Chapter 500: Chapter 500: The Choice

Ah Er listened groggily, aware that important guests had arrived.

It hopped out of the Pill Furnace, shaking off the water droplets. Its color hadn’t faded one bit.

It looked at itself and hesitated for a moment, thinking it just hadn’t soaked for long enough. It carefully put the lid back on the Pill Furnace before running off.

A moment later, everyone took their seats.

Watching a Spirit Beast that looked like a little golden bear pour tea, the disciples from the Foreign Affairs Hall took a closer look.

One of them took a sip of tea, savoring the astringent taste on his tongue.

"Junior Brother, where did you find such a rare breed? Forgive my ignorance, but I don’t recognize it."

Bai Mo’s lips twitched into a faint smile.

"You jest, Brother. I was originally raising a badger, and it just happened to turn out like this by accident."

"Oh, well, you’ve raised it quite well then..."

The disciple who spoke replied casually, then leaned forward, holding his teacup in both hands.

"Getting back to the real reason for our visit..."

Bai Mo adopted a posture of one ready to listen intently.

"The methods we normally follow for human sacrifice are, for the most part, passed down from ancient times."

The Foreign Affairs Hall disciple spoke deliberately, taking another sip of tea. Ah Er opportunely refilled his cup.

The little critter had been busy preparing snacks just now and hadn’t heard their comments about it.

"As you know, Junior Brother, in ancient times, there were many tribes and clans. Their ways were savage and bloody, and for matters like sacrifices and offerings, they possessed a multitude of arcane arts."

"These arts were profound and mysterious, not bound by the rules of any school. Of course, some of them involved the Alchemy Dao."

"In the present era, many sects have developed similar techniques. In our sect, it is mostly Divine Dao Mountain that handles such matters..."

’So that’s why the sect turns a blind eye to Divine Dao Mountain’s unrestrained conduct.’

Hearing this, Bai Mo suspected that even if Divine Dao Mountain crossed the line, the Foreign Affairs Hall still wouldn’t interfere as long as they didn’t go too far.

"It’s mainly because of Divine Dao Mountain’s Old Ancestor. He was a man who deeply valued rules and righteousness, and his integrity remained even after death."

"Furthermore, the cultivation of this school is itself fraught with taboos, so the Hall isn’t particularly worried."

The Foreign Affairs Hall disciples exchanged a glance before revealing the reason for their visit.

"It’s likely because you have a good relationship with Divine Dao Mountain, Junior Brother. An elder from there recommended you to the Hall."

"Coincidentally, you’ve broken through to Core Formation and are no longer suited to be confined to the Black Prison. That’s why we want you to participate in these kinds of affairs."

Bai Mo pondered for a moment, understanding the disciples’ implication.

"I have never been involved in such matters before."

"If I agree, I’m not sure what the day-to-day work would entail. I hope you Brothers can enlighten me."

"Heh, rest assured, Junior Brother," one of them said with a laugh.

"If you accept this post, it’s very relaxed most of the time."

"You only need to cooperate when the Hall requires it. For instance, a few months ago, the sect used a Twelve Blood Pill Grand Array."

"Weren’t the Blood Pills for that made by people like you?"

Bai Mo considered this for a moment.

"How about you allow me some time to consider it?"

"Of course. Once you’ve made your decision, Junior Brother, you can inform the Foreign Affairs Hall directly."

...

After seeing the disciples from the Foreign Affairs Hall off, Bai Mo wasted no time in inviting An Caiwei over.

The latter was dressed as a mulberry-picking girl, a bamboo basket in her hand.

"I’m busy, you know! Why did you ask me to come over, Junior Brother?"

Bai Mo was learning for the first time that there was a Sanglin near Mi Mountain, which was often frequented by disciples from Silkworm Valley.

Once he finished telling her about the matter with the Foreign Affairs Hall, An Caiwei looked astonished.

"Ah! Why did they come looking for you?"

Clearly, she knew the inside story.

Bai Mo said, "Just as you said, Senior Sister, I’m afraid I can’t stay on Mi Mountain any longer."

"I just don’t know if this job is a good thing or a bad thing."

This wasn’t a time to be picky. If he waited too long, the sect might just stick him in whatever position needed filling.

Whether it was Silkworm Valley or somewhere else, it wouldn’t be his choice, and there was no telling if it would be for better or worse.

An Caiwei pondered for a moment, then said carefully:

"As for being relaxed, it’s definitely relaxed. When the sect doesn’t need you, you’re free to do as you please."

"But when a major task comes up, and an order is given, people like you have to get it done, even if you have to bleed for it."

She lowered her voice. "I once heard that an Array Dao disciple worked himself to death building the Ten Directions Blood Sacrifice Array. The mental and spiritual toll was so great that he died young."

Bai Mo calculated in his head for a bit, then asked:

"Are there any other benefits? How does it compare to Silkworm Valley?"

An Caiwei seemed to perk up a little.

"Silkworm Valley has a lot of good things. With your skills, Junior Brother, you’d be like a fish in water and gain many benefits."

"As for the job from the Foreign Affairs Hall... due to its nature, you’ll probably get to deal with ancient matters, or taboo subjects. It’s a way to increase your skills."

"Some of their techniques are, after all, not tolerated by the world. If you accept, you will likely come into contact with them..."

She paused abruptly at this point.

’With this Junior Brother’s personality, he isn’t bound by pedantic taboos. He’s willing to learn and engage with any kind of technique.’

’No wonder the people from the Foreign Affairs Hall sought him out.’

She let out a soft sigh.

"Perhaps the Foreign Affairs Hall’s post is more suitable for you after all, Junior Brother."

"You are a capable person, after all. The cultivation and harvesting methods of Silkworm Valley are, frankly, a bit too mundane for you."

Silkworm Valley is a treasured land, and its techniques are certainly not bad.

It was just that Bai Mo was someone who liked to stir things up, and upon careful consideration, An Caiwei was afraid that Silkworm Valley would hold him back.

Bai Mo was someone who listened to advice, and he made his decision right then and there.

"In that case, I’ll reply to the Foreign Affairs Hall and see what their process is."

An Caiwei also said, "I’ll come find you in my free time to broaden my horizons..."

He had Ah Er climb to the mountaintop and summon a swan goose.

Bai Mo sent his reply. Not three days later, disciples from the Foreign Affairs Hall arrived for the handover.

"So, Junior Brother agreed after all."

"In that case, you must hand over your authority for the Black Prison."

As a manager in blue robes from the Foreign Affairs Hall took out a seal and flashed it at Bai Mo, Bai Mo felt his mind go empty.

It was as if something had been extracted from his body.

The familiar feeling of being able to open and close the gates of Mi Mountain with ease vanished.

Bai Mo focused his mind, suppressing the daze that clouded it.

"Mi Mountain is an important place. Someone needs to oversee the handover. Brother Li Wuji is in seclusion for his Breaking Realm and should not be disturbed."

"Who is taking over this duty?"

The blue-robed manager was a very mature and serious man. Hearing the question, he answered directly:

"You needn’t worry, Junior Brother. The two brothers from the Shi family have returned. They will retake control of Mi Mountain."

An image of two stone-like men flashed through Bai Mo’s mind. The hollows they had left on either side of the gate were still there.

That was where they usually rested.

"That’s good. In that case, there’s no need for a lengthy handover. The two Brother Shis have been guarding this place for many years; they know more than I do."

The blue-robed manager nodded, put the seal into a black cloth bag, and tied it carefully to his waist.

"Please get your things in order, Junior Brother. We will wait for you outside."

"Don’t worry too much about things that are inconvenient to take with you. In your line of work, you’ll be dealing with the Black Prison’s inmates a lot. You’ll be back often."

’That’s great. The two Brother Shis aren’t the type to manage affairs; they probably won’t pay any mind to the plants and herbs on the mountain. I can still use Mi Mountain as my personal herb garden.’

As for his luggage, that was simple enough.

He quickly gathered his things from the stone house, while Ah Er went up the mountain and put the gray-furred rats and the old hen into a cage. And that was about it.

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