Meanwhile, at Ma Clan’s resident, Ma Ping and Ma Moxi were having an important discussion inside a rundown living room with only one cracked wooden table and three stumps.

“It’s not like I have any hope, but your demand is quite absurd. We all are going to be broke and driven out of this city if you fail.”

“Failure doesn’t exist in my dictionary. I already secure enough funds for the herbs. All you need to do is to help me get the ingredients, so I can make more money at the upcoming city auction in a few months.”

Ma Moxi placed a dozen of spatial rings on the table. Inside the rings were the plundered treasures that he had looted from Qiang Sui’s dead son.

During the previous hit job, Ma Moxi killed Qiang Sui’s son and stole his treasures. An earth-grade weapon, expensive trinkets, spirit stones, and cultivation manuals inside the rings were enough to hire 100 capable soldiers, but Ma Moxi aimed to abuse the alchemic ability of his Heaven and Earth Pagoda to make money.

Ma Moxi’s goal was to sell special cultivation pills and spirit liquor, which could potentially be sold for several refined stones in the market. But the problem was, he couldn’t get his hands on a few critical herbs without Ma Ping’s connection.

Ma Moxi had to visit the black market, and that place wasn’t something that he could enter with his current strength. He needed a reference from his famous war hero.

Unfortunately, Ma Ping had no idea what Ma Moxie wanted to do since this hitman wasn’t good at communication. Moreover, he couldn’t use Qi, so he couldn’t examine these rings.

As Ma Ping didn’t trust his good-for-nothing grandson, he postponed the decision and questioned the source.

“Let’s wait for your uncle and Pang Lingming to return. I don’t know how much money you got or whatever method you used, but I don’t approve of crime. So, tell me honestly, where do you get these rings from?”

Ma Moxi simply smiled, “An idiot that tried to kidnap Xingjuan gave it to me.”

“So, do these rings belong to Qiang Yan?

“Correct.”

“I see. So, you killed Qiang Yan?”

Ma Moxi froze, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“One of Qiang clansmen visited me this morning to investigate and relay the news. Someone killed Qiang Yan last week, and they’re suspecting that you have something to do with it. Now, you suddenly tell me that Qiang Yan gave it to you. How can’t I suspect you? Did you kill him and steal his items?”

Ma Moxi shrugged, “Look. Qiang Yan is a peak-ranked Meridian Establishment Realm. What is my strength? A trashy level 10 Bone Refining Realm! I don’t know how he died, but that definitely has nothing to do with me.”

“…”

Ma Moxi’s storyline progressed smoothly. At the moment, this protagonist was close to gain the trust of his family and restore their strength. Had Pang Lingming and others found the items in the rings, they would have convinced Ma Ping to give Ma Moxi a chance to prove himself since it was his money.

However, Cao Mao’s interference had begun. The storyline had already deviated from the correct path.

While Ma Moxi was trying to convince his grandfather to cooperate with him, Ma Shoucheng, Ma Xingjuan, and Pang Lingming returned home.

“Grandpa, I have great news!”

Ma Xingjuan’s noise was so loud that she interrupted Ma Ping’s train of thought. The war veteran walked out of the building to the courtyard to see his favorite granddaughter.

“Xingjuan, what happened? Did you have a fortuitous encounter?”

When Ma Ping noticed the smiling faces of Pang Lingming and Ma Shoucheng, he realized that the news might be as good as the girl was bragging.

“Look, grandpa! We’ve struck a deal and earned 150 refined yin stones today!” Ma Xingjuan ejected two sacks of refined stones from her spatial ring, showing Ma Ping.

Sensing the intensely cold air from the sacks, Ma Ping backed away from them as it was harmful to a dantianless man like him. Still, he was delighted. He looked at his son and his only subordinate for further explanation.

Ma Shoucheng laughed, “We have one good news and one interesting news. What do you want to hear first?”

“Hmm, that’s up to you. How about the good news first?”

“Right. But before that, where’s Moxi?”

Ma Moxi heard the conversation. He came out of Ma Ping’s resident, “You call?”

“Good, good. You’re here. This good news is directly related to you, you useless brat!” Ma Shoucheng pointed his finger at Ma Moxi’s face, “Someone has commissioned us with a task, and he wants you to complete it by using your talent!”

“Me? I have talent?”

Ma Moxi had a deep frown on his face. He was confident in his good-for-nothing reputation, so no one should have paid attention to him. Yet, someone wanted his service.

“That’s right. You! Someone has commissioned you to spread an interesting rumor about the crown prince. He specifically asked for you to leak this info in your favorite brothel.”

“Huh?”

The previous owner of Ma Moxi’s body was a debaucherous young master, who always visited the red-light district whenever he had pocket money. But the current Ma Moxi’s body had a former hitman’s soul living inside while the previous body owner’s soul already perished.

The task put Ma Moxi in a tough spot. He never visited any brothel in this city after he had transmigrated into this trash young master, so he didn’t know anyone there.

“Can I refuse?”

“No, we’ve already taken the commissioned money. Our employer has also promised that he will give us another 100 refined stones if the task is done!”

Ma Moxi wanted to retort that he could make more than 200 refined stones if they listened to him, but he chose not to reveal his plan for now. It would be a lie if he said that he didn’t interest in the development.

Also, Ma Moxi needed to gather information in the local brothels to search for the black market. After all, the required ingredients for the Yin Yang Divine Vein that his Heaven and Earth Pagoda could make were extremely rare in this world.

He needed that pill to heal Ma Ping’s dantian!

At the same time, it was the same pill that Cao Mao wanted to make to complete Kunwu’s request. Cao Mao still had the recipe and the necessary ingredients!

“Alright. Fine. What kind of rumor do I have to spread?”

Ma Moxi was flexible and efficient. He switched his mindset to that of a professional hitman and got ready for the job.

Ma Shoucheng and Pang Lingming grinned and gazed at Ma Ping, who might find this news interesting.

“Remember Liu Hong?”

Ma Ping’s face grimaced, “That ingrate emperor? I worked so hard to eradicate demons and monsters from this continent. What did I get in return? He fucking hired assassins to kill me and my sons! You should be aware of this, Shoucheng. Why do you have to remind me of that bastard’s name!?”

“Of course. If possible, I don’t want to mention that son of a whore. Well, our employer wants us to spread a rumor about his son, the crown prince Liu Bian.”

“Oh?” Ma Ping got interested, “Is it something that can make you guys that happy?”

“Hahaha! Of course! Do you know what our employer wants us to spread?”

“What is it?”

“Liu Bian is practicing heretic art!”

“Ho? What kind of heretic art?”

“Necromancy.”

Instead of being surprised, Ma Ping squinted his eyes. A hundred schemes came to his mind as he had so many things he could do with this intel. However, it required a piece of clear evidence and supports from major clans to start rallying an open accusation against the Liu Clan.

Ma Ping glanced at Ma Moxi. Since they had learned this intel from a dubious source, the best move they could do right now was spreading rumors and influence other major clans to confirm this information.

“Moxi, you must complete this mission to the best of your abilities. Remember, the Liu Clan is our family’s nemesis. The reason that we have to bow our heads to the Qiang Clan is because of the Liu Clan! This is a good opportunity to sabotage Liu Hong and his son’s reputation while we’re making some money. Don’t disappoint me.”

Ma Moxi had heard everything. He also had researched the background of the Ma family, so he was aware of the relationship between the Liu Clan and the Ma Clan.

“Okay.”

Without saying much, Ma Moxi nodded and left. However, he forgot about the rings and the proof of his competency. When he got out of everybody’s sight, he activated his Heaven and Earth Escape, becoming an invisible spirit and flew away.

The Ma elders didn’t realize how Ma Moxi departed. They continued their conversation.

“Say, who is this employer you’re talking about?”

“Ah,” Ma Shoucheng grinned. “For that, I think Xingjuan should explain.”

Ma Ping turned to Ma Xingjuan and raised his eyebrows, “Xingjuan, do you know this person?”

Ma Xingjuan nodded. She told everybody what she knew about Cao Mao;

His identity as Mao Miaomiao, a former stray slave,

His identity as Xu Miao, the adopted son of Xu Xiuying,

The rumor inside the Silver Phoenix Sect when Mao Miaomiao was pampered by Xu Xiuying,

The monstrous speed of Mao Miaomiao’s cultivation progress,

And the current cultivation base of Mao Miaomiao.

Listening to the girl’s story, everyone looked at each other in disbelief.

“So you’re saying that his cultivation base jumped from 1st-stage trash to the half-step 4th-stage within a year!?”

“Yes. I think Xu Xiuying must have showered him so many cultivation resources that his strength increases so fast. Well, he can pay us 150 refined stones, so he must be that rich.”

“Hmm.”

Ma Ping was an experienced expert. He understood that cultivation resources alone couldn’t raise a talentless person’s strength within a short period. Everything required the right constitution foundation, knowledge fundamental, insight, enlightenment, proper cultivation techniques, aptitude, and hard work.

There was no such thing as a successful lazy cultivator. Only the hardworking cultivators could succeed.

In short, Ma Xingjuan’s former sect master might have noticed Cao Mao’s hidden talent, so she adopted him as her son.

Coming to such a conclusion, Ma Ping had another inspiration.

“You know, Xingjuan.”

“Yes?”

“Can you invite Mao Miaomiao to visit me? I have something to discuss with him.”

“Oh? That’s simple. He gave me his SNS. Give me a second.”

Ma Xingjuan sent a message to Cao Mao and told him that her grandfather wanted to see him.

While Ma Xingjuan was busy, Ma Ping had another thing to ask.

“Xingjuan, do you have a boyfriend?”

Ma Xingjuan had goosebumps when her grandfather questioned her about her private life. She didn’t like it, “Can we not talk about this?”

“You don’t have one, I presume.”

“That’s none of your business, grandpa!”

“True. Well, let’s change the subject, can you ask your employer if he’s affiliated to any clan?”

Ma Ping’s grin was so wide that Ma Xingjuan and others could easily guess his intention, “Are you trying to recruit him to our clan?”

“Why not? He’s talented and rich, right?”

“More like rich and stupid. I think Moxi will probably latch on him like a leech when they meet.”

“Hahaha! I know right? Well, don’t spook him. Just ask if he belongs to any clan for now. Try to invite him here.”

“Okay, okay!”

Ma Xingjuan kept texting to Cao Mao and relayed her grandfather’s messages.

Unbeknownst to Ma Xingjuan, Ma Ping already had plans for her future. He had asked if she was single or not for a reason. Ma Shoucheng and Pang Lingming also guessed the clan leader’s intention, and they couldn’t stop smiling.

‘Brilliant, father. It’s better to marry her to an unaffiliated genius and draw him to our clan than giving her to a horny brat from the Qiang Clan.’

‘As expected of the clan leader. You’re shrewd as always. That young man can be a great asset to us.’