Immortality Research Institute

Xu Mu sensed the woman standing outside the car window through his perception.

She had long black hair and wore a blue-and-white casual outfit. Her face was petite, with delicate, oval features. But paired with those sharp, piercing eyes, she gave off an unmistakable air of someone not to be trifled with.

She appeared to be in her early twenties, but what stood out most were the ornaments dangling from her ears—not earrings or studs, but tiny red sword tassels. The ends of the tassels draped lazily over her shoulders.

"Don’t worry! I’ll handle this!"

With a grand flourish, Xu Mu stepped out of the car. This woman was undeniably attractive.

Most likely, she was part of Chen Xuan’s harem—meaning she naturally had an affinity for the protagonist, Chen Xuan.

All Xu Mu needed was a few well-chosen words, and she’d surely back off respectfully.

Chen Xuan, meanwhile, was practically vibrating with excitement. "As expected of my bro! So domineering!"

As he spoke, he followed Xu Mu out of the car.

Once outside, Xu Mu activated his "Eye of Divinity" to observe the woman.

Name: Liang Yi

Affiliation: Third Captain of the Punishment Division, Eternal Life Research Institute.

Favorability: -1

Fate Level: 4 (Max: 10)

Holy shit.

Xu Mu’s heart sank as he processed the information. He’d guessed wrong.

This woman wasn’t part of Chen Xuan’s harem—she was genuinely here to silence them.

Xu Mu knew about the Eternal Life Research Institute.

Even in the later stages of the story, this organization remained uneradicated.

They were a group of madmen, pursuing a path entirely different from that of traditional martial artists.

For ordinary martial artists, the only way to seek immortality in the later stages was through relentless cultivation and self-improvement.

But the Institute? Their approach combined cultivation with biological science.

To that end, they abducted countless people for experimentation.

The Eternal Life Research Institute was, by all accounts, an utterly heinous organization.

The Cleaners had launched repeated crackdowns, but no matter how many times they were purged, the Institute always resurfaced.

Eventually, the Institute relocated overseas, making it difficult for the Cleaners to act against them.

Xu Mu, familiar with the plot, knew full well just how formidable the Eternal Life Research Institute truly was.

The reason they always managed to slip through the Cleaners’ fingers? Because even among the higher ranks of the Cleaners, some were secretly collaborating with them.

One of the Institute’s founding elders was a top-tier expert in his own right.

And what did experts fear most?

Death.

Dying of old age.

Once one’s cultivation plateaued, with no further breakthroughs in sight, the only thing left to await was death.

Thus, the Institute’s founding principle was simple: use scientific means to achieve immortality.

"Uh…"

Xu Mu had initially assumed she was part of Chen Xuan’s harem. Now that he knew she was from the Eternal Life Research Institute, he was momentarily at a loss for words.

His mind raced before he finally slipped his hands into his pockets, adopting an indifferent tone. "You must be Liang Yi, the Third Captain, right?"

Liang Yi had been staring coldly at Chen Xuan, poised to strike, when Xu Mu’s words froze her in place.

Her pupils contracted sharply before she turned her gaze to Xu Mu, her voice eerily calm. "Who are you?"

"I’m a researcher from the Science Division. I think I’ve seen you before."

Xu Mu kept his tone casual.

Liang Yi gave a slight nod. Anyone who could accurately name her rank and position had to be from the Institute.

"Why are you after him?" Xu Mu gestured toward Chen Xuan.

"He might have overheard something. He needs to die." Liang Yi flicked a glance at Chen Xuan.

"Lady, I didn’t overhear anything! I just saw you kill someone—I didn’t catch a single word!"

Chen Xuan hastily spoke up.

"Captain Liang, this is the researcher that Mr. Hun asked me to find. If anything happens to him, you know the consequences."

Xu Mu turned to Liang Yi, "If you don’t believe me, you can have him check your pulse to verify his skills."

Liang Yi glanced at Chen Xuan, then fixed her gaze on Xu Mu. "What’s your name? Who’s your superior?"

"My name is Fang Chu."

Xu Mu stood with his hands behind his back. "As for my superior, it’s Mr. Hun."

Liang Yi pulled out her phone. "If possible, I’d like to take your photo."

"No! We’re here on urgent business."

Xu Mu immediately refused—having their photo taken would expose them.

"What if I insist?"

Liang Yi’s eyes turned icy as she raised her phone to snap a picture.

"Since when does the Punishment Department dare interfere with the Research Department’s affairs? Who gave you the right?"

Xu Mu’s gaze sharpened as he channeled his Gang Qi.

Bang!

Liang Yi’s phone shattered into pieces in her hand.

Her expression was now frigid enough to freeze blood, as if she were staring at a dead man.

"Fang Chu, I’ll remember you!"

With that, Liang Yi turned and walked away.

Chen Xuan, watching this unfold, gave Xu Mu a thumbs-up. "Brother Mu, when did you change your name?"

"When you’re out in the world, your identity is what you make it."

Xu Mu patted Chen Xuan’s shoulder. "Get in the car, quick—let’s go!"

...

Xu Mu drove for a full ten minutes before stopping. He took a deep breath and parked in an open-air lot outside a hotel.

Chen Xuan asked from the back seat, "Brother Mu, do you know her?"

"I’ve heard of her. But that woman is ruthless. Now, not just you—I’m in trouble too."

Xu Mu sighed heavily. "Do you know her background?"

"Actually, I did hear something last night. She mentioned something about human experiments."

"She’s from the Eternal Life Research Institute."

Xu Mu turned to look at Chen Xuan.

"What? The Eternal Life Research Institute?"

Chen Xuan’s face instantly paled. "My master told me about them—an evil organization strong enough to crush ninety percent of the martial sects."

"Since you know, I won’t explain further. That woman clearly holds a grudge against me now."

Xu Mu’s voice was grave.

"Brother Mu, you’re so charming—can’t you win her over?"

Chen Xuan asked from the back.

"Damn it! Win her over? You think a captain from that organization is some kind-hearted woman? She might kill me on a whim."

Xu Mu shot Chen Xuan a glare.

She wasn’t like Dai Xingluo.

One was pure evil, the other just a yandere.

With a yandere, as long as you treat her well, you’re fine.

But pure evil? They’ll repay kindness with betrayal.

"Brother Mu! I’m sorry, man!"

Chen Xuan felt guilty too. From the way that woman spoke to Xu Mu before leaving, it was obvious she hated him now.

"It’s fine. We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

Xu Mu wasn’t too worried. The Eternal Life Research Institute was powerful, but if they kept a low profile and grew stronger, they’d eventually crush them.

After chatting a while longer, Chen Xuan grabbed his woven bag and left.

Before he went, his face was still full of regret.

Xu Mu reassured him—they’d face it together when the time came.

Only then did Chen Xuan feel slightly better.

"That kid’s got a good heart. Worth keeping around."

Xu Mu nodded to himself as he watched Chen Xuan walk away.

Just as he was about to drive off, he noticed a Bentley parked in front of the hotel entrance.

A man clutching a cigar and a woman walked briskly into the hotel.

Spotting them, Xu Mu cracked a faint smile. "Chai Wang?"

After a moment’s hesitation, he decided to follow—his invisibility would finally come in handy.