Chapter 198: Hang with Young Master from now on!
Over the next two days, Lin Mu stayed at home to keep Qin Luoli company, turning a deaf ear to the rumors swirling outside.
Meanwhile, the entire Empire’s Martial Arts World was boiling with excitement over the upcoming duel.
"What? True Immortal of Thunder Law, Daoist Master Yunxu, from the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion has actually sent a challenge to Master Lin?"
"You’re just hearing about this? Rumors have been circulating for days, but who would have thought that Daoist Master Yunxu would actually sign a life-and-death contract with the Martial Alliance?"
"Who exactly is this Master Lin? For Daoist Master Yunxu to issue him a challenge, could the rumors be wrong?"
"Wrong? Do you even follow news from the Martial Arts World? How could such a major event be fake?"
"I also heard that this Master Lin is a highly skilled magic user. Someone saw him at the River City martial meet controlling thunderbolts and slaying Crane Immortal Sect Elder Liu Xianhe. Daoist Master Yunxu’s beloved disciple was killed by him, and he was proclaimed the Master of the Three Rivers."
"Controlling thunderbolts? You’ve got to be kidding. Everyone in the Martial Arts World knows that only the Heavenly Masters of the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion are qualified to wield thunder."
"Whether it’s true or not, the fact that Daoist Master Yunxu has issued a challenge proves Master Lin must be no ordinary person."
"No matter how strong he is, can he be as powerful as Daoist Master Yunxu? This is the same Daoist Master Yunxu who nearly became the Heavenly Master, right?"
"That’s right. Daoist Master Yunxu achieved the rank of Martial Arts Grandmaster thirty years ago. After failing in his bid for the position of Heavenly Master, he went into seclusion. Now, after thirty years, his strength has probably become even more terrifying."
"Regardless of who wins or loses, I have to go watch this battle. After all, a duel between Grandmasters is a rare sight, something you might see only once a decade."
"I’m going too..."
Countless people were shaken. They never imagined that the Martial Arts World, which had been quiet for decades, would be hit by one wave after another these past few months. And all of it was related to this newly minted Grandmaster, Master Lin. First came the rumors that Divine Doctor Sun Tianyang had praised Master Lin’s medical skills, admitting his own were inferior. Then, Master Lin won the title of Master of the Three Rivers at the River City martial meet. Now, the True Immortal of Thunder Law, Daoist Master Yunxu, had forcefully emerged from seclusion to challenge him.
Such a series of events could only be compared to the legendary battle from over twenty years ago when the Central Plains Sword Immortal Liu Mubai challenged four Grandmasters at once.
「On the morning of the third day.」
Lin Mu glanced at Qin Luoli sleeping beside him, then leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Sleep well. When you wake up, the world will be quiet again.
A gentle smile graced Lin Mu’s face. After taking the Ever Youth Pill, Qin Luoli’s beauty had not only been restored, but she had become even more stunning. And this was before she had fully absorbed the pill’s effects. Her skin was now smoother and more delicate, as flawless as an infant’s. That transcendent aura she possessed was enough to make any woman in the world burn with envy.
Qin Luoli turned over, pouting her lips slightly as she gently wrapped her snow-white arms around Lin Mu.
"Darling, I love you."
Lin Mu smiled warmly, tucked the blanket around her, and quietly left the room.
"Protect her," Lin Mu said gravely as he came downstairs, addressing Daoist Master Qing Yu, who was meditating in the hall. "If she suffers even the slightest harm, I will hold you accountable!"
"Yes, Master!" Daoist Master Qing Yu nodded solemnly. He bowed to Lin Mu and said, "I wish you victory in this battle and hope you reach a new peak on your Martial Way!"
Lin Mu nodded slightly. "After this battle is over, I will help you break through to the Grandmaster Realm."
Qing Yu trembled with excitement, his tone growing even more reverent. "To have met you in this life is Qing Yu’s greatest fortune!"
Lin Mu waved his hand and headed straight for the Bolan River.
Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion! True Immortal of Thunder Law! Daoist Master Yunxu! I’m coming! You’d better not disappoint me too much.
「Half an hour later.」
Lin Mu arrived at the Bolan Riverside. The area was already swarming with people. The river itself was dotted with numerous boats, including quite a few yachts. All told, there were no fewer than a hundred vessels. The yachts and dragon boats were packed with people, all of them heading toward the center of the river, churning the water and sending waves rolling.
So many people? Lin Mu frowned slightly, not having expected his battle with Yun Xu to attract so many spectators. Shaking his head, he dismissed it. When the fight starts, I hope these people can protect themselves.
Just then, Lin Mu suddenly heard a familiar voice.
"Wow, Wenrou, look at all the boats!"
He turned to see a group of young men and women walking toward him. Leading them was an extremely handsome young man in casual designer clothes, surrounded by an entourage. He was clearly a person of significant status.
Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
Qiao Zishan! The son of River City’s wealthiest man, Qiao Jinghao!
Lin Mu had a particularly deep impression of this man. The original owner of this body had been harmed by him. Furthermore, Lin Mu had promised the original owner that he would seek revenge and annihilate the Qiao Family. He had initially planned to eliminate the Qiao Family first to avenge the previous owner before focusing on his cultivation. But life was unpredictable, and too much had happened since his rebirth. Still, he had not forgotten the original owner’s grudge.
In that case, after I defeat Yun Xu, I’ll annihilate your Qiao Family.
Lin Mu was about to turn and leave, but a woman in the group fixed her beautiful eyes on him and offered a gentle smile.
It was Song Wenrou. Next to her was his old classmate, Ye Tong. Jiang Xia and Li Ping were also there.
"Lin Mu? What are you doing here?" Ye Tong’s expression stiffened, a flicker of unease in her eyes.
Jiang Xia also spotted Lin Mu, and his face turned even uglier. He had been thoroughly humiliated by Lin Mu back in Wufeng Town. However, he had left early after his loss to Zhang Yan, completely unaware of the events that followed. He certainly had no idea that Lin Mu was the same Master Lin who had shaken River City. Ye Tong, too, only knew that Lin Mu was strong, but in her mind, he and the famous Master Lin were worlds apart. Moreover, Song Wenrou hadn’t told anyone about this.
"And why can’t I be here?" Lin Mu looked at Ye Tong. This old classmate of mine is certainly interesting.
"Who’s this guy?" Qiao Zishan asked, looking at Lin Mu without recognizing him as the man he desperately wanted to kill. After all, with his status, he didn’t need to personally deal with an ant.
Jiang Xia sneered. "Young Master Qiao, this is the person I told you about."
Previously, Jiang Xia had been filled with resentment and apprehension toward Lin Mu, but things were different now. His elder brother, Jiang Ming, had told him that one of the main figures of today’s event, Daoist Master Yunxu, had once been a guest at the Jiang Family and had even healed their grandfather’s injuries. On top of that, he had managed to connect with Qiao Zishan, the son of River City’s richest man. In his eyes, a mere Lin Mu was less than nothing.
"Oh?" Qiao Zishan studied Lin Mu, his slightly puffy eyes narrowing. "So you’re Lin Mu. The name sounds a little familiar. Have we met?"
Jiang Xia’s expression changed. Young Master Qiao has met Lin Mu? Could they be friends?
Lin Mu looked at Qiao Zishan and grinned. "Though we haven’t met, Young Master Qiao and I go way back."
At his words, the expressions of the onlookers shifted. Lin Mu really knows Young Master Qiao?
Song Wenrou, however, wore a peculiar expression, sensing that things were not as simple as they seemed.
"Jiang Xia says you’re quite skilled?" Qiao Zishan nodded. "From now on, you’ll work for me. I won’t treat you poorly."
Lin Mu was taken aback for a moment, then he cracked a smile. This Young Master Qiao sure thinks highly of me.