Chapter 3 – A Hostile Visit

  On a long street, inside an inn—

  Near a window, Gu Chudong was carefully picking food for Gu Mo.

  Gu Mo could only hold his bowl and eat slowly. Though his inner strength had improved significantly and he could take care of himself now, meals were still tricky—he couldn’t see what dishes were on the table.

  “Brother, that Yan Sanniang was so pretty. Do you think I’ll be as pretty as her when I grow up?”

  “You’ll be even prettier.”

  Gu Chudong giggled, then gnced down at her chest and pouted. “How does she even grow those?”

  Gu Mo smiled but had no idea how to answer that one.

  “Brother, after we eat, let’s go rest. I booked two rooms. I’ll be right next door—just call if you need anything. I’ll hear it.”

  “Alright,” Gu Mo nodded.

  “By the way, are you really pnning to work with Yan Sanniang?”

  Gu Mo nodded. “It’s a good fit. We don’t have a name in the jianghu, and I’m blind now. Big-name Windchase Houses won’t take us seriously. Getting first-hand intel there would be difficult, and the payouts wouldn’t be worth it.

  “But Yan Sanniang’s operation is new. She needs people and needs results. She’ll work harder. Plus, she’s well-connected in the jianghu, and rumor has it she’s backed by someone powerful. Her intel network should be solid.”

  Becoming a bounty hunter meant affiliating with a Windchase House. After weighing his options, Yan Sanniang really did seem like the best choice. If it didn’t work out, he could always leave.

  Gu Mo was eager to take on bounties, but he wasn’t in a rush. With the Nine Yang Divine Skill backing him, he didn’t feel as vulnerable. He could move steadily.

  They finished their meal shortly after.

  Just as Gu Chudong was helping Gu Mo toward the stairs, the inn’s door burst open. Over twenty people stormed inside. Leading them was a burly middle-aged man with a full beard, hawk-like eyes, and a bck martial uniform. A saber hung at his waist—its scabbard etched with fierce patterns.

  The others, tall and short, lean and stocky, all had the air of seasoned fighters.

  “Which one of you is Gu Mo? Get out here!”

  They immediately caused a scene—smming tables and kicking chairs. The inn turned chaotic, and annoyed patrons started shouting back.

  The burly man smmed a hand on the table. “I’m Zhang Xiong of the Broadsaber Gang! Anyone got a problem? Step up!”

  Silence fell instantly.

  The Broadsaber Gang had clout in Linjiang. One of the city’s biggest underworld factions, their leader Lu Yingchuan—“Old Saber”—was a famed master and one of the local underworld’s top dogs. The gang boasted eight hundred saber-wielding fighters and four lieutenants known as Wolf, Bear, Tiger, and Leopard—all notorious in their own right.

  Zhang Xiong was second among them, nicknamed the Bck Bear.

  The innkeeper rushed out, bowing and smiling nervously. “Ah! Master Zhang, what an honor. Please, have a seat—I’ve got fine wine just in—”

  “Outta my way!”

  Zhang Xiong spped the innkeeper aside.

  Just then, one of his ckeys pointed to the stairway. “Boss, only one blind guy here.”

  Zhang Xiong looked at Gu Mo, then Gu Chudong. He cupped his hands mockingly. “Young Master Gu, Miss Gu—pleasure to meet you. I’ve got a little something to ask. Hope you’ll give me some face.”

  Gu Chudong didn’t answer. She simply rested her hand on her bde. Gu Mo, however, returned the gesture politely. “I’ve heard of you, Lord Zhang. If you’ve got something to ask, please do.”

  “Straightforward. I like that,” Zhang Xiong said. “I heard you and your sister killed Zhou Tong and cimed the reward from the yamen. That true?”

  Gu Mo knew Zhang Xiong wasn’t here for pleasantries. Zhou Tong had stirred up a storm in Linjiang recently—his death was newsworthy. The yamen had surely spread the word.

  “It’s true,” Gu Mo said. “What of it?”

  Zhang Xiong scowled. “We of the Broadsaber Gang were after him for weeks. We spent manpower, lost men, and finally had him injured and cornered. Then you two showed up and picked the fruit. Doesn’t sit right.”

  Gu Mo replied evenly, “That’s not how bounty hunting works. Whoever delivers the head, gets the silver. If we start weighing who did what, things’ll get messy real fast. Who decides whose effort mattered more?”

  Zhang Xiong growled, “Sure, that’s the rule. But I’ve still got over ten wounded men. You profited off our sweat. Shouldn’t you at least show some respect? Maybe cover some medicine fees?”

  Gu Chudong’s eyes fred in anger, but Gu Mo held her back. He smiled politely. “How much are we talking?”

  “Not much,” Zhang Xiong said. “Thirteen men. Twenty taels each. Two hundred sixty total.”

  Gu Mo chuckled. “The bounty was only three hundred.”

  “I know,” Zhang Xiong sneered. “But that head was ours. You got forty taels. That’s more than enough. Learn to be content, Young Master Gu. Greed gets people killed.”

  Gu Mo nodded. “Wise words—‘an innocent man gets bmed for his treasures.’” He reached toward Gu Chudong. “Pass me the banknote.”

  Reluctantly, she handed it over, clearly worried this would end badly.

  Zhang Xiong’s face lit up as Gu Mo took the note.

  Gu Mo held it up. “The silver’s right here, Lord Zhang. Come take it. But let me ask: are you sure you’re qualified to walk away with it?”

  Zhang Xiong’s expression darkened. “Refuse a toast, you get the punishment instead! Kill him!”

  He roared, “You blind bastard—you’re dead!”

  Gu Chudong had thought Gu Mo was going to give in. Instead, he’d provoked them. Seeing the gang charge, she jumped in front of her brother, bde drawn.

  But Gu Mo gently stopped her, whispering, “Little Sister, step back. Watch carefully. Learn.”

  (End of Chapter)