Chapter 551: Chapter 548: Assassination
Seeing that Mo Qi wasn’t joking, Xiao Zhang stopped pouring the wine.
The tantalizing aroma of the wine teased him, and Xiao Zhang could only swallow repeatedly to quell his desperate craving.
"I really can’t drink it?" Xiao Zhang asked, unwilling to give up.
This time, before Mo Qi could answer, Di Zhong slapped the back of Xiao Zhang’s head and glared.
"Your master said you can’t drink, so you can’t drink! Just do as you’re told. Enough with the nonsense!"
Xiao Zhang pouted, looking wronged. ’Teacher, that’s not the attitude you had a moment ago!’ he grumbled internally.
How could he know that in the eyes of Di Zhong and Xiao Zhengheng, the current Mo Qi was fully qualified to be their equal—and in terms of sheer presence, he might even surpass them.
Di Zhong’s actions were also a way of declaring his stance.
"Brother Mo Qi, rest assured, the promised compensation will be delivered in the coming days. As for my son... I’ll have to trouble you to look after him from now on," Xiao Zhengheng said with a smile, wiping the grease from his mouth.
He no longer had the slightest doubt about Xiao Zhang becoming Mo Qi’s disciple.
Mo Qi smiled as well. "We’re all family now, no need for formalities. Since Zhang’er has become my disciple, I will naturally treat him as my own son."
Upon hearing the phrase "treat him as my own son," the corner of Xiao Zhengheng’s mouth couldn’t help but twitch.
Though Xiao Zhang looked young, he was actually over fifty years old and had been in Cultivation for quite some time.
Mo Qi, on the other hand, was not yet twenty. In a town of mortals, a man of Xiao Zhang’s age could have been Mo Qi’s grandfather.
The phrase "treat him as my own son" was truly a bit ridiculous.
But it didn’t hinder the rapport between Mo Qi and Xiao Zhang.
In the Martial Arts World, age was no indicator of a Cultivator’s maturity.
For example, a hundred-year-old Cultivator might have spent eighty of those years in secluded Cultivation, leaving them with the psychological age of a twenty-year-old.
This was why many Cultivators who had lived for hundreds, or even thousands, of years, were less mature and worldly-wise than a mortal who had only lived a few decades.
"Then I’ll be counting on you, Brother Mo Qi," Xiao Zhengheng said earnestly, cupping his fists. "From now on, the Demon Sect will be your most reliable ally. Please, take this Token."
Xiao Zhengheng took out a black Token engraved with the words "Demon Sect" and handed it to Mo Qi.
"To see this Token is to see me. In the future, whatever you need, you can come to the Demon Sect. Any disciple of the Demon Sect below the rank of Supreme Elder will obey your commands!"
This time, it was Mo Qi’s turn to be stunned.
He had expected the Demon Sect to offer him some conveniences due to his connection with Xiao Zhang.
But he never imagined Xiao Zhengheng would be so generous as to directly give him a Token that held such immense authority.
One could say that with this Token, Mo Qi’s status in the Demon Sect was second only to Xiao Zhengheng himself.
Mo Qi did not accept the Token right away.
He was well aware that there was no such thing as a free lunch.
For Xiao Zhengheng to value him this highly, it couldn’t simply be because of Xiao Zhang or the table of Medicinal Cuisine.
There had to be some hidden secret, or some kind of string, attached.
After all, the more you receive, the more you’re expected to give in return.
While Mo Qi wasn’t opposed to being on good terms with the Demon Sect, he didn’t want to get entangled in too many karmic debts.
It would only lead to trouble down the road.
Seemingly sensing Mo Qi’s hesitation, Xiao Zhengheng smiled. "Brother Mo Qi, please, just take the Token. Rest assured, there are no conditions attached. You won’t have to give anything in return."
Mo Qi smiled, looking at Xiao Zhengheng as if he were an idiot. ’You think I’d believe that crap?’
Seeing that Mo Qi wasn’t buying it, Xiao Zhengheng gave a wry, helpless smile. "I simply wish to establish a friendly connection with you. I won’t force you to do anything for the Demon Sect. Of course, if you have the ability in the future and feel like lending the Demon Sect a hand, that would be ideal."
Mo Qi had a flash of insight. Simply put, Xiao Zhengheng saw his potential and was making a venture investment.
He was betting that Mo Qi would one day become powerful and successful, and that he wouldn’t forget to repay the Demon Sect.
In that case, Mo Qi felt he could accept the Token.
Who could predict the future?
After all, only an idiot would pass up an advantage when it’s right in front of him.
With his current strength and circumstances, having the Demon Sect’s backing was definitely more of a pro than a con.
With that thought, Mo Qi accepted the Token.
Xiao Zhengheng and Di Zhong exchanged a look, both wearing smiles with a hidden meaning only they understood.
"Well then, I hope the Demon Sect will come and show its support for the grand opening in three days," Mo Qi said with a smile.
"Of course, of course."
The conversation having reached its natural conclusion, it was clear that Mo Qi was ready to see his guests out.
Xiao Zhengheng and Di Zhong had achieved their goal for the visit. They needed to return to the Demon Sect to discuss more profound matters with the various old ancestors and upper echelons, so they had no intention of staying longer.
Just as they were about to bid farewell, six figures appeared at the restaurant’s entrance.
Five men and one woman, all of them young.
They were grouped in pairs, clearly divided into three factions.
"This establishment opens in three days. We’re not open to the public yet, so you should leave," Mo Qi said with a wave of his hand.
The restaurant was located in the Desperate Mountain Range. Although it was common knowledge that he’d had a falling out with the entire North District Envoy Hall and that they were now enemies, his reputation—and the claims that his food could cure all ills—meant there was no shortage of curious or daring people milling about.
As a result, quite a few people had broken through the Array and even entered the restaurant recently.
But Mo Qi had sent them all away, explaining that he wasn’t open for business yet.
He had expected these six to leave in disappointment like the others, but to his surprise, not only did they not leave, they all entered and walked right up to him.
Mo Qi’s brow furrowed. He disliked people who didn’t follow the rules.
"Mo the kid, these people are resigned to death. I’m afraid they’re not here with good intentions," the Pig Emperor suddenly transmitted a mental warning.
Hearing this, Mo Qi impassively spread his Divine Sense and quickly discovered something very interesting.
Not far behind the group of six, a seventh person was hiding—and it was an old acquaintance!
’A special concealment technique? To be able to hide from Xiao Zhengheng and Di Zhong, they must have some skill. A pity, though. You can’t escape my senses.’
Mo Qi’s lips curled into a smirk. ’Qin Xueyun, oh, Qin Xueyun. If you want to play, then I’ll play along. Let’s just see what tricks you have up your sleeve.’
That’s right. The seventh person hiding in the shadows was none other than Qin Xueyun, the one who had betrayed him and gone back on her word.
Back then, Mo Qi had spared her life only because Gu Peng had pleaded on her behalf.
He hadn’t expected her to come looking for trouble again so soon.
Hiding in the shadows, Qin Xueyun had no idea she had already been exposed. She wore a veil, struggling to suppress the killing intent that raged within her.
’First, I’ll let these six pieces of cannon fodder distract you. Then, just when you think you’re about to win, I’ll be the one to crush your heart! HEH HEH HEH.’
’I can’t wait to see the look on your face when you see me right before you die, Mo Qi!’
Mo Qi feigned ignorance, looking at the six with a displeased expression. "Are you deaf? The restaurant is not open yet. Get out!"
Just as Mo Qi was expecting the six to make a move, three separate telepathic messages appeared in his mind almost simultaneously.
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