Chapter 591
**Chapter 684: A Few Days Without Acting Childish**
The wind swept through the banyan trees at the tail end of summer, and the weather was gradually becoming less oppressive. The Qingshui Pavilion was no longer bustling with visitors every day.
Qingyuan Sect was not an inn after all. Li Mo had bought a house outside to accommodate his grandparents for the betrothal banquet, while Li Dalong and Gu Xueqin went to take care of them.
The morning light was bright, filtering through the gaps in the banyan leaves, casting cool, golden flecks on the ground. Li Mo was waiting at the door early in the morning for Elder Qian to set off with him.
“Dad, Mom, I’m off again. This time I’m heading to the East Sea, which is quite far away.”
Li Mo tilted his head back at a forty-five-degree angle, a mix of sentiment and longing in his expression as he prepared for his journey.
“Hmm, don’t forget to take out the trash by the door when you leave.”
Li Dalong, practicing in the yard, didn’t even turn his head.
“?”
Li Mo’s back stiffened for a moment, finally beginning to understand Uncle Zhong’s feelings when he was ignored in the main hall.
“Son, take these with you.”
Gu Xueqin handed him several bundles filled with clothes and daily necessities, making him carry one in each hand, with another hanging around his neck.
“Thanks, Mom, for preparing these things for my trip, but...”
Li Mo felt a bit touched as he accepted them.
But when he looked down, he noticed there were even women’s clothes inside: “But it seems some of these things might not be necessary...”
“These are for the house in the capital.”
Gu Xueqin looked at him oddly: “Aren’t you quick on your feet? You’ll be there in a flash, and your grandparents have a lot of stuff, so just take a little along.”
“Wait a minute, there’s more.”
His mother turned back to gather more things.
“??”
Two noisy crows flew overhead, perfectly capturing the chaos and helplessness in Li Mo’s heart.
It seemed he had to accept a fact: in his parents’ eyes, he had grown up. He could bear the weight of the world, stronger than they were, and he was no longer a child.
This, perhaps, was what one loses in the process of growing up. How frustrating.
At that moment, Ying Bing also came down from upstairs, joining the family in packing, feeding items into the big-headed doll’s belly.
Her movements were skilled and natural, making his grandparents beam with joy.
His grandmother even worried that the now-famous Han Xianzi would tire herself out, urging her to sit and rest while she lovingly combed Ying Bing’s hair, praising its quality as she did so.
“Little Bing, are you going with Xiao Mo? Grandma will miss you.”
“No, he’ll be back in a couple of days. I’ll stay here at Ziyang Mansion with you.”
“Alright then, Grandma will make you something delicious today.”
Ying Bing sat properly, her squinted eyes sparkling with a sense of comfort and joy.
A colorful butterfly seemed to catch the scent of blooming orchids, landing on the tips of her hair. She noticed it but didn’t shoo it away, allowing it to add a touch of grace and beauty to her.
Li Mo leaned against the door, watching her, a smile unconsciously creeping onto his lips.
He had always been pampered by his family, but Ying Bing had long been unable to feel this familial affection.
The people of the Li family shared a common trait: his mother, his father, his grandparents—they were all thoughtful and meticulous.
They wanted Ying Bing to know that she had family again.
What was it that was said before?
Ying Bing’s smile was beautiful; perhaps he would often see her at her most radiant from now on?
“What are you thinking about?”
Li Mo snapped back to reality, only to find the person he had been admiring was now close, looking up at him with her delicate features.
“I’m going to be away for a few days, so I’m worried about something.”
“Worried about what?”
Ying Bing reached out and took the colorful butterfly from the tips of her hair.
Li Mo said seriously, “When the weather gets hot, there are a lot of mosquitoes. Look how big this one is.”
Ying Bing glanced at the butterfly on his fingertip: “Is this... a mosquito?”
“So before I leave, we need to seal it up in advance, so I can go to the East Sea without worries.”
“It’ll be seen.”
Ying Bing looked back at her grandparents, as if recalling something: “It can’t be in places where it can be seen... not even during the day.”
“Don’t worry, I know a place that can be seen but won’t be discovered, perfect for sealing.”
Li Mo said earnestly.
Then he took her hand and led her along the stream of Qingshui Pavilion, all the way to the place where he used to practice.
Every man should have his own secret base!
He had dug a water curtain cave behind the waterfall back then, and it still looked the same now.
“Have you been preparing this place for a long time?”
Ying Bing was pulled inside, and the light dimmed around them. She said softly:
“If I had known your mind was filled with such chaotic thoughts every day...”
“But, sister, I haven’t acted childish for days now.”
“......”
Ying Bing looked up, then lowered her gaze.
Indeed, little Li Mo was now the pillar of the Li family, and no one saw him as a child anymore. With more family around lately...
“I can’t do anything about you, but... um...”
So, there’s some truth to the saying that where there’s smoke, there’s fire.
A faint ‘woo’ sound echoed, particularly pronounced in the enclosed space.
As everyone knows.
The water curtain cave was separated from the outside by a waterfall, making it stuffy inside. Staying too long would make one feel short of breath, which was why there were now sounds of deep breaths.
“Not allowed.”
“Such a little ice, who can eat that?”
Facing the ever-changing little Li, who was now vaguely on the verge of transforming into a werewolf, Ying Bing hurriedly covered his mouth, preventing him from taking another bite.
Their clothes were already packed, and they were about to set off, with no time to change.
And as everyone knows.
When faced with delicious food, even the toughest mouth will water.
And once again, as everyone knows.
A plain outfit stained with water is definitely noticeable.
...
The family set off for their new residence in Ziyang Mansion, with Qin Yuzhi and Shang Qinqing following along, since with Li Mo gone, there was no one to cook at Qingshui Pavilion.
Li Mo returned and waited for a while. Elder Qian only mentioned it was during the day but didn’t specify when.
With nothing to do, he began to tally his wealth, excluding the rare treasures.
By afternoon, a round figure, roughly the same width and height, finally appeared at the door.
Elder Qian wiped his sweat and said, “There’s a lot to prepare and count. The External Affairs Hall had a pile of matters, and I’ve been at it all morning. Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Thank you for your hard work, Elder. Look at you... um, you’re getting quite plump.”
Li Mo said, his pen still moving as he recorded accounts.
While continuing to write, he added, “You’re not late; I haven’t finished counting yet.”
“What could take you longer than me?”
“Counting money.”
“??”
...
**Chapter 685: The Depths of the East Sea**
The East Sea, where the tides rolled and sparkled, crashed against the harbor. As the mist over the sea dissipated, a bustling town came into view, with buildings topped with colorful shells, making the crowd flowing through them resemble waves.
Well, it wasn’t just the crowd.
Haiqi Town was the last port before entering the East Sea, and it was the very edge of the Ten Lands in the Nine Heavens.
This place did not fall under the jurisdiction of Dayu but was governed by the Penglai Star Sect and the Sea Clan, with islands sprawling like skirts around it.
Of course, compared to the vast ocean, this was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Legend has it that the land once covered a much larger area, but it’s unclear whether it was due to the passage of time or battles between powerful beings that led to the sinking of the Nine Provinces, submerging cities that were once land. Those cities now lay deep beneath the sea, waiting for the fortunate to uncover them.
Every so often, lucky individuals would discover treasures or rare products from the sea to trade, gradually forming a market for exotic goods.
“It’s basically just the Sea Clan and the Human Clan having a big market day, right?”
As the cloud of mist dissipated, Li Mo stepped onto solid ground, listening to Elder Qian’s introduction.
He wore sunglasses, not because the sun was scorching on the sea, but simply because he thought it looked cool.
Surveying the lively market, with the massive fishbone ship’s sails fluttering in the harbor, he gazed out at the vast ocean.
In this moment, with the atmosphere just right, Li Mo couldn’t help but exclaim:
“I’m going to find treasures deep in the sea. I’m going to be the Pirate King!”
Table of Contents
