Chapter 73

Not only did Zhao Mo kneel down, but the originally disciplined Tian Ce Army also knelt as one, giving Guan Dongtian three loud kowtows in unison.

The Tang Sect disciples were all dumbfounded; soldiers were kowtowing to a notorious bandit.

Was it that their minds were unclear, or was it that their own minds were muddled?

Zhao Mo knelt on the ground, his eyes brimming with tears, and Bai Chen finally understood what it meant to be moved to tears.

At the same time, Bai Chen was particularly proud, for this Guan Daxia was his man.

"Guan Daxia's kindness, I and my fellow soldiers will always remember."

"General Zhao, please rise. What are you doing?" Guan Dongtian himself was embarrassed, or rather, he was scared. In the past, there had been countless soldiers chasing him, but none had ever shown him such deep respect.

"Half a month ago, we were stationed in Shunan. When we heard the terrible news from Xizhou, we were extremely anxious. However, due to the war, we could not return home in time to help our families. It wasn't until three days ago that, under the order of the general, we returned with these fellow soldiers. We thought Xizhou would be a scene of carnage, but when we found my mother, we discovered she had not suffered much. This was all thanks to Guan Daxia's righteousness, who brought millions of pounds of grain to help the people of Xizhou. My mother was one of those who received help. We also heard that corrupt officials and bandits were chasing Guan Daxia, so we found out the clues and discovered that the Shen Ce Army had infiltrated Qing Shui Town."

"Millions of pounds of grain?" Tang Jian and Fang Ziyuan both showed a look of doubt.

Even a wealthy person could not provide so much grain, let alone a bandit like Guan Dongtian.

Therefore, they were skeptical of Zhao Mo's words.

"General Zhao, you misunderstood. I am not as great as you think. I was merely acting on behalf of Brother Bai. The ten million pounds of grain were provided by Brother Bai Chen."

Zhao Mo couldn't help but look back at Bai Chen. Although he admired Bai Chen's battlefield performance, he was even more suspicious.

"Guan Daxia, don't downplay your great deed. I admire Brother Bai, but my mother and millions of people all say it was Guan Daxia who helped them."

Guan Dongtian smiled bitterly. "Brother Bai did not want us to reveal his identity. The head of the Long Hu Men in Qingzhou City also knows this. The grain was purchased by the Long Hu Men on Brother Bai's behalf. Afterward, I asked the Long Hu Men disciple, Long Tuxiao, who said that Brother Bai used many medicinal pills to exchange for the grain to help the disaster victims. So if General Zhao wants to thank someone, he should thank Brother Bai."

"Is this true?" Zhao Mo looked at Bai Chen with fiery eyes.

Tang Jian and Fang Ziyuan's gazes toward Bai Chen also changed. In this era, people did not do good deeds without seeking recognition.

Who did good deeds without seeking fame?

But Guan Dongtian's words made them realize that the young man before them had reached a realm they could not imagine.

Bai Chen smiled bitterly and helped Zhao Mo up, feeling ashamed. He would never accept such a grand gesture; it would make him feel unworthy.

"General Zhao, this was just a spur-of-the-moment decision. Don't take it to heart. For me, ten million pounds of grain is not a big deal, but many people donated their entire fortunes to help the disaster victims. They are the ones who deserve admiration. I am just a minor player."

Zhao Mo directly broke free from Bai Chen's hands and kowtowed three more times.

"Brother Bai, you have a heart for the world but do not seek fame or profit. I admire you."

"Would a small sect like Wu Liang Zong be willing to donate ten million pounds of grain? That's two or three million taels of silver. Even if they were willing, they might not have the means to provide it," a Tang Sect disciple muttered.

"Whether or not they are willing depends on their hearts. Wu Liang Zong may be small, but they do not place silver above their values. Silver can be earned again, but lives cannot be brought back." The artificial person snorted.

Tang Jian and Fang Ziyuan glared at their junior brother, feeling embarrassed.

When the disaster struck Xizhou, the Tang Sect had donated several hundred thousand pounds of grain, but compared to the small Wu Liang Zong, it was nothing. They felt even more ashamed.

Now, their junior brother was mocking, which was not just doubt but self-humiliation.

Zhao Mo looked at the artificial person with respect and clasped his hands. "I understand. Wu Liang Zong may be small, but each member is a hero with a heart for the world, worthy of respect."

"I also admire you," Tang Jian said, clasping his hands.

"By the way, what are your plans next?"

Fang Ziyuan quickly changed the subject to avoid further awkwardness.

"Our mountain gate was destroyed, but no one in our sect was killed." Bai Chen gritted his teeth. "If I hadn't returned in time, my junior brother might have been killed."

Everyone drew a sharp breath, looking at Bai Chen with more respect.

They had thought that Wu Liang Zong, though small, would have dozens of disciples and that the losses would be significant.

They didn't expect only one death, and he had pursued the attackers to this extent.

"Haha... This Wu Mouzi must have been blind, thinking Wu Liang Zong was an easy target. He didn't expect to kick a steel plate and end up dead." Zhao Mo was even more pleased.

"What are your plans next?" Tang Jian's eyes flickered, not saying everything, but he believed everyone present was wise and would understand his meaning.

"The bandit leader is dead. I need to rush back to the mountain to put out the fire and arrange for the aftermath of my disciples."

"Brother Bai, I will go with you. The fire on the mountain is not something a few people can handle. Although my soldiers are not as skilled as those of Wu Liang Zong, more people will help extinguish the fire."

Bai Chen thought for a moment. It was true; with so many Tian Ce Army soldiers, it would be easier to put out the fire.

"Guan Daxia, please mount your horse. I will lead it for you." Zhao Mo offered his horse.

"General Zhao, you are too kind. I am just a bandit who joined Wu Liang Zong. I do not deserve the title of Daxia."

"Let's drop the formalities. We have met, so let's call each other brothers to avoid being too formal."

"Brother Guan, I am honored."

"Brother Zhao..."

After a few exchanges, the barriers were gone, and the conversation became more relaxed.

Zhao Mo called Bai Chen by his name. "Bai Chen, your Wu Liang Zong can't be just a few people, right?"

"I have a brother named Long Yuan, the head of Wu Liang Zong, and a sister. They were out of town when I returned from Qingzhou City, and they were heading to Qingzhou City to find me. They avoided this disaster, but my brother Ah Dai was not so lucky."

"Bai Chen, with your skills, Wu Liang Zong shouldn't be so small, right?" Tang Jian was curious. With Bai Chen's strength, he could recruit disciples with just a word, and the people around Qing Shui Town would likely join Wu Liang Zong.

"Tang Jian, can't you see? Bai Chen is selective. Look at the members of Wu Liang Zong; they are all heroes who can defeat a hundred men." Zhao Mo now admired Bai Chen, Guan Dongtian, and the artificial person greatly, seeing Wu Liang Zong as a symbol of righteousness.

"Actually, when I was injured and in trouble, my brother Long Yuan found me. Later, I joined Wu Liang Zong because I had nowhere else to go..."

Bai Chen recounted the story, mixing seven parts truth with three parts fiction.

As they listened, their gazes shifted between Bai Chen and Qin Kelan.

"Skillful." Tang Jian looked at Bai Chen with a meaningful smile.

Qin Kelan blushed and pinched Bai Chen. "Why did you say so much?"

Bai Chen rubbed Qin Kelan's shoulder, feeling very pleased. "I may be younger than you, but in matters of the heart, I am the pioneer. Women are like water, and men are like mud. If you want to blend, you need to provide warmth and care when they feel empty, lonely, and cold."

"Don't listen to him. He's just smooth-talking. When he first met me, he didn't even dare to look at me." Qin Kelan was embarrassed by Bai Chen's words but refused to be overshadowed in public, so she argued back.

Even the serious Zhao Mo couldn't resist joining the conversation about relationships.

"Regardless of the process, the result is what matters. I have already achieved a quarter of my life's goal."

"What is your life's goal?" Everyone looked at Bai Chen curiously. Compared to the Bai Chen on the battlefield, this Bai Chen was more approachable.

Laughter filled the journey, and even Zhao Mo ignored the Tian Ce Army soldiers, who joined in the conversation, occasionally adding their own comments.

"Earn money, build a house, find a girl, and have children. I don't have much money, my house was just destroyed, but I have found a girl. As for having children... that's up to my wife."

"Bai Chen, I disagree. A man should live a glorious life and achieve great things to make his life worthwhile." Zhao Mo looked at Bai Chen seriously, determined to save the young man.

"I ask you, what is the most glorious moment in a person's life? Is it when you become a general? Or the head of the Tang Sect? Or the leader of the martial arts world? Or a beggar on the street, for whom a bowl of rice soup is their goal? Or your junior brother, who finds a new skill to be their greatest moment? My glory is already in my hands, and that is enough for this life."

Zhao Mo was silent, Tang Jian was stunned, and Fang Ziyuan's eyes flickered, occasionally looking at Zhao Mo.

Bai Chen knew his views were hard for them to accept, perhaps because their world was different.

To them, Bai Chen was an anomaly, with outstanding skills but content with a simple life.

"Why waste time on fame and profit when life is short?"

"Very well said! Life is short, enjoy it while you can..."

A stranger's voice came from the shadows, and everyone was startled.

A silver light flashed, and Bai Chen felt a killing intent. The silver light grazed his face, leaving a bloody scratch.