After the meal, Li Qiran brought over a variety of home-grown fruits and brewed a pot of tea before leaving, giving Lin Mu and Xiang Yunlong some space. She knew that these two had something to discuss.

"You obviously didn't keep me here just for a meal, so out with it. What's the matter?" Lin Mu mumbled as he grabbed a piece of fruit and took a bite.

Xiang Yunlong gave an awkward smile. "It seems nothing can be hidden from Mr. Lin."

Taking a deep breath, he said, "Then I'll be direct. I'd like to invite you, Mr. Lin, to serve as the General Instructor of the Sichuan-Shu Military Region!"

Lin Mu was slightly taken aback. No wonder Xiang Yunlong had sent Zhou Dalong away after dinner. Was he meant to take Zhou Dalong's place? Looking at the nervous Xiang Yunlong, Lin Mu shook his head slightly.

"Mr. Lin, if you have any conditions, please name them. I will meet them as long as it's within my power!" Xiang Yunlong began to assure him.

"It's not about conditions," Lin Mu said. "It's that I'm already the General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy, so I can't accept your offer."

"What?" Xiang Yunlong exclaimed, his face full of astonishment. "Mr. Lin, you're saying... you're the General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy?"

"Right, right." Xiang Yunlong slapped his forehead. "I must be getting senile! I should have thought of this sooner. We'd already received news from the Military Department that the Southeast Military Academy appointed a new General Instructor who was about to take office. I can't believe I didn't realize it was you."

He had heard that the newly appointed General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy was from Jiangling with the surname Lin, but nothing else was known. It all lined up with Lin Mu.

After seeing Lin Mu's military ID, Xiang Yunlong felt both a sense of regret and relief.

"Since Mr. Lin is also in the military, I'll address you as Instructor Lin from now on," Xiang Yunlong said with a laugh. "Otherwise, it feels a bit awkward for a rough old soldier like me to keep calling you Mr. Lin."

Xiang Yunlong was forthright and had a clear sense of right and wrong. Honestly, Lin Mu had a good impression of him, so he also spoke casually.

"Instructor Lin, to be frank, before I knew your identity, I was planning to report your situation to Commander Xiao," Xiang Yunlong said with a slightly serious expression. "After all, what you did today was simply too shocking. If word of this gets out, it will cause widespread panic."

At that, Xiang Yunlong burst into laughter. "But that doesn't matter now. If that kid Zhou Dalong finds out that you're the new General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy, I can't imagine how thrilled he'll be."

Lin Mu offered a faint smile but didn't reply.

"It's just a pity the timing is so tight. Instructor Lin, even though your skills are matchless, there are only three months until the grand military competition," Xiang Yunlong sighed. "Otherwise, with you leading them, the Southeast Military Academy would definitely take first place this year."

Lin Mu just smiled faintly. "Three months? That's more than enough. I've already reserved first place."

Reserved first place? Xiang Yunlong's mouth hung open, momentarily at a loss for words.

"Haha, Instructor Lin is certainly confident," Xiang Yunlong laughed awkwardly. "In that case, I wish you swift success in claiming first place."

But inwardly, he sighed. Three months? How is that possible? Zhou Dalong is a razor-sharp blade of the Sichuan-Shu Military Region. The team he leads is like a pack of wolf cubs, always howling as they charge into battle. No matter how powerful Lin Mu is personally, that's just individual strength. How could he possibly train a team in three months to defeat Zhou Dalong's squad?

However, out of politeness, Xiang Yunlong didn't say more. He wasn't bragging—the Sichuan-Shu Military Region was the stuff of legends. Zhou Dalong was a soldier he had trained personally. Wherever Zhou Dalong went, the championship followed.

And why did the Southeast Military Academy change instructors so often? It was because their team was subpar, always finishing last.

Of course, there was one thing Xiang Yunlong didn't mention. Before Lin Mu, the General Instructor of the Southeast Military Academy had been none other than Zhou Dalong. He hadn't stayed long before Xiang Yunlong, through all sorts of pestering and pleading, managed to lure him back. In his own words, Zhou Dalong was his man and had to return to Sichuan-Shu, no matter what.

But even in that short time, the cadets at the Southeast Military Academy had developed a deep respect for Zhou Dalong. If you wanted to train them, you first had to earn their respect. And how do you do that? By being stronger than Zhou Dalong.

Lin Mu's personal strength was greater than Zhou Dalong's, but when it came to leading a team, ten of him would be no match.

Thus, Xiang Yunlong was secretly delighted. Mr. Lin, Mr. Lin, your strength may be comparable to a Sword Immortal's, but leading troops and waging war isn't child's play. A time for tears will come for you.

「...」

"Instructor Lin, regarding that child Li Qiran's identity, I hope you won't ask too many questions. I don't know the answers either," Xiang Yunlong said solemnly before he left. "I'm merely following orders to ensure the safety of the Li Family, especially Li Qiran."

"But don't you worry, Instructor Lin. I've already issued a gag order regarding today's events. No one will speak out of turn. As for the Security Bureau, you don't need to worry about them either. Anything involving Li Qiran is classified as a top national secret. They wouldn't dare trouble you!"

Lin Mu replied nonchalantly, "I'm not worried about the Security Bureau. My concern is the two Grandmasters who appeared. One was a foreigner, and I'm not sure about the other. I feel there's something more hidden here, so you should be careful."

"Thank you for the reminder, Instructor Lin. I've already sent men to investigate," Xiang Yunlong said, a cold glint in his eyes. "They dare stir up trouble on my turf? I'll flay them alive!"

"However, you can be at ease about my side, Instructor Lin. The Security Bureau won't dare to bother you directly. What I'm worried about is someone from Tibet taking action, especially since you've killed their Esoteric Sect Grandmaster, Xing Ge Da Wa." Xiang Yunlong's tone held a note of concern.

Lin Mu laughed freely. "So what if the whole world becomes my enemy? If I can kill one Xing Ge Da Wa, I can kill two!"

"Hahaha, spoken with power!" Xiang Yunlong roared with laughter. "Rest easy, Instructor Lin. My hundreds of thousands of soldiers in Sichuan-Shu are your most solid backing!"

Xiang Yunlong left. He didn't elaborate on Li Qiran's situation, but Lin Mu could guess a few things.

To be classified as a top secret and attract the attention of two Grandmasters... this Li Qiran was no ordinary person.

That night, Lin Mu went directly to Li Qiran and said something that stunned her.

"Are you willing to become my Disciple in Name?"

Hearing this, a flash of disappointment appeared in Li Qiran's eyes, and she bit her lip tightly.

"Of course, a Disciple in Name isn't a true disciple," Lin Mu continued. "If you are unwilling, I can offer you a different opportunity instead. However, from this day forward, you must not associate with Luo Li."

Li Qiran asked, "May I ask, what is your relationship with Luo Li?"

"She is my wife."

The disappointment in Li Qiran's eyes deepened. She touched her forehead to the ground and said, "Qiran is willing!"

"Good," Lin Mu said. "I don't have time to take you with me and instruct you now. However, you can go to the Southern Bai Miao Village in the Southern Sky and find a woman named Li Lingqing. She is your senior sister, and she will know what to do."

He reached out and tapped the center of Li Qiran's brow, sending a ray of divine light into her.

"Your journey to the Southern Sky will be fraught with peril, but with your master's mark, you will be kept safe from harm."

After a moment's thought, Lin Mu added, "Hmm... since you are now my disciple, your dharma name from this day on shall be Linglong!"

Li Qiran remained kneeling. "Linglong thanks Master."

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