Chapter 81: Elder of the Ink Sect

Although Shen Qianmo knew Meng Yuanheng would surely find a way to rescue her, she never expected that, in order to clear her name, he would summon the reclusive Elder Mo of the Mo Sect.

The Mo Sect had always been renowned for its mysterious arts. When the Great Sheng Emperor fought for supremacy in the Central Plains against the previous dynasty, he received significant support from the Mo Sect. Grateful for their aid, once his rule was established, the emperor bestowed upon the Mo Sect the imperial plaque inscribed "First Sect Under Heaven," and personally wrote the preface to the Mo Sect founder's book, "Mo's Chronicles of the Unusual," as a mark of recognition and respect.

"Mo's Chronicles of the Unusual" collected the various extraordinary arts passed down within the Mo Sect, including the pupil arts.

So, when Mo Qingshan presented this ancient tome to Emperor Mingde, the emperor had nothing to say. The Great Sheng Emperor had written in the book, indicating his acceptance of the legitimacy of the arts recorded within; if Emperor Mingde were to denounce the pupil arts as heretical, wouldn't that be a slap in the face to the founding emperor?

Thus, Emperor Mingde said nothing more, and immediately issued a decree to release Shen Qianmo from the Imperial Prison.

The morning after she was freed, in the spacious reception hall of Prince Xuan's residence, Shen Qianmo met the famed Elder Mo for the very first time.

Elder Mo, more than fifty years of age, wore a gray long robe. His demeanor was kindly, his face thin and ascetic, but his deep eyes betrayed a shrewd and sharp intelligence. Due to the grief of losing his beloved daughter seven years prior, his temples had prematurely turned silver, lending him an air older than his years.

This was Mo Qingshan, known as Elder Mo—the highest authority of the illustrious, ancient Mo Sect, famed as the First Sect Under Heaven.

After the death of the first leader, Mo Liuyun, the Mo Sect had never appointed another head, instead entrusting its affairs to elders. Mo Qingshan was now the fifth to hold this position.

Mo Qingshan's sharp gaze slowly swept over Shen Qianmo, who had greeted him with graceful composure and clear eyes. Stroking his chin, he nodded in approval. Seeing Meng Yuanheng unabashedly holding her hand, a teasing smile flickered in his eyes.

"You must be the eldest daughter of the Shen family, Yuanheng's future princess? Indeed, you are exceptional—no wonder Yuanheng regards you so highly."

As the Mo Sect's highest authority, Mo Qingshan was accustomed to commanding respect; though his face was amiable, his tone carried innate authority.

To become an elder of the First Sect Under Heaven, one must possess extraordinary qualities. Shen Qianmo could tell from his insightful gaze that Elder Mo was worthy of respect.

Hearing the gentle mockery in his words, she glanced helplessly at Meng Yuanheng, who was still tightly holding her hand, but responded with poise and sincerity, "Elder, you flatter me. Please call me Qianmo, or Mo'er. The journey from Shandong to the capital is long and arduous; I thank you for your trouble."

Arriving so quickly from Shandong must have meant traveling day and night without pause. Shen Qianmo was deeply grateful and expressed her thanks earnestly.

Yet Meng Yuanheng—did he really need to hold her hand so tightly? She wasn't about to be blown away by the wind.

After leaving the prison yesterday, he wanted to take her directly to Prince Xuan's residence, looking at her with eager expectation and declaring, "Mo'er, isn't Prince Xuan's residence our home?"

Though the words were sweet, she kept her wits and was not swayed by his affection.

Since Elder Mo had come such a long way to help her, she ought to pay her respects and thank him first. But after days in the prison without proper grooming, she couldn't bear to meet Elder Mo in such a disheveled state.

Therefore, she decided to return to the Duke's mansion first to wash away the grime, then visit Prince Xuan's residence to offer her thanks to Elder Mo. In the end, Meng Yuanheng clung to her, reluctant to let go, until finally he released her after much tender persuasion in the carriage, leaving Aunt Xu and Green Bamboo waiting anxiously outside the mansion, nearly storming Prince Xuan's residence to retrieve her.

Their young lady had spent days in prison without cause, and they were naturally worried!

Shen Qianmo was truly amazed by Meng Yuanheng. Even she could barely tolerate her own scent, yet he didn't mind in the slightest, savoring it as if it were sweet. Had he lost not only his sense of taste but also his sense of smell?

Seeing Shen Qianmo's calm and dignified bearing, Mo Qingshan felt she was very much to his liking. Looking at her delicate features, he was reminded of his own daughter, Mo Yan, whose beauty and intelligence had been lost to an untimely death, and a trace of sorrow appeared on his weary face.

Mo Yan was his only child, born late in his life; his wife died in childbirth, leaving father and daughter to depend on each other. He spared no effort in raising her, and Mo Yan grew up beautiful and clever, admired by many disciples of the Mo Sect.

He had intended for her to marry Meng Yuanheng, but fate intervened—Mo Yan fell in love with Yin Zhan instead. What he never expected was that Mo Yan would later be fatally wounded by Yin Zhan's hand.

If he had not taken Yin Zhan in all those years ago, would his daughter still be alive? Whenever he thought of it, his heart ached.

Yin Zhan was the orphan of the previous dynasty, and Mo Qingshan knew this when he took him in. At the time, Yin Zhan was still an infant, crying for food, while the woman beside him was at death's door. Before dying, she clung to Mo Qingshan's leg, begging with tearful eyes, unable to find peace in death.

Upon seeing the jade pendant on the infant, Mo Qingshan realized the child's true identity. Rationally, he knew he should not meddle, for taking the child might bring disaster, but compassion won out, and he brought the wailing child back to the Mo Sect, naming him Mo Zhan.

He did not raise Yin Zhan within the Mo estate, preferring to limit contact with his family. Yet, Mo Yan still became entangled with him, leading to tragedy.

He lost his only daughter, and the Mo Sect lost two outstanding disciples.

Was it truly fate that could not be defied?

Shen Qianmo and Meng Yuanheng exchanged a glance; they both knew Elder Mo was grieving for Mo Yan.

Meng Yuanheng recalled that day in the peach grove of the Mo estate, when Mo Yan was fatally wounded while protecting him from Yin Zhan. His already cold and handsome face grew even darker. He had always felt guilty toward Elder Mo and Mo Yan, believing himself unworthy to face them, which was why he later requested to leave the Mo Sect.

Shen Qianmo understood their pain. She squeezed Meng Yuanheng's cold hand, gave him a reassuring look, then knelt before Mo Qingshan and said, "If Elder does not mind, you may regard me as your adopted daughter. In the future, I and Yuanheng will serve you as we would our own father."

"Mo'er..." Meng Yuanheng gazed at Shen Qianmo, deeply moved by her thoughtful gesture.

Since Mo Yan's death, he had felt unworthy to face Elder Mo, and his guilt had never lessened. Shen Qianmo's action seemed to untie the knot that had bound him and Elder Mo for years, easing the burden of guilt that had weighed on him for so long.

Shen Qianmo turned to him, patted his hand, and smiled gently, assuring him she understood his feelings. Mo Yan had died saving him; now, by acknowledging Elder Mo as her adoptive father, she hoped to compensate for his lost family, bringing him comfort.

Elder Mo was deeply moved by Shen Qianmo's words, nearly shedding tears.

Over the years, as age advanced, the sense of loneliness and isolation had only grown. Now, hearing Shen Qianmo's wish to recognize him as her adoptive father, he was profoundly touched and readily agreed, stepping forward to help her up and repeatedly saying, "Good, good child. Yuanheng truly chose well."

This girl was perceptive, thoughtful, and impossible not to like.

Most importantly, she understood the pupil arts—a fact that was one of the reasons Mo Qingshan had traveled from Shandong to the capital to meet her.

Although "Mo's Chronicles of the Unusual" included the pupil arts, the technique had long been lost. Since the death of the first leader, Mo Liuyun, no one in the Mo Sect had mastered it.

The pupil arts required extraordinary talent; those lacking firm resolve who attempted to practice it risked being consumed by the art, suffering madness or, in severe cases, death.

Some Mo Sect disciples, skeptical of warnings, had secretly tried to learn it, but without proper guidance and techniques, all ended up deranged. Over time, no one dared to attempt it, and the leader’s position remained vacant, managed by elders instead, as only one versed in the pupil arts could serve as head.

Thus, when Mo Qingshan heard Shen Qianmo could use the pupil arts, he was astonished and skeptical.

"Child, as your adoptive father knows, the pupil arts have long been lost. Where did you learn them?"

Faced with Mo Qingshan's probing gaze, Shen Qianmo hesitated, unsure how to explain. After a moment's thought, she replied, "When I was in the palace, I claimed to have learned it by chance at Bishan Academy, but that was merely an excuse to extricate myself, not the truth. As for how I truly learned it, the story is too incredible to explain. In fact, what I know is only one aspect of the pupil arts, called 'hypnosis,' which is somewhat like the so-called 'Illumination Technique' here.

Simply put, hypnosis is a form of psychological suggestion, where the practitioner uses certain words, sounds, gestures, or eye contact to alter a person's thoughts and behavior. With systematic study, anyone can master it, so it is not mysterious. I only learned a little out of curiosity.”

Shen Qianmo spoke slowly, fearing Mo Qingshan and Meng Yuanheng might not understand.

But it turned out she need not have worried.

Meng Yuanheng trusted her unconditionally. To him, whatever Mo'er said was absolute. According to Zhao Yunyi, Meng Yuanheng’s indulgence and trust in Shen Qianmo had no bounds.

Mo Qingshan, as the elder of the Mo Sect, had seen many extraordinary people and things. He was only slightly surprised by Shen Qianmo's explanation, not overly astonished. He mused privately that his new adoptive daughter, though gentle and frail in appearance, was far from simple.

What a pity—had she been surnamed Mo, she would have been a fine candidate for the Mo Sect’s leader. Then, he could have retired and enjoyed a peaceful life, rather than struggling as he did now.