CHAPTER 31: CHAPTER 31: BROTHER MO, I WANT TO RUN WITH YOU

The wind and snow howled.

Outside Fu Ze Village.

A constable wiped away the frost from his eyebrows, looking at Wu Mountain walking ahead, and said, "Big Brother, do you believe what that kid said?"

"Big Brother, I think the disappearance of Wang Xi and Liu Ergou might really have something to do with him," another constable also said.

Wu Mountain stopped, turned around, blew into his palms, then rubbed his hands together, and said, "So what? Go back and call someone to arrest him? Do you have any evidence?"

The constable who spoke first was at a loss for words, and the one who spoke later whispered, "Big Brother, in times like these, just arrest him. Who needs evidence? At worst, use some torture, and he’ll confess eventually."

"Li San, do you know Wang Xi?" Wu Mountain looked at the constable who spoke last and said.

"Big Brother, what are you talking about? I’ve never been to Fu Ze Village before, how could I know someone like Wang Xi?" The constable named Li San replied.

"Then why are you standing up for him?"

Wu Mountain said, gesturing with his hand.

Several people immediately gathered around, forming a circle. Wu Mountain said, "Even if Wang Xi was killed by Chen Mo, so what? As Li San just said, in these times, even if we arrest Chen Mo, we get no benefit, and the higher-ups won’t give us any credit. Wang Xi isn’t related to us; why would we offend a martial artist for two lowly peasants?

Given that, we might as well take this opportunity to make friends with a martial artist. We might even have to rely on him in the future."

"Then how do we answer the officials?" Li San asked.

"Are you stupid? How many murder cases are piled up in the government office? Does the official care? In his eyes, powerless and poor peasants are like caged pigs and sheep, and in this chaotic world, even less than pigs and sheep. Didn’t you notice the recently implemented city entry and overnight stay fees? The official doesn’t want to deal with things outside the city at all."

Wu Mountain had been working at the government office for over ten years, and any slight disturbance was as clear as a bell to him. After all, people who couldn’t even afford the city overnight fee not only lacked power and status but money as well, so there was no need to worry about them retaliating against you.

Li San and the others understood a bit more.

Wu Mountain truly regarded them as brothers and continued, "I’ve heard the rebels are going to attack Qingzhou. In my opinion, they might fail again."

Wu Mountain let out a long sigh.

"How could that be? Xia Lin gathered an army of a hundred thousand; they’re the elite of Qingzhou." Li San exclaimed.

Wu Mountain smiled, speaking softly, "Do you all know who those two young ladies the official personally received a few days ago were?"

"Who?"

"They are the daughters of our Lord Prefect. Pingting County is the strategic rear of Qingzhou. Why would the Lord Prefect send his daughters here now? I think the Lord Prefect also knows the Qingzhou army can’t withstand the rebel army and has prepared an escape route early. If it really comes to that day, the official will surely want to draw strong allies..."

Li San and the others finally understood and said in unison, "Big Brother, you’re wise."

"Come on, let’s go back and drink."

...

The sky was gradually darkening.

In the kitchen.

The two of them leaned against the stove, eating their dinner.

As they ate, Chen Mo suddenly pulled Han Anniang onto his lap, his large hands slipping skillfully... inside Han Anniang’s cotton clothing.

Han Anniang’s body suddenly tensed, her face turning red, twisting her body, "Uncle, don’t..."

Her eyes already turned into a pool of tender emotion.

"Who asked sister-in-law to always tempt me, a sixteen-year-old boy can’t resist temptation," Chen Mo’s voice was low and carried a nasal tone.

"I...didn’t." Han Anniang grabbed Chen Mo’s left hand, trying to pull it out, sitting by herself having dinner properly, where did she tempt him?

"Sister-in-law’s body always tempts me..." Chen Mo whispered in Han Anniang’s ear.

"Boom."

Han Anniang’s face turned red all the way to her neck; she had never heard such embarrassing and teasing words before, trembling as she said, "Uncle, stop... teasing me."

"How could I bear to bully sister-in-law? Here, let me feed you,"

Chen Mo picked up a piece of bear meat and brought it to Han Anniang’s lips.

"Brother Mo."

Suddenly, he heard someone calling him from outside the kitchen.

Han Anniang jumped up, hurriedly tidying her clothes.

"No rush, sister-in-law, I’ll go see who it is."

Chen Mo frowned slightly, put down his chopsticks, and walked out of the kitchen.

"Brother Mo."

Chen Mo saw a young man in patched clothes, wearing a cotton hat and jacket, calling him at the courtyard entrance.

Chen Mo squinted his eyes; if he remembered correctly, this person was Zhang River, known in the village as Shui.

Previously, when he dealt with Wang the Pockmarked, Zhang River was among those dealt with.

"What do you want?" Chen Mo’s voice was cold.

"Brother Mo, don’t misunderstand, I... I’m not here to cause trouble, I just have something to tell you." Zhang River was truly afraid of Chen Mo, not even daring to step inside the gate, his voice trembling as he spoke.

Chen Mo glanced at him a few times, then walked back inside, "Come in and say it."

"Okay."

Zhang River then dared to enter the courtyard, respectfully greeted Han Anniang, "Mrs. Han," as he passed her.

Inside the house, Chen Mo sat at the head, not inviting Zhang River to sit, and said calmly, "What is it? Speak."

Zhang River, who was more than ten years older than Chen Mo, didn’t mind the treatment, bowed slightly, and said, "Brother Mo, I know why the governmental officials were looking for you this morning."

"Oh."

Chen Mo showed interest, "Tell me."

"Yesterday, when I went into the city, I happened to see Lady Lu coming out of the government office, and today the officials came. It must be Lady Lu who said something unfavorable about you at the government office," Zhang River said.

To this, Chen Mo was not surprised.

When Wu Mountain mentioned that the reporter was an old woman, Chen Mo had guessed it was Lady Lu.

Chen Mo didn’t eradicate Lady Lu completely.

It was just because she was old, her son was unreliable, her grandson was still young, and after the last lesson, he thought she would behave, so he felt some compassion.

After all, even the most ruthless person would hesitate when facing the elderly and children.

But the other party kept bothering him.

Chen Mo already had a plan in mind.

He nodded and asked, "Anything else?"

Zhang River suddenly looked down at his toes, hesitated for a moment, then looked up with a flushed face and said, "Bro... Brother Mo, I... want to follow you."

"Weren’t you following Wang the Pockmarked before?" Chen Mo looked at him a few times and said flatly.

"Brother Mo, I... I was forced back then, Brother Mo, don’t worry, I’ve...turned over a new leaf. I hope you can forgive me."

"Let’s set aside forgiveness for now. Following me requires ability. What can you do?" Chen Mo lightly tapped the table, looking at Zhang River.