Mo Clan Head Mo Zhendong’s study was a room that was lit day and night.
Two people sat there, Mo Zhendong and Li Mo.
“The Mo clan’s every generation had an Army God. I was the previous one and Zifei the current. It was because of this title that we hold our own as one of the capital’s three great clans.
“Mo clan’s talent is drying up. The only ones who can take on that duty are Ziyang and Zifei. Zifei is in charge of the army and Ziyang oversees external affairs. It was all going well, until Zifei lost his title to Zhao Haisheng.
“The capital’s Zhang clan has no less a background then us three great clans. Their current generation, Zhao Haisheng’s, has even three great talents. The clan has grown so much it can stand abreast to the tree of us great clans.
“No, not abreast.” Mo Zhendong smiled dejectedly, “Zhao Haisheng stole Zifei’s Army God title. Mo clan is now inferior to them.
“The external military affairs can’t do without Ziyang. In the case of internal military matters, without an Army God, the Mo clan lacks the means to stand on the same ground as the other great clans. Therefore, little Mo, you must take the mantle of Army God!
“You are far from Zhao Haisheng’s match, but with Mo clan’s legacy martial arts, in three years tops, you’ll become a first rate expert. In three more years, you’d have reached Zhao Haisheng’s level. And three more after that, you will undoubtedly defeat him and bring back the Army God title to our clan!”
Mo Zhendong became more excited the more he talked.
“You have Mo blood coursing through your veins. And only those of the Mo bloodline can train in the ancestral and ancient martial art, Fivefold Mountain!”
Li Mo stood up, “Grandfather, I wish to see uncle.”
Mo Zhendong’s eyes dimmed.
Mo Zifei was laid on a bed, his limbs encased in casts, his face ruined beyond recognition, his eyes dead as a statue’s.
“He’s been like this ever since his defeat.” Mo Zhendong sighed.
Li Mo scanned him with Celestial Eye. His tendons in both hands and feet were torn to shreds, but what was worse, Zhao Haisheng was so cruel to rob Mo Zifei any chance of recovery, to live the rest of his life as a cripple.
“Why haven’t there any charges been made against Zhao Haisheng if he was so excessive?”
“I did, but Zhao Haisheng’s said he was too caught into the fight and got carried away.”
“B*******!”
“Yeah, everyone knew Zhao Haisheng’s excuse was a blatant lie, but Mo Zifei is now ruined and China cannot do without an Army God. The powers that be are turning a blind eye as well, only giving Zhao Haisheng a slap on the wrist.
“A civilian can’t fathom the darkness of the army. I even prepared to send for you to the capital if you haven’t come yourself.”
Mo Zifei’s eyes trembled at Mo Zhendong’s words.
“Grandfather, I cannot be the Army God, nor do I want to.”
“Why?” Mo Zhendong jerked.
“Do you have any idea what China’s Army God represents? It’s not an empty title, but status and power. With the title of Army God on your shoulders, you can establish your own clan. Shenjing’s Li clan will become the capital’s. I will even listen to your decisions!”
“Grandfather, you misunderstood me.”
“What is it then?”
“What I want is to control the Experts Alliance.”
Mo Zhendong was dumbfounded.
“Grandson, do you even know of the Experts Alliance’s two chiefs? Ignoring the fact the current chief is more or less around Zhou Mengxian’s strength, the first in China, Vice-chief Lan Yue could kill Zhou Mengxian by simply lifting his finger.
“Ten years ago, I and Lan Yue had an exhibition match. I couldn’t last ten moves, despite being in mid fourth level.”
“If you apply yourself in training the Fivefold Mountain, you will surpass Zhao Haisheng in nine years. But facing Lan Yue, even if you achieved perfection in Fivefold Mountain, you would only have a possible chance at beating him.”
“Grandfather, you’re mistaken. I am strong enough to, how you put it, kill him with just a finger.”
Tch~
The dead-eyed Mo Zifei scoffed.
“If Zhao Haisheng was a nobody, I wouldn’t be lying here. Nephew, youth is arrogance, true, but it is wise to know your limits!”
Mo Zhendong snorted, “Limits? You’re one to talk!”
Mo Zifei’s saddened.
“You’re absolutely right. I didn’t know my limits and lost to Zhao Haisheng. And why? Not because I was weak, but that Zhao Haisheng was too abnormal.
“How could I lose when I trained our clan’s art to the Fourfold Mountain? Father, aren’t you in the Fourfold Mountain as well?”
“Silence. A loss is a loss. Weakness is weakness. Stop trying to justify yourself!”
“I am not, just, I just can’t frigging accept it! Waah~” Mo Zifei burst to tears.
Li Mo smiled, “Uncle, Zhao Haisheng is far from being your match. You lost because of a moment of carelessness.
“Against an enemy, even if he’s so weak you can squash him with a finger, you still have to go all out!”
“I wasn’t careless. I gave it my all, alright? You weren’t there, so stop being a wise guy!
“Oh nephew, if I could only move, I’d flick you right now. You’re getting on my nerves!”
Li Mo nodded, “Many seem to say that of late.”
“I wasn’t there to see it, but I can imagine Zhao Haisheng had been pinned down by you constantly until a sudden reversal. Am I right?”
Mo Zifei was speechless.
“I heard TS has a drug called valiant water. Once injected, one’s power would soar for a brief time. But this strength only goes as far as the fifth level.”
“You’re telling me Zhao Haisheng juiced himself in our fight?”
“Precisely. Taking valiant water comes at a cost. You will lose ten years of your lifespan per use.”
“Grandfather said last night that Zhao Haisheng is older than you, barely thirty years old. But the last time I saw him, he looked like someone in his forties. “
“Bloody hell! I knew there was something off about his sudden strength! Bloody freaking hell!” Mo Zifei raved.
Mo Zhendong was pissed, “That means Zhao Haisheng’s Army God days are numbered!”
Li Mo said, “It’s impossible to find the truth since Zhao Haisheng will definitely deny it.”
“Yeah, how can we…” Mo Zhendong’s mood sank.
Li Mo asked, “Grandfather, what are the terms to become an Army God? Is it a challenge issued once a few years or at any given time?”
“Officially, Army God is chosen once every five years. But with Mo and Zhao clans’ military power, they are allowed to issue a challenge at their convenience.”
Li Mo turned to Mo Zifei, “Grandfather, I want to have a nice and long with uncle, alone.”
Mo Zhendong nodded and stepped outside.
Li Mo had a light warm-up and stepped to Mo Zifei.
Mo Zifei was panicking, “What are you doing? Kid, I am your uncle. I can’t move right now, but if you think you can mess with me, you have another thing coming!
“No, stop, mommy~”
The room echoed amidst Mo Zifei’s symphony of screams.
