Misfortune

The crack that reverberated through the Qing Mao Mountains was so powerful that Mo Bei felt it in his bones. He had not anticipated this event, which was not mentioned in any of the books he had read. He paid little attention to it at first, but the commotion in the streets quickly caught his attention. Distraught farmers were shouting about their ruined fields, and one mentioned that the southern village of Hue had been completely destroyed. Mo Bei realized with a sinking feeling that this was the same village where the inheritance cave was located.

The farmers' distress was palpable as Mo Bei heard their desperate cries. They were gathered in the streets, with worried looks etched on their faces. One of them exclaimed, "The fields have all been ruined!" His voice was filled with anguish and despair. Mo Bei could see that the crops that had once grown tall and healthy were now flattened and destroyed.

Another farmer chimed in, "The southern village of Hue has been completely destroyed too." His voice was shaky, and he looked like he was about to break down in tears. "We have lost everything, and winter is coming. Where will we go?" he asked, his voice cracking.

Mo Bei could feel their pain and desperation. He knew how hard the farmers worked to cultivate their crops and provide for their families. To see all their hard work destroyed in an instant was a devastating blow. It was clear that they had no idea what to do or where to turn for help. Mo Bei felt helpless as he listened to their cries of anguish.

He, too, felt a bit of despair.

Rushing to the cave, Mo Bei discovered that it had been completely destroyed, making it almost impossible to obtain the Jade Skin Gu Worm he had been hoping to find. He wondered if his actions had somehow angered the heavens or if it was just a case of bad luck. Either way, he had lost a fortune in primeval stones.

Despite this setback, Mo Bei was pleased to have secured a reliable source of income through his protection fees. With 22 students already paying him, he could see this number growing in the future.

He planned to save the extra money, for the time when he would reach rank 2. Even saving a portion of his earnings each week would add up to a significant sum by the end of the year. If only he hadn't encountered this setback, his path to strength would have been much smoother.