21. Sudden Regret!
[Ding, detected someone regretting due to the host, absorbed 680 Regret.]
[Ding, detected someone regretting due to the host, absorbed 240 Regret.]
[Ding, detected someone regretting due to the host, absorbed 560 Regret.]
[Ding, detected someone regretting due to the host, absorbed 1200 Regret.]
With four consecutive system notifications, Lin Mo received a wave of Regret.
He didn’t need to guess; it perfectly matched the four junior sisters.
It was just that the difference between 240 Regret and 1200 Regret was quite large.
He scanned the expressions of the four junior sisters.
Xia He lowered her head slightly, with a hint of stubbornness still visible.
The Xie Zhiqu and Xie Zhi’an sisters looked rather distressed.
As for Ruoyan Qu, that girl’s eyes were actually wet, and she was weeping uncontrollably.
Alright, Lin Mo could roughly guess where the 1200 Regret came from.
“Wuwuwu, Senior Brother Lin, I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have disobeyed you.” Ruoyan Qu clutched her sleeve, crying her eyes out!
Seeing the snot about to drip onto himself, Lin Mo didn’t know whether to push her away.
He finally sighed helplessly, “Alright, completing the trial was secondary. The most useful things learned in the process are the principles of dealing with matters and experience.”
“This experience is also a lesson for you all.”
As he spoke, Lin Mo asked, “Do you remember what I told you before you acted?”
“That… that…” Ruoyan Qu bit her finger, unable to say anything for a long time.
Fine, it was difficult to ask this girl who only knew how to eat.
Lin Mo repeated what he had said earlier.
The troublesome Xia He, at this moment, again stepped up to stir up trouble, “Is there anything wrong with us cultivators seeking justice and helping the weak?”
“Alas!” Lin Mo sighed. It seemed this junior sister was truly a contrarian.
“Junior Sister Xia, seeking justice is naturally not wrong, but it’s not as simple as using force to help the weaker side.”
Xia He unconvinced, retorted, “Isn’t seeking justice simply drawing your sword when you see injustice?”
Lin Mo said earnestly, “Then let me ask you, did your actions before help the old stall owner?”
Xia He wanted to retort, but the facts were before her; she hadn’t helped.
Seeing her remain silent, Lin Mo continued, “Helping superficially without addressing the root cause will only harm him.”
“Take those few thugs who were collecting rent, do you think they don’t have anyone behind them?”
“If they find someone to retaliate against us later, what then?”
“What then? If they dare to come back for us, of course, we’ll fight back!” Xia He said matter-of-factly.
“What if their strength far surpasses ours?” Lin Mo asked again.
“Hmph!” Xia He put on a resolute demeanor. “After all this talk, aren’t you just afraid of retaliation? Since I’m the one who acted, then when they come looking for us, I’ll take full responsibility. I, Xia He, will stand in front!”
“You say that lightly. Have you considered the other junior sisters who accompanied you?” Lin Mo sneered, “If they were unfortunately killed in retaliation, could you be responsible?”
With this question, all of Xia He’s subsequent words were choked back.
Lin Mo said no more; he had said what he needed to say.
He didn’t believe that even after reaching this point in the conversation, Xia He still wouldn’t understand.
“Old man, you probably won’t be able to stay in Daliang City anymore.” Lin Mo walked up to the old stall owner. After a moment of thought, he said, “Go to Cloud Stream City, find a young lady named Xiao Zi at the Treasure Pavilion, explain the situation, and give my name. She will arrange for you.”
“The road from Cloud Stream City to Daliang City is rough, and my old wife is not in good health. I’m afraid she can’t endure the journey!” the old stall owner said helplessly.
Lin Mo naturally understood this. He took out a Pill and two talismans from his storage ring and handed them over.
The effect of the Pill was more than enough to cure most ailments for an ordinary person.
The two talismans, when encountering danger, would automatically teleport ten miles away, serving as life-saving measures.
Upon learning the functions of these items, the old man thanked Lin Mo profusely.
After dealing with the matter, Lin Mo and his group headed towards the Ding Mansion again.
At this moment, the Liuli Sword Spirit spoke.
“Um, Little Li has detected a very dangerous and ominous presence, exactly in the direction you’re heading.”
Lin Mo did not reply. When they arrived outside the Ding Mansion, he sensed something was amiss even without the Liuli Sword’s reminder.
“Uh…” Ruoyan Qu shivered. “Why does it feel colder around the Ding Mansion than elsewhere, even though it’s daytime?”
The other junior sisters also felt this anomaly.
“Excuse me, what business do you have at the Ding family residence?” A guard from the Ding Mansion stopped Lin Mo as he approached.
“I wish to see your master!” Lin Mo said.
“Please present your invitation!”
Lin Mo naturally did not have an invitation.
“Tell your master that we are disciples of the Azure Spirit Sect, here to resolve the matter of his daughter.” Lin Mo announced their sect.
“Immortal Masters, please wait. I will go and inform the master!” Upon hearing Lin Mo’s identity, the guard dared not delay and turned to enter the mansion.
In a short while, a stout middle-aged man walked out.
“Are you Immortal Masters from the Azure Spirit Sect?” the middle-aged man asked after looking at them.
Lin Mo did not explain and presented his Token as a disciple of the Azure Spirit Sect.
As a wealthy figure in Daliang City, he had discerning eyes.
After confirming Lin Mo and the others’ identities, the middle-aged man inquired, “My daughter has already passed away. May I know the intention of your visit, Immortal Masters?”
“Does Master Ding know of the strange deaths of many talented youths in Daliang City?” Lin Mo asked directly.
“I do not. If it is for this matter, please inquire elsewhere, Immortal Masters.” Master Ding then signaled for them to leave.
Lin Mo’s eyes changed slightly. When he had just mentioned the reason for their visit, Master Ding’s expression had shown a flicker of discomfort.
He absolutely knew about this!
“Hey, you! We came with good intentions to help you resolve your daughter’s matter, and you’re just sending us away like this?” Xia He stood out at this moment.
However, Master Ding ignored her and turned back into the mansion, which made Xia He stamp her feet in anger.
After leaving the Ding Mansion, Xia He asked about their next plans.
Lin Mo said, “Master Ding’s complexion was pale, his spirit withered, and his Yang energy was obviously insufficient. Coupled with the heavy miasma in the Ding Mansion, it must be due to prolonged contact with ghostly entities.”
“You mean that ghostly entity is within the Ding Mansion?” Xia He, being quite intelligent, grasped the key point.
Lin Mo nodded. “Not only that, but I suspect that the Master Ding also knows about it. It’s very likely that the ghostly entity is his daughter, and he knows the entire sequence of events.”
Upon hearing Lin Mo’s words, Xia He was about to return to confront Master Ding and clarify matters.
Lin Mo stopped her, “No need to go. Master Ding will not admit it. Returning now and questioning him directly will only alert the snake!”
“Then what should we do?” Xia He stopped in her tracks and retorted.
“Lure the snake out of its hole!” Lin Mo smiled.
Since this ghostly entity specifically harmed talented young men, they would go to Jiangyue Building for the Talents Assembly and win the championship.
Coincidentally, having lived so many years, he had never visited a brothel.
As it was getting late, after explaining his plan to the junior sisters, they returned to the inn to await the start of the assembly the next day.
During the waiting period, the system intermittently sent notification sounds of receiving Regret, which confused him.
He was certain it wasn’t from the junior sisters around him.
The problem must lie with Azure Bamboo Peak!
