105. A Duel of Ink and Invitation

“Fei, sister, long time no see!”

The single utterance of “Fei, sister” sent ripples of surprise and suspicion through the crowd, especially among the Gu family members, who all turned to look at Gu Fei with expressions too complex to name.

Yet Gu Fei’s face remained unchanged. Her fingertip slowly traced the handrail as she passed, the polished smoothness where her touch lingered catching the light. Her eyes flickered subtly, her voice calm and unembellished. “Thanks to Brother Mo’s concern, I am very much alive and well.”

Mo Geyi chuckled softly, smoothing back his long sleeves. With a step, he walked slowly down the cleared aisle to stand before Gu Fei. His gaze swept over her legs once, and the smile on his lips deepened, warm as spring. “Seeing you so lively and spirited comforts me greatly, Fei sister. I didn’t expect you to be here in Yizhou as well. After the grand ceremony, you must have a proper chat with your big brother.”

Gu Fei’s almond-shaped eyes narrowed, a sharp gleam falling like shattered snowflakes. In an instant, the coldness settled like a mountain of ice. “It is my duty.”

She knew well that yielding would be futile, that patience would not bring peace. So she faced the challenge head-on. She was determined to see how this mighty dragon, Mo Geyi, would dare act recklessly in her own territory, half his own turf as it were. She had already planned that after the grand ceremony, if Mo Geyi wished to return to the capital unscathed, he would have to leave something behind.

If he plotted against her, she had her own counterplots.

Months had passed since they last met, and though their reunion seemed to stir little overt commotion, only those in the middle truly sensed the eerie tension.

At least Mo Yan did. He scrutinized Gu Fei for a long time, and with Mo Geyi’s calling her “Fei sister,” the very name “Fei” was a torment he had carried for ten years.

He examined her carefully—from her brows and eyes to her lips and nose—and faintly caught a sense of familiarity in her gaze. His heart wavered violently, as if struck by a tidal wave, leaving him dizzy and breathless.

He heard himself ask, “Young master, do you know her?”

That question was on many lips present.

Mo Geyi cast a meaningful glance at Mo Yan, the corners of his eyes curling in a mocking smile as if amused by Mo Yan’s ignorance. “Uncle Mo doesn’t know? She is…”

“Ah Fei…” Mo Yan’s voice faltered as if struck by lightning. Standing there under the blazing sun, he felt the bone-chilling cold of the deepest winter, a cold that froze to the marrow. His lips parted helplessly, like a stranded fish out of water.

Gu Fei had no mind to deal with Mo Yan at the moment. In truth, all her thoughts were racing as she silently assessed every faction attending the grand ceremony. Inwardly, she calculated who might confront her outright, who required close attention, and which minor workshops could be absorbed later under the foundation of Xuan Zhu Workshop.

Of course, the one demanding the most vigilance was Mo Geyi.

She clearly understood that Mo Geyi would inevitably appear at the guild’s grand ceremony today, and she knew the weapon he was most likely to wield against her was her true identity. She had prepared for this long ago. In fact, even if her identity were exposed now, the Gu family would never dare to cast her out. Thus, her greatest concern was Mo Yan’s reaction afterward; the rest were of little consequence.

That Mo Geyi did not immediately reveal her identity upon meeting suggested he intended to strike her when she was down. She was curious just how deep that pit was—if it wouldn’t drown her, she was determined to drag Mo Geyi down with her to the bottom.

Just as these thoughts crossed her mind, Mo Yan suddenly rushed to her side, trembling slightly as he whispered, “You are Ah Fei?”

The uncertainty in his words aged him ten years in an instant. Gu Fei looked at him coldly, as if appraising a corpse.

“Father, the grand ceremony is about to begin. We should take our seats,” Mo Yuhua intervened, stepping forward to steady Mo Yan, his finger pressing firmly as a subtle reminder.

Mo Yan snapped back to himself, quickly suppressing his surprise. His narrow eyes grew solemn. “Take our seats. Now.”

He descended the steps and, as he turned, cast a deep look at Gu Fei.

Mo Geyi’s mouth twitched into a slight smirk. Lifting his robe, he too glanced at Gu Fei with thick amusement in his eyes. He parted his lips slightly, moving them in a way only Gu Fei could see.

Gu Fei’s hand paused on the handrail. Her gaze sharpened like lightning, as if blades and swords danced before her. She understood perfectly what Mo Geyi’s silent words meant:

“You’re dead meat.”

She sneered in return, refusing to be outdone. A thin, icy blade curved at the corner of her mouth, so cold it seemed to chill the air around her.

Gu Min and Gu Zhong exchanged a glance; in that silent moment, much was understood between father and son.

Soon after, Gu Min led the Gu family to follow behind the small Mo family to their seats. Gu Fei was about to slip toward the back, planning to leave quietly and act alone when Mo Geyi called out loudly from the front, “Fei sister, sit here.”

Once again, all eyes turned to Gu Fei. Mo Geyi’s smile was restrained and noble, while Gu Fei pressed her lips into a straight line. Her eyes darkened suddenly, like the abyssal depths of an ink sea, void of light.

Gu Fei’s nurse pushed her forward, placing her within a fist’s distance of Mo Geyi.

It was a prime spot, with a clear view of the empty spaces across the venue. Soon, every participant in the grand ceremony would present their most prized ink pellets, explaining their unique qualities—this was the first segment.

The second segment promised an extraordinary ink duel. The top fifty winners from the first segment could challenge any opponent to a match, where the stakes could be formulas, hammering techniques, or secret skills.

The third segment allowed esteemed families present at the ceremony to bid on favored ink pellets. If both parties agreed, even the formula could be sold.

Finally, in the evening, ink masters would gather freely to exchange insights, unrestricted by the guild, mingling within their own circles.

Though Gu Fei had never participated before, thanks to Feng Lizhi, she understood these rules well.

Throughout, Mo Geyi kept his gaze fixed on her. She treated his stare as background noise, watching Feng Lizhi follow behind Feng Puyu’s entourage.

Feng Puyu was the guild’s ink envoy, highly respected, and so seated beside other guild envoys. In such a setting, Feng Lizhi dared not act independently. After seeing Gu Fei, he gave a nod and obediently trailed Feng Puyu.

Unbeknownst to them, Mo Geyi had observed this clearly. He leaned close to Gu Fei’s ear and murmured, “It seems that fellow is Feng Lizhi, the famed grandson of the Feng family in Yizhou. So, Fei sister knows him?”

Gu Fei’s heart tightened. She turned her head, voice cold as shards of ice. “Just an insignificant brat. Is he really worth Brother Mo’s concern? Has leaving the capital spoiled your taste, Brother Mo?”

Her words were sharp and mocking as a blade, yet Mo Geyi brushed them off lightly, never falling for her ruse. “The more you say that, Fei sister, the more curious I become about him. Tell me, if I challenge him to an ink duel, betting the Feng family’s hammering technique, what do you think?”

Rage surged within Gu Fei’s chest like a tidal wave, yet her face bloomed with a radiant smile, tender as the first buds of spring. Her eyes were stark and clear, compelling one not to look away. “A good idea. But everything has its order. I’ve had my eye on the Feng family’s hammering technique as well. So it seems we share the same plan, big brother. Do you intend to let me have my way?”

Mo Geyi only smiled and shook his head. As unease swept through Gu Fei’s heart, he suddenly rose, cupping his hands and loudly declaring toward Feng Puyu’s direction, “I am Mo Geyi of the Mo family from the capital. Today, I come to Yizhou especially for Elder Feng. I humbly ask all present to allow me to invite the young master of the Feng family to an ink duel!”