84: Chapter 84 Taking a Monk to a Restaurant

He stood up, walked to the window, and watched the sky outside gradually darken.

"That kid Chen Mo is a bit odd. Have someone keep an eye on him for now, don't act rashly. I want to see just how big a splash this little shrimp can make in the murky waters of Qingyang City."

...

West of the city, the Iron Bone Martial Arts Hall.

There was no smoky, chaotic atmosphere like that of a gambling den here, only the continuous shouts of exertion and the dull thuds of flesh striking wooden posts.

The hall Master, Iron Mountain, was a giant of a man, two meters tall, with muscles bulging like granite. He was bare-chested, effortlessly holding a stone lock weighing several hundred pounds in one hand as if it were a toy.

After listening to his Disciple's report, Iron Mountain released his grip.

"Boom!"

The stone lock crashed to the ground, causing the entire courtyard to tremble.

"Bronze Armored Corpse..."

Iron Mountain took the towel handed by his Disciple, wiped the sweat from his face, his voice rumbling like thunder, "That's a legendary monster said to be impervious to blades and spears. That kid Chen Mo actually came back alive?"

"Master, the news from the yamen is absolutely true," the Disciple said respectfully. "And I heard that someone from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau thinks quite highly of him."

Iron Mountain fell silent for a moment, a flash of sharp light in his eyes.

He was a martial arts fanatic and a rough-around-the-edges yet shrewd businessman. For a martial arts hall to establish itself in Qingyang City, relying on fists alone wasn't enough; one also needed good judgment.

"It seems we underestimated him before."

Iron Mountain tossed the towel aside. "Has the invitation for the Martial Arts Demonstration Tournament been delivered yet?"

"Not yet."

"Change it," Iron Mountain said in a deep voice. "Use the gold-embossed one. Invite him to sit at the main guest table."

The Disciple was stunned. "Master, isn't that too high of an honor? He's just a Runner after all..."

"Just a Runner?" Iron Mountain snorted coldly. "How many Runners have you seen who can survive an encounter with a Bronze Armored Corpse? The waters of Qingyang City are likely about to shift. More friends mean more paths. Go and handle it."

...

Outside the yamen.

The monk Monks Name was squatting beside the stone lion, bored out of his mind, counting ants on the ground.

As soon as he saw Chen Mo come out, he sprang up, his ample flesh trembling with the movement.

"Benefactor Chen! Lord Chen! You're finally out!"

Monks Name rubbed his hands together, his eyes gleaming. "Well? That wom... Lord Ye didn't give you a hard time, did she?"

"A hard time, no. But I almost froze to death."

Chen Mo touched the silver in his pocket, feeling much more at ease. He glanced at Monks Name and smiled. "Sorry to keep you waiting, Great Master. Let's go. I promised you a feast, and you'll get it."

"Hehe, this humble monk knew Benefactor Chen was a man of his word!" Monks Name swallowed hard. "I've been dreaming about Drunken Immortal Tower's braised pork knuckle the whole way here."

"All you can eat."

Chen Mo led Monks Name towards the Drunken Immortal Tower.

By now, it was late, and the lanterns along the street were lighting up one by one.

Chen Mo walked ahead, appearing relaxed, but his mind was racing with calculations.

Ye Zhiqiu's attitude was clear: she protected her own, but she was also ruthless. Only by proving his worth could he live comfortably under her. As for Jiang Hongli, he owed her a favor, but she was from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau—not a reliable long-term solution.

As for Tiger Wang and Iron Mountain...

Chen Mo's peripheral vision caught several sneaky figures at the street corner.

It seemed he had already become a focal point in Qingyang City.

But that wasn't important.

What mattered was the fat monk beside him.

Chen Mo glanced at Monks Name, who was drooling over a steamed bun shop by the roadside.

The corpse-refining techniques of Wild Maoshan, the uses of the corpse elixir, and that so-called 'life-extending method'... these were the things he needed most urgently right now.

The deficiencies of this body were like a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at any moment.

"Great Master,"

Chen Mo suddenly spoke, his tone casual. "Back in the hall, Lord Ye said your staff was just for show. I don't believe it. I think you, Great Master, must be a true Master hiding your abilities."

"Exactly!" Hearing this, Monks Name immediately puffed out his chest. "That wom... that female benefactor may be good-looking, but her judgment is poor. This humble monk's staff has been blessed!"

"Oh? Blessed with what?"

"Hehe, that's a secret, a secret." Monks Name shook his head with feigned mystery, but his shifty eyes clearly screamed, "Ask me more, ask me more!"

Chen Mo chuckled inwardly.

This monk—greedy, lustful, boastful—was full of weaknesses.

As long as you wield the hoe well, no wall remains unbreached.

"Great Master, Drunken Immortal Tower is just ahead. By the way, I have a few treasured 'picture albums' at home, rare editions. I wonder if you'd be interested?"

Monks Name's steps halted abruptly, his eyes widening like copper bells. "Picture albums? What kind of albums? Are they... the proper kind?"

Chen Mo lowered his voice, revealing a smile all men understood. "Absolutely... *improper*."

"Amitabha!"

Monks Name clasped his hands together, his face a picture of righteous solemnity. "If I do not enter Hell, who will? Such things that poison the world must be critiqued by this Poor Monk! Hurry, hurry! After we eat, let's go to your place to retrieve... I mean, to critique them!"

Watching Monks Name's impatient back, the smile on Chen Mo's lips gradually faded, his gaze turning profound.

Since he had already stepped into the murky waters of Qingyang City, he might as well wade all the way through.

The life-extending method—no matter what, he had to get his hands on it!

...

Drunken Immortal Tower.

This place was number one in Qingyang County. Two large red lanterns hung high at the entrance, their light making the lacquer on the threshold gleam.

Chen Mo led Monks Name inside.

The waiter at the door was sharp-eyed. He first noticed Chen Mo's Runner uniform, which hadn't been changed yet, covered in dirt and bloodstains. He was just about to frown when he caught sight of the piece of broken silver Chen Mo was casually tossing in his hand.

A flash of silver light.

The waiter's face instantly blossomed into a smile, his waist bending so low his forehead nearly touched the ground. "Ah, honored guests! Please come in! A private room or the main hall?"

"A private room," Chen Mo said, casually tossing the silver over. "A quiet one."

"Right away—Heavenly Room Number Three!"

Upstairs, inside the room, pushing open the window revealed half of Qingyang County's lights below.

Monks Name plopped down onto the redwood round stool, which emitted a pitiful creak from its legs. The monk didn't stand on ceremony, grabbing the teapot from the table and taking several big gulps directly from the spout. He wiped his mouth. "Benefactor Chen, this place is nice, but I wonder about the portion sizes. This humble monk's stomach is a bottomless pit."

"Don't worry, you'll be full."

Chen Mo beckoned the waiter over. "Three braised pork knuckles, five pounds of sliced soy-braised beef, two roast chickens, a steamed perch, Four Happiness meatballs... basically, bring all your substantial meat dishes. And two jars of good wine."

The waiter's hand trembled as he noted the order. Were these two reincarnated starving ghosts?

"Sir, this... can you finish it all?"

"If we can't finish, I'll take it with me. Off you go."

After dismissing the waiter, Chen Mo stood up and cupped his hands towards Monks Name. "Great Master, please wait here. I need to visit the latrine and... pick up some digestive aids."

Monks Name, his mind already filled with visions of pork knuckles, waved a hand. "Go on, go on. Be quick. The food won't taste as good if it gets cold."