Having heard that it would be a problem getting access to the Ancestral temple, Lin Mu started to think of other solutions. It was then that an idea appeared in his mind.

"Wait, can you just make it so the guards move away for a bit or something like that?" Lin Mu questioned.

"Move the guards?" Wu Hei repeated as he furrowed his brows. "Hmm, that should be possible. The guards still come under the city administration so it shouldn't be a problem. Though what are you going to do?" Wu Hei asked after thinking for a few seconds.

"As long as the number of guards is reduced and there is a lapse in security for a bit, I can sneak in." Lin Mu replied.

Wu Hei was a bit surprised by this and wondered how Lin Mu would be doing this, but didn't question it. He knew people had secrets and better not to do that. 

"Alright, I can do it just tell me when you need it done." Wu Hei said with a nod.

"Though you may need to be careful of the priests. Particularly the head priest of this temple, from the rumors I've heard he's a Core condensation realm cultivator too. Though we don't know exactly what stage. He's also seldom seen and only appears during the yearly ancestral worship." Wu Hei warned.

'Another core condensation realm cultivator, huh? They just keep popping up now…' Lin Mu thought to himself.

"Do you have a suspicion about the temple or something?" Wu Hei questioned.

"I do actually… Do you perhaps know what's under the city? Or rather the entire region around the city all the way to the northern town?" Lin Mu replied in a serious tone.

"Oh? Do you mean the caves?" Wu Hei questioned feeling surprised again.

Not many people knew about the caves around the area and most didn't even care as they were mostly inaccessible. The only troubles they had with them was when they were building something big and a cave was under the foundation. They would then either need to move the building or fill up the cave first.

"Yes, and not just that… but rather an entire network of tunnels all across the city." Lin Mu answered. "I believe the Gu Legion have been using it to hide their tracks all this time." He added.

Wu Hei underwent the same revelation that Lin Mu had and everything started to make sense to him.

"You understand it too now, don't you? But that's barely the tip of the iceberg…" Lin Mu said, seeing Wu Hei's reaction. 

"Wait! Not here! Let's get to the manor first, my room there is more secure." Wu Hei interrupted.

Wu Hei could tell that this was getting more serious and knew better than to discuss it in a location like this. He knew there were special skills that could be used to spy on people and who knew if someone was truly listening in. While the chance was low, it was not fully zero.

"Alright, let's go in then." Lin Mu agreed.

The carriage had entered the compound of the manor by now and had reached the front entrance. Lin Mu and Wu Hei stepped out to see an old steward that was waiting for them outside.

"Madam told me you were coming, it has been a while Young Master Hei." The old steward spoke.

"Greetings old Lan," Wu Hei responded.

"Please come in, Madam is waiting for you in the lounge." Old Lan said before looking towards Lin Mu. "And this is?"

"This is Lord Mu Lin, he's one of my friends." Wu Hei answered.

"Ah, this is a pleasant surprise. I believe madam will be happy to meet the young master's friend too." Old Lan said while giving a smile.

He then turned around and opened the door of the Manor. Wu Hei and Lin Mu walked in silently while Lin Mu took in the sights. He had expected that the manor would be luxurious and well decorated like the Town Head's office.

But surprisingly, it was not. Even though it did have decorations, they were rather tasteful and not ones that blared opulence at your face. Lin Mu internally nodded at this and found it to be much better than the town head.

'I guess the mayor still has some sense even if he's bad.' Lin Mu internally said.

"Well, if he is gonna be greedy and survive for a long time like this, he has to be smart. There is no use in splurging for showing off. But this also means the man is rather wise and could prove a more difficult opponent than we thought." Xukong advised.

"I understand, Senior." Lin Mu reasoned.

While he was having this conversation in his mind, they had reached the lounge where a middle aged woman was sitting on a sofa. She looked the same as Lin Mu had seen her a couple of days before, but only her clothes were different and a bit of fatigue could be seen in her eyes when she glanced them.

"Xiao Hei…" She uttered.

"Hello, mother." Wu Hei calmly greeted.

Lin Mu could see her eyes light up for a moment when she saw Wu Hei and could sense the longing hidden in them.

But then…

"YOU INSOLENT BRAT, WHY DO YOU NEVER COME HOME!" A loud voice assaulted Lin Mu's ears and almost made him flinch.

Seeing that the situation was getting uncomfortable, the steward interrupted, "Madam we have a guest too, Lord Mu Lin."

Then almost in an instant, her expression changed to become calm and mellow.

"Oh ho! Did my son really bring a friend home? Greeting's Lord Mu Lin, and thank you for being my son's friend." Wu Hei's mother spoke.

"Uh…" Lin Mu didn't know what to say at this awkward and abrupt change, and the corner of his lips couldn't help but twitch.

One would have thought that Wu Hei would get embarrassed or something, but the man stood the same with a cool and calm expression as if nothing could faze him.

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