Chapter 6: Cooperation

Yan Sanniang arranged a carriage that swiftly brought Gu Mo and his sister, Gu Chudong, to the Hundred Blossom Tavern.

The Hundred Blossom Tavern was one of the finest and busiest taverns in Linjiang City, but today it was eerily quiet, with not a single customer in sight.

To facilitate the mediation, Yan Sanniang had spared no expense, booking the entire Hundred Blossom Tavern for the occasion.

The three then sat in the main hall and waited.

They didn't have to wait long before someone announced the arrival of the Broadsword Gang.

Yan Sanniang personally stepped out to greet them.

Shortly after, a group of people entered. Leading them was a slender old man who exuded the steady composure of a towering peak or a deep abyss. His silver hair flowed freely, and his eyes were deep and sharp, like a night eagle's.

This was Lu Yingchuan, the leader of the Broadsword Gang and a prominent figure in Linjiang City's underworld, known as "Old Blade Master." Trailing him were three middle-aged men: Qin Che, known as "Wild Wolf," Du Yang, known as "Mountain Tiger," and Lin Heng, known as "Descending Leopard"—three of the "Wolf, Bear, Tiger, Leopard" quartet, all notorious individuals in Linjiang City.

The three followed Lu Yingchuan, each respectfully staying half a step behind him.

Yan Sanniang led them in and immediately began introductions.

Gu Mo cupped his hands towards Lu Yingchuan and said, "Gang Leader Lu, I've long admired your reputation."

Lu Yingchuan gave a slight nod but said nothing, going straight to a chair and sitting down. The Wolf, Tiger, and Leopard then followed suit.

Gu Mo, maintaining a placid expression, slowly took his seat. Gu Chudong, sitting closely beside him, also appeared outwardly calm, but in truth, her heart was racing.

While the Wolf, Tiger, and Leopard trio didn't particularly faze her, Old Blade Master Lu Yingchuan was a renowned figure in Linjiang City.

During her time escorting caravans with Gu Mo at the Changfeng Escort Agency, she had frequently heard tales of the Old Blade Master. To her, he was a legendary figure, even more formidable than the Changfeng Escort Agency's chief. She had never conceived of a day when she would sit at the same table with such a person, especially in such a tense, adversarial atmosphere.

The atmosphere in the hall was extremely oppressive.

Yan Sanniang instructed her subordinates to pour tea, then addressed him, "Gang Leader Lu, I invited you here today to mediate. Gu Mo is one of my people from Unrivaled Manor. As you might know, I've now branched out into Swiftwind Tower, and Young Master Gu is currently the chief enforcer for Unrivaled Manor. I depend on him for my livelihood.

"I won't rehash the day's events; we all know the truth of what happened. In our world, peace brings prosperity. So, I propose we sit down, share a meal, and forge a friendship. This way, we'll have more avenues and mutual support in the future. How does that sound?"

Lu Yingchuan took a sip of tea and slowly replied, "Boss Yan, I certainly owe you this respect. I don't wish to debate what's right or wrong, but the fact remains that Young Master Gu killed my brother. There must be a resolution!"

"Then, Gang Leader Lu, what kind of resolution are you looking for?" Yan Sanniang asked with a smile.

Lu Yingchuan slowly set down his teacup, looked at Gu Mo, and said, "Young Master Gu, shouldn't we lay out your terms?"

Gu Mo stood up, picked up his teacup, and said, "Then I shall offer this tea in place of wine, a toast to you. From now on..."

*Bang!*

Just then, Mountain Tiger Du Yang, seated beside Lu Yingchuan, slammed the table and stood up, pointing at Gu Mo and cursing furiously, "You blind bastard, what do you think you are? My boss is giving Boss Yan face by giving you a chance to set terms, and you offer tea instead of wine? Are you worthy? Right now, immediately, kneel, kowtow to apologize, and sever one of your arms, or else..."

Before Du Yang could finish speaking,

Gu Mo's hand, holding the teacup, trembled slightly, and the teacup instantly flew out of his grasp, shooting straight towards Du Yang.

Du Yang immediately struck out with his palm.

However, the teacup flew with the speed of an arrow released from a bow, moving too fast for the naked eye to track. Du Yang's palm struck only air, and the teacup hit him directly in the chest.

With a "crack,"

A sound of bone cracking emanated from Du Yang's chest. He was instantly sent flying backward, crashing hard onto the floor, shattering the flagstones. A mouthful of fresh blood spurted from him, and he struggled, unable to stand up.

However,

What astonished everyone present even more was this:

The teacup hadn't shattered; instead, it bounced back. Even more unbelievably, not a single drop of tea had spilled from it, and it returned safely to Gu Mo's hand.

Gu Mo, still smiling, held up the teacup and said, "Gang Leader Lu, I toast you!"

Lu Yingchuan's pupils contracted, and his eyes were wide with shock as he stared intently at Gu Mo. His aura gradually sharpened, then, after a moment, abruptly vanished. He picked up his teacup, stood, and said, "Brother Gu, I accept your friendship. Please!"

With that, Lu Yingchuan drained the tea in his cup.

Gu Mo also emptied his cup.

Lu Yingchuan cupped his hands and said, "Let's consider past matters settled. From now on, we are friends. Brother Gu, if you ever need anything, please don't hesitate to come to me. Farewell!"

Having said that, Lu Yingchuan cupped his hands to Yan Sanniang again and said, "Boss Yan, farewell!"

"Gang Leader Lu, take care."

Yan Sanniang saw Lu Yingchuan to the door, watching him and his entourage board their carriage. Then she turned around, a cheerful smile on her face, and said, "That Old Blade Master, he truly is getting old. I thought for a moment he was going to test Young Master Gu's skills!"

Gu Mo chuckled softly. "An Old Blade Master who doesn't make a move, even if he backs down, still retains a certain deterrent power. After all, no one knows how truly strong he is when he fights. But an Old Blade Master who fights and loses would have significantly less deterrent power. Many would then think, 'I could do that too.'"

"That's certainly true."

Yan Sanniang cheerfully walked over to Gu Mo, sat directly beside him, and said with a playfully mournful expression, "It's just a pity. I had originally hoped to offer Old Blade Master a favor by mediating for you, Young Master Gu, and in doing so, make you owe me one. But I never anticipated Young Master Gu would scare Old Blade Master into such a hasty retreat. My favor couldn't be sold; it's truly a missed opportunity!"

Gu Mo said, "Boss Yan, I acknowledge your kind intentions."

Yan Sanniang stood up, took a contract from her sleeve, unfurled it, and said, "Excellent, Young Master Gu, please sign and put your mark. From now on, you'll be affiliated with my Unrivaled Manor. You mustn't run off to work for others and break my heart!"

Gu Mo was speechless.

Gu Chudong took the contract from Yan Sanniang's hand and said, "Let me see it first."

Yan Sanniang slapped her forehead and exclaimed, "I forgot Young Master Gu can't see! Hmm... Young Master Gu, are you truly unable to see?"

Gu Mo nodded slightly.

Yan Sanniang said, surprised, "If I didn't know you were blind, Young Master Gu, no one would ever suspect it, seeing you sit here."

Gu Mo simply smiled and said nothing further.

A moment later, Gu Chudong finished reading the contract and said, "Brother, it's fine."

Gu Mo nodded and said, "Boss Yan, then let's have a pleasant cooperation!"

Yan Sanniang said with a cheerful smile, "Pleasant, indeed! Young Master Gu is no ordinary person; he will certainly make this humble lady very, very, very happy!"