by Fang Xiang
"Daren, Qi Diao Yu asks for a meeting!" a subordinate reported.
Zuo Mo stilled. Qi Diao Yu? This guy had come to visit him?
He turned to look at Ceng Lian'er. Ceng Lian'er shook her head. "I don't know."
He thought and then said, "Invite him in."
Taking this opportunity, Zuo Mo asked Pu Yao in the sea of consciousness, "Pu, what is this guy coming for?"
"Possibly for an alliance," Pu Yao said gravely. "No matter what, you do not need to worry."
Zuo Mo thought and found that the words were right. Even if Qi Diao Yu wanted to use force, Zuo Mo could completely suppress him while in this compound. With A Gui and Ceng Lian'er, the two assistants present, adding on himself, there were three people. Zuo Mo did not believe they could not defeat Qi Diao Yu.
He glanced at Wei. Ever since Wei saw the gravestone armor last time, he had sunk into silence. Zuo Mo speculated that Wei was thinking of past events. Or maybe he felt something after encountering one of his kind?
Zuo Mo did not know how to comfort Wei.
There was something that Pu Yao was right about. He really didn't have any interest in the gravestone armor. Even though he wasn't clear about what restraints the gravestone armor would place on him, but he was sure that there would be many restraints.
He disliked being restricted.
He quickly saw Qi Diao Yu. It had to be said that Qi Diao Yu had a very good appearance. With his snowy white robes and extraordinary beauty, his presence was stunning.
"Brother Qi hasn't changed at all!" Zuo Mo insincerely gave a greeting.
"I want to make a deal." Qi Diao Yu did not waste a word and headed for the topic.
"What deal?" Zuo Mo also didn't mince words and asked straight out.
Qi Diao Yu looked at Zuo Mo with star-like eyes. He said briskly, "I will help you, and you will give me a copy of the stele inside the treasure pavilion."
Now Zuo Mo was slightly surprised. He looked at the other and asked amusedly, "How do you know that I can enter the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion."
"It is not that you can, but you are the one most likely to," Qi Diao Yu explained.
Zuo Mo understood a bit. He smiled and said, "Then what can you help me with?"
"I can protect your life," Qi Diao Yu said.
Zuo Mo stared at Qi Diao Yu for a moment and then roared with laughter. "Are you joking? Protect me? Can you beat her?" He pointed at Ceng Lian'er who was idly drinking tea by the side. Ceng Lian'er focused on her tea and didn't even blink as though there was only empty air in front of her.
Qi Diao Yu glanced at Ceng Lian'er. "We are evenly matched."
Zuo Mo then pointed at A Gui. "Her?"
A Gui was also unaffected. At the side, the black gold seal soldier, that glutton, lazily opened his eyes, examined Qi Diao Yu and then closed his eyes with a relaxed expression.
Qi Diao Yu's gaze swept the black gold seal soldier. His eyelids flickered. "We will be evenly matched."
"That's it, if you were very powerful, it would be fine if you make such a deal with me. But you don't even have the confidence to beat either of them. Even if I wanted to do business with you, I won't be able to get a good price." Zuo Mo said with an expression of regret. "I already have two experts. If one more is added, it can increase my strength, but won't bring me up another level. Also, it is very hard for me to trust you. You are asking for too much, but giving too little. I, Xiao Mo Ge, won't do such unprofitable business."
"I have information." Qi Diao Yu forced himself to remain calm.
Zuo Mo spread his hands. "But you are not the only one with that information, while I am the only one."
Zuo Mo said the last phrase meaningfully. Originally, he had wanted to take leave of the brewing storm as quickly as possible. He hadn't expected A Wen and the others to disappear and force him to stay in this storm. Ever since he understood he became a key to entering the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion, he perceptively recognized the business potential here.
What kind of business was the easiest to profit from? Of course it was the business where you had a monopoly!
Zuo Mo did not have any ambitions about the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion. He knew that with so many eyes on them, whoever got the treasures would not be able to live.
But he could take the chance to get rich. For those families, they wouldn't have any trouble paying a price to gain some advantages in this fight.
So Zuo Mo unhesitatingly refused Qi Diao Yu's initial offer.
What kind of joke was this!
If his first transaction was so cheap, then the next customers definitely wouldn't give higher offers.
Zuo Mo seemed to have an instinctive obsession towards the pursuit of profit.
Qi Diao Yu was silent. The reason he had come to find Zuo Mo today was that he detected this fight was becoming more cruel. He was just one person and couldn't affect the overall situation, so he thought of finding Zuo Mo to work together. He hadn't thought that Zuo Mo was more clever than he expected.
There was a gentle and harmless smile on Zuo Mo's face. "When you have a suitable offer, you can come find me."
Qi Diao Yu glanced at Zuo Mo and left without a word.
Zuo Mo smiled as he watched Qi Diao Yu leave.
He knew that the news that Qi Diao Yu came here would spread over Great Peace City very soon.
By that time, there would be even more customers.
He really anticipated it.
———
Zuo Mo looked at the beautiful Princess Xia in front of him and grimaced. "How come it is you?"
"Why can't it be me?" Princess Xia rolled her eyes. The unconscious flirtatious look would cause people's hearts to speed up.
As Zuo Mo resisted the illusory art, he continued to grimace and said, "I was waiting for the others to come … … and bleed them for a lot."
Ha, Princess Xia laughed so hard her shoulders curled. Her finger pointed at Zuo Mo. "You are so bad … … so bad!"
Zuo Mo said with a serious expression. "This is such a good chance. If I miss it, the heavens will strike me with lightning!"
Princess Xia laughed so much her hair dislodged from her hairdo. She panted slightly which added a hint of mature seductiveness. She brushed the hair that had fallen down on her forehead and said with a smile, "Don't you have any ideas about the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion?"
"That is a matter for the big landlords to play with, I can't afford to play." Zuo Mo said with a matter-of-fact expression. "It is not worth it to lose my little life over that."
A strange look flashed through Princess Xia's eyes. "You see it clearly."
Zuo Mo said smugly, "Of course. It would be unprofitable if I don't take the chance to make some more." But then his expression dropped. "But since you came, I cannot do that. I owe you a favor from last time, I can't do that to you."
Princess Xia smiled mischievously. "I can't bear to use the favor for something like this." Then she copied Zuo Mo's tone. "It would be unprofitable!"
Zuo Mo laughed.
"Why did you recommend me?" Princess Xia suddenly asked something completely unrelated.
"Recommend you?" Zuo Mo stilled.
"Don't play dumb," Princess Xia said, "City Master told me that you recommended me to him."
"Oh, that!" Zuo Mo realized. "Because you are very strong!"
He added inside: especially in illusory arts … …
"Strong?" Princess Xia smiled. "In your mind, I am such a schemer?"
Zuo Mo scratched. "I just felt that you are relatively smart." Then he couldn't help say, "You definitely have to take those Kun Lun people down, don't let them escape."
"With your personality, you wouldn't chase after them like this. It seems that they have offended you greatly, there definitely is something else." Princess Xia looked smilingly at Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo's heart shook. This woman was too smart. He had to be careful!
He could only play dumb.
The two talked abou
t various topics. Princess Xia had extraordinary knowledge. Other than the illusory arts that were automatically cast which made it difficult, it was very pleasurable to talk with her.
However, Zuo Mo didn't dare to drink this time.
"The Anwei Family is very interested in you." Finishing, she took out a mo weapon and placed it in front of Zuo Mo.
This mo weapon was a short dagger-axe. It was completely red and at the horizontal blade, there was a black eye. It caused the entire weapon to seem eerie.
"This Crow Eye Dagger-Axe was forged from the beak of a black fire crow mo through hundreds of years of refining. It is very powerful and a top notch mo weapon. Your mo skill is fire-type and this is suitable for you. How about it, are you satisfied?"
Zuo Mo picked up the Crow Eye Dagger-axe. Immediately, a vicious and vast presence passed from the dagger-axe to his hand. He couldn't help but exclaim, "A good mo weapon!"
"This is a meeting gift from the Anwei Family, you do not need to return it." Princess Xia blinked her eyes at Zuo Mo and giggled. "With it as a good starting point, don't be kind when you bargain."
Finishing, she waved at Zuo Mo and left.
Zuo Mo was speechless.
Translator Ramblings: Monopoly … … Zuo Mo can set whatever price he wants.
Chapter 618: Activation
Zuo Mo's business was open.
Ever since Princess Xia's visit, Zuo Mo's estate had become a popular place. The families that thought themselves possessing some power, all offered olive branches to Zuo Mo. All kinds of mo weapons, all kinds of rare treasures, and some families were so generous as to even give jie to Zuo Mo.
Zuo Mo accepted them all. He was profusely grateful in words but did not mention anything else.
These factions did not mention it either. This was just them feeling out the road. Zuo Mo was something rare but nothing had started at this time. It was not the time for them to truly give their prices.
As to these things, they were nothing to these large and powerful factions.
Inside the estate, the gifts piled up in a mountain. There were many precious treasures but Zuo Mo was not very happy. There was no news yet of A Wen and the others. They seemed to have disappeared into thin air. Zuo Mo had practically asked all the factions in Great Peace City but hadn't found anything.
Luo Li Shidi was still in seclusion. Zuo Mo was very worried about his condition. Sometimes, there would be a thread of life, but most of the time, there wasn't any vitality.
The state of affairs in Great Peace City was complex. Even Zuo Mo could not predict which way it would develop.
He was something rare and desired. In other words, everyone knew him.
There were countless pairs of eyes staring at him openly and from the shadows. With the slightest misstep, he would die. What he was most worried about were A Wen and the others. This mastermind was able to remain so composed and it put great pressure on Zuo Mo.
He could only wait patiently. Other than waiting, there wasn't anything more he could do. Everyday, he had to suppress the restlessness he felt, be patient, and cultivate.
Yet at this time, an invitation from City Master Shi was delivered to him.
———
When Zuo Mo arrived at a room hidden deep in the Great Peace Palace, there were already eight people inside.
The people greeted him when they saw him. Right now, everyone in Great Peace City knew that Zuo Mo was a person important to the opening of Great Peace Treasure Pavilion. All the families hoped to develop a closer relationship with him and had friendlier smiles.
Shi Yue Yi, Chang Yuan Hao, Yu Shuang, Princess Xia and the others were among those present.
Moments later, more people came in. About an hour later, the room closed up. Zuo Mo looked around and inhaled in shock. This room contained almost all the important personages in Great Peace City.
What was happening?
Zuo Mo thought inside.
The first to speak was Shi Yue Yi. "I have invited everyone today because we have intelligence on the xiuzhe in Great Peace City."
Then Princess Xia stood and bowed to the crowd. She said, "Those xiuzhe are very well disguised. If it wasn't that they first lost to Mister Xiao, it would really have been difficult to detect them. We secretly sent people to investigate all recent newcomers to the city and finally had a result today. However, there is trouble. Many of them are still hidden, and our investigations have already attracted their attention."
The room was very quiet. The people present were all leaders and naturally could hold their composure.
Princess Xia wasn't timid at all. She was at ease and her seductive eyes now flashed with an intelligent light. "I suspect that xiuzhe sects like Kun Lun probably had spies in Great Peace City a long time ago. Otherwise, how could there be such a coincidence that they knew that the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion is about to appear?"
"Hmph! These xiuzhe still won't give up on eliminating us mo!" Yu Shuang shorted coldly, his expression frosty.
Princess Xia smiled and brimmed with strong confidence. "Elder Yu is right, and we shall give them a memorable lesson."
"Princess, tell us what arrangements you have. On this matter, there is no reason for us to refuse!" one person shouted.
The others all agreed.
Princess Xia's eyes turned. "This plan requires the support of Mister Xiao in order to proceed."
"Me?" Zuo Mo pointed at his nose and looked dazedly at Princess Xia.
"Yes!" Princess Xia blinked her eyes at him.
———
"You are not kind to drag me into this!"
Inside Princess Xia's residence, Zuo Mo waved his arms around in displeasure. Princess Xia was smiling in front of him.
"However, aren't you the person with the greatest grievance against Kun Lun? How can this be called pulling you under the water?" Princess Xia said innocently. Mirth flowed deep in her eyes.
Zuo Mo was unable to form words. He had been the one urging this matter. Princess Xia was correct. But this completely disrupted his previous plans. He had originally wanted to help urge this matter forward and strike at Kun Lun using the mo.
But now, it became him going forward to give Kun Lun a blow. How could he remain calm?
Yes, he had a grievance against Kun Lun. But if he went to make trouble for the other before he was strong enough, that was just throwing meat buns at the dogs. Zuo Mo knew just how vicious Kun Lun would be.
Great Peace City was full of experts but no one had the certainty of victory when facing Kun Lun's experts.
The xiuzhe were stronger than the yaomo and Kun Lun was the most powerful sect in the xiuzhe realm. In other words, Kun Lun was the strongest sect in the world. The other three great sects were also terrifying titans. Facing the experts sent by the four great sects, other than having an advantage in numbers and being in their territory, the mo didn't have any other advantages.
This would be a hard battle!
Zuo Mo was able to imagine the ferocity of this battle, he could feel it even in his toes. If he wasn't careful, his little life would end. This was also why he wanted to borrow a blade to kill someone rather than going for it himself.
Yet what he had never expected was that Princess Xia had put the most important step of the plan onto his shoulders.
This almost caused him to spit blood!
If this was someone else, Zuo Mo would want to kill them.
Almost as though she saw Zuo Mo's concerns, Princess Xia comforted, "Do not worry, no one would let you die. You are very valuable right now. You did not see those people. They wanted to shove all their guards at you."
Zuo Mo's expression almost seemed to cry. "Don't force me in like this, I only have one life!"
Princess Xia burst into laughter. "As expected, you are cowardly and afraid of death. Adding on your shamelessness, you cannot be saved!"
"Yes, yes!" Zuo Mo's head bobbed like a chick eating rice. "I'm afraid of death! Very afraid! Princess Daren, please
spare me!"
"You truly want to pass upon a chance to capture them all in one go?" Princess Xia looked wryly at Zuo Mo. "For you, I borrowed Xin and Wan's guards. They are all very powerful experts. Even Qi Diao Yu agreed to help.
Zuo Mo's mind shifted upon hearing this. He thought of Princess Xin's guard, Xia, and Princess Wan's Butler, Zhu Ke. These two were of unfathomable power.
Nothing had to be said more of Qi Diao Yu's power. He was a top power in Great Peace City. Adding on Chang Yuan Hao and Yu Shuang, the team was pretty terrifying and it should be enough to deal with Kun Lun.
If this was another time, it would not be an easy matter to gather so many experts together!
Zuo Mo gritted his teeth. "Fine!"
Princess Xia said smilingly, "You really have a deep grudge against Kun Lun!"
Zuo Mo was silent. He had to be even more careful when he spoke to this woman. However, he could feel that Princess Xia did not have malicious intentions so he said honestly, "Yes, deep bloody grudge!"
Princess Xia was a little shocked, before smiling. She said gently, "Then you won't regret it."
"I hope so!" Zuo Mo turned his face around. "How should I start?"
———
Entering the Great Peace Mo Skill Steles again, for some unknown reason, Zuo Mo felt slightly emotional. This period of time had been like a dream and too many things had happened. He didn't even have the time to sort out his thoughts. The events came one after the next, and he didn’t even have a chance to breathe.
How were A Wen and the others now?
Zuo Mo's mind was heavy as he slowly walked between the steles. He was in a dispirited mood. Today, there were many people visiting the Great Peace Mo Steles. Ever since the news of the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion had spread, the number of people that were headed towards Great Peace Mo Steles had multiplied. Everyone wanted to find clues to the Great Peace Treasure Pavilion from these stone steles.
As he thought, without realizing it, Zuo Mo went deep into the stele forest.
There were not many roaming around here. This was the deepest part of the stele forest. Every stele here was cryptic and profound. If one did not reach the stage, it would be indecipherable. Even the people that copied down the Great Peace Mo Steles were too lazy to copy down all the contents here because for most people, they would never need such profound content their entire life.
