Chapter 221: Being Serious

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Ye Mo fantasized for a while, then his troubles returned. Runes were difficult and expensive to produce. He lacked demon beast blood, but ferocious beast blood would suffice. The main problem was the time commitment. Last time, he’d spent a month creating eight weakened fireball runes—insufficient to harm that nun. While his cultivation level then played a role, he doubted he could produce many in a single day.

After considerable thought, Ye Mo found no better way to protect himself. Unable to increase his power, he could only improve his equipment. He wouldn't see Susu today, but knowing she was nearby was enough. He needed to prepare.

With that, Ye Mo retraced his steps. He would first make runes, bringing a large quantity to confront Jing Xi. Rune creation required significant funds, which he currently lacked. He'd treated Zhuo Aiguo's uncle but felt awkward asking for payment. Now, he keenly felt the need for money.

However, Ye Mo had means of obtaining beast blood. He spent the night hunting in Wuliang Mountain, securing a leopard and a deer; their blood would suffice.

Leaving Wuliang Mountain, Ye Mo arrived in Yu Yuan City, a short distance away. He purchased large quantities of yellow biao paper, red ink sand, and a brush, spending his remaining funds.

He considered contacting Er Hu for money but changed his mind. Er Hu's business in Luo Cang was likely struggling, perhaps without a single order. Asking for money would burden him; he'd use his existing materials first.

Ye Mo found a hotel, hung a "Do Not Disturb" sign, and began making runes. His plan was sound, but reality was disappointing. After a full day, he’d wasted twenty sets of materials, yielding only six runes. Though a vast improvement, Ye Mo was dissatisfied.

The second and third days fared slightly better, resulting in sixteen runes, but with increased waste. This pace was unsustainable; he was consuming materials too quickly and the process was too slow.

By the fourth day, only twenty of his one hundred material sets remained. He knew this wasn’t working. Without improving his rune-making efficiency, he’d need more money. Rune creation was an expensive endeavor.

…

Tang Beiwei stared at the middle-aged man, his previously amiable face now hideous in her eyes. A stranger, he wanted her to deceive someone she didn’t know. Disgust welled up; she curtly replied, "I'm not interested," and turned to leave.

The middle-aged man remained motionless, slowly saying, "Your mother needs surgery soon, or she'll have only half a month left. Consider her sacrifices raising you. Now that you're grown, she's dying. If you can't help, that's one thing, but you can save her. Are you treating her right?"

"You…" Tang Beiwei spun around, furious. "You want me to deceive someone I don't know? That's morally wrong!"

"Hmph," the middle-aged man sneered. "We have other options. I pitied you, that's why I chose you. It's simple: bring that man to a location, and you won't need to worry about anything else. It's not deception. If he truly likes you, it's just a single lie."

Tang Beiwei’s face paled; she loathed him but knew his words were true. Without surgery, her mother had at most two weeks.

Remembering her mother's struggles—pushing a cart, working regardless of weather—Tang Beiwei felt a pang of heartbreak.

After much hesitation, she asked, "Where do I take him?"

…

Ye Mo left the hotel, pondering. Qingxue, living in Ning Hai, likely had little money. He could borrow from Su Jingwen, a wealthy girl, but asking a woman for money was difficult. He considered, then took out a jade artifact, deciding to sell it. If its worth couldn’t be determined, he’d ask Su Jingwen.

Across the street, a middle-aged woman selling snacks from a cart was hurriedly packing up as a city management vehicle approached. She spilled her sauces. While no one helped, a young woman assisted her. Ye Mo smiled; she possessed a kind heart.

The magic artifact shop was nearby. It was a small building, lacking any aura of spiritual energy. He hesitated about selling his jade. Ironically, a bar stood opposite—poor business placement.

"Sir, interested in magic artifacts?" A young woman asked upon his entry.

Ye Mo smiled. "I'll browse."

"Of course," she replied politely. However, Ye Mo knew polite service wouldn't attract customers without genuine wares.

Disappointed by the shoddy items—inferior even to those at the social night—Ye Mo knew he shouldn't bother.

As he turned to leave, he saw the kind young woman being forced into the bar by two youths with garish hair. She struggled visibly.

Ye Mo frowned. This was a legal society; such blatant daytime harassment was shocking. Yet, he hesitated after using his spiritual sense. The girl showed no fear, anger, or worry, only deep guilt. Abducted yet feeling guilty? Her unusual demeanor made him pause; he didn't intervene.

He watched as they entered a private room. He didn't save her. Tang Beiwei felt relieved yet disappointed. The handsome youth lacked courage; as he didn’t take the bait, she couldn’t be blamed.

A rip; a significant portion of Tang Beiwei's top was torn, revealing her skin.

"Stop! What are you doing?!" Her worry was genuine; was this not an act?

"Haha, stop? Do you think someone I, Wang Xianxian, am interested in can get away?" A youth emerged from a small door.

Tang Beiwei broke free, exclaiming, "I had a deal with Wei Yongqian. He told me to act. Let me go!"

"Haha, act?" Wang Xianxian laughed. "You enjoy acting? Excellent. Lang Pi, show something. Let me and this chick watch. My money was well spent."

The red-haired youth released her, retrieving a remote. A pornographic video appeared on the television.