Inside the courtyard.
The breeze was cool and the place serene.
"Mr. Lin." Chou Jinse looked at the black-haired young man in front of her, a complex expression on her face, and a feeling that was difficult to describe stirring within her.
"I was just passing by and thought I'd come check on you. Do you like practicing calligraphy?"
Lin Mo glanced at the Xuan Paper on the long table; the ink marks were still wet.
"Just trying to find a hobby for myself." Chou Jinse said, waving her hand to dismiss the bodyguards in the courtyard.
Lin Mo settled down on the carved wooden chair.
Chou Jinse picked up the teapot with her fair and delicate hand, pouring fragrant tea into a white porcelain cup. Her actions were smooth and beautiful, "Mr. Lin, have some tea."
"Hmm." Lin Mo nodded. In the past, he and Chou Jinse had some interactions in Jiangzhou.
But time had passed; Lin Mo had now become an Innate existence, and Chou Jinse had become the underground queen of Jiangnan.
As for everything that happened in the past years, neither of them spoke about it; it remained buried deep in their hearts.
"What's the situation with the Luo Family?"
Lin Mo asked directly.
Chou Jinse's brows slightly arched, a captivating smile appeared on her face, "Mr. Lin, did you come back this time for the Luo Family?"
"Yes, someone from the Luo Family fought with Mr. Zhang, and Mr. Zhang lost, seriously injured and passed away; that's fate. But seeing them attack the Zhang Family, I can't ignore it." Lin Mo picked up the teacup, blowing away a layer of white mist, and took a gentle sip.
"The Luo Family is Huaxia's top family, but Luo Shaoshou doesn't have much status within the family, being excluded from the core circle—his arrogance supported entirely by his brother's status." Chou Jinse said slowly, sitting on another wooden chair.
"Luo Shaoshou's brother?"
Lin Mo wasn't familiar with the details, but the other party should be a Martial Arts Master; otherwise, with Mr. Zhang's power, he wouldn't have been defeated.
And the Luo Family, being Huaxia's top family, obviously had a deep background; it's predictable that there would be masters within the family capable of supporting it. "I'm not too sure; the Luo Family's background is very deep, and it's extremely difficult to investigate with my capabilities. But I do know Luo Shaoshou's brother is named Luo Danhua, a Martial Arts Master and one of the core disciples cultivated by the Luo Family. I heard he was missing for ten years, only recently reappearing in the public eye." Chou Jinse said with a frown.
"Missing for ten years?"
Lin Mo's expression remained calm, "I don't care who he is, but bullying the Zhang Family won't do." "Mr. Lin, the Luo Family's power is very strong. If it weren't for my connections in Ancient Capital over the years, helping to navigate the situation, and the absence of the Luo Family's core figures, I probably couldn't withstand the Luo Family either. Currently, nearly the entire Jiangnan business alliance has defected to the Luo Family's banner." Chou Jinse said lightly.
"Hmm, it seems I've been gone for a long time, and everyone has forgotten about me." Lin Mo shook his head.
"Mr. Lin, what are your plans now? The Luo Family's strength is formidable; although Luo Shaoshou doesn't hold much status, his brother dotes on him." Chou Jinse said with concern.
"I've arranged to meet him tomorrow at Zhen Guan Garden; we'll see then."
Lin Mo's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. With his current strength, aside from contemporary major powers and a few Innate level masters qualified to converse with him, he didn't really take any others seriously.
Jiangzhou.
Located southwest of the city, there was a rushing river dividing Jiangzhou into two cities, with a luxurious villa in the southwest.
Several dozen bodyguards stood rigorously at the door, wearing earpieces, constantly alert to protect the villa owner's safety.
A Mercedes S600 sedan stopped at the villa's entrance, and a middle-aged man stepped out and approached the door.
"Please inform, I'd like to meet Mr. Luo." The middle-aged man had a flattering smile on his face.
"President Xu?"
The leader of the bodyguards looked at him, instructing one of the guards to report inside, soon receiving a response, "Mr. Luo is waiting for you inside."
"Thank you."
Xu Haiping strode into the villa and saw Luo Shaoshou, dressed in a luxurious purple bathrobe and barefoot, standing in front of the liquor cabinet. On the sofa beside him lay two women of lazy posture and high-grade beauty.
"Mr. Luo." Xu Haiping greeted respectfully.
"Oh? Why have you come to see me?"
Luo Shaoshou, barefoot, stood on the floor, holding a transparent wineglass and jug, with a sinister smile on his face, exuding a dark aura.
Xu Haiping slightly bowed his waist, glancing at the two languid women on the sofa, wanting to speak but hesitating.
"You two go wait for me on the bed." Luo Shaoshou waved at the sofa's two models.
"Mr. Luo, hurry up, don't keep us waiting." The two women giggled, rising and heading to the room on the villa's second floor.
Luo Shaoshou plopped down on the sofa, took a swig of red wine, "Say directly what you have to say."
"Yes, Mr. Luo." Xu Haiping said, "Lin Mo has returned to Jiangzhou."
"He's the Jiangnan young king you mentioned, the guy who once suppressed many Jiangnan families?"
Luo Shaoshou narrowed his eyes slightly, a sharpness in those eyes.
"I've heard that he has met the Zhang Family already, and has notified the Nie Family, Zhong Family, Chu Family, and other major families in Jiangzhou, seemingly wanting to confront you, Mr. Luo!"
Xu Haiping said slowly.
"Hasn't he found out who I am?" Luo Shaoshou snorted lightly.
"Mr. Luo, don't underestimate Lin Mo; he is a Martial Arts God, having unified Shu Province three years ago, and again Jiangnan a year later—I'm afraid..." Xu Haiping said anxiously.
"Afraid of what, afraid I'm not his match? I am from Huaxia's top Luo Family, my brother is an elite at Qing Sima Martial Arts Hall, and the entire Luo Family will belong to us soon. What is a mere Jiangnan young king?"
Luo Shaoshou frowned, spoke coldly.
"Mr. Luo is right." Xu Haiping immediately bent his waist further, showing utmost respect.
"Still, I'm interested in meeting him and seeing what he'll use to fight me." Luo Shaoshou curled his lips with a cold sneer, "Jiangzhou won't allow the existence of someone so arrogant."
"Yes." Xu Haiping said, "I heard he's spreading news, inviting several family heads to Zhen Guan Garden tomorrow."
"Oh? Zhen Guan Garden, Die Mo Pharmaceutical's Mr. Yu invited me to Zhen Guan Garden for a meeting to discuss the acquisition, could it be he knows that Lin Mo?"
Luo Shaoshou narrowed his eyes slightly.
"From my investigation, Lin Mo indeed has a good relationship with Yu Fei and Guo Hu." Xu Haiping replied.
"No wonder Die Mo Pharmaceutical dares refuse my proposal; turns out Lin Mo is backing them. Once I deal with Lin Mo, Die Mo Pharmaceutical will be mine."
Luo Shaoshou laughed heartily, "Then let's see who in the Luo Family dares to underestimate me."
"Mr. Luo, you're unaware of Lin Mo's character; he is a demon who kills without a second thought." Xu Haiping said with concern.
"No need to worry; it's not like I don't have masters by my side. Besides, with my status, does he dare act against me?"
Luo Shaoshou dismissed the thought, waved a hand, "You may leave, I have to go back and accompany my two beauties."
"Yes, Mr. Luo." Xu Haiping sighed inwardly; only those who were in Jiangnan at that time knew of Lin Mo's terror, even the existence like Cao Family was overturned overnight.
After speaking, Xu Haiping turned and left the villa.