Martial Arts Sainthood Begins with the Tiger-Taming Fist

The four men mounted fast horses and galloped along the mountain road.

About fifteen minutes later, they saw a banner representing Chu Prefecture standing not far away, and several carriages slowly moving along beside the banner.

The four men approached Shen Qi, Xie Zhen, and the others, and dismounted.

When Shen Qi, Xie Zhen, and the others saw Chen Mo return unharmed, even they, with their composure, showed surprise.

"Senior Shen, thank you, Senior Shen," Chen Mo said, bowing.

Shen Qi nodded slightly. He immediately sensed that Chen Mo's aura was erratic, indicating that he had just been in a fierce battle. At that time, the only one who had fallen into the ground with Chen Mo was Zhao Huayuan.

Therefore, Shen Qi asked, "You escaped from Zhao Huayuan?"

Chen Mo replied truthfully, "I killed him."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qi, Xie Zhen, and the others displayed a variety of expressions, mostly surprise and admiration.

"Good, very good!"

Shen Qi laughed and said, "Heroes have always emerged from among the young. Brother Chen Mo has made a great contribution by killing the bandit leader. I will report this truthfully to the Chuzhou Prefecture."

Chen Mo immediately clasped his hands in thanks and said solemnly, "Thank you, Lord Shen!"

Xie Zhen observed Chen Mo's injuries and said, "Young friend Chen Mo seems to have suffered a shoulder injury. We should hurry back. My Xie family has skilled physicians who can treat Brother Chen Mo."

The head steward of Hefeng Village, who was standing to the side, had a sudden thought and quickly took out a medicated patch and handed it over. "Young friend Chen Mo, you can apply this medicated patch to your body to temporarily relieve your injuries."

Chen Mo accepted the gifts and thanked the two seniors.

After he applied the medicated patch, the group continued their journey back to the county town.

Riding at full speed, Chen Mo felt a surge of emotions.

Now that he has demonstrated his strength and gained Shen Qi's appreciation, these seniors are paying even more attention to him.

An outstanding young man may not be enough to make these seniors treat him with respect, but if the young man gets close to Lord Shen, then these seniors will become kind and approachable.

Admittedly, in this world, strength and background are paramount.

When Chen Mo rode his horse, Xie Jinyou rode alongside him, while Ye Zimou intentionally or unintentionally lagged behind by half a body length.

As for Chang Hao, he was straightforward and didn't have many thoughts. He rushed ahead on his own, leaving Chen Mo and the others to suffer in his wake.

About an hour later, the group arrived at Anyang County.

At present, Shen Qi has taken over the county government office. Under his personal supervision, soldiers escorted Lin Chong, Liu Zongsheng and others into the prison to await trial.

Afterwards, Xie Zhen and the others bid farewell to Shen Qi and returned to the Xie family, with Chen Mo also going back with them.

As soon as she entered the Xie family's gate, Chen Lan ran out and was overjoyed to see Chen Mo standing alive in front of her.

When I saw the injury on his left shoulder, my eyes welled up with tears.

"Sister, it's alright, some medicine will do the trick."

Chen Mo comforted her.

Xie Jinyou personally summoned the Xie family's physician to treat Chen Mo. However, after a diagnosis, it was found to be only a minor fracture that would heal after a few days of applying a special medicated plaster.

Hearing the doctor's words, Chen Lan and Wu Zhiai finally felt relieved.

Xie Jinyou then said, "Brother Chen, you should rest well for the next few days."

Chen Mo thought for a moment and said, "Brother Xie, could you help me inquire whether there are any houses for sale in the county town for under 500 taels of silver?"

Xie Jinyou paused slightly. "You want to buy a house?"

Chen Mo nodded. "Yes, I'd like to buy one. I've been staying at the Xie family's house these past few days and have caused you a lot of trouble."

Xie Jinyou immediately waved his hand, "It would be too polite to say I'm causing trouble, but if Brother Chen is interested in buying a house, I can go and take a look."

Early the next morning.

Xie Jinyou then went to find Chen Mo and explained his purpose: "Brother Chen, yesterday I asked someone to inquire about houses for sale in the county town. There are two houses for sale that cost less than 500 taels of silver."

"A house in the west of the city costs 480 taels of silver. The house has a spacious courtyard, but it is far from the city center."

"The other apartment is on Wuyun Street in the south of the city. It's quiet inside and lively outside, but the building is a bit old."

After listening to the other person's story, Chen Mo quickly began to think.

The price of over four hundred taels of silver may seem high, but it must have already been discounted, since Xie Jinyou personally inquired about it, and the seller would certainly give him face.

He had five hundred taels of silver notes, just enough to buy one of them.

Just as he was pondering this.

Xie Jinyou smiled slightly and said, "These two houses are indeed nice, but the Xie family can add another five hundred taels for Brother Chen to buy a spacious courtyard in the center of the county town."

Chen Mo was taken aback, then smiled wryly, "Lend me five hundred taels? I don't know when I'll be able to pay it back..."

Xie Jinyou shook his head. "It's not a loan, it's a grant."

Chen Mo immediately understood what the other party meant.

He immediately pondered to himself.

For the Xie family, five hundred taels of silver is nothing, but if they can win Chen Mo's loyalty to the Xie family, then the deal is worthwhile.

Chen Mo has already demonstrated the strength to kill someone at the Transformation Realm, and anyone who isn't blind can see that Shen Qi appreciates him, so his future potential is beyond doubt.

With the two Xie family members at the Transformation Realm level growing old, the younger generation needs to take on the responsibility.

Five hundred taels of silver won the Xie family the favor of the people and saved Chen Mo money.

This is truly a win-win situation.

However, in this way...

Chen Mo was thus bound to the Xie family. If the Xie family asked him to do something he didn't want to do, would he do it or not?

It is inevitable to repay the kindness received.

But then again, only if you are willing to accept favors and know how to reciprocate will others provide you with financial assistance.

His cultivation of skills in nature requires a constant supply of resources, so it would be a good thing if he could temporarily rely on the Xie family's resources.

Seeing Chen Mo hesitate, Xie Jinyou said, "Brother Chen, there's no need to overthink it. If you have any unspeakable difficulties, we won't force you."

I'll think about it.

Chen Mo nodded, "Alright, but I don't know how to repay such a kindness."

This question is also a tentative one.

Xie Jinyou immediately replied, "There's no need for Brother Chen to do anything. The Xie family simply wants to make friends with Brother Chen."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo thanked him solemnly.

Next, Xie Jinyou continued, "What I would like to recommend to Brother Chen is a spacious mansion in the center of the county town. This courtyard was once the residence of a wealthy merchant, but after he became rich, he moved to Chuzhou Prefecture, and the courtyard became empty."

"The wealthy merchant entrusted the sale to a distant relative, whom I happen to know. The relative offered a fair price of 850 taels of silver. Given the location and quality of that residence, the market price would be at least 1,000 taels."

Upon hearing this, Chen Mo felt a slight stirring in his heart.

In fact, even though he was a martial artist at the late stage of internal energy, he hadn't seen much of the world.

A mansion worth 850 taels of silver would have been a fortune in his previous life, something many people could never achieve even after a lifetime of hard work.

"Brother Xie's recommendation must be good; I trust you."

Chen Mo agreed without hesitation.

Only two days later.

Xie Jinyou then brought the land deed and invited Chen Mo and Chen Lan to the new residence.

The two stepped in slowly, looking around.

The courtyard has three sections, surrounded by lush greenery, with a clear lake, pavilions, and winding paths leading to secluded spots.

Chen Lan's eyes reddened; she never dreamed that she would live in such a luxurious house in her lifetime.