Chapter 524: Because He is Young Master Mu!
"Is this the Chu Family?" Lin Mu looked at the brightly lit villa complex in the distance, slightly surprised. He hadn’t expected the Chu Family to own such a vast estate.
"Indeed." ’Chu Tian’ stood behind Lin Mu. Despite being a young man in his early twenties, his voice was as hoarse as an old man’s.
Naturally, this was the Spirit Seer who had possessed Chu Tian’s body. He only possessed a single divine fragment; without a host, he couldn’t remain in the outside world for long. Even having possessed Chu Tian’s body, the Spirit Seer could feel the power of his Divine Soul rapidly depleting. If Lin Mu hadn’t stepped in to stabilize his Divine Soul, this fragment of the Spirit Seer would have likely vanished by now.
"With the help of that other fragment, the Chu Family has expanded rapidly over the past few years, making an untold fortune behind the scenes. Of course, to avoid exposure, they have always maintained a low profile," the Spirit Seer said. "Master, do you really intend to go to the Chu Family now? Don’t you need a plan?"
"There’s no need for such trouble," Lin Mu said flatly. "Besides, I don’t have that much time."
"But that divine fragment possesses my original body and has become incredibly powerful. Even at my peak, I was no match for it. Master, you..." The Spirit Seer was genuinely concerned for Lin Mu, but he was even more worried about his own fate. If Master can’t defeat my original body, will I lose my chance forever? In today’s world, where else could I find someone stronger than him? Deep down, the Spirit Seer simply didn’t believe that Lin Mu was a match for the fragment.
"Even at your peak, you were no match for me." Lin Mu shook his head and walked towards the Chu Family estate.
The Spirit Seer was struck dumb by the comment, unable to retort. The Master is truly the Master—terrifyingly powerful and with a tongue sharp enough to kill.
「」
As fate would have it, today was the day the Family Head of the Chu Family was to marry his fifth wife. The Chu estate was brightly lit and festively decorated. The vast courtyard was filled with distinguished guests, all prominent figures from Jiangling. Some among them were even bigwigs from Handong. Any single one of them held the power to make Handong Province tremble. This showed that while the Chu Family appeared to be low-key, its influence within Handong Province was formidable.
"The preparations are nearly complete, Family Head, and the guests have all arrived." The Butler approached with a faint smile on his aged face, his eyes filled with respect for the Family Head.
Although the Family Head had only been in charge for a few years, he had already increased the Chu Family’s strength several times over. During this time, the Chu Family had expanded its power extensively, all from the shadows. Even for the wedding of his fifth wife, half of the most powerful figures in Handong Province had come to attend.
"Mm." Chu Zhengbo was dressed as a groom. Though middle-aged, he was remarkably well-maintained and possessed a scholarly grace, the very epitome of the saying, ’a man in his forties is a flower in bloom’—especially a man as wealthy and influential as him.
"How do I look?" Chu Zhengbo admired himself in the mirror as he asked the Butler.
"Family Head, you are just as dashing as in your younger days. Taking another five wives would be a trivial matter for you," the Butler said flatteringly, a wide smile on his face.
Chu Zhengbo laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying the flattery. A man of his wealth and power had long since had his fill of exotic delicacies, luxury cars, and grand villas. Only the pursuit of carnal pleasure never grew tiresome. Moreover, the woman he was to marry today was a foreign beauty, one in a million in both temperament and physique—a true treasure in his eyes.
"Let’s go." Chu Zhengbo suddenly asked, "By the way, where’s Chu Tian? I haven’t seen him all day. Has he gone off gallivanting again?"
The Butler responded respectfully, "The Young Master has gone to the mansion."
"Hm?" Chu Zhengbo’s gaze flickered, and he sneered. "Just what I’d expect from my son. When he returns, tell him he can play with women all he wants, but remind him to be careful."
"Yes!"
Chu Zhengbo nodded. "Go and bring out the bride. Since all the guests have arrived, have her come and make a toast with me."
"Right away, Master." A servant bowed and departed to carry out the order, while Chu Zhengbo went out to greet his guests.
A great number of people had come to the Chu estate today. Although Chu Zhengbo hadn’t invited many guests personally, the Chu Family’s power was so immense that many in their circle had heard of the event despite their low profile. When the playboy Family Head Chu Zhengbo was getting married, it was only natural for them to prepare a gift and come hoping to share in the celebration.
Thus, as soon as Chu Zhengbo appeared, all the guests stood and offered their congratulations.
"Thank you all for giving me face. If our hospitality is lacking in any way, I ask for your forgiveness," Chu Zhengbo said, raising his glass. He downed the wine in one go as soon as he finished speaking.
Chu Zhengbo truly lived up to his title as Family Head, speaking and acting with impeccable grace.
"Family Head Chu, you’re too kind!"
"Family Head Chu, you hold your liquor well!"
"Congratulations, Family Head Chu!"
Everyone raised their glasses in a toast to Chu Zhengbo.
"Family Head, the Young Master has returned, but..." Just then, the Butler approached Chu Zhengbo’s side, whispering hesitantly.
"Hmm? What is it?" Chu Zhengbo’s brow furrowed slightly.
"Family Head, I think you should see for yourself," the Butler said with his head bowed.
"Everyone, my sincerest apologies. Please continue to eat and drink. I must excuse myself for a moment," Chu Zhengbo announced before turning to leave.
"Where is he?" As soon as he left the main hall, Chu Zhengbo’s expression soured.
"The Young Master was heading for the back mountain, but I stopped him," the Butler said, his voice tinged with nervousness.
"What?" Chu Zhengbo’s face changed, and he hurried toward the back mountain.
"Young Master, without the Family Head’s explicit order, you really cannot go to the back mountain!" In the rear courtyard of the Chu estate, several bodyguards blocked Chu Tian and Lin Mu, their expressions troubled. The back mountain was the Chu Family’s forbidden ground. No one besides the Family Head was permitted to enter.
"Get out of the way!" ’Chu Tian’ snarled in a low voice. "You dare to block my path?"
"Young Master, we are simply doing our duty. Please don’t make things difficult for us," the bodyguards pleaded, continuing to block the path.
"You’re seeking death!"
Just as ’Chu Tian’ was about to attack, Chu Zhengbo arrived.
"You little beast, what do you think you’re doing?" Chu Zhengbo roared. "Get back here!"
If the real Chu Tian hadn’t been possessed, he would have certainly obeyed his father and left. But the person standing there now was the Spirit Seer.
"Hmph!" With a cold snort, ’Chu Tian’ lunged forward, striking two bodyguards in the chest and sending them flying. "Master, let’s go!" he yelled.
As the pair were about to cross the courtyard gate, Chu Zhengbo’s pupils constricted. "You are not Chu Tian! Who are you?!"
Of course, I know my own son. Since when was he this powerful? To think he could send two of the Chu Family’s experts flying with a single palm strike!
Chu Zhengbo’s expression changed drastically. "Kill them!" he roared.
"Yes, sir!" Instantly, dozens of bodyguards surged into the rear courtyard, at least twenty of them.
Facing more than twenty bodyguards, Lin Mu’s expression remained unchanged. "Get out of my way if you don’t want to die."
"Kill him!"
The moment Chu Zhengbo gave the order, the Chu Family’s bodyguards lunged toward Lin Mu.
"You overestimate yourselves."
Lin Mu waved his hands, and a terrifying force erupted, sweeping toward the guards. A series of screams rang out as all the bodyguards were sent flying, crashing to the ground unconscious.
Seeing this, Chu Zhengbo drew a sharp, cold breath.
"Who in the world are you? Why have you come to trespass on Chu Family grounds?!" By this point, the commotion had drawn the guests’ attention. They all rushed over just in time to see Lin Mu send dozens of bodyguards flying with a single wave of his hand.
"I’m someone you can’t afford to provoke." Lin Mu smiled faintly. "Stay put if you value your life."
With that, Lin Mu turned and walked directly toward the back mountain.
Just as Chu Zhengbo was about to order his men to give chase, a big shot from Handong Province suddenly grabbed his arm.
"Elder Fan, why are you stopping me?" Chu Zhengbo was frantic. The back mountain held his family’s secrets. Moreover, *he* had strictly forbidden any outsiders from entering.
"Family Head Chu, listen to my advice. No matter what that man does, do not interfere," Elder Fan urged.
"Why?" Chu Zhengbo raged. "That man is running wild on my family’s territory, and you’re telling me I can’t do anything about it?"
"Unfortunately, you’ve hit the nail on the head. When it comes to what *that* man wants to do, no one dares to interfere, and no one *can* interfere," Elder Fan said, his face etched with fear. "Because... he is Young Master Mu."