Chapter Sixteen: An Encounter at the Pavilion

Chapter Sixteen: An Encounter at the Pavilion

Ten Li Pavilion!

Ten more li south of the Ten Li Pavilion is Sunset City.

Initially, this Ten Li Pavilion was just a simple pavilion. In an era where travel by carriage was inconvenient, friends coming from afar would be sent off or welcomed ten li away, which often conveyed the host's sincerity and importance placed on the visit.

Thus, this pavilion came into being.

Sitting in the pavilion to bid farewell, one never knew how many seasons would pass before meeting again.

However, soon some people found a way to make money from it.

After all, whether sending someone off ten li or welcoming them, one would inevitably stop for a cup of tea or a jug of wine.

Those who could afford it might bring their own, but what about those who couldn't or found it cumbersome?

Some people noticed this and decided to set up taverns and teahouses next to the Ten Li Pavilion for business.

Over time, with passing merchants and wandering heroes stopping by, the business at the Ten Li Pavilion grew increasingly prosperous.

At this moment, Su Mo was seated in a teahouse within the Ten Li Pavilion.

The teahouse was bustling with customers—some were traveling merchants taking a break, others were solitary wanderers.

Some gathered in groups, talking loudly and laughing heartily, while others sat alone, buried in their cups of tea.

Su Mo had rushed back after a long journey, finally making it home after half a month.

Seeing the Ten Li Pavilion meant he was almost home. He could have a cup of tea and rest his feet before heading back.

"I originally agreed with Uncle Fu that I would return in half a month. Now, just getting back from Ji Mingyi took me half a month. Uncle Fu must have been worried sick."

Su Mo took a sip of tea and exhaled deeply: "Although I was dragged into the mess with Yu Lingxin, regardless of her grievances with that organization, at least this escort job and Xu's selfless contribution earned me over four hundred taels of silver. I can buy some things for Uncle Fu. The escort agency is currently empty and needs rebuilding.

"For starters, at least buy a good horse. So I don't have to rely on my legs for every trip...

"Once the escort agency grows, we can hire more people.

"At that point, carriages and uniforms will all be expenses.

"With only these four hundred taels, it's barely enough."

Su Mo did the math in his head and felt the four hundred taels of silver in his pocket weren't as appealing anymore.

Fortunately, he was prepared for this.

Apart from the four hundred taels, the Seven-Injury Fist was another significant gain.

This martial art is extremely dangerous.

The human body is divided into five elements: the heart belongs to fire, the lungs to metal, the liver to wood, the kidneys to water, and the spleen to earth.

With the addition of yin and yang energies, practicing the Seven-Injury Fist harms all seven aspects.

First, it injures oneself before harming others!

However, with the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power at the Great Perfection level protecting him, the Seven-Injury Fist wouldn't harm Su Mo.

Moreover, he had directly attained mastery of the Seven-Injury Fist, so practice wouldn't harm him but instead benefit his organs.

On that rainy night, the black-clothed man used his blade to force Su Mo, hoping to use Yu Lingxin as leverage.

Regardless of whether this tactic worked, it gave Su Mo a chance to showcase his skills.

He didn't expect that combining the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power with the Seven-Injury Fist would shatter the man's body instantly.

"The Seven-Injury Fist is too dangerous. It should only be used in life-or-death situations.

"Those who escort goods through the rivers and lakes rely more on relationships than martial arts. I need to build goodwill.

"Though I have no reputation now, and my ancestors' legacy has been tarnished, even sparring can help build connections.

"My mastery of the Seven-Injury Fist allows me to control it without killing, but its ferocity still intimidates."

Su Mo smiled bitterly and raised his eyes, his brows slightly lifting.

Several fast horses were galloping in the distance, heading straight for the Ten Li Pavilion.

Su Mo frowned slightly but then relaxed.

"I'm being paranoid. Hearing hoofbeats doesn't mean trouble is coming.

"Yu Lingxin needs to act secretly; otherwise, her revenge plan would fail. So, I kept quiet, and she must do the same.

"That night, neither of us could kill the other. I couldn't involve myself further, and she couldn't risk complications.

"So, in a way, we both let each other go, and that matter is settled.

"There's no reason for trouble to find me here while I'm having tea."

Feeling reassured, he relaxed.

But when the riders approached, Su Mo regretted not leaving earlier.

"It's the Iron Blood Escort Agency!"

Before the horses arrived, the flag was already visible.

The massive characters "Iron Blood" immediately sparked discussions among the tea guests.

"One of the three major escort agencies in Sunset City!"

"Yang Yizhi, the Iron Blood Dragon Spear, is indeed an impressive figure. He built up a substantial family business from scratch. Now that the Iron Blood flag is unfurled, who in the martial world wouldn't give him some respect?"

"Yang Yizhi's martial arts are truly remarkable, but it's a pity about his eyesight..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Yang Yizhi has no son, only a daughter whom he dotes on like a precious pearl. This young lady is also quite capable; not only is she beautiful, but her martial arts are already quite advanced at a young age, having learned seven-tenths of Yang Yizhi's true skills..."

"But alas, her match is not a good one..."

"Hush, be quiet, they're approaching."

The conversation stopped abruptly as several riders on fast horses arrived.

Leading them was a young woman with a graceful appearance. Despite her beauty, she carried a silver spear that seemed out of place with her looks. She reined in her horse, dismounted, and displayed a spirited demeanor.

"Uncle Wang, Uncle Li, thank you for your hard work on this journey. Now that we're home, let's dismount and have a cup of tea."

The young woman turned to address the people behind her.

"As the young chief says."

With those words, everyone dismounted and entered the teahouse.

For a moment, many eyes were on them.

Only Su Mo seemed to be trying to hide, almost burying his head between his legs.

But this made him stand out even more.

The leading woman scanned the teahouse, looking for an empty seat, and her gaze landed on Su Mo.

She fixed her eyes on him and shouted:

"Su Mo!!!"

Su Mo's lips twitched. If you recognized me, fine, but why shout so loudly?

Sure enough, upon hearing the name "Su Mo," people started poking their heads out and whispering.

"So he's Su Mo?"

"Who is Su Mo? Which family's young hero? Why haven't I heard of him before?"

"Keep your voice down, watch what you say... But he's not a young hero; he's just that... bad person."

Since obtaining the Dragon Elephant Prajna Power, Su Mo's senses had become keen, allowing him to hear the whispers clearly despite their low volume. He couldn't help glaring at the speaker in anger.

However, the young woman had already rushed over in two quick steps, slapped Su Mo's shoulder hard with great force, and laughed brightly:

"Why are you here? I've heard you've been diligently practicing martial arts recently, which makes me very happy. But why aren't you training today? Have you returned to your old ways and gone back to those brothels?"