Luo Smoke Steps (Seeking Follow-up Reads)

"Martial arts manuals collected by the Wu Family?"

Chen Mo felt a slight stir of interest.

The fist and foot techniques at Tianqing Martial Hall were mostly offensive, lacking in movement and defensive arts. While Flowing Cloud Attack could improve agility, it was ultimately just an auxiliary tool for offense.

He thought it over carefully; he was currently lacking in both movement and defensive techniques.

Wu Zhiai nodded and said, "Yes, when the Wu Family was in its prime a few years ago, we collected quite a few martial arts books. Some were sold off later, but a few remain."

"May I take a look?"

Wu Zhiai pointed toward the living quarters, "The books are in the Book Pavilion, guarded by an uncle-generation elder at the late stage of Ming Jin. This uncle doesn't concern himself with trivial matters; he only manages the Book Pavilion. He is stubborn and is a loyalist to my eldest and second brothers. Think carefully first—what kind of martial arts do you need?"

The implication was that there would be some obstacles.

Chen Mo began to ponder internally.

Possessing Mountain and Water Cultivation, he should ideally grow quietly and avoid being too flashy. However, if he hid his true abilities everywhere, he would lose many opportunities; sometimes, one needs to fight for what they want.

Besides, high-quality martial arts manuals were rare and hard to come by.

Relying on killing others to seize their treasures?

Who would carry their martial arts manuals on their person!

After settling his thoughts, Chen Mo spoke, "Are there any defensive or movement-based martial arts?"

Wu Zhiai thought for a moment, "There shouldn't be any defensive ones, but there is one for movement, which seems to be called Luo Smoke Steps."

With that, she led Chen Mo toward the Book Pavilion.

Halfway there, Wu Zhiai warned, "That uncle is named Wu Kang; you need to be polite when you speak to him."

Chen Mo nodded in understanding.

He had tried reading copied martial arts books before, but Mountain and Water Cultivation did not take effect; it required the original martial arts manuals.

Otherwise, he would have just asked Wu Zhiai to transcribe a few copies to save himself the trouble.

The two arrived in front of the Book Pavilion, where an elderly man with graying hair and beard lay on a grandmaster chair, eyes squinted.

"Uncle Kang."

Wu Zhiai called out softly.

A moment later, the man slowly opened his eyes, "Girl Zhiai? I have no dealings with you; why have you come?"

Wu Zhiai bowed.

"Recently, the Wu Family caravan was ambushed by thieves. Fortunately, the newly hired guard, Chen Mo, stepped in to kill the thieves and kept the caravan safe. To improve the Wu Family's ability to protect itself, may I allow Chen Mo to enter the Book Pavilion to read?"

Hearing this, Wu Kang said with a huff, "I don't concern myself with those trivial matters. Besides, I only listen to my eldest nephew. Even though he doesn't attend to proper business, I cannot listen to a woman like you!"

Women were not meant to lead the family; this had been the case since ancient times.

Moreover, she was an outsider.

Although the eldest and second brothers of the Wu Family were incompetent, Wu Kang had no other choice.

Wu Zhiai remained calm, "Uncle Kang, the Wu Family has been declining in recent years. Most martial artists in Anyang County do not come to the Wu Family to serve as retainers or guards. Chen Mo is a martial artist with both strength and character; he can help the Wu Family."

Hearing this, Wu Kang's expression changed imperceptibly.

After a short while, he sighed slightly, "Girl Zhiai, although you are sincere toward the Wu Family, but... some things are hard to say plainly. You should go back."

Chen Mo said softly, "Sister Ai, since it won't work, let's just forget it. I know you've already done your best."

Wu Zhiai pondered for a while, preparing to continue arguing.

Just then, a shrill voice came from not far away:

"Third sister, bringing an outsider into the family's restricted area, I'm afraid that's inappropriate, isn't it?"

Chen Mo turned to look.

He saw a middle-aged man wearing a gray gown with a round belly standing there, a sneer on his face.

"Eldest brother."

Seeing that it was the eldest of the Wu Family, a trace of impatience flashed across Wu Zhiai's face, but she still bowed and said, "You must be aware that Chen Mo killed the thieves and saved the caravan earlier, right?"

The eldest of the Wu Family, named Wu Duan, waddled over to them, shaking his belly, "One thing at a time. Didn't you already reward him for the caravan incident? Although there is no rule stating that outside guards cannot enter the Book Pavilion, I am the one in charge of the Wu Family now."

Wu Zhiai reasoned, "You know the situation of the Wu Family in Black River Town. Chen Mo has reached the middle stage of Ming Jin at such a young age; the Wu Family will have many occasions to rely on Chen Mo in the future."

Chen Mo, standing to the side, pondered this.

Possessing Mountain and Water Cultivation, he could not remain a guard for the Wu Family for long, nor was it likely he would provide much support to the family.

But since he was staying here for now, he could handle a few things while he was at it.

"Third sister, don't boost others' morale!"

Wu Duan waved his sleeve, pretending to be so angry that his beard bristled.

"Alright, alright, Girl Zhiai, you should go back," Wu Kang said, letting out a heavy sigh.

It was as if he were emphasizing just how unreasonable Wu Zhiai's request was.

Wu Zhiai heard this, a look of disappointment appearing on her face. She gave Chen Mo a wink and turned to leave.

Chen Mo had no choice but to follow behind her.

Halfway there.

Wu Zhiai suddenly turned her head and called out loudly, "I am willing to trade ten percent of my control over the caravan for it. How about that?"

Wu Duan's eyes lit up instantly.

Ten percent control of the caravan?

It didn't sound like much, but for someone like him who held no real power in the caravan, the temptation was immense!

Wu Kang, who had been lounging lazily in his armchair, also swept away his impatient expression. He pulled his back away from the chair and sat up straight, muttering to himself, "This girl is really willing to go all out..."

Chen Mo was slightly stunned and whispered, "Sister Ai."

He secretly noted this favor; even if Wu Duan didn't agree in the end, Wu Zhiai had done her best.

Wu Zhiai waved a hand at him, signaling that she wasn't acting on impulse.

On the other side, an irrepressible joy surged onto Wu Duan's face. Fearing that Wu Zhiai might regret it, he immediately agreed, "Deal!"

He then added, "But he cannot stay in the Book Pavilion for too long—half a day at most."

Half a day was enough for Chen Mo.

Wu Kang moved his armchair aside to clear a path, and Wu Zhiai led Chen Mo into the Book Pavilion.

The interior of the Book Pavilion was not large, containing only a few dark peach-wood bookshelves, with a sparse number of books stacked on each shelf.

Chen Mo walked slowly past them.

He picked up each book, read the name of the martial art, flipped through a few pages, and then put it back down.

Mountain Crushing Fist.

Jade Blood Stake Technique.

Bedrock Force.

"Luo Smoke Steps?"

He picked up a dark cyan book with those three words written in a flamboyant, dragon-like script.

"Yes, that's the one."

Chen Mo immediately flipped through it page by page, the explanations of the techniques within flowing into his mind like the light of fireflies.

When he reached the final page and the last wisp of light vanished, he closed his eyes for a moment, and those lights instantly connected into a screen of light.

This was the complete content of the Luo Smoke Steps; even without the original copy in the future, he would still know the exact words of the book.

[Thousand Hammer Refinement, Mountain and Water Cultivation]

[Successfully bound Luo Smoke Steps, required Mountain Essence and Water Soul for polishing: Refined Iron]

[Polishing this material can unleash its innate potential and improve your martial arts comprehension]

"Refined Iron?"

Chen Mo's heart stirred; there was finally a change in the materials required for Mountain and Water Cultivation.

However, Refined Iron was much more expensive than Crude Iron and could only be purchased in the county town.

"Sister Ai, this is the one."

Wu Zhiai nodded slightly, "As long as you've chosen, that's fine."