Chapter 451

Chapter 451: Major Trouble

After departing the Mo family’s mountain gate, Mo Wanfang hurried straight to Fang Lie’s residence without pause.

Upon announcing himself, he was escorted into the inner courtyard where Fang Lie sat sipping tea within the pavilion.

"Haha, living the leisurely life, eh?" Mo Wanfang remarked with forced cheer.

"Nothing special," Fang Lie replied curtly, gesturing for his guest to sit while pouring tea himself.

Mo Wanfang accepted without ceremony, taking a gulp. The spiritual tea’s rich aroma and potent energy marked it as premium-grade—a luxury even he couldn’t regularly afford.

"Fine brew," Mo Wanfang noted with poorly concealed envy. "Seems you’ve surpassed me in wealth now."

Fang Lie smirked but remained silent.

Recognizing the brewing storm, Mo Wanfang abandoned pretense. "I heard you visited my father today. Had urgent business?"

"There was," Fang Lie said airily, "but matters resolved themselves." His deceptively light tone carried unmistakable bitterness.

Mo Wanfang’s smile stiffened. "Come now, nephew. Whatever the issue, I’ll take it up with Father personally."

"Unnecessary." Fang Lie’s chuckle held no warmth. "I’ve learned my place—a stray cur unworthy of the Sect Leader’s attention. My mistake for expecting courtesy from gatekeeping hounds."

Mo Wanfang’s pulse quickened. He knew Fang Lie’s wrath firsthand. Though merely a Qi Sea cultivator, the youth held reins over the Mo Sect’s lifeblood—the Ancient Heroic Souls Temple’s Great Unity Art, White Jade Divine Fish enhancing mortal spiritual roots, endless spirit pills, and the coveted refined Spirit Liquid. Ceasing these would cripple the Mo family overnight.

Worse, Fang Lie’s formidable backers rendered even the Sect Leader powerless against him. The Mo family needed Fang Lie; Fang Lie needed nothing from them.

That idiot steward might’ve doomed them all.

"Nephew," Mo Wanfang entreated, "allow me to apologize for today’s discourtesy."

"Face-to-face," Fang Lie stated flatly. "But how could vermin like me demand the Mo clan’s esteemed apology?"

"Enough!" Mo Wanfang’s composure cracked. "Must you scorn my goodwill?"

Fang Lie answered by miming a tea sip before slamming his cup down—the traditional signal for dismissal.

"You dare expel me?" Mo Wanfang spluttered.

"Merely following your family’s example." Fang Lie’s smile turned glacial. "Though we Fangs prefer civilized farewells to shouting ‘scram’ at guests."

"You insult our—"

"Spare me," Fang Lie cut in. "Since your Wind Tribulation Immortal Third Brother’s pride outweighs reason, consider our dealings concluded. The Mo clan’s presence henceforth unwelcome."

Rage flooded Mo Wanfang’s veins. Wordlessly, he stormed out.

Crossing the courtyard, his eye caught an ancient bronze carriage drawn by eight metallic steeds—unmistakably Mo craftsmanship from its aura and markings. The relic’s sudden presence here boded ill.

Soon, Mo Wanfang’s mind quickly recalled an Eighth-rank Treasure—the Eight Steeds Carriage, the former Family Head successor’s war chariot!

"Ah!" Mo Wanfang gasped upon recognizing the treasured item, darting over to Inspect it closely.

Though the Formation blocked him from touching it, he swiftly confirmed its identity: this was the war chariot lost by the Mo family millennia ago.

While appearing as mere transport, this Eighth-rank Treasure held immense power. The eight bronze horses and two drivers were all Eighth-rank puppets.

Its interior housed a self-contained space with over a thousand Seventh-rank guard puppets.

This chariot alone could rival a Thunder Tribulation Immortal.

In ancient times, the Eight Steeds Carriage served as the Mo family successor’s mount, used for travel before the successor reached Thunder Tribulation realm.

But thousands of years ago, both this treasure and Mo Qianxun’s uncle—the previous successor—vanished.

Had that successor survived, Mo Qianxun’s father wouldn’t have become Sect Leader, nor would Mo Qianxun hold that position now.

This disappearance caused lasting strife. The uncle’s lineage suspected Mo Qianxun’s family of foul play. Though lacking evidence for open conflict, both branches grew bitterly divided, tensions simmering to this day.

The Eight Steeds Carriage’s reappearance might finally reveal the truth behind that ancient mystery. Solving this could mend family relations—a crucial step toward unity.

Moreover, as a top-tier Eighth-rank Treasure, its recovery would greatly boost the Mo family’s strength.

Most importantly, tradition dictated this chariot belonged to the current Family Head successor—Mo Wanfang himself!

If reclaimed, the treasure would become his.

Realizing this, Mo Wanfang felt shock and joy. Then he grasped the full picture.

Fang Lie had obtained the chariot and tried reporting it to the Mo family, only to suffer grave insult. No wonder he raged—anyone would!

Guilt-stricken, Mo Wanfang rushed back to apologize.

But a cyan restriction barred his path, bearing four stark characters: "Closed-door Training. No Visitors."

Mo Wanfang understood immediately—Fang Lie refused to meet. "Damn, the kid’s holding a grudge," he muttered. "This spells trouble."

Knowing Fang Lie’s stubbornness, Mo Wanfang abandoned efforts to enter. He hastened back to the Mo family compound.

At Welcome Arch, a grim-faced Mo Wanfang summoned Third Brother to accompany him before Mo Qianxun.

They found Mo Qianxun pondering by a pond, not daydreaming but mentally crafting a new treasure’s design.

After acquiring the Divine Marrow half a year prior, he’d spent months planning how best to use this divine material. Just as inspiration struck, Mo Wanfang’s intrusion shattered his focus.

"Didn’t I forbid disturbances while designing this treasure?" Mo Qianxun snapped.

Mo Wanfang grimaced. "Father, I’d never interrupt lightly. This is urgent."

"What urgency?" Mo Qianxun frowned.

Third Brother exploded: "Thirteenth Brother exaggerates! We merely denied entry to some Qi Sea realm disciple. Since when is that momentous?"

"Denied entry? To whom?" Mo Qianxun’s brow furrowed. "Third Brother, explain."

"Fang Lie came today," Third Brother grumbled. "A mere Qi Sea realm disciple lacks qualification to demand your attention, especially during closed-door training. I rightfully turned him away!"

He added indignantly, "Family Head, how could this trivial matter warrant interrupting you?"

Mo Qianxun glared at Mo Wanfang. "You disturbed me for this nonsense?"

"Nonsense?" Mo Wanfang sneered. "Father, recall the Eight Steeds Carriage."

"What? The Eight Steeds Carriage?" Mo Qianxun bolted upright. "My uncle’s lost chariot?"

"The very one," Mo Wanfang said lightly. "It’s resurfaced."

"Where?" Mo Qianxun demanded.

"With Fang Lie," Mo Wanfang shrugged.

"Summon him!" Mo Qianxun commanded.

"He refuses," Mo Wanfang sighed. "I tried visiting, but he expelled me."

"That whelp dares defy me?" Mo Qianxun roared. "Just because I was occupied?"

"Since when does Fang Lie act without cause?" Mo Wanfang smirked, eyeing the trembling Third Brother.

Noticing Third Brother’s pallor and shaking limbs, Mo Qianxun’s eyes narrowed. "Third Brother! What exactly did you say to Fang Lie?"

"I…I only spoke…a few harsh words," Third Brother stammered.

"Repeat them," Mo Qianxun growled. "Exactly."