A figure came walking across the Bolan River in River City.

The sun was setting, filling the sky with rosy clouds. The numerous tourists by the river were all stunned by the scene. Everyone frantically took photos, their emotions running high.

It was not until the person approached that the crowd could clearly see his appearance. He was an old man, nearly seventy years old, though one could have just as easily believed he was sixty, or even fifty. His aura was so indistinct and mysterious that it was impossible to determine his true age. Dressed in a Daoist Robe and holding a horsetail whisk, he had white hair but a youthful complexion, his face lean and refined.

He stood on the surface of the river. His posture seemed hunched, yet he emanated a startling aura, one that felt capable of shattering everything in his path.

The river's surface roiled as a torrential rain began to pour.

As the crowd fled in terror to escape the rain, the old man burst into hearty laughter, tapped his foot on the water's surface, and soared into the sky. Though he had been hundreds of meters away, the old man was as light as a feather when he landed on the ground, making not a single sound.

While the crowd was still exclaiming in shock, the screech of tires cut through the air. Looking over, they saw dozens of identical sedans parked on the roadside, stretching out like a long dragon. The car doors opened, and hundreds of men in suits stepped out, led by a tall, imposing young man. They all walked in perfect unison toward the riverbank.

At this moment, no one dared to cry out; unease filled their hearts.

The young man led his people to the old man, bowed respectfully, and said, "Jiang Ming of the Jiang Family greets you, Daoist Master Yunxu!"

This was Jiang Ming, the eldest son of the Jiang Family and Jiang Xia's older brother.

"Greetings to Daoist Master Yunxu!"

Behind Jiang Ming, hundreds of burly men bowed and cupped one fist in the other hand, their unified voices powerful and their expressions solemn.

The old man nodded with a smile, performed a Daoist salutation, and chuckled, "Yue Guang has gone to great lengths to have you all fetch this old man. He is most thoughtful."

Jiang Ming's spirits lifted, but his face showed even more respect as he said, "You flatter me, Daoist Master. Grandfather said that if it weren't for you, he might have died years ago."

"He originally intended to greet you in person this time, but grandfather's condition has been a bit..."

The old man nodded. "No matter," he said dismissively. "I will go see him in a little while."

Jiang Ming, visibly moved, quickly thanked him. "Thank you, Daoist Master!"

The old man waved his hand and glanced at the panicked tourists. "What have you found out about the matter I asked you to investigate?" he asked, his face devoid of expression.

"Reporting to the Daoist Master, the one who killed Brother Zhang is named Lin Mu," Jiang Ming replied reverently. "He is also known as Master Lin or the Master of the Three Rivers. He is twenty-eight years old, and his mother is his only living parent. His wife is Qin Luoli, the president of the Qin Corporation."

"The strange thing is," Jiang Ming continued, a hint of confusion on his own face as he relayed what he had found, "this man used to be just an ordinary college student. After graduating, he married into the Qin Family, where he was always looked down upon. But for some unknown reason, about a month ago, he not only gained astonishing strength but is also said to possess medical skills so profound that even Divine Doctor Sun Tianyang admits his own inferiority."

The old man frowned, speaking with clear displeasure. "I only wish to know his current whereabouts!"

"This Lin Mu's whereabouts are currently unknown, but I've already sent people to investigate..." Jiang Ming hurriedly replied, wiping sweat from his forehead. He then asked cautiously, "Daoist Master, do you think he might have known you were coming and fled in advance?"

"Fled?" Yunxu was taken aback for a moment, then looked somewhat disappointed. "If that's the case, this Master Lin is quite disappointing indeed. You will relay a message to the Qin Family. Tell them that I, Yunxu, have arrived.

"Three days from now, atop the Bolan River, I will face Master Lin. We will determine not only the victor but also who lives and who dies!

"If this Master Lin dares to avoid the battle, then I won't mind paying a personal visit to the Qin Family and using the blood of his kin to appease the soul of my beloved disciple!"

"Understood!" Jiang Ming hurriedly agreed, a hint of excitement rising in his heart. But he still asked with some trepidation, "But, Daoist Master, what if the Guan, Song, and other families intervene to help him?"

"The Guan Family?" The old man scoffed dismissively. "If they dare to interfere, I will take them down as well! Do they really think the name of the Celestial Master Mansion is merely for show?"

This elderly man was none other than Daoist Master Yunxu of the Celestial Master Mansion, the master of Zhang Yan. He had finally found a disciple, but due to his own seclusion, he hadn't had time to guide him personally. Nevertheless, the disciple's talent was beyond question. With diligent cultivation, he was certain to achieve greatness. But the moment he left the mountain, someone had killed him. This revelation caused Daoist Master Yunxu, who had just emerged from his seclusion, to be filled with a towering murderous intent.

Dare to kill my disciple, and I will kill you! If you, Master Lin, dare to avoid battle, I don't mind personally executing your family and friends to appease my disciple's spirit in heaven! As for whether the Martial Alliance will intervene, that will depend on whether my Celestial Master Mansion will agree!

Standing against the wind, he exuded a sharp and terrifying aura. The river behind him seemed to boil in response, making Jiang Ming and his men feel an overwhelming urge to kneel in worship.

「」

Only after Yunxu and his party had left did the crowd finally recover their senses. They exclaimed that they had encountered an immortal descending to earth. Excitedly, they checked their phones, only to be shocked. All the photos and videos they had just taken were gone.

「Meanwhile, at the Guan Family.」

Guan Chengye and Guan Xinhe sat facing each other. The old master's face was dark, his brows furrowed with worry.

"Grandfather, what exactly happened?" Guan Feifei asked, puzzled. In his memory, his grandfather had never lost his composure like this.

"Daoist Master Yunxu has arrived," the old man sighed.

Guan Feifei grew even more baffled. "Who is that? Who could make you so tense, Grandfather?"

"The True Immortal of Thunder Law from the Celestial Master Mansion, Daoist Master Yunxu!" Guan Chengye said with immense gravity.

Guan Feifei's expression changed. "What?" he gasped. "You mean Zhang Yan's master, Daoist Master Yunxu?"

"Correct." Guan Feifei's expression turned grave. "But wasn't he in seclusion?"

He had investigated Zhang Yan before and knew he was a disciple of the Celestial Master Mansion, but he had been busy lately and it had slipped his mind. He only knew that Daoist Master Yunxu was in seclusion and that it would take some time for him to emerge. That was why his grandfather had told him not to worry. He never expected Yunxu to emerge from seclusion in just a few days, let alone come to River City.

The old man spoke bitterly, "I just received a call. The caller said Daoist Master Yunxu has already arrived in River City. He issued a direct challenge to Master Lin, setting a duel to the death on the Bolan River in three days' time! Moreover, our Guan Family cannot get involved in this!"

"Father," Guan Xinhe interjected anxiously, "Master Lin is the Guan Family's great benefactor and the man who saved my life! Can we really just stand by and watch while he's..."

Lin Mu had saved his life, after all!

"This is... an order from above," Guan Chengye said, his face etched with bitterness.

"Above?"

The Military Department. This meant the Military Department had tacitly approved of the duel and forbidden anyone from intervening.

"Correct." Guan Chengye spoke with a heavy heart. "The orders from above state this is a personal duel. As long as it doesn't involve ordinary people, no one is allowed to interfere!"

"Then... what should we do?"

Guan Chengye's spirit seemed to rally. "Is Jiaojiao still with Master Lin's wife?" he asked.

Guan Feifei nodded. "She hasn't returned yet."

"Send more people to protect Master Lin's wife around the clock," Guan Chengye ordered immediately. "If anyone with an unknown identity approaches, once they're confirmed as hostile, you have permission to kill them on the spot! Lin Mu's wife cannot be harmed!"

"I'll see to it right away," Guan Feifei declared. "I will personally oversee the arrangements!"

"Good." Guan Chengye nodded. "At the same time, find a way to contact Master Lin and explain the situation. I will report this to the higher-ups again in the hopes that they might intervene and mediate!"

However, he sighed inwardly, his heart heavy. The Military Department is certain to just watch from the sidelines without taking action.

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