When Lin Mu stepped out of the car, Elder Guan was taken aback.

"Master Lin, you're going like this?"

Lin Mu was dressed in casual sportswear, hadn't bothered to dress up, and wasn't carrying anything. Stranger still, he was wearing sunglasses. He looked less like someone attending a martial arts tournament and more like a tourist on vacation.

"What's wrong?" Lin Mu took off his sunglasses and glanced at Guan Chengye.

Today, Guan Chengye was wearing a purple Tang suit, his hair and beard meticulously groomed. His expression was solemn, and he was clearly taking the occasion very seriously. Behind him stood Da Jun and two bodyguards, all of whom were formidable. They also wore grave expressions, vigilantly observing their surroundings.

"It's nothing, nothing."

Since Lin Mu didn't elaborate, Guan Chengye didn't press the matter, merely gesturing for him to get in the car.

"Grandfather, what about me?" Guan Jiaojiao said indignantly, seeing that her grandfather didn't intend to take her. I was the one who went to get him, and now they're planning to leave without me?

"Jiaojiao, I don't know what might happen at this River City Martial Arts Tournament, so it's better if you don't go." She's my only granddaughter. If anything were to happen to her at the tournament, how could I face the ancestors of the Guan Family?

"No, I want to go!" Guan Jiaojiao declared stubbornly. "This is a rare tournament that only happens once a decade. I don't want to miss it."

Seeing her grandfather was about to lose his temper, Guan Jiaojiao grabbed his hand and wheedled, "Grandfather, please take me with you. I promise I'll be good. Besides, I can look after you on the way."

Just as Guan Chengye was about to refuse, his gaze fell on Lin Mu. An idea struck him, and he said, "Fine, you can come along. But you must not cause trouble, and you have to listen to everything Master Lin says."

"Got it, got it."

Guan Jiaojiao shot a triumphant look at Lin Mu before hopping into the car and taking a seat.

After getting in, Lin Mu asked, "Where are we going?"

"Wufeng Town, at the junction of the three Jiangling provinces. Most of the locals are refugees from various regions, so the customs and cultures are all different. It's a sort of no-man's-land."

"River City has a place like that?" Lin Mu was surprised. River City was one of the most economically developed cities in the country, and Jiangling had been a prosperous province since ancient times. How could a no-man's-land exist in such a place?

"Of course," Guan Jiaojiao said. "Jiangling has always been a hub of commerce. Behind great prosperity, there are always dark corners. It's not that the authorities don't care; it's more that they turn a blind eye for reasons unknown to the public."

Lin Mu nodded in understanding. Behind every prosperous facade, there was always a dark underbelly where good and evil intermingled. Different powers clashed and competed, yet also depended on one another, creating a delicate balance.

Guan Chengye chose to sit in the front passenger seat, leaving the back for the two young people. After all, they'll have more to talk about.

Hearing their conversation, Guan Chengye explained, "The factions attending the martial arts tournament are not ordinary people, and Wufeng Town is loosely governed, which is why it was chosen as the venue this time."

Lin Mu nodded again. "I suppose the other factions have already set off?"

"They have," Guan Chengye said in a hushed tone. "Before I left, I heard that many factions participate because the rankings will affect the distribution of certain resources across the three provinces and their cities."

Lin Mu's eyebrows rose. No wonder someone with Guan Chengye's sensitive status would choose to participate. It seems it isn't just because of that ten-year agreement.

"When the time comes, just do your best, Master Lin. Frankly, I'm worried the Dark Web might also send people," Guan Chengye said with concern.

"The Dark Web is coming too? Aren't they afraid of trouble?" Lin Mu asked.

Guan Chengye gave a bitter smile. "If they were, the Dark Web wouldn't be growing stronger and stronger." He sighed and added, "Moreover, as far as I know, Wufeng Town is one of the Dark Web's strongholds. However, there's no concrete evidence. The town's backers are a complex web of factions with tangled interests. Any move against them could have widespread repercussions, so it's very difficult for the authorities to send people in, even if they wanted to."

Lin Mu understood immediately. Places like Wufeng Town were always extremely complicated. Internally, they might fight to the death, but they would present a united front against any outside threat. Taking them on would not be an easy task. Otherwise, a place like this would have been suppressed by the authorities long ago, and a lawless zone wouldn't exist.

The car drove at a steady pace, but it still took four to five hours to enter the territory of Wufeng Town. Through the car window, Lin Mu saw towering peaks shrouded in mist. It lacked the hustle and bustle of a big city, instead exuding the tranquil atmosphere of a paradise removed from the mortal world. However, having visited countless serene and beautiful places in both his lives, Lin Mu wasn't particularly impressed. It was the tile-roofed and earthen houses scattered everywhere that gave him a slight pause.

After entering Wufeng Town, they drove for another forty minutes along a mountain road before finally stopping in front of a small, Western-style building. Guan Chengye explained that there were several such buildings in Wufeng Town, funded by various factions to provide a resting place for those attending the tournament.

As soon as the car stopped, a group of people hurried out of the building. The one in the lead was none other than Guan Feifei, who had arrived in Wufeng Town three days prior.

"Grandfather, Master Lin, you've arrived," Guan Feifei said. He was wearing a suit, but it couldn't hide his muscular build. The men behind him walked with a powerful gait and had sharp gazes. They swept a fleeting glance over Lin Mu before quickly looking away. In their eyes, Lin Mu was just a minor character, not worthy of their attention. Their only mission was to protect Elder Guan.

"Master Lin, let's go. We can go inside and rest for a bit. Food and drinks have already been prepared," Guan Chengye said with a chuckle, looking quite weary. He was getting old, and the long journey had taken its toll on him.

"Indeed. Master Lin, this way, please," Guan Feifei said, his attitude toward Lin Mu also respectful.

"Hmph, what master? A beardless young whelp. Not only did he make us wait for so long, but the first thing he wants upon arrival is food and drink. We've been waiting for hours," a sarcastic voice cut in.

At that moment, three people emerged from the building. The leader was a middle-aged man with a goatee. Behind him, a young man and woman both stared at Lin Mu with disdain.

"Master Tian, thank you for making this trip for our sake," Guan Chengye said gratefully, hurrying forward.

"No thanks are necessary," Master Tian replied coldly. "It seems your Guan Family no longer needs the three of us. If that's the case, we have no face to stay."

"Xiao Wu, Xiao Duo, let's go," Master Tian said, turning to leave.

"Master Tian, wait!" Guan Chengye's expression changed as he stepped forward. "Master Tian, please, give me some face, won't you?"

"Hmph, I don't mind giving you face, but on what grounds does *that kid* deserve it?" Master Tian said unkindly, pointing a finger at Lin Mu.

The young man named Xiao Wu sneered. "My master is an External Strength Peak Martial Way Master. What right does *he* have to make my master wait for so long?"

Everyone's expression shifted slightly as they looked toward Lin Mu.

Just then, Lin Mu spoke calmly, "External Strength Master? Is that supposed to be impressive?"

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