“Recently, even Qinghe County has been teeming with martial artists.”
Ke Mo gazed at the bustling street. The group up ahead was clearly a band of swordsmen from Yunzhou.
Each one of them carried a long sword, their white robes billowing with elegance, but they were visibly shivering in the heavy snow, looking like cold quails. Yet, that didn’t stop them from thinking they were the epitome of cool.
Those internal cultivation martial artists could easily dispel the cold with their circulating energy, but who has the luxury of keeping their energies flowing all day?
Unless, of course, you’re like Little Ke with seven Celestial Spirals.
“Ke… Brother Ke?”
Just as Ke Mo considered whether he’d been too extravagant with ‘special effects’ lately, a familiar voice called out to him. It was none other than the illustrious Three Heroes of Hengyun: Wu Chushu, Cao Mu, and Bai Jinghong.
“What brings you here?”
“Are you planning to investigate Mount Langko too? The other day, there was an awe-inspiring sight of ten thousand swords floating in the air!”
“Ten thousand swords piercing the sky is quite the spectacle, but it’s overused. Personally, I’m more of a fan of the Heavens Foundry Alchemical Sun from yesterday.”
Ke Mo nodded, giving a small critique of his recent work.
Cao Mu: “?”
Wu Chushu: “??”
Bai Jinghong: “…..”
How did he know all this in such detail? Even specifics about what happened yesterday like it was a full-scale report…
Ke Mo, noticing the strange looks on their faces, coughed lightly.
“Since the New Year is approaching, are you guys still heading to Mount Langko?”
Bai Jinghong shook his head, maintaining his aloof demeanor as a swordsman.
“Brother Ke, you’ve sure been busy this New Year, haven’t you?”
Who would have thought that Ke Mo and Ying Bing, who once didn’t even make it onto the Qianlong List, were now both ranked in the top five!
Which top-tier genius wouldn’t want to vie for the top spot?
But the current top spot belongs to Crown Prince Jiang Yu of the Great Yu Dynasty, whose talent rivals that of the legendary Founding Martial Emperor himself. With the backing of an entire dynasty and access to the finest resources from the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, he towers over them all like an unscalable peak.
To surpass him, not only would one need unmatched talent and dedication, but also a stroke of divine fortune.
And in the eyes of many, the legacy of Mount Langko was precisely that stroke of fortune.
“It’s been quite hectic.”
Ke Mo tilted his head skyward at a forty-five-degree angle, radiating an aloof coolness.
You see, he had to spend his evenings cultivating with his “chunk of ice,” planning the next day’s effects, and mentoring Little Princess Jiang.
During the day, he had to fly to Mount Langko via somersault cloud to add the necessary effects, all while ensuring the welfare of the various tribes in the South Border with the New Year approaching.
Whether it was appearing as a divine figure or being on the way to appearing as one, Little Ke was definitely feeling the burn.
Wu Chushu looked serious.
“It seems Brother Ke is fully prepared.”
“Of course, or how else could I hope to have a peaceful New Year?”
Ke Mo said matter-of-factly before realizing something was off.
Hmm…
Where’s my Ice Chunk?
She was right there just a moment ago, and now she’s gone?
Ke Mo looked up, only to find Bai Jinghong and the others staring at him like they’d seen a ghost.
What eerie business is this on the New Year?
Little Ke’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head. His expression froze.
There stood Ying Bing in a red dress, holding what appeared to be a tiger head. To be precise, it was a tiger-head hat, the kind typically worn by adorable children. Her usually frigid and distant features were strikingly more stunning with her festive attire. She gave the tiger-head hat a couple of serious pinches.
“Ke Mo, do you think this looks good?”
“We don’t have any children.”
“Would you like it?” Ying Bing cradled the tiger-head hat, her voice light.
Ke Mo blurted out, “I doubt it would even fit me…”
So naturally, Ying Bing picked up the tiger-head hat and forced it onto his head, and somehow, it fit.
Thus, stylish Little Ke adopted his New Year Skin:
God Hammer Little Overlord – Tiger Head Exclusive Edition.
Ke Mo: “…”
He couldn’t even imagine what his next Qianlong List entry would say if the people of Yantian Sect saw him like this.
“Ten taels of silver, not expensive…”
Ying Bing tugged at the tiger whiskers on his head, adjusting the hat as she mumbled.
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“Stingy?”
“Ten.”
“This hat could be made of a real tiger’s head, and selling it for ten taels is reasonable. Which stand would sell it so high? Even to celestial beings, that’s overpriced. Hey, let’s go confront them, I’ll back you up.”
Who do they think he is? The mischief-making little overlord of Qinghe County doesn’t eat for nothing!
Li Mo had taken a step forward when he suddenly turned back, took the icy-cold Ying Bing’s hand, greeted the Three Heroes of Hengyun casually, and left.
Ying Bing, recognizing the three, tried to greet them but realized she didn’t remember their names at all. Consequently, she turned away with a cold glance.
“…”
Bai Jinghong, Wu Chushu, and Cao Mu paused in deep thought, feeling that the scene they witnessed was a bit surreal.
After a brief silence,
Cao Mu spoke, holding his sword: “Li Mo and Ying Bing have surely prepared a lot for the opportunity at Mount Langko. What we’ve seen might just be the surface.”
“Yes, they might have devised some hidden tricks to seize it.”
Bai Jinghong himself often secretly trains his swordsmanship but tells Wu Chushu and Cao Mu he’s going to listen to music at entertainment districts, letting them rest easy, only to be exposed when Wu Chushu is truly indulging in those places.
Wu Chushu, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, as he watched their receding figures.
As everyone knows, Li Mo has always outshone him when it comes to public appearances, his deeds in the South Border renowned across the land.
He was curious how Li Mo and Ying Bing made their way to the top ranks of the Qianlong List so swiftly.
“Should we follow and see?”
“Hmm, others’ stones can polish our own.”
“I’m also curious how they’ve achieved such progress.”
Speaking of which, the three followed them and, in the bustling and noisy streets, not long after, they spotted Li Mo and Ying Bing again.
Li Mo was holding Ying Bing’s hand, standing in front of a hat stall.
“Ten taels of silver? Isn’t that a bit excessive, boss?”
“Hem, Brother Li, what price do you suggest?”
The shopkeeper, clearly familiar with Li Mo, sounded somewhat nervous.
Li Mo made a ‘eight’ sign with his hands.
“Eight taels?”
“Eight mace.”
“??? Brother Li, who haggles like you!”
The shopkeeper’s eyes darkened, his expression turning grim.
In Li Mo, he saw a figure that all the little merchants and vendors on this street feared.
Gu Xueqin!
Thus,
The situation heated up inexplicably.
Li Mo and the shopkeeper unleashed a thrilling, nerve-wracking haggling battle.
“…”
A flicker of doubt appeared in the serene eyes of Ying Bing.
Whether it be ten taels of silver or gold, it was nothing to her.
But why was he haggling so fiercely as if he were in a duel with a world-class master?
“I’ll take two at one tael four mace each. If no deal, I’m leaving. Really, I’m off!”
In the end, Little Li used the non-purchase threat successfully securing the deal.
He turned his head toward “ice chunk”, smiling, his chin raised like a victorious general.
Ying Bing pursed her lips, pulling out a money jar from her pocket, carefully counting the silver pieces inside.
As she counted, her usually cold eyes revealed a flicker of pleasure.
“So, you can haggle.”
“Of course.”
Li Mo finished the transaction and picked up a fluffy kitty hat from the stand.
The shopkeeper groaned, “The Mrs. Li haggling is lethal. I’m scared when she comes.”
Hearing this, a subtle wave of movement passed through Ying Bing’s eyes. She glanced at Li Mo, who was now playing with the soft kitty hat fur.
“Li Mo.”
“Hm?”
“I want to learn too.”
