46: Chapter 46: Preparing to Run Away?

However, those specks of light seemed conscious, passing by his 'door' without entering, always maintaining a subtle distance from Su Mo.

Only the green speck of light produced a weak response to him, slowly moving closer.

After an unknown amount of time, a single green speck of light was finally absorbed into his body, traveling down through his mouth and nose.

Su Mo only felt a cool sensation sliding down his throat, passing through his chest and abdomen until it settled in his Dantian.

The faint glow of the green speck of light illuminated the entire dark space.

“Success!”

Su Mo felt a surge of joy.

Opening his eyes, he found that it was bright outside; an entire night had passed.

The joy in Su Mo's heart instantly vanished.

Now there was a piece of good news and a piece of bad news.

The good news was that he had a Spiritual Root and could Cultivate.

The bad news was that the quality of his Spiritual Root was probably poor, and his Cultivation speed was as slow as an old grandmother crossing the road.

[Host: Su Mo]

[Race: Human]

[Rank: Mortal (100/100)]

[Skills: Infinite White Porridge (Never Expires), Infinite Noodle Making]

[Talent: Myriad Races Furnace (Dogs Five Senses, Ox's Strength, Ant's Gigantic Strength and exoskeleton, Gecko's Wall Climbing and Regeneration Ability, Spider's Venom Fangs and Web-spinning, Bat's Flight and Sonar, Longhorn Beetle's Elytra and exoskeleton...)]

He opened his Personal Panel.

Sure enough, he still hadn't broken through the Mortal Rank.

According to the Tai Xu Qi Guiding Art, only when a Qi Vortex forms in the Dantian can one truly step into the First Level of Qi Condensation.

Su Mo picked up the Storage Pouch, packed the remaining items, and tucked the Flying Sword into his waist.

Although he still couldn't freely control the Flying Sword, its material was far superior to ordinary Sword Artifacts, making it a decent weapon to use.

Taking a final look at the Noodle Shop where he had lived for seven years, Su Mo turned and left.

Wang Shixian of the Wang Family would arrive at the Imperial City at noon. It was still early, and he needed to quickly tie up loose ends before he could safely run away.

Only after Su Mo started Cultivating Immortality did he realize how terrifying the talent required to Cultivate to the Foundation Establishment Stage in two decades must be.

A Sect must value such a Genius highly, making it difficult to guarantee that he didn't have some Trump Card Su Mo couldn't handle.

Therefore, Su Mo wisely decided to retreat first, develop steadily for a while, and only return to settle the score once his strength was sufficient... at the Government Entertainment.

“Young Master, you've come so early. The maidens are still washing up...”

The Madam was just about to open the doors and windows to air out the stale air inside when she saw a handsome Young Master standing outside.

Although the Government Entertainment opened early in the morning, visitors usually avoided coming until noon at the earliest, and someone like Su Mo arriving this early was rare.

The Madam squinted, sizing him up. Seeing that his attire was not luxurious but his demeanor was extraordinary, and a chillingly bright Precious Sword hung at his waist, she immediately put on a smiling face and approached him.

“Young Master, why don't you come in first and have some morning tea? This servant will go hurry the girls...”

“No need.” Su Mo raised a hand to interrupt. “I'm here to Redeem Someone.”

The Madam's smile instantly froze.

“Is Young Master perhaps a Member of the Imperial Family?”

“No.”

“Then is Young Master a High Official or Influential Noble?”

“No.”

“Then upon what grounds does Young Master come to Redeem Someone? The maidens at the Government Entertainment are different from those in ordinary brothels; the girls here are all Family Members of Disgraced Officials.”

“Since you are neither a Member of the Imperial Family nor a High Official or Influential Noble, how can you guarantee her safety...”

Before she could finish, Su Mo suddenly held the sword horizontally before his eyes.

“With this, is it enough?”

The Madam was startled, her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed to the ground.

“Guards! Quick, someone!”

Following the Madam's sharp cries, over a dozen Burly Men rushed out from the back hall, carrying Clubs.

“Daring to Cause Trouble at the Government Entertainment? You must be tired of living!”

The leading Burly Man had a scar running across his entire face, and he held a wrist-thick Wooden Club, looking extremely dangerous.

Su Mo didn't even lift an eyelid. He caught the Wooden Club the Burly Man slammed down with one hand, gave a gentle tug, and the club was instantly in Su Mo's hand.

“Thud!”

The Wooden Club struck the Burly Man's head with a backhand swing. The man's eyes rolled back, his face still showing lingering astonishment and confusion.

Seeing this, the remaining Thugs roared and charged forward together.

“You're courting death!”

Su Mo flicked his wrist, and the Wooden Club instantly turned into an afterimage, striking the heads of the dozen Strong Men.

The Thugs immediately fell to the ground, without even touching Su Mo's clothes.

“Clang!”

Su Mo casually tossed the Wooden Club aside and said indifferently:

“Now, am I qualified?”

The Madam slumped on the ground, her face pale, and she stammered:

“So what if... if you can fight... can you... afford the money?”

“Oh? Then why don't you tell me how much it costs to Redeem Someone?”

The Madam tremblingly held up one finger:

“O-one thousand taels of Gold.”

Su Mo suddenly smiled. He unhurriedly pulled out a stack of Silver Notes from his sleeve.

“One thousand taels of Gold is ten thousand taels of Silver, correct?”

“You certainly have a massive appetite. However...”

“I happen to have it!”

Ten Thousand-tael Silver Notes were gently placed into the Madam's trembling hand.

The Madam truly hadn't expected it. She had just named a random price, yet the Fierce Man before her actually had a thousand taels of Gold.

“Now, what else do you have to say?”

Clenching the Silver Notes in her hand, the Madam slowly got up from the ground, fear plastered on her face, and gritted her teeth as she spoke:

“Redemption is possible, but you must ask the maiden if she agrees. If she doesn't agree, you cannot use force.”

“Otherwise, This Old Woman will risk her life and still not let you take her away.”

Hearing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Su Mo's eyes.

The Madam, who seemed so cowardly and afraid of death, could actually speak such words.

“Fine.” Su Mo nodded. “If she is unwilling to leave with me, I won't force her.”

The Madam immediately sighed in relief and spoke politely.

“May I ask which maiden you wish to redeem?”

“Su Wan.”

As soon as the name dropped, the Madam immediately wore a strange expression.

Seeing this, Su Mo frowned.

“What's wrong? Can't she be redeemed?”

“No, no, no, of course she can.”

The Madam turned sideways, signaling Su Mo to follow.

However, they didn't go upstairs as Su Mo remembered, but to the backyard on the first floor.

“Maiden Su Wan caught a cold ten years ago due to an accident and hasn't received guests for ten years. How did Young Master know her name?”

Su Mo glanced at her indifferently.

The Madam dared not say anything more and honestly led the way.

After a few breaths, the Madam pushed open a pair of double wooden doors.

He saw many women washing clothes and bedding, old and young, and quite a few young women.

Before the Madam could speak, Su Mo spotted Su Wan immediately.

She was laughing and chatting with the person next to her while hand-scrubbing clothes in a basin.

Time spares no beauty, but although ten years had passed, Su Wan's features were still the same, only possessing a bit more mature charm.

“Su Wan.”

The Madam called out loudly and waved her hand.

Hearing the call, Su Wan looked up, her gaze cutting through the crowd.

When she saw Su Mo standing next to the Madam, her heart skipped a beat.

She felt as if Su Mo's face was familiar, yet upon careful thought, she realized she had never seen him before.

Su Wan frowned slightly, stood up hesitantly, wiped her hands on her apron, and slowly walked over to the Madam.

“Mama, did you call for me?”

“Do you know this Young Master?”

Looking at Su Mo, Su Wan hesitated for a moment, then gently shook her head:

“I have never met this Young Master.”

Hearing this, the Madam was instantly delighted, and the corner of her mouth curved up as she smiled.

“This Young Master says he wants to redeem you. Do you want to go with him?”

Su Wan was stunned, her brows slightly furrowed, and she asked doubtfully:

“Young Master, we have never met. Why would you want to redeem me...”

Before she could finish speaking, Su Mo silently pulled out a Jade Pendant from his sleeve and held it up before her eyes.