After entering Liushe, the Audi stopped in front of a stone house. What caught Ye Mo's interest was the unusual design of the house. It was semicircular, somewhat like a Mongolian yurt. Although it had windows, they fit tightly with the stone walls of the house.
Zhuo Aiguo did not let the driver Xiao Yu or Xiao Lei enter with them; he only asked Ye Mo to accompany him inside the stone house.
The interior was spacious, and in the main hall there were over twenty people. Each looked very tough, even exuding a murderous aura. Even a layman could tell these were desperados. Except for two men with guns sitting beside the long-haired man at the head, everyone else held machetes or similar controlled blades.
As Zhuo Aiguo and Ye Mo entered, two burly youths at the door immediately stepped forward to frisk them. But as soon as they approached Ye Mo, he grabbed each with one hand and threw them aside like tossing chicks. The two flew back like cannonballs, falling precisely at the door.
Seeing this, the others holding knives raised their weapons, waiting for the long-haired man's orders.
The man at the head saw Ye Mo casually throw two strong men away and showed a flicker of shock in his eyes. But he quickly recovered, waving his hand to calm his men. Then he said to the others, "You all leave first. Stone and Shadow, stay behind."
Soon, only the long-haired man, his two aides, Zhuo Aiguo, and Ye Mo remained inside.
The long-haired man knew in his heart that this young man was not to be trifled with. Though he had many men, he was probably not a match for Ye Mo. It was better to be generous. Throwing two strong men aside so easily was not something just anyone could do. He also didn't intend to cheat them. He quickly cupped his fists and said, "Boss Zhuo, a pleasure to meet you. May I ask who this gentleman is?"
He looked at Ye Mo as he spoke.
Zhuo Aiguo understood immediately—this man was concerned about Ye Mo, not himself. He waved his hand and said, "Chairman Fang, don't worry about others. He's my friend and not much of a talker. He just came with me in case anything happened. I've brought my goods. What about your items, Chairman Fang?"
The long-haired youth glanced at Ye Mo with some hesitation, then took a wooden box from a leather pouch.
As soon as the wooden box appeared, Ye Mo sensed an unusual aura. This was definitely not an ordinary item—it carried a faint pure elemental spirit energy between heaven and earth.
A sharp gleam flashed in Ye Mo's eyes. He had a strong intuition that this item would be useful to him.
"Bring it here so I can take a look," the long-haired man said, holding the box and looking at Zhuo Aiguo.
Before Zhuo Aiguo could speak, Ye Mo waved his hand, and the wooden box flew automatically from the long-haired man's hand into Ye Mo's.
The long-haired man was shocked and immediately stood up. But he quickly suppressed his surprise. His gaze toward Ye Mo was no longer just caution but filled with deep respect and fear.
Not only the long-haired man but also his two remaining men behind him, as well as Zhuo Aiguo, stared at Ye Mo in disbelief. What kind of power or ability was this—calling an object from six or seven meters away with just a wave of the hand?
Ignoring their shocked looks, Ye Mo opened the box. Inside was just a dark vinewood segment. He picked it up and felt a faint spiritual energy ripple from it.
It was the Purple Heart Vine. Ye Mo immediately realized this was a section of root from the Purple Heart Vine, a spirit wood. To find such a thing on Earth was astonishing. He knew that spirit energy was scarce on Earth. Even finding a single Silver Heart Herb would have amazed him; now to discover a piece of Purple Heart Vine was extraordinary. It was a pity there was only a small piece; if there were more, it would be better.
"Brother Ye," Zhuo Aiguo stammered, stunned by Ye Mo's telekinetic ability. Before, Ye Mo fighting many men with quick moves seemed just skillful. But now, this remote grabbing of objects could no longer be measured by ordinary skill—it was unbelievable.
"Brother Zhuo, this will be useful to me. I wonder if you can part with it," Ye Mo said. If it were worth billions, he wouldn't even look. But although such spirit wood was common where he came from, here it was extremely rare and nearly impossible to find. Without coincidence, he might never come across such a piece in his lifetime.
"Ah," Zhuo Aiguo seemed still dazed from Ye Mo's earlier action. Hearing this, he suddenly realized and quickly said, "Since Brother Ye likes it, you can have it. This black-purple root is indeed rare. I only found out by chance that Chairman Fang here in Liushe has a piece."
Ye Mo noticed Zhuo Aiguo called it "black-purple root" and didn't correct him. Perhaps that was the local term.
Afterward, Zhuo Aiguo took an envelope, walked a few steps, and handed it to the long-haired man. "Here is a check. Please verify."
The long-haired man had recovered and stepped forward, cupping his fists before Ye Mo. "I am Fang Nan. I'm the leader of a small gang here. May I ask your honorable surname, brother?"
He had realized Ye Mo was no ordinary person and hoped to make an acquaintance. Although younger, he respectfully called Ye Mo "Brother Ye."
Ye Mo looked at Fang Nan, thinking to ask where he got this item. He also planned to stay in Liushe for some time, so it was necessary to build good relations with the local bosses.
"My name is Ye Mo. I plan to stay in Liushe for a while," Ye Mo said.
"That's great! If Brother Ye needs help with trivial matters, just find me, Fang Nan. This black-purple root is a gift to welcome Brother Ye. Brother Zhuo, sorry to bother you, please take back the check," Fang Nan said, pushing the envelope back to Zhuo Aiguo.
Zhuo Aiguo was displeased and pushed it back, "We agreed already. This is a gift to Brother Ye. We must pay."
Seeing their dispute, Ye Mo waved his hand. "Chairman Fang, please keep the check. You have many underlings to support. By the way, Brother Zhuo, what is this black-purple root used for?"
Zhuo Aiguo sighed and said, "When my son was eight, for some unknown reason, he suddenly became dull and mentally slow. Over two years, we visited countless hospitals and specialists but no cure. Later, an old Chinese medicine doctor told me that drinking water brewed from black-purple root for three years might cure the disease. I searched desperately and learned that Chairman Fang here in Liushe has a piece, so I hurried here.
"A few months ago, my great-uncle met a divine doctor in Ninghai. But when I rushed there, the doctor was gone. That doctor cured my great-uncle's long-ailing illness. I believe he could easily cure my son's disease. Alas, fate was not on our side. Besides, this black-purple root might not cure my son's illness—the doctor only said it was possible. Brother Ye, you might as well take it."
"Ninghai," Ye Mo repeated, thinking this must be the old man he saved recently there.
"Yes, Ninghai, at Likang Hospital. My great-uncle's illness had lasted years, and many experts had given up. But the divine doctor saved him against all odds. Such a miracle is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. Finding him again will be difficult," Zhuo Aiguo said somewhat regretfully.
Ye Mo was now certain the divine doctor he mentioned was himself.