Collecting Protection Money from the Xu Family

Cui Rui originally had a face full of smiles, but upon hearing these words, his heart was struck with terror.

Cui Yunshen, who was still fantasizing about his own turn in the spotlight, was also jolted back to reality by these words.

"Mr. Xu! You're... joking, right?"

Cui Rui laughed awkwardly. "It's just a bottle of liquor, and it's even in a mineral water bottle, looking like horse piss..."

Swish!

Before Cui Rui could finish his sentence, the black-robed man flashed in front of him in an instant, piercing through his waist with one hand. Blood gushed out.

The other Cui family members around them turned as pale as paper in fright upon seeing this.

They wanted to run, but their legs felt like lead, making them unable to move a single step.

Seeing this, Cui Sen's eyes were filled with disbelief.

He simply couldn't figure out what the yellowish liquor in Xu Mu's hands actually was.

Let alone the Cui family, even Xu Ningbing was full of astonishment, wondering why the person in front of them was so interested in Xu Mu's liquor.

Swish!

The black-robed man pulled his hand out, and Cui Rui collapsed to the ground on the spot, clutching his waist and gasping violently.

As for the black-robed man, he looked at Xu Mu and said respectfully, "Sir, I can kill their entire family right now. Could you give me the whole bottle?"

Hearing this, Cui Yunshen was terrified out of his wits. His legs gave way, and he slumped directly onto the ground.

"Are you bargaining with me? Do you think I only managed to get this one bottle by sheer luck?"

Xu Mu asked coldly.

Hearing this, the black-robed man trembled and immediately took off his hood, revealing a bald head.

His skin was pale, clearly indicating he was a researcher from the Immortality Research Institute.

Just now, Xu Mu had used his perception to see his face, which was why he brought out this bottle of liquor.

"Sir, your subordinate wouldn't dare."

The bald man immediately lowered his head.

Usually, when ordinary people like them executed missions, the liquor they received was stored in small oral liquid vials.

When had they ever seen it in a mineral water bottle?

With the mineral water bottle in front of him, if used sparingly—only taking a bit when the addiction flared up—he felt he could survive for another year or two.

Someone who could possess such a thing must hold a high position in the Immortality Research Institute, or perhaps be the descendant of a big shot.

But no matter which it was, he couldn't afford to offend him.

Seeing this scene, the surrounding Cui family members felt a massive storm raging in their hearts. Just who exactly was this Xu Mu?

Even a mid-stage Grandmaster expert treated him with such respect.

Witnessing this, Cui Rui's face was filled with despair. Only now did he realize that the Xu family was an existence he couldn't afford to provoke.

"Young Master Xu! I know I was wrong. Please let our Cui family go. From now on, our Cui family will follow your every command."

Clutching the wound on his waist, Cui Rui knelt before Xu Mu.

He knew very well that if he didn't kneel now, his chances of survival were slim.

Xu Mu looked at Xu Ningbing. "Sis, what do you think we should do?"

"Previously, the Cui family's goal was to use the Demon Sword Sect to kill us."

Xu Ningbing looked at Cui Rui. "Our lives are worth more than your Cui family. From now on, we want seventy percent of your Cui family's total assets."

"What? Seventy percent?"

Hearing this, Cui Rui felt his lips trembling.

Their Cui family had worked hard for so many years, but he never expected it to be ruined in a single day just because they offended a couple of people.

"Of course, you can choose not to do so."

Xu Mu said to Cui Rui, then glanced at the others around them. "I think someone else in the Cui family will agree to it."

Hearing this, Cui Rui's expression changed drastically.

He naturally understood Xu Mu's meaning: if he was killed, the legal heir of the Cui family would become his son.

If his son disagreed, they would continue killing and let his grandson take over the Cui family.

There would always be someone afraid of death who would satisfy Xu Mu's demands.

Of course, he knew his son's personality very well. As soon as he died, Cui Sen would definitely agree immediately.

"Alright! I agree. This is what we deserve. I can sign the contract right now."

Cui Rui sighed. Since things had come to this point, he had no other choice.

"Good. Sis, go sign the contract. I'll have a chat with this brother here."

Xu Mu looked at the bald middle-aged man beside him.

The middle-aged man understood implicitly and left with Xu Mu, heading towards the edge of a distant cliff.

Xu Mu looked at him and asked, "What is your purpose for coming here this time?"

"Sir, our boss sent me here. Recently, our branch has been short of funds, so he told me to come here to get sponsorships."

The middle-aged man explained, "To put it bluntly, it's about protecting their safety in exchange for them providing funds."

Hearing this, Xu Mu nodded gently. So all the funds of the Immortality Research Institute were extorted through this method.

It was practically the same as collecting protection money.

"I promised you just now, and I keep my word."

Xu Mu said to the man, "If you can tell me the address of another branch, I will give you this entire bottle."

"Recently, I heard that the Immortality Research Institute is relocating on a large scale. One of the branches is in Jiangbei, and I happen to know about it."

The middle-aged man said, "I once escorted a group of researchers into the ruins."

"Jiangbei? Tell me the address."

Xu Mu's eyes gradually turned cold. This Wang Hun was truly bold to place his branch in his territory. The first place he had to destroy would definitely be this location.

This address wasn't far from Jiang City, only about an hour's drive away.

Judging by the man's tone, he shouldn't be lying.

"Alright, it's yours."

Xu Mu handed the entire bottle over to the bald man.

"Thank you, sir!"

An excited expression instantly appeared on the bald man's face.

With this bottle of liquor, he wouldn't have to live in fear for at least the next year.

"By the way, Tong Guoguo disappeared recently. Has there been any changes with Mr. Soul?"

Xu Mu asked suddenly.

"Tong Guoguo has already been declared a traitor by Mr. Soul. If we encounter him in the future, we are to treat him as an enemy."

The bald man looked completely indifferent.

He was indeed indebted to Tong Guoguo's blood for his current defenses, but he had never felt grateful to him.

It was because of the implantation of Tong Guoguo's cells that he had become like this.

Moreover, he was controlled by the Immortality Research Institute's poisoned liquor, turning him into a lifelong beast of burden.

"I see. You can go now."

Xu Mu sighed inwardly.

This Wang Hun was indeed smart. The first thing he did after Tong Guoguo disappeared was to relocate their hideout.

Xu Mu returned to the hilltop mansion, where Xu Ningbing was already walking out with a contract in hand.

She smiled and said, "From now on, our company can put down roots in Jiangnan."

Xu Mu nodded. "Since everything is settled, let's head back."

Xu Ningbing was about to speak when she noticed her phone ringing. She took it out, glanced at it, and answered.

After hearing the voice on the other end, her expression gradually turned ugly.

Xu Ningbing hung up the phone and said to Xu Mu, "Let's go! We need to hurry back!"

"What happened?"

Xu Mu asked from behind.

"Someone is collecting protection money, and they've come to our family."

Xu Ningbing said coldly, "Let's go quickly. I'm worried our dad might be in danger."