I'm modifying myself into the ultimate demon.

Chapter 88 Promotion to Steward, Li Yuanlong, you deserve to die!

"I heard that Young Master Mo has gained the favor of Young Master Ming and has been appointed as the manager of our Black Mountain Stronghold. Senior Brother, what's going on?"

The cylinder moved closer to Fang Tian and kept asking him questions.

It has been almost half a month since New Year's Day.

Everything in Heishan Village returned to its original state.

No one was punished.

On the contrary, Guo Songyang and Guo Ziyu received commendation from Shao Siming, and Chen Mo... even became the subject of a legendary tale:
Back then, Shao Siming personally led Cao Kun, the head of the Kaogong Hall, to the Chen residence to meet Chen Mo. Then, she took Chen Mo to the Red Lantern Temple and even led him into the ancient pagoda to meet the Red Lantern Goddess.

Afterwards, Chen Mo gained the favor of Shao Siming and was appointed as a steward.

Moreover, Shao Siming was still teaching Chen Mo at the Niangniang altar, and before they had even returned to the village, the appointment had already been issued.

During this time, Yuanzhu was very unhappy and asked Fangtian about it many times, but Fangtian would not say anything.

Sure enough, with the Lantern Festival approaching, Yuanzhu has once again been pestering Fang Tian with questions.

Fang Tian finally gave in to Yuan Zhu's persistent questioning and frowned, saying, "I don't know the reason behind this either. The situation that day was similar to what was being said outside. It seems that Chen Mo really did gain Shao Siming's favor."

The cylinder was indignant. "That day, Chen Mo didn't even go to the Red Lantern Temple to strangle the ghost infant. How did he gain Shao Siming's favor?"

Fang Tian glared at him. "How should I know? If you want to ask, go ask Master."

The cylinder pursed its lips. "I asked, but Master wouldn't tell me."

Just then, footsteps sounded outside the door. The two quickly stood up and respectfully greeted, "Master."

Li Yuanlong, with a solemn expression, took his seat at the head of the table and accepted tea from his two disciples.

Others might not know the reasons why Chen Mo gained Shao Siming's favor. But Li Yuanlong knew part of it, though only part of it... and the reality was quite different from what he had expected.

Li Yuanlong placed the statue in the Chen Family Ancestral Hall, and he knew very well what the consequences would be. Logically speaking, Chen Mo's entry into the Goddess's altar could not be concealed, and he would inevitably not survive.

But the result was...

Things had gone beyond Li Yuanlong's expectations.

This made Li Yuanlong very uneasy.

At this moment, Yuanzhu cautiously spoke up, "Master, people outside are talking about us."

Li Yuanlong glared at him. "What are you talking about?"

Yuanzhu said, "There are four large villages in the village, which originally maintained a balance. Now that Fuhuo Village has an extra manager, there are three managers. The villagers are all thinking of leaving our village and going to Fuhuo Village. They say there is no future in staying in our Shoulu Village."

Li Yuanlong snorted, "Then let them be. Chen Mo is the steward appointed by Shao Siming, who dares to cross him? But you, you insisted on targeting him before, that was inhuman."

After saying that, Li Yuanlong turned to Fang Tian and said, "Tie up your junior brother."

The cylinder was horrified, "Master, you..."

Fang Tian also pleaded, "Master, I was young and ignorant back then. I never expected Chen Mo to become a manager so quickly. Please, Master, show leniency."

Li Yuanlong shouted, "Tie them up!"

Fang Tian dared not disobey and brought out ropes. Seeing Yuanzhu kneeling on the ground begging, Fang Tian, ​​though reluctant, still tied Yuanzhu up tightly.

The next moment, Li Yuanlong stood up: "I just received news that Chen Mo left the Goddess's altar today and is coming back to our village. Take your junior brother and come with me to Fu Huo Village to apologize to Chen Mo."

The pillar was extremely unwilling. "Master, I am your personally taught disciple. Even if I am shameless, does Master also have no shame? How can you apologize to Chen Mo..."

Snapped!
Before he could finish speaking, Li Yuanlong slapped Yuanzhu across the face. "How dare you call him Chen Mo? Call him Manager Chen."

……

Fortune and misfortune are intertwined.

The people were still discussing Chen Mo's appointment as manager.

"Young Master Mo is truly remarkable. He's only been in the village for a month, yet he's already become a manager. His future prospects are simply unimaginable."

“That’s right. I’ve been working as a handyman in the village for five years now. It took Guo Er, the second steward, several years to become a steward, and it took others at least ten years to become stewards. Young Master Mo became a steward in just one month. It’s really too exaggerated.”

"It's not just exaggerated, it's outrageous... But we've also benefited from it. Our Fortune and Misfortune Manor now has three managers. Even Merit Manor and Red Lantern Manor won't dare to underestimate us anymore. When I went out today, the staff from other manors treated me with utmost respect."

Li Qingniu stood to the side, listening to everyone's discussion, his heart filled with mixed emotions.

He vaguely remembered the days when he and Chen Mo lived in the same dormitory.

Not wanting to return after the New Year, Chen Mo took on the role of manager.

The differences between people are truly lamentable.

Li Qingniu felt as if several years had passed, but in reality it had only been a month.

Inside the courtyard, Guo Ziyu and Guo Songyang sat in the living room drinking tea, listening to the discussions outside, and sighed with emotion.

Guo Songyang puffed on his pipe, "I really don't know what that kid saw or what happened at the Goddess's altar. He turned misfortune into blessing."

Guo Ziyu looked somewhat frightened. "I don't know what happened back then. Chen Mo will be back soon, and we'll find out when we ask him."

Just then, Guo Ziyang rushed in from outside, his face full of excitement. "Father, elder sister, Young Master Mo's carriage has arrived."

Guo Ziyu immediately stood up and walked outside. "Come with me to greet him. Also, from now on you have to change how you address him; call him Steward Chen."

Guo Ziyang scratched his head and said with a grin, "Sister is right, I should call him Steward Chen now. Our manor will suddenly have a steward, how impressive!"

The three hurriedly left the house, leading a dozen or so employees of Fu Huo Manor to the manor gate, where they lined up to greet them.

Before long, a carriage slowly came into view.

The driver was an old Taoist priest with a hunched back and a cane, Cao Kun, the head of the Kaogongtang. Just this sight alone stunned everyone.

This is the head of the Examination Hall, a top-tier Red Lantern Attendant, and a close confidant of Shao Siming. He is one level higher than the heads of other halls.

Now, however, he personally drove the carriage to bring Chen Mo to the village.

This honor has made countless others envious.

Chen Mo, however, sat quietly inside the carriage.

Compared to half a month ago, Chen Mo had grown taller, and his muscle lines were more defined, making him look much more masculine and mature. In particular, his eyes had become increasingly profound and insightful.

He possesses an imposing aura that commands respect without needing to be angry.

Its every move reveals a power greater than ever before.

Both the True Qi Method and the Spirit Preservation Method have made great progress.

However, only Chen Mo himself knew... how difficult those past two weeks had been. It truly was a case of fortune favoring the bold. He almost died in the red-light district.

He indirectly met the Red Lantern Goddess.

Although I didn't see the Red Lantern Goddess's true face, I did get a glimpse of her from afar using my golden finger.

A square appears on the Red Lantern Goddess.

Unreadable.

But... there were a total of thirty-six black poles among them!
Thirty-six!

Fortunately, I managed to evade the Red Lantern Goddess's scrutiny. In the end, the Red Lantern Goddess didn't detect any ghostly aura in me and even said that I had a Xuan Yin constitution, which was why I had no body temperature.

But the oppressive feeling that the Red Lantern Lady brought to Chen Mo was simply suffocating.

Even now, it's still a nightmare.

It was Chen Mo's unbearable past.

He never wanted to face the Red Lantern Lady again.

This guy is absolutely terrifying.

Before even seeing the Red Lantern Goddess's true face, the terror she exuded was beyond Chen Mo's comprehension.

The reason I survived was because of the warning from that voice.

Fortunately...

Later, the Red Lantern Goddess said she was a talented person and asked Shao Siming to train her well. So she followed Shao Siming to learn martial arts for half a month and was even made a manager.

Chen Mo felt an urgent need to get rid of the Empress, and the first thing he did upon returning to the manor was to ask Guo Ziyu what kind of organization was behind her.

He didn't want to associate with such a terrifying ghost as the Red Lantern Goddess.

I need to find an organization to get rid of it.

Just as Chen Mo was pondering this, the carriage stopped.

Cao Kun's voice came from outside, "Manager Chen, we've arrived at Fortune Manor."

Chen Mo finally came to his senses, lifted the curtain and got off the carriage, and did not forget to bow to Cao Kun: "Thank you for seeing me off all the way, Lord Cao."

Cao Kun smiled kindly and said, "I dare not neglect the orders given by the Lesser Master. From now on, we are all on the same side, so Steward Chen need not stand on ceremony. Steward Chen is so young and promising, and he has been valued by the Lesser Master and the Empress. His future is limitless."

Just then, one person after another came up to congratulate them.

"Congratulations, Manager Chen."

"Congratulations, Manager Chen!"

Chen Mo looked in the direction of the sound and saw that the chieftain Zhu Qingfeng was leading a group of stewards and incense masters from the village to offer their congratulations. Among them were the head of Gongde Village, the head of Hongdeng Village, as well as Guo Songyang, Guo Ziyu, and others.

Chen Mo was very approachable and greeted everyone with a cupped-hand salute.

Cao Kun stepped forward and said, "Master Zhu, Steward Chen is someone appointed by Shao Siming. You'll have to take good care of him from now on."

Zhu Qingfeng, a refined middle-aged man dressed in a long robe, replied politely, "Don't worry, Master Cao, I know what I'm doing and would never dare to be negligent. Please come inside for tea, Master Cao. I have already prepared some refreshments and a feast."

"No need for these formalities. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first." Cao Kun waved listlessly, then jumped onto the carriage and left. His purpose in escorting Chen Mo to the village was simply to support Chen Mo and ensure that the elders of the village wouldn't look down on him.

Now that the goal has been achieved, there is no need to waste time.

"Haha, I knew long ago that Manager Chen was a man of great talent, and I was right!" Zhu Qingfeng greeted Chen Mo warmly as he approached.

Chen Mo said, "It is thanks to the guidance of Hall Master Zhu that I, Chen, am where I am today."

Zhu Qingfeng felt awkward for a moment, then forced a smile and said, "From now on, we're family, no need to be so formal."

Just then, a piercing sound rang out.

"Congratulations, Manager Chen."

Li Yuanlong dragged the bound Yuanzhu over, offered a few words of congratulations, and then threw Yuanzhu at Chen Mo's feet. "This man previously targeted Manager Chen, which was utterly rebellious and deserves to die. It's all my fault for not disciplining him properly. I've specially bound this scoundrel to apologize to Manager Chen. I urge Manager Chen to kill him on the spot to vent his anger."

The moment these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent. Everyone looked at the pillar on the ground with pity, clicking their tongues in disbelief.

Chen Mo narrowed his eyes and looked at Yuanzhu and Li Yuanlong.

Chen Mo's eyes became even more profound when he looked at Li Yuanlong.

Li Yuanlong, your disciple deserves to die, but you deserve to die even more!
Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: I was itching to write, so I added an extra chapter. Today's update is 14,000 words. Asking for monthly votes is reasonable, right?
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