Entry copying begins with kidnapping Wang Yuyan

The sun shone warmly, and the city of Wuxi was bathed in golden light.

Shops lined both sides of the long street, with flags of rice shops, silk stores, and restaurants fluttering in the wind.

Vendors, porters, fisherwomen selling water chestnuts in baskets, and peddlers shaking rattles drums weaved through the streets, their cries, the creaking of cartwheels, and shouts of cursing mingling together in a lively and bustling atmosphere.

This is incomparable to any modern imitation ancient city.

Modern replicas of ancient cities are made with solid materials and are hygienic, which is undeniable, but they lack a certain vibrant, lived-in atmosphere.

As Li Mo traveled, his unusual attire indeed attracted frequent glances from passersby, but no one bothered him. This was probably because the people of Pingjiang Prefecture were accustomed to merchants from all over and were extremely tolerant of outsiders.

"Have you ever eaten water chestnuts, young master?" Abi tilted her head to look at him, her bright eyes filled with anticipation.

"I've never eaten it, but I've heard it can be eaten raw or cooked," Li Mo said truthfully.

Abi walked up to a fisherwoman carrying a basket, took out a few copper coins from her sleeve, and handed them over: "Give me a handful of water chestnuts."

The fisherwoman deftly took the copper coins, lifted the damp cloth on the basket, grabbed a handful of water chestnuts, wrapped them in dried lotus leaves, and handed them to her: "Sister, you have a good eye! These water chestnuts have just come out of the water; they're very tender and delicious!"

Abi took it: "I'm a local, so of course I know this."

He handed the lotus leaf package to Li Mo, then skillfully pried open the hard shell of a water chestnut, broke off the snow-white flesh, and popped it into his mouth, his cheeks slightly puffed out: "Is this how you eat it, young master?"

Li Mo followed suit, pinching open the shell with her fingernails and popping the snow-white water chestnut flesh into her mouth. With a gentle bite, a crisp, sweet, and juicy sensation instantly filled her mouth.

"Delicious!" His eyes lit up, and he broke off another one.

Abi's eyes crinkled into a smile: "It is indeed good. But if we're talking about delicious food, there are many more on this street!"

The two chatted as they peeled water chestnuts, looking more like a young couple strolling down the street than as if they were shopping.

Li Mo felt relieved, and the fear he had felt after transmigrating had lessened considerably.

Wandering through the streets and alleys, Abi led Li Mo to a tailor shop and said, "I see that you are uncomfortable being stared at, young master. Let's change your clothes first."

"Shopkeeper, please select a short-sleeved outfit for this young master, along with a headscarf."

The shopkeeper, a lean middle-aged man, greeted Li Mo with great enthusiasm as he came to take his measurements. His hands moved swiftly, but his eyes lingered on Li Mo's lemon-yellow hair as he asked curiously, "This young master's hair color is quite unique. Could you perhaps be from the Western Regions?"

How did he, a perfectly fine Han Chinese, suddenly become a barbarian in such a short time?

"The shopkeeper has misunderstood. My hair turned this color because I ate a strange fish from overseas when I was a child," he lied without batting an eye.

"Strange fish from overseas? No wonder!" During the Song Dynasty, strange tales were very popular, and the common people were highly receptive to such oddities. Upon hearing this, the shopkeeper looked enlightened, his measuring tape still in his hand.

After the measurements were taken, the shopkeeper took out several sets of ready-made clothes and headscarves from behind the counter for Li Mo to choose from. To call it choosing was a stretch; the commoner short-sleeved outfits were mostly the same style, differing only in color.

Li Mo asked about the price and finally chose a black outfit and a black headscarf.

He had originally wanted to buy a set of wide-sleeved scholar's robes—that would suit his transmigrated persona. But when he asked about the price, he immediately gave up the idea. A set of fine scholar's robes cost more than twenty strings of cash! He didn't even have a single copper coin right now, and had relied entirely on Abi to pay for it. How could he dare to dream of such a luxury?

He changed into black clothes and a black scarf, wrapping his yellow hair tightly inside the scarf, and instantly transformed from a "strange yellow-haired man" into an ordinary citizen of the Song Dynasty.

Abi sized him up, a satisfied look in her eyes: "Now he won't stand out so much. Shopkeeper, how much?"

"A gift of six hundred coins."

Abi skillfully took out a small silver ingot from her sleeve and handed it over. The shopkeeper took it, bit it to test its quality, and went to the counter with a broad smile to exchange it for change.

"Abi, thank you so much. I will definitely pay you back in the future!" Li Mo said sincerely.

"Young master, you don't need to take it to heart." Abi waved her hand and led him out of the shop with a smile.

Just as I stepped out of the shop, I saw a figure dart out from the street corner ahead. With a push off the wall, the figure rose into the air, landed lightly on the roof, and disappeared from sight in a flash.

Although the roof was not high, it was still two or three zhang high. This person was able to jump up without using a ladder or any leverage—it was simply astonishing!

There's a high chance that Abi really is that Abi!

Seeing Li Mo's eager expression, Abi chuckled, "Young master, that's lightness skill. You can't jump that high without martial arts!"

"Lightness skill? I've heard of it, but I've never seen it. Even the pirates we encountered before weren't this skilled."

A hint of arrogance appeared on Abi's face: "That's natural. The Central Plains is rich, and its people are the strongest, far surpassing the pirates. Although this man can leap two or three zhang, he's nothing in the grand scheme of things. If he were to encounter my young master, he would probably be defeated in less than ten moves."

Li Mo took the opportunity to inquire, "Ah Bi's family head is actually a member of the martial arts world?"

"good."

Before the words were finished, a sinister laugh echoed from the sky: "Little girl, what a big mouth you have!"

The sound came from all directions, carrying an eerie, magical power that made people dizzy. Abi, whose cultivation was shallow, turned pale, swayed, and was about to fall.

Li Mo, however, was completely unaware of anything amiss, only noticing the noise. He quickly reached out and steadied her shoulder, asking, "Abi, are you alright?"

"snort!"

A cold snort, like a thunderclap, instantly suppressed the eerie voice, which vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye.

"puff!"

A soft sound came from not far away, followed by a voice echoing in the air: "Impressive internal strength! I admit defeat!"

"Did I give you permission to leave?"

A whooshing sound suddenly rang out, and the next moment, a figure fell heavily dozens of steps away. It was a thin man in blue robes, with a bamboo chopstick sticking out of his back.

The chopsticks sank deep into his vest, and blood gushed out like a spring, instantly staining the street red.

Li Mo's eyes changed slightly, and he was amazed: This kind of wrist strength and accuracy is probably comparable to some firearms.

"Brother Deng, is that you?" Abi looked towards the restaurant on the street and exclaimed in surprise.

"Of course it's me!"

A second-floor window was opened, and a figure jumped out and landed steadily on the bluestone slab of the long street.

This man was about forty years old, wearing an indigo blue round-necked, narrow-sleeved robe with a black belt around his waist. He had a long, rectangular face with distinct features, thick eyebrows that reached his temples, and a pair of long, narrow eyes that were as deep as a pool. He exuded the calm and composed demeanor that only someone who had long held a high position could possess.

Seeing Abi, a hint of a smile appeared in his calm eyes as he teased, "Abi, don't comment on people in the martial arts world so casually next time. Those people aren't very magnanimous!"

"I know, Brother Deng. Didn't you go out with the young master? Why are you back? Could it be that the young master has returned as well?" Abi looked at the man in blue with delight and anticipation.

The man in blue glanced at Li Mo, but didn't elaborate, only saying, "I've come back to take care of some business. Abi, who is this person?"

After being looked at by him, Li Mo felt a thin layer of sweat inexplicably break out on his back.

"My name is Li Mo. I greet you, Brother Deng."

Abi blushed slightly and explained, "Young Master Li Mo was robbed by pirates when he returned from overseas and ended up here. Seeing that he had nowhere to go, I decided to take him to Tingxiang Pavilion to stay for a while."

The man in blue gave a light "hmm," his gaze sweeping over Li Mo again before he said calmly, "Go to Tingxiang Pavilion? That's fine. My young master is known for his chivalry; rescuing someone in distress is no big deal for him. But don't take him to Canhe Manor."

"Yes," Abi replied obediently. "Don't worry, Brother Deng, I know what's important."

Canhezhuang, Tingxiangshuixie, Abi, Brother Deng...

Li Mo's heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a trembling voice, "Could it be... Abi, that your family head is the same Young Master Murong who 'used their own methods against them'?!"

Abi nodded slightly, a hint of pride in her eyes: "Indeed. Young Master Li has also heard of my young master's reputation?"

"Of course I've heard of it; it's legendary!"

I grew up reading your stories!

Seeing his expression, Deng Baichuan believed him even more.

The shock this kid felt upon hearing that Abi was a maidservant of the Murong family couldn't be faked; it seems he truly isn't a member of the martial arts world.