Following

Late at night, at the Wu Family residence.

Wu Zhiai frowned repeatedly as she listened to the caravan's account of the night's events.

When she heard that Chen Mo had killed one man and repelled another, she slightly suppressed the joy at the corners of her mouth.

Over the past two years, her situation in the Wu Family had become increasingly difficult, and she desperately needed support like Chen Mo to help her break the deadlock.

She immediately announced, "Chen Mo, you have performed meritorious service in guarding the caravan; you are rewarded with five taels of silver and five bottles of Yiqi Powder. Li Tu, you were injured while guarding the caravan; you are rewarded with two bottles of Yiqi Powder."

Chen Mo and Li Tu expressed their gratitude.

Following this, a cloud of worry spread across her face. If the Zhao Family truly joined forces with the Hansha Gang, both sides possessing numerous experts, the Wu Family would certainly be no match for them.

As for the eldest and second sons of the Wu Family, they only emerged when there was power and profit to be seized; naturally, they would not show their faces when actual problems needed solving.

She raised her eyes to look at Chen Mo, thinking that this young man who had just entered the Ming Jin realm probably couldn't handle so many fierce and ruthless bandits, could he?

She temporarily pushed aside her many concerns, a faint smile appearing on her face, "Chen Mo, you've been tired all night, go back and rest early. When there is a need later, I will come to find you again."

Chen Mo bid farewell to Wu Zhiai, and after returning home, he continued to practice his stake and fist techniques...

The next day, at the Tianqing Martial Hall.

Chen Mo was drenched in sweat, stopping his practice of the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique, his gaze slightly focused.

[Thousand Hammer Refinement, Mountain and Water Cultivation]

[Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique: Basic stake technique, trains the leg stance below, trains fist power above]

[Comprehension: 26/100 (Entry)]

He and Ji Chang had developed quite a rapport; once Ji Chang arrived at the martial hall, the two rolled up their sleeves to spar.

Only in actual combat could one truly achieve the effect of tempering one's martial arts and techniques.

The sparring over these past two days allowed Chen Mo's Ming Jin to gradually settle, no longer as unstable as when he had first entered the realm, and it now possessed a degree of solidity.

Relying on the comprehension advantage of Mountain and Water Cultivation, his Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique felt more agile than others', or perhaps more cunning and tricky.

Ji Chang felt this deeply.

As he exchanged moves with Chen Mo, palm meeting fist, a buzzing sound erupted where their energies clashed, and a tingling sensation quickly traveled up his palm.

After the two retreated a step, Ji Chang stomped his feet violently, leaping up like an ape, his palm striking downward toward Chen Mo's Tianying Acupoint. If this strike landed, Chen Mo would certainly be in for a rough time.

However, what Ji Chang did not expect was that Chen Mo did not dodge at all. Instead, he thrust out a fist, forming a posture like lifting a tripod from bottom to top. This punch was incredibly fierce, instantly neutralizing the force of that palm strike.

After Ji Chang landed, he said, "Junior Brother, I didn't expect your Fuhu Fist's third style, the Sand-Raising Style, to be so masterful already!"

Chen Mo shook his head slightly, "It still lacks some refinement."

In reality, the Sand-Raising Style was far from masterful; it could only be considered at the entry level. If his comprehension of the Fuhu Fist reached the minor success stage, perhaps these moves could be taken to the next level.

The two went to the dining hall to drink porridge.

"By the way, there is big news at the martial hall today. Take a guess."

Ji Chang put on an air of keeping him in suspense.

"What news?"

Seeing that Chen Mo had indeed asked, Ji Chang said, "The Senior Brother and Junior Sister Yin have tentatively decided on their lifelong commitment."

"Yin Shanshan?"

Chen Mo was slightly surprised, but he immediately understood. Yin Shanshan had always liked Zhang Chong; this was common knowledge in the martial hall. Since she was the daughter of the hall master, possessed abundant resources, and was beautiful, there was no reason for Zhang Chong not to be tempted.

"You could call it a match between a talented man and a beautiful woman." Ji Chang sighed slightly, "Sigh, it's just a pity for those fellow disciples; they've lost a fantasy in their hearts."

Chen Mo smiled, "Does that include you, Senior Brother?"

Ji Chang's expression faltered, his face looking a bit bitter, but then he smiled as well, "A beauty is fine, but she is not someone that mortals like you and me can covet. Haven't you noticed that besides Zhang Chong, she ignores everyone else? The brothers just think about it, but how could Master agree to give his daughter to us rough men?"

Chen Mo said nothing more, just lowered his head to shovel the thin porridge in his bowl.

In the afternoon, Chen Mo went to the Iron Furnace Room to burn coal and forge iron as usual.

The progress of his comprehension for the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique and the Fuhu Fist was still rising steadily. He estimated that in about two more months, his comprehension of the Dragon-Subduing Stake Technique would approach minor success.

Master Wu must have already known that Chen Mo had become a guard for the Wu Family and had made outstanding contributions in guarding the caravan, so he treated Chen Mo with the kindness of an elder toward a junior.

He shared his many years of understanding of the Fuhu Fist with Chen Mo. The latter was already familiar with most of it, but still nodded frequently.

According to Master Wu, he had missed his chance at the martial path in his youth because his natural talent was poor. Now, seeing Chen Mo, who also did not have great natural talent, able to step into the Ming Jin realm, he placed more expectations on him, just as he had expected of himself in his youth.

Listening to Master Wu's sighs, although Chen Mo could not fully empathize, he felt a bit more respect for him.

When the sun set and the twilight chased away the evening glow, Black River Town grew quiet.

On his way home, Chen Mo suddenly realized someone was following him, so he deliberately walked into the old alleys and circled five or six times. After confirming that the person had lost his trail, he immediately returned home.

Once he entered the house and saw that Chen Lan was safe, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Xiao Mo, why are you in such a rush today?" Chen Lan asked, puzzled by Chen Mo's hurried appearance.

Chen Mo locked the wooden door tightly and asked, "Sister, have there been any strange people lingering near the house recently?"

Chen Lan pondered for a moment and shook her head, "I don't recall anything like that. I've rarely stepped out these past few days. Have you encountered some kind of danger?"

Chen Mo also thought it over briefly, "Perhaps I'm just overthinking it."

"It never hurts to be careful. Come, let's eat. I cooked braised pork with green beans and braised fish for you today."

The next day, while on his way to Tianqing Martial Hall, Chen Mo felt he was being followed again. On his way home from the Iron Furnace Room that evening, he was still being tailed.

He was almost certain that he had been targeted. The other party was likely probing his strength, and once they had figured him out, they would probably make their move.

In other words, if Chen Mo were not at the Ming Jin level, they might have already struck.

What he worried about now was that if they targeted Chen Lan, he would be in a very passive position.

He made up his mind: rather than waiting to be attacked, it was better to take the initiative!

He pulled his thoughts back to the present.

Chen Mo quickened his pace, darting into an old alleyway. After weaving through the lanes a few times, he quickly shook off his pursuer.

A moment later, the dark figure trailing Chen Mo lost his target. He paced around the alley, which was riddled with foul-smelling gutters, spat harshly into one of them, and finally left.

A few seconds after he departed, Chen Mo emerged from the shadows of the alley and followed him.

Given his familiarity with the streets of Black River Town, he was able to keep a distance that ensured he wouldn't be discovered, yet wouldn't lose his target.

The man turned through several alleys and finally entered a brightly lit building. Chen Mo looked up and discovered that this building was none other than the Hua Pavilion of Black River Town.

Black River Town was a major hub in Anyang County, with merchants passing through frequently, many of whom would rest at the Hua Pavilion. Beyond that, disciples of various families and martial artists would also frequent the place to drink, listen to music, or simply indulge in carnal pleasures.

However, some people were concerned about their reputation and would not show their true faces.

After a brief moment of thought, Chen Mo took out a mask he had prepared beforehand, put it on, and walked into the Hua Pavilion.