Suspicion

Back at Qing Lin's house, Xiao Ding was pacing anxiously back and forth inside. The moment he saw Qing Mo, joy immediately appeared on his previously tense face.

Qing Mo handed the bundle over to Xiao Ding. Xiao Ding took it with trembling hands, carefully removed the Resurrection Pill, examined it closely, and only then gave it to Xiao Li.

The Resurrection Pill melted as soon as it entered his mouth. Its gentle medicinal power flowed down Xiao Li's throat and swiftly entered his meridians.

A moment later, his paper-pale complexion gradually regained some color, and his faint breathing became steady and stronger.

As expected of a second-tier pill. Its effects were truly excellent.

"Thank you, Young Master Qing Mo. Xiao Ding will never forget this kindness."

Xiao Ding clasped his fists and bowed deeply to Qing Mo, his face full of gratitude.

"Since I promised, I naturally had to follow through. You were lucky too—I searched all over Stone Desert City before finding the only Resurrection Pill."

Qing Mo spoke calmly.

Hearing this, Xiao Ding felt even more grateful toward Qing Mo.

Just as he was about to say something, they suddenly sensed the aura of outsiders beyond the front gate. Both of them were startled, their expressions turning grave.

Xiao Ding's heart leaped into his throat. His body tensed instinctively, and a trace of wariness appeared in his eyes as he looked at Qing Mo. His first thought was that Qing Mo had done something—otherwise, how could it be such a coincidence?

"Don't panic. I'll go take a look."

Qing Mo's brow twitched as he replied calmly. He could sense no hostility from that aura; it felt more like a greeting.

Besides, even if they had come with ill intentions, he was not afraid.

"Alright. Be careful. If it really is... Young Master, you may hand the two of us over."

He walked to Xiao Li's side and scooped him up. If anything happened, he could flee immediately. He could not place all his hopes on someone he had only just met.

As for his suspicion that Qing Mo had exposed them? After thinking it over, he decided Qing Mo would not do such a thing.

Although they had known each other only briefly, he could sense Qing Mo's character. Moreover, he knew that if Qing Mo truly intended to harm them, there was no need for such trouble.

Simply buying back the Resurrection Pill would have been utterly impossible.

If the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group had truly come knocking, then he could only count himself unlucky.

Qing Mo led Qing Lin out the door. Two people stood not far outside.

One of them was an acquaintance: Zhang Lin, the Mad Blade Mercenary Corps squad leader whom he had slapped flying earlier.

The other was a middle-aged man in his forties or fifties. He was thin and wiry, with shrewd yet clear eyes. He wore brown leather armor and carried a massive horse-chopping saber on his back.

Qing Mo narrowed his eyes. He pulled Qing Lin a little farther back and shielded her behind him.

They had come with ill intentions. Were they here to seek revenge?

"Hehe, Young Master, please don't misunderstand. I am Li Kuang, leader of the Mad Blade Mercenary Corps. I have not come to cause trouble for you."

Li Kuang smiled as he spoke. Seemingly noticing Qing Mo's guard, he hurriedly explained.

"Oh? Then what brings you here?"

Qing Mo replied indifferently, not relaxing his vigilance. The Dou Qi within him began circulating quietly, and he released its fluctuations without concealment.

The instant he sensed that Dou Qi, Li Kuang's pupils shrank. What dense Dou Qi fluctuations! Though the quantity of Qing Mo's Dou Qi was inferior to his own, it was solid and pure—several times more refined than the Dou Qi he cultivated himself!

He cultivated a High Huang Tier technique. For Qing Mo's Dou Qi to be so refined, the technique he practiced had to be extraordinary—at the very least, a Xuan Tier Technique, perhaps even a high-grade Xuan Tier Technique!

As for an Earth Tier technique, Li Kuang had not even considered it. That was beyond his understanding. Let alone Stone Desert City, even the Jia Ma Empire possessed only a few Earth Tier techniques.

This man had reached Two-Star Dou Practitioner at such a young age, and his Dou Qi was so abundant. There had to be a powerful force behind him. He was absolutely not someone Li Kuang could provoke lightly.

This youngster was terrifying beyond measure. He absolutely could not become enemies with him.

Li Kuang made his decision in an instant. To hell with the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group. Even if he could not befriend this man, he absolutely could not offend him!

"I heard earlier that Zhang Lin inadvertently disturbed you, Young Master. I have come to apologize."

As he spoke, Li Kuang performed an exceptionally solemn salute.

Qing Mo was somewhat surprised. The leader of a mercenary corps had actually come all this way over such a minor matter.

He looked at Li Kuang, then at Zhang Lin, who stood to one side with a fawning smile. As the saying went, one did not strike a smiling face. Since they had apologized so earnestly, he naturally had to respond in kind.

"It was only a minor conflict. Captain Li needn't be so formal. I'm not that petty." Qing Mo spoke blandly.

Li Kuang was delighted upon hearing this and said with a smile, "Young Master is broad-minded. I admire you. May I ask your name?"

"Qing Mo."

"Young Master Qing Mo, would you be interested in joining our Mad Blade Mercenary Corps? Our corps may not be large, but we are fairly well known in Stone Desert City. If you are willing to join, I will welcome you with the highest courtesy."

"As for joining a mercenary corps, we can discuss that later."

Qing Mo politely declined. He had no plans to join a mercenary corps at the moment.

Li Kuang did not press the matter. In truth, he had not expected Qing Mo to agree. Someone like Qing Mo could not possibly be easily bound by a mercenary corps.

He took a small bottle from his robes and handed it to Qing Mo. "This is a small token of my sincerity: some fine Blood-Replenishing Pills. Consider them my apology, and please, Young Master Qing Mo, do not refuse."

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. Thank you, Captain Li."

"Not at all, not at all. It is only proper."

"Oh, and I imagine Young Master prefers peace and quiet and does not wish to be disturbed. I'll make sure they keep that in mind and do not make noise around you." Captain Li said with a smile.

"That would be for the best." Qing Mo's brow twitched. There was clearly something behind Captain Li's words.

"Then we shall not disturb you further, Young Master."

Li Kuang clasped his fists lightly toward Qing Mo, then turned and left with Zhang Lin.

As the two walked back, Zhang Lin could not help asking, "Captain, weren't we here today to search for that wanted fugitive from the Poison Dragon Mercenary Group? I heard something last night, so why... are we just going back?"

"Little Lin."

Li Kuang stopped walking and glanced back at him, his tone growing heavy. "Don't try to involve yourself in everything, especially when you are weaker than the other party."

"Mind your own business, and you'll live longer. You need to understand that."

"Yes, Captain." Zhang Lin opened his mouth, but ultimately swallowed his words and silently followed after him.

Meanwhile, Qing Mo stood where he was, staring down at the pill bottle in his hand as his brows gradually furrowed.

Li Kuang's words just now had clearly been meant for him to hear. It seemed the leader of the Mad Blade Mercenary Corps had noticed that Xiao Ding and the others were inside.

He had even deliberately given him a bottle of Blood-Replenishing Pills. Who they were meant for was obvious.