Chapter 978 - 984, - 985: 2nd Layer of the Spirit Platform, Fengshan, Celestial Manifestation

Boli Kingdom.

The surging seawater fiercely slapped against the island surrounded by the sea on all sides, washing away a stubborn rock attached to the cliff, which was swept into the sea, startling the birds resting by the shore.

On the eastern harbor, several large warships slowly approached.

Zhang Clan, under the escort of guards, stood at the dock, gazing at the people coming down from the warships. As the figures drew near, Zhang Clan’s face broke into a relieved smile.

"Master, Brother Feng." Zhang Clan stepped forward to greet, and from the maid’s hand, took a cloak and draped it over Nangong Jin’s shoulders, smoothing the wrinkles on his clothes with a caring touch.

Nangong Jin let Zhang Clan straighten his attire. He turned back, looking far toward the east, filled with melancholy: "With this departure, I wonder if I will return in this lifetime."

The Nangong Family rose from humble beginnings, step by step, to its current scale, thanks in no small part to the efforts of the current patriarch, Nangong Jin.

He also possessed a strong sense of foreboding.

Previously, when the court invited him to the capital to serve, he sensed something was amiss. After refusing the court’s invitation, Nangong Jin began to move his clan members batch by batch to Boli Kingdom.

The outcome was as he expected; the court even dispatched a grand general to summon him to the capital.

Fortunately, only one Upper Third-Grade Martial Artist came, otherwise, he would not have been able to leave.

"Brother-in-law, that little brat Chen Mo is simply infuriating. One day, we’ll bring troops back to avenge ourselves." Zhang Feng seethed with anger.

He thought Chen Mo was a treacherous, ungrateful villain.

What had the Nangong Family done to wrong him?

They sent women to him.

Built ships for him.

When establishing his Fish Scale Guard Navy, the Nangong Family offered substantial assistance.

But how did he repay them?

First, he seized the Nangong Family’s navy.

Then he demanded the Nangong Family disband their army, and subsequently seized their harbor.

Now, he had forced the Nangong Family to abandon their homeland and flee to this desolate island nation.

Nangong Jin remained silent, not sharing Zhang Feng’s optimism. Chen Mo stabilized Jin Xia, solidified the domestic situation, and the current Great Wei was far beyond the Nangong Family’s ability to challenge. In his lifetime, he didn’t believe they could return with force.

His mind drifted back to when Chen Mo asked him to disband his private army. He wondered, if he had complied back then and avoided minor machinations, how would the Nangong Family stand today?

If he could go back and choose again, what would he do?

Nangong Jin hesitated for just a moment, but quickly his heart reached an answer.

If given a second chance, he would still make today’s choice.

Ultimately, he couldn’t let go.

He had nurtured the Nangong Family to its vast scale single-handedly, supporting so many people; how could he easily abandon it?

Moreover, the way Chen Mo handled matters concerning the Nangong Family greatly displeased Nangong Jin. He bore resentment, refusing to let Chen Mo off so easily.

Even if unable to shake Chen Mo, Nangong Jin wanted to create obstacles for him.

Otherwise, he’d never be content.

Gazing toward the east for a long time, Nangong Jin reluctantly turned his head and sighed deeply, asking Zhang Clan, "Wife, is there any news about the Immortal Island?"

Zhang Clan shook her head: "Hundreds have died, and none can enter the Immortal Island, let alone see the Fairy. Apparently, what the Fairy said last time was no idle talk."

Upon hearing this, Nangong Jin was silent for a long time before speaking decisively: "Keep sending more; if there are no people in Boli Kingdom, capture from nearby small countries. This matter must be attended to."

The human heart was inherently greedy, especially since Nangong Jin had tasted its sweetness; how could he easily give up?

As for the price paid?

Slaves weren’t considered human.

Just hundreds of worthless lives.

...

The First Year of Zhen Guan, mid-June.

Qingzhou, Nanyang.

The resting place of the Great Wei Emperor,

now deep into late evening, the light yellow curtains slowly drawn.

"Which of you two will go first?"

Chen Mo smiled as he looked at Nalan Yiren and Yue Ruyan, whom he forcibly brought together, his lips curving slightly.

Yue Ruyan managed; she merely glared lightly at Chen Mo. There were some things that were either none or countless.

Yue Ruyan had served Chen Mo alongside other sisters, and not just once.

But Nalan Yiren had done so only once.

That was last time with Yue Ruyan atop Mingyang Mountain.

At the time, Nalan Yiren’s full attention was on the Taotie Gu completing its fourth transformation to save the Great Elder, eager and indifferent to anything else.

Now, looking back at those events, Nalan Yiren found it unbelievable.

"You wouldn’t dare; now I’m not afraid of you. If you misbehave, I’ll have the Taotie Gu bite you." Nalan Yiren gritted out.

But by now, she had been dragged to the bed, the curtains already lowered. These words, even to Chen Mo, felt devoid of threat.

Indeed, as Chen Mo stared at her, her deliberately stern face flushed, eyes evasive.

"Then Yiren will go first."

Saying so, Chen Mo, without further ado, began to help Nalan Yiren undress. Her face, elegant as snow, turned crimson like rouge. Sensing the young man’s warm presence near, she raised her hand to gently push him away: "Don’t think I’m afraid of..."

Before finishing, her lips were silenced, her clear gaze misty, and after her throat cleared, the threatening, authoritative tone only provoked Chen Mo further.