49: Chapter 49 Nothing to do today, time to go back and rest.

"Even if her luck is bad and she can't become a top performer, being an ordinary courtesan is still earning a living by her own skills. After saving up private money for a dozen years or so, when she's old and faded, with silver in her hands, she can buy a few acres of land to retire on, or find an honest farmer to marry. That farmer would still have to treat her like a Bodhisattva; after all, she's seen the world and has money in her hands."

"Chen Mo, you need to be realistic. Face is for covering the Faces of the dead; when you're alive, you need substance."

After Tiger Li finished speaking, he patted Chen Mo's shoulder, his tone earnest, "If I were that girl, I would be hoping someone would send me in. It's better than being eaten by wild dogs outside."

After saying this, Tiger Li walked away with his hands behind his back, humming a little tune.

Leaving Chen Mo standing there alone, the wind swirling dead leaves around his feet.

Every word of Tiger Li's sounded like a barbed hook, drilling hard into his ears.

The most terrifying thing was that Chen Mo couldn't even refute it.

In this world where human life is as cheap as grass, what Tiger Li offered was indeed a "way to survive," and could even be called a "broad, smooth road."

No need to starve, no need to freeze, and there was even the possibility of crossing class lines.

The price was merely... human dignity, and a body that would be objectified.

Chen Mo took a deep breath, his chest feeling as if it were pressed by a heavy stone, stifling him.

He remembered how Little Grass had huddled in the corner last night, holding that hard steamed bun, picking up even the crumbs that fell on the ground to eat. Her eyes were full of terror, like a frightened little beast.

Send her to Yichun Courtyard?

Chen Mo closed his eyes, and in his mind appeared those heavily made-up women leaning against doors selling smiles, and then that Face turned into Little Grass.

"To hell with that broad, smooth road."

Chen Mo cursed under his breath.

He admitted he was a vulgar person, greedy for money, afraid of death, and wanting eternal life. But after all, he had received education from that civilized world; some bottom lines were like steel nails carved into his bones, impossible to pull out.

If he really had to send a little girl into a place like that with his own hands, his mind would never be at peace for the rest of his life. If his mind isn't at peace, what's the point of practicing martial arts?

"Still have to rely on myself."

Chen Mo opened his eyes, his gaze becoming clear again, even a few degrees sharper than before.

Since he didn't want to take the path Tiger Li pointed out, he had to trudge out a path of his own.

Raising a child takes money. Practicing martial arts takes money, and it also requires a Cultivation Technique.

All the problems, after going around in a circle, finally converged at one point.

Jiang Hongli. That female lunatic from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau.

Although Tiger Li's words just now were harsh, one sentence was right—guarding a golden rice bowl while begging for food, that's a fool.

Since he had already boarded the ship of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, even if it was just as a temp, he was still a person on the boat.

Risk? Where in this world is there anything without risk? You can even get your teeth stuck drinking cold water.

Chen Mo looked up at the sky; the dark clouds were even lower, as if they were about to press down onto the rooftops.

"Yuelai Inn."

He muttered the name, tightened his Runner uniform, and straightened his waist saber.

This skin could scare commoners, but it couldn't scare Jiang Hongli.

But he wasn't without chips in his hand. The Five Animal Frolics on his panel was truly at Perfection. That kind of control over his body, that kind of self-healing ability that surpassed ordinary people, was his confidence.

The Imperial Astronomical Bureau needed to handle cases and catch demons; it was impossible for them not to need cannon fodder. A piece of cannon fodder who could fight, take a beating, and had a little bit of brains should still have some value, right?

Chen Mo took a step and walked out of the yamen.

Pedestrians on the street were in a hurry, each shrinking their necks, with numb expressions on their Faces.

Passing by a stall selling steamed buns, Chen Mo paused, fished out two copper coins, and bought two hot steamed buns, tucking them into his bosom. These were left for Little Grass.

If he couldn't come back after going to Yuelai Inn this time...

"Pah, bad luck."

Chen Mo spat, shaking that ominous thought out of his mind.

He strode forward, walking towards the south of the city.

The wind picked up, swirling the sand and dust on the ground, blurring people's eyes. Chen Mo's figure appeared somewhat thin on the grayish street, but every step was planted firmly.

To see that woman. To seek that glimmer of survival. To gamble on that one in ten thousand chance of not having to feed his conscience to the dogs.

...

The signboard of Yuelai Inn was polished until it shone, reflecting light under the gray sky, looking much more imposing than that broken plaque at the yamen.

Chen Mo stood at the entrance, touching the two steamed buns in his bosom that still held residual warmth, but didn't go in. A meal at this place could cost half a month of his salary, and if the mud under his feet dirtied their threshold, he might just get a few eye-rolls from that waiter dressed in silk.

"Oh my, isn't this Runner Chen?"

Speak of the devil, that sharp-eyed waiter happened to be sending guests out and spotted Chen Mo at a glance. But this time, his Face didn't wear that disdain for a poor person; instead, it was piled with smiles, his waist bent like a big shrimp.

Chen Mo knew in his heart that this was thanks to that female lunatic.

"Is... Lord Jiang here?" Chen Mo asked.

"Miss Jiang? She went out early in the morning." The waiter threw his rag over his shoulder and leaned in a bit, "Before she left, she specifically instructed that if Runner Chen came looking for her, I should tell you that there is nothing to do today, and you should go back to rest and recharge."

Chen Mo was stunned.

Not here? Well, she's a big shot from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, how could she stay holed up in an inn every day waiting for a Little Runner like him? But this phrase "recharge" sounded a bit interesting, like she was fattening up a pig before slaughter.

"Alright, thanks."

Chen Mo didn't waste words and turned to leave. Since he didn't have to go die, he might as well go home and catch up on sleep. After tossing and turning all night, his bones felt like they were falling apart.

On the way back, Chen Mo walked slowly.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go fast, but the road wasn't easy to walk.

Originally, this area in the south of the city was considered a place where no one cared, a bit chaotic, but at least everyone had a bite to eat. But looking at it today, something was wrong.

The shops on both sides of the street, whether selling rice or cloth, all had a small black flag hanging at the door. There was nothing fancy on the flag, just a pale, ghastly axe painted on it.

Axe Gang.

Chen Mo remembered that half a month ago, these flags were only two streets away. In just these few days, they had already extended their reach here?

Passing by Old Wang's tofu pudding stall, Chen Mo paused.

Old Wang was trembling as he stuffed copper coins into the hands of a bare-chested brute.

The brute had two short axes tucked into his waist, his Face full of flab. He took the money, weighed it, and then casually fished a tea egg from the pot and shoved it into his mouth, not even peeling it, chewing with a crunch.

"Sensible." The brute patted Old Wang's Face, leaving greasy handprints on Old Wang's wrinkled Face, "From now on, this area is under the protection of the Axe Gang. If anyone dares to cause trouble, just report my name."

Old Wang forced a smile, which looked worse than crying: "Thank you, Master, thank you, Master."

Chen Mo stood in the shadows, his hand resting on the hilt of his saber, but finally let go.

He was a Runner; logically, he should handle it.

But in this world, officials and bandits are one family, and sometimes bandits are more "orderly" than officials.

The Axe Gang actually does things after taking money, while the yamen just drinks tea after taking money. He was one person with one knife; if he cut this one down, a whole group would come tomorrow.

"This world is rotten to the core."

Chen Mo cursed under his breath, tightened his collar, and hurried through the street. The faster the Axe Gang's territory expanded, the muddier the water in this city. When the water is muddy, it's easier to catch fish, but it's also easy to drown.