Chapter 49

Under normal circumstances, if Tang Tianhao, Zheng Qianrou, and Guo Jinquan came to confront him, Chen Mu's explanations would be of little use.

The danger of rumors lies precisely here.

It's not enough for you to say you didn't do it or say it—they won't believe you.

Zheng Qianrou launched an attack the moment she saw him.

Although Tang Tang Tianhao maintained politeness, he also refused to let Chen Mu out of his sight.

Why did they finally believe?

Or, more accurately, they were half-skeptical.

Because Chen Mu's strength was far greater than they had assumed!

Huang Shirong's disturbance at Qunfang Garden gave Chen Mu the chance to act.

Young nobles from great families, no matter how otherwise lacking, possess sharp discernment.

Having seen countless masters since childhood, they could tell whether someone was truly skilled or merely outwardly imposing—though not necessarily at a glance, after a few observations, they could always judge strength from weakness.

When Chen Mu moved, Tang Tang Tianhao and Zheng Qianrou immediately recognized his skill as genuine.

Combined with the fact that Chen Mu had been dodging throughout Zheng Qianrou's earlier attack, they were finally willing to listen to his account.

Give each other a chance!

As for Guo Jinquan, with Zheng Qianrou and Tang Tianhao present to explain, he remained half-skeptical.

If the order in which the three came to him had been reversed.

If Guo Jinquan had been the first to confront Chen Mu, Cheng Dongfeng's scheme would already have succeeded.

……

"Who… who are you?"

In panic, Cheng Dongfeng bit his tongue, forcing himself to calm down, his voice trembling, "I… I am Cheng…"

"We know your name is Cheng Dongfeng. Old man, you've got balls."

Guo Jinquan cut in coldly, "How dare you scheme against young master me? Cut off his hands and feet!"

"Yes!"

The two guards behind Guo Jinquan responded in low voices.

The next instant, they lunged forward, rushing toward Cheng Dongfeng.

"Wait… wait!"

Cheng Dongfeng, terrified, stumbled backward, shouting, "Mistake… it's all a mistake… ahh!!"

A piercing scream erupted.

The two guards drew their blades, surrounding Cheng Dongfeng; within moments, they severed both his hands and feet.

Cheng Dongfeng, now only a torso, lay in a pool of blood, howling in agony.

"Stop his bleeding."

Guo Jinquan's expression remained unchanged, coldly stating, "Daring to scheme against young master me—I'll make this old bastard wish he could die but can't!"

"Deliver this message to Xiao Laohu as well—on my word."

As he spoke the second sentence, Guo Jinquan turned his gaze to the two servants kneeling in the corner.

The two servants trembled violently, not daring to make a sound.

Xiao Laohu—the boss of the Hungry Tiger Gang—his real name is Xiao Chenghu!

"Too loud."

Zheng Qianrou frowned, turned, and said, "The mastermind is dealt with. Let's go."

"Um, Miss Zheng, please wait."

Chen Mu, who had remained silent until now, stepped forward at the right moment, bowed deeply to Zheng Qianrou, then respectfully saluted Tang Tianhao and Guo Jinquan in turn, sincerely saying, "Miss Zheng, Brother Tang, and Brother Guo—though this incident has been clarified as Cheng Dongfeng's doing, the rumors have taken root and are hard to erase. When you return, if anyone brings it up, could you please casually clarify?"

Cheng Dongfeng had been exposed, but others still didn't know.

Later, young teenagers, self-proclaimed geniuses aged fifteen or sixteen, would inevitably come knocking.

Chen Mu could explain, but some would listen, while others wouldn't—or wouldn't even want to!

"No problem."

Zheng Qianrou replied readily, "It's a minor thing—I'll have word spread the truth when I return."

"Yes, this concerns everyone—it must be clarified," Tang Tang Tianhao agreed. "But next time, once my palm technique improves further, I'll challenge Brother Chen to a proper sparring match—you can't refuse, alright?"

"Alright." Chen Mu nodded first, then clasped his fists in gratitude, "Thank you, Brother Tang and Miss Zheng!"

With Tang Tang Tianhao and Zheng Qianrou helping to explain, the aftermath was essentially settled.

"Explaining is easy, but Brother Chen, wouldn't you consider moving elsewhere?"

Guo Jinquan smiled and said, "With your strength, staying in a gang is a waste—you're limited here. Come to my Guo family: we have cultivation techniques, martial arts, pills, weapons, gold, silver, women—everything! As long as you contribute enough, reaching the Innate Realm isn't out of reach!"

"…Thank you, Brother Guo."

Chen Mu's expression turned thoughtful; after a moment of silence, he apologized, "This concerns my future—could I ask for a few days to consider?"

"Do as you wish."

Guo Jinquan's smile vanished. He stopped looking at Chen Mu, turned, and strode away with his hands behind his back.

Got it!

He got angry because you didn't immediately agree!

These noble youths are terribly proud.

In Guo Jinquan's eyes, since he'd personally offered recruitment, Chen Mu should have fallen to his knees in gratitude and accepted on the spot.

Not responding immediately is sheer ingratitude!

True, Chen Mu's back is rumored to have an Innate Realm "master."

Setting aside the possibility that it was fake, even if it were real, in Guo Jinquan's eyes, this "Master" wasn't much to speak of.

A "Master" who lets his disciple run around with gangs can't be that strong!

"That's just the kind of person he is."

Zheng Qianrou watched Guo Jinquan walk out the gate, then said to Chen Mu, "Brother Chen, don't take it to heart. Of course, if Brother Chen is willing to join my Zheng family, I can betroth my fourth younger sister to you! My fourth younger sister is very pretty, I guarantee Brother Chen will like her at first sight!"

Uh~

Chen Mu blinked and smiled, "Many thanks to Miss Zheng for thinking highly of Chen Mu, but as for the future…"

"Easy, easy." Zheng Qianrou waved her hand to cut him off, "Take your time to consider. I'm off."

With that, she strode away in great haste. A few subordinates followed closely behind.

"Then Brother Chen, we'll meet next time!"

Tang Tianhao cupped his fists, then left.

Chen Mu went out the door together with them and came to the street.

He watched Tang Tianhao and Zheng Qianrou each go their separate ways into the distance, then shook his head almost imperceptibly.

Join the Guo family? The Zheng family?

There was simply no need!

The gates of a great clan aren't something you can just walk through.

The rules are strict, the hierarchy rigid, and one's freedom is restricted.

Whether a retainer or a guest elder, no matter how strong, you're always subordinate to the main family, taking orders from others.

A gang is different. Chen Mu can leave whenever he wants, however he wants.

At least Guan Tong is willing to give money.

Guo Jinquan?

All he does is shout empty slogans, acting as if he's the king of heaven himself.

Compared to Zheng Qianrou, Guo Jinquan's breadth of mind is truly nothing impressive.

Thinking of this, Chen Mu activated his "Wind-Listening" skill and, following the direction Guo Jinquan had left, listened with focused attention.

He didn't expect that this listen would pick up a strange conversation.

"…He's already gone. Phew~ that scared me."

"What's going on? Why did people from the Guo family, Zheng family, and Tang family come over here? Have we been exposed?"

"Don't scare yourself. The people from the Guo family and Zheng family went to the residence of a Hungry Tiger Gang boss. If the two of you have only this much guts, you won't be able to enter the cult."

"Yes, yes, Brother Zhou is right to scold us. It's just that there was a reason. By the way, Brother Zhou, when can we enter the cult and begin the path to longevity?"

"Wait! To enter my Longevity Cult, you must first pass three trials. You've already passed the first trial, and the second trial is coming soon. Before the three trials, you'd best keep your mouths shut tight."

"Understood!"

……

Longevity Cult?

What kind of force is this?