Undercurrents Surge, Li Family Offers Great Reward!

Chapter 27: Undercurrents Surge, Li Family's Generous Reward!

Chapter 27: Undercurrents Surge, Li Family's Generous Reward!

Just past noon, a carriage hurried towards the Qianjin Escort Agency.

At the long table in the agency hall, Old Master Zhao's face showed a hint of anger. He slammed the table and shouted, "Young Master Zhou, I partnered with you based on your father's past support. I gave you merit, and you help me seize the Li Family's business..."

Zhou Qiankun swayed his folding fan, his expression neither pleased nor displeased. "What is this about, Old Master Zhao?"

"What is this about?" Old Master Zhao's plump face trembled. Energy surged from his hand, leaving a clear palm print on the long table. "You're asking me what this is about? Of the small gangs in Changhe County, eight out of ten belong to your escort agency. And the Tiger Gang was wiped out by the Li Family yesterday!"

"This matter? What's the panic?" Zhou Qiankun's eyes held a subtle glint. He then smiled and appeased, "Why should Old Master Zhao be angry? I've already made arrangements for the Water Ghost incident. With experts emerging all over Changhe County these past few days, we'll act the morning after tomorrow, using the signal arrow. Then we strike."

"You've made arrangements for the Water Ghosts at the docks to come ashore? I'm afraid that Li Family..." Old Master Zhao retorted with a frown.

"Your Zhao Family Grain Store's retainers aren't useless. Moreover, the Li Family is merely a third-rate force. If my escort agency secretly sends more men, we'll annihilate their entire fighting strength here this time."

"That would be for the best. Then it's settled. I'll go back and arrange the retainers immediately."

Old Master Zhao arrived in a hurry and left in a hurry. Zhou Qiankun propped his chin, his gaze towards Old Master Zhao's retreating back filled with a cold glint.

"If it weren't for the old geezer still alive in your Zhao Family, would this business even be yours to take?"

Two days passed in a flash. Since attacking Zhao Hubiao the day before yesterday and upgrading his Destiny yesterday, Lin Mo was preparing to study the 'Great Jade Ape Breathing Technique' today.

In the early morning, while he was teaching the apprentices their basic stances as usual, hurried footsteps sounded from outside the door.

Lin Mo stood with his arms crossed, looking out. He saw the Li Family's head steward walking slowly, surrounded by guards, with servants carrying three heavy vermilion lacquered gift boxes behind him.

"Young Hero Lin," the head steward's voice boomed, deliberately ensuring all the apprentices could hear. A large crowd of ordinary townspeople had also gathered outside, eager to watch.

"Young Hero Lin Mo, for intercepting and killing the Tiger Gang leader Zhao Hubiao yesterday, you not only made great contributions to the Li Family but also brought benefits to the common people. The family head has specially ordered me to come and express our gratitude!"

This display?

Lin Mo's eyes flickered. After a moment of thought, he had guessed the Li Family's intentions.

The Li Family had been weak for a long time and lacked backing. Even their younger generation was not as capable as before, making them a target for others over time.

The ambush set by the Tiger Gang at the docks yesterday was a clear sign. Fortunately, he had seen through it in time. Although he hadn't managed to keep Zhao Hubiao alive to extract information about the mastermind, the Li Family could use this opportunity to build his reputation and intimidate potential troublemakers.

However, the downside was also obvious: a tall tree catches the wind, especially for a Martial Artist his age...

"The Li Family truly has a good strategy. It was indeed a wise decision to quietly hoard the breathing technique," Lin Mo mused. The situation had reached this point, and there was no turning back. He could only see if the Li Family's gifts were substantial enough!

The head steward ordered the servants to open the chests one by one.

The first chest contained rows of neatly stacked silver ingots, which were quite dazzling at first glance.

However, Lin Mo's initial estimate was around two to three thousand taels. As soon as his thoughts settled, the head steward announced loudly, "First chest, three thousand taels of silver!"

The apprentices gathered in a corner, exchanging glances as they watched from afar.

The money in just the first chest had already caused a huge stir in their hearts...

"Three thousand taels of silver, and Senior Brother Lin can still remain so calm?"

"These three thousand taels are probably enough for me to eat, drink, and enjoy myself for a lifetime..."

Some honest youths tried to calculate it on their fingers, but no matter how they counted, they couldn't figure out how many years, or even lifetimes, it would take them to earn three thousand taels...

Next came the second chest. As soon as it was opened, Lin Mo saw a suit of soft armor inside. It gleamed with a golden light, looking very dazzling.

"Second chest, one piece of superior armor, worth a thousand taels!"

The head steward merely shouted vaguely towards the crowd of onlookers outside the courtyard. Then, he leaned closer to Lin Mo and whispered, "Young Hero Lin, this golden silk soft armor was specially prepared for you by the Li Family. It's a Human-grade Mid-tier armor, and there are very few like it in Changhe County..."

Lin Mo's eyes flickered. It seemed the Li Family was truly prepared to push him into the spotlight...

In the future, if the Li Family faced trouble, he might not be able to refuse to help, lest he be criticized for shirking responsibility and failing to live up to his potential.

The chest was large, but it contained only one purple sandalwood box. The head steward carefully brought the box over. Inside lay three dragon's eye-sized pills.

Their colors varied, some a vivid red, others glowing green.

"Two red ones and one green one?"

Lin Mo looked at the three pills, lost in thought. He examined them from all angles but couldn't discern anything, only noticing their faint, pleasant fragrance.

"Head Steward, what are these?"

"Three Human-grade High-tier pills!" The head steward pointed at the two red ones. "These two are pills to replenish Blood Essence. Just one pill, for Third Stage Practitioners and below, can instantly fill their Blood Essence. It's called the Five Elements Blood-Generating Pill."

A blood replenishment medicine? This is quite good.

Lin Mo nodded. These two pills would be perfect for escaping or as a backup for an ambush. One pill was equivalent to half a life.

"As for this green one, it's called the Withered Wood Meets Spring Pill, and its origin is quite extraordinary..." The head steward pointed at the flower-like pattern on it. "This is a Dao Profound Mark, indicating this pill is close to entering the Profound-grade Low-tier category. Its medicinal effects far surpass ordinary Human-grade High-tier pills. Except for those of the Martial Master level, just one pill, as long as there's still a breath of life, can save someone!"

Withered Wood Meets Spring Pill?

This medicine is so potent?

Lin Mo was shocked and asked, "This pill?"

"Head Patrolman Li specifically requested it for you at Guo's Pharmacy, incurring a favor..."

Upon hearing the Head Steward's words, Lin Mo's expression faltered for a moment before quickly returning to normal. He cupped his hands and said solemnly, "Please thank Head Patrolman Li on my behalf. If the Li Family ever needs anything, Lin Mo will spare no effort to help."

If the previous two pills were only half a life, this one was a genuine whole life...

It could even save someone who was barely breathing, which showed its importance.

After the Li Family's servants and the Head Steward left, Lin Mo, holding the chest of silver in one hand, didn't know where to store it. He decided to place it aside in an unoccupied side room for now.

Lin Mo turned back to look at the impoverished youths who had long been stunned into silence. They not only dared not step forward but lacked the courage to even approach the side room where the silver was stored. His heart was filled with emotion.

He turned and returned to the side room, taking out several taels of silver. He then loudly addressed the youths in the courtyard, "Senior Brother Lin is in a good mood today! I'll cover all the meat for our courtyard today. Roast duck, roast goose, pork hock, eat as much as you want!"

As the saying goes, a spoonful of rice can earn gratitude, but a bushel can breed enmity.

Even though there were one or two youths with decent aptitude, Lin Mo didn't dare to sponsor them rashly. He himself still needed silver to pave his way in martial arts.

However, a single meal's worth of kindness was something he could easily afford.