I'm modifying myself into the ultimate demon.

Chapter 116: Debuting on the Stage in One Battle, Standing on Equal Footing with the Aristocratic Families!
boom!
The true energy, imbued with the force of a thunderbolt, charged fiercely towards the figure like a tiger or leopard. Unexpectedly, the opponent was no pushover either, actually exchanging a direct palm strike with Chen Mo. In an instant, both were forced back three steps, causing the earth to shake, sand and stones to fly, and a storm to rage in all directions.

Chen Mo frowned, thinking to himself: "In a human-inhabited area, it's naturally not wise to rashly transform into a ghost and fight. But this palm strike already contained seventy percent of my internal martial arts power, yet it was blocked by the opponent?"

A scion of a prominent family?

Chen Mo didn't have time to think. He only knew that the matter of the bronze mirror was of great importance and absolutely could not be discovered by outsiders. Without saying a word, he stepped forward again and was in front of the man in an instant. He raised his fists and slammed them down hard.

Although Chen Mo was not using a weapon at the moment, his punches and kicks were filled with extremely profound internal energy. Each punch was as thick as a giant hammer, smashing wildly at his opponent.

boom! boom! boom!
The opponent did not back down at all, and immediately launched an attack against Chen Mo.

There was no time to light lamps, and the two lush banyan trees in the courtyard blocked the moonlight. Given the urgency of the situation, Chen Mo was focused on killing his opponent as quickly as possible. In an instant, two figures crisscrossed beneath the trees, charging left and right in a fierce battle.

Before he knew it, more than a dozen moves had passed. Chen Mo was horrified to find that he had not gained any advantage.

Crack!

Chen Mo clenched his right hand, and a crackling sound of electricity rang out. Immediately afterward, a stream of blue true energy appeared in his palm.

Thunderclap Force, Eighth Level: Rushing Torrent.

"Go to hell!"

The moment the words fell, Chen Mo's entire body was covered by a crackling blue true energy, as if he had become a raging, rampaging beast, charging fiercely towards his opponent.

Wherever it passed, the ground collapsed step by step, stirring up a sharp gust of wind.

boom!
This powerful strike, which could easily kill an ordinary ninth-level martial artist, was actually blocked by the opponent with a red handprint.

The shockwave caused in an instant caused the ground to collapse by half a foot.

Chen Mo showed no fear whatsoever; instead, he displayed an insane excitement.

"interesting."

Wow!

Taking advantage of a lull in the exchange of blows, Chen Mo brought his right index and middle fingers together, and a crackling sound rang out as bursts of blue, thunderous true energy concentrated between his fingers.

Thunderclap Force, Ninth Level: Two-Finger Thunder Thrust!
The so-called Two-Finger Thunder Thrust is to gather all the Thunderclap True Qi in the whole body into two fingers, turning these two fingers into an indestructible extraordinary weapon, achieving the extraordinary effect of breaking through the surface with a single point.

Chen Mo had honed his skills many times in that small space in the past, but he never had time to test the true combat power of the Two-Finger Lightning Spike.

I didn't expect to encounter such a formidable opponent so soon after I came out; it's exactly what I wanted.

call out!
There was no particularly sharp sound of air being torn apart, not even the whooshing sound of true energy. The two-finger lightning spikes arrived at the opponent's chest in the blink of an eye, stabbing fiercely like an indestructible divine weapon.

The other person blocked with another red handprint, but instead let out a surprised cry from a woman, followed by a small gash in their chest. The other person then took five or six steps back.

Chen Mo felt the blood between his fingers and knew that the two-finger lightning had injured his opponent. Just as he was about to charge forward again, he heard the person standing in the shadows under the tree speak.

It was that familiar voice.

"Master Chen is so arrogant, wanting to fight to the death as soon as they meet."

Chen Mo recognized the voice, "Shao Siming?"

At the same time, Chen Mo took out a tinderbox and blew on it to create a flame. Shining the flame forward, he indeed saw a beautiful and familiar face.

It really is Shao Siming.

Is this woman stalking me?

Chen Mo didn't have any particular fondness for Shao Siming.

I even had a thought: if the other person knew that there was a ghost in my mirror, I would kill her.

A month ago, when Chen Mo met this Shao Siming, he had to be cautious, as she was definitely someone he couldn't afford to offend.

But now, Chen Mo feels that he is not afraid of her.

"Young Master Ming, what brings you here so late at night?"

snort!
Shao Siming gave a soft snort, "A month ago, I brought you into the Mirror Illusion, but I was the only one who came out. Later, I set up a tent in Chunfeng Tower and waited for you for a month, hoping you would come out soon. Now that you've finally come out, you want to fight me?"

Chen Mo gave a forced smile: "Young Master, you've misunderstood. I thought someone was trying to harm me, which is why I took action. If I have offended you in any way, please forgive me, Young Master."

Shao Siming wiped the bloodstains from her chest. "It's good that you know. I suffered some minor injuries. Won't you invite me to the living room to heal?"

Chen Mo felt a sense of rejection. But then he thought: if he directly refused, it would make him seem guilty.

"Please, Shao Siming. This place is an abandoned house that my Chen family bought. It has been uninhabited for a long time. The furniture is simple." Chen Mo led Shao Siming into the main house, wiped a few tables and chairs for her to sit down, then went to the ancient well in the courtyard to fetch water, boiled it, and brought it to Shao Siming. He then rummaged around in the room for a while and found a medicine box containing gauze, wound medicine, and other items.

"I was reckless just now. Would you like me to clean Shao Siming's wounds?"

"Need not!"

Shao Siming spoke coldly and without any restraint. She tore open her clothes, washed the wound with hot water, applied wound medicine, and then wrapped it with gauze.

Watching Shao Siming clean her wounds, Chen Mo felt a little dazed.

The Shao Siming I once looked up to doesn't seem so great after all.

It is said that the ninth level of martial arts mastery is the limit for mortals. With my current cultivation level of the ninth level of martial arts mastery, plus the Tang Family Fortress's unique skill, the Nine-Level Thunderclap Force, I may not necessarily lose to those ordinary scions of aristocratic families.

That's not an exaggeration.

As far as Tangjiabao is concerned, apart from the scions of aristocratic families, it is almost impossible for others to cultivate the Thunderclap Force to the ninth level of mastery. Chen Mo is a rare exception.

In addition, Chen Mo's physique is not only a Yin-Yang constitution, but also nourished by the Ghost Bone, and enhanced by the Black Fiend Blood Blade and the Bright Jade Skill. His physical body is abnormally strong.

The combat power they unleash cannot be judged by common sense.

Shao Siming carefully bandaged the wound and said softly, "Master Chen is truly skilled. With a mortal body, he has actually mastered such extraordinary skills. Even I was injured because of my carelessness. It's truly rare."

Chen Mo put away his medicine box and sat down to the side. "It was my recklessness. Since Shao Siming saw me in the ruins of Chunfeng Tower, why didn't she say anything at the time? It made me misunderstand."

Shao Siming looked up and sized up Chen Mo. "When I saw you running around with a mirror in your wedding robes, looking cold and gloomy, I thought you were possessed. That's why I followed you to find out what was going on. What were you doing with that mirror?"

Chen Mo made up an excuse: "To be honest, I was haunted by that female ghost in the mirror, and she wouldn't let me leave no matter what. I had to go through a lot to kill her and escape. I knew that the mirror was strange, so naturally I had to bring it back to destroy it."

Recalling Chen Mo's extraordinary skill in attacking just now, Shao Siming believed that Chen Mo had the ability to kill ghosts, so she asked, "Do you need my help?"

Chen Mo shook his head: "Such a trivial matter is not worth Shao Siming's trouble. I have already broken the mirror. However, I am afraid that I have been tainted by some ghost energy, so I dare not bring ghost energy home at night. That is why I came to this deserted house to stay. It is not too late to go home after I have dispelled the ghost energy."

After saying this, Chen Mo looked up at Shao Siming, remaining very polite, but in his heart he was thinking: If Shao Siming gives up now, that's fine. But if she still clings to that mirror, then tonight... I can't let her live.

Shao Siming stared at Chen Mo for a long time before finally saying, "Master Chen has only been with Black Mountain Stronghold for half a year, yet his cultivation is so astonishing. Did you have some kind of extraordinary encounter before?"

Chen Mo said, "That's right. About half a year ago, I happened to buy a strange herb on the black market. It was similar to ginseng, but not like ginseng. At the time, I just thought it was a rare item and bought it to collect. I didn't expect that after consuming it, my skills would improve day by day. I guess I've been blessed with good fortune."

Shao Siming nodded, "Young Master Mo is such a talented person, it would be a waste for him to stay in Black Mountain Stronghold. Why don't you come to the city to take up a post?"

Chen Mo did not object: "I wonder what position Shao Siming intends for you to hold?"

Shao Siming said, "On New Year's Day, the Red Lantern Temple was besieged by the Spirit Infant. He Gui, the Left Envoy of the Twenty-Four Incense Halls, died. The position of Left Envoy has been vacant, so you can take over the role."

When Chen Mo was in Black Mountain Village, he knew that the village was divided into four villages, and each village was in charge of six kinds of incense offerings. Together, they made up the Twenty-Four Incense Offerings Register.

But Chen Mo really didn't know what the Twenty-Four Incense Hall was.

Only after Shao Siming explained did Chen Mo realize the significance of this position.

The Red Lantern Gang was a vast and complex force, divided into numerous branches both inside and outside the city. However, the most important branch among them was neither the Examination Hall nor the Black Mountain Stronghold.

It is an incense hall.

The so-called "incense hall" is the hall that manages the twenty-four kinds of incense offerings in Honghe County. To put it simply, it helps the goddess continue her worship. They patrol around to see which villages and towns are not offering incense to the goddess, and then they go and resolve the issue.

Ensure that the entire Honghe County worships the Red Lantern Goddess.

For the Red Lantern Goddess, incense offerings are the most crucial element.

The two messengers of the Incense Hall are second only to the Grand Master of Fate and the Grand Attendant in the entire Red Lantern Gang. They are considered to be tied for fourth place.

Moreover, the incense hall is located within the city and includes twenty-four incense masters, each in charge of a different type of incense.

He was a core member of the Red Lantern Police, a figure of great prestige.

After understanding the situation, Chen Mo didn't mince words: "Since Shao Siming has made arrangements, I will naturally comply."

Seeing Chen Mo agree, Shao Siming breathed a sigh of relief. "Then it's settled. The Left Incense Master has a superior status and can enter the Martial Arts Pavilion of the Red Lantern Temple to freely choose martial arts techniques to practice. He can also freely obtain medicine from the Red Lantern Temple's pharmacy. However, he can only borrow one secret manual and be provided with a set of martial arts training medicine each month."

Chen Mo thanked him, "I will take up my post in a couple of days."

After finalizing the details of her appointment, Shao Siming got up and left.

After seeing Shao Siming off, Chen Mo closed the door of Shuiyun Residence and then let out a "hehehe" laugh.

Actually, Chen Mo wanted to ask if the Martial Arts Pavilion had any methods to surpass the ninth level of martial arts mastery, as well as related medicinal aids. However, since Chen Mo wasn't very familiar with Shao Siming, he didn't ask.

"I imagine the martial arts pavilion and pharmacy at the Red Lantern Temple are quite impressive. I'll go and see for myself later." "Right now, I've reached the limit of the mortal realm. I need to find every possible way to break through the shackles of mortal limitations. This world is so vast and full of wonders. Perhaps some extraordinary individuals among the mortals have found a way for mortals to break through their limits. If that's the case, it will save me the trouble of searching for 20,000 original essences."

Chen Mo returned to the back room in the backyard and saw that the mirror was still quietly placed on the incense table, and nothing unexpected had happened.

Whether it was because Su Yuqing had helped him dispel the ghost, or because they had exchanged a half-finished vow, Chen Mo still harbored some feelings of concern for the mirror.

We can't let this mirror get damaged.

After inspecting the house, Chen Mo was about to leave. But then he thought: No, what if Shao Siming turns back halfway and discovers the mirror?

So Chen Mo took the mirror off the incense table and placed it in the storage room next door. Then he went to find a mirror that originally belonged to Shuiyun Residence and smashed it in the room.

Only after completing all this did Chen Mo hurriedly leave.

"I suppose Guo Ziyu and the others have been concerned about me and comforting me, so I should go and let them know I'm safe."

Not long after Chen Mo left.

As expected, Shao Siming secretly returned and scaled the wall to enter. After inspecting Shuiyun Residence, she finally arrived at a room in the rear building.

Sure enough, there was a broken mirror on the incense table in the room.

It was also oval-shaped. Its shape matched the mirror Chen Mo had brought with him.

Shao Siming pondered: It seems Chen Mo wasn't lying. He must have had a fortuitous encounter, causing his strength to surge. He might really have killed the master Afu mentioned. Then he brought the mirror here to smash it, venting his anger at being imprisoned by the ghost. But why didn't this guy smash the mirror in the ruins of Chunfeng Tower? Why did he have to bring it here to smash it? That's strange.

"Is this guy trying to fool me?"

Shao Siming searched the surrounding area again, but couldn't find any other similar mirror, so she had to give up. "I genuinely care about him and want to prevent him from falling into the trap of the ghosts. I hope this fellow won't actually be tricked by the ghosts just to avoid suspicion..."

After leaving behind a message, Shao Siming climbed over the wall and left.

……

Meanwhile, Qingfuju was already sharpening its knives, ready to pounce.

Just now, they saw Shao Siming leave the ruins of Chunfeng Tower. So they each grabbed their weapons, preparing to go out at night to ambush Shao Siming.

Everyone showed their determination.

Tang Tongshan carried a large axe, while Tang Qi carried his original large halberd. Although Tang Xiaoyu was still injured, she also took out a long spear.

The three of them went to the living room and waited for Guo Ziyu to give orders.

Guo Ziyu took the longsword in her hand, glanced one last time at the full moon in the sky, and her eyes hardened. "Today's events were sudden, and we didn't have time to inform Elder Tang. We were already planning to take action against the Red Lanterns. Since Shao Siming harmed Chen Mo, we acted ahead of time. We can't just stand by and watch our own people be harmed. If that's the case, then if any of you get into trouble later, no one will help you. It's not good for unity. Let's go."

Tang Xiaoyu said, "I saw Shao Siming head towards the western end of the red-light district. The paper birds I sent out have been watching Shao Siming from a distance. Let's surround her now and make her pay for her actions."

Having made up their minds, the four of them rushed out of the living room and headed straight for the front door.

Just then——

dong dong dong.

There was a knock at the front door.

The four men immediately became alert. They gripped their weapons tightly, ready to kill anyone who approached.

This place is secluded and rarely visited by outsiders.

Guo Ziyu made a shushing gesture, then gave Tang Qi a look, signaling her to open the door.

Tang Qi tiptoed to the door, quietly unbolted it, and was about to slash at it with her sword as she pulled the door open. But standing outside was Chen Mo, dressed in a groom's robe.

Tang Qi was taken aback: "Young Master Mo, are you alright?"

Chen Mo was also taken aback. Seeing the four people in front of him pointing their weapons at him, he instinctively felt a little guilty. "What are you going to do to me?"

"Hehe~"

Tang Qi sheathed her sword: "Young Master Mo, please don't misunderstand. We thought you had been murdered since you hadn't come out for a month. We were just about to go out and intercept Shao Siming on the way to ask her what had happened. We didn't expect you to come back like this. Hey, why are you wearing a wedding robe? Which girl did you marry?"

Tang Xiaoyu also became interested, "I wonder which family's daughter is so lucky to be chosen by Young Master Mo? Tell me about it."

Guo Ziyu looked displeased. "Your marriage was far too hasty. You didn't even inform us beforehand. You don't treat us as friends at all."

Chen Mo: "..."

He took off the groom's hat and threw it on the ground, then took off his coat. "It's a long story. Let me take a shower and change my clothes first, then I'll tell you the details."

Chen Mo took a shower and changed into a new robe before comfortably walking into the living room, only to find that Guo Ziyu and the other three were all staring at him expectantly.

Chen Mo said, "I was forced into it too, becoming a ghost groom..."

Chen Mo recounted the events in general terms, but altered some of the facts: he said he killed the female ghost with the red veil and then ran away.

Tang Xiaoyu scoffed, "You can't even put your heart into making up a lie. Do you think we're three-year-olds? You think you're the only one who can kill ghosts? If we really encountered a ghost, you would have been dead long ago. Even among the rest of us, except for Miss, none of us dare to claim that we can kill ghosts."

Tang Qi also looked disgusted: "Young Master Mo, your lie doesn't sound good at all."

Just then——

crackle.

Chen Mo raised his right hand, joined his index and middle fingers, and tapped directly on the dining table. Suddenly, with a loud "boom," a large hole was punched through the thick mahogany table. Even the blue bricks beneath the hole were pierced through by the impact.

hiss!
The entire audience gasped, and a deathly silence fell over the room.

Finally, Guo Ziyu was the first to recover and speak, "The pinnacle of the Ninefold Thunderclap Technique, the Two-Finger Thunder Thrust. With the enhancement of Young Master Mo's Ghost Bone, it is indeed possible to kill the Yellow Page Ghost. Everyone, please don't doubt it; what Young Master Mo said should be true."

The other three exchanged bewildered glances, looking at Chen Mo as if he were a monster.

How long has it been?
More than a month?
He then refined the Thunderclap Force to its peak of mastery.

It's really an exaggeration.

Even though the three of them all possessed various abilities due to their noble lineage, they were still taken aback by Chen Mo's move.

After a long while, Tang Xiaoyu finally took a bite of a hawthorn and asked, "Young Master Mo, what's it like being a ghost groom? And tell me, did you two do 'that'?"

Guo Ziyu scolded, "Little Yu, stop fooling around. Young Master Mo escaped death, it wasn't easy for him."

Tang Xiaoyu then stuck out her tongue. "I know you've been wronged, don't mind it. I just wanted to lighten the mood and make you less nervous."

Chen Mo waved his hand, "I don't mind. By the way, Miss Ziyu. Shao Siming came to me just now, and we sparred a couple of times. I even injured him."

Upon hearing this, Guo Ziyu was once again taken aback: "You injured Shao Siming?"

Shao Siming has always been a mountain weighing on their heads, making it hard for them to breathe. Even Elder Tang was very wary of Shao Siming, yet he was injured by Chen Mo?
In their minds... a two-finger dunk doesn't seem that exaggerated, does it?

Tang Xiaoyu said, "Wouldn't that mean Shao Siming would fight you to the death?"

Chen Mo shook his head: "No, Shao Siming also asked me to take up the post of Left Incense Envoy at the Twenty-Four Incense Halls in the city. I will be going to take up my post in two days."

"The Left Envoy of Incense Offerings!?"

Guo Ziyu was once again astonished. "This is the most core position in the Red Lantern Clan. Apart from the Grand Master of Destiny and the Grand Attendant who serve the Red Lantern Goddess in the altar, the Left and Right Messengers of the Incense Hall are the highest-ranking positions. It's clear that the Grand Master of Destiny truly values ​​you."

Chen Mo, considering himself a member of Tangjiabao, politely asked, "This matter is of great importance. I would like to hear Miss Ziyu's opinion?"

Guo Ziyu praised, "This is certainly a good thing. From now on, we will have Elder Tang inside and the Left Envoy of Incense outside. With their cooperation from within and without, it will be much easier to carry out our actions. I once coveted this position, but unfortunately, I was not valued by the Red Lanterns. Now, Young Master Mo is so brave and unparalleled that he has helped us fill this gap."

Tang Qi and the others were secretly astonished, and their gazes towards Chen Mo changed. They even felt that despite their years of service in Honghe County, their influence was no match for that of an ordinary man like Chen Mo.

That was somewhat of a blow.

Chen Mo said, "Since Miss Ziyu says so, then I will take on the role of the Left Incense Envoy."

Chen Mo wasn't really concerned about whether he was the Left Envoy or not; what he was thinking about were the benefits the position would bring. For example, he could freely borrow martial arts techniques from the Martial Arts Pavilion and get medicine dispensed from the pharmacy.

This is what Chen Mo was most looking forward to.

Then everyone naturally showered him with praise, their words filled with more respect.

Chen Mo could sense that this time everyone's respect for him was genuine, and the sense of distance he had felt before was gone. These scions of noble families no longer showed any contempt or pity for him because he was just an ordinary person.

Now, I am on equal footing with the powerful families.

Chen Mo also felt that he had truly integrated into the Tangjiabao community.

Although this wasn't Chen Mo's pursuit, when one's abilities are sufficient, the stage will naturally come. It's all a matter of things falling into place naturally.

They chatted until late at night before everyone went their separate ways.

Guo Ziyu said to Chen Mo, "Young Master Mo, come with me to the backyard. There are some things that should be given to you now."

(End of this chapter)