Chapter 178: Abrupt ending.

Chapter 178: Abrupt ending.After the Nethermoon sect’s forces breached the fortress, there was some resistance in the outer section of the Blackwater Sect. Attackers were angry and brutal, and the moment they began to overwhelm their opponents, the defense quickly collapsed.

Many were confused by how weak and badly geared the opposing army was. These people were a laughable excuse for warriors compared to those who attacked the Nethermoon Sect during the tragic night. But the attackers were not going to complain.

Their joy was short lived, though. When they arrived at the inner part of the Blackwater Sect, their advance abruptly stopped. Not because of some devious traps or unimaginable resistance. Exactly the opposite.

The defenders capitulated.

After a loud horn was blown, several green signal flares shot to the sky. Apparently this was agreed upon signal and everyone put down their weapons at the same time. Defenders knelt, obediently waiting for their captors to do their thing, and the grand revenge war was over.

Only few Nethermoon’s outer disciples had the audacity to raise their swords at the unarmed men. They felt that the sudden capitulation didn’t allow them to fully repay for the loss of their friends.

Unfortunately they were bound to not complete the revenge. Inner disciples along with the junior elders immediately stopped any further violence and began to group up the captives. There were rules they had to follow, especially with what was on the line.

No one wanted to jeopardize their chances of becoming elder. And if not at this unique occasion when two spots were available at the same time, then somewhere in the future. No one intended to gain reputation of a murderer, who helplessly slaughtered innocents.

And while the last part was questionable, it was easy to destroy one’s own reputation along with the future prospects. More importantly, at least for crowd of male disciples, there were many female disciples present and it was pivotal to leave a proper impression.



On this day the Nethermoon sect lost around three hundred disciples and many were wounded, but they basically destroyed the Blackwater sect, formally achieving an overwhelming victory. Including the suicidal warriors who charged from the rifts during the initial assault, they killed over six thousand men, clearly displaying their superiority.

The Nethermoon sect captured over two thousand enemies, including all elders and the sect master, Yelren Vorth, who didn’t try to resist or escape, despite being an accomplished elemental lord. He stood in front of his army and capitulated along with the rest.

The part that annoyed the Nethermoon’s junior elder’s was that no matter how they searched, they couldn’t find where the defenders have moved the contents of the sect’s vault. When asked, sect master Vorth only smiled, and said he will disclose this information when the right time came.

Helpless and confused, the Nethermoon Sect’s army returned, bringing with them crowds of captives. Despite the predominant discontent, there were many who celebrated the easy victory, sighing in relief that they hadn’t lost their lives in the swamp.

***

Less than two months had passed after the short war, and the Nethermoon sect once again received the emissary from the Celestial Abyss sect. The time was spent in endless battles for political influence, with both – Elder Wang and Elder Su trying to improve their chances for the sect master’s position. At this point they were competing openly, not hiding their intent to lead the sect.

Elder Wang wasn’t thrilled about the whole situation, but apart from him there was no one who could actually become a leader. The only other candidate was his friend, Elder Luo, but the man wasn’t particularly good at anything related to diplomacy.

Of course, Elder Su had another opinion. There wasn’t a meeting or even an interaction between her and other elders or junior elders where she didn’t accentuate the importance of her being the perfect candidate for the job. She used all the possible methods, including the support of large clans and allied sects to increase her worth in the eyes of the others.

Her involvement in the attack on the Nethermoon Sect was never proven. On several occasions Elder Wang tried to hint at her being present during the event, but was immediately accused of trying to underhandedly smear her reputation.

Elder Su had an ironclad argument. Everyone knew Elder Wang possessed a unique skill that allowed him to spy on anyone. Thus, if he was so certain that Elder Su was a traitor, he should’ve been able to present a proof a long time ago.

In the end, Elder Wang decided to handle the situation with simple common sense. He individually met with the other elders, candidly discussed the best candidates for the two open positions as well as his own chances. Seeing that most elders supported him, he let Elder Su do her thing – no matter what games she was trying to play, he had the majority behind him.

Now, seeing how nervous Elder Su was receiving the guests, Elder Wang could sigh in relief. The whole endeavor had to be over after today.

This time two people arrived. Along with the junior sect master came a woman, dressed in a white robe. Her appearance stood in full contrast to the man, who similar to the last time, was wearing black. The cold and indifferent expressions they both had, were the same, though.

Once again Mo Qingsha arrived directly to the central square of the sect, where a small crowd of elders and junior elders were waiting.

"Junior Sect Master Mo, welcome! ... Victoria ..." Elder Su rushed to greet the guests first according to her role as the elder of the Sect Affairs Hall, but stumbled in her words, not being sure what to make of Victoria’s presence.

Technically she was their disciple, but on the other hand – Mo Qingsha’s plaything. Besides, no one really expected to see her ever again.

"You can address her as Elder Victoria." Mo Qingsha said, "She’s a part of the Celestial Abyss now."



"Uhm ... we’re thrilled to hear our disciple was talented enough to acquire such important position!" Elder Su might’ve been confused, but she had done this for a long time and quickly recovered, "We’re honored to welcome you to the Nethermoon Sect!"

The hosts politely bowed, but Mo Qingsha pretended to not notice it.

"I recon there was some wine I didn’t sample last time." He said, "I’d like to make up for it! Lead the way!"

It was humorous that for the majority of the present this was an important day that could change their lives, but for one person it was nothing but a mere wine tasting.

Elder Su expected it, though. This time next to the usual banquet table there was another, filled with different bottles, waiting for Mo Qingsha. Two inner disciples, good looking fire element cultivators, were dressed in beautiful red robes and waiting for his orders.

He sat at the end of the table with Victoria at his side, and pointed at the first bottle. From the looks of it, he was about to methodically go through every single one of them.

Elder Su, just in case, had prepared all the female inner disciples who had fire affinity to demonstrate their skills, but Mo Qingsha didn’t even look at the small crowd gathered at the side. He focused on the wine, without saying anything before the first bottle was empty.

For now, he didn’t need another toy – his hand lie on Victoria’s thigh, and he was thrilled to feel her tremble at his touch. From the day he met her, she always had this reaction, and he felt his blood boil every time.

On few occasions she tried to display signs of displeasure, but for some reason he found it even more stimulating.

The moment the second bottle was opened, Mo Qingsha sat back in his seat, taking more comfortable position, and said, "Report!"