Yang Yun's expression changed abruptly.

Xiao Mu's words were merciless, leaving Yang Yun's face even more dishonored.

Xiao Mu continued, "However, since Respected Envoy Yang does not dare to fight me, I won't force it. Let's consider our previous arrangement settled."

"Of course, if Respected Envoy Yang is not convinced, you can come to find me anytime. I, Xiao Mu, am always ready to exchange pointers with Respected Envoy Yang."

"Rest assured, as both members of the Great Tang Ruins lineage, I, Xiao Mu, will only aim to win, and won't harm you, Respected Envoy Yang."

Yang Yun's face turned from pale to flushed. In front of so many subordinates from the Reward and Punishment Hall, Xiao Mu's words left him utterly humiliated.

Nevertheless, he felt a sense of relief knowing that Xiao Mu had let him off the hook and was no longer seeking a duel, sparing him from loss.

"Old Du, let's go!"

Xiao Mu called out to Du Wenzhen and turned to leave.

He couldn't say anymore. He had regained enough face, and further provocation might really enrage Old Cui.

Even if Old Cui wouldn't kill him, with his status, dignity, and strength, if he truly decided to humble himself and teach Xiao Mu a lesson, Xiao Mu would have no choice but to endure it.

Du Wenzhen alertly followed Xiao Mu out.

"Arrogant!"

As Xiao Mu left the Reward and Punishment Hall, Mr. Cui angrily snorted and his face showed resentment. However, mindful of his own dignity, he didn't chase after them.

"Respected Envoy, I..." Yang Yun said with a shamefaced look.

"No need to say more," Mr. Cui waved his hand. "This person won't be arrogant for much longer. The Second Leader is planning to replace the Third Leader, to take charge of the Task group. Once the Second Leader's plan succeeds, I will replace Wu Yan as the head of the Task group."

"When I become the head of the Task group, I'll make sure to deal with him properly for you."

"Thank you, Respected Envoy!" Yang Yun rejoiced, quickly bowing in gratitude, and added expectantly, "I hope the Second Leader's plan succeeds soon."

"It will be successful, just be patient!" Mr. Cui's face broke into a smile.

"Old Xiao, you're awesome!"

Outside, Du Wenzhen gave Xiao Mu a thumbs up, "Even daring to provoke Old Cui, you're the man, you're amazing!"

Someone like Mr. Cui, who held the rank of Yin God, was one of the very few in the Great Tang Ruins; there weren't many who would dare provoke him.

Yet Xiao Mu not only provoked Mr. Cui but also spoke confidently in front of him, showing no fear at all, an attitude that Du Wenzhen could not help but admire.

Xiao Mu spoke indifferently, "In the future, it's best to avoid Old Cui as much as possible."

This time, Xiao Mu had seriously offended Mr. Cui. While Mr. Cui, as a Yin God powerhouse, wouldn't dare do anything in public, what he might do in private was uncertain.

Xiao Mu had to be on guard.

"Great, Old Xiao, I've been implicated by you. Old Cui saw me just now, so if he goes after you, he will definitely target me as well. Don't you think you owe me some compensation?" Du Wenzhen rubbed his hands together, grinning with a crafty smile.

"Compensate you? Sure! What would you like?" Xiao Mu looked at Du Wenzhen with a smile that wasn't quite a smile.

"Forget it!"

Seeing Xiao Mu's smile, Du Wenzhen inexplicably shuddered and hurriedly said, "We're brothers, what's all this talk of compensation? Forget it, haha!"

He continued with a forced laugh.

A few minutes later, the two arrived at the Task group's station.

"Old Xiao, will you join the first or second group?"

Outside the doors of the Task group, Du Wenzhen suddenly asked.

Xiao Mu thought for a moment, "The first group. I've met the leader of the first group, Wu Yan. By the way, who is the leader of the second group? And what's their strength?"

Du Wenzhen replied, "Since you're joining the first group, I'll join it too. As for the second group's leader, they are also a peak Yin God Realm powerhouse like group leader Wu Yan. As for their name, I'm not quite sure."

"By the way, by joining the first group, are you a follower of the Third Leader?"

"I've heard that the Second Leader and the Third Leader don't get along well. Group leader Wu Yan relies on the Third Leader, Chen Fengshen, while the second group's leader is close to the Second Leader, Zhou Pudu."

"Oh!" Xiao Mu's mind was stirred, though his facial expression remained unchanged.

He hadn't expected the Task group's internal relationships to be so complex.

The leaders of the two groups were divided into two factions, each loyal to the Second and Third Leaders.

Perhaps this was just a balance of power, but Xiao Mu found it rather disagreeable.

Nonetheless, knowing that the second group's leader was backed by Zhou Pudu left him with only the first group as a choice.

Although joining the second group means the Second Leader wouldn't dare openly suppress him, there would certainly be no lack of underhanded obstruction.

Xiao Mu, well familiar with the procedures, led Du Wenzhen to the first group to get their identities registered in the Office Hall first.

There were no impediments to registering their identities; they easily completed the process, and after presenting their proof of identity for registration, they officially became members of the Task Group.

"Follow me; I'll take you to meet Envoy Feng."

The Office clerk who registered them summoned Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen to Feng Rensong's office.

Seeing Xiao Mu, Feng Rensong showed a face of surprise, "Xiao Mu, you've actually broken through to the Mid Yin God Realm so quickly!"

The speed of Xiao Mu's breakthrough astonished Feng Rensong.

It had been only about a month, yet Xiao Mu had remarkably broken through to the Mid Yin God Realm and returned to the Task Group after his training.

"Envoy Feng, these two are...?"

The Office clerk who brought Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen in was about to give an introduction but was interrupted by Feng Rensong waving his hand and laughing, "Old Xu, no need for introductions. I recognize this one, and, in fact, I was the one who sent him to Reserve Duty."

"In that case, I won't say much more."

Office clerk Old Xu chuckled, "Envoy Feng, have a nice chat, goodbye."

As soon as Old Xu left, Feng Rensong's gaze shifted from Xiao Mu to Du Wenzhen, inquiring about Du Wenzhen's name.

After Du Wenzhen gave his name, Feng Rensong said, "Come, follow me to meet the group leader. Xiao Mu, since you've broken through to the Mid Yin God Realm in such a short time and returned to the Task Group, the leader will surely be very pleased."

After all, Xiao Mu was sent to the Task Group by Bai Shanjun and personally arranged by the Third Leader, Chen Fengshen, not even Wu Yan could afford not to treat him with extra consideration.

Xiao Mu responded with a smile, "Thanks to Envoy Feng and the leader, otherwise I wouldn't have entered the Mid Yin God Realm so quickly."

Feng Rensong laughed, "You're being modest."

It was clear Feng Rensong intended to test both Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen as he soon used an Escape Art, deploying the technique to rush to Wu Yan's office.

Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen discreetly used the Earth Escape Technique, preventing Feng Rensong, who was skilled in the Wood Escape Technique, from giving them the slip.

"The two of you are really fortunate to have cultivated the Earth Escape Technique." Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen's display of the Earth Escape Technique caused Feng Rensong to marvel.

Cultivating the Earth Escape Technique was not an easy feat; it required not only contribution but also opportunity.

After all, among the five Escape Arts, the Earth Escape Technique was the most rare and also the most sought after; it would inevitably be snapped up whenever it became available.

Being a late-stage Yin God Realm powerhouse, Feng Rensong still hadn't managed to cultivate the Earth Escape Technique and had to make do with the Wood Escape Technique.

Xiao Mu humbly offered a few words, but Du Wenzhen couldn't help but burst into boisterous laughter, boasting about himself.

This guy...

Xiao Mu helplessly glanced at Du Wenzhen, knowing better than to expect any modesty from him.

Du Wenzhen's reaction not only took Feng Rensong by surprise but also made him take a few more glances at him. Before this, Feng Rensong had hardly paid any attention to him.

Knock, knock!

Outside Wu Yan's office, Feng Rensong reached out to knock on the door.

"Come in!"

A familiar voice from Wu Yan came from inside the office.

"Come in with me!"

Feng Rensong gestured to Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen to follow and led the way into Wu Yan's office.

"Rensong, what do you need?"

Wu Yan looked up and, while asking Feng Rensong, immediately noticed Xiao Mu and Du Wenzhen behind him.

He evidently still remembered Xiao Mu and, upon realizing the change in Xiao Mu's strength, his expression turned to one of surprise, "Xiao Mu, you've actually reached the Mid Yin God Realm, very good, not bad at all, you've lived up to the Third Leader's expectations."

"Leader, hello!"

Xiao Mu greeted Wu Yan with full etiquette.

"Leader, hello, my name is Du Wenzhen."

With a wide grin, Du Wenzhen introduced himself while laughing heartily.

"Hello to you both!"

Wu Yan's face showed a smile as he greeted both men, and, just like Feng Rensong, couldn't help but give Du Wenzhen a few extra looks.

Then he stood up and said politely, "You've just joined the Task Group, and there's a lot you don't understand. As the leader, I should introduce you to some things."

"First off, do you know what our Task Group's responsibilities are? What sort of tasks do we perform?"

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