I'm modifying myself into the ultimate demon.

Chapter 31 Bandits Arrive at the Door (Bonus Chapter, Please Read On)

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Looking at the two large eggs on the panel, Chen Mo felt slightly disappointed.

"It seems that I need to obtain the method of transforming blood into qi to master it... otherwise I'm overthinking it."

Putting his thoughts aside, Chen Mo began to consider what to do next:

Lei Peng was killed by Liu Mazi, and it's possible that Liu Mazi will come after the Chen family.

"Although my Chen family is not afraid of Liu Mazi, just in case, we still need to ask Uncle Zhou to make some arrangements."

……

The years do not live, the seasons flow.

A month passed in the blink of an eye.

As December arrived, the weather grew increasingly cold. The towering Yinshan Mountains, stretching for three thousand miles, lay across the southeast of Honghe County, blocking the warm winds flowing in from the South China Sea, preventing the snow in Honghe County from melting.

As dusk fell, Chen Mo practiced his sword in the courtyard as usual.

By now, Chen Mo's swordsmanship no longer had a clear set of moves. His movements were fluid and natural, allowing him to combine sword techniques at will, as smooth as a swimming dragon.

If Zhou Liang were here, he would know that this is a sign that one has reached the pinnacle of martial arts and is beginning to return to simplicity.

He has already entered the fifth stage of the Blood-Piercing Realm... peak!
The thirty Qi and Blood Pills bought earlier have already been consumed. The amount of Cold Night Grass consumed is unknown. The treasury expenses alone amount to several thousand taels.

With the help of external assistance, breaking through to the Blood Rush Realm wasn't anything surprising to Chen Mo.

"Young Master, today is Laba Festival. Madam has personally made Laba porridge and is inviting you to eat." Qiu Lan entered the room at this moment, speaking with a smile.

"understood."

Chen Mo sheathed his sword, tidied himself up briefly, and then led Qiu Lan to the central courtyard. As soon as they entered, they saw Lin Yulan standing under the eaves waiting, smiling.

"Come in quickly, it's snowing heavily outside."

Chen Mo felt a surge of warmth. "Xiao Wu and Yu'er have arrived?"

Lin Yulan smiled and said, "You said that last time, how could I leave them out? They're all inside, just waiting for you to start the meal."

Upon entering the living room, I saw the whole family sitting around the dining table.

Chen Yinfu sat at the head of the table, while his second aunt Zhang Ru sat to his left with Chen Wu. Five-year-old Chen Yu'er lay by the table, staring longingly at the dishes and meats, her mouth watering. Several times she reached for a duck leg, but Zhang Ru glared at her and she turned away with a pitiful look, looking very aggrieved.

Chen Mo was delighted. After taking his seat, he immediately pulled off a duck leg and put it in Chen Yu'er's bowl. Chen Yu'er immediately became excited, "Brother Mo is so good to me. Unlike Second Aunt, who is so fierce and won't let me eat."

Chen Mo laughed heartily: "I can't let my little fish suffer. Eat up."

"Hmm."

Chen Yuer nodded vigorously, then grabbed a duck leg and started gnawing on it, her mouth dripping with oil, completely disregarding her image. Zhang Ru scolded her for not being demure.

In ancient times, people had strict rules and placed great emphasis on family traditions. The principle of seniority was paramount; juniors could not begin eating until their elders had started. Otherwise, they would be punished.

Zhang Ru was a concubine, and she was very particular about etiquette, fearing that she might displease Chen Yinfu and Lin Yulan.

Chen Mo said, "Second Aunt, Xiaoyuer is still young, there's no need to be so concerned about the rules."

After saying that, Chen Mo gave Zhang Ru another chicken leg, saying, "It's not easy for Second Aunt to take care of Xiao Yu'er; she looks a bit thinner."

Zhang Ru was shocked and deeply moved. But fearing punishment from Chen Yinfu, she looked at him with a questioning gaze.

Chen Yinfu waved his hand dismissively, "There's no need for such formality among family members. Let's eat."

Chen Yu'er was overjoyed; she squinted her eyes into slits as she ate the meat.

Outside, the wind and snow raged, but inside the living room, everyone was enjoying themselves.

Just then, a servant rushed in to report.

"Master and Madam, something terrible has happened. A group of masked, fierce bandits have stormed into the courtyard, demanding to see the Second Young Master."

Lin Yulan stood up in shock, her face pale and her body trembling.

Hearing this, Zhang Ru turned pale and trembled with fear. Chen Yuer looked up in shock, forgetting to swallow the Laba porridge, causing the thin porridge to drip down her chin.

Chen Wu, however, jumped up and ran outside, yelling, "I'm going to get the knife!"

Everyone was quite surprised by Chen Wu's actions. Chen Mo was also taken aback.

I didn't expect Chen Wu to react like this so quickly, so I couldn't help but think more highly of my younger brother.

At this moment, Chen Yinfu spoke up: "You come back here. It's not your place to step in when something happens."

Chen Wu dared not disobey, so he lowered his head and returned listlessly.

"The rest of you stay here. Xiao Mo, come with me out to take a look."

After making his decision, Chen Yinfu and Chen Mo hurriedly left the house.

Chen Wu looked around, then quickly found a wooden stick, gripped it tightly in his hand, and stood at the gate, staring intently outside. His still somewhat immature face appeared exceptionally resolute.

"Auntie, Second Aunt, don't be afraid. I will protect you with my life."

Lin Yulan stared blankly at Chen Wu, deeply moved as she watched the thirteen-year-old boy stand in front of her like a tough man.

Before this, Lin Yulan had some prejudice against Chen Wu.

In wealthy families, it was common for wives and concubines to have infighting and jealousy among themselves. Their ultimate goal was simply to elevate their own social standing and secure a better future for their sons.

But after seeing Chen Wu's performance today, Lin Yulan's opinion changed drastically. She suddenly realized that Chen Wu was also a good child. The Chen family's business was considerable, and if they encountered external troubles, everyone would need to work together.

……

Chen Mo and Chen Yinfu hurriedly headed to the training ground.

Chen Yinfu was not as timid as a woman; he had clearly seen a lot. Taking advantage of a break in their journey, he asked, "Do you know why those bandits are looking for you?"

Chen Mo said, "I know... It should be Lu Wei's elder brother, Liu Mazi. A master at the Fifth Pass Blood Realm. I didn't think this through properly..."

Chen Yinfu said, "It's not your fault now. Lei Peng was too anxious for his son and lost his composure. I just didn't expect Liu Mazi to dare to openly invade the Chen residence. Right now, we need to think of a way to deal with this. Is Lu Wei still alive?"

Chen Mo said, "I locked him in the courtyard. He's still alive and unharmed."

As he answered, Chen Mo's mind raced.

Clearly, Liu Mazi's visit meant he knew Lu Wei was at his residence.

Could it be that Lei Peng let it slip when he died?
Why did Liu Mazi wait until today to make his move?

Chen Mo voiced the question that had been lingering in his mind.

Chen Yinfu offered an explanation: "Perhaps it's because today is Laba Festival, and the county government and garrison are all on holiday. The city's defenses are lax. This is a rare opportunity for bandits to enter the city. Even if bandits kill someone in the city, the constables won't come immediately. Liu Mazi didn't come earlier or later, but chose this time to come, which shows that he is prepared not to leave any survivors in my Chen family."

Chen Mo was startled upon hearing this, and secretly admired his father's meticulous and thorough thinking.

But Chen Mo always felt that things weren't that simple...

A group of bandits entering the city to plunder a prominent family? That doesn't seem to make much sense.

Soon the two walked through a corridor and saw the scene on the training ground in the distance:

More than thirty guards wielding broadswords, led by Zhou Liang, confronted a dozen or so bandits.

Zhou Liang's robes were somewhat torn, indicating that he had just been attacked.

Chen Yinfu stopped at the corner of the corridor and pulled Chen Mo along, saying, "Judging from the bandits' strength, they are probably even more powerful than your Uncle Zhou. If we, father and son, go out together and something bad happens to us, the Chen family will be finished."

After a pause, Chen Yinfu made a decision, "I will go out to buy some time. You go to the garrison and find Liu Hao, the centurion. I have a very good personal relationship with him. Tell him to bring his troops over. Only then can we resolve the crisis facing my Chen family."

Chen Mo turned to look at his father, whose temples were turning gray, and felt both admiration and emotion.

Chen Mo wasn't stupid. He knew that his father had entrusted him with the safest task, so he had the idea that if unforeseen circumstances arose, he could at least leave a lineage for the Chen family.

Chen Mo quickly made up his mind and said, "I have already reached the peak of the Blood Rush Realm, and I am only one step away from refining my inner true qi. Liu Mazi should be no match for me. I can handle him!"

Having lived two lives, Chen Mo is not the type to stand out.

But since his father insisted on protecting him as he left, Chen Mo had no choice but to speak up.

Chen Yinfu looked incredulous. "You mustn't be lying to your father."

Chen Mo said, "This matter concerns the survival of the Chen family, and I will never be presumptuous."

Chen Yinfu thought about it for a moment and believed it to some extent, but he was still uneasy: "But we have five guards at the Fifth Viscera Realm in our mansion, and your Uncle Zhou is here too, yet we still can't control Liu Mazi's gang. The other side ultimately has more people and more power..."

Chen Mo considered for a moment, a cold glint in his eyes, "I have a plan, but I need Father's cooperation..."

(End of this chapter)