Wild Dogs

Zhang Gonglian's face instantly fell, his previous longing vanishing into thin air, replaced by a deep sense of resentment.

"It's all because of that old geezer! He suddenly tricked me into returning to the mountain, saying his time was up, he didn't have long to live, and he had to pass the position of Heavenly Master to me. Seeing his spiritual energy dissipating, his face deathly pale, and his aura in chaos at the time, how could I dare not believe him? So I foolishly accepted it."

The more he spoke, the angrier he got. His fists clenched unconsciously, and his tone was filled with the indignation of being deceived.

"And after you accepted it, you realized this Old Heavenly Master had run away?" Lin Mo's voice carried a hint of amusement, sounding as if he was well aware of this old trick.

"Exactly! He just left me a letter saying he was going out to travel the mortal realm to comprehend the Great Dao. He even wrote some nonsense like 'The mortal world is vast and has its own wonders, I take my leave'. It's absolutely ridiculous!" Zhang Gonglian slapped the table in anger, drawing sideways glances from the diners at the neighboring tables.

He quickly restrained himself and lowered his voice, but the resentment in his tone didn't diminish in the slightest. "His time was up? Traveling the mortal realm? I think he just found the mountain life too bitter and ran out to have fun! Leaving a young man in his early twenties like me with this awful mess while he goes off to enjoy himself—what kind of Heavenly Master is that?"

He gulped down a large mouthful of tea and continued to complain indignantly:

"Do you know how troublesome it has been since I took over? Every day, I'm either dealing with trivial disputes or supervising the disciples' cultivation in the dojo. Occasionally, I also have to take on commissions arranged by Yanhuang Awakening, otherwise our dojo wouldn't have any money.

I could let all that go, but the most fatal part is that every few days, elders from some sects come looking for me, wanting to exchange the ancient texts and secrets of the Heavenly Master Mansion. Every single one of them treats me like a fool.

How would I know any ancient texts or secrets? I don't even know how many types of talismans the Heavenly Master Mansion has in total."

He complained, his eyebrows twisted into a knot, looking as if he bore the weight of the entire world.

Lin Mo looked at him without interrupting, just listening quietly.

Zhang Gonglian's complaints carried the directness and impulsiveness typical of young people, and also exposed his unfamiliarity and helplessness with the affairs of the Heavenly Master Mansion. Of course, it was also possible that he was playing dumb.

If it was true, then perhaps he really wasn't suited for this position, at least not right now.

Lin Mo's gaze lingered for a moment on Zhang Gonglian's resentment-filled face before shifting to the bustling street outside the window.

"So, are you trying to find an opportunity now to pass this Heavenly Master position to someone else?" Lin Mo suddenly spoke, his tone flat, but striking right at the core.

He didn't ask Zhang Gonglian how exactly he would handle it, nor did he offer comfort. He merely threw out a question, one that had been constantly hovering in the depths of Zhang Gonglian's heart.

Zhang Gonglian's complaints came to an abrupt halt. He stared blankly at Lin Mo, a trace of astonishment flashing in his eyes.

He hadn't expected Lin Mo to pierce through his thoughts so directly. He opened his mouth, and after a long while, finally squeezed out a sentence: "I... that is what I was thinking."

"With your strength, if you really wanted to leave the mountain, who could stop you?"

Lin Mo smiled. "Just like when I wanted to go up the mountain, no one could stop me either."

"That still won't do. The Dragon Tiger Dojo is my home, no matter what." Zhang Gonglian sighed, helplessness lingering in his chest.

He wanted to go down the mountain to play, but he also had to watch the house.

Poor kid.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lin Mo went to a supermarket and bought a large bag of snacks and drinks before taking Zhang Gonglian back to the Dragon Tiger Dojo.

As for the guide sent by Yanhuang Awakening, Han Lu, she had no intention of continuing to tag along.

"Since you are already so familiar with the people of Dragon Tiger Mountain, you don't need me anymore."

After saying that, Han Lu waved her hand and turned to walk towards a bar in the town.

Lin Mo and Zhang Gonglian, meanwhile, headed in the direction of the Heavenly Master Mansion.

--System: Old Heavenly Master descends the mountain to sweep away Quanxing!--

Creak—

Pushing open the heavy back door of the bar, a strange smell mixed with cleaning agents, alcohol, and cheap perfume hit her face.

After all, a place like a bar had to be cleaned up after closing.

This was the stronghold prepared by Yanhuang Awakening for Han Lu. At this moment, it was completely empty, with only the ice maker humming monotonously in the corner.

Han Lu closed the door backhandedly and walked straight to the bar counter.

She skillfully opened the liquor cabinet, ignoring those colorful bottles, and pulled out a plain bottle of Spirytus from the deepest part.

The cap was twisted off, and she tilted her head back to take a large gulp.

The 96-percent alcohol was like a line of fire, burning straight from her throat into her stomach. Only alcohol could make her feel alive.

"It seems Lin Mo didn't make things difficult for you." A crisp male voice suddenly came from the deepest shadows of the bar.

Han Lu sharply turned her head, forcefully spitting out the strong liquor held in her mouth, shooting it towards the direction of the voice.

"Pfft!"

The liquor rapidly condensed in mid-air, instantly transforming into dozens of crystal-clear ice spikes. With a whistling sound that tore through the air, they shot violently towards the person in the shadows!

However, that person merely grabbed a thick, small iron table by his feet without rushing and casually lifted it.

The ice spikes crashed into the tabletop, transforming back into a puddle of liquor in the blink of an eye, dripping down the table legs onto the floor.

The smell of alcohol filled the air.

"Tsk, such a waste of good liquor." The person tossed the table back to its original spot with disgust.

"What are you doing here?"

Han Lu's voice was even colder than the newly formed ice spikes. "Aren't you afraid I'll report to headquarters and say a dog like you has crossed the line?"

"I think you couldn't bear to do it."

The man slowly strolled out from the shadows, an unsettling smile hanging on his slightly pale face. "Besides, you'd better pretend you never saw me today, otherwise, I'm afraid your sister might have a hard time waking up."

The fingers Han Lu used to grip the liquor bottle tightened slightly, and the last trace of color faded from her face.

But she didn't say anything; she just tilted her head back again, silently chugging the alcohol.

"Drinking is good, drink some more. Once you're warmed up, it's not so easy to get frozen, right?"

The man smilingly pulled out a Zippo lighter, lighting a cigarette with a click. The flash of fire illuminated the calculation in his eyes.

"So? Did Zhang Gonglian and Lin Mo end up fighting?"

Han Lu took another large gulp of alcohol.

"They fought," she said concisely.

"Zhang Gonglian was completely thrashed, and Lin Mo even sealed away Zhang Gonglian's power."

"Hm?"

Hearing this, the man suddenly paused, the fingers holding the cigarette frozen in mid-air. A look of near-ecstasy surfaced on his face.

"Zhang Gonglian... was sealed?"

His voice even changed pitch a little, and that surge of excitement practically spilled out from his bones.

Listening to the excitement in the man's tone, Han Lu sneered in her heart, though on the surface she spoke indifferently:

"A Heavenly Master in his twenties, how powerful could he possibly be? He was lucky he wasn't beaten to death on the spot. But don't get too excited. With a bit of patience to wear it down, this seal should be breakable."

"You can't say that."

The man took a deep drag of his cigarette, the smoke rings he blew carrying an air of smugness.

"No matter how young he is, he is still the legitimate Celestial Master Zhang of the Dragon Tiger Dojo, not one of those swindling charlatans out there. His strength is far greater than yours or mine."

"However, this is fine too. This is wonderful..."

The man took a few excited paces back and forth. Like a wild wolf that had just caught the scent of blood, he muttered under his breath, his mind racing with endless schemes.