Chapter 110: First Clues
Chapter 110: First Clues
Lin Mu’s words stunned the assassin. He gave Lin Mu a puzzled look, seemingly unable to believe that Lin Mu recognized the person in the photo at first glance.
“Do you know my sister?”
“Indeed. Although the little girl in the photo looks only about ten, I’m certain she’s Tang Beibei. She’s one of my closest friends.”
Lin Mu nodded faintly. He glanced at the photo, then back at the assassin.
“So you’re from Sichuan’s Tang Clan. No wonder your Throwing Knives are so skilled. But with such a background, why choose to become a hired killer?”
“Hmph! I had no choice. I ran away from home long ago when Beibei was just born. She didn’t understand anything. I tried finding her later, but the old folks had thoroughly brainwashed her.”
“After Beibei grew up, I tried again. But she refused to see me. She even secretly told the family I’d appeared. That time, the Tang Clan hunted me for almost a month. I almost lost my life.”
Speaking of the past, the assassin grew agitated and coughed up blood again.
“I don’t wish to meddle in Tang family affairs. But since your sister is Tang Beibei, I promise to give this Secret Manual to her.”
Lin Mu lifted the photo, nodding thoughtfully.
“Yes, I don’t want Beibei involved either. Those old bastards didn’t experiment on her at least… Fine. As long as Beibei lives well, that’s all that matters.”
The assassin pulled a small pouch from his pocket and slowly handed it to Lin Mu.
“Here’s the bank deposit box certificate. Retrieve everything inside.”
“I’m glad we fought. Dying by your hand is a worthy end for a martial artist… better than dying by a gunshot.”
“Lin Mu… be careful. Many enemies… many…”
His life fading, the assassin spoke in broken sentences. After a few words, his breath finally ceased.
Lin Mu stared at the photo in his hand. Only after a long while did he slowly rise.
He pulled out his Mobile Phone and dialed. Soon, Wu Tianming arrived at the beach with several men.
“Young Master Lin, we’re here.”
“Hmm. Cremate him. Didn’t expect… he was my friend’s brother. The world’s ways are mysterious and unfathomable. Fate, ah…”
Lin Mu sighed, pointing at the dead assassin on the sand. He had never learned the assassin’s name.
Wu Tianming and his men cleaned the beach quickly. Before long, their vehicles left.
Only then did Ji Qinglan emerge from hiding nearby. Watching the departing car lights, her eyes held an enigmatic meaning.
With matters settled, Lin Mu returned home. Spotting his Maybach parked at the door, he knew Sister You and her husband had arrived.
Inside, his prediction proved right. A group crowded the living room.
Seeing Lin Mu return, everyone stood up at once.
“A-Mu! I knew you’d pull through!”
Ye Zixi was thrilled. She cried out and rushed into Lin Mu’s arms.
Amused by her excitement, Lin Mu smiled and tweaked her pert little nose. He then addressed the group. “Don’t worry. It’s all resolved. Everything’s fine.”
“A-Mu, we’re so grateful! We troubled you right after you saved Liancheng. We’re truly sorry!”
Xu You spoke apologetically.
“Sister You, I’m the one who should apologize. If not for me, that assassin wouldn’t have targeted you. But misfortune can bring hidden blessings. Everyone’s safe now—that’s what counts.”
Lin Mu waved his hand dismissively and pulled Ye Zixi to the sofa.
“What happened to the assassin?”
Qi Liancheng pressed. Years of disrupted Zhenqi and reversed Meridians required time to heal, even after Lin Mu’s correction.
“We fought honorably. I barely edged him out. He lost.”
Lin Mu’s response was calm.
“Good! Well fought!”
Qi Liancheng slapped his thigh triumphantly.
With the danger past, everyone relaxed. After chatting awhile, Xu You and her husband left. Exhausted from the day’s ordeal, they needed rest.
“Visit us sometime!”
Xu You requested before departing. Once Lin Mu agreed, they left the Villa.
“A-Mu, did you find out who hired the assassin?”
As soon as the couple left, Song Yuru asked urgently.
“Yes. I know who it was.”
Lin Mu nodded firmly.
“Can you handle them?”
Ye Zixi moved closer, ready to join the fight if needed.
“Don’t worry. It’s manageable. But this is an internal family matter. It must be handled discreetly. I’ll deal with them slowly.”
Tousling Ye Ziu’s hair, Lin Mu gave a calm smile.
“Family? Could it be…?!”
Ling Xuanrong covered her mouth, stunned and staring at Lin Mu.
“Yes. Internal. I honored my grandfather’s wish by leaving family affairs alone… yet some won’t let me go. If that’s how they play… I won’t hesitate to fight back.”
Lin Mu spun a teacup thoughtfully.
“But you don’t care about the Lin Family’s wealth anymore, right? If possible… avoid this feud.”
Song Yuru grasped his hand, not wanting him trapped in family conflict among relatives.
“Yuru, I wanted to avoid it. They forced it upon me. And now… I suspect they had a hand in my parents’ deaths. This vengeance… even against family… I won’t let it slide.”
A cold glint flashed in Lin Mu’s eyes as he crushed the teacup to pieces.
“Ah…”
Among the girls, Song Yuru knew Lin Mu’s past best—having learned much about him during his hospitalization.
Sensing his sorrow, the others stayed quiet. Ling Xuanrong silently swept away the shattered glass.
Family power struggles were crueler than external rivalries. Relatives fought without mercy, stopping only when one side lay utterly destroyed.
In great families, power, wealth, and status could turn kin into mortal foes. Since ancient times, such battles had shattered countless homes.
“So what will you do now?”
Ling Xuanrong asked softly after cleaning up.
“I’ll wait before acting. Have their secrets thoroughly investigated. See what’s so precious in my family… worth trying to kill me over.”
Lin Mu smiled. He wouldn’t confront them openly yet. With the assassin defeated and his foe identified, he knew where to strike.
The girls offered no objections—this was Lin Mu’s family affair, beyond their place to interfere.
Exhausted after a long day, everyone retired after brief conversation.
Lin Mu freshened up and was about to start Cultivation when Luo Bingyun called. After their call, he dressed, drove out in his Maybach.
“Why did A-Mu leave again?”
“I’m not sure. Must be something important.”
“Probably. Let’s sleep. We’ve got stuff tomorrow!”
Upstairs, the three girls heard the Maybach engine roar.
Lin Mu drove straight to Luo Bingyun’s place, then went upstairs using a familiar route.
This time, instead of knocking, he pressed his finger to the door’s biometric lock.
Two soft beeps sounded. His fingerprint was verified. The door clicked open.
Noticing the fingerprint lock during his last visit, he’d recorded his print to avoid troubling her.
Slipping on slippers, Lin Mu entered her bedroom. There Luo Bingyun sat against the bedpost in pajamas, reading.
“Why stay awake so late?”
Lin Mu sat by her, smiling.
“Waiting for you. Weren’t you attacked by an assassin a few days ago?”
Luo Bingyun closed her book, looking concerned.
“You knew? But you didn’t visit me at the hospital?”
Lin Mu pretended offense.
“How could I? Your ward was filled with beauties. One more wouldn’t matter,” she teased lightly.
“Why hesitate? They wouldn’t harm you.”
“One never knows. If they ganged up on me, what could I do?”
“They’d have no reason to gang up against you.”
“Because they’re your girlfriends?”
“Who says that? They’re just friends. None compare to our closeness!”
Lin Mu leaned in playfully.
“Ha! Who knows what you’ve done secretly!”
Luo Bingyun flushed, shrinking shyly into herself.
“Heaven as my witness—my first time sharing a bed was with you, Miss Luo! May lightning strike me if I lie!”
He vowed, lifting two fingers, but Luo Bingyun stopped his oath, eyes reproachful.
“I believe you! Why swear? What if it comes true?”
“Fearless! I speak with a clear conscience and truth!”
His bold stance made Luo Bingyun giggle. Lin Mu then shed his clothes and slipped beneath her quilt.