Nan Heng walked towards the outside of the cabin, while the bearded man still sat upright, without even moving his head once.
This was somewhat similar to when Mo Chuhan was under the puppet gu spell, yet also different.
When Mo Chuhan was under the puppet gu, although he had no consciousness, he could still move. The man before them now not only seemed to have no consciousness, but his body also appeared rigid.
For now, they could only ignore the bearded man and observe Nan Heng's actions.
The small boat soon met up with the painted boat. Nan Heng ordered his men to lower the ladder to welcome the Imperial Tutor.
Unexpectedly, the Imperial Tutor did not climb up the ladder. Her body made a slight leap and landed right in front of Nan Heng.
Nan Heng laughed obsequiously.
"This king has been respectfully awaiting the Imperial Tutor for a long time. Please come inside."
He Zhiran and Mo Jiuye carefully observed the Imperial Tutor from atop the cabin.
She was indeed a woman, appearing to be around forty years old. Her clothing was no different from those worn by people of Great Shun. Her face, bearing some traces left by the years, still retained its charm.
He Zhiran softly asked, "Do you recognize this Imperial Tutor?"
Killing intent brimmed in Mo Jiuye's dark eyes. "Of course. Even in death I would not forget her."
From Mo Jiuye's expression, He Zhiran could see how much he hated the woman before them.
But now was not the time to inquire about the reasons behind this.
To avoid exposing themselves, the two tacitly held their breath and continued watching the situation below.
Nan Heng respectfully led the Imperial Tutor into the cabin and gestured invitingly towards the chief seat.
The Imperial Tutor sat down casually, one hand propping up her forehead, a somewhat indolent pose.
"This Imperial Tutor has said it before. The Mohists' mindset is too stubborn and hard to control. Yet you refused to listen."
Upon hearing the words "Mohist people", He Zhiran and Mo Jiuye's hearts tightened at the same time.
Mo Jiuye instinctively glanced over at the bearded man.
In order to see more clearly, he shifted slightly to view from another angle.
But when he looked again, he couldn't help but gasp. If not for the rationality still left in him, he would have leapt down this instant to save the man.
Sensing his change in emotions, and already having her own guesses about the situation, He Zhiran took the initiative to grasp Mo Jiuye's hand.
The moment she held his hand, He Zhiran could clearly feel that his palm was already damp with sweat.
Mo Jiuye whispered, "That man is my third brother."
He Zhiran had already speculated this possibility earlier, so she did not appear too shocked.
Like Mo Jiuye, countless questions had appeared in her mind.
But both understood clearly that now was not the time to seek answers to these questions. They continued observing the situation below.
Nan Heng gave an embarrassed laugh. Glancing at Mo Yunfeng, still sitting there motionless like a dead man, he continued, "Imperial Tutor, as you know, back then I painstakingly built up my power and influence in the Salt Gang, only for it to be completely annihilated by Mo Yunfeng in one strike.
Over the past two years, I spent tremendous effort to restore the Salt Gang. You've witnessed this too.
Right now, the Salt Gang lacks an obedient leader of high martial prowess. I feel Mo Yunfeng is the most suitable candidate.
Just as he once brought my Salt Gang to ruin, in the future he must rebuild and expand it even more splendidly for me.
And if misfortune should strike the Salt Gang again, the blame would fall on the Mohists."
The Imperial Tutor gazed coldly at Mo Yunfeng. Then she said in a frosty tone, "This Imperial Tutor captured Mo Yunfeng back then not for you to take revenge."
Nan Heng smiled obsequiously again. "Naturally this king understands the Imperial Tutor's intentions. However, don't you think keeping Mo Yunfeng here would be of even greater use?"
The Imperial Tutor looked down, eyes lowered. "His willpower is too strong. This Imperial Tutor will make one final attempt. If it still fails, hand him to me to bring away."
As she spoke, the Imperial Tutor took out a small porcelain bottle from her bosom.
Right at the moment she was about to uncork it, two arrows simultaneously shot towards her from the cabin roof!
The Imperial Tutor reacted swiftly. Her body nimbly evaded the arrows, while rapidly putting the small bottle back into her bosom.
Nan Heng yelled, "Men, there are assassins!"
The cabin doors were quickly shoved open from outside. A group of armed guards swarmed noisily in, together with the Salt Gang members who were originally gambling and boxing in there.
Nan Heng pointed upwards. "The assassins are up there! Search them out! Leave no survivors!"
The Imperial Tutor also leapt upwards towards the cabin roof, drawing out her soft sword.
Seeing the situation turn dire, He Zhiran pulled Mo Jiuye along to enter the space right after shooting their arrows.
She was clear that there would likely be a fierce battle tonight. It even held an implication that either they died or their opponents perished.
Of course, He Zhiran only thought this way to psych herself up for their next move.
With such a heaven-defying space on their side, the dead ones would definitely be their opponents.
Inside the space, the two swiftly changed into dark clothes, masking their faces with scarves. After suffering through an agonizing wait of about ten minutes, sensing that the searchers still found nothing above the cabin and would start looking elsewhere, He Zhiran decided to exit first to investigate. If the danger had not receded, she would return here.
In any case, to her it was just a matter of thought. Even if those people discovered her, they would dismiss it as a trick of eyes.
Considering that Mo Jiuye might not let her take the risk alone, He Zhiran exited the space stealthily without informing him.
Sure enough, the instant Mo Jiuye saw her vanish abruptly before him, anxiety gripped his heart.
But right now, he was too powerless to do anything.
Just as Mo Jiuye was anxious and antsy, He Zhiran's figure reappeared before him.
"They've started searching below. Let's get out now."
No sooner had she finished speaking than the two emerged atop the cabin roof. Indeed, all the guards were searching below them now, torches in hand.
Inside the cabin, Mo Yunfeng was still seated motionless as before, with two guards stationed at the doorway.
Exchanging a look, the two leapt down from the roof, swords flashing to dispose of the guards at the door.
Arriving before Mo Yunfeng, Mo Jiuye softly called out a couple of times, but Mo Yunfeng showed no reaction whatsoever.
With a wave of her hand, He Zhiran directly sent the man into her space.
From Mo Yunfeng's condition, he was likely under the puppet gu, same as Mo Chuhan previously.
Right now, he would retain no memory whatsoever of what occurred. As long as they removed him from the space after he regained consciousness, things would be fine.
Seeing He Zhiran successfully bring his third brother into the space, Mo Jiuye pulled her along to exit the cabin with him.
Just as they reached the doorway, they bumped right into the Imperial Tutor face-to-face.
"Assassins are here!" shouted the Imperial Tutor. Wielding her soft sword, she slashed towards the two.
Mo Jiuye wrapped his arm around He Zhiran's waist to shield her behind him, while raising the commando knife in his hand to block the Imperial Tutor's strike.
The two swiftly fell into battle.
At the same time, at the Imperial Tutor's loud shout, the summoned guards rushed over to join the melee.
After exchanging just a few moves with Mo Jiuye, the Imperial Tutor realized she was no match for him. Moreover, right before her eyes, his companion took out a packet of powder and sprinkled it. Her guards immediately collapsed in swathes.
