"Uh…"

With a single slash, Liu Long was slain, leaving even Zhou Dalong, who had been about to speak, completely stunned.

This Mr. Lin has such an intense killing aura.

"Mr.… Mr. Lin, why did you just kill him?" Zhou Dalong asked urgently. "This Liu Long is…"

"Is what?" Xiang Yunlong suddenly declared, "I now announce that Jin Kui and Liu Long disobeyed orders. They were rashly seeking personal glory by attempting to rescue the hostages on their own, and were killed by the kidnappers!"

Hearing Xiang Yunlong's words, Zhou Dalong's expression changed.

Xiang Yunlong asked indifferently, "Any objections?"

"No, none." Zhou Dalong hung his head low.

"Do you have none, or do you not dare?"

Zhou Dalong looked up and shouted, "What the Commander said is the truth! This subordinate has no objections!"

"Very well." Xiang Yunlong nodded in satisfaction, then looked towards Lin Mu and smiled. "Mr. Lin, as you can see…"

From his form of address, it was clear that Xiang Yunlong held Lin Mu in high esteem.

Indeed, who wouldn't value such a talent?

Lin Mu turned his head to look at the Yang Brothers, his face holding a trace of indifference.

"Do you have anything left to say?" Lin Mu asked.

"Master… Master Lin, I…"

Facing Lin Mu's gaze, Yang Wu instantly broke into a cold sweat. Before, unaware of who Lin Mu truly was, he had been utterly disrespectful. But now, knowing that Lin Mu was the infamous Lin Wudi, Yang Wu was scared witless. So when Lin Mu asked if he had anything to say, he… he didn't dare utter a single word.

"Since you have nothing to say, then die."

Lin Mu raised his hand, ready to slay Yang Wu as well.

"Spare me!"

Yang Wu immediately dropped to his knees, pleading, "Master Lin, please, ignorance is no sin! Spare me this once. I swear, from now on, wherever you are, my brother and I will keep our distance."

Yang Wen also struggled to get up, bowing deeply to Lin Mu. "Master Lin, it was my brother and I who were blind and offended you. But please, consider that we came here to save people. Forgive our transgression this one time. In the future, if you have any commands for us, Master Lin, my brother and I will obey without question!"

Lin Mu frowned slightly, a flicker of hesitation in his eyes.

"Mr. Lin, do me a favor and let them off this time," Xiang Yunlong interjected. "If not for my sake, then for Granny Li's. After all, the two masters were only eager to save someone; their intentions were good."

Lin Mu glanced at Granny Li, fell silent for a moment, then nodded.

"I'll spare you this once."

Lin Mu flicked his wrist, unleashing a sword strike.

A kilometer away, Mount Zoujiao was instantly cleaved in two by a wave of Sword Qi.

"If there is a next time, you will end up like this mountain!"

"Scram!"

Hearing Lin Mu's words, the Yang Brothers dared not delay. They kowtowed to Lin Mu three times before helping each other up and departing.

After reaching the foot of the mountain, Yang Wu turned to look back, a bitter smile on his face. "This time, we've lost all face."

"Losing face is nothing. After all, that was Lin Wudi." Yang Wen's face showed no resentment, though there was an inevitable sense of dejection. He said, "Big Brother, there's something I've been wanting to tell you for a long time."

"Hmn, go ahead."

Taking a deep breath, Yang Wen said, "You need to change that fiery temper of yours. Master Lin spared us this time, but what about the next? Even if we don't provoke him again, there is always someone stronger out there in the world. Who knows if the next person we meet is some old monster? It's better to be amicable with others."

If this had happened before, Yang Wu's temperament would have compelled him to argue. As a Grandmaster, he had his pride. Kindness? That was for the weak. But after this experience, Yang Wu thought for a moment before replying seriously, "You're right. This personality of mine truly isn't befitting of a Grandmaster."

"Don't be disheartened, Big Brother. We may not have accomplished any great deeds in all our years as Grandmasters, but the road ahead is long. In the end, performing good deeds is always the right thing to do." Though he had lost an arm and was severely injured, Yang Wen's words showcased his magnanimity as a Grandmaster.

"Haha, you're right." Yang Wu sighed deeply. "Today, after meeting Master Lin, I am truly convinced. From now on, we can no longer act so recklessly."

Just then, a man hurried down from the mountain and saluted the Yang Brothers. "Masters, this is the elixir Commander Xiang requested from Mr. Lin. He said it can help Master Yang Wen recover from his injuries. Also, Master Lin asked me to relay a message: 'A just cause enjoys abundant support.' He hopes you will both reflect on this."

Looking at the porcelain bottle in their hands, the Yang Brothers' expressions shifted. They then turned and bowed deeply in the direction of the mountain.

"Yang Wu thanks Master Lin and Commander Xiang!"

"Yang Wen thanks Master Lin and Commander Xiang!"

Exchanging a glance, the two brothers shared a faint smile, then turned and vanished from sight.

「...」

Years later, a pair of twin brothers appeared in the military ranks of the West Chu Border. One, with a missing arm, favored white clothes. The other, dressed in black, loved to boast. Yet, whenever a great battle erupted, these two middle-aged brothers were always on the front lines, slaying countless foes and striking terror into the hearts of the enemy.

And then one day, when the Holy War began, these brothers—by then high-ranking officers—received an order. At one person's command, they led their army of three thousand elite soldiers to serve as his vanguard!

「...」

At that moment, Lin Mu was sitting in a rustic farmhouse with a unique charm. Stray dogs and cats wandered about. A neat vegetable garden sat beside the house, smoke curling from the kitchen chimney. Lin Mu hadn't experienced such a peaceful and simple life in many years.

Inside the unique country kitchen, an old woman and two young people were bustling about.

Xiang Yunlong and Lin Mu sat in the flower-scented courtyard, the fragrant aroma of tea rising from the table between them. Zhou Dalong and Guan Feifei stood behind them like sentinels.

"Mr. Lin, why did you have me deliver the elixir to the Yang Brothers earlier?" Xiang Yunlong asked after a moment of silence, voicing the question that had been puzzling him.

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "Those two aren't bad people at their core. Sending the elixir in your name was merely to encourage them to make the right decision. Isn't that what you were thinking as well, Elder Xiang?"

Xiang Yunlong was visibly shaken, as if the young man before him had seen straight into his heart. He stood, raised his teacup, and bowed deeply. "I, Xiang Yunlong, offer this tea in place of wine. Thank you, Mr. Lin!"

He had indeed wanted to recruit the Yang Brothers but had been unsure how to broach the subject. The fact that Mr. Lin had perceived his thoughts not only shocked him but also filled his heart with gratitude.

"Rest assured, Mr. Lin. I will have my people keep an eye on the Yang brothers. If they truly intend to join the military, I'll introduce them to the old guard. If they choose another path, I won't interfere, so long as they don't cause any trouble."

Lin Mu nodded slightly, lifted his teacup, and took a sip, his eyebrows raising in surprise. This tea was different from what he usually drank. It began with a slight bitterness that gave way to a rich, lingering aftertaste. It was like… the countless facets of life itself, all contained in a single cup.

"Excellent tea," Lin Mu praised without reservation.

"You're too kind, Mr. Lin. It's just some local tea that Qiran made," Granny Li said as she came out with the dishes. "But if you like it, Mr. Lin, you can take some with you when you leave. Let that girl Luo Li have a taste, too."

Lin Mu nodded. "Alright." He then turned his gaze to the girl standing behind Granny Li, his eyes lighting up slightly.

The girl set down the dishes and bowed deeply to Lin Mu. "My name is Li Qiran. Thank you for saving my life, Mr. Lin." Her demeanor was graceful and her voice was clear, leaving a good impression.

Lin Mu nodded slightly. What a remarkably refined and intelligent young woman, he thought.

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