Chapter 81: Do You Want to Be Boss?

"Brother Zhao, any news on the Longevity Cult?"

After taking the Guiyuan Pill, Chen Mu asked, "Especially Tang Wuyang's whereabouts?"

"No."

Zhao Fuzhou's smile vanished; he said gravely, "The Sanjue Valley was wiped out, Xie Chenglin of the Iron Spear Gate was killed—Longevity Cult now knows we're investigating and has hidden even deeper. For days, Zhenwu Si's personnel have been searching everywhere, found nothing."

"..." Chen Mu fell silent, thinking, "Brother Zhao, do you think there are still powerful figures in Nanyun Prefecture who've joined Longevity Cult? Especially older ones!"

What is the greatest attraction of Longevity Cult?

Their cultivation art extends lifespan!

Below the Innate Realm, a lifespan of 120 years refers to natural death under ideal conditions.

In reality, accidents, illness, and injuries shorten life.

Warriors are aggressive and combative; once fights turn fierce, hidden injuries linger.

Each outbreak of a hidden injury shortens life.

Under these circumstances, Longevity Cult's demonic art can extend life—who wouldn't be tempted?

Chen Mu believed it.

The major forces in Nanyun Prefecture are far more than just Tang Wuyang, Gao Zhengyang, and Xie Chenglin who've joined Longevity Cult.

Longevity Cult members hide so deeply—they must have local power groups aiding them!

"Absolutely."

Zhao Fuzhou said gravely, "The higher the rank of a Longevity Cult member, the stronger their power, and the more inhuman their bodies become. Such people, if seen on the streets, would draw attention. Zhenwu Si's personnel have searched everywhere but found none—there's only one explanation: someone is helping them hide!"

Ha~

Chen Mu silently smiled—Zhao Fuzhou had thought exactly as he had.

"Then Brother Zhao should secretly investigate the major forces inside and outside the city," Chen Mu suggested.

"Already under covert investigation," Zhao Fuzhou smiled lightly.

"Brother Zhao is brilliant!" Chen Mu bowed respectfully.

"Save the flattery," Zhao Fuzhou waved a hand. "You're the one who uncovered Xie Chenglin and Tang Wuyang. The longer Longevity Cult remains hidden, the more people die. These beasts need to be pulled out as soon as possible."

Chen Mu nodded.

Longevity Cult members are like vicious beasts, gaping mouths fixed greedily on every person.

Whether righteous or demonic, whether ordinary or cultivator—in their eyes, all are food.

The higher a warrior's cultivation, the more delicious they are!

Therefore, Longevity Cult's bases in Nanyun Prefecture must be eradicated!

Having achieved his goal in visiting Zhenwu Si's headquarters, Chen Mu took his leave.

The Inspector's official credentials and seal would take several days to arrive.

Zhao Fuzhou couldn't directly appoint the position, but with his status, submitting the application ensured no trouble.

Chen Mu only needed to wait patiently a few days.

Leaving Zhenwu Si, Chen Mu returned to the outer city, shifting his facial bones to become "Guan Tong," then went to the Big Knife Gang's headquarters, to the underground training chamber.

If the Big Knife Gang had an emergency, they'd slip a message into a corner of the chamber. Chen Mu entered through the secret passage, walked to the corner, circled it—no message. He nodded.

He announced he was "in seclusion"; no disturbances unless it was urgent.

Those outside followed his orders precisely.

With nothing amiss, Chen Mu exited the secret passage, removed the skin mask, and reclaimed it into his palm space.

Then he poured out one Guiyuan Pill and swallowed it.

As the pill entered his belly, an invisible aura quickly spread over his dantian, masking it.

Without circulating qi, his cultivation wasn't obvious—but an Innate Realm body, if uncontrolled, radiated vital energy so intensely it shone brighter than a lantern.

The aura released by the Guiyuan Pill not only concealed the dantian but enveloped his entire body.

Chen Mu then supplemented it with the San Yun Jue, suppressing his cultivation to Later Heaven Fifth Layer.

He returned home.

It was dinnertime; Huang Feiyang was also home for dinner today.

Miao Xiuxiu's belly grew daily; Huang Feiyang had stopped her from working, hiring two old maids to cook, clean, and wash clothes.

Miao Xiuxiu couldn't sit idle, so she watched nearby.

The few dishes for dinner were made by the cook under her watch at the stove.

Huang Feiyang and Chen Mu sat at the table, eating and talking.

Midway through the meal, Huang Feiyang suddenly remembered something and said seriously, "Hu Zi, you haven't been to headquarters lately, have you?"

"... No," Chen Mu replied calmly. "What's wrong? Someone dissatisfied?"

Many envied and resented his position as Head of the External Affairs Hall.

"Forget those who're dissatisfied—I mean the Boss!"

Huang Feiyang said gravely, "You're Head of the External Affairs Hall. If you stay away from headquarters too long, the Boss might think otherwise—even though he's in seclusion, his close aides are watching every detail of the gang!"

"When the Boss emerges from seclusion, he'll surely ask about the gang's situation."

"No problem," Chen Mu smiled. "The Boss trusts me completely. Once I've gathered enough information, I'll go to headquarters and meet him."

"Guan Tong" was his disguise—how could he not trust him?

"You…"

Huang Feiyang shook his head, frowning, "I don't know if it's my imagination, but I feel like the gang leader has been a bit strange lately."

"Oh, what do you mean?" Chen Mu asked without changing expression. "Isn't the gang leader going into closed-door cultivation a common thing? It's not the first time."

"No, this time is different from before."

Huang Feiyang shook his head. "I can't say exactly how it's different. In short, it's better to be careful. When the gang leader isn't around, we need to be even more cautious."

That made sense.

"Guan Tong" staying out of sight for so long—whether it was the hall masters, the big bosses, or even "Guan Tong's" trusted confidants—everyone would feel something was off.

What Chen Mu hadn't expected was that Huang Feiyang could actually sense the difference between the two "Guan Tongs."

Before becoming a big boss, Huang Feiyang hadn't even had the qualification to meet Guan Tong; everything he knew about this leader of the Great Saber Gang was only through hearsay.

Logically speaking, he should be the one least familiar with Guan Tong.

But the reality was, Huang Feiyang had noticed that the two "Guan Tongs" were different.

When Chen Mu thought of this, he fell into thought.

Since Huang Feiyang could sense it, could others as well?

If the strangeness noticed by the people below kept piling up…

Tch!

Chen Mu shook his head, too lazy to think it through.

At worst, he'd just stop using the "Guan Tong" identity.

If the Great Saber Gang's sky changed, he'd push Huang Feiyang up to take the seat!

Thinking of this, Chen Mu set down his cup, looked at Huang Feiyang, and said seriously, "Brother, do you want to be the gang leader?"

"Huh? Huh!?"

Huang Feiyang was stunned—first shocked, then dumbfounded, and finally he gaped wide, shot a panicked glance outside, then lowered his voice and whispered, "What nonsense are you spouting!?"

Be the gang leader?

Was that something they could even discuss!

Who didn't want to be the gang leader?

The question was, did one have the strength, the ability to be it?

Especially now that the Great Saber Gang had unified the outer city's east district, and the gang's membership had doubled—commanding so many people wasn't something just anyone was qualified to do.

"Don't worry about anything else."

Chen Mu said seriously, "Just tell me—do you want to be the gang leader or not?"