"Why? How could this happen?"

Wang Ru sat slumped on the stool, her face pale and her eyes hollow and lifeless.

Just a moment ago, she had received a call from the Wang Family Clan telling her that the plan had failed.

Chang Wei was dead. The Martial Arts Grandmaster whom the Wang Family Clan had hired at great cost was also dead.

"Madam, what should we do now?" the Fang Family's butler asked in a panic, completely at a loss.

When the Fang Family was annihilated, Wang Ru had not been home. She had gone to visit her own family and had luckily escaped the disaster.

Using all her connections, Wang Ru had pointed all the evidence toward a man named Lin Mu.

Yet, even after finding Chang Wei and pleading with her family to enlist Southern Butcher's help, she had still failed.

"What I need to confirm now is who exactly killed Chang Wei and Southern Butcher!" Wang Ru said through gritted teeth. "I refuse to believe that this man, Lin Mu, possesses such incredible power!"

As a family matriarch from a prestigious clan, Wang Ru's capabilities and courage were far beyond those of an ordinary person.

Most of the Fang Family's men were dead, and not a single one of her sons had been spared. Wang Ru was consumed by a single desire: revenge.

"Yes, Madam!" the butler said. "I will find the man responsible!"

After dismissing the butler, Wang Ru, looking utterly exhausted, said in a hoarse voice, "No matter who you are, I will kill you. I will avenge my husband and my sons!"

---

"Lin Mu, the Commander wanted me to tell you to be careful. Southern Butcher might challenge you."

Lin Mu had just had Qin Luoli absorb the power of the Nether Flower Spirit Core when Han Xiaochuan's call came in.

"No need," Lin Mu replied nonchalantly. "Southern Butcher is dead."

Han Xiaochuan was silent. "..."

"Hey, say that again!" Han Xiaochuan roared into the phone, as if he couldn't believe what he had just heard.

Lin Mu held the phone away from his ear, waiting until Han Xiaochuan calmed down before explaining what had happened at the arena.

Silence followed on Han Xiaochuan's end for a moment, and then Lin Mu heard Elder Xiao's voice over the phone.

"Lin Mu, although the Martial Arts Association and the Martial Alliance are two different systems, the Martial Alliance has always had its eye on the Association. You need to be careful."

Han Xiaochuan's tone grew more serious. "Also, East Madness is currently in Jiangling. Watch your back."

Lin Mu frowned. What did East Madness being in Jiangling have to do with him?

"In any case, you must be cautious," Han Xiaochuan said finally. "No matter what you do, the Commander will always have your back."

Lin Mu said, "Please thank Elder Xiao for me. When I get a chance to visit the Capital, I'll treat him to tea."

"Young Lin, you'll get your chance," Elder Xiao's laughter came through the phone, and then the call was disconnected.

Onboard a private plane, Han Xiaochuan sounded somewhat exasperated. "Commander, why do you always protect that kid?"

Elder Xiao chuckled. "If you were anything like him, I'd protect you too."

Han Xiaochuan pouted. "Forget it. That guy's a monster. I can't compare."

Elder Xiao burst into hearty laughter, clearly in high spirits.

Below, the mountains and rivers were magnificent. The people lived and worked in peace and contentment, all thanks to the countless individuals who bore the weight of the nation on their shoulders.

---

"Brother Mu, I'll be in Jiangling soon. Where should I meet you?"

Lin Mu had no sooner hung up with Han Xiaochuan than another call came in from Liu Zijian.

"I'll send you my location. Just come straight here," Lin Mu said, sending the coordinates to Liu Zijian.

"Alright, see you in a bit," Liu Zijian replied.

「An hour later.」

「Coiling Dragon Bay.」

Liu Zijian stared, dumbfounded, at the scenery that looked like it belonged in an Immortal Realm. "Brother Mu... lives here?" he exclaimed in awe.

"Of course," Long Ao said. "Brother Zijian, you may not know this, but this entire area belongs to Mr. Lin."

"What?"

Liu Zijian was stunned. He had heard Lin Mu was developing property in Jiangling, but he never imagined it would be a place like this.

That's Brother Mu for you. Liu Zijian chuckled, genuinely happy for his good friend.

"Come on, Xiao Lin. Let's go meet your godfather!" Liu Zijian took Liu Xiaolin by the hand and walked deeper into Coiling Dragon Bay.

"This fog is so thick," Liu Zijian remarked, admiring the surroundings as he walked.

Liu Xiaolin was equally excited. Most importantly, he was about to see Lin Mu.

"Dad, be careful!"

At that moment, Liu Xiaolin suddenly pulled Liu Zijian back. He took two quick steps, clenched his small hand into a fist, and threw a punch.

Although Liu Xiaolin was only four or five years old, his cultivation was not to be underestimated. That single punch contained, at the very least, the power of a cultivator at the Mid-Stage of External Strength. Coupled with his Limitless Sword Body, it was filled with a sharp, murderous aura.

A sharp cry echoed from the mist, filled with rage and unwillingness.

"Stop!" Just then, a calm voice rang out. The fog parted to reveal a path where Lin Mu stood waiting for them in front of a villa.

"Godfather!" Liu Xiaolin's face lit up with joy, and he ran over.

"Kid, have you been practicing diligently?" Lin Mu asked as he hugged Liu Xiaolin, a gentle smile on his face.

"Of course!" Liu Xiaolin declared. "I'm really strong now!"

Lin Mu glanced to the side, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Liu Xiaolin noticed it too—a little girl, even younger than him. She had two pigtails sticking up, wore a pink dress, and was glaring at him with eyes blazing with fury.

It was the ghost infant, Yiya.

Liu Xiaolin leaned in and whispered into Lin Mu's ear, "Godfather, don't tell me it was this little girl who just traded blows with me?"

"It was her," Lin Mu said, putting Liu Xiaolin down. He patted the boy and said, "Go on and play. I need to talk to your dad about something."

"Oh," Liu Xiaolin agreed and walked toward Yiya. She was clearly a bit afraid of him and took two steps back.

"Uh..." Liu Xiaolin felt a bit awkward. He scratched his head, then suddenly pulled a few pieces of candy from his pocket. He held them out to Yiya and said, "Here, for you. My name is Liu Xiaolin. What's yours?"

Her eyes lit up at the sight of the candy in his hand. She softly made a sound.

"Yiya..."

"So your name is Yiya! Well, from now on, we're friends," Liu Xiaolin declared.

Yiya tilted her head, looking at him as if pondering something. After thinking for a moment, she managed to force out two words.

"Id... iot..."

Watching the little girl skip away, Liu Xiaolin was dumbfounded. This wasn't what Dad told me would happen. Didn't he say that if you give a girl candy when you first meet, she'll want to play with you?

「Over on Lin Mu's side.」

"What brings you to Jiangling? I hope nothing went wrong back in Jiangbei."

"What could go wrong?" Liu Zijian said. "With Long Ao and Sister Hua managing things, our products are in such high demand we can't keep up."

Lin Mu nodded and glanced at Long Ao, who was standing in the distance. "Long Ao is a man you can associate with, but not one you should get too close to."

"I know, Brother Mu." Liu Zijian scratched his head and whispered, "So... is Sister-in-law around? She's not here, is she?"

"She just left. Why?" Lin Mu replied.

Liu Zijian let out a huge sigh of relief. He glanced around before saying, "I was just afraid she'd get the wrong idea."

Lin Mu was both amused and exasperated. "If you have something to say, just spit it out. What is it?"

Liu Zijian then whispered, "Well, there's a class reunion coming up. I heard Song Wenrou and Tao Shiyu will be there. And... Tao Shiyu is getting married soon."

Lin Mu froze for a moment.

"When?"

"I don't know," Liu Zijian said cautiously. "Brother Mu, are you... going?"

Lin Mu shook his head. "Forget it. I'm not going."

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