Chapter 279: Conflict Resolved

Translator: Tim Editor: Fish Creek

“I’m getting some payback,” Ye Mo said, a curved sword suddenly appearing in his hands.

Song Qiming stared at Ye Mo, unsure where the curved sword came from. He reacted immediately, saying in a shaky voice, “You… you are Ye Mo?”

“That’s right. You’re very smart. You know you owe me. I’ve just been busy and only had time for this today,” Ye Mo said coldly.

Song Qiming, the family leader, though worried, quickly composed himself. “Young Master Ye, the matter between our family and you is a complete misunderstanding. To apologize, I’ve already dispersed the Song family. If you’ll let the Song family go, I swear that from today on, we will be your dogs.”

“A misunderstanding?” Ye Mo sneered. “I’m not one for extermination. I’ve let your family go many times, but you challenged my limits. You dared to harm Qingxue and Beiwei, and even had my sister attack me. I’ll let you die understanding that, but don’t worry, I won’t leave a single one of your Song family vermin alive.”

Song Qiming’s face showed extreme desperation. “That had nothing to do with our family! It was all Dongfang Xi’s plan. Our Song family never…”

He got no further. Ye Mo shattered Song Qiming’s aorta with a fist. Even in death, his expression suggested he was trying to explain.

Ye Mo didn’t use the sword to kill him; it was just to intimidate. There were no marks on Song Qiming’s body, inside or out.

Though many would suspect Ye Mo, he intended it this way. Sometimes, even when everyone knows, a show must be put on. If he’d openly killed Song Qiming, it couldn't be suppressed; Song Qiming was influential.

He tossed Song Qiming’s body beside the woman. Ye Mo then killed Song Yuanyi and Song Qishen. These three were the important figures in the mansion. He left the maids and gardeners unharmed, and didn't even kill the guards.

He reduced Song Yuanyi and Song Qishen to ashes, leaving only Song Qiming’s body. Although he hadn't killed all the Song family’s direct descendants, Ye Mo felt better. He’d been hunted by the Song family, and now he’d killed several leaders. Then, Ye Mo headed to Tang Jing. He intended to tell her he’d bring her to Beiwei.

However, Tang Jing had committed suicide. He felt a sadness for her tragic life, unfulfilled ambitions. He wished her a better life in the next world.

Ye Mo silently burned Tang Jing’s body and placed her ashes in a jade box for Beiwei.

After leaving the Song family, Ye Mo avoided Ye Ling; finding her now would make his involvement in the killings obvious.

…

The next day, news spread that Song Qiming and his niece's wife were found naked in bed together, and that Song Qiming died of overexcitement. Song Yuanyi disappeared. The already dispersed Song family fell further into ruin. Once one of China’s five great families, the Song family was now setting like the sun.

Meanwhile, Ye Mo left Beijing, taking a train toward Xian Mountain. His destination was Sharp Sea Corner, where Qiao Gang and the others found the blood coral. He also planned to see Fang Nan, having agreed to help him, though delayed by various circumstances. He needed Fang Nan’s help this time.

Since he hadn’t bought a ticket and just boarded, Ye Mo first sought a seat. Because Beijing was the first stop and few were going to Xian Mountain, several seats remained. He found one immediately.

“Brother, are you heading to Jing Kou?” A middle-aged man across from him greeted Ye Mo, offering a cigarette.

Ye Mo declined the cigarette, smiling. “I’m going to Xian Mountain, but I don’t smoke.”

“I assumed you were going to Jing Kou, seeing as you don’t have a bag. Xian Mountain is far; even this express train will take all day,” the man observed.

Ye Mo noticed the man’s calloused hands and well-developed muscles—signs of martial arts training. Though his internal qi cultivation might be nonexistent or undeveloped, he was no match for ordinary people.

“Good not to smoke. I’m a lifelong smoker. Brother, are you going to Xian Mountain to get rich?” The man put away his cigarettes.

Despite the man’s sudden familiarity, Ye Mo didn’t dislike him. Perhaps it was his appearance. Though thin, his eyes were spirited and didn’t seem shifty. Ye Mo disliked shifty eyes; they belonged to calculating or timid individuals.

“No, I’m going to Gui Lin. Xian Mountain is just a stopover,” Ye Mo revealed his destination.

“Gui Lin?” The middle-aged man frowned. Two more people arrived—a woman in her mid-twenties and a young man in sunglasses, apparently a couple, carrying large bags.

The young man was handsome and simply dressed; the woman’s clothes were modest. The youth seemed scholarly and frail. The young woman smiled at Ye Mo and said to the youth, “Xiao Gong, sit opposite.”

She then sat beside Ye Mo.

The man continued, “Brother, Gui Lin isn’t peaceful. Why are you going there?”

Ye Mo smiled but didn’t answer. The young woman beside him faintly smelled of blood. Ye Mo, having experienced countless killings, sensed it the moment she sat down. Her worried expression suggested she’d killed recently. A simple injury wouldn’t have that smell, but perhaps it was her first time and she was frightened.

Regardless, it didn’t concern him. He smiled and looked at the middle-aged man. “I have a friend whose business is struggling; I’m going to help.”

He was referring to Fang Nan, whom he indeed wanted to help. Fang Nan was a good man and a good addition to his own power base.

“Your friend is in border business? I hear those people aren’t simple. They’ve seen blood, and large-scale events. They’ve all killed; only then can they command respect,” the middle-aged man said with a strange expression.

Ye Mo looked at the man, immediately recognizing him as no ordinary individual. He’d deliberately mentioned blood. Who would mention such things to a new acquaintance?

However, Ye Mo realized he’d also detected the woman’s actions. He’d said this to comfort her, though his motivations and knowledge remained a mystery to Ye Mo.

Ye Mo smiled, remained silent. The young woman beside him visibly calmed down.

The man’s comment was a test. Though uncertain about the woman, he'd sensed something. However, he’d mainly been testing Ye Mo. Seeing Ye Mo’s reaction, he understood he was dealing with someone extraordinary.

“I’m Zang Jiayan, heading to Xian Mountain. Brother, what does your friend do? If it’s suitable, I’d like to find something to do,” Zang Jiayan said plainly, suggesting a potential collaboration.

Ye Mo understood. The man was observant and bold, and his actions toward the woman indicated decency.

Ye Mo nodded. “I’m Ye Mo. My friend is Fang Nan. He’s about to launch a major business. If Brother Zang wishes to cooperate, we welcome it. We need people.”

Before Zang Jiayan could respond, several serious-looking police officers approached Ye Mo.

The young man and woman paled and trembled at the sight of the police.