Lin Mu's gaze swept across the room.

In the private room, everyone had risen to their feet to pay their respects. However, two or three individuals wore expressions of disdain, not even bothering to clasp their fists in a formal greeting. If not for the others rising, they likely wouldn't have stood at all.

Lin Mu offered a slight smile, unconcerned.

"So this is the renowned Master Lin of the Three Rivers Area? I finally get to see the man himself," a young man remarked as he straightened his clothes. His gaze, fixed on Lin Mu, held not a shred of respect, but a faint chill instead.

His name was Jiang Ming; Jiang Xia was his brother. Clearly, Jiang Xia had told Jiang Ming a few things after returning home.

Lin Mu ignored him, looking instead toward Guan Chengye.

Understanding the unspoken cue, Guan Chengye leaned in and introduced in a low voice, "His name is Jiang Ming. Jiang Xia is his younger brother."

Lin Mu nodded, his understanding immediate.

With a slight smile, Lin Mu said, "Everyone, no need for formalities. Please, sit."

No one moved, but Jiang Ming let out a chuckle and arrogantly took his seat first.

Guan Chengye frowned slightly, but since Lin Mu hadn't said anything, he could only suppress his own dissatisfaction. Only after Lin Mu was seated did the rest of the guests sit down.

No one in the private room spoke, and for a moment, the atmosphere became stifling.

"Ahem. May I ask why Master Lin has summoned us? Is there something to discuss?" Jiang Ming said, rubbing his teacup. "We are all very busy. If there's nothing important, you'll have to excuse me."

SLAP!

Someone slammed their hand on the table, roaring in anger, "Who do you think you are, Jiang Ming? How dare you be so disrespectful in front of Master Lin?"

The speaker was Liang Yue, the Head of the Liang Family. He was a preeminent figure in River City who had personally witnessed Lin Mu's divine might at the martial arts conference and held immense respect for him. Jiang Ming's repeated insolence was more than he could bear. Furthermore, Lin Mu had saved Liang Sheng once during the conference, a favor Liang Yue had to remember.

Liang Yue stared directly at Jiang Ming, his tone cold. "Jiang Ming, let's not even talk about Master Lin. Everyone here is your elder. With such rudeness, is your Jiang Family declaring it has a problem with the rest of us?"

"It seems the Jiang Family Head sent you because he feels we aren't qualified to be here," an old man who had been silently sipping his tea murmured, slowly setting his cup down as he spoke.

Jiang Ming had been unconcerned when Liang Yue spoke, and he could even disregard Lin Mu himself, but when this old man opened his mouth, his expression subtly shifted.

The speaker was none other than Song Wen, a powerhouse of River City's older generation.

The Patriarch of the Song Family.

The Song Family was known for its scholarly heritage and rarely involved itself in business. But Song Wen had been in education for many years, and the Song family wielded considerable influence in that field with ease. With his students all over the country, he had accumulated an unimaginable network of connections. If Old Master Song's words got out, his students would undoubtedly be more than willing to do a little something for their teacher, without the Song Family even having to lift a finger.

At this thought, Jiang Ming broke out in a cold sweat.

But he was mostly just confused.

This Lin Mu is just an ordinary person, isn't he? Even if he knows some martial arts, there's no need for Old Master Song to speak up for him, right?

He paid no mind to the title "Master of the Three Rivers." In Jiang Ming's view, without money, you were nothing. His Jiang Family possessed substantial assets and countless enterprises; otherwise, he wouldn't have been qualified to sit here. As for Lin Mu, according to his brother Jiang Xia, he was just an ordinary man who knew a bit of fighting.

However, reality was not what he had expected.

Liang Yue had spoken. Song Wen had spoken.

Jiang Ming felt a sliver of pressure.

Just then, Guan Chengye spoke up.

"Since you don't wish to stay, you're free to go."

Guan Chengye's tone was placid, but his words made Jiang Ming's hand tremble slightly.

"Of course, I will also notify the relevant departments to conduct an investigation into the Jiang Family."

Jiang Ming's face paled, and he stammered, "Elder Guan, I…"

"Scram!"

With a wave of Guan Chengye's hand, a violent gust of wind swept Jiang Ming up and hurled him out the window. Screams and a brief commotion drifted up from below before quickly fading away.

Guan Chengye was, after all, an Inner Strength Martial Artist.

His cold gaze swept across the room. A few of the other powerful figures who had worn disdainful looks immediately sat up straight, daring not to be presumptuous any longer.

Guan Chengye said coolly, "I invited you all here today not for tea and reminiscing. I believe no one is in the mood for such pleasantries, so I'll get straight to the point."

"Master Lin is a Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

This single sentence made everyone's expression change. Even though they had already heard this news, it was still hard to believe. Aside from Liang Yue and Guan Chengye, who had seen Lin Mu in action, the others, including Song Wen, had only heard rumors. But now, with Guan Chengye stating it so plainly and Lin Mu sitting right before them, they had no choice but to believe it.

This… one of the big shots thought, his mouth agape, but ultimately, he said nothing.

"Alright, there's no need for everyone to be nervous," Guan Chengye said. "Even if Master Lin truly is a Martial Arts Grandmaster, he still has one head and two arms, just like the rest of us."

The simple joke eased much of the tense atmosphere, but a weight of pressure still lingered in everyone's hearts.

"The reason for gathering everyone here is not to ask anything of you," Guan Chengye continued, his gaze lingering on certain faces as a smile touched his lips. "I simply hope everyone understands that while Master Lin is the Master of the Three Rivers Area, he is also our River City's Martial Arts Grandmaster."

"Brother Guan, we have no objections to Master Lin becoming the Master of the Three Rivers Area. It is River City's honor to produce a Martial Arts Grandmaster," Song Wen said. "But this matter is quite significant. Shouldn't we…"

As he spoke, Song Wen glanced at Lin Mu, whose expression remained placid, as if the topic of discussion had nothing to do with him.

Guan Chengye chuckled at his words. "Mr. Song is right. This matter is certainly not trivial. If it were, I wouldn't have invited you all here."

Looks of confusion first appeared on everyone's faces, quickly followed by elation. They were all intelligent people and could infer the underlying meaning of Guan Chengye's words. Since Lin Mu was a Martial Arts Grandmaster, his personal strength and influence were surely no less than that of an illustrious family. The fact that he had gathered them here meant that Master Lin did not consider them outsiders.

"From this day forward, my Liang Family will follow Master Lin's lead!" Liang Yue immediately declared.

"My Ma Family will also revere Master Lin!"

"Hahaha, it is my Hu Family's honor to be acquainted with a Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

One after another, they pledged their allegiance, the joy on their faces unconcealable.

Even Song Wen made his stance clear. Although he came from a scholarly background and generally had little fondness for martial artists who respected only strength, a Martial Arts Grandmaster was no ordinary practitioner.

Their mere existence could ensure the peace and stability of a region!

"Good. Now that we have addressed the first matter, let's move on to the second," Guan Chengye announced.

At his words, the smiles vanished from everyone's faces. They all knew it was finally time to get down to business.

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