Chapter 758: The Magical Merchant Association’s Secret
Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter
Feng Zhuping’s horror was uncontainable upon realizing Ye Mo’s identity. He thudded to his knees, speechless. He understood, in that instant, the stark difference between witnessing death and facing it himself.
Wu Bai was equally shaken. Though a Great Heaven cultivator, even Wu Chang, slightly stronger than himself, had fallen in a single blow. He knew he wouldn't fare any better. Yet, inaction meant certain death at Feng Neng’s hands. Seeing Ye Mo ignore him and Feng Zhuping, he decided to attempt a sneak attack.
He drew his curved sword, aiming for Ye Mo’s back. But before he could strike, Ye Mo, without turning, unleashed a punch. The force struck Wu Bai’s dantian, instantly destroying it and his Qi Sea. He collapsed like a punctured balloon, his heart sinking as he realized his cultivation was gone.
“I won’t kill you,” Ye Mo said, “but bring this young master’s head back to me.” The words sent a chill down Wu Bai’s spine; it was a death sentence in disguise.
A monkey-cheeked man stepped forward, bowing deeply. “Ye-Qianbei, I didn't expect your esteemed presence! I am Elder Chu Yizhu of the Magical Merchant Association. The Sea Merchant Clan has oppressed us, and I’ve long desired resistance. Since Qianbei is here to uphold justice, I…”
He was cut short by a female leader. “Chu Yizhu, you shameless scoundrel! Who claimed the Association was on the verge of annihilation? Who suggested joining the Sea Merchant Clan?”
“Elder Mang, how could you accuse me? I’ve always despised Feng Zhuping!” Chu Yizhu protested, unashamedly. He then kicked Feng Zhuping.
Feng Zhuping remained motionless. Ye Mo sneered; he wasn't fooled. Chu Yizhu’s actions were a mere show of loyalty. Yet, as Chu Yizhu kicked Feng Zhuping, Ye Mo secretly channeled chi into Feng Zhuping’s vital points. The young master fell dead.
This shocked everyone. They saw no overt killing intent from Chu Yizhu, yet Feng Zhuping was dead. The situation was baffling.
“No, I didn’t kill him!” Chu Yizhu cried out in shock.
Killing Feng Zhuping would have been acceptable, but Chu Yizhu’s fate was sealed. Feng Neng, the Sea Merchant Clan leader, was at the Great Heaven Tertiary stage; killing an Earth Level Peak cultivator like Chu Yizhu would be trivial.
“Oh, I thought your actions stemmed from your hatred for the oppression of the Magical Merchant Association. Apparently not. Regardless, your willingness to kill him suggests some allegiance to the Association,” Ye Mo stated.
“No, no, I… No…” Chu Yizhu stammered, lost for words.
Ignoring Chu Yizhu, Ye Mo addressed Wu Bai. “Take these two away. I might pay the Sea Merchant Clan a visit later.”
Wu Bai dared not object.
Ye Mo settled into a chair, knowing Yun Ziyi would handle the aftermath. True to form, Yun Ziyi immediately began delegating tasks. “Elders, attend to the association’s accumulated work. Brother Ye, I need to discuss matters with you. Uncle Tong and Xiao Ling, take Elder Feng to a physician, and use the finest herbs.”
While no one could definitively prove Ye Mo assassinated Feng Zhuping, Yun Ziyi harbored suspicions. However, she didn’t dwell on it; eliminating all Sea Merchant Clan elders allied with them was impractical, as they still managed considerable affairs.
“Goddess Zi Hua, you sought my aid, correct? I’ve fulfilled my promise. No one will dare plot against your Association, but I have a question,” Ye Mo said.
Yun Ziyi replied quickly, “Brother Ye, truthfully, I’d almost given up on the Association. I didn't summon you for that.”
Ye Mo was taken aback – he'd been mistaken. But it was a trivial matter; merely a flick of the wrist. He'd come to fulfill his promise, but more importantly, to discover how to leave this continent.
Mu Xiaoyun was gone, and he needed to find her. Four years had passed since he left Luo Yue. He yearned for news of Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue. Once he found a way off this continent, he'd obtain the Bitter Ten Years and depart, returning only to bring Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue with him.
“Then, what is it?” Ye Mo asked.
Yun Ziyi paused, then spoke resolutely. “The Magical Merchant Association’s position as the leading merchant association on the Magical Continent isn’t solely due to my father's cultivation, but a secret known to few.”
Ye Mo knew Yun Dongxia was a Great Heaven Peak cultivator, but he was unaware of this other contributing factor.
Yun Ziyi sighed. “Larger sects usually have their own merchant associations. My father’s power might make others hesitant, but our foundation is far weaker than Tai Yi’s and Kun Qian’s. Our success lies in our access to the outside world.”
“What?!” Ye Mo shot up, startled. This was precisely the information he sought.
He quickly composed himself. “I thought access to the outside world was possible only every fifty years, or forcibly, every twenty?”
Yun Ziyi looked surprised. “That's a secret held by the major hidden sects. Our Yun family knows a place allowing yearly access.”
Seeing Ye Mo’s intense interest, she continued carefully. “My grandfather discovered this location accidentally. It requires chi stones for passage, and those who go must wait a month before returning using the same method.”
Ye Mo suspected it was a teleportation formation.
Yun Ziyi continued, “After my grandfather's discovery, the reason for this access remained unknown. My father, however, researched countless ancient texts, suspecting it to be a teleportation formation. But he wasn't certain and deemed it too complex, ceasing his research. Nevertheless, he used this secret to import goods from the outside world, propelling our family's association to its current stature.”