The showdown, the existence behind Mo Wuy ya, the Devil Master

"Big brother, you wanted to see me?" Mo Fan pushed the door open and entered, his usual ingratiating smile on his face.

"Sit." Looking weary, you pointed to the meditation cushion opposite you.

Mo Fan sat down as instructed, just the right measure of concern showing in his eyes. "Something seems to be troubling you, big brother?"

You raised your eyes and looked straight at him, getting right to the point. "You're Mo Wuy ya, aren't you?"

Mo Fan—no, perhaps he should be called Mo Wuy ya—

—the smile on his face froze instantly. Astonishment flashed through his eyes, then gave way to acceptance.

"Big brother... you're done pretending?"

You did not deny it. This clumsy charade had gone on too long, and both sides knew the truth.

The name "Mo Fan" had been deliberately chosen to begin with. The cultivators gathered in Blackstone Town these days had all come to seek refuge with the Heavenly Gate.

A middle Qi Refining rogue cultivator who specialized in gambling and had no backing simply did not fit.

Silence spread.

At last, Mo Wuy ya spoke first. "Why come to me first? Because I'm a rogue cultivator, with no True Lord arranging things behind me?"

"A rogue cultivator? No True Lord arranging things?" You scoffed. "Do you really believe that?"

Mo Wuy ya frowned. "What do you mean, big brother?"

"Think carefully." You leaned forward, your gaze burning like a torch.

"From coming here to slay a demon 'under a True Lord's control,' to my driving you away, to your returning under the name 'Mo Fan'... were all those choices really your own?"

Mo Wuy ya's expression gradually changed, bewilderment rising in his eyes.

You said no more. Rising to your feet, you faced him—or rather, the invisible existence behind him—

—and solemnly