"The martial arts techniques collected by the Wu Family?"
Chen Mo felt a faint stir in his heart.
Most of the Tianqing Martial Hall's techniques were offensive, with few movement or defensive techniques. Flowing Cloud Attack could improve agility, but in the end, it was merely an aid to offense.
After giving it careful thought, he realized that what he currently lacked was a movement technique and a way to defend himself.
Wu Zhiai nodded. "That's right. When the Wu Family rose to prominence a few years ago, they collected quite a few martial arts books. Some were sold off later, but a few still remain."
"Could I take a look first?"
Wu Zhiai pointed toward the living quarters. "The books are in the Book Pavilion, guarded by an uncle in the late Ming Jin stage. He doesn't handle any other affairs; he only looks after the pavilion. He's stubborn, and he's on the side of the eldest and second brothers. Think carefully first: what kind of martial arts technique do you need?"
In other words, there would be some obstacles.
Chen Mo pondered silently.
With Mountain and Water Cultivation, he ought to grow quietly and avoid drawing too much attention. But if he hid his abilities at every turn, he would miss out on many opportunities. Sometimes, he had to fight for what he wanted.
Besides, good martial arts manuals were hard to come by.
Was he supposed to kill people and seize their treasures?
Who carried martial arts manuals around with them?
After making up his mind, Chen Mo asked, "Do they have any defensive or movement techniques?"
Wu Zhiai thought for a moment. "I don't think they have any defensive techniques, but there is one movement technique. I believe it's called Luo Smoke Steps."
With that, she led Chen Mo to the Book Pavilion.
On the way, Wu Zhiai cautioned him, "That uncle is called Wu Kang. Be polite when you speak to him."
Chen Mo nodded to show that he understood.
He had tried reading copied martial arts books before, but Mountain and Water Cultivation hadn't responded. It seemed to require the original books.
Otherwise, he could have asked Wu Zhiai to have a few copied for him and saved himself a lot of trouble.
The two reached the Book Pavilion. An elderly man with half-white hair and beard was lounging in a grand chair, his eyes half-closed.
"Uncle Kang."
Wu Zhiai called to him softly.
A moment later, the other man slowly opened his eyes. "Zhi Ai? We have no dealings with each other. What brings you here?"
Wu Zhiai bowed.
"Recently, the Wu Family's merchant caravan was ambushed by bandits on the road. Fortunately, our newly hired guard, Chen Mo, killed the bandits and kept the caravan safe. To improve the Wu Family's ability to protect itself, could you let Chen Mo borrow some books from the Book Pavilion?"
Wu Kang sounded a little indignant. "I don't handle those trivial affairs. Besides, I only listen to my eldest nephew. He may be a good-for-nothing, but I can't take orders from a woman like you!"
It had been an age-old custom that women could not head a household.
What's more, she was an outsider.
The Wu Family's eldest and second sons might be spineless, but Wu Kang had no other choice.
Wu Zhiai remained composed. "Uncle Kang, the Wu Family has been declining in recent years. Most martial artists in Anyang County won't come to the Wu Family as retainers or guards. Chen Mo is a martial artist with both skill and character. He can help the Wu Family."
At her words, Wu Kang's expression changed almost imperceptibly.
After a moment, he sighed faintly. "Zhi Ai, I know your heart is in the right place, but... there are things I can't say outright. You should go back."
Chen Mo said softly, "Sister Ai, if there's no way through, let's leave it. I know you've already done your best."
Wu Zhiai fell silent in thought for a while, then prepared to continue arguing.
Just then, a shrill voice came from nearby:
"Third Sister, bringing an outsider into the family's restricted grounds—isn't that inappropriate?"
Chen Mo turned to look.
A middle-aged man in a gray robe stood there, his belly round and prominent, a mocking expression on his face.
"Eldest Brother."
Seeing that it was the Wu Family's eldest son, Wu Zhiai's face flashed with impatience, but she still greeted him courteously. "Chen Mo killed the bandits and saved the caravan. Surely you know that?"
The Wu Family's eldest son was called Wu Duan. He waddled over to them, his belly swaying. "That's one thing; this is another. Haven't you already rewarded him for what he did for the caravan? There may be no rule forbidding outside guards from entering the Book Pavilion, but the Wu Family is under my authority now."
Wu Zhiai replied calmly, "You know the Wu Family's situation in Black River Town. Chen Mo is still young, yet he's already reached the middle Ming Jin stage. The Wu Family will have many ways to rely on him in the future."
Hearing this, Chen Mo mulled it over.
He had Mountain and Water Cultivation, so he couldn't remain a guard for the Wu Family forever. Nor was he likely to provide the family with all that much support.
But since he was staying here for now, he could help with things that were convenient for him.
"Third Sister, don't go boosting someone else's morale!"
Wu Duan flung his sleeve aside and pretended to be so furious that his beard bristled and his eyes bulged.
"All right, all right. Zhi Ai, you should go back," Wu Kang said, then let out a heavy sigh.
It was as if he wanted to emphasize just how unreasonable Wu Zhiai's request was.
Hearing this, disappointment appeared on Wu Zhiai's face. She gave Chen Mo a look, then turned to leave.
Chen Mo had no choice but to follow behind her.
Halfway there,
Wu Zhiai suddenly turned around and called out, "I'm willing to exchange one-tenth of my control over the merchant caravan. What do you say?"
Wu Duan's eyes lit up at once.
One-tenth control of the merchant caravan?
It might not sound like much, but for a man with no real authority over the caravan, it was an immense temptation!
Wu Kang, who had been slouched in his grand chair, also shed his look of impatience. He sat up straight, his back no longer resting against the chair, and muttered, "That girl really is willing to stake a lot..."
Chen Mo was slightly taken aback. He murmured, "Sister Ai."
He silently committed this kindness to memory. Even if Wu Duan refused in the end, Wu Zhiai had done all she could.
Wu Zhiai waved a hand at him, indicating that she wasn't acting on impulse.
Meanwhile, Wu Duan's face brimmed with unconcealed delight. Afraid that Wu Zhiai might change her mind, he immediately agreed. "Fine!"
Then he added, "But he can't stay in the Book Pavilion for too long. Half a day at most."
Half a day was more than enough for Chen Mo.
Wu Kang moved his grand chair aside to clear a path. Wu Zhiai led Chen Mo into the Book Pavilion.
The pavilion's interior was small, with only a few dark peach-colored bookshelves. A handful of books sat scattered across each shelf.
Chen Mo walked slowly past them.
Each time he picked up a book, he read the name of the martial art, flipped through a few pages, then put it down again.
Mountain Crushing Fist.
Jade Blood Stake Technique.
Bedrock Force.
"Luo Smoke Steps?"
He picked up a dark green book with those three characters written across its cover in bold, flowing script.
"That's the one."
Chen Mo immediately flipped through the pages one by one. The explanations of the techniques shone like fireflies, flooding into his mind.
When he reached the last page, the final glimmer sank into him. He closed his eyes briefly, and in an instant, all those points of light joined into a single curtain of radiance.
Now he had the complete contents of Luo Smoke Steps. Even without the original book, he could recall its exact words.
[Thousand Hammer Refinement, Mountain and Water Cultivation]
[Successfully bound Luo Smoke Steps. Mountain Essence and Water Soul required for tempering: Refined Iron]
[Tempering this material can bring out its innate potential and improve your martial arts comprehension]
"Refined Iron?"
Chen Mo's heart stirred. The materials required by Mountain and Water Cultivation had finally changed.
But Refined Iron cost far more than Crude Iron, and could only be bought in the county seat.
"Sister Ai, this is the one."
Wu Zhiai nodded slightly. "As long as you've made your choice."
Before you continue