Getting Closer to the Truth (Please Bookmark)

Black Rock City.

This was the first city Chen Mo had visited since arriving in this world, and it was even more magnificent than he had imagined.

According to the map, the city known as Black Rock City ranked among the foremost of all major cities in the Jia Ma Empire.

Chen Mo had come here to rest briefly, then set off again once the Green Beak Eagle had recovered.

Flying was forbidden over Black Rock City.

The two guided the Green Beak Eagle straight down and landed at the city gates.

"That's a Green Beak Eagle."

"The Cloud Silver Sword. Those two are disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect."

Their arrival made the already bustling crowd even livelier, and everyone looked at them with envy.

The colossal Misty Cloud Sect had long cast its shadow over the hearts of the Jia Ma Empire's people.

After paying the tax at the city gate, they were smoothly allowed inside.

Chen Mo wore a white disciple's robe. Tall and straight, with sharply defined features and a handsome, angular face, he led the Green Beak Eagle ahead.

Nalan Yanran followed closely behind in a fitted disciple's robe. Gentle and refined, pretty and charming, her elegant steps carried a pleasing grace.

A handsome man and a beautiful woman.

Walking together like an immortal couple, coupled with their status as Misty Cloud Sect disciples, they drew the attention of countless passersby.

"Senior Sister, let's find a restaurant for a meal and rest for a while before leaving." Since it was still early, Chen Mo did not intend to stay the night. He merely wanted to replenish his strength before heading to the next city.

Nalan Yanran nodded. Although the Tagor Great Desert made her feel a hint of danger, being able to travel with Chen Mo made her happy instead.

The cries of vendors on both sides of the street, the bustling shouts, the crowds packed around roadside stalls—countless unfamiliar sights flashed chaotically before Chen Mo's eyes like a revolving lantern.

An unfamiliar city, unfamiliar streets, unfamiliar people.

At that moment, a trace of loneliness rose in his heart.

How ridiculous. What are you thinking, Chen Mo? You were an orphan in your previous life anyway. What difference does it make to you between these two worlds?

Chen Mo mocked himself inwardly. As he caught the faint fragrance that belonged to Nalan Yanran beside him, he understood that what mattered most was cherishing what was before him.

When they passed a stall selling accessories, Chen Mo stopped.

Pointing at a pale green Jade Hairpin decorated with a phoenix pattern, Chen Mo asked, "Boss, how much is this hairpin?"

The owner was an honest-looking middle-aged man. After glancing at the way they were dressed, he knew they were not people to provoke, so he did not name an outrageous price. "One hundred and ten Gold Coins. If the young master likes it, one hundred will do."

Tossing out a small pouch of Gold Coins without hesitation, Chen Mo immediately moved to put it in Nalan Yanran's hair.

Nalan Yanran froze. A blush swiftly rose across her pretty face as she stared blankly at Chen Mo placing the Jade Hairpin into her hair.

"Beautiful," Chen Mo praised.

"This Jade Hairpin truly suits this Miss," the owner said at just the right moment.

Chen Mo's praise made Nalan Yanran feel delighted. She raised a delicate hand to touch the Jade Hairpin in her hair. Though it was not as valuable as any one of her own hairpins, in her heart, this one was worth more than all her previous hairpins combined.

At the same time, Nalan Yanran's thoughts wandered elsewhere. Junior Brother gave me a Jade Hairpin... What does he mean? Could it be that he likes me too?

Chen Mo had no idea she had thought so much in an instant. He had merely acted on a whim. If she had not been right beside him, he would have wanted to buy a few more to give to others.

A small incident occurred on their way to the restaurant. As they passed a relatively quiet street, a man selling books in a corner spotted them and, like a startled rabbit, hurriedly packed up his things and left.

The restaurant.

Just as the storyteller's tale reached its climax, the clapper in his hand paused. His expression turned as though he had seen a ghost, and he could not continue.

The customers who had been listening intently began shouting, "Storyteller, what's going on? What happened to that kid afterward?"

"That's right, what happened? Keep talking! I'm not short on a little storytelling money."

The restaurant owner, who had also been engrossed in the story, heard someone knock on the counter. Turning around, he wore the same fearful expression as the storyteller and asked nervously, "T-two honored guests, are you staying the night or having a meal?"

At the same time, he thought, It's over, it's over. I really let money blind me.

Since stories about Chen Mo had recently become popular, he had specifically gone to a bookstore not registered with the empire's authorities and bought a popular fanfiction book. He had then hired a storyteller to tell it.

The past two days had been fine, but today's story was somewhat explicit.

It was bad enough that it was explicit, yet people from the Misty Cloud Sect had shown up today of all days.

"Bring two signature dishes and a pot of good wine. There are also two Green Beak Eagles outside—prepare the finest food to serve them." Chen Mo tossed out a pouch of Gold Coins and looked strangely at the owner. Was he really that frightening?

"Y-yes, right away."

Chen Mo and Nalan Yanran found an empty table and sat down. As they passed the storyteller, he went limp like a puddle of mud and collapsed.

Only then did the customers finally realize something.

"The Cloud Silver Sword—they're disciples of the Misty Cloud Sect."

"Judging by their clothes, bearing, and physique, they seem to hold no low status in the Misty Cloud Sect."

Whispers spread through the restaurant.

Fortunately, most people did not know what Chen Mo looked like. If they knew the two people sitting there were the very protagonists of the story just told, there would not have been anyone left in the restaurant.

Making up stories about, and even indulging in sexual fantasies about, Misty Cloud Sect disciples... tsk tsk...

"Does the Misty Cloud Sect have a bad reputation outside?"

"It's very good. Every recruitment season, plenty of people sign up."

"Then that's strange. Why do they look at us as if they've seen ghosts?"

Just as the two were feeling puzzled, a waiter shakily approached with a pot of wine. He hurriedly set it down and was about to leave when Chen Mo grabbed his arm.

"H-honored guest, what are your orders?" The waiter's legs were trembling so badly that he could barely stand straight.

Everyone's gazes turned toward them.

The storyteller had already packed up his things and was preparing to slip away.

"I'm asking you, what happened here just now? And why are you so afraid of me?" Chen Mo demanded sternly.

Naturally, the waiter did not dare tell the truth and could only offer a few perfunctory replies.

Chen Mo was not an evil man, after all. Without evidence, he could not force someone to explain himself.

When Chen Mo did not press further, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

After resting for a while and leaving the restaurant.

Chen Mo saw the book-selling man again on that quiet street.

When the man saw Chen Mo, he tried to run again.

This time, Chen Mo did not let him get away.

He unleashed Body Like a Swimming Dragon and appeared before the man in the blink of an eye.

Chen Mo and Nalan Yanran blocked him from the front and back, trapping him in the middle of the street.

Some content was added to Chapter 24 regarding the factions. It does not affect the overall plot. Those who are interested may go back and read it again.