Shanhe Festival 243. The Richest Man in the World

"You two, may I have a table?" A scholar in a blue shirt walked in from the door. He scanned the crowded lobby and walked to where Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li were sitting. Ye Li glanced at the lobby. The lobby was not big to begin with, but there were only seven or eight tables in it. It was already full in a short while. Although there were empty seats, it was indeed difficult for a scholar like him to squeeze in with those tough and domineering people in the martial arts world. It was not a big deal. After looking at Mo Xiuyao, Ye Li said calmly, "Please go ahead."

The scholar felt at first glance that the man in front of him was not an easy person to get along with, and he did not hold much hope. Unexpectedly, the woman in plain clothes agreed so easily that he could not help but be stunned for a moment before he hurriedly thanked her, "Thank you, young lady."

Ye Li's mouth twitched, and she clearly sensed the chill rising from the man beside her. She looked up at the scholar and said, "This is my husband." The scholar's expression was even more surprised. He had seen Ye Li in plain clothes, and her hair was not tied up like a married woman, but was casually tied up with a silver ribbon. Although she looked about 16 or 17 years old, there were many unmarried women in Xiling at the age of 17 or 18. He thought that the two were a pair of siblings or a pair of apprentices traveling together, but he didn't expect them to be a couple. "I'm really sorry, madam... what's the name of this gentleman?"

Mo Xiuyao looked up at him, frowned slightly, and after a long while he said calmly, "Ye."

In just a moment, the embarrassment and guilt on the scholar's face disappeared completely, and he looked at the two people as if they were old friends who had known each other for many years. "Brother Ye and his wife are also here to participate in this year's martial arts conference?"

Mo Xiuyao said calmly, "I can't say I'm participating, I just came here to join in the fun." The scholar clapped his hands and smiled, "That's great, I just want to join in the fun, why don't we go together? By the way... my name is Ren Qining."

Ye Li did not answer this time. She was not familiar with the martial arts world. Apart from a few famous masters, she did not know what other strange people and things there were. But at least she could see that Ren Qining was definitely not an ordinary scholar. Xiling was different from Dachu. Xiling was not a place full of Confucian scholars. It was strange for a scholar to appear in such a place, not to mention that he dragged them to the martial arts conference to join in the fun.

Mo Xiuyao put down the chopsticks in his hand, looked at Ye Li beside him and saw that she had finished eating, then stood up and pulled Ye Li away, saying calmly: "No need, my husband and I don't like to be disturbed by outsiders." He didn't care about the expression of Ren Qining behind him, and pulled Ye Li upstairs to rest.

"Xiu Yao?"

In the afternoon in the inn, Ye Li sat by the half-open window and read a travel book. The warm sunlight shining on her body made her feel lazy and unwilling to move. She was hugged from behind. Ye Li put down the book and looked at the man behind her.

"Hmm?" Mo Xiuyao stood behind Ye Li, leisurely watching the pedestrians coming and going on the street below.

Ye Li thought for a moment and asked, "I'm afraid that Ren Qining is not an ordinary person." Mo Xiuyao lowered his head and gently straightened the messy hair around her ears, and said softly, "It's indeed a little complicated, but don't worry. There are always strange people and things in the world, Ah Li, just treat it as a fun thing to watch."

Ye Li asked curiously, "How is Ren Qining's martial arts?" Ye Li could only see that Ren Qining was not a weak scholar, but she could not tell how deep his martial arts were. This proved that Ren Qining was much better than her in terms of internal strength and cultivation.

Mo Xiuyao frowned, thought for a moment and said, "He can at least be ranked in the top ten in the martial arts world. Maybe he can be ranked in the top five. I can't tell which family he belongs to." After all, Mo Xiuyao is not a martial arts person. When Mo Xiuyao was only fourteen years old, he shocked the world with his sword and won the title of the four great masters. After that, he spent more time and energy on the battlefield. He also knows a general idea of ​​what is going on in the martial arts world. Ye Li smiled helplessly and said, "I am so lucky. I can run into such a master just by walking around."

Letting Ye Li lean on him, Mo Xiuyao leaned over to look at her and said with a smile: "Don't pay attention to him. If such a small matter ruins our fun, we might as well not go to watch the martial arts conference."

"Aren't you afraid that someone else will take away the title of the four great masters?" Ye Li asked with a smile.

Mo Xiuyao snorted disdainfully and said, "Even if the title of the top ten masters is taken away by others, it does not change the fact that my martial arts skills are better than theirs. Moreover... How many people in this world need me to personally fight? Masters and non-masters are just a joke when they were young." Ye Li leaned in his arms and sighed softly, feeling both emotional and amused. The title of master that people in the martial arts world are vying for is just a joke in Mo Xiuyao's eyes. I wonder what the faces of those martial arts masters will be when they know this.

"I haven't seen a martial arts conference yet. Let's go and see what it's like?" Ye Li turned around and said.

"Okay, we'll go wherever A'li wants to go." Mo Xiuyao responded.

The martial arts conference would not be held in this unknown town, but the location is not too far from the town. It is located at Murong Villa, 10 miles outside Ancheng, the fourth largest city in Xiling, 200 miles away from the town. The next morning, Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao set off for Ancheng. As soon as they went downstairs, they saw Ren Qining, who was also about to pay the bill and leave. Unlike Mo Xiuyao's indifference, Ren Qining was very happy to see the two of them, "Mr. Ye, Madam Ye, what a coincidence. Are you two also preparing to set off?"

Mo Xiuyao took Ye Li to pay the bill and walked out. Being ignored so blatantly, no matter how elegant Ren Qining was, his face stiffened for a moment, but he still hurried forward, "Master Ye, Madam Ye..." Before he could finish his words, Mo Xiuyao turned around and looked at him for a long time before saying, "Master Ren, my madam and I rarely have the leisure time to go out. If we disturb other couples spending time together, we will be kicked by the horse." So, Ren Qining, who was stunned for a moment, could only watch Mo Xiuyao carry Ye Li on the horse and ride away, and he was unable to come back to his senses for a long time.

After leaving the town, Ye Li couldn't help laughing when she thought of Ren Qining who was left behind, who looked like he had swallowed a fly. Mo Xiuyao leaned on Ye Li's shoulder, casually controlling the speed and direction of the horse, and laughed softly: "Ali, why are you laughing so happily?" Ye Li shook her head repeatedly. Mo Xiuyao naturally knew what she was laughing at and didn't care. He said lightly: "That Ren Qining is probably up to something. No matter why he insisted on traveling with us, it's always uncomfortable to have him with us." Ye Li nodded. She didn't want to travel with anyone. "What kind of place is Murong Villa? A famous family in the martial arts world?" Murong Villa and the like are indeed places that often appear in martial arts novels. Every time it's about the eight great families in the martial arts world. If she had known that she would go to the martial arts world, she should have read all the memorials from the Anbu regarding the martial arts world.

Mo Xiuyao said: "Murong Villa...is not a famous family in the martial arts world. It is...the richest man in the world."

"Huh?" Ye Li was a little surprised. "The richest man in the world?" Ye Li had seen rich people before. The Feng Zhiyao family was one of the four richest families in Da Chu, but they didn't dare to claim to be the richest in the world. So how rich is the Murong family? "How does it compare to the Feng family?" Mo Xiuyao said, "Five Feng families may not be able to match the wealth of the Murong family."

Even though Ye Li was mentally prepared, she was still a little shocked. Mo Xiuyao explained slowly, "The Murong family is like the Xu family, both of which are famous families that have been passed down for hundreds of years. But unlike the Xu family, the Xu family is a family of scholars while the Murong family is a family of business. Therefore, their reputation and status have never been as good as the Xu family. When Xiling and Da Chu were still one, the Murong family was already the richest in the world. It is rumored that they control three mysterious gold veins. For many years, whether it is the Xiling royal family or even Da Chu Nanzhao Beirong, they all want to obtain these veins, but no one has succeeded."

"Wealthy enough to rival a country... Such a Murong family has been able to stay in Xiling for so long, so they must have something to rely on?" Ye Li said. Although the status of merchants is the lowest among the four classes of scholars, farmers, merchants and artisans, which of the following can be separated from business? Since ancient times, few people who are truly wealthy enough to rival a country have had a good ending.

Mo Xiuyao said, "When Xiling was founded, the Murong family helped greatly. After Xiling was established, the Murong family naturally benefited greatly. Xiling's business has never been as prosperous as that of Dachu. One of the reasons is that it is said that the Murong family controls nearly 60% of the shops in Xiling." Ye Li nodded. It is no wonder that Xiling's business is not doing well under such a monopoly. If business is not doing well, it is naturally difficult for the business to develop. After thinking about it, Ye Li smiled and said, "So the royal family of Xiling has long disliked the Murong family?"

Mo Xiuyao nodded in agreement and said with a smile, "That's right. But even so, the Xiling royal family dare not rashly take action against the Murong family. First of all, the Murong family is a businessman, unlike the Dingwang Mansion. If they are pushed to the limit, no matter which country they side with, the blow to Xiling will be absolutely fatal. In addition, it is said that the Murong family has an extremely rare and top master. Unfortunately, no one has ever seen this master. If they provoke him to a point of no return, both the Xiling Emperor and the Zhennan King will have only one life."

"Even the King of Zhennan is not his match?" Ye Li was surprised.

Mo Xiuyao looked down at her and smiled, "Although the names of the four great masters are determined in martial arts competitions, the real masters in this world are all secluded. There are also many masters of the older generation who have retired to the mountains, but if they really fight, how can the young people now compare with them in terms of their reading and experience, let alone their martial arts skills? The Murong family is the richest in the world, but for so many years, no one has dared to cause trouble or steal anything from the Murong family, so the saying that there is a master sitting in the house is somewhat credible."

"Your Highness is very interested in that mysterious master?" Ye Li asked, seeing that Mo Xiuyao's eyes were brighter than usual.

Mo Xiuyao shook his head and said, "I can't say whether I'm interested or not. If we really meet, I'll fight. If we don't meet, there's no regret."

If it was the young Mo Xiuyao, knowing there was such a mysterious master, he would definitely go to challenge him. But the current Mo Xiuyao would not do that. As the lord of the northwest, he is responsible for the safety of hundreds of thousands of Mo family soldiers and the people of the northwest. He is the biological father of A Li's husband Mo Xiaobao. He has to protect their safety and give them a peaceful and tranquil home. If he really has no choice but to face such a mysterious master, he can only go forward and fight with all his strength. If there is no such a master, there is no need to make himself uncomfortable. He is different from Ling Tiehan who is wholeheartedly pursuing martial arts.

"Who else is in the Murong family now? I don't think I've heard of any particularly famous people with the surname Murong in Xiling." Even though Ye Li didn't know much about the martial arts world, she still had a certain understanding of the northwest. Logically speaking, she shouldn't have missed out on the Murong family's reputation.

Mo Xiuyao smiled calmly and said, "Everything that prospers must decline. The Murong family prospered for hundreds of years, but they did not have the Xu family's low profile. They had to endure when they should, but they also had to pay a price. The previous generation of the Murong family had three sons and four daughters. One of the sons and one daughter died before they reached adulthood. The more successful of the two surviving sons was named Murong Xian, but he died inexplicably at the age of 23. Another son had been sick since childhood and died before he reached the age of 30. He passed away. He left behind a son and a daughter, but unfortunately... the son was a born idiot. The head of the Murong family was worried that the brothers from the side branch would take away his grandson's property and status, so he ruthlessly killed all the brothers and grandchildren from the side branch. Who knew that the idiot would fall into a pond and die at the age of nine? This incident alone seriously damaged the head of the Murong family, and it is said that he has not seen outsiders for many years. It is natural that Ah Li didn't know. "

Ye Li's heart moved, and she asked, "Doesn't that mean that the Murong family's future businesses will belong only to that Miss Murong? How old is that Miss Murong this year?"

Mo Xiuyao was startled, and after thinking for a while, he said, "It is said that the granddaughter of the Murong family master is three years younger than the idiot who died young. She should be about seventeen or eighteen years old this year."

Ye Li pursed her lips and smiled, then turned around to look at Mo Xiuyao and said with a smile: "I don't know why... why do I feel that this martial arts conference has something to do with Miss Murong?"

Mo Xiuyao leaned his head against Ye Li's forehead and laughed softly, "Even if it has something to do with her, it has nothing to do with us, isn't that right, Ah Li?"

Ye Li blinked her eyes and said, "The Murong family is rich enough to rival a country, are you really not tempted, Prince?"

Mo Xiuyao sighed helplessly, "There is no way. Who made me marry a princess who is not as rich as a rival country, but more precious than mountains of gold and silver? So I will not be able to get my hands on the Murong family's vast wealth."

Ye Li squinted at him, trying to look angry but unable to help but wanting to laugh, "Are you regretful, my lord?" Mo Xiuyao shook his head, "Ah Li and gold cannot be obtained at the same time, I will only give up gold and marry Ah Li. According to Ah Li, if this is true, this year's martial arts conference will be very lively. Let's go and see the excitement. However... if the Murong family really wants to choose a son-in-law for their granddaughter, why choose the martial arts conference? Ordinary dignitaries and celebrities will not go, right? Could it be that the Murong family only wants to choose someone with strong martial arts skills?"

"Who knows? Why don't you go and take a look?"

The wild horse Si captured from Nanzhao was no less valuable than a precious horse. It took only half a day for the two people to travel more than 200 miles. Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li went directly to Ancheng, which was the fourth largest city in Xiling. Naturally, they did not need to wrong themselves and found the best inn in the city to stay. This martial arts conference was indeed different from the previous ones. Although it was not yet time, all the inns in the city were already full. Not only the people in the martial arts world, but also many wealthy businessmen and even the powerful were among them. The best room in the restaurant where Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao stayed was already full, so the two had to stay in the second-class Dizi room.

Originally, with Mo Xiuyao's status, he didn't have to squeeze into the inn with others. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao had been traveling in remote paths for more than a month, so they didn't know that the Murong family had already sent out invitations to invite heroes from all over the world to participate in the martial arts conference more than a month ago. As the Prince of Ding, Mo Xiuyao was naturally among them, but the invitations were sent to the northwest Li City. Everyone who received the invitations was arranged to stay by the Murong family. For this purpose, the Murong family specially vacated a separate courtyard for these heroes from all over the world to stay temporarily. Mo Xiuyao had no intention of participating in this martial arts conference, so naturally he would not reveal his status to the Murong family and could only stay in the inn with Ye Li.

Qingyuan Inn in Ancheng is one of the best inns in the entire Ancheng. Those who can live here are naturally either wealthy or powerful, and among them are some outstanding disciples from famous sects in the world.

Ye Li looked curiously at the well-dressed travelers coming and going, and turned her head to ask Mo Xiuyao, who was sitting at the side and drinking tea leisurely, "Is every martial arts conference so formal?"

Mo Xiuyao pouted and said, "How is that possible? Most of the time, a few masters from the previous session would meet at a certain place to compete. Once the news gets out, people in the martial arts world will naturally go to join in the fun. The session I went to was an exception. Ling Tiehan went to challenge the King of Zhennan, and I happened to be playing nearby and joined in the fun, and we accidentally got into a fight. In fact, the only person who actually went to participate in the martial arts conference that time was Mu Qingcang."

Ye Li felt a little disillusioned that the so-called martial arts conference was so casual. But this also proved from another perspective how much the Murong family was attractive to the world.

Downstairs, a few handsome young men started fighting over a disagreement, and the place was in chaos. Ye Li watched the people below coldly as they fought back and forth, each move intended to kill the other, without any desire to get involved. After a while, the winner was decided, and the loser was so weak that he could no longer practice swordsmanship. The winner was naturally very proud, and laughed contemptuously: "Don't you even look at your own weight? You dare to covet Miss Murong."

This statement immediately showed that these people were not here for the so-called martial arts conference, but for Miss Murong or the Murong family. Before he could finish being proud, a hidden weapon shot from nowhere hit his chest, and the young man who was just full of pride immediately fell to the ground.

"Who let this idiot out to hurt others and himself?" Ye Li frowned and asked softly. The fight just now was started by the boy who was hit by a hidden weapon. He disabled another's hand but also lost his own life.

"That's Sun Jianhui, the eldest son of the famous sword family of Great Chu." An elegant and smiling voice sounded from behind. Ye Li turned around and saw Ren Qining standing at the stairs with a smile on his face, looking at the two people in the window.