Published: August 16, 2025
Chapter 108: Night Intrusion into the Mo Residence
The backyard of the Mo Residence was quite a large garden, filled with many rare flowers and herbs. Although the dim lighting made it hard to see clearly, the heavy fragrance of blossoms still penetrated deeply, making Han Li involuntarily take a deep breath.
“Ah!” Han Li suddenly let out a soft exclamation. Despite the strong floral scent, he could distinguish the familiar aroma of medicinal herbs.
“Someone is cultivating herbs here.” Han Li smiled gently. This extremely familiar smell piqued his curiosity about the planter. It seemed that someone in the Mo Residence had inherited Doctor Mo’s medical skills.
Han Li didn’t dare to delay any longer. Following the garden’s narrow paths, he stealthily approached the area where there were still lights burning.
Along the way, Han Li discovered several well-hidden sentries. If not for his exceptional perception, it would have been difficult to notice them. It was clear the Mo Residence’s security was very tight.
However, since he had already detected them, bypassing these posts was effortless for him.
Han Li stopped in front of a two-story small building.
He had chosen this spot because the guards here were far more numerous and serious than elsewhere—nearly twenty or thirty stationed nearby.
Seeing that the second floor was still brightly lit, he knew some important people of the Mo Residence were still awake inside, making it a perfect place for his investigation.
Using the cover of night, Han Li moved like lightning, and in a flash, he was at the foot of the building. Then, with a powerful push off the ground, he nimbly climbed up to the second floor. The entire process took only an instant, and none of the nearby sentries noticed his intrusion.
Han Li pressed himself against the wall of the second floor, hiding completely in the shadows, then pricked up his ears to listen carefully to the sounds inside.
Thanks to his superhuman hearing, Han Li caught the voices of women speaking—it was clear there was more than one person inside.
“Changping Town’s hidden crew delivered 7,300 taels of silver.”
“Falling Valley Town’s hidden crew delivered 5,800 taels of silver.”
“Blue Moon Town’s hidden crew delivered 10,500 taels of silver.”
“Five Command Town…”
…
“These are the sums delivered by the hidden crews last month. Overall, it’s more than a quarter less than the same time in previous years.”
A melodious female voice reached Han Li’s ears. The voice was clear and lively, obviously belonging to a young woman, though her final words held some dissatisfaction.
“Mother, the leaders of these hidden crews are getting bolder! The amount of silver they deliver decreases month by month,” the young woman said angrily.
“I know, I’m well aware,” replied another voice, low and magnetic.
“Could that be one of The Three Beauties of the Mo Family?” Han Li’s spirits lifted. It seemed the other person inside was one of Doctor Mo’s wives.
“You keep saying you’re aware, but can’t you think of ways to reform this? At this rate, those hidden crews will sooner or later stop regarding our main headquarters seriously!” the young girl complained.
“I don’t have a good solution at the moment! You must understand, the hidden crews’ power has always been handled solely by the fifth madam! No one else in the Mo Residence can interfere!” the woman answered helplessly.
The room fell silent for a moment after that.
After a while, the young girl’s unwilling voice returned: “Mother, are we really just going to let the fifth madam monopolize the hidden crews’ power forever? Ever since Uncle Ma and the others split a few years ago, combined with pressure from other forces, the hidden crews’ power have become our biggest pillar in the Thunder Flood Society. Since you are the acting head of the Thunder Flood Society, shouldn’t you be controlling this greatest force as well?”
“That may be true, but when your father left, he entrusted the hidden crews to the fifth madam. I really have no excuse to interfere. Besides, the fifth madam now hands over most of the profits from the hidden crews to the main headquarters each month, so it’s even harder for me to pry into it,” the woman said calmly.