After being bathed in sunlight, Chen Mo's entire body was surrounded by a purple aura. The people, seeing this scene and recalling what he had just said, thought of him as an Immortal God who had come to relieve their suffering.

After all, which County Magistrate would willingly spend their own money to compensate the people who had suffered from a disaster? This was simply a living Bodhisattva.

However, this still wasn't the end. Chen Mo spoke again, "Anyone injured during last night's chaos can come to the government office or the city's medical centers and pharmacies for treatment, and the expenses will be covered by the government office."

"Thank you, Immortal Master Chen."

"Justice!"

The people had already expressed their heartfelt gratitude to Chen Mo. Some of the disaster-stricken people even performed the ceremony of kneeling and bowing to Chen Mo, shouting for Justice.

Lu Yuan and the others witnessed this scene, their hearts greatly shaken, secretly admiring Chen Mo's means.

Clearly, this disaster was caused single-handedly by Chen Mo.

The money wasn't even Chen Mo's.

Yet now, with just a few words, Chen Mo and his group had already become the righteous side, and the people were even grateful to them.

How could this be a rebellion?

For a moment, Lu Yuan felt that Chen Mo could indeed accomplish great things.

Among the crowd, there were members of the Wang and Yi families, who were also stunned by the scene. They were surprised by Chen Mo's methods and curious about the Immortal-like aura surrounding him.

Seeing the popular support, Chen Mo finally allowed a faint smile to appear on his face, greedily absorbing the Solar Purple Qi to replenish his dantian.

Suddenly, he thought of something, and instructed Zhang River to maintain order at the front. He then privately sought out Hu Qiang and handed him a box containing Chang Yuan's head, saying, "You lead a group of people, take the head of County Magistrate Chang to present to Yang Minggui, and tell him we have already taken Pingting County to see how he responds."

"Understood."

Hu Qiang nodded and was about to leave with his men when Chen Mo thought of something else, saying, "Take... one hundred thousand coins over, just say it's my tribute to him."

What Chen Mo wanted was the entire county town, and from the perspective of the Celestial Master Army, the entire Qingzhou now belonged to them, and Pingting County was assigned to Yang Minggui.

Now, having not only captured Pingting County but occupied it, it would be detrimental to Yang Minggui's interests. Without monetary compensation, Yang Minggui certainly wouldn't hand over Pingting County to him.

"Immortal Master Chen, why should we offer him so much money? Aren't we under his protection now?" Hu Qiang was puzzled. They were already considered part of the Celestial Master Army, and since they had taken Pingting County without needing the army's intervention, why should they give them money?

"Go on."

Chen Mo did not explain, as it wasn't something that could be clarified in just a few words.

"Understood."

After Hu Qiang left, Chen Mo summoned Lu Yuan, instructing him to escort the captives and their families back to the mountain fortress.

Chen Mo was making a two-pronged plan. If Yang Minggui turned out to be excessively greedy and wouldn't hand over Pingting County, his current strength would not be enough to contend with him, and he would have to withdraw from the town.

Thus, the population had to be taken away; otherwise, entering the town this time would yield no gains.

But if Yang Minggui really did such a thing, then having him lead an assault on the county town was just using him as a pawn, not genuinely accepting his allegiance.

However, based on Chen Mo's understanding of the Celestial Master Army, after capturing a city, the other party would typically pillage for ten days or five, which indicated they weren't planning to defend the city. As long as he paid enough interest, there was no reason the other party wouldn't hand the city over to him, especially since after they left, with the people's support for him in the county town, he could still take it back.

...

After absorbing the Solar Purple Qi of the morning, Chen Mo summoned the system interface.

[Name: Chen Mo.]

[Age: 17.]

[Cultivation Technique: Purple Sun Transformation Skill (Small Success 2385.2/5000).]

[Realm: Qi Refining (Sixth Grade).]

[Power: 280.]

[Skills: Great Sun Qi Slash (Basic 284250/5000000), Wind-Chasing Arrow (Advanced 121/2000).]

"Immortal Master Chen, the patriarchs of the Wang and Yi families wish to meet you." Just then, Wang Ping, who had interacted with the Wang and Yi families, came over.

"Just say I'm a bit tired and will meet them later." Chen Mo roughly guessed what the families wanted to discuss with him, but he wasn't in a hurry and decided to let them wait.

"Understood."

"Go and check how Su Wen is doing with the statistics. After compensating for the people's losses, see how much money is left, and give the soldiers their reward." Just as this instruction was given, Chen Mo noticed the fatigue on Wang Ping's face. After all, he had been busy from dusk till now, and even if he were made of iron, he'd be tired.

Chen Mo said, "Put the reward payments on hold for now. Once Su Wen is done, let Zhang River and Han Wu take turns resting. They've been busy all night and are also exhausted."

"Understood."

After Wang Ping left, Chen Mo also felt somewhat weary.

But for some reason, the image of Xia Zhining suddenly appeared in his mind. It wasn't that he had developed feelings, but rather he found it somewhat tantalizing.

I have to admit, apart from her poor character, every other aspect of that woman is top-notch. A few months ago, her power was still at 31, but now it has surged to over 70, indicating she must have had a breakthrough in between.

It seems she's not much older than me.

…

The spring sunlight streamed through the carved Vermilion Bird wooden window lattice into the room, bouncing a few times and landing on the carpeted floor below the bed. A pair of women's boots lay scattered randomly, and surrounding them were torn black tight-fitting clothes, a pink and white corset, a black belt, and silk socks, all in disarray.

After a long time, Xia Zhining let out a soft moan, her delicate brows furrowing as she propped herself up with a snow-white arm. Sitting up, she hissed slightly, her face appearing even more radiant than usual. After a moment of confusion, her face showed a hint of paleness and resentment, her whole body filled with aches and pains.

The scenes from last night flooded her mind, humiliation overwhelming her heart, causing her to hug her knees and sob softly.

"Zhining... are you awake?" Sitting cross-legged nearby, Xia Zhiqing, who was adjusting herself, turned her head at the sound. Seeing her sister's tearful state, Xia Zhiqing's delicate brows frowned, unable to find the words of comfort she had prepared earlier, remaining silent.

It was indeed the first time she encountered such a matter, concerning a woman's purity, it felt improper to offer comfort in any way. Only after a long pause did she manage to say, "Zhining, are you okay?"

Xia Zhining raised her head, the once lively and spirited eyes now devoid of light, her tears rolling in her eyes, her fingers persistently rubbing her wrist—where Chen Mo had touched.

As she rubbed, her wrist gradually turned red, and eventually, the skin broke, drawing blood, yet she seemed unfazed by the pain, continuing to rub.

Seeing this, Xia Zhiqing quickly intervened, but Xia Zhining was relentless.

Xia Zhiqing embraced her sister, softly patting her back, her own eyes reddening. "Zhining, it's over, everything is over. Hurry and get dressed, before he returns, let's quickly leave."

Xia Zhiqing picked up the somewhat tattered clothes nearby and draped them over Xia Zhining's shoulders.

"Sister," Xia Zhining also embraced her sister tightly, bursting into tears. "Sister, my purity is gone, it's gone, I was humiliated by a commoner."

"Zhining, don't cry. When you cry, I feel so much pain inside. Sister is sorry too, I was right next to you last night, yet I couldn't do anything to help, just watching you..." Xia Zhiqing's eyes also filled with tears.

The sisters clung to each other, crying without knowing how long, as if they would weep until all tears were gone. Xia Zhining looked at her sister closely, asking, "Sister, are you alright? Did that rogue do anything to you?"

"No, he didn't touch me. He said..." Xia Zhiqing spoke, but then stopped, finding it hard to share these words with her sister.

But Xia Zhining pressed angrily, "What did that rogue say?"

"He said everyone must own up to their actions, that this punishment is yours, and he has no grudge against me..." Xia Zhiqing struggled to continue, saying, "Zhining, don't take it to heart, it's that man's fault entirely. Let's consider it a nightmare, and once we wake up, everything will be fine. You still have me, don't despair."

But these words only made it worse, as Xia Zhining felt even more miserable, tears once more pouring from her eyes.

She originally thought her sister experienced the same, so they could share the burden and console each other.

But it turned out she was alone, reflecting on how she, the magistrate's daughter, was treated like a servant by a commoner throughout the night, her body almost completely disgraced, with her sister watching beside her, she felt utterly stripped of dignity.

"Sister, I won't despair, even if it means dying, I want to kill him first." Xia Zhining's beautiful face was frostbitten, her eyes cold and flashing.

Xia Zhiqing's expression slightly changed upon hearing this, she looked at her sister intently, pursing her lips softly. "But the opponent is a middle-grade martial artist, we can't fight him, let's find a way to leave before he comes back."

"No, I cannot let this go, I want that scoundrel to pay the price." Xia Zhining said, perhaps the pain from the grinding stone agitating her sorrows, she began to cry again.

Xia Zhiqing withheld a thought, if not for her sister's previous willful behavior, this wouldn't have happened, though that person is a bad egg, he knows how to distinguish grudges.

He is meticulous, as book readers often are, in dividing right and wrong.

But her sister was heartbroken, and it was truly the man's fault. Even if seeking revenge, her sister's purity shouldn't have been compromised. If she had spoken those words, it would likely create a rift between them.

…

Chen Mo arrived outside the room, noting no sound within, he frowned slightly.

He pushed the door open.

Swish...

As the door opened, a flicker of cold light appeared inside the room, a shard of a broken vase somehow found its way near Chen Mo's neck.

As it was about to pierce Chen Mo's throat, a mass of purple energy surged forth, instantly reducing the broken vase shard to dust.

Chen Mo gently raised his hand, grasping the assassin's throat, lifting Xia Zhining up, then turning to face Xia Zhiqing, who was about to attack from the right, he said, "If you make a move, you'll end up just like your sister."

Xia Zhiqing froze instantly.

Ignoring her, Chen Mo grasped Xia Zhining's throat and dragged her to the side of the bed, tossing her onto it, and then pinned her down.

Xia Zhiqing's eyes widened with anger, "Haven't you had your revenge? What more do you want?"

"I calculated, the hundred lashes from last night, I haven't finished yet. Don't just stand there, close the door."

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