Journey to Yanjing

Xu Mu noticed that Lu Xueyao hadn't gotten up yet, so he took the initiative to stand and pulled her up from the ground.

"If you want to climb higher, you have to do it aboveboard. Otherwise, you and your people will be stuck in that hole forever. Once a major crackdown comes from above, you'll all be finished."

Xu Mu glanced at Lu Xueyao. "I hope you can understand my good intentions."

"I know."

Lu Xueyao wiped her tears with her sleeve and nodded firmly.

"Let's go."

Xu Mu looked at Lu Xueyao.

Lu Xueyao nodded, then turned to the side. "Take Ma Pao away and hand him over to the company's supervisor for handling."

"Yes, Sister Lu!"

The dozen or so people around her bowed their heads in unison.

Lu Xueyao stayed close to Xu Mu. She raised her hand, then lowered it again.

"Brother Mu, can I..."

"Go ahead."

Xu Mu said, glancing at Lu Xueyao.

Hearing this, Lu Xueyao's face lit up with joy. She reached up and hooked her arm through Xu Mu's.

[Affection +20]

The two of them walked together to a nearby park. At this hour of the evening, many elderly people and young parents with children were strolling around.

Xu Mu and Lu Xueyao found a bench and sat down, watching the children playing and laughing by the artificial lake in the distance.

"Not going to school anymore?"

Xu Mu asked suddenly.

"Yeah, I quit. I don't think it's meaningful. Spend a few years getting a college degree, and I'll probably still end up like this when I come out."

Lu Xueyao nodded gently. "Brother Mu, you don't think I'm uneducated, do you?"

"No, as long as you're not doing scientific research, a high school diploma is enough for a lifetime."

Xu Mu smiled. "So, you're running a company now?"

"I really agreed with what you said before, so I took my people and registered a legitimate company. I sold the five hundred grams of gold you gave me a while back when the price was over a thousand, and made quite a bit of money."

Lu Xueyao looked at Xu Mu. "Now we're a formal security company. We've signed contracts with many entertainment venues in Jiang City to provide their security."

Xu Mu nodded inwardly. Usually, in these entertainment spots, customers drink and fights can break out easily, so security is in high demand. Besides that, local thugs sometimes come to cause trouble, basically just trying to extort money. That's when the security team they hire comes in handy.

"From now on, I'll manage my people well."

Lu Xueyao promised Xu Mu.

Xu Mu nodded lightly and took out three pills from his pocket: two Hongyuan Pills and one Qihai Pill.

"I came this time to give you these pills. They'll help you take the next step."

Xu Mu placed the three pills in Lu Xueyao's hand. "Take one every half month. Save the blue one for last."

[Affection +30]

"Brother Mu, you're so good to me. Now I know a bit about ancient martial artists, and I understand how precious these pills are."

Lu Xueyao gripped Xu Mu's hand tightly. "I won't let you down."

"That's good."

Xu Mu smiled and ruffled Lu Xueyao's hair. "Oh, and I've got another treasure for you."

As he spoke, he took out a spatial ring.

"This ring is beautiful."

Lu Xueyao took it with a delighted expression.

[Affection +10]

"This is a spatial ring. Infuse your Qi into it, and you can store things inside. Use it yourself, and don't let anyone know, or it could bring you danger."

Xu Mu explained.

Lu Xueyao put the pills Xu Mu had given her into it and saw them vanish from her palm. From now on, she could store weapons in it without anyone finding out.

"Brother Mu, you're so good to me. Let's go get a room."

Lu Xueyao grabbed Xu Mu's hand.

Xu Mu helplessly pulled his hand away. "Let's talk after you've made some achievements."

"Okay!"

Lu Xueyao nodded with a smile. "Then we have a deal!"

...

After seeing Lu Xueyao off, Xu Mu drove back home.

When he arrived, everyone else had left. Ye Tong was sitting in the living room watching TV with Ye Yu and Bai Yi.

Seeing Xu Mu return, Ye Yu said with a smile, "Brother-in-law, I thought you weren't coming back tonight."

"How could that be?"

Xu Mu smiled and sat down next to Ye Tong. "But I'm going to Yanjing tomorrow."

"What for?"

Ye Tong asked curiously.

"To be honest, your man recently joined a national organization. This trip is for a mission."

Xu Mu wrapped his arm around Ye Tong's shoulder. "Going to Yanjing probably means I'll be receiving an award."

"Wow! Brother-in-law is amazing!"

Ye Yu said with an admiring look.

"As expected of the boss."

Bai Yi chimed in.

Keep it low-key.

Xu Mu waved his hand at them. "When I get back this time, I might bring you a few more techniques."

With his current justice points, plus contributions from Li Yun, Zhao Yingying, and Lu Xueyao, he could already do twelve consecutive draws. He felt sure he'd get plenty of techniques, which he could pass on to Ye Yu and Bai Yi to practice.

"Honey, be careful when you're on the mission."

Ye Tong said with concern.

"Don't worry."

Xu Mu waved casually, then took Ye Tong's hand. "Alright, let's go rest."

"Pfft!"

Ye Yu pursed her lips. "Sis, keep it down."

"What nonsense is this brat talking about?"

Ye Tong's cheeks flushed red.

Once in the room, Xu Mu and Ye Tong began their practice. It had to be said, the kind of battle where you knew every move upfront truly helped them relax and unwind.

...

The next morning.

Xu Mu was woken by Wei Jingzhi's phone call, reminding him not to forget today's plans.

He got up early and called Chen Xuan to inform him about the matter. Chen Xuan agreed to prepare right away.

Xu Mu made a simple breakfast. Ye Tong, Ye Yu, and Bai Yi ate and then left separately.

About half an hour later, Chen Xuan arrived on his electric scooter.

Xu Mu didn't drive this time. He simply sat on the back of Chen Xuan's scooter and gave directions.

...

When they arrived at Wei Jingzhi's estate, the guard recognized Xu Mu and waved him in.

Xu Mu and Chen Xuan walked into the courtyard and found a military helicopter parked there. Besides Wei Jingzhi, there was another familiar face: the current head of the Xuantian Sect, Yang Lielan.

She was still wearing a plain moon-white dress, her curvaceous pear-shaped figure perfectly proportioned in every way. Her face was beautiful but lacked a typical woman's softness, instead radiating competence.

Xu Mu had fought alongside her before when dealing with Wang Hun. He had to admit, watching a woman wield a long spear in battle was quite striking.

"Senior, Sister Yang."

Xu Mu greeted them both with a smile.

Chen Xuan stood beside him and nodded slightly at the two.

"Xu Mu, congratulations. I couldn't make it to Kunlun Mountain last time because of a mission, but I watched the video of your fight."

Yang Lielan smiled at Xu Mu.

[Affection +10]

"Haha! You two can get to know each other better on the helicopter."

Wei Jingzhi winked at Yang Lielan.

Yang Lielan rolled her eyes and walked over to Xu Mu, recalling how he had tasted her saliva last time to check the poison she'd been hit with, which made her a bit uncomfortable.

"Xu Mu, let's go."

Xu Mu was a little surprised and asked with a smile, "Sister Yang, are you coming along too?"