Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Uh, something from the past?
This is an Actor: Probably about when Mochou tricked her junior martial sister, right?
Doujin Artist: Ah, I remember now. Back then, Mochou-sister went all over the martial world spreading the tale of the Dragon Girl of the Ancient Tomb, saying whoever married her would inherit treasure beyond imagination.
Shark-Faced Guy: So all these people now are treasure hunters drawn by that rumor?
"Yeah, that's the seed I planted a few days ago." Li Mochou sighed as she took the sword from her donkey's saddle. "Back then, I really did go too far trying to get the Jade Maiden Manual."
Sensing something was off, Hong Lingbo turned her head just in time to see Li Mochou dismount. "Master, what are you...?"
"I'll go ahead. You just follow behind later," she said simply. With a light step, Li Mochou floated toward the sound like a drifting cloud.
Curly-haired Guy: Nice. This kind of self-mockery from Mochou-chan is really well done.
Amegakure Village's Angel: It's great that she can admit her mistakes and wants to make things right. Go, Mochou!
Scarlet Lotus Fairy: Good.
The scenery on both sides flew by.
Li Mochou had always been good at light-footed movement techniques, and now she had even broken through a major limit. With constant energy flowing through her, she moved so fast her figure left afterimages in the air.
She passed through a shaded forest path and came upon a peaceful open space. A gentle stream flowed down from the mountains, collecting into a deep, cold pool.
To the right of the pool stood a heavy stone gate.
Nearly a hundred martial artists in all kinds of outfits and holding different weapons had gathered in front of the gate. Leading them was a handsome man dressed in a luxurious gray-black robe, holding a folding fan.
Behind him stood several servant-like attendants carrying large drums. The drums were aimed at the gate, and the attendants would hit them now and then with hammers, producing loud banging sounds that echoed for miles.
"Stop."
Apparently satisfied with the atmosphere, the man with the fan waved for the noise to stop. Then, confidently, he shouted toward the stone gate, "I heard the Dragon Girl of the Ancient Tomb is eighteen and still unmarried? I, Huo Du, have come uninvited to seek her hand and enter the tomb!"
Doujin Artist: Huo Du? That gross little Mongol prince? He seems even more full of himself than in the original story!
Machete Girl: So he's saying he wants to marry Dragon Girl?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Tch, he's clearly dreaming.
Amegakure Village's Angel: The marriage thing is just an excuse. What he's really after is the treasure. But once he sees Dragon Girl for real, that might change.
Konan had seen Dragon Girl's real appearance through Li Mochou's memories. That kind of beauty really takes your breath away. Even compared to Li Mochou now, it's hard to say who's more stunning—they each have their own charm.
Curly-haired Guy: "Tch, what a dirty old man!"
Doujin Artist: "You're the last person who should be calling someone that!"
Shark-Faced Guy: "Miss Mochou still not planning to make a move?"
"No rush." Standing atop the cliff above the valley, Li Mochou looked down at Huo Du and the others. "The supporting cast hasn't fully arrived yet."
Doujin Artist: "Supporting cast?"
This is an Actor: "Ah, I see. It's them."
Aizen seemed to understand now, a small smile appearing on his lips. This Scarlet Lotus Fairy was clearly planning to end things once and for all.
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: "Who? Who is it? Tell me, I'm super curious!"
"They're already here."
Just as Li Mochou finished speaking, several calm and steady figures rushed down the path from the hills.
Most of them wore grayish-blue Taoist robes, with their hair tied up in traditional Taoist styles. But two people at the back—one tall and one small—wore simple white robes and looked very different from the ones in front.
Doujin Artist: "Are those Taoists from the Quanzhen Sect?"
Amegakure Village's Angel: "Looks like it. And the two at the back are Guo Jing and Yang Guo."
Curly-haired Guy: "Quanzhen Sect? You mean that filthy, corrupt place? Where's that bastard Yin Zhiping? I swear I'll cut him up!"
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: "So the supporting cast are these Quanzhen people? Is Mochou planning to fight the whole sect? Guo Jing's with them too, can she handle that?"
Shark-Faced Guy: "Just say the word if you need backup."
"No need to worry. Leave it to me." Li Mochou took a deep breath and silently leapt from the cliff. Her black hair flowed behind her, elegant like a fairy.
By now, the Quanzhen Taoists were already facing off with the martial artists Huo Du had brought.
The back of the ancient tomb was sacred ground for the Quanzhen Sect. There's no way the Taoists would allow a group of rowdy troublemakers to raise chaos here. They were just about to drive them out.
But before they could act, a sharp voice rang out: "So this is the so-called famous Quanzhen Sect? I didn't expect you all to be so pushy!"
"Who are you?" Qiu Chuji, known for his hot temper, glared at the speaker.
"I am Huo Du, Prince of Mongolia."
Huo Du closed his fan and smiled. "You just said this place is a sacred ground for your sect, right? But it's not sacred ground for us. Don't tell me you're claiming all of Mount Zhongnan as your territory?"
"You…" Qiu Chuji's stance softened the moment he heard the man's title. And honestly… the guy had a point. A lot of the people around nodded in agreement.
After a short pause, Huo Du added, "Besides, we only came for the Dragon Lady. Once the martial arts contest for her hand is over, we'll leave."
You had to admit—this guy knew how to play the game.
He didn't just lean on his status, he also had a silver tongue. With just a few words, he had the Quanzhen people looking at each other, unsure what to say next.
Rumble.
Right at that moment, the sealed stone gate of the tomb began to open. A graceful figure in white appeared in everyone's view.