"Qian Qi," Yang Bo said, selecting the first guard to accompany him on the expedition to the capital.
Qian Qi, who was standing next to Fang Mo, smiled. "I'll be waiting for you, Brother Mo."
Fang Mo nodded in response. Yang Bo's choice of Qian Qi was expected. That mountain in the shape of a man was one of the strongest guards in the estate. During the four months he spent here, he sparred with Qian Qi multiple times, and eight out of ten times, Fang Mo lost.
"Bai Cheng." Yang Bo revealed the name of the second person who would accompany him.
Compared to Qian Qi, Bai Cheng was much slimmer. Though not as physically strong as the former, Bai Cheng compensated with experience and skill. If Qian Qi was the strongest, then Bai Cheng was the most skillful guard in the State Lord's estate. With a sword hanging at his waist, Bai Cheng walked forward with steady steps.
"Thank you for choosing me, Young Master," said Bai Cheng as he clasped his hands.
Yang Bo nodded with a smile before turning back to the guards. "Cheng Han."
A man with thick eyebrows and bulging muscles stepped forward. This was the first time Fang Mo had seen him. Despite living here for four months, the estate was massive, and the number of guards plentiful.
"He Meifen." Unlike the first three, the fourth was not a man but a beautiful, slender woman with short blonde hair. Her figure was curvaceous, shaped like a guitar. If there were a ranking of the most charming women among the guards, He Meifen would easily rank first.
After four people had been called, Fang Mo began to grow nervous. According to his agreement with General Wan, Yang Bo had to bring him to the annual Winter Immortal Conference. Without Yang Bo's invitation, he wouldn't be allowed to participate.
"Fang Mo." When the final name was called, Fang Mo sighed in relief. If Yang Bo hadn't selected him, the situation would have become far more complicated. Fang Mo had assumed the State Lord had spoken with his son to secure his spot, but since Yang Bo hadn't been here for the past few months, he wasn't sure if everything had gone according to plan.
To Fang Mo's surprise, after he stepped closer to Yang Bo, the young master clasped his hands respectfully toward him. "Thank you for saving my mother, Doctor Mo."
"I was just doing my job, Young Master. Thank you for inviting me." Since Fang Mo needed Yang Bo's cooperation, he chose to be courteous. Besides, he bore no ill will toward him. If anything, his stay over the past four months had been pleasant, and the Yang family had treated him well.
Of course, that was excluding a certain person who had tried to poison him to death a few times during his stay. I wonder why the State Lord hasn't dealt with the mastermind behind Doctor Zhu's actions. Fang Mo shook the thought out of his head. This was an internal problem of the Yang family, something he didn't want to get involved with. As for trying to kill him with poison, that was nothing but child's play.
"Everyone, I'll give you an hour to prepare. Then, we'll depart for Storm Forest before heading to the capital," Yang Bo said, sending everyone present into a state of shock.
Fang Mo frowned. He had never heard of that place, but judging by the reactions of the others, it was certainly bad news.
Bai Cheng spoke, his voice filled with caution. "Young Master, with all due respect, even immortal masters die in Storm Forest. If we go there, we're sure to die ten times out of ten."
Yang Bo smiled, already expecting such a response. "Don't worry, we'll only stay at the outskirts. If everything goes well, we won't need to go more than fifty meters inside."
His words made Bai Cheng sigh in relief, though his tone still carried concern. "If it's just the outskirts… we might be able to manage. But why do you want to go to such a dangerous place, Young Master?"
"I want a Thunder Spiritual Ginseng. Storm Forest is the only place where we can find one within the empire."
Fang Mo stared at Yang Bo with intrigue. A Thunder Spiritual Ginseng was a Tier 3 spiritual plant; its worth was no less than the Blood Lotus Fang Mo had stolen from the Green Mountain Sect disciples. To mortals and cultivators at the Opening Meridian Stage, it wasn't useful. Eating one with a weak constitution could even mean death. Only those at the Foundation Establishment Stage or with a strong lightning affinity could process a Thunder Spiritual Ginseng's properties to strengthen their body and qi.
Maybe he's practicing a lightning-attribute technique.
"Time is ticking. Hurry up and prepare. Whoever is late will be considered as forfeiting their chance to go with me," Yang Bo said, leaving no room for further disagreement.
Fang Mo didn't dare be late and lose the opportunity he had waited nearly a year for. He made a quick breakfast and packed everything he needed before returning to where Yang Bo was waiting. Along with the other four guards and Yang Bo, he departed toward Storm Forest on horseback.
The journey to Storm Forest wasn't long, but it was treacherous. As they climbed the mountain through the clayey terrain, the clouds yawned and wept, making their passage even more difficult.
Fang Mo glanced to the sides. They weren't alone. Muffled footsteps echoed around them; the rain made them even easier to hear. His right hand moved closer to the sword hanging at his waist.
"Wolves!" Qian Qi shouted, unsheathing his sword and readying himself for the inevitable confrontation. "Protect the Young Master!"
A sword also appeared in Fang Mo's hand. Though he was far more familiar with the blowgun, the strong wind would disrupt his aim. In this situation, a sword was the best weapon he could use.
The other four guards maneuvered their horses into a defensive formation around Yang Bo. Fang Mo, however, wasn't familiar with riding—let alone fighting—on horseback. Because he was a step too late, a wolf leaped at him from his right. He turned just in time to thrust his weapon into the beast's open jaw, piercing its brain and killing it instantly.
But the force of the impact knocked him off his horse. Spooked by the wolves and the pouring rain, the animal panicked. As soon as Fang Mo hit the ground, his horse bolted, galloping down the mountain trail. Two wolves broke away from the pack to chase after it.
With no time to waste, Fang Mo kicked the dead wolf aside and yanked his sword free. Mud and blood smeared his clothes and face, but his eyes remained sharp as he faced another wolf, its gaze locked on him with deadly intent.
The second wolf lunged at Fang Mo—but this time, he was ready. Planting his feet in the muddy ground, he thrust his sword forward. The beast was faster than he'd anticipated. It dodged to the right and jumped, sinking its fangs into his left shoulder.
Fang Mo gritted his teeth, enduring the pain as his eyes turned bloodshot. With a snarl, he drove his sword upward with his right hand, piercing the wolf's stomach. The beast yelped, releasing its grip and collapsing to the ground.
Without giving it another chance to rise, Fang Mo pushed through the searing pain and drove his blade through the wolf's skull, ending it for good.
"Brother Mo, behind you!" Qian Qi shouted.
Fang Mo spun around just in time to see a third wolf lunging at him. Before he could react, the beast sank its fangs into his right leg. "Argh!" A muffled cry of pain escaped his lips.
His vision wavered from blood loss, but the surge of pain and adrenaline kept him conscious. Gritting his teeth, he drove his sword into the wolf's back, piercing its heart. The beast let out a dying howl as Fang Mo pulled out his blade.
Three more wolves crept closer to Fang Mo, their steps slow and cautious. Breathing raggedly, his eyes sharp, he raised his sword, ready for another round. "This is not where I die," he muttered to himself.
One from each direction, they dashed at Fang Mo, giving him no time to breathe or regain his composure.