Lu Xueyao is being somewhat ungrateful.

"What's so special about hidden clans? In broad daylight, under the clear sky, do they dare to come after us?"

Xu Ningbing adjusted her glasses, her gaze sharp as a blade.

"You're too naive. Do you know how the Ye family of Yang City fell?"

Xu Shou looked at Xu Ningbing with calm composure.

"The Ye family?"

Xu Ningbing glanced at Xu Mu first, recalling his wife Ye Tong, before replying, "Are you saying the Ye family was destroyed by a hidden clan in Yang City?"

"No, the ones who dealt with the Ye family weren’t Yang City’s hidden clans." Xu Shou shook his head.

"Exactly."

Xu Mu instinctively agreed.

"You know about this?"

Xu Ningbing stared at Xu Mu in disbelief.

But on second thought, Xu Mu had mentioned knowing someone important before.

Perhaps he’d learned these things from that person.

"I do. The senior I know told me."

Xu Mu made up an excuse on the spot. "Essentially, the Ye family and that hidden clan were allies. Of course they wouldn’t turn on each other."

"Kid, seems you know a lot. Why don’t you enlighten me too?"

Xu Shou chuckled as he lit a cigarette.

"The hidden clans’ money-making logic is simple—investment control. For example, if they take an interest in our Xu family, they’ll send someone to propose an investment, demanding a cut of our future profits."

Xu Mu paused before continuing, "Nearly every major enterprise standing firm in Yang City has investments from hidden clans. The Ye family was no exception—they were considered insiders."

"A cut of our profits? What if we refuse their investment?" Xu Ningbing asked.

"Hidden clans have martial artists. If you don’t cooperate, they’ll find other ways to persuade you."

Xu Mu shrugged, then turned to Xu Shou. "Old man, you came here today because of this, right?"

"Exactly."

Xu Shou’s eyes gleamed with admiration. "Yang City has two major hidden clans. Back when Old Wei celebrated his birthday, one of them even sent someone to congratulate him."

"I see."

Xu Ningbing nodded thoughtfully. "When Old Wei said he’d look out for us today, he meant getting them involved, didn’t he?"

"Right. Money can be shared, but when it comes to our family’s company, we take the meat—others can have the broth."

Xu Shou took a deep drag, holding the smoke in his lungs before exhaling slowly. "We’re not pushovers either. Let’s go home."

……

Xu Mu returned to the Xu family estate. After a brief chat with Xu Shou in the living room, he drove back.

Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Xu Shou watched Xu Mu’s Cadillac Escalade disappear into the distance, a faint smile on his lips.

The reason Old Wei Jingzhi had agreed to help wasn’t because of the wine Xu Shou offered—it was Xu Mu’s painting.

His son had been quietly honing his skills all this time, mastering so many talents.

Xu Shou felt he’d failed him.

"Stop staring, he’s long gone."

Xu Ningbing walked over.

Xu Shou smiled at her. He truly regretted letting Xu Mu marry so young now.

But it wasn’t hopeless.

His son was exceptional, guided by a master, and his meridians had already been restored.

In a few years, the Xu family might even rise to become a hidden clan.

Then, Xu Mu could marry Xu Ningbing too.

Such arrangements were common among hidden clans—no marriage certificate needed. A single word would suffice to legitimize any future children.

Of course, Xu Ningbing would likely refuse.

Xu Shou lit another cigarette, lost in thought.

Every situation had its pros and cons.

Years ago, to let Xu Ningbing grow up without psychological burdens, he’d never told anyone—not even her—that she was adopted.

Not even Xu Ningbing herself knew.

If she had, she wouldn’t be so domineering.

She certainly wouldn’t have treated Xu Mu the way she did all these years.

But she was his sworn brother’s daughter. Xu Shou still wanted her to have a warm home.

……

Meanwhile, Xu Mu was at home, stretching vigorously after dinner.

With Ye Tong’s help, his Justice Points had crossed 1,000 again.

Since he hadn’t used his last draw, he decided to spin the wheel now instead of waiting till morning.

Ten consecutive draws initiated.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining the Profound-tier cultivation manual: Illusory Sword Heart Method.]

Huh?

Xu Mu was surprised. Luck was on his side today—starting off with a cultivation manual.

A Profound-tier heart method, no less.

But mastering it would take time and effort.

Not worth it.

Now, if it were a Heaven-tier manual, that’d be different.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 Cultivation Points.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining 20 Attribute Points.]

……

Xu Mu wasn’t picky—baseline Cultivation Points were fine.

As for top-tier manuals, he’d wait until he amassed 10,000 points for a premium draw.

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining Divine-tier ability: Third-Level Perception.]

[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for obtaining Profound-tier technique: Illusory Sword.]

No way!

Xu Mu hadn’t expected the last two draws to deliver back-to-back rewards.

He checked the Divine-tier Perception first—his signature ability.

As expected, the third level expanded its range from 100 meters to 200. He could now clearly sense even his neighbors’ bedrooms.

As for Illusory Sword, it was an upgraded version of Mountain-Splitting Palm, shaping released qi into sword projections for deadlier strikes.

This round netted him 120 Cultivation Points and 60 Attribute Points.

Xu Mu allocated them all, feeling his body strengthen—yet no breakthrough notification appeared.

Checking his stats:

Name: Xu Mu

Identity: Villain’s Constitution, HR Manager of Xu Corporation

Realm: Early-Stage Gang Qi

Physique: 360

Spirit: 360

Cultivation Value: 300 (400 to next level)

Destiny Power: 195

He sighed. Progress grew harder at higher levels.

Still, he had it easier than most.

Reaching Gang Qi realm usually took prodigies years—yet he’d done it in under a month, while mastering multiple Heaven-tier techniques.

In the original storyline, even high-level talents needed extensive time to master advanced techniques.

"Oh, are you free tomorrow?" Ye Tong suddenly asked.

"I am. Why?" Xu Mu replied curiously.

"Ye Yu mentioned her school’s holding a parent-teacher meeting. I’ve got an experiment, so since you’re available, could you go?" Ye Tong smiled.

"Sure."

Xu Mu nodded. His job was practically nonexistent anyway.

"Wife, it’s still early. The sage has departed."

Just as Xu Mu prepared for a duet, his phone buzzed.

Who’d message him this late?

It was Lu Xueyao:

"Xu Mu, are you asleep?"

Xu Mu glanced at the time—it was only a little past ten in the evening—and replied, "I'm awake. What's up?"

"The school is holding a parent-teacher meeting tomorrow. I need a favor."

Another message from Lu Xueyao followed.

Reading this, Xu Mu's gaze sharpened. This Lu Xueyao was pushing her luck.