Cultivation Simulator: Starting From The Empress' Palace

That’s right, Zhou Lin was arranged by Chen Mo.

Thinking about Luo Zhen’s previous misunderstanding of him, Chen Mo also realized a problem: his woman should be pampered properly; there’s no need to bring her out to make a scene. So Chen Mo arranged for someone who used to be with Xiao Teng to come and report him to Xiao Teng.

The purpose could also be achieved.

What Chen Mo didn’t expect, however, was that.

Xiao Teng would have Zhou Lin beaten half to death. After all, he used to be with him, yet he didn’t show any leniency.

However, Chen Mo also learned indirectly that the Xiao Family had put their trust in him.

After taking a hundred taels of gold from the box and giving them to him, Chen Mo had someone carry Zhou Lin away for treatment.

The ten thousand taels of gold given by Xiao Teng were real gold, not brass.

Enough for Chen Mo to spend for a good while.

He called a few people, had them carry the box of gold to the Luo Mansion, while he went to meet the two camps Xiao Teng brought.

Though Xiao Teng greatly admired Chen Mo and tried hard to win him over, it was impossible for him to give his elite troops to Chen Mo. The two camps left behind were not even as good as the original ones from the Eastern Capital.

Moreover, looking at the roster left by Xiao Teng, Chen Mo noticed that some of these people were the children of the powerful and influential families in the capital, clearly arranged to earn credit, and they were rather difficult to manage.

But Chen Mo wasn’t afraid. Since the Xiao Family wanted to win him over, they naturally had to help deal with the trouble he stirred up.

First, Chen Mo scrambled the two camps, inserting them into his own camp, and then removed the command authority of the two Camp Commanders.

The two Camp Commanders were Li Feng, the son of the Assistant Minister of the Secretariat, and Wang Ling, the nephew of the Vice Minister of the Imperial Secretariat.

With their command authority revoked, the two began to shout: ”Chen Hong, how dare you! My position as Camp Commander was granted by the Emperor, and you dare to remove it on your own. Such boldness, I’m going to the capital to report this to His Majesty.”

All three departments, the Secretariat, the Vice Ministry, and the Ministry have Cai Si in charge, so they are considered Cai Si’s people. Naturally, their memos could be directly presented to the Emperor.

But Chen Mo was not afraid because he had called the two of them into the camp alone before saying he would remove their command; meanwhile, he had already sent subordinates to take over his men, so he wasn’t worried about causing a mutiny.

As for the impeachment matter.

Chen Mo sneered and said, ”This position of Military Commander was also granted by His Majesty, and His Majesty allowed me to lead ten thousand strong troops. Naturally, the authority over the military positions is in my hands. Once you were assigned to me by Marshal Xiao, you became my subordinates, and I naturally have the right to remove your positions.”

”If you want to report it, then go ahead.”

You have people above you; so do I.

Let the matter of power struggle be handled above.

”You...” Li Feng raised his hand to point at Chen Mo, too angry to speak a complete sentence.

Beside him, Wang Ling pulled at him, signaling him to calm down, and then said, ”Since you’ve made your decision, sir, can the two of us leave now?”

”Not yet.” Chen Mo shook his head, smiling, ”Tonight, I’m afraid you’ll have to be inconvenienced and rest here for the night.”

”You want to imprison us?” Wang Ling’s face changed.

Li Feng beside him couldn’t hold back and shouted, ”You dare?”

Chen Mo smiled and stepped forward, directly sealing the cultivation of the two.

One night would be enough for him to take over their subordinates.

After finishing this matter, it was completely dark. He took a team of people and headed to Yao County.

Gao Zheng and Fu Bi held a matchmaking event in Yao County.

Chen Mo was afraid they’d mess around, so he went to supervise.

By the time everything was done, it was already late into the night.

Perhaps because of Chen Mo’s reminder that he could take concubines in the future, Gao Zheng didn’t fuss much at the matchmaking event and chose a decent-looking maiden, still a virgin, to be with.

Since he fancied one, Gao Zheng naturally wanted to stay in Yao County for the night.

Chen Mo didn’t ruin their good deed; he rode the Snow Dragon Steed alone towards Celestial River City.

The night was slightly cool.

A crescent moon hung in the sky.

Yao County wasn’t far from Celestial River City, only a little over twenty miles. It wouldn’t take long to get there.

Chen Mo held the reins in one hand and a lantern in the other, with a sword at his waist.

Though the night didn’t affect his vision, it did affect the Snow Dragon Steed, which was why Chen Mo was carrying a lantern.

Tap-tap—

Besides the sound of hooves, the only other sound Chen Mo could hear was the chirping of insects in the dense forests on both sides.

”Shush!”

Suddenly, Chen Mo was startled, and looked up sharply, only to see a golden light shooting towards him. In an instant, it was in front of him. It was too late to draw his sword.

He could only gather True Qi to resist.

With a ”bang,” Chen Mo was blasted away, the immense force even toppling his horse. The lantern was flung who knows where. Chen Mo flipped and landed on one knee, right hand propped on the ground.

The moment he resisted, Chen Mo clearly saw a golden bead explode, breaking through his True Qi Defense.

Sweeping his gaze, Chen Mo saw a tall tree more than ten paces ahead, and noticed an old monk dressed in a kasaya, holding a string of Buddha beads, standing on it.

The old monk’s face looked kind and gentle, his body thin, exuding an aura of an enlightened monk.

”Amitabha, my friend, please stay.” The old monk clasped his hands together and bowed to Chen Mo.

”Monk?” Chen Mo squinted his eyes. The earlier anti-Buddhist movement had slaughtered all Buddhists within the Great Song Dynasty. The few survivors were suppressed by the government, and for more than ten years, they hadn’t dared to show up. Unexpectedly, there were still some in Nanyang, and they seemed to come with ill intent.

”Bald donkey, why do you block my way?” Chen Mo frowned; he wouldn’t show any respect to those who attacked him.

”I borrow the head on your shoulders for a while.” The old monk gently squeezed the Buddha beads and spoke softly.

”To kill me?”

No, according to the simulation, no attempt on my life should happen until the eighteenth day of the great upheaval. It’s only the seventeenth now.

No, it’s already past midnight, so it’s considered the eighteenth day.

It seems this monk is the assassin mentioned in the simulation.

Chen Mo drew the Black Sword from his waist, which he had named ”Tianwen” (Heavenly Inquiry).

He stroked the sword wrapped in leather and cloth and said, ”Bald donkey, what’s your name? Who sent you?”

”Amitabha, my dharma name is Guangzhi. I have no instigator; I merely heard that you, my friend, are a disciple of the Shenxiao Sect. I happen to have a grudge with the Shenxiao Sect that needs resolution.”

The old monk put his five fingers together, placed them in front of him, and chanted Amitabha before saying, ”After your death, I will pray for your soul, so you can ascend to the Western Paradise.”

Chen Mo’s face darkened.