met free Chapter 26 Taking in
Chapter 26 Taking in
Lin Mo sat cross-legged in his room in his small courtyard in the city, the glow of the oil lamp casting his calm shadow on the wall.
On the table lay a rough sketch, still wet with ink, outlining the general shape of the abandoned manor on Old Crow Mountain, as well as his preliminary plans for key defense points and functional zones.
"Silent Garden..."
He murmured the newly chosen name, his fingertip lightly touching the cliff behind the villa on the blueprint.
This will be the true starting point of his path of revenge, a haven far from the sight of various forces, where he can secretly accumulate power.
The collection of medicinal herbs cannot be relaxed, but the establishment of the base is equally urgent.
Only with a solid base can one better gather manpower and develop influence.
The next day, Lin Mo arrived at the Caobang wharf as usual. After handling his daily affairs, he did not leave immediately. Instead, he found several gang members who were usually quite clever and from relatively poor families, including Zhao Xiaosi, who had previously provided clues about the manor.
"Xiao Si, and the rest of you," Lin Mo called the group to a secluded spot, his expression calm, "I'm giving you a task. If you do it well, you'll be rewarded."
The group immediately perked up and stared expectantly at Lin Mo.
"Go to the area in the south of the city where the homeless gather, and also around the dilapidated temples and abandoned houses outside the city," Lin Mo said in a low voice. "Keep an eye out for those who are homeless but still physically strong, especially... those who look like they've been soldiers or have some martial arts skills. Tell them there's a place near Old Crow Mountain in the west of the city that needs people to do some repairs and maintenance work. They'll provide food and lodging, and you'll get a few copper coins every day."
Zhao Xiaosi's eyes lit up: "Boss Mo, are you going to clean up that abandoned manor?"
Lin Mo glanced at him, not denying it, but adding, "Remember, be discreet when looking for people, don't make a fuss. Those who are willing to come, have them wait near the Earth God Temple outside the West Gate tomorrow morning, and someone will take them there."
"Understood, Boss Mo!" The men quickly replied and excitedly went off to carry out their orders. For these low-level gang members, being able to do favors for their boss and earn some extra money was naturally something they couldn't ask for.
After dismissing the men, Lin Mo contacted Manager Hu through the black market, asking him to help him find and purchase a batch of grain, basic tools, and building materials. They agreed to transport them in batches to a designated hidden location near Laoya Mountain. Manager Hu was somewhat surprised by Lin Mo's sudden desire to establish a base, but out of a desire for cooperation and a sense of apprehension about Lin Mo's strength, he didn't ask any further questions and readily agreed.
After making these arrangements, Lin Mo felt a little relieved. He knew that the refugees were a mixed bag, but there were often some who were forced by circumstances and had nowhere else to turn. Among them, there might be some useful talents, especially those soldiers who had left the army due to injury or other reasons. They understood discipline and had certain skills, making them ideal candidates for building up military strength in the early stages.
The next day, just as dawn was breaking, Lin Mo arrived near the Earth God Temple outside the West Gate. From afar, he saw about twenty people scattered on the open ground in front of the temple, most of them ragged and pale, shivering in the morning chill. Zhao Xiaosi and his group were maintaining order among them, and upon seeing Lin Mo, they quickly came to greet him.
"Boss Mo, that's about it. We found them all as you instructed," Zhao Xiaosi reported in a low voice. "There are a few who do look like martial arts experts, and there's an old man who supposedly used to serve in the border army."
Lin Mo glanced at the crowd and nodded slightly. The number was slightly less than he had expected, but the quality seemed acceptable. He walked up to them, and without further ado, spoke directly, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears: "I've called you all here to go to Old Crow Mountain in the west of the city to repair an abandoned manor. The work is not easy, but you'll be provided with plenty of food, five copper coins per day, and payment upon completion. Those who are willing, come with me now. Those who are not, leave on your own."
His words were concise and direct, carrying an unquestionable air. A slight commotion arose in the crowd; some showed delight, while others hesitantly sized up Lin Mo, this overly young yet aloof "employer." In the end, no one left. For these people struggling to make ends meet, a job that provided meals and pay was a rare opportunity.
"Let's go." Lin Mo said no more and turned to leave. Zhao Xiaoji and the others quickly called for the group of refugees to follow.
Thirty miles was no easy journey for these malnourished refugees. The group moved slowly, and it wasn't until the afternoon that they reached the edge of the dense forest at the foot of Laoya Mountain.
Lin Mo let everyone rest for a while outside the forest, eat some dry food and drink water that had been prepared in advance, and regain some strength before leading them through the vine-covered path to the dilapidated gate of Mo Garden.
When the abandoned, eerie, yet sizable mountain villa came into view, a suppressed gasp and whispers rose from the crowd. The tall walls, the crumbling buildings, and the overgrown weeds all spoke of the vicissitudes of time and an ominous air.
"This is it." Lin Mo pushed open the dilapidated door, which creaked open with a harsh sound. "For the foreseeable future, this will be where you work and live."
He took the lead and walked into the overgrown front yard. The refugees hesitated for a moment, then followed him in one after another, looking around with curiosity and a bit of fear.
Lin Mo stopped and turned to face the group: "There's a lot of work to do: clearing weeds, repairing houses, and reinforcing the walls. I'll provide tools and materials. Now, find a place to shelter from the wind and rain tonight, and we'll assign tasks later."
Upon hearing this, the crowd immediately scattered, rushing towards the still-intact rooms to vie for slightly better spots. Lin Mo, however, stood still, his gaze sweeping over the crowd like a hawk's, observing everyone's reactions and actions.
Most people were just busy looking for a place to settle down, but a few caught his attention.
A tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man, though dressed in tattered clothes, walked with a steady gait and a straight back. When choosing a room, he subconsciously observed the structure of the doors and windows and the view, displaying obvious military habits.
The other was a taciturn young man with sharp eyes and large knuckles. When carrying his meager belongings, his movements were coordinated and powerful, clearly indicating that he had some background in external martial arts.
There was also an old man with white hair and beard, and a hideous scar on his face. He chose a dilapidated hut in a corner, went inside, and closed the door, exuding a kind of aloofness that made him stand out from the other refugees.
Lin Mo silently made a note of these people.
In the following days, Moyuan began to liven up.
Under Lin Mo's command and with the assistance of Zhao Xiaosi and others, the refugees began preliminary cleanup and repair work.
Lin Mo did not display his martial arts skills at the beginning, but instead took the lead in the labor. His strength far exceeded that of ordinary people, and his movements were efficient. He quickly silenced some people who had doubts about his young age and his appointment as "leader".
During this time, Lin Mo also further confirmed the situation of those people through observation and brief conversations.
The tall man's name was Shi Yong. He had indeed served in the northern border army for ten years. After being discharged due to injury, his hometown suffered a disaster, and he had no choice but to wander here.
The young man's name was Afei. He claimed to have learned martial arts for a few years and had to make a living after his family fell on hard times.
The scarred old man was extremely wary of people. He claimed his surname was Li and would remain silent when asked about his past. However, Lin Mo once inadvertently saw him wiping a strangely shaped metal fragment in the setting sun. The deep-seated hatred in his eyes was something that no ordinary refugee could possess.
Lin Mo gradually formed a plan in his mind.
He needs a core team, not just manual laborers.
That evening, after finishing work, Lin Mo called Shi Yong, A Fei, and two other refugees who were relatively calm and strong to the main hall, which had been tidied up a bit.
Torches were lit in the hall, casting flickering light. Lin Mo looked at the four men before him, their faces filled with confusion and some nervousness, and cut to the chase: "I called you here because I have another task for you. Starting tomorrow, you will no longer need to do cleaning work."
The group exchanged glances, and Shi Yong clasped his hands in greeting, saying, "Leader, please give your orders."
"Shi Yong, you were a soldier and know how to train. I want you to select fifteen to twenty strong and obedient men from the remaining group. You will be in charge of them, conducting basic drills and physical conditioning every day." Lin Mo's gaze fell on Shi Yong. "Is that possible?"
Shi Yong paused for a moment, then a long-lost glint of light flashed in his eyes, and he straightened his back: "Yes!"
"Ah Fei," Lin Mo turned to the young man, "you are agile. From now on, you will lead two people to be responsible for the daily guard and patrol around the manor. Report any abnormalities immediately."
Afei nodded vigorously: "Yes, leader!"
Lin Mo assigned the other two to manage tools, distribute supplies, and supervise daily work.
"Your wages will be doubled," Lin added casually at the end.
Upon hearing this, all four showed excitement and clasped their hands in agreement.
They understood that this meant they had gone from being ordinary migrant laborers to being "one of their own" to this young, mysterious leader. Although they were still unclear about the leader's true purpose, at least for now, they had received better treatment and a certain status.
After seeing the four people off, Lin Mo walked out of the main hall. The Mo Garden under the night sky was still dilapidated, but some corners had been lit with bonfires, and shadowy figures moved about, adding a touch of warmth and life.
His gaze swept over the dilapidated corner house where the scarred old man lived; the door was tightly closed and it was pitch black.
Taking in refugees is only the first step. The ultimate goal is to select and train capable individuals, and to establish preliminary order and defense forces.
In this process, people with relatively simple backgrounds and abilities, such as Shi Yong and A Fei, can be promoted and used, while those with obvious stories and unpredictable natures, such as the scarred old man, need more time to be observed and tested.
A night breeze blew by, carrying the coolness of the mountains and forests and the scent of grass and trees.
Lin Mo took a deep breath, feeling the Yin Sha internal energy within his body becoming increasingly solidified through his cultivation of the "Netherworld Record".
The road to revenge is long, and he must proceed with caution at every step.