Chapter 709: Conflict

Translator: Timothy_ Editor: GlobeGlotter

Mu Xiaoyun’s beauty caused almost every man to turn around. Everyone felt Ye Mo undeserved her, but no one dared act, for this was Hang Shui City, a gathering place for hidden sects. Even a city lord from elsewhere wouldn't dare cause trouble there.

Although these sects prioritized talent over character in their disciples, harassing women upon arrival would still create a bad impression. Many wouldn't dare to steal Mu Xiaoyun away, but that didn't stop some from attempting conversation. As soon as Ye Mo and Mu Xiaoyun entered, three men approached.

“Hello, Brother. I’m Ma Shilong. Are you here for the disciple recruitment?” the leading young man asked Ye Mo, saluting with a fist. His eyes, however, were fixed on Mu Xiaoyun.

Ye Mo sneered. He knew the man’s true intentions. “So you’re Ma Shi, uh…”

TL note: Ma Shi is a homonym for horse shit.

“I’m Ma Shilong.” Ma Shilong was displeased by Ye Mo’s mispronunciation.

“Oh, okay, okay. You’re Ma Shi… What was the last word? My memory is terrible! Mmm… I think those caramel plums look good. Let’s go see them!” Ye Mo took Mu Xiaoyun’s hand and started to leave.

After a few steps, he feigned remembrance, sighing, “Xiaoyun, let’s go. Those plums look tempting, but someone’s already spoiled my appetite.”

Ma Shilong realized Ye Mo had deliberately mispronounced his name. His face reddened with anger. “Stop right there!”

His two companions immediately blocked Ye Mo and Mu Xiaoyun’s path.

Ye Mo sneered. Though not yet at stage six, that was merely a matter of one pill, and brewing essence-increasing pills was now easy for him. He planned to locate the Taiyi Sect before continuing his herb search until reaching stage seven, then attacking the sect. This didn’t mean he’d tolerate such minor characters. He would kill them, and if the hidden sects retaliated, he would accomplish his goals even if it meant hiding in the wilderness.

He drew his sword. If Ma Shilong attacked, he would kill all three.

At that moment, a young man approached, saluting with a fist. “Friend, sheathe your sword. Fighting in the streets is forbidden. If you attack first, you’ll suffer—exactly what they want.”

He then looked at Ma Shilong and sneered. “Brother Ma Shi. I’ve heard of Meng Zhong City’s Ma family. I truly saw horse shit today, just like your name suggests! Hahaha!”

The onlookers erupted in laughter.

Ma Shilong’s face turned green. He loathed his name more than ever, having been called “horse shit” twice that day.

This young man, luxuriously dressed with several servants, was clearly no ordinary person.

“Who are you? What business is it of yours? You’re going to take me on?” Ma Shilong’s face was grim.

“Haha!” the young man laughed. “I’m Liu Lei of Lian Hua City’s Liu family. And yes, I choose to involve myself. A problem with that?”

“You!” Ma Shilong’s hands trembled with rage. He knew of the Liu family—a family on par with his own.

Ye Mo’s actions drew a growing crowd, soon blocking the street.

“Move aside! Move aside!” A horse-drawn carriage appeared.

Carriages were usually forbidden on Hang Shui City’s main streets. Only those of high status could use them.

“It’s Goddess Zi Hua’s carriage!”

“My god, Goddess Zi Hua is here! This is incredible!”

“Just a glimpse of her, and I’d gladly live a few days less!”

Ye Mo stepped aside, preferring to remain inconspicuous. If Jie Xun revealed his possession of the Ni Luo Sutra’s golden pages, the entire hidden sect world would hunt him.

Liu Lei and Ma Shilong also moved aside. The carriage, however, stopped before Ye Mo.

A woman in a green dress alighted. She possessed an exquisite face, her thick black hair cascading like a waterfall. She seemed ethereal, her gait captivating.

Was this Goddess Zi Hua? Ye Mo used his spirit sense; another woman, even more beautiful than the one outside, sat inside. Regal, cold, almost encased in a three-inch screen of ice, she stared at Mu Xiaoyun, seemingly shocked.

Ye Mo withdrew his spirit sense, losing interest.

“Sister, our Young Miss invites you for a conversation in the carriage,” the green-dressed lady said, bowing to Mu Xiaoyun.

“I’m with my husband,” Mu Xiaoyun replied quickly, taking Ye Mo’s hand. “Husband, let’s go.” She disliked the attention.

“Huh?” The green-dressed woman was surprised by the rejection. “My Young Miss is Goddess Zi Hua, you…”

Mu Xiaoyun frowned at the woman’s persistence.

“No way! She rejected Goddess Zi Hua’s invitation?”

“Yes! What an incredible stroke of luck! Though she’s pretty, she’s too… Sigh.”

Ye Mo sneered. “My wife has refused. Please leave.”

He frowned, sensing telepathy. Goddess Zi Hua had used telepathy to instruct the green-dressed lady to invite him as well, something he detected with his spirit sense. This black-level tertiary stage woman using telepathy? He found it unbelievable, as he himself couldn't do so before the foundation establishment state.

The green-dressed lady approached Ye Mo again. “Our Young Miss invites you and your wife for a conversation in the carriage.”