Chapter 239: Setting Off for Sanghai

"No!" Gao Jianli stared fixedly at Yan Dan, determined to live or die with him.

"You are the hope of the Mohists. You must live," Yan Dan said to Gao Jianli with a solemn expression.

"Master!" Gao Jianli was still reluctant, but faced with Yan Dan’s irrefutable tone, he had no choice but to comply.

"Xiao Xie, I leave the Mohist school to you," Yan Dan entrusted him.

"Understood!" Xiao Xie nodded and led the group of Mohists away. As for Yan Dan, if he wished to be buried within the Mechanical City, then he would have to respect his wishes.

Shortly after everyone had evacuated, the entire Mechanical City began to collapse rapidly. In an instant, the massive fortress, which had been perfected and built by generations of Mohist ancestors over three hundred years, silently exited the stage of history and began to fade into the long river of time.

...

"Xiao Feng, Xiao Huang, you two return and utilize the influence of the Dengtian Tower to receive the Mohist disciples. For the time being, they should minimize their activities to avoid capture by Ying Zheng," Xiao Xie instructed Murong Feng and Murong Huang.

"Yes, Young Master!"

"Young Master, where shall we find you after we have settled the Mohist disciples?" Murong Huang asked.

"We will be heading to Sanghai City next. Once you have arranged for the disciples, come to the Youjian Inn in Sanghai City to rendezvous with me," Xiao Xie replied.

"Young Master, you must take care of yourself. With neither my sister nor me by your side, I am truly worried," Murong Huang said with concern.

Xiao Xie ruffled her hair and laughed. "I am not so helpless that I cannot survive without someone to look after me. If you miss me, just finish your tasks with Xiao Feng as quickly as possible, and you will be able to join me in Sanghai City sooner."

"Understood! I will make sure my sister and I settle the Mohist disciples quickly so we can join you in Sanghai City soon," Murong Huang nodded, speaking with determination.

"Young Master, we will return as soon as possible," Murong Feng said, holding her sister's hand.

"The coming period will be difficult for you," Xiao Xie said, gently stroking Murong Feng’s head. Arranging for the disciples was primarily her responsibility, with Murong Huang acting as her assistant.

"It is an honor for Feng'er and Huang'er to relieve your burdens, Young Master. We shall take our leave now," Murong Feng said with a smile. With that, they departed. The Dengtian Tower had many branches, and they headed for the nearest ones, aiming to settle the Mohist disciples with maximum speed before reuniting with Xiao Xie in Sanghai City.

After they left, Xiao Xie turned to Master Ban and the others. "Master Ban, only you few leaders know that I have taken the mantle of the Mohist Master. When others are around, please continue to call me Xiao Xie. When I appear in my capacity as Master, I will conceal my identity; after all, I do not wish to have my tower surrounded by the Qin army."

Although Xiao Xie had accepted the title, he did not want it to become public knowledge. The Mohists were all wanted fugitives; if it were known that he, the owner of the Dengtian Tower, had become their leader, his public-facing organization would face immense hardship, which would be counterproductive for him.

"We shall obey the Master's command!" Master Ban and the others replied respectfully.

"Pass the word: proceed as planned. Destination: Sanghai City. It is going to be quite lively there soon!" Xiao Xie looked toward the east wind and smiled.

"Yes, Master!" they responded and went to make the arrangements.

"It seems this last sanctuary has been reduced to rubble," Shaoyu, Xiang Liang, and Fan Zeng said, looking at the collapsing fortress.

"Shaoyu, Master Fan, Uncle Liang, it is time to depart," Tianming called out from afar.

"We must go, Shaoyu," Fan Zeng said.

"Understood," Shaoyu nodded, climbing into the bumpy carriage, and the group set off on their journey once more.

...

On a distant cliff, the Moon Goddess and Yue'er stood silently, watching the collapsing city. Yue'er’s expression was peculiar, as if she had been placed under a curse.

"Lady Moon Goddess." Just then, the Great Si Ming and the Little Si Ming approached.

"Have you identified them?" the Moon Goddess asked.

"Those who came to assist included members of the Confucian and Taoist schools."

"Who exactly?"

"Zhang Liang of the Confucian school and Xiaoyaozi, leader of the Taoist Human Sect," the Great Si Ming replied with a smile.

"Zhang Liang, Zhang Zifang—he is only third in the Confucian hierarchy and cannot represent the school. As for Xiaoyaozi, while he calls himself 'Xiaoyao' (Carefree), he is not truly carefree compared to those of the Heavenly Sect," the Moon Goddess said dismissively. Seeing the Great Si Ming hesitate, she asked curiously, "Is there anything else?"

"There was another special person among the Mohists: the owner of the Dengtian Tower, Xiao Xie!" the Great Si Ming added.

The usually expressionless Little Si Ming’s eyes widened slightly upon hearing the name.

"The owner of the Dengtian Tower, Xiao Xie?" the Moon Goddess muttered to herself. Although the tower was a rising power, its influence was significant—especially their claim that even Ying Zheng himself was only qualified to ascend to the seventh floor, which was quite intriguing.

...

A few days later, almost all the Mohist disciples had been received by the Dengtian Tower's network along the way. When they were ten miles from Sanghai City, apart from the dozen disciples driving the carriages, only the Mohist leaders remained.

"Except for myself and you leaders, let the other disciples wait at the secret Mohist stronghold outside Sanghai City," Xiao Xie said to Xue Nu and the others inside the carriage.

"Yes, Master!" they replied respectfully.

Xiao Xie waved his hand and laughed. "Let's not be so formal in private. Please, just call me Xiao Xie! And don't give us away when we arrive. I don't want my status as Master to become common knowledge. It doesn't matter if you are wanted, but I cannot be, or it will be hard to run my tower."

"Understood, brother Xiao Xie," Dao Zhi said, throwing an arm around Xiao Xie’s shoulder without ceremony.

"Good. You all need to disguise yourselves well, or you won't get in. Especially Big Hammer—you're so tall and conspicuous, I don't think you can be disguised; you'll have to hide in a barrel," Xiao Xie joked.

"Hahaha..." Seeing Big Hammer’s embarrassed expression, Xue Nu and the others could not help but laugh.