Chapter 16: An Encounter in Front of the Pavilion

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Shi Li Pavilion!

Ten miles further south from Shi Li Pavilion is Luoxia City.

Initially, Shi Li Pavilion was merely a pavilion. In times when travel was inconvenient, a visit from a friend from afar warranted an escort for ten miles out and an equal distance to greet them, often emphasizing the host family's regard.

Thus, the pavilion was established.

Sitting in the pavilion to bid farewell, one does not know how many springs and autumns will pass before the next meeting.

However, people soon found a way to make a profit from this practice.

After all, whether bidding farewell or welcoming for ten miles, it was almost inevitable that one would stop for a cup of tea or a pot of liquor at the journey's end.

Those with means could bring their own, but what about those without, or those who found it burdensome?

After some people recognized this opportunity, they simply built taverns and tea houses next to Shi Li Pavilion to make a living.

Later on, as merchants passed by and Jianghu heroes stopped to rest, the business at Shi Li Pavilion flourished.

At this moment, Su Mo was seated in one of the tea houses at Shi Li Pavilion.

The tea house had quite a few patrons, some resting merchants, some solitary Jianghu guests.

Some grouped together, engaging in lively discussions with loud laughter; others sat alone, buried in their tea drinking.

Su Mo had been rushing back, whether quickly or slowly, and finally returned after half a month.

Seeing Shi Li Pavilion meant he was almost home. Drinking a cup of tea and resting was not too late before heading back.

"Originally, I agreed with Uncle Fu that it would be half a month. Now, just coming back from Jiming Post has taken nearly half a month. With the spare time, Uncle Fu must have been worried."

Su Mo sipped his tea and let out a long sigh, "Although I was involuntarily involved in this Yu Lingxin affair, regardless of the grudges between Yu Lingxin and that organization, at least I earned over 400 taels of silver on this escort mission, along with Mr. Xu's selfless contribution. I can let Uncle Fu purchase some things when I return. The escort agency is currently empty and in dire need of restoration.

"Let's not talk about the distant future; at least buy a good horse first. So I won't always have to rely on my two legs to travel...

"Once the escort agency expands, we can muster troops and buy horses.

"Then, carriages and clothing will all be expenditures.

"Just relying on the current over 400 taels, it's really just a drop in the bucket."

Su Mo calculated in his mind and suddenly felt that the 400 silver taels in his pocket weren't as appealing.

However, he was well-prepared for this.

Besides the 400 taels of silver, Seven Injuries Fist was another gain.

This was an extremely dangerous martial arts.

The human body is divided by the Five Elements: the heart is fire, the lungs are metal, the liver is wood, the kidneys are water, and the spleen is earth.

With the addition of Yin Yang Qi, when all seven are injured, all are harmed.

It means to injure oneself before injuring others!

However, with his Great Perfection Stage of Longxiang Wisdom protecting him, Su Mo was not harmed by the Seven Injuries Fist.

Moreover, since he directly achieved Great Success with Seven Injuries Fist, regular practice not only avoids self-harm but also benefits the internal organs.

On a rainy night, the black-clothed man threatened with his blade, intending to capture Su Mo to make Yu Lingxin hesitate.

Whether or not this strategy was effective, it undoubtedly gave Su Mo an opportunity to showcase his skills.

He did not expect that the Inner Strength from Longxiang Wisdom coupled with the power of Seven Injuries Fist would pulverize the man on the spot.

"Seven Injuries Fist is too dangerous and should be used as little as possible unless it's a life-or-death situation.

"Being an escort in Jianghu, it's seventy percent about relationships and thirty percent about martial arts. In the future, it's still crucial to form good bonds.

"Although I have no reputation now, the fame accumulated by my ancestors has already been squandered... But even in mere sparring, I can still build connections.

"My Seven Injuries Fist is indeed under my control and won't take a life with a single blow, but its fierce Fist Strength directly targets the vital organs and can be overwhelming."

Su Mo let out a wry smile, and as he looked up, his brows suddenly raised slightly.

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In the far distance, several fast horses were galloping toward Shi Li Pavilion.

Su Mo's eyebrows furrowed slightly, then relaxed again.

"I'm just being overcautious, it's not like trouble comes knocking every time I hear the sound of hooves.

"Yu Lingxin needs to operate in secret, otherwise, her grand plan for revenge would be snuffed out. Therefore, I keep silent, and she must also keep her lips sealed.

"That night, things had gone too far. She couldn't kill me, and if I killed her, I would only attract more trouble to myself.

"So, in a way, if I don't want to invite disaster, I have no choice but to leave, and if she doesn't want any complications, she has to let me go. That matter is indeed in the past.

"So now, it can't be that I'll encounter trouble just by sitting here drinking tea."

Thinking this, he felt quite at ease.

However, when those fast horses arrived, Su Mo regretted not having left earlier.

"It's Iron Blood Escort Agency!"

Before the horses arrived, he already saw the flag.

The enormous characters for "Iron Blood" immediately sparked chattering among the teahouse patrons.

"One of the three major escort agencies in Luoxia City!"

"Iron Blood Yang Yi has indeed made a remarkable figure, forging a great enterprise from nothing. Now that the Iron Blood Escort Flag unfurls, who in Jianghu wouldn't show some respect?"

"Yang Yi's martial arts are indeed impressive, it's just a shame about his taste in people..."

"What do you mean by that?"

"Yang Yi doesn't have a son, only a daughter, whom he treasured since childhood. Miss Yang turned out to be promising, not only is she beautiful, but her young age belies her considerable martial arts skill, having inherited seven parts of Yang Yi's true skills..."

"It's a pity her match is not a worthy one..."

"Shh, be quiet, they're here."

The conversation had reached this point, incomplete but nobody dared to continue, because those fast horses had arrived.

Leading them was a young woman, beautiful and carrying a Silver Spear that ill-suited her delicate features. She displayed a heroic elegance as she halted her horse and dismounted.

"Uncle Wang, Uncle Li, thank you for your hard work this trip. Now that we've arrived home, let's dismount and have a cup of tea first."

The young woman turned and spoke to the people behind her.

"We'll follow the Young Leader's orders."

After those words, everyone dismounted and entered the teahouse.

For a moment, there were many sideways glances.

Su Mo nearly wanted to bury his head in his pants.

Yet, in doing so, he unexpectedly stood out from the crowd.

The leading woman swept the teahouse with her eyes, looking for an empty seat, but her gaze fell on Su Mo.

Her eyes fixed on him, and she suddenly shouted:

"Su Mo!!!"

Su Mo's mouth twitched, You recognize me, and you recognize me, but why shout so loudly?

Sure enough, after hearing those two words "Su Mo," people started peering around and muttering to each other.

"So that's Su Mo?"

"Who is Su Mo? Which family's young hero is he? Why have I never heard of him?"

"Keep it down, beware troubles brew from loose lips... But he's no young hero, he's that... disreputable person."

Ever since Su Mo obtained Longxiang Wisdom, his senses became extremely sharp, so even though the speakers kept their voices low, he heard them clearly and couldn't help but glare angrily at the speakers.

The woman, however, had already covered ground in quick strides, and with a firm slap on Su Mo's shoulder, the force came crushing down, accompanied by a refreshing laugh:

"Why are you here? I was glad to hear you've been diligently training recently. But why aren't you practicing today? Have you fallen back to your old ways, returning to the brothel?"