Chapter 58
"I've arranged for grain from Hengtong Trading Company. Today, we can set up the charity hall."
"Thank you for your efforts."
Li Mo took out a silver note he had prepared earlier.
"Since we are following the family teachings to do good, we shouldn't burden others. I hope you won't refuse, old sir."
"I'm already grateful to have the support of the Murong family and their manpower."
When it comes to investment returns, of course, he would handle it himself.
Money was the one thing he had in abundance.
"Youth, your kind heart puts this old man to shame."
Murong Hai nodded and called over the passing steward:
"Go wake up Xiao'er to help."
"And send someone to spread the word in the city. Hmm... let Xiao'er do it."
"Understood."
...
On that day.
In the streets and alleys of Ziyang City, a person was beating a gong and ringing a bell, drawing many curious glances.
"Li Zhen, the true disciple of Qingyuan Sect, has come down the mountain to distribute food! All the refugees can line up for porridge and rice! The location is at Murong Mansion!"
Murong Xiao's voice was loud and clear, his face flushed with excitement as he shouted.
Well...
In truth, Li Mo had no intention of seeking fame.
It was mainly Murong Xiao who was eager for the whole world to know that his brother Li was a kind-hearted person.
The first part of that announcement was his own addition.
In a nearby tavern, discussions erupted.
"True disciple of Qingyuan Sect?"
"I have a vague impression of that name. Isn't he the one who obtained the Xuanbing?"
"Could it be that he has taken on a sect mission to come down and aid the disaster victims?"
In the corner of the tavern, a thin, disheveled beggar slowly raised his head, watching Murong Xiao's retreating figure.
No one noticed that beneath his straw-like hair, his eyes glinted with malice.
"Qingyuan Sect... Li Zhen."
"Distributing porridge and rice, specifically for the refugees and beggars. Could it be that my whereabouts have been leaked?"
Cui Peng's eyes flickered with cold light, waves of murderous intent surging within him.
It was only natural for Qingyuan Sect to issue a mission to capture him.
But what puzzled him was that he had only disguised himself as a beggar after arriving in Ziyang City; there was no reason for anyone to know.
Yet, the moment they arrived, they began distributing food.
It was clear they were targeting him.
"Li Mo, a newly promoted true disciple of Qingyuan Sect, has just joined the sect."
"A mere Qi Blood Realm cultivator dares to take on the task of capturing me? What audacity! It seems he relies on the Murong family’s help, thinking of me as a fish in a barrel."
"Could it be that Qingyuan Sect wants to use me as a stepping stone for their true disciples?"
"Heh... they should be careful not to break their own blade."
Cui Peng's eyes glinted with increasing ferocity.
The short knife hidden in his robe felt hot, and he instinctively grasped the hilt.
He practiced the Blood Blade technique; with every soul he claimed, his blade would grow sharper.
At first, he practiced in secret.
Later, when his fellow disciples discovered him, he had to kill them to silence them.
Who would have thought that the matter would be exposed, turning him into a rat scurrying across the street?
"Now, I have no way out."
"My only escape is to join the Xiyu Tower."
"If I can take the head of this true disciple of Qingyuan Sect as a token of allegiance, perhaps I can avoid the trial of the abyss..."
Indeed.
Cui Peng was preparing to join the Xiyu Tower and become an assassin.
Just right, the martial arts he practiced were meant for killing.
A true disciple of Qingyuan Sect's head, along with a Xuanbing long sword, would be enough for him to enjoy high status after joining.
Of course, this had to be approached carefully.
For now, he still had no clear understanding of his target.
"He should only know that I've disguised myself as a beggar, but he doesn't know my exact location."
"I'm in the dark, while he is in the light."
"Fool, trying to lure me out, yet making himself the target of everyone's arrows..."
"Hehehe... let’s see who ends up walking into the trap."
Cui Peng stood up and walked toward a small beggar ahead.
He patted the small beggar on the back, causing the boy to turn around.
"What do you want?"
The small beggar looked back, a hint of wariness in his eyes.
"You’re going to Murong Mansion for porridge, right?"
"Yeah, if you want to go, go by yourself. I’m too busy to help you carry it."
The small beggar shook his head repeatedly.
"I don’t want porridge."
Cui Peng suppressed the murderous intent in his eyes, trying to appear friendly, and took out a copper coin.
The small beggar's eyes lit up with desire.
"When you go to get the porridge, just touch the hem of that true disciple of Qingyuan Sect's clothes, and this coin is yours."
"If you come back to the East City’s Mud Corner Alley and tell me what he looks like, I’ll give you another coin."
The copper coin was smeared with a special scent he had prepared.
Only specially trained rats could detect it.
"Okay!"
The small beggar took the coin and happily ran off.
...
At the entrance of Murong Mansion.
In front of the bamboo shelter set up for the charity hall, a long line formed, mostly consisting of ragged, pale-faced individuals—refugees and impoverished citizens alike.
"Wow, such thick porridge!"
"Not only porridge, but also a small bag of rice! Wait... there’s even half a salted fish!"
"Tsk tsk... I thought that Li Zhen was just seeking fame, but it turns out he’s quite genuine."
"Even if he really wants to earn a reputation, we’re still getting real benefits."
"Don’t talk nonsense; he’s personally distributing the food and even has all the beggars lining up for him."
...
The chatter was incessant.
Inside the porridge shelter.
Li Mo was busier than a spinning top, personally handing out porridge and rice while also using his Tianming Divine Eye to observe.
He found it strange.
He had only mentioned wanting to do good; he hadn’t even revealed his identity.
How did everyone know who he was?
It was easy to foresee.
After today, he would likely become a well-known benefactor in Ziyang City.
"Who exactly told them that the charity hall was set up by me?"
As he handed out the food, he turned back to Murong Xiao:
"Brother Murong, do you have any clues?"
"Uh... I... don’t know..."
Murong Xiao's voice was hoarse, and it took him a long time to finish his sentence.
Li Mo shook his head and continued to ladle out porridge.
At the same time, he activated his Tianming Divine Eye:
【Name: Lu Ning】
【Age: 21】
【Root Bone: None.】
【Realm: Mortal.】
【Fate: Gray.】
【Evaluation: Ambitious but lacking talent.】
【Recent Encounter: Originally from a wealthy family, he secretly left home to do business, lost everything, and was too ashamed to return, thus becoming a beggar in the city.】
He handed a small bag of rice to a beggar who was deliberately covering his face.
Li Mo sighed lightly, "You should go home early. Bowing to your family is better than bowing for five pecks of rice."
The beggar trembled as he took the rice bag, softly thanking Li Mo.
"Have you seen a beggar with a wound on his chest, bright eyes, and a stutter?"
"Replying to the great benefactor Li, I haven’t seen him."
"Alright, you can go."
Li Mo felt a bit troubled.
He had seen quite a few beggars this morning.
Some pretended to be poor to get charity rice, while others were failed candidates heading to the capital for exams, showcasing the myriad of life’s struggles.
Yet, the person he was looking for was still nowhere to be found.
Could it be that the small beggar hadn’t mingled with the others?
Or perhaps, there was an issue with the information given by Bing Tuo?
Just as he was lost in thought.
"Great benefactor Li, thank you."
Looking down, he saw a frail little beggar, around seven or eight years old, timidly standing there.
"Can you carry the rice?"
"Uh-huh."
As he handed the rice bag to the boy, Li Mo noticed a small claw mark on his clothes.
Looking at the little beggar, he saw him biting his lip, closing his eyes, as if bracing for a beating.
"It’s fine, I’ll just wash it later."
Li Mo couldn’t help but chuckle.
"You... really are a good person..."
"Have you seen a stuttering beggar with bright eyes and a wound on his chest?"
Li Mo casually asked.
"Huh? Do you know Stuttering Sister?"
The little beggar's eyes widened.
"Stuttering Sister?"
Li Mo raised an eyebrow.
He was about to ask again when the little beggar suddenly covered his mouth, as if he had made a mistake, and hurriedly ran into the crowd.
But his information was detailed in Li Mo's Tianming Divine Eye:
【Name: Meng Can】
【Age: 7】
【Root Bone: None.】
【Realm: Mortal.】
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