Chapter 458: Ah!
The Fang Family, which had stood firm in Jiangling for over a hundred years, had been exterminated?
As soon as this news broke, Jiangling was shaken to its core.
Everyone speculated about who could have done it. Who could have had the audacity to annihilate an entire family?
"This has to be fake, right? You can’t joke about something like this!"
"The news has been confirmed. Early this morning, someone went to visit the Fang Family. The moment they stepped inside, they saw nothing but blood and bodies everywhere. The shock drove them mad on the spot."
"Good heavens, they were really exterminated?"
As people were guessing who the perpetrator might be, Elder Xiao also received the news.
"This kid... why is he so impetuous?"
Elder Xiao hurriedly commanded, "Call Lin Mu! I want to see him!"
Han Xiaochuan, who had already rushed to Jiangling overnight, said, "Commander, this matter will be difficult to handle."
Elder Xiao sneered, "What’s so difficult about it? The Fang Family brought this upon themselves. If they’re wiped out, they’re wiped out."
With a grave expression, Han Xiaochuan said, "But the head of the Fang Family and Yao Kuohai have always been on good terms. If he finds out..."
Elder Xiao waved his hand dismissively. "It doesn’t matter. If Lin Wudi dared to do this, it proves he fears no one’s revenge."
"Besides, don’t you forget, even Zhang Daoyun is no match for this kid. In the world today, who could possibly suppress him?"
Han Xiaochuan said, filled with anxiety, "That’s exactly why I’m worried."
Heroes violate prohibitions with their martial prowess. The very reason Huaxia established the Martial Alliance to govern the world’s martial artists was to prevent them from using their strength to act as they pleased.
But this Lin Wudi, how many major incidents has he caused since his debut? If it were anyone else, the Martial Alliance would have taken them down long ago.
"If Lin Wudi isn’t afraid, what are you afraid of?" Elder Xiao laughed. "Do you know why I gave Zhang Daoyun a heads-up in advance?"
Han Xiaochuan replied, "Wasn’t it to shield the kid from the fallout? After all, if news of this really got out, wouldn’t it send the entire Martial Arts World into an uproar?"
"You think that kid is afraid of trouble?" Elder Xiao said, "I know that guy has never been afraid of trouble. I did this to lure out the rats hiding in the gutters and catch them all in one swoop!"
As Elder Xiao spoke, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes, and his entire being radiated an iron-blooded aura.
Han Xiaochuan gasped.
Is the commander planning to overhaul the Martial Alliance? Or is he trying to recruit Lin Wudi into the Military Department?
Either scenario was significant enough to trigger a tidal wave and would inevitably be met with immense opposition.
"Go on, call the kid," Elder Xiao straightened his clothes and said, "I want to see for myself what this Lin Wudi—hailed as the number one genius of the Martial Arts World who defeated Zhang Daoyun in a single move—actually looks like."
...
"Commander, Lin Wudi is waiting for us at Coiling Dragon Bay. Shall we head over now?" Han Xiaochuan asked. "Should we bring some men with us?"
Elder Xiao rolled his eyes at him. "We’re not going to a fight, why bring men? Besides, who do you think would even be useful?"
Han Xiaochuan gave a wry smile and said no more.
They had hoped Lin Mu would win and suppress the Huaxia Martial Alliance. But now that he had, they were worried instead. Han Xiaochuan suddenly found it all so difficult.
「Coiling Dragon Bay」
Lin Mu ended the call with Han Xiaochuan, a slight smile touching the corners of his lips.
It seems that old man can’t sit still.
Still, if he wants to meet, then I’ll grant him a meeting.
But before that, I should deal with you first.
Lin Mu looked at the Ghost Infant crouching in the corner. "You did a good job, but you are a being formed from resentment and must consume blood essence to survive. Today, I’ll give you two choices. First, I can help you find the daily blood essence you need, but I will place a restrictive seal on you. You’ll be under my control, and I can determine your life or death with a single thought. The second option is that I help you reincarnate and be reborn as a human."
"Choose one."
The Ghost Infant squatted on the ground, seemingly pondering Lin Mu’s words. Although it was a Ghost Infant, it had developed its own consciousness. Its intelligence wasn’t high, but it understood that these two choices would determine its fate.
If it continued as a Ghost Infant, its life and death would no longer be its own. If it chose reincarnation, its life, death, and future were all uncertain.
The Ghost Infant hesitated for a moment, then held up one finger.
It chose the first option.
Though its intelligence was low, it knew that following the man before it was far better than reincarnation, where it wasn’t even guaranteed to be reborn as a human. The Ghost Infant had witnessed Lin Mu’s methods firsthand. By following him, it might even receive greater benefits.
Lin Mu smiled faintly at the Ghost Infant’s choice. This Ghost Infant wasn’t stupid; it knew which choice was more advantageous.
"Since you have made your choice, we must sign a contract and lay down three rules."
Lin Mu sat cross-legged, his expression serious.
"Given that you possess a yin body, you naturally cannot be exposed to sunlight. You also need daily blood essence to sustain yourself, but these are not problems for me," Lin Mu said lightly. "However, without my permission, you are forbidden from harming anyone or secretly absorbing their blood essence. If I discover you have done so, I will see to it that your soul is utterly destroyed!"
The Ghost Infant, well aware of Lin Mu’s power, hurriedly nodded in agreement.
"However, you can rest assured," Lin Mu continued. "Once my cultivation level recovers, it will not be difficult for me to help you reconstruct a physical form and even transform into a Spiritual Body."
"YA YA!"
The Ghost Infant quickly knelt on the ground and kowtowed to Lin Mu.
"In that case, sit still. We shall sign the contract now."
Hearing Lin Mu’s words, the Ghost Infant promptly sat up, its body trembling slightly. It was clearly afraid.
Lin Mu smiled faintly and tapped a finger on the Ghost Infant’s head.
"YAAH!"
The Ghost Infant shrieked, seemingly in pain. But the agony vanished in a mere second. The Ghost Infant collapsed limply on the ground, its eyes filled with terror as it stared at Lin Mu.
On Lin Mu’s fingertip, a tiny soul, the very image of the Ghost Infant, now hovered. A wisp of Purple Extreme Heavenly Flame emerged, enveloped the soul, and was placed into the Mountain and River Cauldron.
From then on, Lin Mu could incinerate that soul with a single thought. When that happened, the Ghost Infant would also dissipate into nothingness. The infant would be forced to remain loyal, obeying his every command. This method of controlling ghosts was all too simple for him.
"Since you’ve acknowledged me as your master, I naturally won’t treat you unfairly."
Lin Mu chuckled and waved his hand gently. A streak of cyan divine light shot out and entered the Ghost Infant’s body.
"YA YA!"
The Ghost Infant squealed softly, and a look of pure bliss soon spread across its face. The red patterns covering its body began to slowly fade, and its emaciated frame gradually filled out.
After a few minutes, the ghastly-looking infant had transformed into a rosy-cheeked, delicate child.
"YA YA!"
Seeing its new appearance, the Ghost Infant clapped its hands and jumped for joy, appearing utterly delighted.
Lin Mu smiled knowingly. Having absorbed the energy of the Innate Spirit Wood, his mana was naturally suffused with rich life force. Improving the Ghost Infant’s appearance was a piece of cake. Moreover, with the energy of the Innate Spirit Wood present, the infant’s malevolent aura would be suppressed and gradually diminish.
"From today on, you are responsible for guarding Coiling Dragon Bay. If any intruders trespass, there is no need to report to me. You will handle it yourself," Lin Mu instructed. "Of course, if they’re just petty thieves, you can simply scare them away. But if anyone dares to damage the foundations of Coiling Dragon Bay, devour them directly."
Coiling Dragon Bay would serve as his training ground in the future, so its security could not be overlooked. While this Ghost Infant wasn’t particularly powerful, it was more than enough to handle ordinary martial artists.
"YA YA!"
The Ghost Infant nodded repeatedly, accepting its new duty.
Lin Mu thought for a moment and said, "Since ’ya ya’ is all you can say, I’ll call you Ya Ya from now on."
"Ya ya."