Chapter 713 (1/2)

Chapter 713: The Old Mouse of Shanghai

Translator: Udeze Editor: Udeze

At the Ji Family’s ancestral residence, Changxi City. Ji Mu was standing in front of his family ancestral shrine, watching as his grandmother the pinched rosary beads and knocked the back of the Mokugyo. His grandmother was a devout Buddhist, and ever since his grandfather passed away more than 20 years ago, she had been living in seclusion in the ancestral shrine. She rarely walked out of the house and was ignorant of all family affairs.

Ji Mu himself was rather rebellious since childhood, though he was not a bullish character in nature. He spent his youth being wild and arrogant, but the current him was relatively mature and stable. His grandmother was his closest person since he was a child, and he subconsciously came to this place after receiving the call from Tang Xiu.

He too realized the principle of truth, that one could only seek riches and honor within risks and dangers.

The scene he saw two days ago was equal to him breaking Tang Xiu’s secret. Though he gifted many treasures and tried his best to befriend Tang Xiu in his endeavor to become an immortal who was able to mount the clouds and ride the mists, that was also something that was as changeable as clouds and rains. Hence, the only way was to bet his life and fight for it.

“Grandma, I want to speak with you.”

In the past, Ji Mu would never interrupt his grandma’s meditation. But he had an appointment with Tang Xiu shortly, so this time was an exception.

Hu Shi’s closed eyes opened and, as a ray of wisdom flashed through, she stopped knocking the Mokugyo and gently got up from the cushion. She then turned to look at her grandson outside and said, “What happened?”

Ji Mu blanked out for a second, and then immediately said with a bitter expression, “Grandma, I’ve decided to go forward to do something important, so I want to have some words with you before leaving. I can only calm down if I hear your voice.”

“Is it very dangerous?” Asked Hu Shi slowly after being silent for a while.

Ji Mu nodded, but then shook his head and said, “The ancients said that one can’t catch a tiger cub if one doesn’t enter the tiger’s den, while there are honor and riches amidst dangers. Hence, I’m going to take the risk for these riches and honor.”

“The Ji Family has provided you with riches and honor, is it unable to fill your appetite?” Asked Hu Shi, frowning.

“It’s a different kind altogether, grandma.” Ji Mu shook his head. “Money can never buy the type of riches and honor I want, not even a mountain of gold and silver.”

Hu Shi shot him a deep look and said, “Since a mountain of gold and silver are unable to buy it, there’s no harm in you trying then. But think about it clearly, grandson. You’re still a young man. Very young.”

Ji Mu fell silent. He knew that he was still young, but he also thought that it was this very youth that ignited his ambition. It is said that the more we have, the more we are afraid of losing. He had yet to take over the Ji Family’s business, as his father and uncles were still in their prime. He only had a status as a member of the Ji Family as well as the wealthy life it provided.

“Have you talked to your parents or your uncles about this?” Asked Hu Shi.

“I can’t tell them about this.” Ji Mu shook his head.

“Then, what do you need from Grandma?” Hu Shi sighed.

“There’s no need, grandma,” said Ji Mu with a smile. “I already did all I could. It’s completely up to fate now. If he wishes for me to die I’m afraid no one can change my fate even if the Ji Family employs everything it has to change it. But don’t worry, though! I’ve gifted him some treasures in advance, so the chance for me to come back alive is very big.”

He? Treasures?

Hu Shi’s wrinkled face turned slightly dull as she looked at her grandson’s bright smile. She suddenly made up her mind and turned around to the desk where the ancestral memorial tablets were enshrined. From the leftmost drawer of the desk, she took out a rectangular wooden box, gently wiped the dust off it, and then returned to Ji Mu’s front, saying, “Our Ji Family were of aristocracy descent and members of the Imperial Court in the eras of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Though we have lost most of the family treasures during those difficult years, we still kept some good things until now. Take this wooden box and present it to him as a gift! If he has discerning eyes, your chance to come back alive will increase without saying anything about the thing inside this box.”

Ji Mu’s hands were a bit trembling. Though he did not know what treasure inside this wooden box was, for it to be placed in the ancestral hall explained that it was definitely something great. Yet, looking at his grandmother who was willing to give it away for his sake and the love she showed him, he was so moved that he wanted to cry.

“Off you go, grandson!” Hu Shi gently waved and sat back on the cushion.

****

Shanghai, Century Square.

Yu Shuqing sat with tilted legs on a bench at the northern end of the square while holding a hot milk tea he had just bought, chewing his last sausage. As the captain of the most mysterious Phantom Special Combat Squad in China, he had been through life and death situations countless times. At the moment, however, he looked like a street guy who did some dirty business.

“Do you think that money loving guy will come here, Captain?”

On the flower bed next to Yu Shuqing, Mo Xiaonan was yawning and looking bored. Only the good-looking belle who occasionally passed by made him look a bit spirited.

“He will. His mind is full of greed over money, so he naturally won’t miss the opportunity to make a fortune,” said Yu Shuqing casually. “Don’t look at that guy like he is just a crooked fella since he does have a lot of abilities. Else, how can he get information that those fellas in the intelligence agency can’t find again and again?”