Tianjin, starting with unorthodox methods to achieve immortality

The other people in line behind them didn't look too happy.

A series of glances subtly swept over Chen Mo and Li Jinrong, some filled with envy, some with jealousy, and some with disdain.

Dog Machine Bar - A Relationship with Users!

Many people cursed inwardly, yet wished they could take his place; the Zhenyi Division's assessments often resulted in deaths.

"Hey Fatty Li, if you're going to use connections, at least be a little more discreet."

A woman's voice, clearly mocking, rang out from the middle of the line, drawing everyone's attention.

The speaker was a young woman, about eighteen or nineteen years old, standing ramrod straight, exuding an air of uprightness.

She had a neat, short bob, and instead of the cheongsam dresses popular among young women at the time, she wore a crisp white pointed-collar shirt, covered by a dark gray fine-check vest, and paired with matching suit trousers and black leather shoes.

This simple and neat outfit stood out among the men and women in long gowns or skirts in the welcoming area, exuding a unique and dashing charm.

But her almond-shaped eyes were full of disdain for Li Jinrong and Chen Mo's backdoor admission.

Fatty Li was publicly ridiculed, and his face immediately fell.

He whirled around, pointing his folding fan at the woman, "Who do we have here! It's the third young lady of the Liu family!"

The fat man emphasized the words "Third Miss" heavily, "What? You, a modern woman who returned from studying abroad, look down on us old-fashioned people who rely on connections?"

"Then tell me, why did you give up being a proper young lady and come here to squeeze into this welcome area with us? What righteous path did you take? Could it be that you had a falling out with your family and have nowhere to go, so you're seeking refuge here?"

Miss Liu blushed slightly at his words and sneered, "Fatty Li! Stop your nonsense and slander! I came to the Zhenyi Division to serve my country, unlike some spoiled brats who only know how to rely on their family background!"

"Oh my, serving the country, huh?" The fat man patted his chest exaggeratedly, feigning fear. "Miss Liu has lofty ambitions, I admire them! But..."

He abruptly changed the subject, a wicked grin spreading across his face—the kind of sly smile men often wear when making crude jokes. "I've heard that lately you haven't been serving the country, but rather some confidante? And you've been causing quite a stir at home?"

"What, did Grandpa Liu not break your legs so you could come here to serve him?"

His words were blunt and harsh, directly hitting Liu Ruyan's sore spot and privacy.

Several low, ambiguous laughs immediately rang out around her, clearly indicating that someone knew her background.

Liu Ruyan's face flushed crimson, then turned pale; her chest heaved violently, and she pointed at Li Jinrong, her voice trembling, "You...you're shameless! Vulgar!"

Li Jinrong, however, didn't care at all, and chuckled as he waved his fan: "Vulgar? I'm just telling the truth! Miss Liu, this is the Zhenyi Division, not your girls' school, much less your... well, new fashion salon."

Seeing that the two were escalating their argument, the bespectacled clerk finally coughed loudly and tapped the table: "Silence! This is the welcoming area for new students of the Town Bureau, not a teahouse in the marketplace! Anyone who makes a scene or disrupts the order will be disqualified from registration!"

Upon hearing this, Li Jinrong and Liu Ruyan reluctantly stopped talking and glared at each other fiercely.

But after this argument, the atmosphere in the welcoming office became more subtle, and many people looked at Liu Ruyan with strange eyes.

Chen Mo stood aside expressionlessly, watching the drama unfold. This third young lady of the Liu family was indeed different from ordinary young ladies in terms of her clothes, demeanor, and temperament, with a hint of rebelliousness lingering between her brows.

Although Li Jinrong's words were harsh, they were probably not unfounded.

As the two walked out of the welcome area, the fat man seemed still basking in the victory of their verbal battle, fanning himself vigorously with his fan. "See that? The third daughter of the Liu family, Liu Ruyan! She spent two years abroad, learned nothing else, but she thoroughly picked up those Western ideas about free love and individual liberation, and even got them all wrong!"

He leaned closer to Chen Mo, his tone full of gossipy excitement: "I heard that she found a female classmate outside, and they're really in love. A few days ago, she even brought him to Tianjin to settle down."

"Tsk tsk, it made Old Master Liu so angry he almost fainted, and the whole Liu family was in an uproar."

"So, in a fit of pique, she came to sign up for the Zhenyi Division. She probably wants to prove that she can live without her family and also to spite her father."

Chen Mo listened, understanding dawning on his mind.

So that's how it is. No wonder Miss Liu is so rebellious and sharp-tongued.

These young masters and ladies are not exactly innocent either.

"The Liu family? Is it the Liu family that instigates the Yin Gate's Soul Carving?" Chen Mo asked, following up on the conversation.

Li Jinrong paused slightly in the hand that was waving the fan, a hint of surprise flashing in his small eyes, which then turned into an expression of knowing understanding that Li Jinrong was not entirely ignorant after all.

"Wow, bro, you even know this? Looks like your elders have told you a lot about the history of Jinshi."

He leaned closer. "That's right, it's that Liu! On the surface, the Liu family is in the textile business, but the real secret, as the old Tianjin residents know, is that they have the skills of the Yin Sect, carving souls and making statues, and handling those objects that deal with ghosts and gods in the underworld."

"I heard that one of our ancestors was someone who could bargain with the City God! But in recent years, the Liu family has been desperately trying to clean up their act and go straight, so these things are mentioned less often, and not many of the younger generation know the details."

He gestured towards the welcoming area with his lip: "This third young lady probably only knows that there are some old rules and rigidities in the family. As for the actual situation, her overseas-educated brain may not really know." His tone was somewhat mocking towards Liu Ruyan.

"I see." Chen Mo nodded, not asking any further questions. "Brother Li is indeed knowledgeable and well-connected."

Upon hearing this, Li Jinrong's smile widened even more, and the fan he was waving seemed to lighten.

Suddenly, Chen Mo seemed more pleasing to the eye than before. This young man was handsome and spoke well.

He was much happier than his cousins ​​who were always nagging him.

"Come on, Brother Chen, we're in a good mood today, so I'll treat. We absolutely have to find a place to have a good drink. I know a newly opened restaurant serving Western food; the chef is a genuine Frenchman, and the liquor is authentic!"

His enthusiasm intensified, and he practically dragged Chen Mo away.

"I appreciate Brother Li's kindness, but I just came from Linhe County and haven't settled into my accommodation yet, so it's really inconvenient for me to stay any longer. There will be plenty of opportunities for us to get together after the training in half a month."

Chen Mo declined, saying he could eat anytime, but he would feel more at ease if he got his hands on the first half of the secret manual at Longfa Temple as soon as possible.

Li Jinrong, after hearing his explanation, agreed, and said with some regret, "Alright then! It's a promise, you must contact me once you're settled! Here's my address."

He pulled out a gold-embossed business card and handed it to Chen Mo, saying, "Come over when you have time!"

"Definitely, definitely." Chen Mo took the business card and carefully put it away.

After exchanging a few more polite words, they finally said their goodbyes.