Chapter 240: Chapter 237: The "Meat" Served on a Platter

When Zhang Shao stepped into the room, he first saw Li Yuanhao standing to the side. Only then did he see the External Incarnation, seated in the host’s chair with a teacup in hand and a smile on its face.

"I am Zhang Shao, Sect Leader of the Wolf Fang Sect. I pay my respects to you, Lord Blessed One, and you, Young Prince."

All doubt vanished from Zhang Shao’s mind. His attitude was deferential, completely lacking the airs of a sect leader as he bowed to Mo Qi and Li Yuanhao.

In the entire Mountain and Sea Empire, you couldn’t find another young man who could remain seated while the Young Prince of the Kaosan stood. The only exception was the Blessed One.

Moreover, Li Yuanhao’s respect for Mo Qi was clearly genuine and completely undisguised. Zhang Shao could see it at a glance.

’This Blessed One is no simple character!’ he thought to himself.

Winning over Li Yuanhao required more than just status and titles; it required true ability.

This thought, however, actually made Zhang Shao breathe a sigh of relief.

’Capable people are never content with mediocrity, especially when they’re young. Who wouldn’t want to achieve something great?’

’And now, here I am, the Sect Leader of the Wolf Fang Sect, personally humbling myself to pledge my allegiance. I can’t think of any reason why the Blessed One would refuse me.’

"So, you’re Zhang Shao?" Mo Qi asked, feigning ignorance.

"You know of me, Lord Blessed One?" Zhang Shao asked, his posture exceedingly humble.

"I do, of course I do!" Mo Qi chuckled. "The Sect Leader of the Wolf Fang Sect! A big shot I couldn’t even have dreamed of cozying up to back in the day!"

Zhang Shao waved his hands in a fluster, an alarmed look on his face. "I wouldn’t dare presume such a thing! My lord, you were born for greatness, a dragon destined to leave the pond. You now ride the wind and clouds, ready to Transform into a Dragon and soar. You will surely become a pillar of the Empire. It is I who am not even qualified to curry favor with you."

Comparing Zhang Shao’s unbridled arrogance back at the Void Sect with his demeanor now, Mo Qi couldn’t help but sneer.

"I may know of you, but we’ve never had any dealings. So what are you doing, loitering outside my courtyard? What are your intentions?"

Mo Qi’s demeanor changed in a flash. He slammed his hand on the table and barked,

Although he didn’t yet know that Qian Duoduo had acted on Jin Quan’s behalf, he could more or less guess why Zhang Shao had come to see him. So, he decided to play along and feign unfamiliarity.

Zhang Shao was taken aback, completely baffled by Mo Qi’s attitude.

’Weren’t we just getting along? Why the sudden hostility?’

’No, this is my only chance to turn things around! I absolutely cannot miss it!’

At this thought, Zhang Shao gritted his teeth and knelt before Mo Qi.

"I, Zhang Shao, wish to serve at the Lord Blessed One’s side. I will be the sharp blade in your hand, your loyal servant who clears away all obstacles in your path. Please, Lord Blessed One, accept my pledge!"

Mo Qi’s unpredictable move forced Zhang Shao to abandon his prepared preamble and state his intentions directly.

Mo Qi didn’t respond for a long time, and the room fell silent.

Li Yuanhao was unfazed. From his perspective, it was only natural that people would come to pledge their allegiance, given Mo Qi’s abilities.

Zhang Shao, however, was on edge, his heart pounding with anxiety. Mo Qi’s answer would determine the entire course of his future.

’Heh, just as I thought,’ Mo Qi mused. ’Oh, Zhang Shao. You delivered yourself right to my doorstep.’

He let the anger on his face fade, settling back into his seat. He picked up his teacup and began to sip from it slowly.

He neither agreed nor refused.

Just as Zhang Shao’s palms grew slick with nervous sweat, Mo Qi finally spoke. "Cut the useless chatter. What’s this bullshit about a ’sharp blade’? Plenty of people want to be my loyal servants, and you don’t particularly stand out from the crowd. Tell me something tangible. What can you bring to the table?"

Zhang Shao let out a long sigh of relief. ’If he’s setting conditions, that means there’s still room to negotiate.’

"Lord Blessed One, I have the authority to pledge the full might of the Wolf Fang Sect in your support! Be it Cultivation Resources or manpower, with but a single word from you, my lord, all that belongs to the Wolf Fang Sect will be your firm backing!"

These words meant that if Mo Qi were to nod his head right now, the Wolf Fang Sect would effectively change its name to "Mo"!

This, however, left Mo Qi both surprised and confused.

’What in the world happened to Zhang Shao to push him to this point of desperation?’

"Tell me why," Mo Qi asked bluntly. "Why come to me?"

"I dare not hide it from you, my lord. I have offended the Qian Family, one of the three great ministers. The whole affair began with the death of my son, Zhang Cheng..."

The truth would come to light sooner or later, so Zhang Shao saw no reason to hide anything and recounted the entire sequence of events in detail.

After listening to the story, Mo Qi remained outwardly calm, but inwardly, he was roaring with laughter.

’You’ve got to be kidding me.’

’No wonder Qian Duoduo is so wild. It runs in the family. His father, Qian Juduo, is the true king of posturing!’

’I just never expected that Qian Duoduo would get my revenge for me before I even had the chance.’

"I beg you, my lord, accept my pledge!"

Seeing the once high-and-mighty Zhang Shao kneeling before him, Mo Qi felt not a shred of joy.

All he felt was pity for the man’s pathetic state.

Still, Mo Qi had no reason to refuse meat that was delivered right to his door.

"Zhang Shao, I’m a man who believes in what I can see. You want to pledge your allegiance to me? Fine. But first, you have to prove yourself."

"I have two tasks for you. If you complete them to my satisfaction, not only will I help you deal with the Qian Family, but I’ll also have a big surprise for you afterward!"

Mo Qi wore a strange smile and placed special emphasis on the word "surprise."

Zhang Shao could have racked his brains all day and never guessed Mo Qi’s true meaning. He simply assumed Mo Qi was promising him some great benefit, and he grew ecstatic with joy.

"Please give your orders, my lord!" Zhang Shao said in a solemn voice.

"First, I want you to kill Wang Chen and Yan Hong."

"What?!" Zhang Shao was stunned. He never imagined Mo Qi would ask him to do such a thing. "Lord Blessed One, this is..."

Mo Qi cut him off. "I don’t like it when my subordinates question my orders. This is the first time, so I’ll let it slide. If there’s a next time, you can go right back where you came from. Are there any more questions?"

"No." Zhang Shao quickly shook his head, secretly trying to guess Mo Qi’s motives.

’Could it be... the Blessed One wants me to kill Wang Chen and Yan Hong as a pledge of loyalty?’

"Second, I have a... a good brother, whose surname is Qin. He’ll be passing by your Wolf Fang Sect soon with Yuanhao to take care of some business. I expect you to show him the best possible hospitality. Remember, seeing him is the same as seeing me. His requests are my requests, and his commands are my commands!"

It wasn’t just Zhang Shao who was utterly confused; Li Yuanhao, standing to the side, was also completely baffled.

He knew Mo Qi was talking about the Ancient Ruins, but what was this about a brother suddenly appearing out of nowhere?

’Isn’t Uncle going with me?’

Li Yuanhao knew this wasn’t the time to ask questions, so he could only suppress his confusion.

Zhang Shao, for his part, couldn’t believe the second task Mo Qi had given him was so simple.

’Just host a single person?’

"Hm?" Seeing Zhang Shao’s lack of response, Mo Qi grunted in displeasure.

Zhang Shao snapped back to his senses. "Please rest assured, my lord. I will do my utmost to host this Lord Qin and ensure his satisfaction."

Mo Qi grunted softly and waved his hand. "You may go now. In a few days, Yuanhao will find you and return with you to the Wolf Fang Sect to welcome my brother. Before then, don’t forget to complete the first task!"

"As you command. I will take my leave."

Zhang Shao departed from Mo Qi’s residence with a heart full of both joy and apprehension.

He was joyful because his allegiance to the Blessed One was now secured.

He was apprehensive because killing Wang Chen and Yan Hong would be no easy task.