward Wang and Zhao Hu (who had also successfully escaped from the Water Mansion), all shrank their necks and looked away, carrying three heavy wooden boxes and walking cautiously, as if afraid of disturbing something.

This bizarre scene left Shi Tie and the others, who were on high alert, completely baffled.

This…this is really the infamous Black Wind Stronghold chief? Not only is he completely different from his arrogant demeanor last time, but he looks…more like a relative visiting? Or perhaps a poor, unwelcome relative?

"Hahaha!" The voice arrived before the person.

From a distance, Hei Yun Sha first glanced instinctively at the stone lions in the square, then let out a slightly dry laugh, forcing what he thought was a friendly smile, and cupped his hands towards Shen Mo standing at the entrance of the main hall. His voice was loud but carried a hint of barely perceptible flattery:

"Is that Shen Moshen, the sect leader of Qingyun Sect, ahead? I apologize for my previous offense and hope that Sect Leader Shen will forgive my intrusion today!"

This attitude...this tone...not to mention Shi Tie and the others were dumbfounded, even Su Xiao next to Shen Mo was almost caught off guard!

Is this still the same Black Cloud Demon who made those threats to flatten Qingyun Mountain? Why does he seem like a completely different person?

Shen Mo's mind raced, but his face remained impassive. He returned the greeting with a cupped hand and replied calmly (asking a question he already knew the answer to):

"So it's Chief Black, gracing us with your presence! We apologize for not welcoming you sooner. May we ask what brings you to my humble Qingyun Mountain with such a large force today?" (These guys all seem like they've never actually fought a life-or-death battle before; they're all acting masters!)