Chapter 135: Bullying

Chapter 135: Bullying

The banquet in the courtyard was drawing to a close when Su Mo arrived, and Yang Xiaoyun was busy drinking with several female guards.

She truly had a remarkable tolerance for alcohol; it wasn't just an empty boast that she could match any man.

The female guards were already swaying and looking like they would soon be sprawled on the ground.

Seeing Su Mo return, Yang Xiaoyun approached him:

"How did it go?"

"Released."

"Do you think it will work?"

"Perhaps."

Su Mo smiled and said,

"This man has unique martial arts skills and is quite adaptable, with his own way of doing things. Now that he's been released, he might play an interesting role."

"You seem to have quite a bit of confidence in him."

Yang Xiaoyun was somewhat surprised.

Su Mo shook his head slightly and recounted what Xu Lu had told him.

"This man's background is rather tragic. It's commendable that he can refrain from lashing out, which shows he has some character."

Yang Xiaoyun sighed, "While that's true, how many people can maintain their principles after suddenly gaining power? Sometimes, the speed of wielding a weapon surpasses the speed of thought."

"Yes, although we can't fully trust him, I don't think everything he said is fabricated."

"Alright, let's not think about him. He's just a pawn in our game. Come, drink with me."

"Sure, let's get thoroughly drunk today!"

"I'm not afraid of you."

They immediately raised their cups and drank, enjoying the night and the world within the pot.

In the end, few managed to walk back to their rooms on their own.

Su Mo was supported into the room by Yang Xiaoyun, but after laying him down, she climbed onto the bed and, with a flip, fell into a deep sleep.

This left Su Mo speechless for a moment.

He got up, looked at the woman who was drunk and reeked of alcohol, and instinctively reached out to touch her face.

"Don't mess around..."

Yang Xiaoyun waved her hand and pulled Su Mo's blanket over herself, rolling into the bed.

Su Mo shook his head, cleared his mind, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate his internal energy. In no time, he expelled a breath of alcohol.

His senses sharpened, and his mind became clear.

Hearing Yang Xiaoyun's soft snoring, Su Mo pursed his lips:

"Uncle Fu must be getting a bit senile."

He quietly waited by the bedside, and the night passed this way.

As the morning sunlight streamed into the room, Yang Xiaoyun suddenly sat up, looking around in confusion. She saw Su Mo smiling at her from the bedside.

She blinked, looked down at her attire, and then gave Su Mo a strange look:

"Did you used to frequent the pleasure quarters like this?"

"..."

Su Mo's mouth twitched; sometimes this girl really didn't know how to speak.

Yang Xiaoyun seemed to realize what she had said and blushed, but then she saw Su Mo leaning closer to her.

Their eyes met, and Yang Xiaoyun felt her breath catch.

"You... What are you going to do?"

Yang Xiaoyun whispered.

"Freely roaming the pleasure quarters..."

Su Mo muttered through gritted teeth.

Yang Xiaoyun let out a yelp and scrambled away from Su Mo, running out of the room as if her tail were on fire, giving Su Mo a fierce glare before she disappeared.

Su Mo let out a light sigh, his gaze becoming more focused:

"I was so drunk, and yet no one took advantage of such a good opportunity?

"Their patience is indeed impressive.

"Three Absolute Sect... What kind of background do they have?

"Well, let's see how long you can hold out."

After breakfast, Su Mo said goodbye to Uncle Fu and started packing.

The Love Scroll was not like other items; it could be kept close to the body.

The small box wasn't large, and it could easily fit in his bag, making it convenient to carry.

This journey was different from the one with Wanxin Trading Company; fewer people were needed this time.

So after packing, Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun mounted two fast horses and set off directly.

Before leaving, he instructed Uncle Fu and Xiaochuan that the Iron Blood Escort Agency would temporarily cease operations until their return.

Leaving Sunset City, they headed straight east.

Yang Xiaoyun often took this route, as the Iron Blood Escort Agency mainly operated in the eastern regions. The road was familiar, and the stops along the way were routine.

After about ten days of travel, they passed through Zhongfu City, the road remaining smooth all the way.

By dusk one day, they had reached the foot of Huayang Mountain.

Beyond Huayang Mountain lay Three Rivers Bay.

Here, Hui River, Heng River, and Tongshui River converged, branching out into smaller streams and continuing eastward.

Thus, after passing Huayang Mountain, they could switch to water travel.

A few days on the river, disembarking at Jiyang Ferry, would bring them into East City territory.

At this moment, however, the two of them had missed their lodging and couldn't even find an abandoned temple.

The area had recently seen a heavy snowfall, making the night journey even more difficult with each step sinking deep into the snow. They decided to clear a patch of ground in the forest, start a fire, and rest around it.

"We should have brought a pot when we left."

Yang Xiaoyun, skillfully skewering a wild rabbit on a branch, said regretfully, "If we had, there are plenty of mushrooms in these wilds. Paired with the rabbit, I could have stewed you a delicious pot of rabbit meat. Wouldn't that be wonderful?"

"Speaking of which, I haven't had the pleasure of tasting your cooking yet, Sister Xiaoyun."

Su Mo watched her deft movements, clearly indicating she had done this before.

Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo, "That's true. The main issue is Uncle Fu never gives me the chance. Even if I want to show off my skills, Uncle Fu always intervenes and kicks me out of the kitchen. I'm helpless. When we return to the escort agency, I'll cook for you personally, and I guarantee you'll enjoy it so much you'll want to swallow your tongue."

"Let's make that a promise then."

Su Mo leaned against a tree trunk, looking at the two horses grazing on sparse grass in the snow, and sighed, "These old friends have endured a lot with us. Tomorrow, after we pass Huayang Mountain and reach Three Rivers Bay, we should find an inn to let them eat their fill."

"Sure, Three Rivers Bay is bustling. There's an old inn there where I often stop during my escort missions. Their braised Three Rivers Tail is a specialty; you should definitely try it."

"I didn't realize you enjoyed eating so much."

Su Mo felt he was discovering new things about Yang Xiaoyun.

Yang Xiaoyun smiled slightly, about to say more, but saw Su Mo raise his hand slightly, signaling silence.

They fell quiet, and soon a figure appeared in the snow, coming into view.

At first, the distance was considerable, but within moments, the person was right in front of them.

His gaze swept over Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, then he smiled and said, "Travelers, drawn here by the firelight in the dead of night, may I ask for your kindness to share the warmth of your fire?"

Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun watched him silently for a while without speaking.

The man still smiled, repeating his request, "Travelers, drawn here by the firelight in the dead of night, may I ask for your kindness to share the warmth of your fire?"

His voice was gentle, his demeanor kind.

If not for the broken corpse behind him, he would have seemed refined.

Su Mo looked at him for a moment, then nodded, "Please, feel free."

"Thank you."

Relieved, the man sat down by the fire, carrying the corpse with him.

He took out a water flask, looking at Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, "Would you like a drink?"

"Just had some."

Su Mo's eyes scanned the corpse, noting it was a woman, though it was unclear how long she had been dead.

The man nodded, placing the water flask near the fire and setting it on the ground.

He then laid the corpse down beside the fire.

Yang Xiaoyun now saw clearly that it was a young woman in a green silk dress. Her fingers suggested she had martial arts training.

But now, she had been gutted, her internal organs missing.

The man rubbed his hands together and exhaled softly, "The cold weather is truly troublesome. May I ask where the two of you are headed?"

This person carried a strange corpse, yet spoke as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.

Not only was he smiling broadly, but his demeanor was also gentle.

Yang Xiaoyun glanced at Su Mo, who discreetly waved his hand at her, then said with a smile:

"We, brother and sister, have been wandering in the world of martial arts. This time we're heading east to visit relatives."

If one were to scrutinize these words, they would find no fault.

They indeed wandered in the world of martial arts, and this trip was indeed heading east. As for visiting relatives... going to see Yang Yizhi, if that didn't count as visiting relatives, what would?

"East? To East City?"

The man shook his head: "East City is not a good place. It's filled with sects, chaotic, and there are few good people. Looking at your faces, neither of you seem malicious. If you go to East City, you'll likely be bullied."

"Oh? What do you mean by that?"

Su Mo smiled and said: "To be honest, my sister and I have always been active in the southwestern region, rarely venturing east. If it weren't for our dire circumstances, we wouldn't leave this familiar place to go to an unfamiliar land like East City."

"Ah..."

The man sighed and said: "We are all forced by life. In East City, sects abound, large sects have many followers and act tyrannically. Small sects are weak in numbers; if their martial arts are unique, they might manage. But if their martial arts are poor, they struggle even more.

"And the common people suffer, often without enough food or a peaceful night's sleep, always on guard against disciples from large sects coming to bully them.

"In short, living in East City is no easy feat."

"Is it really such a situation?"

Su Mo raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Yang Xiaoyun.

Both Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun knew about East City.

Especially Yang Xiaoyun, who frequently traveled between East City and the southwestern region, was very clear about the situation in East City.

The people there, while not living in peace and prosperity, certainly weren't starving or sleeping uneasily.

And the major sects valued their rules and discipline; bullying people casually would bring ridicule from other sects and make it hard to stand among the various sects in East City.

The man was clearly lying.

The man nodded: "Since we've met, it's fate. I'll be straightforward with you. I come from a small sect in East City, and without any reason, I was oppressed and bullied by some major sects...

"At first, it was bearable, but later, they started killing people.

"I watched my master die before my eyes, and my uncles and aunts were slaughtered like pigs and dogs...

"If it weren't for my senior sister's efforts to protect me and help me escape... I would have died at the hands of those so-called righteous sects long ago.

"Heh... righteous sects, noble families, how laughable.

"Killing and harming lives, using ruthless means, truly despicable."

Su Mo frowned: "If it's true, it is indeed despicable. Do you know which sects are involved? I'll keep it in mind, so I can be cautious if I encounter them."

"Um um..."

The man nodded: "All the major sects in East City are like this, but the foremost among them are Cold Moon Palace and Purple Sun Sect. These two sects, Cold Moon Palace kills and harms lives mercilessly. Purple Sun Sect, though less active in recent years, has committed countless evil deeds in the past. The lives they've taken pile up, bones stack high..."

Su Mo raised an eyebrow, and Yang Xiaoyun already had a firm grip on her Longyuan Spear.

The relationship between Purple Sun Sect and Su Mo was extraordinary.

In the past, Su Chengyu, an ancestor of the Su family, joined Purple Sun Sect, after which the Ziyang Escort Agency was established.

Naming the escort agency after the sect shows how much Purple Sun Sect valued and cared for Su Chengyu.

Even though the Su family had declined over the years and could no longer compare to its former glory,

Purple Sun Sect remained secluded, with few disciples walking the world.

However, as long as Purple Sun Sect did not reclaim the 'Ziyang' name from the Ziyang Escort Agency, it would continue to protect the Ziyang Escort Agency.

This man's words about Purple Sun Sect were like a direct insult to Su Mo and the Ziyang Escort Agency.

But Su Mo still had a smile on his lips: "Oh? I've heard of Purple Sun Sect; they are quite famous."

"Um."

The man nodded: "Not just famous, they are the leaders among the many sects in East City. Their reputation and strength are second only to Cold Moon Palace! Yet, my master was killed by the evil bandits of Purple Sun Sect... I wish I could eat their flesh and drink their blood, capture every man and woman in their sect, strip their flesh and bones, to satisfy my hatred."

"I see."

Su Mo nodded: "A teacher's death is indeed an irreconcilable enmity."

"Yes."

The man smiled: "Fortunately, the good days of Purple Sun Sect and Cold Moon Palace are coming to an end... They can't truly cover the sky with one hand. This time, I came to the southwest to plot against them. If I succeed... East City will surely..."

Just as he said this, the sound of whistling wind approached.

Looking up, several women in green robes and skirts had appeared around them, their faces cold and eyes filled with menace as they looked at the three of them.

One of the women scanned Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun, then turned to look at the corpse beside the man, her face darkening:

"Villain, it was indeed you who harmed my junior sister!!!"

The man looked up at these fierce women, his face full of indignation:

"You… you! You’re simply too much!"

He leaped to his feet, pointing an accusing finger. "Do you even let people live? We may not be able to compare with your prestigious sects, but you can’t bully us to this extent!"

"Nonsense, prepare to die!!!"

As the words fell, a hum of a sword rose in response, the cold moonlight turning chill as it instantly reached the man.

The man’s mouth opened wide, and he spat out a foul-smelling breath.

Su Mo raised an eyebrow, and with a puff of his sleeves, he repelled the stench, protecting himself and Yang Xiaoyun.

The women present, however, all unfurled their long swords, their sword qi crisscrossing to completely isolate the foul air.

"Too much… too much!!!"

The man continued to curse, his figure flickering as he somehow found himself in front of the woman who had struck first. His fingers grabbed at her, and she shook her sword, meeting him head-on.

Buzz, buzz, buzz!

At the moment of attack, the man’s hands turned a dark green, his fingers landing on the blade one after another. Each time they landed and lifted, five black marks were left on the sword.

The stench was unbearable, making one want to vomit.

But as the woman looked up, the hand was already at her face.

Her eyes flashed with determination, about to drive her sword technique, but suddenly her mind grew dizzy, swaying unsteadily, unable to dodge.

Fortunately, two swords struck from either side, preventing her from falling under his palm.

In a flash, the man seized both swords, the sound of cracking filling the air. His hands, seemingly impervious to blades, turned dark green, and the swords were snapped in half.

With a series of sharp sounds, broken blades flew through the air, and with a sweep of his hand, the points of these blades shot toward two other women.

These two women, who had come forward to help, were now blocked by the flying blades and could only wave their swords, the clashing sounds ringing continuously.

"Ha ha ha!!!"

The man laughed, reaching out to grab the two women. "Delicious prey delivered to my door, how can I refuse!"

His fingertips twitched, ready to pierce their throats.

Suddenly, a gust of wind came from behind, and he turned to see a flying stone approaching.

Startled, he reached out to catch it, but the force of the stone was immense, causing him to stagger backward!

He retreated for over three yards before finally stopping, looking at the stone in his hand with suspicion, then at his palm.

His palm was cracked, bones deformed, blood flowing freely.

The man stared at Su Mo in shock. "You… you…"

His expression twisted into a grotesque snarl:

"Just a pastry I met on the road, and you dare to bully me?

"Truly, too much!!!"