Chapter 277
Looking at Zhong Zhenyue's expression of a steel-strong man, Xiao Li couldn't help but feel a bit of sympathy for Zhong Ling.
"I'll go back and study military formations more seriously. I hope next time I can help Zhenyue challenge you."
"Sure, but I think I got the better end of the deal."
Li Mo nodded in agreement.
If it weren't for Zhong Ling, he wouldn't have grasped the changes in the "Ya Zi" technique today, and his slow progress in the "Extreme Martial Body" had also shown a hint of improvement.
And he had received investment feedback.
He couldn't ask for more challenges like this.
At that moment, Qu Sheng walked in through the training ground gate, his gaze toward Li Mo filled with increasing admiration.
"It seems I was overthinking it. Little brother Li can venture deep into the territory of the demon race and return unscathed. How could a small camp like Qingmu not be like a fish in water?"
The expressions of the soldiers and Zhong Ling shifted slightly.
They had thought the rankings of the Hidden Dragon List were exaggerated. What did it mean to venture deep into the southern border? After all, Qingmu City could also be considered deep in the southern border.
They never expected this young man had actually returned from the demon territory.
He had strength, courage, and audacity.
"You're flattering me. I just took advantage of the situation; I can't compare to Captain Qu guarding the border city."
"Took advantage?"
"I have a form-based martial art that, when practiced deeply, can resemble the demon race."
This wasn't a secret.
Li Mo figured Captain Qu must have known a thing or two from military reports. After all, a person in the Observation Realm, if relying solely on their human form, how could they stir up trouble in the demon territory?
"Can you even transform into disaster beasts?"
"I just had a feeling of facing a ferocious beast head-on; it turns out it was your form-based martial art, Little Brother Li."
"To practice form-based martial arts to such a high level, is that really possible?"
"Otherwise, how could he be a prodigy?"
The personal guards couldn't help but discuss among themselves.
If someone had told them such shocking news before, who would have believed it?
"Transforming into disaster beasts..." Zhong Ling's eyes brightened.
Zhong Zhenyue glanced at her and said, "Brother Li, although I've trained for a while, I've hardly faced powerful disaster beasts. It's all just talk. Would you be willing to simulate the form of a disaster beast for me and the soldiers to gain some experience?"
Li Mo nodded, "No problem."
"As for compensation..." Zhong Zhenyue hesitated, glancing at Qu Sheng.
"No need for compensation."
His straightforwardness left everyone momentarily stunned, including Qu Sheng.
Gaining even a bit more experience against disaster beasts could save the soldiers a lot of bloodshed, and with Li Mo's unheard-of martial art, there likely wasn't another like it in the world.
The amount of compensation was purely up to what Li Mo wanted.
"You all helped me find someone without asking for compensation, right? To be honest, I have some assets; I'm not short on gold or silver."
"That’s not the same..." Zhong Zhenyue was taken aback.
Li Mo smiled, "A favor for a favor, it’s the same principle."
Investing in the Qingmu camp meant a solid eight thousand men.
And he was only giving up some time to be a sparring partner.
Even without this investment feedback, he would have agreed.
Qu Sheng paused for a moment, then suddenly burst into hearty laughter.
"Little Brother Li, you truly are the most interesting young man I've ever met. Since today is a rest day, why not come to my tent for a meal?"
"That's not necessary; I still need to return to the inn."
"Oh?"
As night fell, Qingmu City, though not bustling, was brightly lit, showcasing many citizens dressed in various styles.
It might not compare to the dazzling night scenes of Yunzhou, but it offered a unique charm of the southern border.
According to Zhong Zhenyue, Qingmu City was once a desolate place twenty years ago, but under Uncle Qu's governance, it had become a place where people could live in peace and security.
Many brothers from Nanguan City had even found a home here, putting down roots.
"Boss, are you going to make sugar paintings again today?"
Passing by the sugar painting stall from yesterday, the chubby vendor's grandson immediately recognized their leader.
"Want one?"
Li Mo turned to ask.
As soon as he spoke, he felt a delicate hand tighten in his palm, her fingertips curling slightly.
"I had one yesterday," Ying Bing shook her head.
"You can have one that's different from yesterday. They say flavor, aroma, and appearance are all important, so the appearance matters. A different shape offers a whole new experience."
"How so?" Zhong Ling asked curiously. She had heard that to win a person's heart, one must first win their stomach.
For instance, look at Li Mo and Ying Bing.
If it weren't for Li Mo's exceptional cooking, would the renowned Cold Fairy really wait at the camp gate for him to come home?
To be honest, she was quite surprised. At first glance, she thought the Cold Fairy truly lived up to her name, like a celestial being untouched by the mundane world.
The "Wang Qi Dou Hun" (旺妻斗魂) spirit... although she promised not to call him that in front of Li Mo...
But at this moment, the vibe between the two gave Zhong Ling the impression...
There were only wrong names, never wrong nicknames!
Li Mo smiled slightly; this was his forte.
"Different shapes of the same food can either whet the appetite or make it hard to swallow. Let me give you an example."
Li Mo took a small spoonful of sugar syrup from the stall, poured it onto the table, and gently stirred it with a bamboo stick.
"Do you think this looks appetizing?"
Little Li pointed at the twisted, excrement-like shape of the sugar syrup on the table.
"Ugh..."
From Zhong Zhenyue's instinctive gagging, it was clear what his answer was.
"....."
Zhong Ling thought to herself that this "Wang Qi Dou Hun" had quite the artistic talent.
He understood what it meant for something to look unappetizing.
Ying Bing tilted her head slightly.
"This is a negative example," Li Mo chuckled.
"And the positive example?"
"Let me think."
As Li Mo used his scorching true essence to reheat the sugar syrup, his gaze lowered in thought.
This was actually an unconscious action he took when pondering.
But unfortunately, a pair of delicate, long legs, adorned with white stockings, came into view.
I wonder if anyone else has had this experience.
When zoning out while taking notes in class, only to look back at your notebook and find it filled with random thoughts, or during an exam, realizing you accidentally wrote down the name of your crush in a fill-in-the-blank question...
Little Li was currently in that situation.
"Brother Li, is this what you meant by looking appetizing...?"
"This seems to be..."
Zhong Ling and Zhong Zhenyue exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.
Ying Bing's peripheral vision swept over.
A true gentleman...
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