Long street, inn.
At a window-side table, Gu Chundong was placing food into Gu Mo's bowl.
Gu Mo could only hold his bowl and eat. Though his profound cultivation meant he had no trouble taking care of himself in daily life, eating was still quite troublesome—he could not see the dishes on the table.
"Brother, that Yan San Niang is so beautiful. Do you think, when I grow up a little more, I can be as beautiful as her?"
"You'll definitely be prettier than her."
Gu Chundong gave a heh heh laugh, then lowered her head to look at her chest. Pursing her lips, she said, "How can hers grow so big?"
Gu Mo smiled faintly, truly not knowing how to answer that question.
"Brother, after we eat, we'll go upstairs and rest. I booked two rooms. I'll stay next door to you. You can call for me anytime—I'll be able to hear you," Gu Chundong said.
"Mm, alright." Gu Mo nodded.
"By the way, Brother, are you really planning to affiliate yourself with Yan San Niang?" Gu Chundong asked.
Gu Mo nodded and said, "It's quite suitable. Neither of us has much Martial World Reputation, and now that I'm blind, if we go to those long-established Wind Chasing Towers, we won't be valued. It'll be difficult to get firsthand intelligence, and we won't earn much money.
"Yan San Niang's Wind Chasing Tower was only recently established. This is exactly when she lacks people, and she also needs to make a name for herself quickly, so she'll put more care into doing things. I'd heard of Yan San Niang's reputation before. She has many connections in the martial world, and supposedly some extraordinary background as well. Her intelligence-gathering abilities should not be poor."
If Gu Mo wanted to become a Blade Catcher, affiliating himself with a Wind Chasing Tower was inevitable. After thinking it over, Yan San Niang truly was a good fit. If it really did not work out, he could simply withdraw later.
Though he wanted to carry out Blade Catcher assignments as soon as possible, he was not in that much of a hurry. With the Nine Yang Divine Skill protecting him, he no longer lacked a sense of security so badly. He could do things steadily, one step at a time.
Very soon, the two finished their meal.
Gu Chundong then supported Gu Mo as they prepared to go upstairs.
Just as they reached the staircase entrance, a large group of people suddenly barged into the inn from outside. There were more than twenty of them. Their leader was a middle-aged man with the back of a tiger and waist of a bear, a face full of beard, and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He wore a Dark Colored Tunic, a broad wide belt around his waist, and a saber hanging at his side. The patterns on its saber sheath were ancient and simple, faintly exuding a Killing Aura. The people behind him came in all heights, builds, and shapes, but every one of them bore the tough, capable air unique to martial folk.
"Which one is Gu Mo? Get the hell out here!"
The group came in aggressively, slamming tables and kicking chairs, instantly throwing the inn into chaos. Many people were displeased and began cursing under their breaths.
The tiger-backed, bear-waisted middle-aged man shouted, "I'm Zhang Xiong of the Great Saber Gang! If anyone isn't convinced, come stand before me!"
In an instant, the inn fell silent.
The Great Saber Gang's name carried considerable weight in Linjiang City. It was one of the largest gangs, boasting Eight Hundred Saber Wielders. Its leader, Lu Yingchuan, was known in the martial world as Old Saber Handle, one of Linjiang City's leading underworld figures and a renowned Top Expert. Under him were the four hall masters known as Wolf, Bear, Tiger, Leopard, all infamous fierce men in their own right.
Zhang Xiong ranked second among Wolf, Bear, Tiger, Leopard, and his nickname was Great Black Bear.
Seeing this, the innkeeper hurriedly came out and greeted him with a fawning smile. "Ah, Master Xiong, what an honor to have you here! Please, have a seat. I recently acquired a jar of fine wine..."
"Get lost!"
Zhang Xiong slapped the innkeeper straight to the ground.
At that moment, one of his subordinates pointed at Gu Mo, who was about to go upstairs, and said, "Big Brother, he's the only blind man here."
Zhang Xiong looked toward Gu Mo, then sized up Gu Chundong. Cupping his hands, he said, "Young Hero Gu, Heroine Gu, I have long admired you both. There are a few matters I need to ask about. I hope you two will do me the favor of cooperating."
Gu Chundong said nothing. She merely rested her hand quietly on her saber hilt, while Gu Mo cupped his hands and said, "Hall Master Zhang, I have long heard of you. Ask whatever you wish. I will tell you all I know and hold nothing back."
"Straightforward!" Zhang Xiong said. "I heard that Young Hero Gu and Heroine Gu, you siblings killed Zhou Tong and went to the yamen to collect the bounty. Is that true?"
Gu Mo knew that since Zhang Xiong had come looking for him, he could not truly be here merely to ask about this. Zhou Tong had been the most high-profile wanted criminal in Linjiang City for some time, and many people had been watching him.
Once the siblings handed over his head and collected the reward, the yamen would certainly have publicized it immediately.
Gu Mo said, "There was such a matter. What guidance does Hall Master Zhang have?"
Zhang Xiong said in a grave voice, "Young Hero Gu, our Great Saber Gang had been tracking Zhou Tong for a long time. To capture him, we dispatched many people, and many brothers were injured. We finally managed to wound and trap him, only for you siblings to come pluck the peach at that moment. That hardly seems right, does it?"
Gu Mo said evenly, "Hall Master Zhang, that is mistaken. When capturing and killing Wanted Criminals, whoever gets them in the end gets the credit. That has always been the rule. If anyone who struck first could claim them, would that not throw everything into disorder? How would one determine whose contribution was great and whose was small?"
Zhang Xiong said coldly, "That may be the rule, but in order to capture Zhou Tong, more than a dozen of my brothers are still lying injured. Young Hero Gu, you did take advantage of our efforts. Surely you should show a little sincerity and give us some compensation for our trouble?"
Gu Chundong immediately could not contain her anger, but Gu Mo held her back. Smiling pleasantly, he asked, "How much does Hall Master Zhang want?"
Zhang Xiong said, "Not much. Thirteen of my brothers were injured. Twenty liang in medicine fees for each of them—two hundred and sixty liang altogether."
Gu Mo smiled faintly and said, "Hall Master Zhang, Zhou Tong's head was only worth three hundred liang in total."
"I know," Zhang Xiong said darkly. "Zhou Tong's head belonged to the Great Saber Gang to begin with. You siblings picked up a bargain. Getting forty liang of silver is already not bad. Young Hero Gu, people should learn to be content. Too much greed can easily bring disaster!"
Gu Mo nodded slightly. "Hall Master Zhang is right. A common man commits no crime, yet he is guilty for possessing jade." As he spoke, he held out his hand to Gu Chundong and said softly, "Give me the silver note."
Gu Chundong was somewhat unwilling, but she could also see that Zhang Xiong had come with hostile intent. He would not let the matter rest without getting the money. She was worried that a conflict would harm Gu Mo.
So she obediently handed the silver note to Gu Mo.
Seeing this, Zhang Xiong revealed a smile of complete satisfaction.
Gu Mo held the silver note and said, "The money is right here. Hall Master Zhang may come take it, but I must remind you of one thing—do you have the qualifications to take this money away?"
"Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit!"
Zhang Xiong's expression turned ugly. He immediately felt that he had been made a fool of and roared, "Blind man, you're courting death! Get him!"
Gu Chundong had thought Gu Mo intended to yield, but instead he was provoking Zhang Xiong. Seeing Zhang Xiong fly into a rage, she hurriedly stepped in front of Gu Mo, drew her saber, and prepared to fight.
However, just as she drew her saber,
Gu Mo suddenly pressed down on Gu Chundong's hand and said softly, "Little sister, step back. Watch carefully, and learn well!"
Before you continue