Chapter 202
“Is that the one with deep pockets who deposited a mountain of gold at Hengtong Trading Company, along with various treasures, to reward anyone who brings him the head of that lucky wife’s soul?”
“Exactly! Just yesterday, a killer from out of town took on Li Mo’s bounty early in the morning, completely unaware of what he was getting into. Guess what happened next?”
“What happened?”
“Tsk tsk, as soon as he stepped out with his weapon, he realized he had been poisoned. Then, a dozen of his peers came rushing out. The scene was just... tsk tsk…”
“Ugh... I have a friend who also took on the bounty to kill Li Mo…”
“Your friend you’re talking about, it wouldn’t be you, would it?”
...
In an instant, the atmosphere in Yunzhou was tense, and the interior of Xiyu Building was in chaos.
Not far from the boat-shaped building, in a secluded private garden, the faint aura of a spirit could be felt, accompanied by the ethereal sound of a celestial maiden’s song carried by the wind.
It was the Saintess practicing her skills inside.
The madam stood at the entrance, ever vigilant, her demeanor tense.
The few people around her shared the same anxiousness.
Suddenly, a disheveled figure tumbled in, dressed in dark clothing, covered in wounds, his complexion a sickly shade of blue-black, clearly afflicted by some potent poison.
The madam recognized him.
He was also a killer at the God Observation realm, a direct subordinate brought over by Yin Mianmian from another state.
“Help... help me…”
The killer’s voice was barely a whisper, his face filled with despair.
Just like many of his past targets whom he had killed.
Yet, seeing the Saintess, he cried for help, but the madam dared not move, her gaze fixed on the darkness not far behind him.
“Huapi, this place seems quite peaceful. It looks like you’ve received quite a few rewards since following the Saintess?”
A man wrapped in a black robe approached.
“Gui Ying, the Saintess is currently in seclusion. No one is allowed to disturb her.”
The madam pulled one hand into her sleeve, her body tense.
Seeing the man’s noncommittal response, she continued, “Li Mo’s bounty is sanctioned by the Saintess, yet you’re obstructing it at every turn, significantly reducing our manpower. Do you think the Yunzhou branch can sever ties with the main branch?!”
“Someone has put up a bounty; we take the money to do the job.”
“Isn’t the Xiyu Building now under the main branch’s authority, rather than the Saintess’s?”
The man in the black robe scoffed.
Pfft—
A flash of black light cut through the air. If one had keen eyesight, they would see it was a fan made of a special metal.
Blood splattered as the dying killer was cleaved in two by the vicious fan, dark red blood pooling on the ground.
The madam’s expression shifted slightly.
When she looked up again, the man in the black robe had vanished, his voice drifting away with the wind:
“The branch leader has a message for you.”
“The Saintess is still young, her wings not yet fully grown, and her actions lack consideration.”
“This piece of land in Yunzhou isn’t ready to be handed over to the Yin family just yet!”
The madam’s expression changed several times.
The corpse on the ground, coupled with those words, was a blatant warning.
Before long, footsteps approached from behind, and she quickly turned to bow.
“Y-you’ve reached the God Observation Ninth Realm?”
Yin Mianmian did not respond.
Though she wore a smile, the murderous intent in her eyes surged, impossible to conceal.
She had indeed taken advantage of the impending storm to place her people in Yunzhou.
She hadn’t expected the branch leader to react so quickly.
Nor had she anticipated that Li Mo could offer such a large sum of money, providing the branch leader with an excuse to eliminate dissenters.
“The only solution now is for Li Mo to die; only then will the bounty he placed be considered over.”
“But we don’t have many people we can use left.”
The madam whispered from the side.
“Ha, I can’t just slink back to the main branch in disgrace.”
Yin Mianmian’s eyes flickered, as if she had made a decision:
“Help me disguise myself.”
“Ah? You... want to go in person?”
...
On the other side, by the shores of Yulong Lake.
“Li Da Ge, it’s so lively here!”
Jiang Chuchong, with a small basket of vegetables, shyly hid behind Li Mo.
“Don’t be afraid; these are all our people.”
Li Mo smiled and patted her head.
The area was already bustling, and in the past couple of days, many more vendors had set up stalls, selling candied hawthorn and performing acrobatics.
Notably, the performers had changed; those who used to perform iron crotch skills, break steel plates with their chests, or wash their hair while upside down had been replaced.
Now, the real daredevils were bathing in venomous insects or throwing darts blindfolded, each dart aimed at the navel...
There was no choice; the street’s performance scene had suddenly become competitive, and the previous group couldn’t keep up.
As they passed by, he even took the opportunity to broaden his horizons.
“Li Ye, may you be blessed.”
“Hey, hey, hey, to be honest, before I entered this line of work, I was a sugar water vendor. Would you like a bowl?”
“Too kind, too kind.”
“You’re now our benefactor…”
After taking a sip of the sugar water, Li Mo handed it to the eagerly watching little Princess Jiang.
As they reached the entrance of the tavern, a commotion suddenly erupted not far away.
“Wait, why is that person acting so suspiciously?”
“Could it be they’re here to assassinate Young Master Li?”
“Seize them and interrogate them thoroughly!”
“Big brother... I just wanted to steal a little money…”
A group of burly figures surrounded the trembling thief, who feared he had broken some heavenly law.
Li Mo looked at the lively and prosperous scene outside and couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride.
Thanks to him, Yulong Street was more vibrant than ever.
The security situation had also improved dramatically.
“If the Yunzhou governor knew, he should really give me a Good Citizen Award.”
Li Mo mused.
“A Good Citizen Award... what’s that?” Little Princess Jiang looked up and asked.
“It’s... um, it’s a kind of recognition, praising you for being a kind-hearted person.”
“Then... can I give Li Da Ge... an award?”
Little Princess Jiang thought Li Da Ge fit the criteria perfectly.
Was the Yunzhou governor blind? Why hadn’t he come to commend Li Da Ge after all this time?
“Haha, I’d be honored.”
Li Mo feigned surprise.
As they entered, everyone from Qingyuan Sect was gathered in the main hall.
Senior Brother Xiaobao leaned over and asked, “What award? Do I have one?”
“Hey, Li Shidi, I performed pretty well at Xiyu Building a couple of days ago, didn’t I?”
Li Mo thought for a moment.
He realized he had indeed troubled everyone to help him and should show his appreciation.
The killers who had assisted him all had bounties; how could he neglect his own people?
But giving everyone individual rewards might not be well-received...
After brainstorming for a moment, Li Mo suddenly had an idea:
“Ahem! I think we should host a banquet.”
“A banquet?”
Shang Wu opened her eyes slightly, suddenly interested.
Xue Jing shook his head, saying, “Xiao Mo, this matter isn’t over yet; it’s not the time to celebrate.”
“It’s not a victory banquet.”
Li Mo walked over to the ice-cold figure sipping tea.
Casually, he picked up the Q-version Xiao Li figure beside her and held it to his mouth like a microphone.
“...”
Ying Bing frowned.
Realizing it was him holding the wooden carving, Yu Rong’s expression turned calm.
He should...
That childish side of him was surfacing again, wanting to do something absurd.
“Given that everyone performed well last time at the Black Building…”
“Life is like a play, all about acting!”
Li Mo coughed a couple of times, his gaze sweeping over everyone:
“So, I think it’s time to start an acting competition.”
“I hereby announce that the first Best Actor Golden Statue Award ceremony of Qingyuan Sect is now beginning.”
“This ceremony will announce the Best Male Lead, Best Supporting Actor, Best Female Lead... and many other awards!”
Little Li, as the host, was quite good at energizing the atmosphere.
Unfortunately, the crowd didn’t quite get his point and didn’t understand what he was talking about.
So, the response was lukewarm.
“Ugh, boring.”
“I still have alchemy to do.”
“I need to finish my manuscript…”
Everyone’s enthusiasm was lacking.
Only one ice-cold figure remained seated.
She appeared expressionless.
Yet, in reality, she subtly pressed her lips together, gathering some mischievous strands of hair from her temples...
Best... Female Lead?
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