Bab 26: Chapter 26: When the child grows up, he no longer follows his father's dictates.
Editor: Atlas Studios
After Su Mo leisurely stated his point of view, Yang Xiaoyun finally calmed down a little.
In fact, Yang Xiaoyun might not have lacked such considerations herself in the past.
But as the saying goes, concern leads to chaos.
Since she was young, she had regarded Su Mo as family. Naturally, when matters involved Su Mo, especially such a dangerous assassination, she couldn't help but become discomposed.
"You are indeed making sense. This is an oversight on my part...
"I only thought about Wu Chengfeng and the treacherous person behind him, fixating on the petty grievances of the younger generation, yet I forgot to consider the possibility that this might be related to the struggle for the Alliance Leader position within the Phoenix Alliance.
"But, isn't it too dangerous to wait for them to make another move?"
"Actually... the success of these two assassination attempts is still uncertain. If I had been truly powerless to resist during the first assassination attempt and died at their hands, then so be it. But now I'm not dead, so... the situation remains unresolved. And with that being the case..."
He paused slightly at this point.
"What?"
Yang Xiaoyun looked at him, trying to see what else he might be thinking.
Su Mo pondered for a moment and then said, "Actually, there's something I'm quite curious about. They seem so eager to kill me, as if by killing me they could directly disrupt the alliance between Wu Daoyou and Uncle Yang. But the question is... up till now, has Uncle Yang taken a stance on this matter?"
"This... In recent years, my father has been secretive, always acting covertly and never making things clear to me. We father and daughter have spoken less in a few months than I've spoken with you in a single day. How would I know what he thinks about this matter?"
Yang Xiaoyun's words carried a hint of resentment.
Remembering her expectation of Yang Yi's 'Unity of Knowledge and Action' from yesterday, it was not hard to understand.
Su Mo nodded gently: "Let's set this matter aside for now. If our speculation is true, do you think the person they truly wish to deal with would sit idly by and just watch the flowers bloom and fade away?"
"The ultimate goal of those who want to kill you, no matter who lurks behind the scenes, is probably to prevent Wu Daoyou's plans from succeeding. This matter seems a direct stab aimed at Wu Daoyou."
Yang Xiaoyun nodded and let out a soft sigh.
"...And yet I'm the one who gets stabbed."
"Do you also know?"
Yang Xiaoyun glared at Su Mo in annoyance: "But speaking of which, no matter who the person behind the scenes is, they are now constrained."
Su Mo nodded lightly, with a smile: "Doesn't that make things more interesting?"
"So what do you think we should do now?"
"Of course, we should stabilize our own position."
Su Mo said with a smile: "The more they want you to do something, the less you should do it. Rather than acting blindly, it's better to sit and watch the chaos unfold. Otherwise, even if we could really wipe out the entire Phoenix Alliance, even if it were possible, can one truly rely on martial prowess and act violently with impunity?"
In Jianghu, martial arts are important, but one cannot act recklessly and arrogantly.
Especially since Su Mo is involved with running an escort agency, to ensure the escort agency thrives financially, actions must be measured and methodical.
To initiate a bloodbath at the slightest disagreement is only to demonstrate the valor of the common brute and is not a long-term strategy.
In fact, in Jianghu, those who only rely on martial arts to act violently often do not meet good ends.
Either they are labeled as heretics and are hunted and killed by the orthodox factions.
Or they become unwitting pawns in the hands of others, taking pride in their own ignorance.
By the time the true intentions come to light, it's usually too late for regrets.
"You can indeed keep cool... You didn't seem to have such good Qi Cultivation Skill in the past."
"People are forged through pressure."
It was meant as a joke, but when he looked up, he saw a gaze filled with pity from Yang Xiaoyun.
He wished he could slap himself...
To him, the comment was a joke, but how could Yang Xiaoyun fully understand that?
Speaking those words, who knows what Yang Xiaoyun might think.
Just as he was about to divert the topic, he saw Yang Xiaoyun suddenly slap the table:
"So be it, then I won't go back during this time."
"Uh... What?"
Su Mo suddenly looked up at Yang Xiaoyun: "What do you mean?"
"No matter who the person behind the scenes is, whether or not they're pulling strings, and regardless of how each action might affect everything else.
"And whether Wu Daoyou has made any decisions?
"All of that has nothing to do with me.
"To me, none of this is as important as your life. How could I possibly go home and sleep peacefully if this matter isn't settled?"
Yang Xiaoyun said as if it were the most natural thing in the world: "Of course, I should stay by your side to protect you."
"...Uncle Yang won't agree."
"I'm not a three-year-old child, have you not heard the saying?"
"What saying?"
"A grown child cannot be dictated by their father!"
"..."
Su Mo realized he not only had never heard this saying, but he also had never said it with such righteousness.
He frowned deeply for a moment: "Sister Xiao Yun… This might not be appropriate. Although we are engaged, after all, we are not yet married. If you end up staying at Ziyang Escort Agency, this could damage your reputation..."
"Hm? What's so important about that? A mere reputation is worthless compared to your life."
Yang Xiaoyun casually waved her hand: "Besides, we are going to be husband and wife eventually. The fact that I have been betrothed to you since I was a child is known by the whole Luoxia City. The women of the Yang Family do not marry twice, so this decision does not harm my reputation."
"Ah this..."
Su Mo clenched his teeth, truly not knowing what to say.
But then he saw Yang Xiaoyun staring at him without blinking.
Su Mo subconsciously touched his face, making sure there was no tea stain: "What's wrong?"
"I want to take a good look at you."
Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo: "I've watched you grow up since we were kids, but I didn't expect that after two years of rarely seeing each other, when we meet again, you would have changed so much."
"...How have I changed?"
"In the past, you were frivolous and indecisive, like mud that can't stick to the wall."
Yang Xiaoyun said with a smile: "Don't be angry when I say this. In fact, I wasn't exactly pleased with our engagement at first. But still, I couldn't break that promise. Therefore, I was prepared to support you for a lifetime."
"This..."
Su Mo shook his head. If they truly got married and lived together, it wouldn't be possible for someone to always support the other.
If it was indeed like that, life would be too exhausting.
"But now, it's different."
Yang Xiaoyun looked at Su Mo: "You seem to have become reliable. Facing an assassination, you remained calm and collected, with well-thought-out plans that even I could not match. Among the younger generation, Wu Chengfeng is considered skilled. However, you shrugged your shoulders, and sent him flying straight into the restaurant. Such Inner Strength is indeed astonishing...
"Xiao Mo, what's the story with your Inner Strength? How did it improve so dramatically?"
This woman really lived up to the reputation of a female hero. When the conversation turned to martial arts, her eyes lit up again and she stood up excitedly: "Come on, let's have another go. Yesterday, I thought your Inner Strength was shallow and didn't dare to use it when exchanging moves, mainly because I was worried about accidentally injuring you if we couldn't hold back in time.
"Now that your Inner Strength is exceptional, let's fight another round!"
While she was talking, she pulled Su Mo to spar.
Su Mo didn't know whether to laugh or cry at that moment, and right then, Uncle Fu came from afar, smiling broadly:
"You must be hungry by now, right? I've prepared the food, come and have a meal."
Bab 27: Chapter 27: Incoming Escort
Editor: Atlas Studios
Uncle Fu really put thought into this midday meal.
In the past, when the two families were close friends, Yang Xiaoyun had often eaten at Ziyang Escort Agency. Uncle Fu knew exactly what she liked and disliked.
This table was almost entirely catered to Yang Xiaoyun's tastes.
Yang Xiaoyun couldn't stop praising, continuously complimenting Uncle Fu's impressive cooking skills.
Uncle Fu, with a broad grin showing his teeth but not his eyes, spoke from behind Su Mo:
"Miss Yun, if you like it, you should come more often. I'll cook delicious food for you."
"Uh-huh."
Yang Xiaoyun nodded repeatedly, "Uncle Fu, there's no need for 'next time.' For the coming period, I plan to stay at Ziyang Escort Agency and not leave."
"Ah?"
Uncle Fu was startled and instinctively glanced at Su Mo.
Su Mo coughed once, "Sister Yun, we should discuss this matter further."
"Discuss what? Why does everything need to be discussed at length? Can you not just be straightforward?"
Yang Xiaoyun glared at Su Mo.
Su Mo's mouth twitched, and he looked to Uncle Fu for help, only to see Uncle Fu turning around and walking away.
Su Mo was taken aback, "Uncle Fu, where are you going?"
"To tidy up a room for Miss Yun."
"..."
How could a traitor appear amidst this major crisis?
Su Mo looked helplessly at Yang Xiaoyun, who grinned and said, "Let's eat."
Before the meal was finished, Uncle Fu had returned from outside.
"Young Master, there's someone outside asking to see you."
"Do you know them?"
"He claims his surname is Ji, has an unfamiliar face, and seems to have a matter to discuss."
Su Mo was startled and nodded slightly: "Let him wait in the living room, I'll be right there."
"Alright."
Uncle Fu agreed and turned to leave.
Yang Xiaoyun and Su Mo exchanged glances, both discerning the meaning in each other's eyes.
"In these uncertain times, we need to be cautious with unfamiliar visitors."
Yang Xiaoyun cautioned.
Su Mo nodded, "I'll go take a look first."
"I'll go with you."
After thinking for a moment, Su Mo didn't refuse.
Both set down their utensils, tidied up a bit, and then headed to the living room.
Naturally, Ziyang Escort Agency's living room couldn't compare to that of Iron Blood Escort Agency—it was simply and modestly furnished, and even the tea wasn't of high quality.
The visitor, dressed in gray and of ordinary appearance, was sitting sedately, sipping tea.
Next to him on the table, there was a case placed.
After Su Mo and Yang Xiaoyun arrived in the living room, the man heard their footsteps and had just stood up, but upon seeing them, he was taken aback: "Um… May I ask who you both are?"
Yang Xiaoyun almost laughed out loud.
Visiting someone's house yet asking for the hosts' names?
How can there be such logic under the heavens?
Su Mo smiled: "I am Su Mo, the Chief of the Ziyang Escort Agency."
The man was stunned, then instinctively clasped his fist: "I have long admired you..."
Although he said he admired him, his expression suggested that even he himself didn't believe it.
However, he quickly recovered his composure: "Please don't mind, I just didn't expect the Chief of the Ziyang Escort Agency to be so young... Oh, right, I am Ji Shuhua, I have had the honor of meeting Chief Su."
Su Mo rolled these three words in his mind, and already knew who this person was, smiling slightly:
"So it is Yi Qi Qian Qiu Ji Shu Hua in person, my apologies for any disrespect."
"Friends of Jianghu flatter me, you make me laugh."
Ji Shuhua's face was full of smiles, although he said it in jest, Su Mo's words clearly hit the right spot.
This Yi Qi Qian Qiu Ji Shu Hua had a somewhat renowned name in Jianghu. Although his martial arts were average, he was known for one trait - his love of making friends.
This man was not picky about his friends; he befriended people from all walks of life.
And when friends faced difficulties, he would never skimp on lending a hand.
This earned him the nickname Yi Qi Qian Qiu.
After a bit of polite conversation, they took their seats as host and guest, and Su Mo then asked:
"Where does Hero Ji come from?"
He did not ask why the visitor had come or say anything like 'no one visits without a reason,' as that could seem overbearing.
Since it was their first meeting, it was proper to leave some decorum, asking 'where do you come from' also implicitly included the question of what he was here for.
"To tell the truth, this trip was entrusted to me by someone."
Ji Shuhua smiled, straightforwardly: "And this abrupt visit is because there is an escort to deliver."
"Oh?"
Su Mo glanced at the case beside Ji Shuhua, pondered for a moment and said: "May I know who entrusted this?"
"A friend of mine."
Ji Shuhua said, "This man is not well-known, and likes to keep a low profile, hence he does not wish his name to be frequently mentioned, please excuse this, Chief Su."
Su Mo raised his eyebrows and did not speak.
Then he heard Ji Shuhua continue:
"Though my friend does not have an outer reputation, he is profoundly skilled in metal forging and has several close acquaintances. Someone recently entrusted him to forge a weapon. After the weapon was completed, no one came to collect it; I was just passing by and he shared this matter with me... Since Chief Su knows of my humble reputation, you must understand that I often meddle in others' affairs, especially when it involves my friend, I cannot just ignore it.
"I initially thought of delivering the weapon myself, but after arriving in Luoxia City, I encountered another matter which made carrying this item inconvenient. Losing it by carelessness would be even more regretful.
"Thus, I thought of asking an escort agency to deliver it on my behalf.
"I had thought of asking Iron Blood, Yangwei, or Heavenly Gate as they are large and prestigious, but their fees are quite steep.
"Being a wanderer of Jianghu, I don't carry much money. After much consideration, I then learned of the Ziyang Escort Agency.
"Though it was really abrupt for me to come like this, I hope Chief Su could help take on this delivery job."
His words streamed smoothly, though the friend's identity was never disclosed, yet the whole story was made clear.
Su Mo pondered for a moment, while Yang Xiaoyun gently shook her head at him.
Su Mo glanced at her, smiled, and then said to Ji Shuhua: "Since it is so, may I take a look at the entrusted item?"
"Chief Su, please see."
As his words fell, he gently tapped the case, which zoomed towards Su Mo.
Su Mo smiled silently, watching as the case reached him and with a flick of his hand, made the entire case spin in mid-air a few times before steadily landing in his palm.
Ji Shuhua sighed a breath of relief, stood up, and clasped his fist:
"Please don't be offended, Chief Su. As the Chief is so young and the matter being so crucial, I felt compelled to test you. But I did not expect that despite your young age, your martial arts are exceptional, which is truly admirable. Ji Shuhua here offers sincere apologies."
As he finished speaking, he bowed deeply, which was indeed crisp.
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