The Legendary Cleaner

Xu Mu knew he had to take precautions before disaster struck. After completing his preparations, he opened his system panel.

Name: Xu Mu

Role: Antagonist Saint, HR Manager of Xu Corporation

Realm: Early-stage Gang Qi

Physique: 330

Spirit: 330

Cultivation Points: 180 (Max 400)

Destiny Power: 155

Xu Mu checked his attributes and nodded to himself. As expected, advancing to a new realm required significantly more cultivation points.

But that was only natural—progress becoming harder the further one went was just how things worked.

Meanwhile...

In an abandoned factory outside a small county under Jiang City, Feng Yue was tied to a metal frame with ropes.

Lin Yang and the two men beside him were completely baffled.

They had assumed Xu Mu was merely pretending not to care.

Yet after all this time, he still hadn’t returned their calls.

"Hahaha!"

Feng Yue’s hair was disheveled, and blood stained the corner of her lips. Despite her disheveled appearance, she exuded a wild, untamed beauty.

"I told you, Xu Mu and I have no relationship. Do you really think he’d come save me?"

Though she spoke defiantly, a flicker of sorrow passed through her eyes.

The Xu Mu of the past would have rushed to her rescue—reckless but utterly devoted to her.

Now, it was too late.

Feng Yue let out a bitter laugh. Perhaps this was the price for toying with men’s hearts.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a black projectile shot through a broken window of the factory.

Lin Yang swiftly raised his hand and caught the incoming dart.

He glanced down at the black weapon—shaped like a finger, its tip a conical spike.

"Jiu Zhi, you dare?! Is this how you repay your savior?"

Lin Yang’s gaze turned icy as he flung the dart to the ground.

"Keh keh keh!"

From the window emerged a gaunt man in his fifties, dressed in a white round-neck T-shirt, black sweatpants, and elderly walking shoes.

He looked like any other soon-to-retire old man—except for the missing middle finger on his left hand.

His narrow eyes gleamed with mischief. "Lin Yang, if you die, wouldn’t that debt disappear? I’d be doing you a favor!"

"I could end you right now," Lin Yang growled.

"Keh keh keh! Touchy, aren’t you? Just a joke—that little attack wouldn’t have killed you anyway."

Jiu Zhi scanned the room before his gaze settled on Feng Yue. His beady eyes widened as much as they could. "What a waste! A beauty like this, and you’ve got her tied up?"

"I don’t like secondhand goods. To me, she’s just leftovers after a feeding frenzy," Lin Yang said dismissively.

"I’m not picky. Untie her—it’s been too long since I’ve had such a fine dish," Jiu Zhi said, grinning as he approached Feng Yue.

Though Feng Yue kept her expression composed, her legs trembled uncontrollably.

She’d rather die than be defiled by such a man.

And despite what people thought, she hadn’t lied to Xu Mu.

She might have been a heartbreaker, using men for her own ends, but she’d never let any of them have her.

Not even a first kiss.

As Jiu Zhi reached for her, tears began streaming down her face.

"Wait!" Lin Yang’s voice cut in.

"What now? You want first dibs? Fine by me—I can wait my turn," Jiu Zhi said, turning with a smirk.

"I know you too well. Even with that debt, I’d need leverage to make you act. This woman is that leverage."

Lin Yang pulled out his phone and tossed it to Jiu Zhi.

Jiu Zhi caught it and saw a photo on the screen.

"This man is Xu Mu, son of Xu Shou from Jiang City’s Xu Corporation. I want him dead."

Lin Yang’s tone was indifferent. "Once he’s gone, the woman is yours to do with as you please."

Feng Yue shut her eyes, tears falling freely.

The more despicable Lin Yang became, the nobler Xu Mu seemed in her memory.

And the deeper her regret grew.

"Deal. But I want a taste first," Jiu Zhi said, leering at Feng Yue.

"No. I told you—I know you. Once you’ve had your fun, you’ll vanish. Xu Mu dies first."

Lin Yang’s expression didn’t waver.

"Xu Corporation has money and influence. If they trace this back to me, the Cleaners will wipe me out."

Jiu Zhi narrowed his eyes. "I won’t kill him in public. You’ll need to lure him somewhere isolated."

"Fine. It’s a deal."

Lin Yang nodded. Xu Mu, that brainless playboy, would be easy to bait.

---

Over breakfast with Ye Tong, Xu Mu brought up the situation.

He warned her to stay vigilant—stick to crowded areas, places with surveillance.

Never go anywhere secluded alone.

Xu Mu knew the story’s lore. The reason China remained so safe despite the existence of martial artists was because of one profession: the Cleaners.

Ordinary cleaners took care of mundane trash.

These Cleaners disposed of the martial world’s filth.

Backed by the nation, the Cleaners held immense authority and were divided into three ranks:

Junior, Intermediate, and Senior.

Senior Cleaners were terrifyingly powerful, their numbers few even in a country as vast as China.

Their strength rivaled—even surpassed—that of top sect leaders.

Xu Mu had transmigrated into this world while listening to the novel’s audiobook. Since he hadn’t finished it, he only knew up to the mid-to-late stages.

Even then, several Senior Cleaners had already proven stronger than the Dragon King.

If martial artists dared openly kidnap Ye Tong, the Cleaners would intervene without hesitation.

Ye Tong’s expression turned grave. If Lin Yang was bold enough to abduct Feng Yue to threaten Xu Mu, he wouldn’t hesitate to target her too.

She’d have to be extra cautious.

After breakfast, Xu Mu headed to the office. Shortly after settling in, Meng Wanyue entered with documents.

"Director Xu, today’s work report."

She placed the files on his desk.

"Wanyue, have you heard about recent events involving our company?" Xu Mu asked, looking up.

"Yes. The weight-loss pills are selling phenomenally, boosting the entire group. The chairman mentioned year-end bonuses will be much higher this year."

Meng Wanyue remained composed. Material rewards meant little to her.

"Listen to this."

Xu Mu played a recording from his phone. Once it finished, he continued,

"Lin Yang tried using Feng Yue to threaten me this morning. Since that failed, he might target others—like Ye Tong or Ye Yu. I need you to protect them."

[Affection +15]

Black text floated above Meng Wanyue’s head.

Xu Mu was stunned. A 15-point increase in affection from her was unprecedented.

He wasn’t even sure what he’d done to deserve it.

"Director Xu, I admire you. Even knowing Lin Yang’s real target is you, your concern is only for those around you—never yourself."

Meng Wanyue’s voice was soft.

Only then did Xu Mu realize—he truly hadn’t spared a thought for his own safety.

After all, compared to Ye Tong and Ye Yu, he was a true master of Gang Qi, possessing a Heaven-grade cultivation technique.