Did he really kill him?

The crowd stared at Dai Yongqing's body on the ground, momentarily lost in disbelief.

This child possesses such intense killing intent! He kills without a moment's hesitation, like a young god of slaughter!

Liu Xiaolin withdrew his finger and bounced over to Liu Zijian, flashing an innocent and adorable smile at him.

Liu Zijian's face paled, and he nearly took a subconscious step back before managing to stop himself.

This is my son! No matter what Xiao Lin becomes, he will always be my son!

Taking a deep breath, Liu Zijian grasped his son's hand, giving it a firm squeeze.

Liu Xiaolin's body stiffened for a moment before he slowly relaxed, a sweet smile touching the corners of his mouth.

Watching this unfold, a smile touched Lin Mu's lips as well.

It seems that person's influence on Xiao Lin is waning. Still, a permanent solution must be found.

***

"Master Lin, I have something to say!"

With Dai Yongqing dead, Long Ao grew tense. He knew it was his turn next.

"Speak," Lin Mu said, watching him with a leisurely expression.

"I..." Taking a deep breath, Long Ao said, "No matter what, I cannot escape my involvement in this matter. I don't ask that you spare my life, Master Lin, but I hope you can let my family go!"

Lin Wudi's reputation was known to everyone in the Three Rivers Area. He was infamous for slaughtering entire clans at the slightest provocation, a man of extreme ruthlessness.

Long Ao knew that even though Dai Yongqing was dead, his son would not escape. He figured the same would apply to him. He also had a wife and children, and he pleaded with Lin Mu to spare them.

He wasn't wrong. Dai Yifeng had died before he even reached the hospital. Lin Mu hadn't just severed his hand; he had left a strand of Sword Qi in Dai Yifeng's body, a thread of energy that would pulverize his internal organs the moment Lin Mu willed it.

"I hope Master Lin will grant me this!" Long Ao knelt on the ground, his heart filled with regret.

Lin Mu glanced at him indifferently. "Pleading with me is useless."

A shiver ran through Long Ao's body. He immediately turned to Liu Zijian. "I hope Elder Liu will spare my family. I beg you!"

Ao Ye, the leader of the Six Dragons of Jiangbei, was actually calling someone else 'Elder.' If any outsider heard this, they would be shocked speechless.

"Elder Brother Mu, let's just let this matter go," Liu Zijian said, looking at Lin Mu.

Lin Mu glanced at Liu Zijian and nodded. He understood his brother's intentions. Liu Zijian wanted to continue developing his influence in Jiangbei, which naturally required the support of local powers. Otherwise, after one Dai Yongqing, there would be a second, and then a third. Lin Mu couldn't possibly be as lucky every time to arrive and save Liu Zijian as he was this time. Nor could he keep watch over Jiangbei day in and day out.

They were brothers, so he naturally understood his brother's painstaking efforts.

He wants to build something for himself, starting right here in Jiangbei!

Lin Mu smiled in satisfaction.

"Though your life will be spared," Lin Mu said, "you will not escape punishment!"

"Thank you, Master Lin, for the mercy of sparing my life!" Hearing he wouldn't be killed, Long Ao was overcome with ecstatic joy, tears of excitement streaming down his face.

"If you're going to thank someone, thank him. With my temper, you're lucky I haven't slaughtered your entire clan!" Lin Mu stated coolly, nearly scaring Long Ao to death.

So it's true. Lin Wudi really does enjoy slaughtering entire families!

Thinking this, Long Ao hurriedly kowtowed to Liu Zijian. "Thank you for your magnanimity, Elder Liu! From this day forward, whatever you command, I will go through fire and water without hesitation!"

"No need for formalities." Liu Zijian gave a slight clasp of his hands, his demeanor neither servile nor overbearing. Having spent so much time with Elder Brother Mu, Liu Zijian had naturally grown more composed and developed a dignified air.

"Very good, Long Ao. From now on, you will be responsible for assisting Zijian," Lin Mu declared. "As long as you are sufficiently loyal and do not act with duplicity, I guarantee that you can become not just the Dragon of Jiangbei, but the Dragon of the entire Three Rivers Area. It wouldn't even be difficult."

"Thank you, Master Lin! I will certainly not fail to meet your expectations!" Long Ao bowed deeply, his voice thick with gratitude.

Lin Mu sat on his chair like an emperor surveying his domain, his aura majestic and commanding. "However, you must also remember that you only have one chance. If I find even the slightest reason to be dissatisfied, you know the consequences!"

"Yes, I shall strictly obey Master Lin's command!" Long Ao's forehead struck the floor with force. His trembling voice was enough to stir the hearts of all who heard it.

"Rise," Liu Zijian said, moving to help Long Ao to his feet. "From now on, we are brothers."

"I dare not, I dare not," Long Ao said, waving his hands frantically. "In the future, I hope Elder Liu will look after me."

As of now, Liu Zijian was arguably the one person in Jiangbei nobody could afford to offend. His son was a Sword Talent that the Crane Immortal Sect was desperate to recruit. His brother was Lin Wudi, the Martial Arts Grandmaster ranked tenth on the Heavenly List. How could anyone dare to cross such a man?

Perhaps, as of today, the so-called Five Phoenixes and Six Dragons of Jiangbei would be no more.

"Master Lin..."

With the matter resolved, the members of the Crane Immortal Sect breathed a collective sigh of relief. After much hesitation, Liu Su finally decided to speak.

"What is it? You want me to persuade Xiao Lin to join your Crane Immortal Sect?" Lin Mu asked, cutting her off as if he already knew what she was going to say. "But what, exactly, can your Crane Immortal Sect offer him?"

"Our sect has a great wealth of Cultivation Techniques and sword arts!" Liu Su said hastily. "If this child joins our sect, I guarantee he will become my father's closed-door disciple and my own junior brother!"

"GASP!"

The Great Elder and the others sucked in a sharp breath, utterly shocked. There's a huge difference between a direct disciple and a closed-door disciple. A direct disciple is simply one of many under the Sect Leader, but a closed-door disciple is the very last student a master will ever take. As such, the master passes down their entire legacy to them. Therefore, the offer Liu Su made was incredibly significant.

"Not enough," Lin Mu said flatly. "I have cultivation techniques and sword arts as well. Besides, with my status, do you really think I can't teach a disciple better than the Sect Leader of your Crane Immortal Sect?"

"I dare not!" Liu Su bowed quickly, her expression tense. She had witnessed Lin Mu's Sword Dao firsthand. She knew her offers were indeed insignificant in comparison.

Liu Su glanced at Liu Xiaolin, her heart filling with reluctance and disappointment. "Since that is the case, then I will take my leave."

"Actually," Lin Mu said suddenly, "even if Xiao Lin doesn't become a disciple of your Crane Immortal Sect, he could be something else."

Liu Su instinctively asked, "What?"

"An Honorary Guest Officer!"

***

Lin Mu and his group departed.

Liu Su also left with the stunned disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect. She said she had to return to the sect to discuss the matter.

An Honorary Guest Officer? Thinking of the condition Lin Mu had proposed, Liu Su couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. She was confident her father and the entire Crane Immortal Sect would agree.

It wasn't for any other reason than Lin Wudi himself.

Hua Meiniang was shocked, but her feelings were far more complex. Recalling Lin Mu's ruthless treatment of her, her heart was filled with bitterness and, strangely, a flicker of shyness. This man was truly different from any other she had ever met. Ruthless, decisive, and aloof! Yet, instead of hatred, Hua Meiniang found herself inwardly captivated by him. His thoughts and actions were so breathtaking they seemed to be beyond the mortal realm! Perhaps, without even realizing it herself, her fear of him was mingled with a sliver of admiration. A man like that is the only kind who could become a Martial Arts Grandmaster revered by thousands! She wondered what kind of woman could possibly be worthy of him.

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