Chapter 33: Saying "No" is More Powerful Than "Yes"

"So, you’ve finally decided to show your true self," Wei Han said, his voice calm but probing. He and Xu Mo sat opposite each other on a sofa, separated by a low table. In front of them was the desk where Wei Han usually worked. Through the window, Xu Mo noticed the sun was about to set, casting a warm glow across the room.

"Huh?!" Xu Mo let out a guttural sound, his lips pressed tightly together.

Wei Han frowned, his confusion growing. Since Xu Mo had arrived, he had only made strange noises, refusing to speak a single word.

"I had my doubts when Elder Long visited you in the cell," Wei Han continued, his tone sharpening. "Are you somehow related to Elder Long? That’s the only explanation I can think of for him to visit an unknown new disciple."

Xu Mo, now clean and dressed in fresh disciple robes, simply nodded. Every time someone tried to engage him in conversation, he felt an itch to respond, but he held himself back. Success, he believed, lay in knowing when, where, and how much to speak.

"Will you say something, or do you want to go back to the cell?" Wei Han’s patience was wearing thin. His brow twitched as he asked the question one final time.

Xu Mo’s gaze fell on the thin layer of dust covering the table in front of him. Leaning forward, he used his finger to trace symbols into the dust.

[I am cultivating a technique that requires me to remain silent. My apologies if I’ve offended you.]

"Oh! In that case, it’s fine," Wei Han said, his irritation easing as he read Xu Mo’s message.

"But you did break out of the cell. That’s a punishable offense," Wei Han added, his tone firm.

Xu Mo smirked, a harmless smile playing on his lips. Wei Han was puzzled by Xu Mo’s confidence. Xu Mo glanced around the table, finding a small area still untouched by his finger.

[You and I both know I’m innocent.]

Xu Mo was stalling, waiting for Elder Long to arrive and retrieve him. Though he appeared confident on the outside, he wasn’t the fearless Xu Mo from the trial. Deep down, he felt uneasy.

[If I report outside that an innocent disciple was locked in the dungeon, Officer Wei Han would have...]

"Haha... are you threatening me?" Wei Han interrupted, his voice laced with amusement. "But shouldn’t you know that it would take strength to even walk out of here and make noise?"

"Wow!"

Clap. Clap.

Suddenly, an aura far stronger than Wei Han’s filled the room, overwhelming his spiritual energy like a lake meeting the sea. Xu Mo turned toward the source of the voice, a smile breaking across his face. It had been a long time since he’d last communicated with Elder Long in such a relaxed manner.

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Elder Long entered the room, his steps steady and deliberate.

[Took you long enough,] Xu Mo mouthed silently, his lips moving without sound. Both Elder Long and Wei Han understood his message. Elder Long waved his hand, and Xu Mo stood up from his seat. The elder moved forward and enveloped Xu Mo in a warm hug.

Wei Han’s expression shifted, his face a mix of confusion and disbelief. He had assumed Elder Long was a relative of Xu Mo, but their casual demeanor suggested they were more like friends.

"You know, I almost had a fight with the Sect Master because he refused to let you out," Elder Long said, his voice tinged with frustration. "He insisted he’d let me know when you were ready to be released."

Long Bai’s childhood had been tough, and he couldn’t stand the thought of Xu Mo being imprisoned for something he hadn’t done.

Smirking, Long Bai turned his attention to the message Xu Mo had written on the table: [I am cultivating a technique that requires me to remain silent. My apologies if I’ve offended you.] Elder Long’s eyes widened as if he’d just had an epiphany.

"What do you say, Officer Wei Han? Am I even allowed to take him away?" Elder Long asked, his tone challenging.

"T-that... you can take him away, of course. If the charges are proven false," Wei Han stammered.

"Hahaha..." Elder Long laughed heartily. "You’re just as I’ve heard in the rumors—unyielding even to the higher-ups of the sect. Well, if you’re short on evidence, I can bring forward the people who planted those items in Xu Mo’s room."

"...No, that won’t work," Wei Han replied firmly. "It would look like they’re being coerced into speaking, given your position as Head Elder."

"Yes, Head Elder. You do know who you’re standing in front of," Elder Long said, his voice calm but laced with authority.

Xu Mo imagined sparks flying between Long Bai and Wei Han. The group of guards watching the exchange looked on in awe, their admiration for their captain evident. He was daring to stand up to the Head Elder for the sake of justice.

"So... you want someone who isn’t afraid of my status in the sect? Do you want me to call the Ancestor himself?" Elder Long asked, his tone sharp.

Ancestor?!

Wei Han’s eyes widened as he glanced at Xu Mo. Was this disciple some kind of saint within the sect, worthy of summoning the Ancestor?

"But you should be prepared to face the consequences," Elder Long added. "The laws and rules you’re trying to uphold were created by the Ancestor."

Xu Mo was the most shaken by the mention of the Ancestor. Even at his final moments during the trial, the Ancestor hadn’t intervened to save him. He looked at Elder Long, who had once saved Long Chen from his wrath when he was still weak.

"Let’s go, Xu Mo," Elder Long said, glancing back at him.

Xu Mo nodded and followed behind Elder Long. Before leaving, he turned to Wei Han and nodded apologetically.

Sorry.

Even Xu Mo disliked using his status and power in such a manner, but this time, he was in the right. Still, it felt embarrassing to do so in front of so many people. Xu Mo realized his appearance and actions had been exposed to many members of the Disciplinary Hall.

...

"Xu Mo, how was your time in prison?" the Sect Master asked, a mischievous grin on his face.

Xu Mo remained silent, glancing at Elder Long to explain on his behalf.

"Sect Master..." Elder Long began, launching into a detailed explanation. Xu Mo grew increasingly anxious. He had practiced a secret technique of the sect—one that hadn’t been officially passed down to him—and had nearly mastered it. It would undoubtedly raise suspicions. Even he would have been doubtful in their place.

"Is it that technique?" the Sect Master asked, his tone curious. "But does it mean you can never speak again, or is it within your control?"

"No," Xu Mo replied, breaking his silence. He looked around the Sect Master’s spotless hallway, finding no way to explain without speaking.

"Hey, you spoke!" Elder Long exclaimed, shocked. He had assumed Xu Mo had become permanently mute. But this moment also highlighted why Elder Long was the Head Elder and the Sect Master was the Sect Master.

"How is your cultivation progressing? And did you succeed in what you were trying to do?" the Sect Master asked.

"Boy."

"Aaaaaaa!" Xu Mo screamed abruptly as someone whispered close to his ear.

Elder Long immediately dropped to one knee, lowering his head in respect. "Ancestor," he said reverently.