Chapter 3: Come With Ill Intentions

At an inn on a long street, Gu Chundong was serving food to Gu Mo at a window seat.

Gu Mo could only eat with a bowl in his hands. Although his internal energy was now profound and he could generally take care of himself, eating remained difficult since he couldn't see the dishes on the table.

“Brother, that Yan San Niang is so beautiful. Do you think I'll be as beautiful as her when I grow up?”

“You’ll definitely be more beautiful than her.”

Gu Chundong chuckled, then looked down at her own chest, pouted, and asked, “How did her chest get so big?”

Gu Mo smiled faintly, unsure how to answer such a question.

“Brother, after we finish eating, we’ll go upstairs to rest. I’ve booked two rooms; I’ll be right next door to you, so you can call me anytime, and I’ll hear you,” Gu Chundong said.

“Alright, good,” Gu Mo nodded.

“Oh, by the way, Brother, are you really planning to affiliate with Yan San Niang?” Gu Chundong asked.

Gu Mo nodded. “It’s quite suitable. Neither of us has much of a reputation in the martial arts world, and I’m blind now. If we went to those established Wind Chaser Pavilions, we wouldn’t be taken seriously. It would be difficult to get first-hand intelligence, and we wouldn’t earn much money. Yan San Niang’s Wind Chaser Pavilion has just been established; it’s precisely when they need people. Also, she needs to quickly build her reputation and will be more diligent in her work. I’ve heard of Yan San Niang’s reputation before; she has extensive connections in the martial arts world, and rumor has it she has a formidable background. Her intelligence gathering capabilities should be quite good.”

Gu Mo intended to become a blade-for-hire, so affiliating with a Wind Chaser Pavilion was inevitable. After much thought, Yan San Niang indeed seemed like a very suitable choice. If it didn't work out, he could always withdraw later.

Although he was eager to take on blade-for-hire missions, he wasn't overly rushed. With the Nine Yang Divine Skill protecting him, he no longer felt so insecure and could proceed steadily.

Soon, they finished their meal.

Gu Chundong helped Gu Mo prepare to go upstairs.

Just as they reached the staircase, a large group of over twenty people suddenly burst into the inn from outside. The leader was a burly middle-aged man with a thick beard and eyes as sharp as an eagle's. He wore a dark-colored close-fitting outfit, a wide belt around his waist, and a saber hanging at his side. The saber's scabbard had ancient patterns, subtly exuding a deadly aura. The people behind him varied in height, build, and weight, but all possessed the distinctive sharp and capable demeanor of martial artists.

“Who’s Gu Mo? Get out here!”

The group immediately began aggressively banging on tables and kicking chairs, throwing the inn into disarray and drawing the widespread dissatisfaction of many patrons, who started cursing and grumbling.

The burly middle-aged man bellowed, “I am Zhang Xiong of the Broadsword Gang! If anyone has a problem, step forward!”

Instantly, the inn fell into a sudden silence.

The Broadsword Gang held significant sway in Linjiang City, being one of the largest gangs. They boasted eight hundred blade-wielders, and their leader, Lu Yingchuan, known in the martial arts world as Old Blade Handle, was one of the foremost figures in Linjiang City’s underworld and a renowned top-tier master. Under him were four hall masters—Wolf, Bear, Tiger, and Leopard—all notorious figures in their own right.

And Zhang Xiong was the second-ranked among the Wolf, Bear, Tiger, and Leopard hall masters, nicknamed Big Black Bear.

Seeing this, the innkeeper rushed out, greeting them with an ingratiating smile: “Oh, Lord Xiong, what an honor! Please, quickly, have a seat! I recently acquired a pot of fine wine…”

“Get lost!”

Zhang Xiong immediately slapped the innkeeper to the ground.

Just then, one of his subordinates behind him pointed at Gu Mo, who was about to go upstairs, and said, “Big Brother, he’s the only blind one here.”

Zhang Xiong looked at Gu Mo, then glanced at Gu Chundong, cupped his hands, and said, “Young Master Gu, Young Heroine Gu, I’ve heard much about you. I have something I need to ask you both, and I hope you will be cooperative.”

Gu Chundong remained silent, quietly resting her hand on her saber hilt. Gu Mo, however, cupped his hands and replied, “Hall Master Zhang, I’ve heard much about you as well. Please ask whatever you wish; I will tell you everything I know.”

“Straightforward!” Zhang Xiong said. “I hear you two, Young Master Gu and Young Heroine Gu, killed Zhou Tong and collected the bounty from the yamen. Is that true?”

Gu Mo knew that Zhang Xiong couldn’t truly be here just to ask about this. Zhou Tong had been the most notorious wanted criminal in Linjiang City for a while, and many people were paying attention.

Since he and his sister had turned in the head and claimed the bounty, the yamen would certainly have publicized it immediately.

Gu Mo said, “Yes, that is true. What guidance do you have, Hall Master Zhang?”

Zhang Xiong said grimly, “Young Master Gu, our Broadsword Gang has been tracking this Zhou Tong for a long time. We deployed many men and many brothers were injured in the effort to apprehend him. We finally wounded and trapped him, but then you two siblings came along to ‘pick the peach.’ Don’t you think that’s unreasonable?”

Gu Mo said calmly, “Hall Master Zhang, you are mistaken. The rule has always been that when apprehending or killing a wanted criminal, whoever ultimately secures them claims the bounty. If it were based on who merely participated, wouldn’t that cause chaos? How would one determine who contributed more and who contributed less?”

Zhang Xiong sneered, “While that may be the rule, to capture Zhou Tong, I still have over a dozen brothers laid up. Young Master Gu, you could say you took advantage of us. Shouldn’t you at least show some courtesy and offer some compensation for our efforts?”

Gu Chundong immediately bristled with anger but was held back by Gu Mo. Gu Mo asked with a smile, “How much does Hall Master Zhang require?”

“Not much,” Zhang Xiong replied. “I had thirteen brothers injured in total. Twenty taels for each one’s medical expenses, making it two hundred sixty taels in all.”

Gu Mo smiled faintly. “Hall Master Zhang, Zhou Tong’s head was only worth three hundred taels in total.”

“I know,” Zhang Xiong said ominously. “Zhou Tong’s head originally belonged to my Broadsword Gang. You two siblings got a good deal, getting forty taels of silver. That’s plenty. Young Master Gu, one must learn to be content. Being too greedy can easily lead to disaster!”

Gu Mo nodded slightly. “Hall Master Zhang is right; an innocent man can be condemned for possessing something valuable.” As he spoke, he reached out to Gu Chundong and softly said, “Give me the silver note.”

Gu Chundong was somewhat reluctant, but she also saw that Zhang Xiong was not to be trifled with and wouldn't back down without the money. She worried that a conflict might injure Gu Mo.

So, she obediently handed the silver note to Gu Mo.

Zhang Xiong showed a satisfied smile upon seeing this.

Gu Mo gripped the silver note and said, “The money is right here, Hall Master Zhang. You can come and take it. However, I must also warn you: I wonder if you have the qualifications to take this money?”

“You refuse a toast only to drink a forfeit!”

Zhang Xiong's face turned grim. Feeling immediately mocked, he roared, “Blind man, you’re looking for death! Attack!”

Gu Chundong had expected Gu Mo to back down, but to her surprise, he was provoking Zhang Xiong. Seeing Zhang Xiong enraged, she quickly stepped in front of Gu Mo, drawing her saber, ready to fight.

However, just as she drew her saber, Gu Mo suddenly pressed down on Gu Chundong’s hand and softly said, “Little sister, step back a bit. Watch carefully, and learn well!”