Chapter 109: The Messenger of Justice

Wang Baiwan felt as if his heart had been suddenly wrenched, an icy chill seeping deep into his bones, causing him to shudder involuntarily.

“Brother Hu, did you just say what I think you said?” Wang Baiwan could hardly believe his ears. Since the day he met Hu Mo until now, this was the first time he’d heard him speak in such a tone. A strange fear gripped his heart, making it tremble.

“I said, give her to me. Is that alright?” Hu Mo turned around, smiling faintly as he looked at Wang Baiwan. His eyes seemed to see right through everything, sending a shiver straight to Wang’s soul.

“Y-yes, of course,” Wang Baiwan replied instinctively, a cold sweat slowly trickling down his cheek.

“Thanks, brother,” Hu Mo said calmly, stepping toward the cage. His hand grasped the iron bars, and suddenly, a black flame engulfed it. In moments, the metal melted into molten iron, and the entire cage vanished without a trace.

Wang Baiwan was dumbfounded, his jaw nearly dropping to the floor. When those two sharp arrows had been fired at Hu Mo earlier, he had closed his eyes and missed the display of his power. Seeing it now so vividly stirred a tempest of emotions within him. He was too shocked to utter a word.

The twin girls released their hold on Hu Mo’s waist in a daze and backed away in fright. After all, they were girls, and faced with such overwhelming power, their fear eclipsed any admiration they held for Hu Mo. This was a force beyond their comprehension.

Inside the cage, the woman’s hair fell loosely around her shoulders as her body trembled slightly. She turned her head, her bright eyes shimmering with a faint silver glow—the same as Hu Mo’s.

Her beauty could only be described as tragically exquisite. Though unadorned by makeup, she sent a chill through the heart. Hu Mo’s gaze softened considerably. He slowly reached out, taking the girl’s small hand in his, and spoke gently, “Come with me. Don’t be afraid.”

The girl stiffened. A rich fragrance wafted from her, and Hu Mo suddenly felt as if his entire being were immersed in a warm spring, a comfort beyond description.

Yet his heart grew calm. He realized there had been a blank in his memory just moments ago—clearly, this was connected to the girl.

She obediently allowed Hu Mo to lead her out, walking with him toward the door. At that moment, Wang Baiwan suddenly snapped to attention and shouted, “Brother Hu, you can’t—”

“Hm? Brother Wang, are you trying to trick me? Just sell her to me. As for the payment, send someone to the Hu Residence to collect it. I believe you won’t make things difficult. Oh, and I’ll be taking these two young ladies with me as well. Their families can count on you for that,” Hu Mo said with a faint smile, nodding toward the twins. Their expressions immediately shifted; they dared not delay and hurried after him.

The room was left with a stunned Wang Baiwan. This battle beast wasn’t as valuable as a seventh or eighth tier beast, but it was still a rare treasure. Scarcity made it precious, and losing it stung more than if he had lost a piece of his own flesh.

Yet, given Hu Mo’s tone, Wang knew refusal was impossible. Regret flooded his heart—how foolish he had been to bring Hu Mo here.

As he mulled this over, an unsettling feeling grew stronger. Though Hu Mo’s appearance was unchanged, his demeanor and behavior were vastly different. That terrifying cultivation and extraordinary prowess—could this truly be the legendary first scion of Flame City?

“Possessed! He must be possessed again! I’m so miserable—losing three precious treasures! Why does someone as kind as me, Wang Baiwan, suffer such misfortune? The heavens are unjust!” Wang Baiwan wailed, looking up at the sky in despair. The guards at the Beast Pavilion quickly fled, knowing Wang Baiwan was no easy master—he could be deadly when upset.

After leaving the Beast Pavilion, Hu Mo instantly became the center of attention. A grown man leading three exquisite beauties was impossible to miss. When people recognized him, whispers began to spread—both good and ill.

Hu Mo paused, glancing at the twin sisters clutching his sleeve. He sighed softly and produced some silver notes from his pocket, handing them to the girls. “You two stay here. Take this money and live well. If Wang Baiwan bothers you again, just mention my name. He should think twice.”

A faint smile touched Hu Mo’s lips as he pressed the silver into the twins’ hands. The crowd erupted in murmurs—they finally understood the truth. Hu Mo was performing a righteous deed, rescuing these two girls.

Hu Mo had no intention of claiming them. If he dared, the people in his family would never forgive him.

His actions served two purposes: to avoid trouble and to demonstrate his noble character and benevolence. Though somewhat theatrical in front of so many onlookers, the effect was undeniable.

But the twins suddenly dropped to their knees, crying out, “No, please don’t do that! If the young master is kind, please accept us. Since Wang Baiwan gave us to you, take us. Otherwise, we’ll be taken back and won’t see you again. We don’t dare to ask for much—just to serve you as attendants, bringing tea, massaging your shoulders, to repay your great kindness. Please grant us this wish!”

Tears streamed down their faces like rain, and soon they were soaked with sobs. The crowd sighed softly. Any doubt about Hu Mo’s intentions vanished in the face of such heartfelt pleas. This was a genuine call from their souls, without a trace of pretense.

Hu Mo was truly at a loss. Facing the kneeling sisters was like confronting warriors of divine rank; he didn’t know how to respond. The girls were stubborn as mules—if he refused, they wouldn’t stand, bowing their heads repeatedly like pounding garlic.

Soon, their foreheads reddened from the repeated prostrations. Some onlookers, unable to bear it, stepped forward to help them.

Hu Mo’s heart softened. With a quiet sigh, he moved his hands gently, and a soft force lifted the two girls upright. The crowd stared in astonishment, clearly awed by Hu Mo’s power.

The battle beast girl beside Hu Mo said nothing but watched him closely, as if searching for something. For some reason, she sensed a familiar aura from Hu Mo, as if they shared a common origin. The feeling stirred her heart, leaving her momentarily dazed.

“Alright, come with me for now. If you ever want to leave, just say so. Remember, I am not your master—you have your own freedom!” Hu Mo declared loudly, radiating an unexplainable righteousness. In that instant, he seemed a messenger of justice, basking in the worshipful gazes of all.

The twin sisters eagerly tried to rush forward to embrace him but were held back by that invisible power. Anyone with eyes could see Hu Mo was a true gentleman.

Thus, the four returned to the Hu Residence amidst a crowd of onlookers, accompanied by praise and admiration. Hu Mo’s reputation spread wildly throughout Flame City.

Upon returning, Hu Mo immediately entrusted the twins to Steward Fu for care, then led the battle beast girl toward his small courtyard. Steward Fu looked on in puzzlement at the girls Hu Mo had brought home, silently wondering, “What’s up with the young master today? Are these the grand marshal’s chosen granddaughters-in-law? They’re quite the catch!”

In the past, Fu would have thought Hu Mo was forcibly abducting common girls. Now, he entertained this thought and was unsure how to feel. Hu Mo himself would likely laugh and cry at the misunderstanding.

Hu Mo’s sole thought now was to get the girl to Cang Ling—only she could discern the girl’s true identity.

Having been away from his courtyard for several days, Hu Mo felt nervous, as if he had done something wrong. Even his footsteps became furtive.

Before reaching the gate, the usually docile battle beast girl suddenly stopped and turned, darting backward.

Alarmed, Hu Mo reached out but only caught a shadow—the girl’s speed was terrifying.

Without hesitation, Hu Mo activated the Lingbo Wind and Cloud technique, his body shooting like an arrow. To let her escape on his own turf would be intolerable.

But before he could cover ten yards, an ice wall materialized before the girl. Then, a massive hand formed from battle energy swept past Hu Mo, snatching the beast girl and swiftly retreating.

Lin Nan stood atop the ice wall, unleashing his water battle energy without restraint. Behind Hu Mo, Cang Ling emerged, smiling gently, holding the battle beast girl firmly—she was utterly immobilized.

“Since you’ve come, why run away? Has the battle beast clan truly fallen so low?” Cang Ling asked softly.