The broom stopped half an inch from Du Jiuyou's forehead, not falling.
He was drenched in cold sweat, pouring out like a river.
In just a moment, his entire body was soaked.
"Dream-grade equipment!"
Du Jiuyou was terrified, not daring to even breathe, feeling the terrifying aura of death from above.
Who would have thought that a broom would be a dream-grade treasure!
If it had hit his head, he would have no chance of survival, likely being smashed into a pulp with a single sweep.
"Master, please forgive me. Spare this humble one's life."
Du Jiuyou kowtowed profusely, begging Ji Mo for mercy.
"You little thief, how dare you steal from your grandfather's home."
Ji Mo put away the broom and looked at Du Jiuyou with disdain.
He hadn't even made a move, and this person was already kneeling and begging for mercy, too timid.
He must be a petty thief, scared out of his wits by his own bravery.
"This humble one did not know Grandpa was here and did not intend to offend. I beg Grandpa to spare my life."
Du Jiuyou's head was buried in the dirt, his body trembling.
No wonder that little brat was so terrifying. It was fortunate to be under the care of a master. It was all Ye Yao's fault for being ignorant, leading him into a desperate situation.
At this moment, Du Jiuyou hated Ye Yao immensely, and also hated himself. He shouldn't have been greedy for that money.
Since Ali was watching, Ji Mo didn't bother to make things difficult for Du Jiuyou. He said, "I'll let it go this time. I hope you will mend your ways and become a new person. If I catch you doing bad things again, I won't let you off."
"Master, I, Du Jiuyou, swear that I will be a good person." Du Jiuyou swore on the spot.
Ji Mo nodded with satisfaction and then let him leave.
A prodigal son returning is better than never.
Having guided another bad person onto the right path, Ji Mo felt quite accomplished.
After leaving Ji Mo's courtyard, Du Jiuyou intended to leave immediately but was stopped by Ye Yao.
Seeing him covered in mud and looking extremely disheveled, Ye Yao couldn't help but ask, "Senior Du, where is Ali? Didn't you save my Ali?"
"What are you talking about? Ali is safe with the master. This is a great opportunity. Don't ruin it. What kind of parent are you? Not only do you not think about your child's well-being, but you are also bent on destroying their future. It's hateful."
Du Jiuyou reprimanded Ye Yao without reservation.
Ali's current achievements clearly showed the master's cultivation. This woman was too ignorant.
If Ye Yao wasn't Ali's aunt, he would have taught her a lesson.
Ye Yao was inexplicably scolded, so angry she couldn't speak.
But she dared not speak out of anger and could only endure it silently.
After Du Jiuyou left, Ye Yao suddenly felt something was wrong.
This guy wouldn't have taken the money and not done the job, would he?
She had paid half the deposit. Since he reneged on the deal, he should at least return the deposit.
This time, she lost both her daughter and her soldiers. Not only did she lose a large sum of money for nothing, but she was also scolded.
"Ji Mo, it's you. It must be your doing again. What means did you use to make even someone like Du Jiuyou speak for you?"
Ye Yao gritted her teeth in anger and walked towards Ji Mo's courtyard.
She didn't care anymore. This time, she had to get Ali back.
"Ali, Ali, where are you?"
As soon as Ye Yao entered Ji Mo's courtyard, she couldn't help but call out.
She hadn't seen Ali for a long time and missed her dearly.
Ali stood under the Bodhi tree, holding the Ginseng King, and gnawed on a ginseng root with a huff, ignoring her aunt.
Was her aunt blind? Couldn't she see her even with such obvious signs?
Ali had clearly seen Ye Yao's gaze pass over her several times, and then she continued to call her name affectionately as if nothing had happened.
Alas!
At such a young age, she had to bear pressure that was not commensurate with her age and deal with such an unreliable parent.
"Auntie, please stop shouting. I'm here."
The little girl couldn't help but speak.
If she didn't speak up, Ye Yao might not recognize her at all.
"Ali?"
Ye Yao looked over, but her face was full of disbelief.
The current Ali had undergone a complete transformation since their last meeting, looking like two different people.
Her skin was crystal clear, her eyes were like the stars of the Nine Heavens, and she was enveloped in an ethereal aura, like a celestial being descended to the mortal realm.
Ye Yao, having seen much of the world, had never seen a child who embodied such celestial beauty. This child should not have appeared in the Xuanling Realm. Perhaps only a celestial maiden from the upper realm would possess such an aura.
"Auntie, you should leave. Pretending not to know me must be your way of trying to get rid of me, your little burden, so you can elope with your Young Master Zhan."
Ali waved her hand, looking sad.
"What nonsense are you talking about, you little rascal? Young Master Zhan and I are innocent. Don't spread rumors."
Ye Yao's face turned red with shame.
But she finally confirmed that the little fairy in front of her was indeed her Ali.
Then, she couldn't wait to rush over, cup the little girl's rosy cheeks, and kiss her all over.
Ali looked resigned to her fate, letting Ye Yao cover her face with kisses.
She couldn't help but complain, "Auntie, do you kiss Young Master Zhan like this when you see him? How embarrassing."
Ye Yao, feeling both shy and angry, swatted Ali's little bottom.
However, she herself let out a cry of pain, as if she had hit a bronze wall. Her palm throbbed.
"Ji Mo actually used saint-grade fur to make clothes for you. What a generous gesture."
Ye Yao stroked Ali's pure white jacket, increasingly convinced that Ji Mo must have had grand ambitions, otherwise, why would he go to such lengths?
"Auntie, let me tell you. Brother Ji has completely cured my illness, and a celestial bone has regrown on my forehead."
Ali lifted her bangs and showed Ye Yao her forehead.
She had depended on Ye Yao since childhood, so they had nothing to hide from each other.
"Celestial bone? Don't listen to that fellow surnamed Ji's nonsense. How can one grow a celestial bone without becoming an immortal?"
Ye Yao didn't believe it at all. However, after a closer inspection, she found that the missing bone on Ali's forehead had indeed regrown, and she was overjoyed.
Although she greatly admired Ji Mo's medical skills, she despised his character even more.
It was fine that he cured her, but to deceive a child by saying she had grown a "celestial bone" was truly shameless.
Ali continued, "Also, Brother Ji awakened my Human King bloodline. Ali is very powerful now and can protect Auntie."
"Ali, this Ji Mo is full of lies. You mustn't believe him. How can the Human King bloodline be awakened so easily? Besides, how old are you? According to historical records, there are no accounts of awakening the Human King bloodline in childhood. Don't be deceived by this great liar."
Ye Yao's impression of Ji Mo had become extremely negative.
This person was simply shameless. How could he deceive a child like this? Didn't his conscience ache?
She couldn't let Ali stay by his side any longer, or she would be deceived by him every day, and the consequences would be unimaginable.