Only after safely bringing Xia Qingqing and the others back to school did Su Mo’s mission finally come to a successful conclusion.
The moment he arrived on campus, he was summoned by Wang Ye to the office of the Supernatural Department’s director. Yang Jie was also there.
“Greetings, Commander Yang. Hello, Director Wang,” Su Mo said politely.
“I heard you got captured inside?” Yang Jie adjusted his glasses as he spoke.
“Yeah, by the Ya Xian from the Hundred Immortals Sect and some foreigner.”
“Why did they capture you?”
Su Mo answered without hesitation: “How should I know? They insisted I had obtained the Yazi inheritance and tried to force me to reveal it.”
Yang Jie’s eyes flickered slightly. “Did you obtain it?”
With a firm expression, Su Mo shook his head. “No. If I had, I would’ve reported it immediately.”
Both Yang Jie and Wang Ye remained expressionless, and the atmosphere in the office grew tense for a moment.
After about thirty seconds, Yang Jie suddenly smiled. “Remember this exact demeanor. If anyone asks, answer like this. Understood?”
“Commander Yang, what do you mean? I’m afraid I don’t quite follow,” Su Mo replied with perfect seriousness.
“Even Wang Ye and I aren’t trying to take it from you, yet you still lie to us?” Yang Jie said, exasperated. “The truth is, the Northern Dipper organization has long been aware of the Yazi inheritance—it’s just that no one could obtain it before. First, the inheritance hadn’t been activated, and second, the right person hadn’t appeared. Now that both conditions have been met, I assume you’ve officially inherited it.”
Su Mo scratched his head sheepishly. “As expected of Commander Yang. You saw right through me.”
“Without that admission, I’d only have been 90% sure.”
What an old fox, Su Mo thought inwardly. Good thing I didn’t rush to explain what the inheritance actually entails.
But then Yang Jie continued, “I’m not interested in the specifics of the inheritance, and you don’t need to worry about me fishing for information. However, Elder Nan Gong personally instructed that if you did obtain it, you’re free to use it—just repay the organization with future contributions.”
“Repay?” Su Mo was stunned. “But wasn’t this the reward Elder Nan Gong promised me? Besides, I earned it through my own—”
“Elder Nan Gong said the reward was merely the opportunity to obtain the inheritance. Whether you succeeded or not depended entirely on you. But once you did, you could only use it with his authorization.” Yang Jie pulled out an ancient-looking jade token and handed it over. “This is for you.”
Having learned his lesson, Su Mo didn’t immediately take it. Instead, he eyed it suspiciously. “This isn’t another fancy-looking but secretly miserable assignment, is it? I bet you’re just using this to rope me into more work.”
“This time is different. I personally applied for this as a good assignment for you.” Yang Jie pressed the token into Su Mo’s hand. “Take a guess first.”
Su Mo examined the jade token. On one side was the image of a crow, and on the other, a full moon.
Recalling Yang Jie’s title as Kuimu Lang (Wood Wolf), Su Mo ventured a guess: “Could this be… Biyue Wu (Moon Crow)?”
Kuimu Lang, Loujin Gou, Weitu Zhi, Maori Ji, Biyue Wu, Zihou Hou, and Shenshui Yuan were the seven mansions of the Western White Tiger constellation, so his guess wasn’t unfounded.
“Correct. It’s Biyue Wu.”
Hearing the confirmation, Su Mo struggled to define his emotions—excitement? Nervousness? Concern?
Within the Northern Dipper organization, aside from the seven executive elders (Tianshu, Tianxuan, Tianji, Tianquan, Yuheng, Kaiyang, Yaoguang) and other council members, the Twenty-Eight Mansions held the highest status.
But in terms of mystique, the Twenty-Eight Mansions were no less enigmatic than the elders.
Their positions were special, and the missions they undertook were often dangerous—they were the equivalent of special forces, far more elite than the Special Operations Teams.
“So? Do you accept?”
Su Mo pocketed the Biyue Wu identity token and grinned. “Commander Yang, how could I refuse such an honorable position? I won’t let you down.”
Leaders loved hearing such words, and Yang Jie was no exception.
“By the way, now that I’m Biyue Wu, does that mean I’m on the same level as you, Commander Yang?” Su Mo suddenly asked the question that had been nagging at him.
Wang Ye, standing nearby, nearly facepalmed. “What are you thinking? Commander Yang is Kuimu Lang, the leader of the Western Seven Mansions, and also holds the position of White Tiger Guard—his status is on par with the elders.”
“Ahaha, is that so? Guess I didn’t do my research,” Su Mo chuckled awkwardly.
“But we are equals—it’s just that my other duties outrank yours slightly.” Wang Ye reintroduced himself: “Like you, I’m one of the Western Seven Mansions—Loujin Gou (Metal Dog).”
No wonder Wang Ye holds such a high position—he’s also one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions! Su Mo finally understood.
Yang Jie added, “Remember, as one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, we take orders from only one person—the Northern Dipper’s helmsman, the Chief Elder. No one else has the authority to command us.”
“Elder Tianshu?”
“Exactly. Though for now, Elder Tianxuan is acting on his behalf.”
The inner workings of the Northern Dipper seemed complicated, giving off an undercurrent of intrigue. But Su Mo didn’t pry further, only asking a few more questions about his own responsibilities before leaving.
At the same time, he received his first mission as Biyue Wu—to eliminate the remnants of the Hundred Immortals Sect in Jiang City.
Ironically, he was once again entangled with the Hundred Immortals Sect, but this time, he was the one taking the initiative.
According to regulations, he could form a small task force of 3-5 members, selecting them from the student body.
Su Mo immediately chose Ye Qingyi. As for the others… Huo Jingshu, Xia Qingqing, and Luo Xiu seemed like the best options in terms of both strength and teamwork.
He sent messages to each of them, arranging to meet at a restaurant.
Huo Jingshu arrived first—she was always meticulous, and tardiness was simply not in her nature.
Next came Luo Xiu and Xia Qingqing. Ye Qingyi, however, was slightly late, rushing in breathlessly. “Sorry, something held me up.”
“No problem, we just got here ourselves,” Su Mo said, gesturing for her to sit before getting straight to the point.
He explained the mission’s risks and details thoroughly, emphasizing that participation was voluntary.
The reactions from the others varied.
“I’m in,” Ye Qingyi said without hesitation. Su Mo had already filled her in on everything—she knew what the others knew, and more.
Xia Qingqing patted her chest lightly and grinned at Su Mo. “Count me in too!”
Huo Jingshu’s face lit up with rare excitement. “I—I’m also in.”
Luo Xiu, however, hesitated, his expression conflicted. “Sorry… I might not be able to join this time.”
“That’s fine. If you can’t make it now, there’ll be other chances,” Su Mo said understandingly. “Mind sharing why? Maybe we can help.”
After a long pause, Luo Xiu sighed heavily.
“I’m going home to get married.”