Free Web NovelChapter 120: Chapter 120: Handover
Pedestrians occasionally walked past the shop’s entrance.
Upon seeing Shui Ziming, they didn’t even dare to spare him a second glance, lowering their heads and hurrying away.
The storefront was much larger now.
It had a wide, four-panel entrance, and sturdy men were moving in and out, setting the Pill shelves in place.
The carvings above the entrance were simple and elegant. In the corners, auspicious beasts were carved, craning their necks as if looking around.
The group quickened their pace and bowed as they approached.
"Eldest Senior Brother!"
Shui Ziming smiled warmly.
"Thank you for your hard work, Junior Brothers."
"Especially you, Junior Brother Bai. Were you frightened during the trip?"
Bai Mo quickly waved his hands.
"There were some complications, but with all the senior brothers present, I knew we would be well protected."
They all walked into the shop.
The layout inside had been slightly altered.
Toward the back was a private room, furnished like a reception hall for entertaining friends and guests.
This wasn’t a place for conducting business.
Everyone sat down, and Shui Ziming picked up the teapot to pour tea for them.
Liu Tong quickly stood up, wanting to take over.
"We can do it ourselves!"
Shui Ziming didn’t allow it.
"I’ve already received a report from the sect about your journey."
"I didn’t expect it to involve a non-human. The sect’s report wasn’t very detailed. When you have a moment, tell me more about it."
Shui Ziming said this casually, his face showing little surprise.
Li Dao whispered from the side:
"Eldest Senior Brother once captured two non-humans alive. They were from naturally powerful races."
"Now, after some ’training,’ those two are serving as gatekeepers for Xin Meng and his group."
Qin Yu nodded repeatedly, his face full of admiration.
"Eldest Senior Brother is amazing!"
Shui Ziming ignored them, turning only to Bai Mo and saying softly:
"In light of the complications that arose on your trip, the sect deacons have tentatively agreed to my request."
"When we return to the sect, you will come with me to the Collection Pavilion to choose a Cultivation Technique."
Bai Mo’s eyes lit up, and he immediately stood up.
"Thank you, Eldest Senior Brother!"
The others also broke into smiles.
"Heh, Eldest Senior Brother is always so generous!"
Shui Ziming waved it off and looked at them calmly.
"And you all? What are your plans?"
Qin Yu said eagerly, "I just came along for the ride! I’m sticking with you, Eldest Senior Brother!"
Liu Tong and the other two exchanged a glance.
"We’ll stay in the city for a while. We haven’t been out in a long time, and since we have time on our hands, it’ll be nice to look around!"
In Immortal Arrival City, the atmosphere was thick with aggression and violence.
It wasn’t obvious within the city proper, but that was only because the sects kept it suppressed.
Once outside the city walls, those Cultivators showed their true colors.
Liu Tong and his two companions quite liked this kind of atmosphere.
"Mm," Shui Ziming nodded.
"Go on. The sect has just established its presence here, and there are plenty of disgruntled locals causing trouble, both openly and covertly. It’s quite a nuisance."
"It would be good for you to lend a hand."
Decisively, the three of them downed their tea in one gulp, stood up, and left.
"We’re off, then."
Li Dao didn’t forget to call back to Qin Yu:
"Still want to see what’s in my bag? It’s good stuff, you know! I even have to find a special place to raise it!"
Qin Yu waved his hand.
"Go on, Senior Brother. I’ll find you another day!"
His words made it clear he was determined not to leave Shui Ziming’s side.
After the three had gone, Shui Ziming took out a ledger, opened it, and pointed to the figures inside.
"I jotted these down. Take a look, Junior Brother."
"I’ve already paid the workers’ wages with the Spirit Stones you left me."
"All in all, including materials and other things, it came to a little over three hundred..."
Bai Mo glanced at it briefly and said without a second thought:
"If you oversaw it, Senior Brother, I’m sure there are no mistakes."
With that, he carefully put the ledger away.
Shui Ziming smiled and added, "There’s a lot to deal with in the city. I probably won’t be able to return to the sect for another three months."
"Junior Brother Bai, be ready. We will return to the sect together then!"
Before Bai Mo could respond, Qin Yu gasped beside him.
"I get to stay out for another three months!?"
The Eldest Senior Brother shot him a look.
"Your mother sent me a letter. She wants you to behave. If your cultivation hasn’t improved enough by the time you go back, she’s going to ground you for a year!"
Alarmed, Qin Yu quickly turned to Bai Mo, his panicked expression filled with pleading.
"The Fire Marrow Pill..."
Bai Mo said confidently, "A small matter!"
"Alright."
Shui Ziming stood up.
"You two just got back. Rest well."
"Tomorrow, you’ll accompany me to pay a visit to the senior brother who will be stationed in the city from now on."
"Especially you, Junior Brother Bai. That senior brother also put in a good word for you regarding the selection of a text."
"His standing in the sect is much higher than mine!"
Shui Ziming was already the Eldest Senior Brother of the Outer Sect. For him to call someone "senior brother" spoke volumes about that person’s status!
Seeing Bai Mo agree seriously, Shui Ziming left.
With the city just being brought under control, he surely had very little free time.
Qin Yu followed closely behind him.
Bai Mo looked around and found a bedroom.
The old furniture hadn’t been replaced yet. Bai Mo washed up briefly and fell straight into bed.
Life in the mountains had been tough, and he was thoroughly exhausted.
...
THUD!
A dull sound, like something striking wood.
Deep in sleep, Bai Mo’s brow furrowed slightly.
THUD!
There it was again.
After a moment of silence, it was clear there would be no more sounds.
But Bai Mo threw off his blanket and sat up.
It took him a long moment to come to his senses and open his eyes.
He had just reached the window and pushed it open when he heard the delighted voice of his good neighbor, Sun Qiao.
"Ah!"
"Shopkeeper Bai, you’re really back!"
By now, the sky was dark. There were few stars, and the night wind was cool.
Bai Mo yawned.
"What is it?"
Sun Qiao sized him up and asked suspiciously:
"Shopkeeper Bai, what have you been up to these past few days? If you sleep any longer, there won’t be any food left on the street."
These past few days in the mountains, Bai Mo had been filling his stomach with Demon Beast meat. It was very filling, so he hadn’t felt particularly hungry.
"It’s fine. I can just grab a bite of whatever."
Sun Qiao shook his head, turned, and grabbed an oil-paper package.
"I’ve still got some flatbreads here. They were fresh from the oven at dinnertime. Do you want one?"
Bai Mo didn’t refuse. He caught the flatbread Sun Qiao tossed him and unwrapped it. The crust was sprinkled with black and white sesame seeds.
The fragrant aroma wafted up, and it looked quite appetizing.
As Bai Mo took a bite, Sun Qiao leaned against the window and asked:
"Where did you find such a formidable man to watch the shop?"
"He’s truly incredible!"
Bai Mo paused.
"What happened?"
Sun Qiao glanced left and right, then lowered his voice:
"Disciples from the Miaofa Sect came looking for trouble. Two separate groups came by."
"Their mouths were filthy. They barely got two sentences out before that man broke their legs and threw them into the street."
He held up his fingers, gesturing.
"Twelve people in total, and not a single one left in one piece. Internal injuries, external injuries... they spilled plenty of blood on the pavement."
"The old Cultivator who often comes by your place cleaned it all up again."
Seeing Bai Mo listening in a daze, Sun Qiao added quickly:
"There were also a few other groups of strange people from unknown origins."
"But that man didn’t even need to act. The workers you hired here took care of them."
Sun Qiao said with great disdain, commenting:
"They hadn’t even done anything and were almost scared shitless. The nerve of trash like that, coming to cause trouble..."
The important thing was, after all these incidents, the Xuandao Sect, which had now moved into the city, never even sent anyone to investigate.
Knowing the Xuandao Sect’s usual way of doing things, they shouldn’t be so lax.
There was clearly more to the story, which was what left everyone so shocked!
Bai Mo’s expression didn’t change. He set the flatbread aside and casually pulled over a chair.
"Come, tell me more. What else has happened these past few days?"
