An Awkward Request

Mo Yun did not rush outside. Instead, he leisurely stretched his limbs before heading toward the front courtyard.

Just as he had expected.

Black Wolf, the Sky Wolf Gang Leader, had personally come with several of his lieutenants.

The group strode into the shop in an imposing procession, each carrying bundles and packages of all sizes.

At the sight of them, Mo Yiyi's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly turned and ran toward the back courtyard.

"Stay back here for now, little brother!"

She gave him that hushed warning, then took a deep breath and steeled herself to greet them.

Yet just as she stood there anxiously, her heart pounding like a drum-

Black Wolf had his lieutenants present gift after gift, then even bowed his head to apologize to Mo Yiyi.

"I'm sorry, Boss Mo. Zhao Si caused you a great deal of trouble."

"Our Sky Wolf Gang follows the rules in everything we do. Zhao Si has already been dealt with, and he won't be coming to pressure you again!"

Black Wolf's booming voice carried far outside.

"Please accept these bolts of cloth, tea, porcelain, silk, and spices as compensation from our Sky Wolf Gang. After all, we were in the wrong!"

"Moreover, to show our sincerity, all of Boss Mo's shops will be under our Sky Wolf Gang's protection from now on. We guarantee no one will come to trouble you again!"

After saying this, Black Wolf noticed that Mo Yun had come over at some point and was giving him a meaningful look. He immediately understood and added:

"Boss Mo, let's consider this matter closed. I still have things to attend to, so I won't linger. Until next time!"

With that, Black Wolf cupped his fist and swept out with his men.

They left as quickly as they had arrived.

All that remained were gifts covering the floor and a dumbfounded Mo Yiyi.

This time, the commotion had drawn quite a crowd of onlookers.

Seeing even the Sky Wolf Gang Leader treat Mo Yiyi so courteously left them all bewildered.

"What sort of background does the owner of this Mo Lineage shop have? The Sky Wolf Gang Leader came to apologize in person?"

"No idea. I heard they were just an ordinary family. Didn't some Sky Wolf Gang members come to seize the shop before? They even threatened us not to shop here..."

"An ordinary family could make Black Wolf bow his head? Who are you trying to fool? There must have been some misunderstanding before-a flood washed into the Dragon King's own temple..."

Amid the whispers, quite a few people began entering the shop to make purchases.

With the Sky Wolf Gang protecting it, they no longer had anything to worry about.

"Boss, two feet of blue cloth!"

"Boss, how much is this tea?"

"Boss..."

In no time, the shop was bustling.

Mo Yiyi, who had yet to recover from her shock, suddenly found herself scrambling.

Mo Yun smiled and stepped behind the counter to help serve the customers.

He did not know much about the business, but handing things over and collecting payment were well within his abilities.

Only when things quieted down did Mo Yiyi, her forehead damp with sweat from all the work, finally grasp what had happened.

She pressed her lips together and looked at Mo Yun, her eyes reddening slightly.

"Little brother, was this your doing? You seemed to go out last night... Did you go to the Sky Wolf Gang?"

She was no fool and soon pieced together most of what had happened.

Last night, half asleep, she had vaguely sensed Mo Yun leaving the courtyard. Some time later, she had hazily sensed him returning.

She had thought he had simply gotten up to relieve himself.

She had never imagined...

Mo Yun smiled and did not hide anything.

"Sis, my martial talent is pretty good. I've already reached mid bright strength, and I've become a Manor Guard at Crouching Tiger Manor. I'm no longer registered as a slave."

His tone was calm, as though he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.

"The Sky Wolf Gang is only treating us so politely because my martial cultivation is decent, and out of respect for Crouching Tiger Manor."

"From now on, no one in all of Yellow Maple Town will dare bully us again."

He paused, looked into his sister's eyes, and said earnestly, "But Sis, these are things we deserve. Our lives will only get better from here."

Hearing those words, Mo Yiyi could no longer hold back.

Tears spilled from her eyes and streamed down her cheeks.

"You've grown up, little brother. I'm so happy..."

She covered her mouth, pressing her lips together.

All the hurt, helplessness, and fear she had endured over the years turned into tears at that moment, flowing freely.

Mo Yun said nothing and merely patted her shoulder gently.

He knew his sister needed to let it all out.

After crying for a while, Mo Yiyi wiped away her tears and looked at Mo Yun with reddened eyes. "Little brother, you must have suffered a lot at the Mountain Manor, haven't you?"

"It's been fine. Not much suffering."

Mo Yun smiled and shook his head.

"You're lying." Mo Yiyi did not believe him. "Martial training is so hard. How could you not have suffered?"

Mo Yun scratched his head. "I'm talented, so I progress faster than other people. I haven't really suffered."

Mo Yiyi stared at him for a long time. Only when she decided he did not seem to be lying did she feel a little reassured.

Still, she remained worried and kept peppering him with questions.

Did he eat well at the Mountain Manor? What were his lodgings like? Did anyone bully him? Had he been injured while training?

Mo Yun answered each question, getting through them with vague replies.

After comforting Mo Yiyi for a while, Mo Yun found an excuse. "Sis, I have something to take care of outside. Wait for me in the shop."

"Where are you going?" Mo Yiyi eyed him warily.

"Just out for a stroll. I'll be back soon," Mo Yun said with a smile.

Mo Yiyi hesitated, then nodded. "Be careful, then."

"I will."

Mo Yun left the shop and strode toward the Sky Wolf Gang.

When he arrived at the Sky Wolf Gang's headquarters, Black Wolf personally came out to welcome him, his face wreathed in smiles.

"You're here, Brother Mo! Come in, come in!"

He treated Mo Yun as an honored guest and had fine wine and dishes brought out, brimming with enthusiasm.

Mo Yun waved a hand. "The food and wine can wait. I came to ask you to help investigate something."

"Just say the word, Brother Mo!" Black Wolf thumped his chest. "As long as it's within my power, I won't hesitate!"

"Find out whether my second uncle, Mo Feng, had anything to do with Zhao Si targeting my sister's shop."

Mo Yun went straight to the point.

Black Wolf froze for a moment, then understood and immediately sent men to investigate.

The Sky Wolf Gang had operated in Yellow Maple Town for so long that its eyes and ears were everywhere. Investigating such a small matter was effortless.

In less than an hour, the results came back.

"Brother Mo, we've gotten to the bottom of it." Black Wolf carefully read through the report his subordinate had handed him, then looked up at Mo Yun.

"Zhao Si targeting your sister's shop was purely a coincidence. That scoundrel was used to bullying men and abusing women. He passed the shop, saw that business was good, and got crooked ideas. It had nothing to do with your second uncle."

Mo Yun took the report and glanced over it, his brow furrowing slightly.

So I was overthinking it?

Mo Yun slowly exhaled. In that case, I'll let you off for now.

He returned the report to Black Wolf, silently making his decision.

If his second uncle behaved himself from now on, he could leave him alone for the time being. But if he dared pull any more tricks...

He would not mind sending that old man to an early grave.

By the time Zhao Si's affair had been investigated, it was nearly noon.

Black Wolf asked Mo Yun to stay for lunch.

"Brother Mo, it's already lunchtime. Have a meal before you go!" Black Wolf enthusiastically pulled Mo Yun into a seat. "Try our Sky Wolf Gang's cooking. It's every bit as good as the restaurants outside!"

Mo Yun did not refuse. He also wanted to use the opportunity to learn more about the Sky Wolf Gang.

After three rounds of wine and a sampling of the dishes.

Black Wolf set down his wine cup and rubbed his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed.

"Brother Mo, I have a rather awkward request..."

"Let's hear it first." Mo Yun picked up a morsel with his chopsticks and ate unhurriedly.

"I'd like to ask you to become our Sky Wolf Gang's Guest Advisor."

Black Wolf got straight to the point, his tone sincere. "It would be a position in name only. We wouldn't force you to do anything, and our Sky Wolf Gang could pay you a stipend of ten taels of silver a month! If you feel that isn't sincere enough, just name any other conditions!"

Ten taels of silver.

That was no small sum.

As a Fourth-Class Guard at Crouching Tiger Manor, Mo Yun received only one tael of silver a month.

Black Wolf had offered ten times that amount right off the bat.

In response, Mo Yun merely smiled and slowly shook his head.

"Gang Leader Black Wolf, I can't accept this Guest Advisor position."

"Why?" Black Wolf grew anxious. "Brother Mo, if you think the pay is too low, we can discuss it!"

"It's not about the money." Mo Yun did not elaborate.

For one thing, he did not want to become too deeply entangled with the Sky Wolf Gang. Keeping their cooperation simple was the safest course.

For another, he was, after all, a Manor Guard at Crouching Tiger Manor now. Secretly taking a position elsewhere would be somewhat improper.

Black Wolf fell silent for a moment, then sighed.

"If you're not interested, Brother Mo, I won't press you. Ah..."

He raised his wine cup and drained it, his face full of regret.