**Chapter 101: Crisis in the Snow Maiden Faction, the Ascetic Monk Sent by the Blood-clothed Tower** - Ah? The Wives I Abandoned Turned Out to Be Real

**Chapter 101: Crisis in the Snow Maiden Faction, the Ascetic Monk Sent by the Blood-clothed Tower** Opening a blank ledger, Su Mo pondered for a moment. He awkwardly scribbled the character "镇" (calm). Seeing the poorly written character, Su Mo couldn't bear to look. In the future, when free, he'd really need to practice his calligraphy more. Just then, Xu Miaoyin, with a tinge of curiosity, walked into the main hall and saw Su Mo writing. "Su Boss, what's up?" Today, Xu Miaoyin was wearing the form-fitting outfit she had on when she first arrived, emphasizing her figure. Her charming eyes brimmed with emotion, and her skin gleamed like alabaster. Seeing Xu Miaoyin approach, Su Mo quickly and bashfully covered the ledger. His gaze continually wandered to Xu Miaoyin, her makeup-free face as delicate and radiant as an exquisite flower. After a moment's stupefaction, Su Mo snapped back to reality. "Nothing, you must be hungry." "I'll go cook." With that, Su Mo hurried off to the kitchen. Watching him go, Xu Miaoyin walked to the counter and saw the blank ledger. Turning to the last page, she saw the ungainly "镇" character. Gazing at the handwriting, Xu Miaoyin chuckled. Su Lang's writing, indeed... Yet in the next moment, thoughts of urgent news sent by her disciples last night darkened her eyes. They reported a major incident within her sect, urging her swift return. Who knew when she might be able to return this time? The position of Sect Leader must be handed over. Only then could she stay closer to Su Lang. Otherwise, how could she fend off those other women trying to take advantage? With this thought, Xu Miaoyin discreetly tore out the page with the clumsy character, tucking it into her bosom as a keepsake. ... After eating, even before Su Mo could ask Xu Miaoyin to teach him swordplay, she looked at him with reluctance. "Su Boss, there's an issue at my sect." "I have to leave after our meal." "You’re leaving?" Su Mo and Chunzhu spoke simultaneously, though their expressions differed. He was surprised and reluctant, while Chunzhu sighed in relief. Xu Miaoyin nodded. "Yes, there's a serious matter at the sect, something related to the Blood-clothed Tower." "If resolved swiftly, I might return soon." Related to the Blood-clothed Tower? Su Mo was all too familiar with this organization. Their emerging presence was sure to stir chaos in the martial world, swallowing up various sects’ assets. By this timeline, the Su family might have already been annihilated. Other sects were likely too preoccupied with their own survival. Thinking of Fei Lingxue, the crazy girl, Su Mo grew concerned for Xu Miaoyin. Though the Snow Maiden faction was small, if the Blood-clothed Tower's other leaders set their sights on it, things could get ugly. Perhaps he could warn her using the words of the Three Heroes of Mount Heng. Thinking this, Su Mo spoke up. "If it's the Blood-clothed Tower, then the Snow Maiden faction could be in grave danger." "They are ruthless, unfeeling killers!" "Su Boss, you've heard of the Blood-clothed Tower too?" Xu Miaoyin was surprised, not expecting their reach to be known even in such a remote town. Su Mo nodded. "I overheard the Three Heroes of Mount Heng talking over drinks; this Blood-clothed Tower has been around for a long time. Their assets have also been seized." "They enjoy devouring other sects’ properties, decimating many in the process. Who knows how many sects have fallen to them recently." "Miaoyin, I’m really worried for you." Upon hearing Su Mo’s words, Xu Miaoyin hesitated. She was well aware of the situation. Yet, as the issue at her sect called for her presence, she couldn't ignore it. As Sect Leader, shirking responsibilities was not an option. "It will be alright." Upon saying this, Xu Miaoyin retrieved her packed luggage, and Su Mo escorted her to the tavern’s entrance. Finally, watching Xu Miaoyin mount a pure white horse, Su Mo couldn’t help but call out. "You will come back, right?" Hearing this, Xu Miaoyin turned her head, her jade-like face blooming into a smile as beautiful as any flower. "Of course!" ... After Xu Miaoyin left, Su Mo felt a void. Their acquaintance was brief, yet interacting with her was never tiring. Those unique attributes of hers, unparalleled, made him wonder when they might meet again. Chunzhu, on the other hand, felt elated. With Xu Miaoyin no longer around to disrupt, more time lay ahead for her and Su Mo. And with Madam’s regard for him, they could surely have a thriving future together. As Su Mo managed the tavern’s business, she would handle laundry and cooking. Well, maybe skip the cooking; his meals are tastier. Then, having a few big, strong sons—such a life would surely incite envy... ... Meanwhile, on another front. Xu Miaoyin, galloping on horseback, rushed back to Lingxiao City, the Snow Maiden faction's base. Her horse could cover 800 li a day. She reached there before dusk. Lingxiao City, a mountainous town, despite being near the western regions, enjoyed active trade routes. Many merchants from inland and the west frequented the place, making it prosperous. The Snow Maiden faction had been rooted here for 120 years. At its peak, most of Lingxiao City’s industries belonged to them. They were once a powerful sight to behold. But a civil turmoil 30 years ago diminished their glory, though they retained over twenty percent of the industries. In recent years, the Blood-clothed Tower's overbearing behavior had seized over half of their holdings, leaving only low-profit businesses. Thus, upon hearing about the bounty from Linjiang City, Xu Miaoyin had risked it all, taking many Snow Maiden disciples along. Fortune in misfortune; she met Su Lang, lightening her recent worries. "Nay, nay, nay!" Xu Miaoyin’s horse stopped in front of a certain pawnshop. Seeing her arrive, a man dressed as a wealthy merchant hurried over. "Sect Leader, you're here." He was Sima Feng, an external disciple of the Snow Maiden faction, tasked with managing their Lingxiao City assets. "Yes." Xu Miaoyin's demeanor shifted from the sweet gentility in Su Mo’s tavern to one of impenetrable frostiness. Her voice commanded respect. "What’s the situation within the sect?" Seeing her serious demeanor, Sima Feng did not dare delay. "Sect Leader, yesterday, the Corpse Monk of the Blood-clothed Tower came by. I sent you a message by pigeon then. By afternoon, he headed to the mountain, and we haven’t had news since." At this, Xu Miaoyin's expression turned stern. "How long has he been there?" "Around two hours." "Understood." "Take care of my horse!" With those words, Xu Miaoyin became a white blur, swiftly heading towards the Snow Maiden faction’s mountain gate. Watching her depart, Sima Feng felt restless, grappling with his thoughts. With the Snow Maiden faction bound to fall, perhaps he should act now. The Sect Leader's rare Frost Soul horse could cover 800 li in a day, and the shop held 2,000 silver liang. Maybe he should just flee to a place where no one knew him. There, he could marry, start a family, and build a life for himself. But he hesitated again. Desertion was a grave crime; if Xu Miaoyin survived by chance, she'd hunt him to the ends of the earth, and peace would elude him. What should he do? Perhaps waiting a day and watching things unfold was wiser. Let's see if Xu Miaoyin or the Corpse Monk prevails! ... Xu Miaoyin, single-mindedly heading for the Snow Maiden faction, crossed paths all too familiar to her. Built on the snowy peaks at the rear of Lingxiao City, the faction's location was perpetually frigid, favoring their unique internal arts cultivation. As she approached the familiar grounds, Xu Miaoyin quickened her pace. Yet, upon seeing several dead disciples outside the entrance, her heart sank. A cursory inspection revealed bite marks on each victim’s neck. It was almost certainly the Corpse Monk of the Blood-clothed Tower. Drawing her treasured sword, Xu Miaoyin darted quickly towards the faction’s interiors, soon hearing the clang of clashing metal. At the Snow Maiden Hall’s training grounds, several disciples besieged a grotesque monk. Despite the cold within, he wore only long pants; his upper body displayed grayish-blue skin with corpse-like spots, and a prominent stitch from the base of his skull down his spine, resembling a zombie risen from hell. Xu Miaoyin quickly recognized the man as the notorious Corpse Monk, the Ascetic. Rumor had it that he had convinced a miracle healer to stitch the skin of a thousand-year-old corpse onto his body, leading to his mastery of the Yijin Jing. The long swords of the Snow Maiden disciples struck him as if hitting a block of iron, producing resonant metallic clangs, even sparking at points. The struggling disciples of the Snow Maiden faction spotted Xu Miaoyin. "It's the Sect Leader!" "It's me, I've arrived!" Seeing this, Xu Miaoyin immediately joined the fray. Yet, as her blade struck the monk's skin, a flurry of sparks erupted, sending a numbing shock up to her wrist. Realizing the monk's body was this impervious, Xu Miaoyin quickly ordered the others back. "Everyone, fall back!" "This monk has mastered the Yijin Jing, attaining an invincible Diamond Body." "Your attacks are futile!" Upon hearing Xu Miaoyin’s instruction, the Snow Maiden disciples around promptly withdrew. Xu Miaoyin did this to conserve their strength – if she were to be defeated, they'd at least have the energy to escape. The Corpse Monk guffawed wildly. "You bunch of tender-skinned little girls, why don’t you surrender? I'd hate to kill you all – savoring one person’s blood a day would be delightful!" One disciple couldn't restrain her anger. "You demon!" "You’ll burn in hell eventually." The Corpse Monk remained unfazed. "As the saying goes, if I don't go to hell, who will?" "Enjoying life while alive is what matters; King Yan will deal with the afterlife!" As he spewed retorts, Xu Miaoyin took the opportunity and leapt into the air. Her sword, swift as a venomous snake, aimed straight for the monk’s throat! "Clang!" With a metallic clash, the Corpse Monk's eyes widened. "Begone!" His shout carried the essence of the Buddhist Lion's Roar, making Xu Miaoyin dizzy, instinctively retreating with a flip. The piece of paper with Su Mo’s character on it fluttered to the ground. Gathering herself, Xu Miaoyin observed. Her full-strength strike had only left a white mark on the monk’s throat. Despair seeped into her heart; could it be that misfortune was destined to destroy her Snow Maiden faction? The Corpse Monk caressed his throat, a malevolent grin forming. "Good thing Buddha has made me impervious; otherwise, your sneak attack might have succeeded, little girl!" "Since that's not the case, I'll make you the first to be drained today!" With this, the Corpse Monk charged at Xu Miaoyin, his right hand clawing forward, ready to seize her throat. But fortune intervened. In his path lay the paper with Su Mo's character "镇." As his bare foot stepped onto it, a blinding white light immediately ensnared him. He felt paralyzed, unable to move. The Corpse Monk's eyes almost bulged out in rage. "What kind of sorcery is this?!" (End of Chapter)