Lin Mo let out a gentle sigh, yet within those bright eyes shimmered a trace of other feelings.
After more than half a year of companionship, Lin Mo had come to regard Yingzi not just as his maid, but also as a friend and even something like a disciple.
"Although you have entered the Half-step Martial God Realm, you must know that this is merely the beginning of cultivation, the start of everything. Ahead lies a more rugged and perilous path. If you wish to climb to the peak, you must endure many hardships and pains. Only by steeling your resolve can you travel further."
Lin Mo rarely displayed such seriousness.
Therefore, Yingzi, who had initially been wearing a slight smile of joy, also reined in the smile on her pretty face. With her thin lips pursed, she listened to Lin Mo's teachings like an obedient bunny.
Two years ago, Lin Mo had lived through countless dangers and had witnessed numerous legends and prodigious characters. But most of these so-called prodigies had fallen early, while some seemingly ordinary individuals suddenly burst onto the scene, becoming top-tier Big Shots.
Without exception, these individuals who became Big Shots all possessed a rock-solid heart in their pursuit of the martial path. Therefore, on the road of cultivation, steadfast belief is often more important than talent.
"I will heed the Master's teachings," Yingzi nodded lightly, a firm look flashing across her eyes.
The two were chatting in the room when suddenly, outside came the roaring sound of motorcycles, almost as if the whole street had been set abuzz.
"Someone is looking for us, time to go out," Lin Mo narrowed his eyes slightly, the corners of his mouth curving into a sunny smile as he stepped out of the room.
Clasping her fists, the corners of Yingzi's thin lips curved into a faint arc, swinging her fist into the air as she scoffed, "Humph, those people dare to come bother us, I must teach them a good lesson."
Chinatown was not a particularly long street, mostly inhabited by Huaxia people or those running shops here. The roaring sound of the motorcycles had drawn everyone out, and at both ends of the long street stood a group of oddly-dressed youths on their bikes.
These two groups had already blocked off the street, an ominous aura subtly engulfing the area.
"It's the people from the Bloodthirsty Society, why have so many come? Is something big going to happen?" a grocery store owner muttered fearfully.
"I heard it's directed at Old Liu's restaurant," another owner of a Chinese restaurant said, casting a furtive glance at the Korean cuisine restaurant across the street.
"You guys don't know yet? Quan Xiangyu was beaten up at Old Liu's restaurant yesterday. They're probably here for revenge," someone else chimed in.
All the business owners on the street stood at the thresholds of their shops, looking at Liu Yanlan's restaurant with a mix of pity and sympathy in their eyes. Then, turning to stare at the motorcycle gang blocking the street, their looks held a mix of hatred and fear.
As one of the top three Black Faction forces in Seoul, the Bloodthirsty Society oversaw all the shops in Chinatown, collecting so-called 'hiring fees'—in reality, protection money—which was double or even triple that demanded from Han Country shops from the Huaxia people. Moreover, members of the Bloodthirsty Society would loiter in the shops, eating and drinking for free, and even bullying the merchants, fostering considerable discontent among everyone.
These people, for many reasons, had settled on doing business in Han Country, and were already harboring resentment against the oppression of the Bloodthirsty Society. However, the Bloodthirsty Society's influence in Han Country was so great that even the police were in cahoots with them, leaving everyone to simmer in silent anger.
"Mom, those people are here," said Liu Jing, who hadn't gone to school yet. Dressed in casual wear, she stood at the entrance of the restaurant, her pretty face slightly pale.
Fear and a hint of dread also showed in Liu Yanlan's eyes as she pulled her daughter into her arms and consoled her, "Xiao Jing, don't be afraid."
"Is this the restaurant?" Just at that moment, the group of people had arrived at the entrance, an intimidating mass that alone was enough to scare the wits out of anyone.
Liu Yanlan saw Quan Xiangyu at a glance among those people. The one asking the question was a middle-aged man with a menacing look, standing beside Quan Xiangyu. He was dressed in a loose gray outfit, and as his eyes swept around, they carried a hint of chilliness.
The grim-faced middle-aged man was Quan Dongyi's brother, Quan Zhou City, the president of the Bloodthirsty Society in Seoul and one of the intimidating overlords of the Underworld there.
"President, this is the restaurant. Inside there should be two Huaxia people, a man and a woman. It was they who injured my brother yesterday," Quan Xiangyu said with his head bowed.
It turned out that Quan Dongyi was sent to the hospital yesterday, where it was discovered that his broken ribs had penetrated his lung lobes, causing massive internal bleeding. After an entire night of emergency treatment, they couldn't save him, which is why Quan Zhou City came in person early this morning, wielding tremendous fury, to seek retribution.
Quan Dongyi was Quan Zhou City's own younger brother and had been killed by a Huaxia person, so how could Quan Zhou City not be furious?
At that moment, Lin Mo and Yingzi also came down from upstairs and walked over to Liu Yanlan's side, taking a glance at the scene at the doorway.
"Xiao Mo, these people are from the Bloodthirsty Society, and that one there is the president of the Bloodthirsty Society, Quan Zhou City," said Liu Yanlan, biting her silver teeth and looking at Lin Mo with some concern.
Although she knew that Lin Mo was skilled in martial arts and wasn't an ordinary person, the other party had come with so many people this time, and it was very likely they brought weapons. Moreover, all of this trouble had started because of the protection money for her restaurant. If Lin Mo and Yingzi really got into trouble,
her conscience wouldn't be at ease.
Lin Mo nodded slightly, his expression calm in the face of the aggressive crowd.
Quan Zhou City's gaze had fallen on Lin Mo and Yingzi the moment they appeared, the slightly narrowed eyes hiding a sharp light that flickered momentarily.
"Mr. Zhou City."
Suddenly, a group of people came along the street, led by a portly middle-aged man, his hair sleek and shiny, dressed in a branded suit with a triangle-folded handkerchief in his breast pocket.
Following behind the middle-aged man were a group of young men and women, the very people who had met Long Jianfeng, Jiang Wei, and Nie Ping in the KTV yesterday. They had planned to visit the restaurant today to see what had become of Lin Mo after his ordeal, only to arrive and find the Bloodthirsty Society's people dominating Chinatown.
As for the obese middle-aged man, naturally, he was Long Jianfeng's father, Long Hao, president of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce.
"Mr. Zhou City, may I ask what is going on?" Long Hao furrowed his brow slightly, his tone containing a mix of subservience and respect as he addressed Quan Zhou City.
Although Long Hao was the president of the Chinatown Chamber of Commerce and himself a billionaire, when it came to getting by in Han Country, he still had to watch Quan Zhou City's mood.