「Jiangling!」

"Family Head, the news is confirmed. The one who killed Fang Cheng is named Lin Mu, but we're not yet sure if he's Lin Wudi," the Fang Family's butler reported to Fang Tang, holding a letter.

"Who sent the message?" Fang Tang asked without looking up from his coffee.

"Fang Bin," the butler answered honestly.

"Fang Bin? The one whose brother was killed, who rushed back from abroad?" Fang Tang asked, dabbing his mouth with a napkin.

"Yes. Fang Bin found Fang Ting and confirmed that Lin Mu was responsible. It has nothing to do with Lin Wudi."

Fang Tang took a bite of bread. "Can we guarantee Fang Ting is telling the truth?"

The butler was taken aback. "Fang Cheng is dead and the Fang Family of River City is no more. Fang Ting has no reason to lie."

Fang Tang gave a short laugh. He glanced at the bread in his hand and suddenly lost his appetite.

"Elder Qi from the Fire Cloud Sect is at the Martial Alliance, isn't he? Leak the news of Fan Shuai's death to him." With that, Fang Tang stood up and left the dining room.

"Yes, sir." The butler's expression shifted subtly.

It seems the Family Head doesn't believe Fang Ting. Then again, when I recall how the River City branch of the Fang Family was cast out of Jiangling because of their ancestors' mistakes, it's understandable that descendants like Fang Ting would bear a grudge and pass along false information. At the thought, a cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead. Is Fang Ting trying to...

「Jiangling Martial Alliance.」

Elder Qi held the letter, looking down at the Fang Family's butler. "I understand," he said flatly. "Butler Fang, go back and tell Patriarch Fang that I will pass this news on to the sect."

"Understood. In that case, I will take my leave." The Fang Family butler bowed and departed from the Martial Alliance.

Holding the letter, a grim killing intent glinted in Elder Qi's eyes. "Lin Mu? Hmph. I don't care if you're the famous Lin Wudi or not. Anyone who kills our Young Sect Master must die!"

He clenched his fist, and a searing flame erupted from his palm, incinerating the letter to ash.

...

"Elder Brother Mu, did you really wipe out the Fang Family?" Liu Zijian asked from his hospital bed, his face pale after hearing the news.

Although his injuries weren't severe, Lin Mu had insisted he stay in the hospital for a few days of observation.

"Don't worry, I'll handle it." Lin Mu knew Liu Zijian was worried this would cause trouble for him.

However, with figures like Cheng Bugui and the Song Family fanning the flames behind the scenes, the matter of the Fang Family would eventually be suppressed.

Liu Zijian sighed, his eyes turning a little red. "Elder Brother Mu, I'm not blaming you, it's just... for you to do this..." He knew this was all because of him. To stand up for him, Elder Brother Mu had not only crippled Fang Ming but had also annihilated the Fang Family.

Lin Mu clapped him on the shoulder. "Don't overthink it. The Fang Family targeted my company. They brought this on themselves."

Just as Liu Zijian was about to say more, Lin Mu smiled. "What's this? You were never so fussy before."

The door creaked open, and a girl walked in carrying a lunch box.

"Elder Brother Liu, I brought your favorite roast goose with rice."

The moment she finished speaking, she noticed Lin Mu and her face immediately flushed red.

Lin Mu looked at the vaguely familiar girl, and realization dawned on him. He teased, "Well, now I see. Zijian, that's not very fair, is it? You started dating and didn't even tell your own brother."

His words made both the girl and Liu Zijian blush.

"Elder Brother Mu, Xiao Jie and I..."

"Hold it!" Lin Mu held up a hand. "You rascal. You're already calling her by such an intimate name, so why are you still pretending with me?"

"Elder Brother Liu, I just remembered I have something to do, so I'll be going now." The girl was Yang Jie, the real estate agent who had helped Liu Zijian find his apartment.

"Alright, you two are too thin-skinned." Lin Mu stood up. "Take good care of my brother. I'm going to go visit a friend."

He shot Liu Zijian a look. "You better treat her right, or you'll have me to answer to!"

Putting on a stern, big-brotherly air, Lin Mu then smiled at Yang Jie. "My brother here is a bit of a blockhead when it comes to romance, so you'll have to be patient with him. But if he dares bully you, just let me know, and I'll beat him up for you!"

"That won't happen. Elder Brother Liu is very good to me." As soon as Yang Jie spoke, her face flushed as red as an apple.

"Okay, I won't disturb you two lovebirds any longer. I'm off." Lin Mu smiled and left the room.

His brother had finally found love. Lin Mu was truly happy for him. For years, all of Liu Zijian's energy had been focused on his mother and Liu Xiaolin; he never even considered finding someone new. Seeing him with Yang Jie, Lin Mu offered his sincerest blessings. He'd met Yang Jie before. She was a kind-hearted and rather innocent girl—a good match for Zijian.

Peeking through the window in the door, Lin Mu watched as Yang Jie fed Liu Zijian one spoonful at a time, and the smile on his face grew even gentler.

...

"Su Ke'er, how many times do I have to tell you? What does it matter how successful your career is? In the end, you still have to get married!" Inside the hospital room, a middle-aged woman sat by the bed, pointing to the young man beside her. "Just look at Xue Lang here. Not only is he handsome, but he's also a senior executive at his company."

"The Qin Corporation, have you heard of it? It's leagues better than that shabby little company of yours." The one speaking was Su Ke'er's mother.

"Auntie, you flatter me," the young man named Xue Lang said with a smile. "I've only been entrusted with such responsibility because the company leadership values my contributions."

Xue Lang glanced at Su Ke'er on the bed, a hint of smugness in his eyes. "Besides, Miss Su is very outstanding herself. Anyone who can become a general manager must be quite capable."

Mother Su immediately chimed in, "Oh, Xiao Xue, you're just being too modest! How could Ke'er's little company possibly compare to the Qin Corporation? The Qin Corporation is one of the biggest conglomerates in River City. People would kill to get a job there!"

Su Ke'er lay in bed with her back to them, her hands covering her ears as she pretended not to hear.

The smile on Xue Lang's face never faltered, maintaining his perfectly gentlemanly demeanor.

Her mother was not pleased. "Su Ke'er, where are your manners? Xue Lang has been here for a while now. Can't you at least say hello?"

"It's alright, Auntie. Ke'er is a patient right now, so it should be me looking out for her."

With that, Xue Lang sat down on the edge of the bed. "Ke'er," he said in a gentle voice, "if you're feeling unwell anywhere, please tell me. I'm on good terms with several of the attending physicians at this hospital. I can have them take a look at you."

Mother Su's eyes lit up. "See? Xiao Xue even knows the doctors here! Tsk tsk, so young and promising. This is one of River City's famous Grade A Tertiary hospitals. To know doctors here... Xiao Xue, your connections are truly impressive."

Xue Lang chuckled. "It's nothing, really. A few of them were my classmates, and we get together often."

"Incredible, truly incredible." Mother Su gazed at Xue Lang with the classic look of a mother-in-law sizing up a potential son-in-law, growing more satisfied by the second.

But Su Ke'er remained silent, which began to irritate her mother.

"Su Ke'er, say something! Have you gone mute?" Her mother glared, reaching out to push her.

"If you don't want her to die, you'd best not touch her!"

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