Chapter Fifty-Eight: An Invitation is Not as Fortuitous as a Chance Encounter

Ice Bind was the simplest among all ice-based combat techniques, typically only restricting the enemy’s hands and feet, and was of little practical use. Yet, the true value of a combat skill did not always lie in the technique itself, but rather in the status of its wielder.

With a smile on his face, Situ Feng, accompanied by the stern-faced Bai Han, walked slowly to Hu Mo’s side. There was no need to ask; the Ice Bind just now was clearly Bai Han’s doing. Gazing at the towering blocks of ice before him, Hu Mo understood this truth all too well—when executed by a third-rank War Emperor, even the simplest Ice Bind became formidable beyond compare.

"Young Master Hu, what a small world—here we meet again," Situ Feng said with a laugh. "I hope you won’t blame me for taking matters into my own hands."

"How could I blame you, Young Master Situ? I ought to thank you! No wonder I sensed something familiar just now; I thought I was mistaken, but it turns out I wasn’t," Hu Mo replied, his laughter ringing out.

"Oh? What scent did you catch? Don’t tell me it reminded you of Young Master Huang San," Situ Feng continued to smile warmly. In the eyes of others, the two of them seemed the best of friends.

"Not at all, Young Master Situ. You do love to joke. What I sensed was the presence of a benefactor. You have always been my benefactor, haven’t you? If it weren’t for your timely intervention at the Divine Flame Beast Arena last time, I would have ended up as beast fodder long ago, with no chance to thank you today." Hu Mo gave a slight bow, both men’s laughter as bright as the sun.

"Young Master Hu, you are too kind. It was just a modest effort, not worth mentioning. I’ve long regretted not having had the chance to dine with you. As fate has brought us together today, why don’t I play host and invite you for a few fine drinks at the Wansheng Pavilion?" Situ Feng’s tone was amicable, his gaze fixed intently on Hu Mo, as if scrutinizing his every reaction.

Hu Mo shook his head gently, replying, "Alas, today is not the right time for us to meet, Young Master Situ. I have unfortunately offended several of the Xus, and escaping unscathed might prove difficult. Look at what we’ve done to them—if the Xu family seeks vengeance, I can hardly withstand it! In such a state, how can I possibly enjoy a meal?"

With a sigh, Hu Mo’s few simple words immediately pulled Situ Feng to his side—yes, Situ Feng’s party had intervened, but it was Hu Mo himself who had left the Xu brothers battered and bruised. At this realization, Situ Feng’s expression shifted almost imperceptibly.

"Young Master Situ, what is the meaning of this?" Xu Chun protested angrily. "The Xu family has never wronged the Situ family. Why would you deal us such a heavy hand?" After all, Situ Feng had brought a War Emperor-level master into the fray, an obvious case of the strong bullying the weak. Hu Mo might have injured a number of their people, but he was merely a junior, standing on the same starting line as themselves.

Now, however, a renowned elder of Flame City had interfered in their dispute—something they could not tolerate.

Situ Feng’s expression remained unchanged as he replied coolly, "Second Young Master Xu, you can’t put it like that. I simply couldn’t stand by while so many of you bullied Young Master Hu, so I lent a hand. You should know my reputation—whenever I see something I dislike, I can’t help but interfere. There aren’t many things that bother me, but today is one such instance. If you have grievances, direct them at me and don’t involve Young Master Hu."

His words immediately won him the admiration of those present—this was the very model of brotherhood, risking everything for a friend. They all felt glad that Hu Mo had such a companion.

This scene also shattered the rumor that Hu Mo and Situ Feng were at odds. Did these two look like rivals? They were obviously close friends—whether their relationship went deeper was a matter for future gossip, but there was no longer any need for proof of their camaraderie.

Had someone else acted this way, Hu Mo might have been truly moved, grateful even, just as he had felt toward Huang Sheng back then. But coming from Situ Feng, the effect was considerably diminished.

Situ Feng’s cunning was so deep that even Hu Yihu found it hard to fathom. He could still recall his grandfather’s warning: never engage with Situ Feng lightly, unless he had the strength to oppose him. Hu Mo never doubted the wisdom of his grandfather—what reason would he have to harm his own kin?

But in truth, Hu Mo had simply treated the advice as a passing remark, never taking it to heart.

The Xu brothers were truly dumbfounded this time. They hadn’t expected Situ Feng to openly side with Hu Mo and, from his tone, there seemed to be some secret alliance between the Hu and Situ families. If word of this got out, it would be explosive—two of Flame City’s great powers, once adversaries, now united. If the Emperor heard of it, he’d surely lose sleep over the news.

"Young Master Situ, how could I possibly let you bear the blame? This affair began with me; I can’t let you suffer injustice on my behalf," Hu Mo said solemnly, clapping Situ Feng on the shoulder and leaning in to whisper, "Young Master Situ, I think we’ve played out this charade enough. Any further and it becomes an insult. While you Situ don’t fear annihilation, the Hu family is still wary!"

Situ Feng replied in a low voice, "No need to stand on ceremony, Young Master Hu. This is merely a private matter between us, unrelated to our families. Who says members of rival clans can’t have private dealings? You interact freely with Lin Meng, Du Zhong, and Huang Sheng, even though their families have joined our side. There’s no need to be so rigid—after all, I rather appreciate you." His voice was barely above a whisper, masked by War King-level power so none but Hu Mo could hear, not even Bai Han standing nearby.

"Du Zhong and the others aren’t on the same level as you, Young Master Situ. I befriended them before you forced their families to switch sides, and I’m not about to give up such friendships. But you and I, we have nothing in common," Hu Mo replied with a smile, though only his lips moved, using voice transmission powered by his own energy.

Situ Feng’s face remained impassive, but inwardly he was shaken to the core. To break through his War King-level concealment and intercept his words—did that not mean Hu Mo’s strength had reached, or even surpassed, his own? The realization was terrifying.

With that, Hu Mo turned to the Xu brothers. Their guards, battered and trembling, clustered around them, eyes full of fear since being thrown aside by Hu Mo. None dared confront him again.

"W-what do you want?" Xu Chun stammered, terrified he’d end up like his brother, Xu Zhu, beaten half to death. Xu Bao hid behind several guards, using them as human shields—hardly the bearing of a noble young master.

"I don’t want anything, just to say this: if you want to play again, I’m always ready. But next time, open your eyes wide. Some women are not for you to covet—keep your filthy eyes to yourselves!" Hu Mo’s eyes flashed dangerously, his aura so intense it made their skin sting as if sliced by blades, suffocating them with its sheer force.

Situ Feng watched him from afar, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"Such a rival is truly worth anticipating. Hu Mo, I hope you always remain this way," he thought, giving Bai Han a subtle signal before the two slipped away unnoticed.

Hu Mo, meanwhile, turned to the rooftop, looking up at Cang Ling, who was finishing her candied hawthorn and starting on a sugarcane. In a soft voice, he transmitted, "Let’s go. I’ll take you for something even tastier."

Cang Ling looked up, met his gaze, and smiled gently. "Alright," she replied.

Hu Mo turned and left that troublesome place, and not a soul dared block his path.

At a street corner, where he had been walking alone, another figure joined him—Cang Ling, quiet and well-behaved under her cloak, silent for some time.

After a few hundred steps, Cang Ling suddenly spoke, "Why were you so angry? That’s not like you. Was it for me?"

Her directness almost tripped Hu Mo up.

"Heh, was I that angry? Even if I was, it wasn’t for you. Don’t flatter yourself," Hu Mo replied, though even he could hear the lack of conviction in his words, nowhere near as spirited as when he’d been scolding others.

"Oh, if it wasn’t for me, then never mind. I had thought if it was, I’d finally have a reason to offer myself to you. Since you say otherwise, I’ll just bury those shameless thoughts in my heart," Cang Ling said with mock regret. Hidden beneath her cloak, he couldn’t see her expression.

Hu Mo’s face changed; his instincts warned him that this enchantress was up to something.

"Regret it now? Too late! If you ever dare admit it, next time the bar will be higher—you’ll need to be at least a War God," Cang Ling said earnestly, her tone so sincere it was hard to believe she was jesting.

At least a War God? Hu Mo was utterly bewildered.

"You…don’t flatter yourself," Hu Mo stammered, his whole being trembling.

He hadn’t taken more than two steps when he ran into the very last person in all of Flame City he wanted to meet.

In that moment, Hu Mo understood a simple truth: in this world, there truly were things that countered one another, and the people you least wanted to see always had a way of appearing right before you. For instance…

"Well, well, isn’t this the famous Young Master Hu? How did you know that I, the princess, was leaving the palace today? Did you come looking for me on purpose?" Zhu Xinyue greeted him with a brilliant smile, but Hu Mo could clearly hear the grinding of her teeth—the very sound of pent-up frustration.