Chapter 81: The Divine Physician Kidnapped
Chapter 81: The Divine Physician Kidnapped
“I just went along with their mistake and spun them a story about how people on the same side shouldn’t fight each other. They actually bought it, but then they insisted I go back with them to clear things up. Of course, I refused.”
Lin Mu raised an eyebrow with a smile and stopped walking.
“I found a handy excuse, saying I was on a mission too, and just sent them on their way. They didn’t seem too suspicious. Probably because they really believed only their people knew my martial arts technique, so they trusted me.”
“Blood Thorn has also been mobilized. Seems like whoever wants you dead has significant backing. You should know, Blood Thorn killers are top-tier, but their price tag is sky-high. Someone ordinary definitely couldn’t afford their services.”
Ye Zixi frowned deeply, clearly deep in thought.
“Looks like we need to find out exactly who’s behind this. Otherwise, as long as A-Mu draws breath, Blood Thorn will never give up.”
“That excuse was way too flimsy. It might fool Blood Thorn for a little while, but definitely not for long. We have to prepare ourselves, and soon.”
“True. It seems we really can’t afford to be careless anymore. These killers are getting stronger. Even I’ve slipped up due to underestimating them recently. They are definitely not to be underestimated.”
Lin Mu also felt a lingering fear. He nearly capsized in a tiny ditch this time. Thinking about it now still gave him a chill.
While the four of them were discussing how to respond, the Yan Family mansion, far away in Jingdu, was anything but calm.
In the Yan Family’s lavish living room, a square-faced, imposing middle-aged man sat upright in the center. An old steward stood respectfully beside him, head slightly bowed.
This middle-aged man was Yan Zhongqing, the current head of the Yan Family. An expert in both strategy and ability, he had continuously expanded the family’s influence. They now firmly held a place among Jingdu’s top three families.
No one dared to look down on the Yan Family anymore. Families that had opposed them in the past were either absorbed by them now or completely destroyed and scattered to the wind.
Yan Zhongqing took a sip of tea, then looked up and asked, “Well? Still no news?”
“Family Head, that young man named Lin Mu has returned home. However, there’s something you must know. His relationship with that Xing Weilong seems… complicated.”
“The Xing family from Donghai. That is a bit of a nuisance. Did you find out what their exact relationship is?”
Yan Zhongqing frowned slightly as he continued his questioning.
“It has been confirmed. Lin Mu once saved Xing Weilong’s life. Since then, their relationship warmed incredibly fast. Before that rescue incident, they were enemies.”
The old steward replied respectfully.
“I see. Nothing major then. It’s just a close friendship with a junior member of the Xing family. He killed a member of my Yan Family, and I will never let that slide. Contact Blood Thorn. Hand this matter over to them.”
Yan Zhongqing gave a cold snort, his tone suggesting the Xing Family meant nothing to him.
“Family Head, are such strong measures necessary for an ordinary young man?”
The old steward seemed hesitant.
“Oh? You think mobilizing Blood Thorn is excessive? Perhaps you’d like to deal with him personally?”
Yan Zhongqing lifted his eyebrow, looking at the old steward with a faint, ambiguous smile.
“Uh… Best to follow your lead, Family Head. Let Blood Thorn handle this.”
The old steward forced an awkward smile.
“You! Do you truly believe Lin Mu is just some simple kid? You know exactly how profound Green Snake’s skills were! If even Green Snake died at his hands, he is absolutely no weakling!”
“Initially, I wouldn’t have dared move so rashly, but the investigation showed the Lin Family is merely an heirloom collection family. While they hold some influence in Donghai, it’s not nearly enough to make my Yan Family hesitate.”
Yan Zhongqing gently pushed aside his teacup lid, speaking slowly and deliberately.
“Understood, Family Head. I will contact Blood Thorn immediately.”
The old steward gave a slight bow, then quickly left the living room. The lightness of his step revealed he was no ordinary, frail old man, but possessed significant martial skill.
“Lin Mu! Hmph! A mere brat trying to stir up waves? I’ve zero tolerance for any kind of threat!”
“Blame yourself for having no sense. You dared touch my Yan Family’s daughter-in-law! Anything that belongs to the Yan Family, you will not lay a finger on without my express permission! Not even drawing near is allowed!”
A flash of vicious light crossed Yan Zhongqing’s eyes. These past few days had been rough for him. Green Snake, a valued asset the family had cultivated for years, had inexplicably perished in Donghai.
Deep down, he found it hard to believe Lin Mu killed him. In his eyes, Lin Mu was just a kid. He suspected the Donghai Xing Family much more.
But while suspicious, Yan Zhongqing quickly ruled out Xing involvement. Any family knowing Lin Mu had crossed the Yan Family would avoid helping him.
Unless that Xing family fatty was willing to stake everything to back Lin Mu. If that was the case, they would inevitably face the power of the Xing family. This family, deeply entrenched in both political and commercial circles, was certainly not easy to handle.
But Yan Zhongqing wasn’t afraid. The Yan Family had climbed to its current position by toppling countless rivals. He had never feared anyone.
Lin Mu wasn’t attending classes today. He went to find Zhou Shiyun instead. However, calling her revealed she wasn’t at the First Hospital. She was at a small clinic near her late master’s home.
The clinic had been opened by Mu Renqing when he was alive, always helping neighbors with minor ailments. Zhou Shiyun volunteered here during her free time, continuing her master’s legacy.
Lin Mu took a taxi to the clinic area. The rain hadn’t stopped, though it wasn’t as heavy as yesterday.
“Don’t you have an umbrella? Didn’t you know it’s raining outside?”
As the door opened, Zhou Shiyun saw Lin Mu step in, completely drenched. She immediately got up and went into the back room, returning with a towel.
“I did bring one! But the rain’s so heavy it barely mattered. Umbrella or not, wet is wet. Heavy rain outside, light spray coming in anyway.”
Lin Mu complained pointedly at the umbrella resting by the door.
Grumble Just as Zhou Shiyun was about to speak, her stomach rumbled loudly. She looked embarrassed and rubbed her belly.
“Busy all morning, you must be hungry. Let’s head back, I’ll cook for you.”
Lin Mu grinned.
Zhou Shiyun nodded. She knew Lin Mu was a good cook. After tidying up the clinic and locking up, they flagged down a pedicab on the street. It carried them, rocking gently, back to their courtyard home.
By the time they arrived home, the rain had finally lightened, but the wind was still fierce. Broken branches and torn debris littered both sides of the road, along with scattered pieces of blown-away signs. This level of gale force winds was practically a natural disaster, something extremely rare for Donghai.
Lin Mu advised Zhou Shiyun to take a warm shower first to avoid catching a chill. Her constitution was weaker than most people’s. Meanwhile, he headed to the kitchen to simmer some brown sugar ginger tea, hoping to help drive the cold out of her system.
By the time Zhou Shiyun finished her shower and came out, delicious aromas already drifted from the kitchen. A steaming bowl of reddish-brown ginger tea sat ready on the table.
She knew Lin Mu had made this for her, and a small wave of warmth spread through her. It had been so long since her master passed, and she hadn’t felt the comfort of someone caring for her like this.
Lin Mu’s cooking skills were quite good, certainly far better than hers. Previously focused solely on studying medicine, Zhou Shiyun hadn’t put much effort into cooking. Her dishes merely kept starvation at bay—their taste was another matter entirely.
The dishes Lin Mu prepared, though simple, looked, smelled, and tasted wonderful. Zhou Shiyun’s curiosity about him grew a little more. This guy could even cook this well!?
“I really worried you last time, making you wait at the school all day. This meal today is my way of apologizing.”
Lin Mu placed the last dishes on the table, rubbed his hands together, and smiled gently at Zhou Shiyun, who was sipping her ginger tea.
“Don’t worry about it. You’re my hope for survival. Can’t let anything happen to you, otherwise I lose that hope too.”
Zhou Shiyun chuckled softly.
“If that’s what you’re saying, Yun-jie, then I really need to take good care of this little life of mine. I’m not living just for myself now… it’s about two lives!”
Lin Mu grinned and sat down at the table.
“Pfft! Two lives?! What, did you get pregnant? Got a baby growing in your tummy too?”
Zhou Shiyun rolled her beautiful eyes and shot an exasperated glance Lin Mu’s way.
“Ahh, there’s only one thing in life I’ll truly never be able to learn.”
Lin Mu pretended to sigh pathetically.
“What’s that?”
Zhou Shiyun took the bait, asking with genuine curiosity.
“Giving birth, obviously! That skill is forever out of my reach!”
Lin Mu said with utmost sincerity.
“You’re so annoying!”
Zhou Shiyun burst out laughing, nearly spitting out her ginger tea. She quickly covered her mouth and put down the bowl.
They chatted through the meal, occasionally touching on the practice of certain secret golden needle arts. Outside, fierce winds howled and rain battered down. Inside, however, it felt like spring—warm and filled with the comforting scent of food.
Zhou Shiyun seemed truly happy. Since her master passed, she’d been mostly alone, dealing primarily with patients. It had been years since she’d experienced this kind of cozy, family-like warmth.
In the afternoon, Zhou Shiyun headed out first to open the clinic. Lin Mu stayed home, delving into the study of the Inchlight Sun-Seizing Secret Art.
However, barely five minutes after Zhou Shiyun left, just as Lin Mu was deeply engrossed in his thoughts, his mobile phone rang.
Glancing at the caller ID, it was Zhou Shiyun.
“Yun-jie? Something up?”
Lin Mu answered the call casually.
But it wasn’t Zhou Shiyun’s voice on the line. Instead, an unfamiliar male voice came through:
“She’s with us now. If you don’t want anything happening to her, get your ass to the third floor of Imperial Dynasty. Our boss is waiting.”
“Who is this? Hey?”
Lin Mu started to speak, but the call cut off abruptly, leaving only a monotonous busy tone. The speaker hung up instantly after delivering the message, giving him zero chance to respond.
In the background of the call, Lin Mu could also hear vehicle sounds, indicating the caller was likely driving.
Putting his phone away instantly, Lin Mu didn’t hesitate for a second. He shot across the courtyard. A slight push with his feet and he was airborne, clearing the courtyard wall in a leap. He raced directly towards the clinic.
Faced with the completely empty clinic, Lin Mu’s eyes narrowed. A dangerous glint flashed within them.
He didn’t know who had taken Zhou Shiyun, but abandoning her was never an option. Lin Mu simply wasn’t that kind of person.
Zhou Shiyun had saved his life twice. Whoever they were, this time, they had truly invoked Lin Mu’s fury.