SWDnovel Chapter 11 Relatives
Chapter 11 Relatives
The days after taking over the Bingzi warehouse were much busier than Lin Mo had expected.
Although Zhao Kun fell from power, the mess he left behind was a complete tangled mess.
With unclear accounts and a mixed workforce, some of Zhao Kun's former subordinates, though outwardly obedient, inevitably harbored some disloyalty behind the scenes.
Lin Mo did not rush to purge, but instead found a pretext to transfer a few of the most active and dishonest petty leaders from their key positions and replaced them with a few hardworking and reliable people he had observed among the lower-level laborers.
He knew that the most important thing right now was to maintain stability, to quickly familiarize himself with the workings of the canal gang, and to use that identity to acquire information and resources.
He did not squander the five hundred taels of silver reward.
A portion of it was used to bribe the close associates of several powerful figures in the gang, including the steward of Zhou Meng's mansion, the second-in-command. This would allow him to integrate into the upper echelons of the gang more quickly and hear some inside information.
Another group, through connections within the canal gang, secretly purchased some decent-quality medicinal herbs for promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and strengthening the body's foundation.
His body was already in good condition, and with his meridians exceptionally unobstructed, coupled with the aid of medicine, he made rapid progress in cultivating some basic internal energy techniques from his previous life. His strength and agility had recovered considerably. Although he was far from reaching his peak in his previous life, he should be able to protect himself in Qinghe Town.
That afternoon, after processing a batch of urgent orders in the warehouse and instructing his deputy to keep an eye on the warehouse, Lin Mo left the dock.
The days of busy work and secret cultivation had left him somewhat exhausted. He needed to find a place to rest and relax his tense nerves for a while.
Strolling along the slightly noisy streets of Qinghe Town, you'll find all sorts of shops and vendors on both sides, with shouts of vendors and the sounds of bargaining filling the air.
The everyday life in this city was completely different from the darkness and bloodshed he had spent years in in his previous life, yet it had its own unique vibrancy.
Turning a corner, a three-story teahouse came into view, with upturned eaves and a plaque that read "Qingyuan Teahouse," looking quite elegant.
Lin Mo's heart stirred, and he stepped inside.
The teahouse was quite spacious, and the ground floor seats were almost full, bustling with noise.
The waiter, with his sharp eyes, noticed that although Lin Mo's clothes were not luxurious, his demeanor was calm and composed, unlike that of an ordinary laborer. So he warmly led him upstairs.
The second floor is much quieter, with screens separating semi-open rooms where tea drinkers are mostly well-dressed businessmen, literati, and scholars.
Lin Mo chose a quiet spot by the window and ordered a pot of ordinary Longjing tea and some dried fruit and pastries.
Outside the window, a tributary of the Qinghe River flows gently by, with several small boats gliding slowly by, and sails dotting the distant dock.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dappled shadows on the table.
Lin Mo slowly sipped his tea, enjoying the rare tranquility, but his thoughts drifted away involuntarily, recalling his past life, the unforgettable betrayal and hatred, and his eyes gradually turned cold.
Just then, the sound of conversation coming from next door clearly reached his ears.
His hearing is now far superior to that of ordinary people; even if the other person lowers their voice, it sounds to him as if they are whispering in his ear.
"...That technique was truly bizarre, as fine as a hair, and it cut through the air without a sound. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would hardly believe that hidden weapons could be used in such a way," a slightly aged voice said, with a hint of amazement and apprehension.
"Hmph, it's nothing but unorthodox methods." Another younger voice chimed in, his tone laced with disdain. "It's said that the 'Thousand Threads' sect specializes in such insidious tricks, killing people without them even realizing it, but ultimately it's not something that can be considered respectable. If they hadn't acted so ruthlessly back then, incurring the wrath of the masses, they wouldn't have been wiped out by several major forces. I heard even their mountain gate was burned down."
Upon hearing the words "Thousand Threads," Lin Mo's hand holding the teacup suddenly paused, causing the emerald green tea in the cup to sway slightly, creating ripples.
Thousands of threads!
This is the name of the sect he belonged to in his previous life! A killer organization that was unparalleled in the world for its hidden weapon techniques and was feared by all.
The technique they described as "as fine as a hair, piercing through the air without a sound" is precisely the characteristic of the Thousand Threads Sect's core secret technique—"Shadowless Needle"!
My heart felt like it was being squeezed by an invisible hand, and my blood rushed to my head.
Countless fragmented memories churned in his mind: the fierce siege, the towering flames, the dying cries of his fellow disciples, and...
That face with a sinister smile, yet so incredibly familiar... his most trusted junior brother, who was also the traitor who ultimately plunged the poisoned dagger into his heart, Mo Yuan!
Could it be... that Mo Yuan is also in this world? Or perhaps, his successor?
Lin Mo forcibly suppressed his surging blood and killing intent, took a deep breath to calm his expression, but all the muscles in his body were already tense, and his senses were heightened to the extreme as he listened carefully to every word from next door.
"Exterminate them? I'm not so sure." The aged voice lowered a few decibels. "Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse. The Thousand Silk Sect has been passed down for hundreds of years; how could they not have a backup plan? It's said that their core lineage hasn't been severed, but has simply gone underground, becoming even more secretive. A while ago, there were rumors that several masters from small sects in the northwest border region died mysteriously, their deaths bizarre, with no visible wounds, only a barely perceptible red dot between their eyebrows, resembling the technique of the 'Shadowless Needle'..."
"Oh? Is that so?" The young voice sounded somewhat surprised. "If that's true, then these remnants of the Thousand Threads sect are truly haunting. But what are they trying to achieve by reappearing in the martial world? Surely it's not to revive their sect?"
"That's beyond our comprehension. The martial world is treacherous; it's best to stay away from the affairs of these hidden sects. Have some tea, have some tea..."
The two then shifted their conversation to other topics, discussing recent changes in the Grand Canal Gang and some interesting anecdotes about the four great families.
Lin Mo sat there, the tea in his hand had gone slightly cold, but he was completely unaware.
Remnants of the Thousand Threads Sect... The Shadowless Needle reappears...
Is it a coincidence? Or... did Mo Yuan really come to this world? Or perhaps, some people in this world have received the inheritance of the Thousand Silk Sect?
Either way, it means that the clues he was looking for about his enemy have finally appeared!
He originally thought that the road to revenge would be long and arduous, requiring him to climb back to the top before he could possibly cross the world to find his enemy.
Unexpectedly, in this remote Qinghe Town, in an ordinary teahouse, I heard news related to my master's sect in my previous life.
This is by no means a coincidence.
It seemed as if some unseen thread was guiding him.
He needed more information. Information about the "Remnants of the Thousand Threads," about those masters who died mysteriously, about the northwestern frontier…
Just as Lin Mo was racking his brains, trying to figure out how to get more information, footsteps came from the stairwell.
Several martial artists dressed in uniform walked up. Their clothing was not the common style in the Central Plains; the sleeves and trousers were slightly tight, with a dark green base. The lapels and cuffs were embroidered with a peculiar pattern in silver thread, resembling vines or spider webs. They wore short blades at their waists and moved silently, their sharp eyes scanning the second floor with vigilance.
Lin Mo's gaze instantly froze on the silver thread embroidery.
He was all too familiar with those patterns!
That's the symbol of the Thousand Threads Sect! "Thousand Threads Entangled"!
Although there are slight differences in the details compared to the sect totem in his memory, the core image and the shape of the entwined and spreading threads are definitely correct!
These people are disciples of the Thousand Silk Sect!
Why are they here in Qinghe Town? Are they here to investigate the so-called "remnants of the Thousand Threads"? Or... is there another purpose?
Lin Mo lowered his head, using the act of drinking tea to conceal the surging murderous intent and extreme coldness in his eyes.
The fish has finally taken the bait.
Or rather, the hunter has already smelled the scent of his prey.
He gently put down his teacup, his fingertips tracing the cool surface of the cup. His inner energy flowed silently within him, and his senses, like an invisible spiderweb, quietly enveloped the entire second floor, focusing on the few Thousand Threads disciples who had just taken their seats and whose expressions carried a hint of searching.
The teahouse was still bustling, and the sunlight outside the window was still warm, but in Lin Mo's heart, a storm was already brewing.
The prelude to revenge quietly begins amidst the wafting aroma of tea.