"Excellent!" Fang Cheng was overjoyed, slapping his palm heavily on the table. "With him on our side, I refuse to believe that little bastard can ascend to the heavens!"

"Family Head, Mr. Xiao has also arrived!" the butler rushed in again, his face alight with delighted surprise.

"Quickly, invite him in! On second thought, I'll go greet him myself!" Fang Cheng said, about to head for the door.

"Haha, no need to trouble yourself, Boss Fang."

A laugh rang out as a middle-aged man in a short jacket walked in, followed by a young man in his twenties. The pair exuded a formidable presence, like two walking furnaces, making the entire hall feel scorching hot. Even Fang Cheng, standing several steps away, broke out into a heavy sweat.

The Fang Family's guards stared in awe at the two men, their faces filled with shock.

What a terrifying aura! They're definitely masters!

Fang Cheng hurriedly rose and clasped his fists. "Mr. Xiao, and this is..."

The middle-aged man smiled. "This is my junior brother. Although he joined our sect later than I did, his strength isn't much weaker than mine. He just came along for some fun this time."

"Then we shall be counting on you both," Fang Cheng said, overjoyed.

I can't believe Mr. Xiao brought a reinforcement. This time, Lin Mu is a dead man walking!

"Don't worry, Boss Fang," Mr. Xiao chuckled. "Getting paid to make problems disappear has always been our principle."

The young man, his expression arrogant, said nothing. His gaze, however, lingered on Fang Fei with a particular meaning. Fang Fei, in turn, pursed her lips in a smile, a faint blush gracing her cheeks.

The young man licked his lips and took the initiative. "My name is Fan Shuai."

"Fang Fei."

With a slight smile, he stepped forward. As his foot landed, a deep print appeared on the ground. With each subsequent step, another print formed, every single one three inches deep. Everyone who witnessed this gasped in astonishment.

「...」

"Venerable Master, the Fang's Villa is just across the lake."

By an artificial lake, shaded by green trees, the air was filled with the fragrance of blooming lotus flowers. Lin Mu stood at the water's edge with his hands behind his back, squinting as he sized up the villa on the other side. This entire area was considered Fang Family territory, though it was normally semi-open to the public, attracting many visitors. But today, a major event was taking place within the family, so all visitors had been sent away.

Yet, Lin Mu and Cheng Bugui stood there, completely unnoticed.

"The scenery is quite nice," Lin Mu remarked.

Cheng Bugui felt a chill run down his spine.

What does the Venerable Master mean by that? Does he intend to take this place for himself?

"If the Venerable Master likes it…"

Lin Mu cut him off before he could finish. "It's a nice place, but I don't like it."

If he doesn't like it, he'll just destroy it.

Cheng Bugui gave a bitter smile and said hesitantly, "Venerable Master, are you really going to... annihilate the Fang Family? What about Jiangling...?"

"At this point, even if I were to spare the Fang Family, would they spare me?" Lin Mu retorted.

Cheng Bugui was rendered speechless. The Venerable Master had crippled Fang Ming and blown up their company. There was no longer any room for reconciliation. This could only end with one side's annihilation.

But the power of the Fang Family is not to be underestimated. The wealthiest family in River City, the Fang Family of Jiangling, the Martial Alliance, the Military Department… antagonizing any one of them would be like poking a hornet's nest. Then again, if someone had crippled my son and bombed my company, I would also be desperate to hack the perpetrator to pieces.

"Have you ever heard a saying?" Lin Mu suddenly asked.

"What is it?"

Lin Mu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at the distant Fang's Villa. "If I'm shown an inch of respect, I'll return it by the yard. If I'm wronged by a single grain, I'll seize three bushels in return!"

Cheng Bugui shuddered, his expression turning pensive. A moment later, his face hardened with resolve.

Since the Venerable Master has made his decision, there's no point in me saying more. Besides, with his strength, a single Fang Family is nothing to worry about!

"Venerable Master, when do we make our move?" Cheng Bugui asked.

Lin Mu glanced at the sky. "We wait a little longer."

Wait for what? For nightfall, of course. The darkness is perfect for killing.

「...」

「The Capital」

"Commander, should I send a message to River City?" a young man asked. In a certain courtyard, the Commander was lying in a chair, admiring the moon.

"Send what message?" Elder Xiao feigned ignorance.

"Commander, you're no fun," the young man said, scratching his head.

Elder Xiao glared. "Fun? Does anyone even listen to me anymore? I told you to go test that young man ages ago. How long has it been?"

The young man adopted an innocent expression. "Commander, isn't my primary mission to protect you?"

Elder Xiao huffed, his mustache twitching. "Don't give me that. You're just lazy, aren't you?"

The young man just chuckled slyly and didn't respond.

Elder Xiao let out a long sigh. "Still, that kid is a real troublemaker. He's dragged the Fang Family, the Martial Alliance, and the Military Department into this mess."

「...」

Night had fallen. Lights blazed to life at Fang's Villa, illuminating it completely.

The Fang Family guards had already grown impatient.

"Do you think that guy was bluffing? It's so late and he's still not here."

"Shh! Keep your voice down! If the Family Head hears you, you're dead meat!"

「The Main Hall」

Mr. Xiao glanced at the time and said disdainfully, "Boss Fang, it seems your man is all talk. He still hasn't shown up. He's probably already fled."

Anyone would be scared by such a show of force from the Fang Family. He's just the owner of some small company. How could he possibly stand against them?

"You're right, Mr. Xiao," Fang Cheng said with a faint smile that quickly vanished. "But if he dares to run, I'll hunt him to the ends of the earth and tear him limb from limb!"

"Heh, Boss Fang is certainly a man who thinks big," Mr. Xiao chuckled.

Fang Cheng said grimly, "Provoke my Fang Family and think you can just run away? Not a chance!"

"Who said I was running?"

Just then, a calm voice reached everyone's ears.

Everyone looked up in shock. Standing in the doorway was a tall, handsome young man, his features etched with sharp determination.

It was Lin Mu!

"Kid, how did you get in?!" Fang Cheng exclaimed in shock. He had posted numerous guards in secret; not even a fly should have been able to get through, let alone a person. And yet, this young man seemed to have appeared out of thin air.

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "I walked in, of course. Step by step."

The Fang Family guards exchanged confused glances, completely baffled as to when Lin Mu had entered. For a moment, none of them dared to make a move.

「Across the artificial lake」

Cheng Bugui stared, utterly shaken, at the fading ripples on the lake's surface. A moment ago, the Venerable Master had merely said, "It's about time." Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he had stepped onto the water. Instead of sinking, he stood upon the surface. The water beneath his feet bloomed into ethereal lotuses, supporting him and carrying him to the opposite shore.

With every step, a lotus bloomed, as he walked across the lake!

The Venerable Master truly is a Heavenly God descended to the mortal world!

「The Fang Estate」

Lin Mu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his indifferent gaze fixed on Fang Cheng. "Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lin Mu, and I am here to exterminate the Fang Family."

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