At 10 a.m., Lin Mu returned to River City.

Upon seeing Lin Mu, Elder Guan let out a great sigh of relief. "My friend Lin, you're finally back."

Lin Mu nodded. "I'm sorry to have worried you these past two days, Elder Guan." He knew Elder Guan must have been concerned about his impending duel with Yun Xu.

Guan Chengye gave a wry smile. "That's a small matter. You should go home and take a look."

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow. "Is something wrong at home?"

Elder Guan said nothing, but Lin Mu understood instantly. "Alright, I'll head back and take a look first." After bidding them farewell, he got into the car Guan Chengye had arranged and left.

「Qinzhu Courtyard.」

Something felt off the moment Lin Mu arrived. Two men were standing by the villa's main gate. On the surface, they seemed unremarkable, but Lin Mu could tell at a glance that their strength was considerable—they both possessed External Strength. They stood at the front gate like guards.

"Sorry, but you can't enter," one of them said, stepping forward to block Lin Mu's path.

"Hmm?" Lin Mu narrowed his eyes. "Get out of my way!"

The man's expression changed. "This is a private residence," he said in a low voice. "If you try to force your way in, don't blame me for being discourteous."

"Private residence?" Lin Mu laughed in anger. He took a slow step forward, his tone indifferent. "Today, I'd like to see just who has the gall to run wild in my home!"

"Get out of my way!"

With a blur of motion, Lin Mu charged straight into the man.

The man snorted and prepared to strike back. But the moment he moved, he felt as if he'd been hit by a speeding truck and was sent flying backward.

PFFT! As he flew through the air, the man spat out a mouthful of fresh blood.

Just as the other man was about to act, an indifferent and merciless voice reached his ears. "If you don't want to die, stand still and don't move."

The man instantly felt as if he were being stared down by an Ancient Fierce Beast. His entire body trembled and froze solid.

Without a single glance in his direction, Lin Mu walked straight into the villa. Only after Lin Mu had disappeared inside did the man let out a huge sigh of relief. A breeze drifted past, and he realized his back was drenched in cold sweat.

Upon entering the villa, Lin Mu noticed the strange atmosphere at once. His expression turned cold as he headed for the main hall.

"Stop right there!"

Just as Lin Mu set foot on the stairs, a towering figure suddenly blocked his path.

Late Stage Inner Strength!

The man had a fierce, fleshy face, and his muscular body emanated explosive power. He stood before Lin Mu like a small mountain, his eyes brimming with murderous intent.

"Kid, hurting a member of our Martial Alliance doesn't end well." The burly man twisted his neck, producing a series of sharp cracks.

A smile touched Lin Mu's lips. "The Martial Alliance? I haven't even come looking for you, yet you have the audacity to show up at my door. In that case, don't blame me for being merciless."

SWOOSH!

The moment he finished speaking, Lin Mu's figure flickered.

"You're courting death!" A ferocious glint appeared in the burly man's eyes as he swung his fan-sized palm down.

BOOM!

The palm landed on "Lin Mu," but the figure instantly vanished.

The burly man's pupils shrank. An afterimage? He sucked in a sharp breath, a flicker of shock in his heart.

Not good!

Suddenly realizing something, he spun around, only to see a palm descending upon him.

Just then, a cold shout came from the main hall. "Stop!"

But it was too late.

SMACK!

A palm struck the burly man squarely in the face, sending him flying.

THUD! The burly man crashed into the courtyard with a loud bang. PFFT! He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, along with a few teeth.

"You... are courting death!" The burly man glared at Lin Mu. He had only uttered those few words when his expression changed drastically, for Lin Mu was already walking slowly toward him.

"You... what do you want?" As Lin Mu drew closer, a hint of panic appeared in the burly man's eyes.

The two Martial Artists who had been guarding the entrance came inside but stood at a distance, their faces full of fear, daring not to approach.

This kid appeared out of nowhere, but he's far too powerful! Even Elder Ouyang was no match for him.

Lin Mu said nothing. He simply walked over to the burly man and planted his foot on his head.

Lin Mu applied more and more pressure. "What do you think?"

The burly man struggled several times, but it was useless. He could only feel his cheek being crushed against the ground in agony.

"Kid, let me go!" the burly man roared in fury.

But Lin Mu was unmoved. Instead, he delivered a heavy kick to the man's head.

PFFT! The burly man was kicked out of the villa like a sack of potatoes, landing on the road outside like a dead dog.

Lin Mu had controlled his strength perfectly. He hadn't killed the man, but he had shattered many of his bones. It would take months for him to recover, and even then, his strength would be permanently affected.

"This is just a little interest," Lin Mu's icy voice drifted out from the villa.

The burly man glared toward the villa. "You..." He spat out another mouthful of blood and fainted.

Inside the villa, Lin Mu glanced at the two remaining Martial Artists. "If you're not convinced, you're welcome to try me."

The two exchanged a look and quickly bowed their heads, not daring to meet Lin Mu's gaze.

This guy is definitely not someone to mess with. Our strength isn't even in the same league.

"That's enough!" a detached voice echoed from the hall.

Footsteps sounded, and a group of people slowly walked out. The leader, a middle-aged man in a purple Tang suit, was followed by another person: Zhuang Yu.

Looking at Lin Mu in the courtyard, Zhuang Yu's expression was complicated. He stepped forward and whispered something in the ear of the middle-aged man. The middle-aged man nodded arrogantly and looked down at Lin Mu with a condescending air. "You're Lin Mu?"

This man was Lu Tong, the Hall Master of the Jiangling Martial Alliance Branch!

Lu Tong stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression haughty.

Ignoring Lu Tong, Lin Mu turned to Zhuang Yu, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "If I recall correctly, I've warned you before."

Remembering Lin Mu's methods, Zhuang Yu shuddered involuntarily. "Greetings, Master Lin," he said, his tone bitter.

"Hmph." Lu Tong's expression soured. Staring at Lin Mu, he snapped, "Insolence! I am speaking to you!"

Lin Mu walked slowly forward. As he passed Lu Tong, he paused, a slight smirk playing on his lips. "And who are you to question me? Get lost."

Zhuang Yu's mouth twitched. Did Lin Mu just tell a Martial Alliance Helmsman to get lost?

Lin Mu paid them no further mind and walked straight into the hall.

Behind him, Lu Tong's expression turned grim. What an arrogant brat! Watching Lin Mu's retreating back, he suddenly gave a slight smile.

Lu Tong also started toward the hall.

I'd really like to see how you beg me later!

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