"Why didn't you attack as ordered, but instead surround them without engaging?"
Chen Mo's face was gloomy, and he muttered in a low voice.
Hearing this, the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave who was leading the high-ranking warrior from Cave 12 and trying to show off his merits, turned pale and said, "Who are you? Is there any room for you to speak here?"
"Why are you asking me? Why didn't you attack but only surrounded them?"
Chen Mo's voice became increasingly stern.
The owner of the Yin-Yang Cave, despite his rage building within him, turned his gaze to the side, where he found Little Bean not only unaffected by Chen Mo's actions but mimicking his enraged roar.
"My brother is asking you."
At this moment, the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave had no doubt about Chen Mo's identity. He immediately panicked, "Yes, it was because... at that time, the field was too chaotic. We didn't know who were our allies and who were our enemies. That's why we were waiting outside, waiting for your instructions...".
Although the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave had taken the lead in calming the crowd from coming to help to make sure they would trample on them when they were down, he had already prepared for all possibilities.
If the divine punishment failed, he would find all sorts of excuses to absolve himself.
Behind him, the leaders of the other eleven caves all fell in line and began to follow suit, echoing and supporting the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave to create a powerful atmosphere.
Although Little Bean could suppress the crowd, she couldn't help but be wary of the combined might of the high-ranking warriors from Cave 12.
This move was quite cunning. The owner of the Yin-Yang Cave was confident, and Little Bean dared not easily blame them; even if she did, she wouldn't dare to mete out severe punishment to them.
However, his calculations were off. As soon as he finished speaking, he saw Chen Mo suddenly open his mouth and say only two words, "Zhao Hu."
With those two words, Zhao Hu, the giant standing at one zhang (10 feet) tall and resembling a mini-giant, wielded an ancient-looking broadsword and slashed down forcefully. Before the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave could even raise his head, his head had been decapitated.
Blood sprayed into the air, staining the ground red.
At this moment, the leaders of the eleven other caves turned pale in shock. None of them had anticipated that Chen Mo's methods could be so ruthless.
He didn't even give them a chance to say more than a few words before resorting to murder.
Without any warning.
Fear, anger, and resentment filled the hearts of the leaders of the eleven caves. Anger dominated their expressions as they all wanted to speak out in defense of the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave. However, when they saw Chen Mo's emotionless face, they panicked and fell silent, stepping back in terror.
Glancing at Zhao Hu, whose hand moved swiftly and whose blade never hesitated to take a life, with fear in their eyes, they were afraid they might be the next.
"Chen, Chen Cave Master, this, this is not reasonable."
It was unclear who spoke out as the crowd looked towards Little Bean, eagerly seeking her assistance.
However, in the face of such a question, Little Bean answered calmly, "Everything brother has done is reasonable."
The hearts of the crowd sank. They all knew that Little Bean wouldn't help them. Now, their lives and deaths were in Chen Mo's hands.
Unconsciously, their gazes towards Chen Mo carried a hint of supplication.
Chen Mo gave the crowd a cold glance and said in a deep voice, "Don't think I'm unaware of your cunning thoughts. You want to bring down the Mu toxin cave that's been oppressing you and take its place, is that right? You've made a good calculation, but you also need the strength to back it up. Anyone who doesn't agree can stand up and settle this now...".
After Chen Mo's words, the crowd fell silent, and everyone was silent as a mouse.
The owner of the Yin-Yang Cave was killed with a single blow, and they didn't have the courage to stand out as the first to take action in this situation.
"I know, the Mu Toxin Cave has been oppressing you for many years. You're not dissatisfied without reason. But look at yourselves, who among you has the ability to allow your subordinates to seize the top position?"
"A bunch of trash dreaming of turning things around, just wanting to rely on such despicable means. Even if you succeed, what does it matter? Among you, is anyone's strength strong enough to overpower everyone and gain their respect?"
After his words, the crowd looked at each other, then back at him, and remained silent.
That was truly right. Among them, the strength of these cave masters was not much better than each other. The strongest ones were probably those from the Yin-Yang Cave, but even they had already died.
The rest didn't have the strength to gain the respect of the masses. If the Mu Toxin Cave fell, they might fall into chaos without a leader.
"Get out. If I see you sneaking around behind my back again, your fate will be worse than this person's today."
Chen Mo waved his hand, and the crowd, hearing his words, felt like they had been granted a major reprieve. They immediately nodded in gratitude and hurried away.
"Brother, don't kill them?"
Little Bean hesitated and couldn't help but ask.
Chen Mo shook his head gently and said, "They are all B-grade experts. If they can be completely subdued, it will be quite an addition to your strength."
With the previous intimidation and the blow from the mace, it's likely that the high-ranking warriors from Cave 12 now know who to provoke and who not to.
The strongest and most rebellious among them, the owner of the Yin-Yang Cave, is now dead, which eliminates their leader. In the future, they should behave more cautiously.
Little Bean nodded seemingly understanding what Chen Mo meant, but then saw a figure suddenly drop down from the air.
It was Chu Ruomeng.
Seeing the person, Chen Mo couldn't help but frown slightly, "Where have you been? I haven't seen you around."
Chen Mo asked with some curiosity.
Chu Ruomeng panted heavily, exhaled deeply after looking up at Chen Mo with a serious expression.
Suddenly, Chen Mo's expression also grew serious.
"Oh no, Chen Lord, just now the master received a report... The Tian Mo Temple is in trouble. The Imperial City has been breached..."
…
Youzhou, the Imperial Capital of the Tian Mo Temple...
In the sky above the Imperial City, Shengsang Tian Hong looked down at all the other noblemen with an air of superiority. With a glance that swept across all those who had come to join the Tian Mo Temple, his eyes were enough to make them all quiver with fear.
They came for Chen Mo's reputation, but helping the Tian Mo Temple solve many troubles. However, their instinct of self-preservation took over when they realized that the power of the man before them was a threat to their lives. Without warning, they began to feel fear in their hearts.
Zhang Long raised an eyebrow, his expression growing increasingly serious. The only one who could match his regret, and remain as still as a mountain in such a crucial moment, was Jiang Dongli, the Holy Maiden of the Tian Mo Temple.
Jiang Dongli turned her head and looked at the others, realizing that her own strength was not enough to match that of Shengsang Tian Hong. However, if she were to even slightly reveal a hint of hesitation at this moment, it would certainly mean doom for the Imperial City.
"I shall try my hand at this man, as his strength seems immeasurable."
Although Jiang Dongli is a second-grade cultivator, her defense is extraordinary. During the great calamity in the Imperial City, even a group of first-grade experts led by Miao Wu could not deal with her. They had to avoid her strength and finally managed to trap her before they could breach the city.
Now, the person she is facing is also a first-grade cultivator, although he may be stronger than Miao Wu and the others. However, Jiang Dongli has confidence in her ability to intercept him.
Jiang Dongli's delicate figure rose up into the void, casting a towering silhouette in the sky as she stood defiantly. This sudden show of courage piqued the interest of the second-grade experts who had been contemplating retreat, prompting them to look up curiously.
"Haha, the little girl has a bit of courage."
