I'm modifying myself into the ultimate demon.

Chapter 56 Warning
Meanwhile, Chen Mo exited the ancestral hall.

Descending the steps, one sees the round pillars kneeling respectfully on the ground, facing the direction of the ancestral hall's main gate, their expressions extremely solemn, as if welcoming some important figure.

Chen Mo assumed that the pillar was worshipping the Red Lantern Goddess, so he went to a corner of the courtyard and quietly waited for Li Yuanlong to come out.

Just then, Chen Mo vaguely felt a pair of eyes staring at him from behind, and instantly felt a sense of unease, as if he were being watched from behind.

brush!
Chen Mo suddenly turned around.

The ancestral hall was closed, solemn and quiet, and there was nothing amiss.

Soon, the feeling of being pricked by needles disappeared.

Chen Mo rubbed his temples, wondering if he was hallucinating due to too much stress lately.

But the feeling of being stared at just now... was so real.

Not long after, with a creak of the ancestral hall door, Li Yuanlong walked out, a relaxed smile on his face that he had never seen before.

"Young Master Chen, the formalities are complete. Go and pack your things; we'll head to Black Mountain Village immediately."

Chen Mo considered for a moment, then said, "I have another matter to discuss..."

Chen Mo recounted the story of Li Hongxi and Granny Li, concluding, "I killed Li Hongxi last night, and I'm afraid Granny Li and Old Master Li will be resentful and bitter. I'm worried that if I leave the Chen residence, Granny Li will come to cause trouble for my family."

Li Yuanlong waved his whisk, "This matter is easy to handle. I am acquainted with Manager Zhou of the Blood Ridge Black Market. Yuanzhu, go and explain the situation to Manager Zhou. Tell Granny Li not to harm the innocent."

"Yes, Master."

The cylinder got up and left.

Chen Mo thanked Li Yuanlong, but Li Yuanlong didn't seem to care much. "Now that you've joined my Black Mountain Stronghold, you're one of us. I won't pry into your personal grudges, but I can't let outsiders harm your family. Go pack your things and wait at the entrance of the Chen residence. It's not convenient to go back to the county every day once you're in the stronghold."

Chen Mo nodded and left, but as he reached the door, he suddenly glanced back. He saw Master Li standing respectfully at the entrance of the ancestral hall, muttering something as if he were having a conversation with someone.

Although Chen Mo knew that Master Li had unpredictable and strange methods, it was not surprising that he could talk to the statue of the Red Lantern Goddess.

But Chen Mo had a feeling that something was wrong.

As for what was wrong, he couldn't quite put his finger on it, so he had no choice but to give up.

Upon arriving at the central courtyard, Lin Yulan and Chen Yinfu greeted him with great anticipation, especially Lin Yulan, who was extremely worried, "Second Brother, have you passed Master Li's test?"

Chen Mo cupped his hands in greeting, "I have passed the test and have lived up to my parents' expectations. Master Li asked me to pack my things, because I am afraid that I will not be able to serve my parents day and night in the future."

Lin Yulan was both happy and reluctant to part, her emotions were quite complicated.

It was Chen Yinfu who spoke up, “The child has grown up and should go out and see the world. My son is no ordinary person; he will surely make a name for himself.”

Lin Yulan then composed herself and wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes. "Your father is right. Erlang has gone to Black Mountain Village, so you must restrain your temper and avoid quarreling with others. Everything is fine at home, so don't worry too much. If you have time, come back and visit your parents more often."

After saying that, Lin Yulan remembered something and hurriedly ran away. "I thought a few days ago that Erlang would definitely pass the test, so I had someone sew clothes and boots for Erlang. I'm going to get them."

"Begonia, have the kitchen prepare some flatbread and dried meat for Erlang to eat on his journey."

Chen Yinfu was straightforward and efficient: "Your father is here at home, so you don't need to worry. However, there are far more evil spirits outside the city than inside, so you need to be extra careful. Is there anything else you need to tell me?"

After a moment's thought, Chen Mo said, "I have some things I need to personally tell Chen Wu and Uncle Zhou. Father, please listen as well."

Chen Yinfu didn't hesitate either, immediately ordering his servants to summon Chen Wu and Zhou Liang. Upon learning that Chen Mo had passed the test and was going to Black Mountain Village to learn skills, the two couldn't help but praise him.

After a few pleasantries, Chen Mo got straight to the point: "Father, Uncle Zhou, Chen Wu, now that things have come to this, I have nothing to hide. The reason I've made such rapid progress in martial arts is because I've discovered the secret of martial arts..."

Chen Mo explained in detail that practicing the Fuyang Blade Technique and the Xuanyin Hand simultaneously could achieve twice the result with half the effort, greatly accelerating the progress.

Zhou Liang had personally witnessed Chen Mo cultivate two conflicting martial arts techniques and break through the flesh-refining stage in a single day. Therefore, he had no doubts.

Chen Mo wanted to reveal the shortcut to the Fiery Palm technique, but it was a secret method forbidden by Black Mountain Stronghold. The Lei family had suffered because of this, so Chen Mo naturally dared not be presumptuous.

The same applies to Black Tiger True Qi.

Chen Mo concluded, "Uncle Zhou can select some loyal guards of the Chen family and teach them shortcuts in martial arts. In time, the family can produce many more martial artists at the Blood Rush Realm. Later, I will find a true internal martial art and pass it on to everyone in the family. In this way, the Chen family may well produce several internal martial arts masters." Everyone was amazed and filled with anticipation for the future.

Before long, Lin Yulan hurried over with a bundle in her hand and shoved it into Chen Mo's hand. "There are several new clothes and boots inside, enough for you to change into. There are also five thousand taels of silver notes. Once you're outside, no one will take care of you, so don't always think about saving money, lest you suffer."

Chen Mo's eyes suddenly welled up with tears.

In his past life, when he went to university, his parents also saw him off at the train station. Although his family was not well-off in his past life, his mother always endured hardship herself and gave the money she saved to Chen Mo, and told him: "Don't be too frugal when you're away from home, don't deprive yourself."

In this life, I heard the exact same words.

Chen Yinfu couldn't stand such sentimentality, so he said, "Xiao Mo isn't going thousands of miles away, so don't be so coy. She'll be back every ten days or so."

Seeing this heartwarming scene, Chen Mo felt a warmth in his heart. He cupped his hands to his parents, saying, "I will come back to visit whenever I have time. It's cold in the winter now, so please remember to wear more clothes and don't catch a cold. Also, if anything happens at home, please send someone to Wuqiao Town to let me know. I'm taking the best horse in the house with me and will be back in no time..."

Upon hearing these words, Lin Yulan couldn't help but shed tears.

Chen Yinfu turned his head to the side, his eyes already red-rimmed. Unable to bear listening any longer, he stopped, saying, "I know, don't be coy. Go on, go on."

"Chen Wu, while I'm away, you are the man of the house. Remember to practice martial arts diligently and take good care of your parents," Chen Mo instructed before picking up his bundle and leaving.

As soon as they reached the door, they saw Zhang Ru leading Chen Yuer over.

Chen Yuer took a large handful of her favorite candied hawthorns. Because she was short, she stood on tiptoe and stuffed the candied hawthorns into Chen Mo's hands. "Brother Mo, here, this is my favorite gift. You can have them all. When I miss my mother, I eat one and it makes me feel better."

Chen Mo was deeply moved. He knelt down and hugged Chen Yu'er, pinching her chubby cheeks. "Thank you, brother. Be good to your parents at home. Don't run around."

Chen Yuer nodded emphatically, "Yes, I will definitely be obedient. I will be six years old after the New Year. My aunt told me a few days ago that she would start my formal education after the New Year and send me to the Martial Arts Academy to learn to read and write. I did not agree to my aunt because I am afraid of going to school. If Brother Mo sends me to the Martial Arts Academy, I will not be afraid."

Chen Mo felt a strange fondness and said, "Okay, I'll take you there then."

"Oh yeah~"

Chen Yuer waved her hands happily and wobbled as she ran towards Lin Yulan in the living room, "Auntie, I won't make you angry anymore. I'm going to the Martial Arts Academy."

Zhang Ru then gave Chen Mo a light green hairpin, but she seemed a little hesitant, as if she wasn't very proud of it. "I bought this with the money I saved up; it's not anything fancy..."

"What a fine gift from Second Sister. Please take good care of yourself, Second Sister." Chen Mo took the hairpin, bowed to Zhang Ru, and then turned to leave.

After leaving the central courtyard, Chen Mo went to the east courtyard to say goodbye to Qiu Lan and Ma Tie. He also took a broadsword and a dagger with him before leaving.

As soon as he stepped outside, he saw a luxurious carriage parked outside, and Yuanzhu was sitting on the carriage floor, eating a pancake.

Upon seeing Chen Mo, Yuanzhu broke off half a pancake. "Want some?"

Chen Mo shook his head. "Thank you, I'm not hungry. Did you see Manager Zhou at the Blood Ridge Black Market?"

Yuanzhu put the pancake away and snorted, "Manager Zhou stayed in the city last night, it's just a short walk. Everything has been arranged, so you can rest assured."

Chen Mo thanked him and then got into the carriage. "Why hasn't Master Li arrived yet?"

Yuanzhu took a big bite of the pancake and mumbled, "He probably needs to tell your father some trivial matters. Just wait a moment."

Seeing that the cylinder didn't seem inclined to say anything more, Chen Mo didn't ask any further questions and waited quietly.

……

After leaving the ancestral hall, Li Yuanlong went to the central courtyard and found Chen Yinfu and Lin Yulan.

Chen Yinfu quickly composed himself and warmly welcomed Li Yuanlong.

Li Yuanlong said with a smile, "Congratulations, Master Chen. Your son's connection with Black Mountain Village has finally come to fruition. From now on, the Chen family will have something to look forward to. If your son makes a name for himself in Black Mountain Village, even the three major martial arts schools and the Martial Arts Academy will have to show you respect when they see you, Master Chen."

Listening to Li Yuanlong's grand vision, Chen Yinfu couldn't help but smile, but remained modest, saying, "This is all thanks to Master Li."

Li Yuanlong said, “Master Chen, you flatter me. In the end, it is the Red Lantern Goddess and your son who are destined to be together. Remember, the image of the Red Lantern Goddess in the ancestral hall is of utmost importance. It can protect the house and safeguard this predestined relationship and the fortune of the Chen family. Under no circumstances should the red veil be lifted. If this breaks the predestined relationship and affects your son’s future, then don’t blame me for not warning you.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Yinfu immediately became extremely serious. "Rest assured, Daoist Master, I know what is important. I will absolutely not allow anyone to offend the Empress's image."

(End of this chapter)