It was night.

Suddenly, a light rain began to fall from the sky, layering the courtyard with mist and rain. The willow trees in the courtyard swayed gently, and the strong wind beat against the window of the backyard, creating a rhythmic "patter" sound.

In the side room, Xia Zhiqing wore a white gauzy dress. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly, as her slender, pale fingers plucked the zither strings. With red lips slightly parted, she sang the poem "Guan Ju", her eyes occasionally glanced towards the bed, and her face inexplicably flushed, her delicate body gradually becoming unnatural.

Chen Mo lay on the soft couch, his hands under his head, looking up at Xia Zhining above him. He joked, "You're getting more and more cooperative, you venomous woman, even taking charge this time."

Xia Zhining tightly closed her beautiful eyes, her eyelashes trembling, with only her nostrils letting out a soft hum. Upon hearing Chen Mo's words, a flush spread across her jade-like cheeks. She opened her eyes and rebuked coldly, "Stop... talking nonsense, I'm just trying to repay those... one hundred lashes."

"Thirty-five lashes remain," Chen Mo said.

These days, Chen Mo almost slept at the government office every other day. Counting Xia Zhiqing's paintings, composing, and what Xia Zhining had repaid before, there were still thirty-five lashes left.

"You... scoundrel, didn't you say that my sister's singing would reduce five lashes? Why are there still thirty-five?" Xia Zhining said angrily, gritting her teeth.

"Oh, I almost forgot, then there are thirty lashes left. At the current rate of repayment, it will take two months. No, it will take three months, considering the time to be deducted when you're on your cycle."

Chen Mo counted on his fingers.

"I... know, no need to remind me," Xia Zhining said, feeling ashamed and angry.

Chen Mo looked at Xia Zhining, whose cheeks were as bright as peach blossoms and whose breath was light, and he still felt quite pleased.

These days, he had been trying to conquer this venomous woman, and now it was beginning to show results.

Previously, she repaid passively, but tonight she took the initiative to repay.

Chen Mo turned his head to look at Xia Zhiqing and said, "You saw Liu Ze today, didn't you?"

Because Xia Zhiqing was singing, she only nodded in response.

"See, I told you he's fine. You didn't believe it before, asking why he couldn't see you. He's just healing and can't get out of bed," Chen Mo said.

Xia Zhiqing did not respond until she finished playing the whole song, then said, "I apologize for the misunderstanding between us sisters earlier."

After speaking, she bowed.

"No need, I am just telling you, I keep my word, so don't worry. After the debt is repaid, I will definitely let you go."

With that, Chen Mo said to Xia Zhining, "What are you doing? I'm about to fall asleep."

Xia Zhining: "..."

With beautiful eyes glaring angrily at Chen Mo, her cheek was flushed red like the sunset. She was about to muster more effort.

Suddenly hearing that this bastard was talking to her sister again, he also said, "In consideration of our brief past affair, I will also release Liu Ze when you leave."

Such words were hurtful.

Even after staying with him for so many days, he didn't seem to hold any thoughts for her.

Instead, her sister only accompanied him for one night, and he was still so fondly recalling her.

Xia Zhining frowned, simply gave up, stayed still, and when the boy's eyes fell upon her, she just said, "I'm out of strength."

Only to hear a voice beside her ear, "Useless, as an Eighth-Grade Martial Artist, you can't even compare to your sister."

With that, he sat up, holding Xia Zhining tightly.

Hearing this, Xia Zhining felt unspeakably miserable. Just as she was about to tilt her smooth and round chin to scream and struggle, she felt a warm sensation approaching, her rose-petal lips already captured.

Xia Zhining initially resisted, wanting to give Chen Mo a piece of her mind.

The boy held her face, his fingertips gently caressing her cheek, his touch was so tender.

Xia Zhining's jade cheeks blushed, her slightly closed beautiful eyes were enchanting, and she gave up struggling, choosing to submit, clutching Chen Mo's neck tightly.

Xia Zhiqing pressed her lips together, watching the entangled pair, swallowed back her words of gratitude, and couldn't help but recall what happened that afternoon.

A woman often cherishes her purity.

What Xia Zhiqing herself did not know was that at the moment her purity was lost, whether she wanted it or not, Chen Mo's silhouette had already been branded in her mind.

Especially in recent days, with Chen Mo spending several nights, every night making merry with her sister. She watched from the side, and the imprint in her mind only deepened.

In her heart, a hint of longing had already arisen.

...

The night grew deeper. Although there had just been a light rain, being a summer night, it was still quite hot. The entanglement left them both sweating.

Xia Zhining was now tightly clutching Chen Mo's neck, her cloud-like hair in disarray, her creamy cold face and jade neck covered in a layer of crystal sweat, her delicate breath barely steady. Her chest heaved, her delicate body trembled, as if still immersed in the lingering sensations.

Chen Mo took a handkerchief from beside him, wiping the sweat from Xia Zhining's forehead and temples, saying softly, "I'll ask Chunhong to bring hot water, you're covered in sweat, you should have a good bath."

Saying so, he gently caressed the corner of Xia Zhining's eye, feeling the aura slip through his fingers.

Xia Zhining's jade face turned a rosy red like the sunset; the sudden tenderness after the boy's roughness stirred sweetness in her heart. She instinctively let out a gentle sigh, "Okay."

But upon saying it, she abruptly pushed Chen Mo away, saying coolly, "I don't need you to care."

Yet, internally her heart raced wildly, wondering if she had lost her soul to utter such shy words.

But Chen Mo leaned close to her cold face, holding a clean handkerchief, gently wiping her face, then lightly kissed her forehead, saying, "Trust me."

Xia Zhining almost agreed again impulsively, but this time she quickly caught herself, keeping a cold face without saying a word.

But the young man took out a gold ring from somewhere and put it on her finger the next moment, saying, "A small gift for you."

Xia Zhining looked down at it, her face slightly stunned. Why give her a ring, is he thinking of tying her down with it?

Wishful thinking.

Just as she was about to take it off.

But Chen Mo seemed to predict her thoughts, saying, "Of course, if you don't like it, you can take it off and throw it away; there's no need to return it to me."

Xia Zhining paused slightly and then said, "I... Why would I throw it away? It's gold, and maybe later, when I leave, I can use it as travel expenses."

"Whatever."

He called Chunhong for hot water, and after a mandarin duck bath with Xia Zhining, they went to sleep.

And Xia Zhining noticed Chen Mo only gave her a gold ring and didn't give one to her sister, feeling a bit smug inside.

...

The next day, He Jinwu arrived at Pingting County. He was originally a scholar but failed repeatedly in exams, reduced to being supported by his butcher father-in-law, gradually facing disdain and exclusion.

Eventually, even his wife grew to despise his lack of success and cheated on him.

Upon learning this, he hardened his heart, poisoning his entire father-in-law's family, dismembering his wife, and fled into the mountains to join bandits.

Because of his scholarly background, he was greatly valued by the leading bandit Yuan Youchun at the time, who adopted him and taught him Cultivation and Martial Arts.

After this, he experienced the feeling of holding others' lives in his hands.

Later, someone in the Northern Land rebelled, claiming to overthrow the Court and rescue the people from suffering, causing various factions in the Northern Land to respond.

They feared being targeted because they were robbers despite claiming to be rescuers, so initially, they didn't join.

Later, he discovered it wasn't the case.

This rebellious Celestial Master Army accepted anyone, old, weak, women, children, heinous bandits, street butchers, fishmongers—all were welcome.

Seeing this, Yuan Youchun took his brothers and joined the Celestial Master Army.

Afterwards, they smoothly progressed, even the once high and mighty County Magistrate became a dog begging for mercy at their feet.

The daughters of once-disdainful wealthy families became their playthings beneath them.

He experienced the thrill of dominating others' women.

Later, as the Celestial Master Army grew, his foster father's foster father became one of the Thirty-Six Commanders.

Yang Minggui told him then that fate was in his own hands, and County Magistrates and Prefects could be killed with a stroke; whatever he wanted, he could take.

As long as he got it, it was his.

Later, Yuan Youchun also told him, as his adopted son, he could kill anyone he wanted, and as many as he wanted.

Although this was said at a drinking party, likely exaggerated, He Jinwu took it seriously.

His foster father was Yang Minggui's adopted son, and He Jinwu casually regarded Pingting County as his own turf, swaggering in.

He initially wanted to go to the Government Office to show off in front of that kid Chen Mo, vent the bad luck of Pingting County being occupied by the enemy.

But recalling what his foster father taught him, he temporarily shelved this idea and probed for news within the city.

He had to admit, Pingting County was far livelier than Qingtian County, with many attractive young ladies.

He thought Pingting County was inherently lively and thus resented Chen Mo for occupying it even more.

He led his men strolling down the street, along the outer city road to the inner city.

Gradually, he seemed to forget the task Yuan Youchun gave him, thinking to have fun first before checking things out.

But inadvertently, he actually learned something about fine salt.

Only he didn't delve deeply.

What he didn't expect was that his sneaky demeanor had already caught the constable's attention.

Since he hadn't committed any crimes, they were merely watching and hadn't arrested him.

He strolled to the outside of the weapons factory, noticing the strict vigilance around, the only place in the entire city he couldn't investigate.

Just as he was about to reveal his identity to forcibly intrude and explore.

His gaze was drawn to a figure.

This woman was much prettier than the young ladies he seized yesterday.

He signaled his men with his eyes.

His men, having done similar deeds before, immediately surrounded her, intending to abduct the woman.

And this woman was Yi Shiyin's personal maid, Xiaoling.

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