Chapter Seventy-One: I Believe in Your Heart

He barely had time to say a few words before the chaotic water and fire within his body began to stir restlessly. Hu Mo could clearly feel his upper body turning icy cold, while his lower body was the complete opposite—burning hot, as if he had fallen into molten lava. However, this situation was not yet life-threatening to him; what he suffered was simply an excruciating torment.

With a sudden thud, Cang Ling tossed him directly onto the floor. Her ten fingers flickered a few times, and the entire room was instantly enveloped in a massive barrier. After arranging everything, she lay down on the bed with perfect composure.

“Concentrate on your cultivation and do not slack off. Those enemies from last time are unlikely to let you go just because of my words. If they come again, I am not concerned, but you must have the strength to protect yourself. In this world, the weak have no right to survive. If you wish to shed the name of a weakling, you must endure greater hardship,” Cang Ling’s tone turned much more severe. She knew that only by speaking thus could she spur Hu Mo toward growth.

Hu Mo nodded, sitting cross-legged as he activated both the Water God Transformation and the Fire God Transformation at the same time. Despite the nearly unbearable agony, he knew this was suffering he had to endure.

The next day, after a night of torment, Hu Mo’s spirits were unexpectedly high. The alternation of chaotic water and fire had made the power within his body much more refined; this night’s cultivation had been several times faster than before.

Cang Ling, too, had acted according to his capacity. Only when Hu Mo’s mastery over chaotic water and fire reached a certain level did she dare employ this method. Had he tried it prematurely, the power within him would likely have spiraled out of control.

When Hu Mo opened his eyes again, Cang Ling was still sprawled across the bed, sound asleep. This was the first time he had ever seen her sleep. Her white robe hugged her alluring figure; the slightly open collar revealed a glimpse of soft, pale skin. Her chest rose and fell gently with her breathing—a sight that made Hu Mo, watching by the side, feel distinctly uneasy.

He lowered his head, glancing at his own aroused body, and could not help but smile wryly. To be confronted with such a scene so early in the morning would test even the strongest resolve.

Shaking his head, he walked over, picked up the quilt that had been kicked aside, and carefully draped it over her. Then he opened the door and quietly stepped outside.

On the bed, a faint smile appeared at the corner of Cang Ling’s lips as her nose twitched, and she sank even deeper into her dreams.

Hu Mo used the Water of Chaos to cleanse himself, then made his way to the training grounds of the Hu Residence.

The 108 members of the Starfall Battalion were already assembled. Except for Lin Nan, everyone was ready, waiting only for their chance to show their might in the Sacred Flame Forest.

When Lin Nan saw Hu Mo, she naturally walked over to stand by his side. For now, she served as his personal guard and stood, as expected, at her rightful place.

Looking at the 107 warriors before him, a surge of ambition and pride rose in Hu Mo’s chest. He seemed to see his own vast army arrayed before him—this was his true strength.

“Marshal, reporting in! All 107 members of the Starfall Battalion are present and ready. Please give your orders!” Hei Tie, clad in black, reported solemnly to Hu Mo.

Hu Mo’s eyes shone as he smiled at them. “Good! Excellent! Before you depart, there are a few matters I must stress, and I hope you will all abide by them. First, we must keep this operation discreet. All team members are to leave in batches and regroup at the Sacred Flame Forest; as for the reason, I will not explain it here. Second, I hope that when you return, all 107 will come back whole. You are my soldiers, but more than that, you are my brothers. I do not wish to hear any news I do not want to hear. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” they all roared in unison, their voices shaking the air.

“Very well! In that case, set out! I will prepare wine myself and await your triumphant return!” Hu Mo shouted, his heroic spirit invigorating every heart. Soldiers die for those who truly know them—this was the ending they had always hoped for.

After bidding them farewell, Hu Mo remained on the training ground and began his own practice. Cultivating the mind within, and the body without—these are the two tasks no warrior can neglect.

Lin Nan simply stood there, watching Hu Mo with neither joy nor sorrow. Hu Mo always felt that she seemed less like a person and more like a block of ice in human form, radiating an unending chill.

After an intense session of training, Hu Mo walked over to her. Lin Nan mechanically handed him a towel. Hu Mo thanked her, took the towel, and began to wipe himself down.

“Will you tell me who you really are? Why are you here? Do you have any hidden motives?” Hu Mo asked calmly, a faint smile on his lips, but his eyes fixed intently on Lin Nan.

Her expression shifted slightly as she shook her head. “I don’t know what you mean. I am Lin Hu’s younger brother, here in his stead. I have no ulterior motives—just a desire to fulfill what my brother wished to accomplish. If you doubt me, I can leave. It makes little difference to me where I am.”

Her voice was cold, and as she spoke, the temperature around them seemed to drop. Hu Mo sighed softly, sensing the loneliness and melancholy in her tone, and suddenly felt a kindred spirit.

He forced a bitter smile and shook his head. “Perhaps I’m overthinking it. There are simply too many mysteries about you, and I can’t see through them. It’s natural for people to be suspicious of what they can’t understand. Truthfully, I would hate to see you go. You possess an exceptionally pure water power, and your heart must be equally pure. People like you are rare in this world.”

He spoke from the heart. If he hadn’t sensed the utterly pure power of water within her, he would never have harbored such thoughts. People like Lin Nan were truly hard to come by.

“Are you really so sure I’m not a bad person?” Lin Nan suddenly asked, her question abrupt.

Hu Mo was taken aback, but then smiled and nodded. “I am. I trust in your heart. A person may speak false words or wear a false face, but the heart cannot be faked. I trust my own judgment.”

He laughed, patting Lin Nan’s stiff shoulder before striding forward. He did not press her for a reply. Being able to voice his doubts was enough for him.

Lin Nan bit her lip, as if wanting to say something but holding back. Her expression changed slightly as she slowly followed behind.

In the council hall of the Hu family, Hu Yihu sat upright, frowning at the uninvited Hu Mo. “Mo’er, what brings you here in such a hurry? Is something the matter?”

Hu Mo smiled and nodded. “Yes, Grandfather, there’s something urgent I need to discuss with you.”

As he finished speaking, his expression grew grave, the seriousness in his face making Hu Yihu tense as well.

“What is it? Are you here to talk about your disappearance these past three days?” Hu Yihu asked in a low voice. Hu Mo’s sudden arrival was unexpected. He had wanted to ask about this himself, but after some thought, decided to let Hu Mo handle his own affairs. After all, each generation must walk their own path.

But since Hu Mo had come to speak, he had to pay close attention—there was something strange about his tone.

Hu Mo nodded. “You’re right, Grandfather. It’s related to that. That’s one reason I’ve come to you.”

“I’m listening.” Hu Yihu’s expression turned solemn, his entire presence changing.

“Grandfather, you must have heard of teleportation arrays—and of the Four Divine Beasts,” Hu Mo said softly, his tone suddenly calm.

“What? Aren’t those things of the Xuan Clan? How could they appear here on the Continent of War?” Hu Yihu cried out, his aged face twisting with astonishment.

Hu Mo nodded. “It was those people who captured me. They used a teleportation array to take me a hundred miles outside the city, then tried to kill me with the power of the Four Divine Beasts. If not for Ca—my master’s timely arrival, I’d be dead a thousand times over.”

He did not go into too much detail, but he knew he must tell Hu Yihu about this. If he were to be captured again and something happened, Hu Yihu would never know what became of him. Hadn’t Hu Meng vanished just as suddenly back then, still missing to this day?

“No wonder the Fire God Valley sent those two men—so it was an invasion by outsiders. I suppose in a few days, the Heavenly Saint Palace and other sects will send people as well. When something this strange happens, trouble always follows. Flame City is unlikely to remain peaceful,” Hu Yihu muttered, his brows knitting into a deep furrow.

Hu Mo shook his head. “It’s not just outsiders. Now, all the powers are restless. From what I’ve learned from Huang Sheng, over eighty percent of the noble families in the court have already allied with the Situ family. Even the Xu family is drawing close to them. The decline of the Hu family is clear for all to see. I fear the Situ family is planning something big—they may be preparing to act against us.”

His tone was heavy. Ever since Hu Yihu had placed his trust in him, Hu Mo had truly seen himself as part of the Hu family, always considering their interests first.

Hu Yihu paused, then shook his head and smiled. “Mo’er, you can’t always judge things by their appearance. You’re still young; there are things you don’t understand. A dozen years ago, all these families had to act according to our wishes. If I hadn’t cared so little for fame and power, or hadn’t been wary of certain people, the Heavenly Flame Empire might already bear the Hu family’s name. Now, these families have all suddenly turned against us, and the main reason is you.”