"Afraid he can't bear it?!"

The moment he said this, everyone's expression shifted, not least of all Qiao Tianhao and Qin Luoli.

The boy was far too arrogant. Even if he truly didn't want to pay his respects, there was no need to say such a thing, especially not in front of the deceased's family. Countless people shook their heads and sighed, all feeling that there was something fundamentally wrong with Lin Mu.

Whispers broke out among the crowd, all filled with disdain for him.

"President Qin, your husband… he's just no good."

"So what if the rumors say he's a Divine Doctor? If he's a terrible person, his medical skills can't be that great."

"Exactly! They say his skills are miraculous, but I think it's all just hype."

"Young people these days get a little talent and think they own the world. Public morals are really degenerating."

"That's right! Elder Chen is setting an example, but this junior has the audacity to act so high and mighty!"

"Hmph, if I were Rich Master Qiao, I'd slap him dead on the spot!"

The friends and relatives of the Qiao Family glared angrily, wishing they could kill Lin Mu right there and then.

But Qiao Tianhao's heart trembled slightly. He was the only one in the entire hall who knew Lin Mu's true identity. But I can't say anything, he thought. And I certainly can't push him too far. Asking him to pay respects to my son… it was just the last thing I wanted to do as a father.

"Such arrogance!" Just then, an angry voice cut through the murmurs. "Everyone else has paid their respects, but you refuse. Who do you think you are, the Jade Emperor?"

The crowd parted to let a young man walk through. If not for his slightly swollen nose, everyone would have been praising his extraordinary and handsome demeanor. Dressed in a designer suit, he stood in stark contrast to Lin Mu in his traditional attire. It was like comparing heaven and earth.

This person was Chen Qingge.

He looked at Lin Mu with indignation. "Even my grandfather has paid his respects, yet you're making all sorts of excuses. What? Didn't your elders teach you basic manners?"

Chen Qingge's words made many people nod silently, feeling he had a point.

"Qingge!" Chen Ruoping feigned displeasure and chided him, "You just returned to the country. There's a lot you don't understand, so you should speak less."

Chen Qingge immediately replied, "Grandfather is right. But even after so many years abroad, I still understand basic courtesy. The dead deserve respect. Will offering a tribute really cost us a piece of our flesh?"

His words won the crowd's approval once again. They nodded, admiring how well the Chen family conducted themselves while mocking the Qin family's poor etiquette.

"You have a point," Chen Ruoping sighed. "You and Zishan were friends, after all. Although it's been many years since you last saw each other, you should still go offer a stick of incense now that you're here."

"Yes, Grandpa."

Chen Qingge obediently agreed. He stepped forward, lit an incense stick, bowed deeply, and finally placed the incense in the burner.

"Uncle Qiao, please accept my condolences." After speaking, Chen Qingge turned to Lin Mu. "Your turn. I'd like to see how you make it so Zishan 'can't bear it'!"

"Mr. Lin, if this is difficult for you… then never mind," Qiao Tianhao added.

"Are you sure you want me to pay my respects?" Lin Mu asked, his gaze fixed on Qiao Tianhao.

"If you're going to do it, then do it! Stop dawdling, act like a man!" Chen Qingge sneered. "I really don't understand how a beauty like Miss Qin could fall for you!"

Qin Luoli's expression turned cold, and she was about to speak.

Lin Mu grasped her hand and smiled. "Fine. I'll pay my respects."

Letting go of Qin Luoli, Lin Mu stepped forward. He lit three sticks of incense and, facing Qiao Zishan's black-and-white photograph, he began to bow.

CRACK!

The moment he bent down, the crowd heard a sharp, crisp sound, as if something had shattered.

"What was that sound?" Chen Qingge, standing to one side, froze.

"Look…" someone pointed at Qiao Zishan's photograph, their face a mask of shock.

Everyone whipped their heads around and stared in disbelief. A large crack had split Qiao Zishan's photograph, and the fracture was still spreading. It distorted the face in the picture, making it look incredibly sinister and terrifying.

Everyone's mouth hung open, unable to believe the scene before them.

Lin Mu acted as if he saw nothing and continued to bow with the incense in his hand.

CRACK! CRACK!

Just then, something even more shocking happened. The crystal-like coffin suddenly developed several cracks, which grew wider and wider.

"How can this be?"

The crowd stumbled back, their faces filled with terror. Chen Qingge collapsed onto the ground, shaking from head to toe.

"Don't do it! Stop!" Qiao Tianhao's eyes bulged as he roared, trying to stop Lin Mu.

But it was too late.

Lin Mu ignored him and plunged the incense sticks into the burner.

BOOM!

The moment the incense was in place, the entire coffin, before everyone's eyes, completely shattered. As for Qiao Zishan's corpse within, it was torn to pieces.

"No!"

Qiao Tianhao shuddered violently and spat out a mouthful of blood before fainting.

"Rich Master Qiao!"

"Chairman Qiao!"

The crowd cried out in alarm. They rushed to support Qiao Tianhao, while someone else pulled out a phone to dial 911. The entire memorial hall instantly plunged into chaos.

But everyone was still staring at Lin Mu, their expressions a mixture of terror and disbelief, as if they were looking at a ghost.

Chen Ruoping stared dumbly at Lin Mu, his beard trembling. His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out. Chen Qingge looked even more dazed and distraught, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.

"I told you," Lin Mu said, looking at the shattered coffin and slowly shaking his head. "He couldn't bear it."

He turned to the collapsed Chen Qingge and grinned. "I hurt you before. I bet you're still quite upset about that, aren't you? How about I make a formal apology?"

As he spoke, Lin Mu made to bow.

"No! Don't!" Chen Qingge shrieked as if he had seen the Devil himself. He scrambled on all fours toward Chen Ruoping. At that moment, all of his extraordinary composure was gone. He looked as pathetic as a drenched dog scrambling from the water.

With an indifferent expression, Lin Mu walked slowly toward Chen Ruoping. Everyone in his path jumped aside in terror, afraid that he might bow to them next.

Chen Ruoping's brow twitched, but he forced himself to stand his ground.

"Stay away from me, you Devil!" Chen Qingge shrieked from behind Chen Ruoping, his face a mask of pure fear.

Lin Mu paid him no mind, his eyes fixed on Chen Ruoping. "You constantly bring up your seniority, insisting on teaching Luo Li and me how to behave. I understand this comes from a place of elder concern."

A flicker of unease went through Chen Ruoping's heart.

As he feared.

Lin Mu smirked. "I was rude earlier. Please, allow this junior to apologize!"

Clasping his fists, Lin Mu made a show of preparing to bow...

"You…"

Before Lin Mu could finish his bow, Chen Ruoping trembled violently, coughed up a mouthful of blood, and fainted. He had been overcome with sheer rage.

The scene descended into utter bedlam.

Glancing at the chaos, Lin Mu shook his head slightly. "It seems today's charity gala is canceled."

"Let's go."

Taking Qin Luoli's hand, Lin Mu and she slowly walked away. Amid the chaos, someone's gaze fell upon his departing figure and they shuddered.

It was because on the back of his attire, the shadow of a black dragon suddenly soared skyward. It coiled high above, its draconic eyes cold and indifferent as it gazed down upon all mortals.

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