"Master Lin!"

Guan Chengye was startled, his expression turning embarrassed. He hadn't expected Master Lin to have heard everything he said.

Guan Jiaojiao glared at Lin Mu indignantly, certain that he must have intentionally hinted at something to her grandfather. Otherwise, given how much her grandfather doted on her, he would never have made such an excessive demand.

"Master Lin, about Xin He..."

A sudden thought struck Guan Chengye, and he looked at Lin Mu with a mixture of anxiety and hope.

"When Young Master Mu takes action, success is a matter of course." Sun Tianyang came down the stairs and said, "The patient is out of immediate danger. However, his hand was detached for too long. Even though it's been reattached, it won't be as functional as it was before."

"You've saved Xin He's life, and for that, I am already immensely grateful," Guan Chengye said excitedly. "I wouldn't dare ask for more from you two masters."

Guan Jiaojiao couldn't control herself. She grabbed Lin Mu's hand and asked, "Lin Mu, is my dad really okay?"

Lin Mu nodded. "However, his injuries are severe, and his body is currently very weak. He'll need to rest and recuperate properly. At the very least, he won't be able to get into any fights for the next six months."

"Thank you, thank you so much," Guan Jiaojiao said, crying with joy. As long as her father was going to be okay, nothing else mattered.

"I'm going to check on my dad."

Guan Jiaojiao let go of Lin Mu and hurried upstairs.

Guan Chengye looked as if he wanted to say something, but he only sighed.

"Oh, please, both of you, have a seat."

Guan Chengye quickly ushered them to their seats and ordered tea to be served.

After Lin Mu and Sun Tianyang sat down, they sipped their tea slowly, showing no hurry to leave.

Guan Chengye took out two checks from his pocket and handed them to Lin Mu with both hands. "Master Lin, this is a small token of the Guan family's appreciation. I hope you will accept it."

Lin Mu gave a slight nod and accepted the checks. He happened to be short on cash; otherwise, he wouldn't have accompanied Guan Jiaojiao in the first place. Besides, if he didn't accept, Guan Chengye might get the wrong idea.

Of course, he only kept one check, handing the other to Sun Tianyang.

Sun Tianyang waved his hand dismissively. "Young Master Mu, I can't accept this. I didn't do anything. You should keep the money."

"It's what you've earned. Take it," Lin Mu said.

"Well... alright. Since you insist, Young Master Mu, I'll accept it," Sun Tianyang replied after a moment's hesitation, taking the check.

Five hundred thousand was a substantial sum of money.

After finishing his tea, Sun Tianyang saw that Lin Mu had no intention of leaving. Assuming Lin Mu had something to discuss with Guan Chengye, he excused himself and left first.

Guan Chengye walked him to the door before returning to the main hall.

At that moment, Lin Mu was standing before a painting, scrutinizing the figure depicted on it.

"Does Master Lin also have an interest in painting?" Guan Chengye asked.

Lin Mu shook his head. "I don't, but while the brushwork is simple, this painting is full of charm. I'm curious, where did you acquire it, Elder Guan?"

The painting depicted a woman with a sword on her back. The paper was yellowed, and its edges were frayed, clearly indicating it was an antique, not a modern piece.

Guan Chengye said, "This has been passed down in my Guan family for generations. It is said to be several hundred years old, but who actually painted it is unknown to us."

There was no seal or signature on the scroll, so the artist remained unknown.

Furthermore, the ancestors of the Guan family were simple farmers. There wasn't even a single scholar among them, let alone a painter. It was only after the national wars began that the Guan family joined the military. After the liberation, they finally had the opportunity to become literate.

Still, the painting was an heirloom passed down from his ancestors, so Guan Chengye kept it as a memento.

Lin Mu suddenly spoke. "Elder Guan, I have an audacious request. I wonder if you would be willing to part with this painting and give it to me?"

"This..."

Guan Chengye hesitated for only a moment before replying, "Master Lin, you saved Xin He's life. Forget a mere painting—even if you asked the Guan family to go through fire and water, we would do so without hesitation!"

With that, Guan Chengye personally took down the scroll and handed it to Lin Mu.

Lin Mu looked at Guan Chengye. "You won't regret this, Elder Guan?"

Guan Chengye laughed heartily. "I, Guan Chengye, am just a coarse old man. I know nothing of painting or calligraphy. This painting is just a keepsake to me. Since you need it, Master Lin, please, take it."

"Alright then, I'll accept it," Lin Mu said, not refusing the offer. The painting was indeed of little use to the Guan family, but it was useful to him.

"Consider this a favor I owe the Guan family." Lin Mu hesitated for a moment before continuing, "How about this? I will make you a promise. As long as they are within my capabilities and do not violate my principles, I will do three things for the Guan family."

Those who practice cultivation are most wary of karmic entanglement. Although he had saved Guan Xinhe's life, he had already received payment for it. Now, by accepting an ancestral painting from the Guan family, he owed them another favor. Promising to do three things for them was a way to resolve this karmic debt.

"In that case... I thank you for your immense kindness, Master Lin!"

Guan Chengye gave Lin Mu a deep bow, his expression filled with emotion.

He knew just how important Lin Mu's promise was to the Guan family. To call it a lifeline would be no exaggeration.

On the surface, the Guan family owed its status to imperial favor, having been commanded to guard River City. But only a select few knew the truth: the Guan family had been exiled.

After all, great merit can arouse a ruler's envy.

Moreover, their ancestors were generations of farmers; they lacked a deep family foundation and an extensive network of connections. Trying to gain a foothold in the ever-changing Capital City was a virtually impossible task.

Even though the current sovereign was a wise ruler and his court was filled with capable ministers dedicated to serving the nation and its people, no one—neither the state nor the other great families—wanted to see a single family become all-powerful. This was especially true for a family that had clawed its way up from the dirt.

They faced marginalization from all sides, and every step was a struggle. This had been the norm for the Guan family during their years in the Capital City.

While Guan Chengye had spent many years in River City, mostly feigning illness at home and seldom venturing out, he was well aware of external affairs. A man who could rise from a peasant background to such a high position was no fool.

Later, seeing which way the political winds were blowing, he took the initiative to resign from all his posts and retire to his hometown, citing poor health.

At the time, the nation was shocked. Some remained silent while others were agitated.

At that moment, standing there in the grand hall, Guan Chengye distinctly felt the killing intent in the gazes around him diminish.

The sovereign hesitated repeatedly, but after Guan Chengye offered his resignation three times, the ruler had no choice but to accept.

However, in private, the sovereign had a secret letter delivered to him.

It contained just eight characters:

Pillar of the nation, guard River City!

The first four characters were an affirmation of the Guan family; the latter four carried guilt and, more importantly, a solemn duty.

Holding the letter, Guan Chengye's tears flowed freely. Facing the resplendent grand hall, he kowtowed three times and uttered eight characters of his own: "For family and country, I would die a hundred times without regret!"

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