As dusk fell.
Heaven Dou City, Dugu Manor.
Lin Mo sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, intently studying the information he had Sheer Force memorized from the Spirit Hall's library.
The courtyard was very quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the evening breeze.
A moment later, footsteps came from the other end of the corridor.
A servant hurried closer, bowed, and said, "Young master, someone outside the manor requests an audience."
Lin Mo looked up. "Who?"
"It's a young woman."
The servant replied in a low voice, "She said she's the young master's friend and has been waiting outside the manor for quite some time."
Lin Mo frowned slightly.
friend?
He didn't know many people in Heaven Dou City. The only people he could barely call friends were the students from the Four Elements Academy with whom he had interacted.
If Feng Xiaotian and Huo Wu were coming to see him, they would definitely send invitations in advance, instead of suddenly disturbing him like this.
Moreover, it's already late.
"Did she give her name?" Lin Mo asked.
"No," the servant shook his head. "The girl only said she was an old friend of the young master and had something important to discuss."
Lin Mo pondered for a moment.
That's interesting.
He usually lives a secluded life, spending all his time cultivating; how could he possibly have any old friends around?
Could it be some reckless fool trying to impersonate his friend and infiltrate the Dugu Manor?
If that's the case, then this is going to be really funny.
This is the residence of Poison Douluo.
"Okay." Lin Mo stood up. "I'll go check."
He put the book into the Wishful Hundred Treasure Purse at his waist and strode towards the gate of the mansion.
Dugu Manor, the streetlights were already on.
A girl dressed in black stood in the shadows beside the mansion gate, her figure slender, but her back ramrod straight.
Zhu Zhuqing had been waiting here for an hour.
She waited from sunset until it was completely dark, without moving an inch.
She took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.
This was the last option she could think of.
They can't return to the Star Luo Empire, they can't return to the Zhu Family, and they have no relatives or friends left in the Heaven Dou Empire.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect wouldn't offend the Star Luo Imperial Family for the sake of an outsider like her, and the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan would even less so.
Perhaps the only ones who could protect her were this young man she had met a few times before, and the infamous Poison Douluo behind him.
only----
Zhu Zhuqing bit her lower lip.
She and Lin Mo had only met a few times and hadn't even exchanged more than a few words.
Why should the other party help her?
What can she offer in exchange?
Thinking of this, a bitter feeling welled up in her heart.
She knew perfectly well that she was grasping at straws in her desperation.
But where else could she go besides this road?
It's either take this gamble or wait to die.
As Zhu Zhuqing waited anxiously, footsteps suddenly sounded, gradually becoming clearer and closer.
Zhu Zhuqing suddenly looked up.
A figure walked out of the door; it was Lin Mo.
Lin Mo glanced around, his gaze finally settling on Zhu Zhuqing in the shadows of a corner.
Their eyes met.
A hint of doubt flashed across Lin Mo's face.
How could it be her?
The moment Zhu Zhuqing saw Lin Mo appear, an undisguised joy flashed in her eyes.
It was like a drowning person grasping at a last straw.
She strode forward, finally stopping some distance from Lin Mo, her lips barely moving.
It seemed as if he wanted to say something, but didn't know where to begin.
Lin Mo watched her movements, his brows furrowing even more.
Why would Zhu Zhuqing come looking for me? I don't think I've had any contact with her before.
Before Lin Mo could even speak about the reason Zhu Zhuqing had come, he suddenly sensed a very faint killing intent Lock-On him from the shadows.
Lin Mo's eyes sharpened.
Someone was secretly watching him, and their concealment was so sophisticated that he hadn't even been able to Frisk their location.
Lin Mo remained outwardly calm. "Did you need something from me?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded vigorously. "Something's wrong."
"What's up?"
"It's very important."
Zhu Zhuqing's voice was dry, "Um—could we talk somewhere else? This isn't quite right."
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow.
Is it inconvenient to say?
The area in front of the Dugu Manor is too conspicuous; it's certainly not a good place to talk.
"Shall we go somewhere else?"
Zhu Zhuqing nodded.
Lin Mo casually pointed, "Let's go over there, it's quiet there."
Zhu Zhuqing looked in the direction he pointed, and her face immediately turned pale.
It was a rather secluded alley, without any lights, and the alley was pitch black.
That place is not a good place; it's mostly a place where pleasure-seekers make deals with prostitutes in search of thrills.
He... was he going to take me to that kind of place?
Upon realizing this, Zhu Zhuqing's heart sank instantly.
Too.
What can I possibly hope for now?
Besides this handsome appearance, what else do I have that I can trade?
Lin Mo was exceptionally talented, but he was still a man after all.
Every man has those kinds of thoughts, which are inevitable.
Realizing this, Zhu Zhuqing felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
She had no choice; if sacrificing her physical body could give her a chance to live, then she accepted it.
"Good."
Lin Mo was completely unaware of Zhu Zhuqing's changes and inner thoughts at that moment.
If he knew what Zhu Zhuqing was thinking at this moment, he would definitely be speechless.
He was merely using Zhu Zhuqing as bait to fish.
He wanted to see if the person in the shadows was targeting him or Zhu Zhuqing.
He was very curious about who was so bold as to plot against him right under Dugu Bo's nose.
Lin Mo's attention was entirely focused on the faint, lurking killing intent.
very good.
The other party caught up.
He turned and walked briskly into the alley.
Zhu Zhuqing followed behind him, her steps heavy.
dark place.
A dark figure silently clung to the eaves of a building, blending seamlessly into the shadows.
He stared at the two figures that were gradually disappearing into the distance, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
Dark Crow, Level 83 Agility Attack System Soul Douluo, Martial Soul Shadow Crow.
One of the Star Luo Empire's spies planted within the Heaven Dou territory, specifically responsible for eliminating targets that might threaten Star Luo Empire's interests.
The person he chose to pledge allegiance to was the Star Luo Empire, Dai Weisi.
The mission originally had only one objective, but now it has two.
First is Zhu Zhuqing.
This girl has good talent, and she also has a martial soul fusion skill with Dai Mubai. Keeping her around will only cause trouble sooner or later.
Dai Weisi has given a death order: he must be eliminated.
Second is Lin Mo.
This Soul Emperor, who is not yet fifteen years old, has an outrageously high bounty on the Star Luo Empire's underworld bounty list.
He was even higher than Xue Qinghe, the Crown Prince who was the rightful heir to the Heaven Dou Empire.
If we could kill him while we were at it, that would be even better.
Killing two birds with one stone.
Dark Crow licked his lips and silently followed.
His concealment skills are excellent; even Soul Douluo of the same level would find it difficult to Frisk his presence.
Let alone two younger generations.