Chapter 247: Mountains of Swords and Seas of Flames

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Ye Mo calmly grabbed Jing Xi and tossed her onto the bamboo mat.

"Don't try this with me," he said coldly. "Tell me where Susu is. I'll pay you what's owed. I'm not interested in you."

Jing Xi's joy plummeted. Though her skin remained flushed and desire lingered, Ye Mo's blunt rejection and rough handling wounded her pride. The incense's effects notwithstanding, she was furious, nearly spitting blood.

"Good. Very good…" she seethed, walking to the incense burner before turning to glare at Ye Mo. "You'll regret this. Want to see Susu? In your dreams."

Jing Xi was beside herself. Though she hadn't anticipated this, she'd been willing to proceed until Ye Mo discarded her like refuse. That, she couldn't tolerate. This was worse than her shi jie stealing her man years ago. This entire family was rotten. Revenge!

…

Jing Xian, seemingly aware of Ye Mo's arrival, called out from her room, "Since you're here, come in."

Ye Mo entered, bowing respectfully. "Jing Xian Qian Bei, I know you lead Serenity, but I must take Susu today. I will take her, no matter what. Please allow it."

"You truly like her?" Jing Xian sighed, without looking up.

Ye Mo affirmed resolutely, "Yes, very much. Please let me. I can offer you something valuable, Qian Bei. I don't view Susu as a possession; it's merely gratitude for your sect raising her."

After a long silence, Jing Xian sighed again. "Luo Ying… Susu… you managed to escape that situation. You're no ordinary person… Very well, I'll grant…"

"Hold on," Jing Xi interrupted, now dressed and flanked by three middle-aged nuns. All four nuns possessed Earth-level strength.

Ye Mo noted their power. Why hadn't Jing Xian stopped Jing Xi's earlier attempt at seduction? Was she merely a figurehead?

"Jing Xi Shi Mei, what else is it?" Jing Xian's voice was calm, but Ye Mo detected underlying tension, barely suppressed rage.

Jing Xi said calmly, "Leader Shi Jie, this man is from the mortal world. Taking a disciple violates sect rules. If everyone did this, our sect wouldn't last."

Jing Xian frowned. "Shi Mei, you brought him here, said he wanted to see Luo Ying. Why are you saying this now?"

Jing Xi's tone sharpened. "I only just learned he's a lecherous scoundrel who harassed me. I let him in to see Susu, but I didn't know he was like this. I've broken sect rules and accept punishment."

The nuns glared at Ye Mo, clearly believing Jing Xi.

Ye Mo scoffed silently. They were incredibly gullible. Jing Xi's story was riddled with holes, but they swallowed it whole. Jing Xian likely knew the truth, however.

"Then, what should we do?" Jing Xian sighed, unable to help Ye Mo.

Unexpectedly, Jing Xi suggested, "Shi Jie, let him see Susu once, then send him away."

Ye Mo was stunned. As long as he saw Luo Ying, he'd take her. Had she remembered their agreement? Jing Xian was equally surprised. She'd prepared to dissuade Ye Mo, not expect this. Suddenly, her expression changed, as if understanding Jing Xi's plan.

Jing Xi continued smoothly, "Of course, outsiders can't see our disciples easily. The rules dictate he must traverse the blade mountain and sea of fire."

Jing Xian frowned instantly. Before Ye Mo could respond, she said, "Luo Ying is in solitary training. You should leave and return in two years."

Two years? Ye Mo was taken aback.

Jing Xi smiled coldly. "Or, if you don't wish to see Luo Ying, leave now." She knew Ye Mo wouldn't refuse.

Ye Mo stared coldly at Jing Xi. He knew her intentions. "Then take me there. But let me remind you, Jing Xi, even with aphrodisiacs, I'm not interested. I wouldn't waste my virginity on you."

He might as well be thorough. If this weren't Serenity, surrounded by Earth-level masters, he would have already retaliated.

Jing Xi's face turned green.

…

Luo Ying saw Ye Mo and Jing Xi, and turned away. She didn't want to see him with another woman, especially Jing Xi, whose actions indirectly led to her master's death.

Yet, she couldn't resist seeing Ye Mo. She turned again, hoping to see if he was the man from her dreams, if he'd come for her. But was he? The room was empty. Where was he?

She raced to the window, but found no sign of him. She feared Jing Xi had killed him for rejecting her. She wished he hadn't refused, hadn't angered her. He wouldn't be a match for her. He must have been there for her. Without following Jing Xi, how would he have found her?

Her worry intensified.

"Sword mountain?" Luo Ying gasped, seeing the seventy-meter tall structure on the training grounds. Her face drained of color.

She knew the sect rules. Mortals who interacted with disciples faced this trial. She understood—this was for Ye Mo. Beyond the sword mountain lay the even more terrifying sea of fire.

"No…" she screamed, her voice echoing faintly. Months of confinement had weakened her. Without Ye Mo's jade necklace, she might not even have been able to scream.

Only three had ever attempted this, and none survived. The last incident, vaguely linked to her master, remained shrouded in secrecy. She couldn't let Ye Mo go there.

Desperately clinging to the window, she recalled asking her master, "Master, what is the sword mountain and sea of fire?"

Her master's eyes had been red with tears as she patted Luo Ying's head. "Susu, it's a man's promise, his persistence. If a man is willing to do this for you, he's the one you await. Remember, you must stop him. If he does this, it's only once. There's nothing after. You must stop him. You're too young to understand…"

She remembered her master's subsequent tears.