Tianyu South Station.
Ye Qingyi arrived early, carrying a large bag of snacks.
Su Mo took a closer look—every single one was his favorite.
Mom’s the best.
They had come with seven people but were returning with eight. Aside from Lei Hao and Huo Jingshu, the rest were all familiar faces.
Ye Qingyi greeted each of them in turn.
A-Kun smirked mischievously. “Damn, bro, you actually managed to win over Qingyi? You’re setting the standard for the rest of us.”
Wang Yun and Lei Hao exchanged glances and sighed in unison. Having both suffered under Su Mo’s schemes before, they found common ground and had become friends.
Su Mo quickly clarified, “We’re not at that stage yet. Just friends.”
He knew when to joke and when to be serious.
“Yeah, yeah, girls are always shy at first.” A-Kun, self-proclaimed expert on the matter, grinned smugly.
Su Mo ignored him and strode ahead into the station.
Just as he was about to go through security, an older woman in front of him suddenly hurried away, as if rushing to catch a train.
Su Mo found her silhouette oddly familiar, and slowly, memories began resurfacing.
That’s right—she’s the auntie who helped me during the terrorist attack in Jingcheng. And we’ve crossed paths at stations multiple times.
He couldn’t help but wonder: Why does she keep tailing me? Is she really just here to protect me?
If that were the case, she was probably from the Qingyu Society or the Ye family. No other organization or individual would have a reason to be so invested in him.
That said, the Bai Xian Sect couldn’t be ruled out either—Yaxian had been trying to recruit him, after all. Keeping tabs on him under the guise of protection wasn’t implausible.
Personally, Su Mo leaned toward the Qingyu Society.
Ye Qingyu was Ye Qingyi’s closest relative. It wouldn’t be strange for her to secretly assign someone to protect her little sister.
Moreover, based on Wang Er’s previous attitude, the Qingyu Society seemed split into two factions: one supportive of Ye Qingyi temporarily taking over her sister’s role, and the other with ulterior motives—likely hostile toward the so-called “Second Young Miss.” Otherwise, Wang Er wouldn’t have warned him to be careful.
If that were the case, this auntie was probably sent by Wang Er for protection—but she could just as easily be an assassin from the opposing faction.
Either way, both possibilities existed.
Once on the train, Su Mo excused himself to use the restroom and discreetly messaged Ye Qingyi to back him up.
He quickly located the auntie’s seat and shared his position before sitting down beside her.
The woman was a stellar actress—her expression betrayed nothing, as if this were their first meeting.
“Hello,” Su Mo said politely, keeping his guard up until he confirmed whether she was friend or foe.
The auntie eyed him. “Can I help you?”
Hah. Keep playing dumb.
Su Mo cut straight to the point. “Who sent you?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Done with the charade, Su Mo pulled out the token Ye Qingyu had left him.
The moment the auntie saw it, her face twisted in shock. “The Society Head… she really…”
“Answer me first. Who sent you?”
After a long pause, she finally spoke. “Wang Er… and Liao Yu.”
“Who’s Liao Yu?” This was the first time Su Mo had heard the name.
“Liao Yu is the Qingyu Society’s second-in-command—the acting head now.”
No surprises there. The “restless faction” Wang Er had mentioned was likely Liao Yu’s group.
“And your mission?”
The auntie hesitated.
Su Mo waved the token meaningfully.
“Acting Head Liao Yu ordered me to kill you. Councilman Wang Er told me to protect you.”
Su Mo stiffened. So she’s a double agent?
Instead of asking “Which side are you really on?” he casually probed for more intel about the Qingyu Society’s internal affairs.
He learned that aside from the Society Head, there were eleven council members—Liao Yu ranked first, Wang Er third.
Ye Qingyu had never mentioned any of this to her sister before. Yet, the fact that she’d entrusted Su Mo with the token suggested she did support Ye Qingyi inheriting the Qingyu Society.
What did that mean?
Was this a test for her sister?
And where did Liao Yu and Wang Er stand?
Su Mo had a hunch that Liao Yu might be a whetstone deliberately left by Ye Qingyu to temper her sister—while Wang Er could very well be the real schemer.
The truth would require further investigation.
Su Mo didn’t press the auntie further, only asking for her name—Hou Hua.
“Regardless, Auntie Hou, I’ve always been grateful for your help before. As for your mission… I think you only need to follow half of it.”
Hou Hua nodded. “That’s what I thought too. The Society Head treated me well—how could I ever harm her sister?”
Her conviction almost convinced him.
Su Mo couldn’t fathom what kind of charisma Ye Qingyu possessed to command such loyalty from so many at just twenty-something.
“Auntie Hou, can I ask you something? What is it about my sister that makes you all so willing to follow her?”
Hou Hua’s eyes lit up instantly. “Let me put it this way—have you ever heard of anyone in their twenties reaching the pinnacle of the supernatural world, single-handedly wiping out a drug cartel without a scratch?”
Su Mo had heard of that. Years ago, an overseas cultivation group trafficking drugs across the border had their entire operation dismantled by Ye Qingyu alone. It had been headline news in the supernatural community.
“And that’s not all,” Hou Hua continued eagerly. “On a personal level, the Society Head earned her spot on the Heavenly Rankings at eighth place at such a young age. For the nation, she eradicated that drug ring and dedicated her life to exploring Daxia’s ancient ruins—her contributions are immeasurable. She’s nothing short of a heroine.“
Once she started talking about Ye Qingyu, Hou Hua couldn’t stop. If Su Mo hadn’t cut her off, she might’ve talked straight until the train arrived.
When Ye Qingyi asked about their plans, Su Mo shared his next move: resolving the Qingyu Society’s internal strife. Not just to honor Ye Qingyu’s wishes, but also to avoid endless assassination attempts from Liao Yu.
Just because Hou Hua wouldn’t act against him didn’t mean others wouldn’t.
“Wait—you’re planning to take over the Qingyu Society?” Ye Qingyi blurted in surprise.
“No. You are. That’s why I wanted to discuss it with you first.” Su Mo met her gaze squarely.
Ye Qingyi hesitated before answering. “If it’s what my sister wanted, I won’t object.”
“But you don’t want to, do you?”
“It’s not about wanting or not. I just hate seeing the organization she built fall into chaos.”
Su Mo fell silent.
“Do what you have to. I’ll be with you every step of the way.” Ye Qingyi’s voice was firm, carrying a unique charm with the timbre of a young man. “I’d like to see for myself what kind of group my sister created.”
“Alright.” Su Mo’s eyes darkened—his mind already mapping out the next steps.