10: Baibaoge

"There are still two pressing matters at hand," Lin Mo said, his gaze sharpening.

"First, within ten days, we must completely digest the White Sand Gang and eliminate all unstable factors.

Second, we need to quickly establish a channel to Qinglan City. We require a broader world and more systematic knowledge, especially regarding Martial Dao Legacies."

The peace in Qingyuan Town would not last long. His sudden emergence as a 'Martial Artist' and his move to unify the town's underground forces had likely already drawn the attention of certain interested parties.

The Patrol Inspection Department? Other forces in the surrounding areas? Or perhaps a genuine Martial Artist passing through by chance?

He must possess sufficient self-preservation strength and find a path upward before trouble came knocking.

The Death Warriors silently accepted their orders and dispersed to make preparations.

Lin Mo remained alone in the room. He pushed open the window and looked out at the pitch-black sky.

It had been less than a month since arriving in this world. From being on the brink of death to controlling an entire town, the speed was undeniably fast.

But precisely because of this, he needed to be even more cautious.

The System's advantage lay in its exponential growth potential, but growth required time and also the correct direction.

"Qinglan City..." he murmured the name softly. That place should have what he needed.

Within his body, the immense power that grew daily lay quietly dormant, like a deep-sea undercurrent.

And his gaze had already passed over the low eaves of Qingyuan Town, looking toward the deeper darkness in the distance.

The next day, Qingyuan Town appeared no different on the surface, but beneath the calm, undercurrents were stirring.

The Black Fish Gang and the White Sand Gang began the complicated process of merging and handing over operations.

There were minor leaders who were dissatisfied, and low-level thugs who caused trouble. However, under the joint suppression by Liu Kui and White Sand Child, and the occasional ruthless methods displayed by the 'Shadow Guard' team, they were quickly quelled.

The name 'Young Master Lin' became increasingly mysterious and intimidating within the two Gangs.

The 'intelligence network' team began casting their net outward, disguising themselves as traveling merchants, porters, and vagrants, spreading out along the official roads and waterways.

Meanwhile, the 'Shadow Guards' were weaving an invisible surveillance network within Qingyuan Town.

Lin Mo himself immersed himself in adapting to his new power and exploring cultivation methods.

The training regimen he devised for the Death Warriors could be described as brutal, but the Death Warriors executed it without complaint.

Simultaneously, through Liu Kui and White Sand Child, he collected every miscellaneous book, travelogue, medical text, and even local chronicle he could find, attempting to piece together a more complete worldview and power System.

A few days later, the newly appointed [Twelfth] (Basic Water Affinity) and [Thirteenth] (Basic Mineral Identification) joined the team, further enriching the skill library.

On the evening of the seventh day, the 'intelligence network' team relayed their first piece of valuable information.

A merchant caravan from Qinglan City would arrive in Qingyuan Town in three days for a two-day period of purchasing goods and resting.

The caravan belonged to the 'Hundred Treasures Pavilion' of Qinglan City. It was of considerable size, and its guards were suspected to include genuine Martial Artists.

Lin Mo's spirits lifted. The opportunity had arrived.

"Monitor this caravan closely. Especially their guard captain and the caravan steward. Find out their lodging, procurement list, and personnel composition," Lin Mo ordered.

"At the same time, have Liu Kui and White Sand Child prepare to invite the caravan steward to a banquet in the name of the local merchant association. It's time for me... to meet these people from Qinglan City."

He needed to verify his guesses about the Martial Artist hierarchy and, more importantly, needed a stepping stone to access a higher-level world.

This caravan might just be that opportunity.

Three days later, a sizable wagon train rolled slowly into Qingyuan Town, churning up yellow dust.

Triangular flags of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion were planted on the wagons. The guards were neatly dressed, their eyes sharp, distinctly different from the local Gang members.

Leading them was a middle-aged man riding a blue roan horse. His face was dark, his palms broad with thick, knobby joints. As his gaze swept around, it carried a composed and steady Aura.

This was precisely the guard captain the intelligence network team had specifically noted.

The caravan went directly to stay at the town's best inn, the Delighted Guest Residence, booking the entire rear courtyard.

Almost simultaneously, an invitation jointly signed by Liu Kui and White Sand Child was delivered to the caravan steward—a lean, elderly man surnamed Wu.

In the evening, the largest private room of the Delighted Guest Residence was brightly lit.

Liu Kui and White Sand Child, as hosts, diligently urged their guests to drink.

Steward Wu wore a professional smile, responding appropriately, but deep in his eyes lay a trace of the aloofness and scrutiny characteristic of a merchant from a large city.

That guard captain, surnamed Zhao, sat in a lower seat, taciturn. Only occasionally would his gaze sweep over the Gang members standing in attendance, pausing slightly as if making an assessment.

After several rounds of drinks, the atmosphere gradually warmed.

Following Lin Mo's prior instructions, Liu Kui began to tactfully inquire about the recent situation in Qinglan City, especially regarding the prevalence of martial arts.

Steward Wu stroked his beard and smiled, "Qinglan City is a prefectural city, so naturally, martial arts flourish there.

There are over a dozen martial arts schools of various sizes within the city, and there's also the Qinglan Martial Academy, which has official backing and specializes in training military talents and experts for government offices.

Even we merchants and caravan escorts must hire skilled hands for protection. Otherwise, with the treacherous mountains and long roads, peace is hardly guaranteed."

His words carried both pride and a subtle reminder to the locals not to act recklessly.

"I've heard there are experts in Qinglan City who can scale walls and fly over eaves, and split stone tablets with their palms?" White Sand Child timely showed a look of yearning.

"Hehe, such individuals are no ordinary Martial Masters," Steward Wu chuckled but did not elaborate further.

He changed the subject, "However, strengthening the body and practicing some boxing, kicking, or weapon skills is quite common in Qinglan City.

Even this incompetent guard of mine, Old Zhao, studied for a few years on the periphery of the Martial Academy in his youth. An ordinary dozen or so men can't get close to him."

He casually praised his guard, also showcasing his muscle.

Upon hearing this, Guard Zhao, who had been silent all along, merely nodded slightly. However, his gaze seemed to sweep almost imperceptibly over the two 'Shadow Guards' standing guard at the private room's entrance.

These two Shadow Guards, having undergone Lin Mo's preliminary training and Death Warrior One's personal instruction, stood as straight as pine trees. Beneath their calm eyes lay a hidden sharpness, completely different from ordinary Gang members.

A flicker of doubt passed through Guard Zhao's eyes. How could a small place like Qingyuan Town have subordinates with such refined spirit and bearing?

Just then, the door to the private room was gently pushed open.

A young man in a blue robe, with an ordinary face, walked in unhurriedly, followed by a silent attendant as sturdy as an iron tower.

The young man had a composed temperament, steady steps, and peaceful eyes that seemed capable of seeing through people.

As soon as he entered, the previously somewhat noisy private room instantly fell silent.

Liu Kui and White Sand Child immediately stood up and said respectfully, "Young Master."

Steward Wu and Guard Zhao exchanged a glance.

So this was the mysterious Young Master Lin behind Liu and White? Younger than imagined, but this bearing... indeed didn't seem ordinary.

"Steward Wu, Master Zhao, Lin is late. Please forgive my offense," Lin Mo clasped his hands in greeting, his tone calm and naturally composed.

"Young Master Lin is too courteous. It is I, this old man, who is imposing," Steward Wu stood up to return the courtesy, his attitude several degrees more solemn than before.

With years of experience in trade, he had developed his own skill in judging people. This young man was definitely no ordinary fish in a pond.