But rather than that, it was better to use it himself and get the greatest benefit out of it.
That would be enough.
Just as Dai Mo and Yang Li were about to lose patience, Mu Rong suddenly slapped his thigh.
"I remember!"
"'The fragrance of dew-kissed grass—its faint scent lingers, while golden osmanthus blooms!'"
"'Golden osmanthus'...? 'Faint scent lingers'?"
Dai Mo muttered the words to himself, then suddenly recited the five characters.
It was a name he had never heard before.
Yet the moment he heard it, it carried an extraordinary ring.
"That's right, big brother Dai."
Mu Rong nodded firmly.
"If you don't believe me, you can use the power of the Seven Treasures Trading Company to look into it.
"The company's intelligence network reaches across the world. Surely they've looked into some ancient books and records. They might know something."
"I'm afraid..."
Mu Rong rubbed his hands, looking a little awkward.
"The name of the grass and its properties, where it grows and what kind of environment it needs—I really do know nothing about that.
"I was very young at the time, and I only remember the name."
"That's enough."
Even if Dai Mo had only heard the name from Mu Rong, it was enough to give him hope.
"Good! Good! Good!"
Dai Mo said "good" three times. The gloom that had clouded his face was finally beginning to lift.
He took a deep breath and did his best to calm his excited heart.
"Little brother, I'll have people look into the rest and search for information as soon as possible. Today... you've truly given me an enormous surprise."
It was more than a surprise.
It was a thunderbolt.
If what Mu Rong said was true, then his kindness to the Seven Treasures Trading Company went beyond saving their lives.
"Don't mention it. I'm glad if I can help you, big brother Dai."
Mu Rong smiled, revealing a row of white teeth. He looked utterly sincere.
"You're too modest. If the Seven Treasures Trading Company can grow stronger, then I can leave with peace of mind, even if I die."
Dai Mo spoke with a completely earnest expression. His words only made Mu Rong feel more at ease.
It wasn't that he feared Mu Rong had ulterior motives. He feared he would give without asking for anything in return.
Dai Mo smiled and flicked his wrist.
A dark gold token, its edges engraved with seven precious treasures, appeared in his palm.
A faint spiritual aura flowed around it. It was clearly no ordinary item.
"This is my personal token."
Dai Mo solemnly handed it to Mu Rong.
"Whoever holds this token is like holding my word. With it, you can call on the Seven Treasures Trading Company to settle any matter for you, anywhere on the continent. Even..."
"Even ask them to kill someone."
"You can also bring the token to me whenever you need to."
Its value far exceeded that of ten million gold coins.
Mu Rong had already become one of Dai Mo's own—perhaps even a core member of the company.
Mu Rong's eyes widened. He carefully accepted the token and tucked it away.
"Then I'll thank you, big brother Dai."
He was a very good person. He just happened to be a fool.
"All right, little brother. You've given me such important news. I must return to the headquarters immediately and make arrangements."
Dai Mo seemed unable to wait any longer.
At this moment, he was no longer the carefree young master from that night. He was the young head of the Dai family, shouldering its future.
"When we meet again, I hope you'll have become a true soul master."
"All right, big brother Dai. When we meet again, I hope your martial soul has advanced to the level of a Seven Treasures Glazed Tile Pagoda."
Mu Rong smiled and clasped his hands.
Dai Mo gave him a deep look, then turned and strode away.
Yang Li followed behind him. Before she left, the old woman gave Mu Rong an appreciative glance, but in the end, she said nothing.
Soon, Mu Rong was alone in the room.
He looked at the dark gold token on the table and the corner of his mouth lifted.
He reached out, picked up the token, and gave it a flick.
His movements were smooth and practiced.
"Only when you've got money in your own pocket can you truly feel secure."
He took the money, gave the information, and the deal was fair.
He hadn't lost anything, either.
He walked out of the room.
As soon as he stepped into the corridor, a chubby middle-aged man hurried over.
It was the same middle-aged man who had led the way that night: Lu Zhen, a manager of the Seven Treasures Trading Company's Ju Yuan City branch.
At that moment, there was none of his earlier haughtiness left.
His waist was bent nearly in half, and sweat covered his face.
"Little friend Mu Rong, it's all settled. From now on, the Seven Treasures Trading Company will never again interfere with any of your business. The person in charge of that shop has been dealt with. That bastard deserved it!"
Lu Zhen rubbed his hands together, a flattering smile on his face.
"If you need anything, you can speak to me directly.
"Even though I'm just a manager, I'm still a soul master. At my age, I'm no longer likely to advance much further."
He was placing a bet.
He could tell that Mu Rong was extraordinary. As long as the boy didn't die young, he would surely become a powerful figure.
"Thank you, Uncle Lu. Then I'll be counting on you."
Mu Rong smiled warmly. He called him "Uncle" so naturally that it sounded like a habit.
Lu Zhen had brought a good outcome. There was no harm in being polite.
"Please take care on your way back. I won't see you out."
He had a few friends who had paved the way for him. Even if he was only making use of them, he could still put them to work when he needed help.
After telling Lu Zhen, Mu Rong leisurely walked out of the Seven Treasures Trading Company.
The moment he stepped outside, he sensed a chill settle over him.
Across the street stood a tall man, his hands clasped behind his back, his expression unreadable.
Behind him was a line of fully armed soldiers from the city lord's mansion.
No matter how capable someone was, even a soul master couldn't fight an entire army.
"Boss!"
"Brother!"
Lin Jian and Suo Ling rushed over the moment they saw Mu Rong, their faces filled with concern.
The two of them looked him up and down. Seeing that he wasn't hurt, they finally let out a sigh of relief.
"All right, it's fine."
Mu Rong patted them both on the shoulder.
Those two little brothers had waited outside the whole time. They'd seen the city lord's men surround the place, but they hadn't run away. Instead, they'd been waiting to come to his aid.
Even Suo Ling, who was usually timid, had stood his ground.
Mu Rong remembered their loyalty.
He straightened up and looked toward Lin Changhe, who stood not far away. His face wore a false smile.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting, City Lord. You shouldn't have had to come all this way yourself."
Lin Changhe narrowed his eyes. His gaze was sharp as a blade, as though he wanted to see straight through Mu Rong.
"Heh. You've got some nerve. What business do you have with the Seven Treasures Trading Company?"
"Old man, you've underestimated me."
Mu Rong's tone was cold, and he wasn't at all deferential.
A major figure from the Seven Treasures Trading Company had personally come to meet him. That was far too high a status.
So high that even the city lord felt uneasy.
What exactly was this boy's background? Was the story about him being an orphan from a small village a lie? Was the Seven Treasures Trading Company his real backing?
"I've got nothing to do with you, City Lord."
Mu Rong casually rubbed his hands together, as if he'd just done something insignificant.
Then, in a "careless" motion, he pulled out the token and turned it over in his hand.
"I was just chatting with Big Brother Dai. He insisted on giving me this as a parting gift. I couldn't very well refuse."
Under the evening light, the jade token glimmered.
The seven-layered pagoda insignia on it made Lin Changhe's pupils contract sharply.
A Seven Treasures token.
And not just any token—it was a high-ranking token that only core members of the Seven Treasures Trading Company could possess.
Lin Changhe drew in a sharp breath. Cold sweat trickled down his back.
How could that be a parting gift?!
Before you continue