"What's he doing here?"
Blood Refining Hall's Lu Ziqing was taken aback.
Before he could react, Sun Gui had already risen to greet the newcomer, offering tea with both hands and a face full of fawning smiles.
"My dear God of Wealth, what brings you here today?"
"Family matters, state affairs, worldly affairs—naturally, I'm here to lend a hand," Li Mo replied, taking a sip of the tea.
What else could he be here for? Investment, of course!
With the grand event hosted by the Great Yu Imperial Court, how could he miss the opportunity? Strangely enough, many of the renowned beauties from the Hundred Flowers Ranking seemed to know him.
"Ah? In that case, our Flourishing Trade Guild won’t interfere. If you need anything, just say the word. We might not have money, but we can certainly lend a hand with manpower," Sun Gui decisively withdrew.
Li Mo smiled at him. "Then I’ll trouble you, Manager Sun. There is indeed a matter where your help would be invaluable."
The scene left the gathered merchants stunned.Young Li Mo’s name already thundered across the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.
But their understanding of him was limited to his prodigious talent, his status as a young genius, and his uncanny ability to bring fortune to his wives...
So why did Sun Gui call him the "God of Wealth"?
They soon found out.
"Ahem, esteemed guests, hosting the Hundred Flowers Grand Banquet is a matter of national importance. It must be grand, splendid, and unforgettable—no small undertaking. Be prepared for the costs," the official announced.
"Our Money Gang offers two million taels of silver!"
"The God of Wealth Bank pledges three million taels, and we’ll cover all necessary materials for the event!"
"The Verdant Wood Society offers ten vials of Seven-Pattern Spirit Pills, and several fair maidens who initially declined have agreed to perform at the banquet as a favor to us."
"As for the Flourishing Trade Guild... well, we’ll follow Young Master Li’s lead."
Sun Gui toyed with his sunglasses, clearly pleased.
The others exchanged glances, unsure what the Flourishing Trade Guild was scheming, and turned their attention to the young man beside Sun Gui.
Lu Ziqing sipped his tea, his gaze fixed on the stage.
The hosting rights for the banquet had to remain firmly in his grasp—otherwise, complications would arise.
No matter what the other side offered, he would...
Li Mo solemnly raised two fingers in a "V" gesture.
"Young Hero Li, what does this mean?" the Minister of Rites asked, having already exchanged knowing glances with Lu Ziqing. No matter Li Mo’s bid, he could always...
"Double."
"Eh? Double what?"
"The sum of their three bids combined."
"...How much?!"
The unconventional "bidding war" concluded with startling speed.
The merchants, usually boasting of wealth rivaling nations, emerged dazed, never having imagined being overwhelmed by sheer financial force.
Double. All three bids combined. Words so unfamiliar yet so chilling.
Of course, it wasn’t just the merchants left reeling—Lu Ziqing, representing both the Blood Refining Hall and the Verdant Wood Society, felt his scalp tingle.
When Li Mo’s mountain of gold crashed onto the table, he knew even his connections with the Minister of Rites couldn’t salvage the situation.
The other side had simply offered too much.
Who the hell measures gold in "mountains"?!
Aren’t you worried about devaluing the damn metal?!
---
By evening, the riverside Cloud-Treading Pavilion blazed with light.
Logically, with the Hidden Dragon Tournament over, the place should’ve quieted down—the young talents returning home to their respective sects.
Yet, it remained bustling against all expectations.
"Eh? Brother Bai, Brother Cao, Brother Wu, weren’t you returning to Yunzhou?" Xiao Qin blinked at the returning swordsmen from Sword City.
Wu Chushu clasped his hands behind his back. "I suddenly realized the imperial capital’s scenery is vast, and it’d be a shame to leave without experiencing it all."
Bai Jinghong clicked his tongue in exasperation.
Cao Mu shook his head. "We were about to leave the city when Wu Chushu saw the notice at the gate and refused to go."
"What notice?"
"The Hundred Flowers Grand Banquet."
"Eh? Then I’m not leaving either."
Murong Xiao silently set down his luggage, acknowledging his unresolved weakness.
And he wasn’t alone.
News of the banquet spread, and one by one, young heroes who’d planned to depart reversed course, quietly reclaiming their seats.
Just then, Li Mo returned, accompanied by Zhong Zhenyue.
He seemed in low spirits.
After downing several cups of tea, he still couldn’t make sense of it.
So, he’d invested in the Great Yu Dynasty and the Hundred Flowers Banquet, right?
Then why did his system’s feedback read:
[Congratulations, Host! Successful investment in Minister of Rites Song Baiyue...]
[Congratulations, Host! Successful investment in Vice Minister of Rites...]
[Congratulations, Host! Successful investment in Minister of Revenue...]
Why were all the beneficiaries the very officials present earlier?
The question left Li Mo brooding.
Clearly, relying on those officials was unreliable. Yet, he’d already taken on the banquet’s responsibilities...
Only his own people could be trusted.
"Brother Li, you’re back. Should we postpone our return to Purple Sun Prefecture?" Xiao Qin sighed.
Personally, he didn’t mind, but his mentor’s nagging was relentless.
Li Mo nodded. "Yes, we’ll stay for now. There’s still the Hundred Flowers Banquet."
"Heh, Brother Li... you already have Fairy Han, yet you’re still eyeing the banquet?" Wu Chushu’s gaze accused him of heartless playboy tendencies.
"Misunderstanding."
"Oh? Then why stay?"
"I’m the investor."
"???"
The table fell dead silent.
In an instant, several expressions shifted from shock to silence, then to outright sycophancy.