"How is the mining operation going?"
Chu Heng caressed the jade cup with his fingers and asked aloud.
Zhou Jing’an replied, "Seventy percent of the operation has been completed; we expect to wrap it up by the end of the month."
Chu Heng nodded, "Recently the rumors are tight; caution is paramount... This Chen Mo is quite troublesome; we absolutely must not slip up."
"Yes," Zhou Jing’an responded.
After waiting for a good while, Chu Zhuo and the others had yet to return.
Zhou Jing’an frowned slightly, "Nearly half an hour has passed, and they can’t even handle this trivial matter? This Chu Zhuo really is useless—"
Before he could finish saying ’rubbish,’ a sudden, thunderous explosion sounded.
Both men drew aside the curtained windows to look and were immediately stunned.
They saw the second floor of the Drunken Moon Restaurant’s wall had been knocked down, with Chu Zhuo lying in the middle of the street, half of his body dripping with fresh blood, almost completely severed at the waist!
Chu Zhuo was, after all, a fifth-grade Martial Artist; how could he be beaten to such a state?
Before they could recover, two more figures flew out.
The two men fell to the ground, their purple robes stained black with blood, barely clinging to life, it seemed they exhaled more than they could inhale.
Zhou Jing’an could no longer sit still; these were Prince Yu Mansion’s own guards!
Seeing Chu Heng’s darkening expression, he knew this was a precursor to rage. Hastily standing up, he said, "Young Master, please sit for a moment, I’ll check what’s happening."
Zhou Jing’an stepped down from the carriage, leading a group of attendants to Chu Zhuo’s side.
"Young Master Zhou..."
Struggling to rise, Chu Zhuo’s old face turned red, a mix of shame and anger, "An arrest officer from the Six Gates, somewhat troublesome, and Chen Mo, he, he has no sense of martial decency, he ambushed me!"
"Chen Mo? He’s here too?"
Zhou Jing’an’s brow twitched.
"My son is still inside, there may be danger..." Chu Zhuo said in a low voice.
"Let’s go in and have a look."
Zhou Jing’an led his men into the restaurant.
The Drunken Moon Restaurant was already empty; the people hastily ascended to the second floor.
Amidst the ruins, three people were still raising their cups, carefree as the collapsing walls and swirling wind and rain added a bold touch to the scene.
Chu Chen was crouching in the corner, pale and trembling.
"What sword technique was that, Mr. Chen? Even a fifth-grade Martial Artist couldn’t handle it," Shangguan Yunfei exclaimed in awe.
Chen Mo glanced at him, "Do you want to give it a try?"
"...No need." Knowing he was in a foul mood, Shangguan Yunfei dared not provoke him further.
Lin Jingzhu’s clothes were torn, bloodstains crisscrossing his body, yet he seemed utterly unconcerned.
One foot on a stool, he held a cup of wine, his bright eyes fixed on Chen Mo.
"Mr. Chen, a toast to you!"
They clinked their cups together and drank until their cups were dry.
Lin Jingzhu’s fair cheeks flushed slightly, appearing like dawn’s light upon snow, her lips glistening and tender, "That sword of yours isn’t bad, may I have a look?"
Chen Mo tossed it over nonchalantly.
Lin Jingzhu caught it with a backhand, her fingers gently stroking the sharp blade, the keen aura causing her fingertips to tingle.
"Excellent sword! At least it’s a Mid-Grade Heavenly Rank treasure! It doesn’t seem to be recorded on the weapon leaderboard..."
"It was a gift. The sword’s name is Peaceful Shatterer."
"Peaceful Shatterer? What an odd name..."
"Chen Mo, you’ve got some nerve!"
At that moment, a cold voice rang out.
Zhou Jing’an strode forward, his attendants quickly surrounding the group.
Seeing the brocaded gentleman, Chen Mo’s eyes flickered with surprise; then, looking at Chu Zhuo following behind, he seemed to understand something, a strange smile curling at his lips.
What an opportune moment indeed...
"Young Master Zhou, it’s them!"
"Attacking Imperial Officials, wantonly taking lives, such flagrant cruel acts are utterly unforgivable!"
Chu Zhuo said angrily, clutching his sore back.
Chu Chen, seeing reinforcements arrive, straightened up with newfound confidence, standing and looking smugly at the others.
Zhou Jing’an’s voice was stern, "Chen Mo, do you realize what you’re doing? Committing murder in broad daylight; not even Mr. Chen can save you!"
Chen Mo glanced at him, "So what if I killed?"
Zhou Jing’an narrowed his eyes, "Drunk, are you? How about we send you to the Ministry of Criminal Justice’s dungeon to sober up?"
Chen Mo played with the wine cup in his hands, speaking indifferently, "Indeed, I am drunk, but the one who needs to sober up is you."
With that, he pulled something from his bosom and flung it over.
Zhou Jing’an instinctively caught it, looking down, his pupils shrank to pinpricks!
It was a golden Token, with a phoenix spreading its wings, a fierce sun rising.
"Kneel upon seeing the Flying Phoenix Order? Zhou Jing’an, how dare you!" Chen Mo’s eyes scornfully watched him.
Like thunder striking!
Zhou Jing’an’s body trembled