"Do we need to do something else?" This time it was Shen Mo's turn to be puzzled, and Qin Moyu realized that she had accidentally spoken her true feelings out loud.
"...But didn't you want to use the fortune of the four continents to break through the seal? Don't you need to create an array or something to gather the fortune of the four continents?" Since she had already brought it up, Qin Moyu simply gave up and voiced her question.
Although Shen Mo had previously said that the four continents' claim to the throne only required their superficial submission, and that submission was more like an alliance, even a nominal emperor would still be quite troublesome!
"As long as the four continents acknowledge and submit to the Southern Kingdom, I can then re-ascend the throne and become the emperor of the Southern Kingdom."
Although reality is certainly not as easy as Shen Mo makes it out to be, there are priorities. The matter of securing the throne in the four continents is a sure thing and can be left to his subordinates and Shen Sheng. What is more important for Shen Mo now is to change Qin Moyu's perception of him.
Shen Mo gestured in the air twice and explained, "Luck is the most unpredictable thing. If everyone in the three continents were to acknowledge me, it would take even longer. It would be better to make them submit to the Southern Kingdom. Regardless of whether anyone objects, the Southern Kingdom's luck will increase in a short period of time. Then, once I ascend the throne, this luck will automatically be attached to me."
“Sometimes rituals are not just for people to see, but also for the heavens,” Shen Mo said.
Qin Moyu nodded thoughtfully, and he began to understand the cleverness of Shen Mo's plan.
It is much more difficult to make the three continents submit to a person than to a continent. The Southern Kingdom's years of management have enabled them to "transform" the three continents into their own territory in the shortest time—all it takes is a Southern Kingdom flag. Without His control, the Heavenly Dao, which only follows the most rigid rules, will definitely think that the Southern Kingdom has really occupied the three continents. Then the Southern Kingdom will gather a lot of fortune in a short period of time.
At this time, Shen Mo emerged to reap the rewards, ascended the throne as the supreme ruler of the Southern Kingdom, and the Southern Kingdom's fortune naturally converged on him.
“But this kind of luck can’t accumulate for too long, right?” Qin Moyu said.
“Yes.” Shen Mo nodded approvingly. “Without actual rule, the fortune gathered from the three continents will dissipate in no time. But I don’t need long-term fortune; I only need one chance.”
When he said the last sentence, his entire demeanor underwent a dramatic change.
Unlike his peaceful and even gentle demeanor when he was with Qin Moyu, he seemed to instantly transform back into the supreme ruler in the magnificent palace, looking down upon all nations paying tribute with an air of noble confidence that was perfectly natural.
Qin Moyu then believed that Shen Mo had really been an emperor. That kind of confidence that bordered on arrogance, yet made people believe that he had the right to be arrogant, was a noble quality that not everyone could possess.
Shen Mo's domineering aura, like Qin Moyu's smile that day, was fleeting; the next second he returned to his peaceful and harmless demeanor.
Having found the answer to her doubts, Qin Moyu disliked Shen Mo even more.
Shen Mo produced a pastry just in time before Qin Moyu could shoo her away.
Qin Moyu's gaze unconsciously fell on the plate of pastries.
This is why Qin Moyu was certain that her encounters with Shen Mo over the past two weeks were all intentional on Shen Mo's part—who would be strolling around the Imperial Garden with a pastry on their person?
Although Qin Moyu saw through Shen Mo's attempt to make his presence known, he was helpless because Shen Mo always managed to maintain a proper distance, preventing Qin Moyu from feeling the chill of being followed. After all, Qin Moyu knew that with Shen Mo's strength, he only needed to scan with his divine sense to find out where he was. In addition, Shen Mo always brought various delicious foods with him, and Qin Moyu's attitude softened slightly after receiving such gifts.
"Try it." Shen Mo stuffed the pastry, along with the plate, into Qin Moyu's hand.
Qin Moyu looked down at the pastries. Hmm, they looked much better than they had a few days ago.
Actually, he initially refused the pastries Shen Mo offered him, but Shen Mo was extremely persistent and insisted that Qin Moyu try a piece. In order to stop Shen Mo from clinging to him, Qin Moyu hastily took a piece and ate it. Although it tasted good, he still said he didn't like it.
Shen Mo asked him why he didn't like it, and Qin Moyu casually said that the pastry didn't look good. Then he didn't see Shen Mo for two days in a row. When Shen Mo reappeared, the pastry in his hand was indeed much more exquisite.
Qin Moyu knew perfectly well that the place he was staying in was called the Imperial Palace. As a "distinguished guest" personally arranged by Shen Sheng, he had the best food, clothing, and accommodation. If he hadn't disliked it, he would now be followed by at least a dozen maids and servants.
During her stay at the palace, Qin Moyu was often impressed by the wealth and extravagance of the Southern Kingdom's royal family. The pastries they sent were not only delicious but also beautiful. So, after a little thought, she could tell that the pastries that Shen Mo sent her, which were neither good in taste nor appearance, were most likely made by him.
But this is precisely what Qin Moyu can't understand.
"Why bother?" Qin Moyu sighed softly. Instead of eating the pastries as Shen Mo had expected, she looked up at him calmly. "Actually, you don't need to feel guilty for scheming against me. After all, you didn't design Master's death. Ye Bai was originally a split soul of yours. It would be troublesome for you if you didn't merge with him. Besides, if it weren't for you, I probably would have already fallen into the trap of Heaven and killed Ye Bai. There would be no reason for him to come back and merge with me."
After time slowly soothed his anger and sorrow, Qin Moyu became more rational than anyone else.
That's why he later eased his relationship with Shen Mo; he simply came to terms with it.
But despite his understanding, Qin Moyu still didn't want to have any contact with Shen Mo anymore. The mystery of his origins had been solved, and all he wanted to do next was to work hard to reach the Tribulation Transcending stage in the long years to come, and then go to the extreme cold land to pay tribute to them. He had no other thoughts.
"I've almost finished packing." Qin Moyu handed the pastries back to Shen Mo and said with relief, "I'll be leaving Nanguo this afternoon. Thank you for taking care of me these past few days, Shen Mo."
This was the first time Qin Moyu had called Shen Mo by his full name, and it might also be the last.
Shen Mo's hand, gripping the plate so tightly, turned white. He would rather Qin Moyu hate him for the rest of her life than for Qin Moyu to completely let go of him and become strangers from then on.
Shen Mo smiled bitterly. He finally understood what it felt like to be heartbroken. Indeed, one reaps what one sows.
"Wait! You can't leave."
Shen Mo called out to Qin Moyu, who was turning around to go back.
Qin Moyu turned her head and looked at him with a hint of doubt.
"I came to see you today... actually to tell you some news that I think will make you happy."
Shen Mo pursed his lips and said.
He had originally intended to tell Qin Moyu the news as a surprise, but now he had no choice but to use it to try and keep Qin Moyu with him.
"What news?"
Qin Moyu said noncommittally that he didn't think the information Shen Mo had given him would make him stay.
But to Qin Moyu's utter surprise, Shen Mo said—
"Your master has woken up."
Indeed, Xuanjing Zhenren, who had been handed over to Shen Sheng by Shen Mo, finally woke up thanks to the imperial physicians' tireless efforts in treating him.
Chapter Sixty-Three: Both Master and Father – Though they are said to be master and disciple, in reality…
The surprise came so suddenly that Qin Moyu was dizzy and didn't even have time to think about the unbelievable thing that "the old Taoist priest is Xuanjing Zhenren". Like a drowning person grabbing the last straw, he desperately told himself that it was all true.