As the security guards escorted Tang Ye out, the entire conference room fell into a dead silence.

No one had expected this. In just over a month, Lin Mu had taken down another company executive. Everyone could guess Tang Ye's fate; he would likely spend the rest of his life in prison. What no one anticipated, however, was that after confessing everything at the police station, Tang Ye would commit suicide in his cell that very night.

His cousin, Tang Feng, also vanished without a trace, as if he had never existed.

The man behind all this was none other than Lin Mu. With his current status, he didn't need to lift a finger to take care of those two. The various powerful families working with him would spare no effort to assist him. The development of the elixir was the company's greatest secret at the moment. If successful, it would be a cash cow, making everyone involved incredibly wealthy. Therefore, they could not allow this secret to leak under any circumstances.

As for the tycoons who had been in contact with Fang Jian, Lin Mu simply issued a warning and rescinded their shares. If they wanted to continue collaborating, it would all depend on their sincerity.

Having dealt with the matter, Lin Mu suddenly found himself with free time. Now, he could finally deal with the Dark Web.

The Dark Web is a cancer. Only by eradicating them from River City can I be truly free of worries. Lin Mu mused, deciding to resolve the issue within the next two days.

Once he had made his decision, Lin Mu immediately notified Guan Chengye and the others. The Dark Web had been rooted in River City for many years and was deeply entrenched. Trying to eliminate them on his own would be troublesome, and besides, Lin Mu didn't have that much time. So, it was time for those who had consumed his Essence Cultivating Pills to show what they were capable of.

That night, Lin Mu contacted Cheng Bugui, who readily agreed to deploy all his subordinates to investigate the Dark Web's strength. On the public front, the Guan Family would take action, collaborating with the town government to seal off River City, ensuring no member of the Dark Web could slip through the net.

A meticulous plan began to unfold under the cover of darkness. The public remained unaware, as their lives continued on as usual.

「Early the next morning.」

Lin Mu was about to head to the Guan Family's estate to discuss the specific details of eradicating the Dark Web with Guan Chengye when a black sedan pulled up at his villa's entrance. A man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses got out and bowed respectfully.

"Mr. Lin, my master invites you to a gathering at Qi Shi Xuan. He hopes you will honor us with your presence," the man said with a smile, his sincere attitude leaving no room for complaint.

"Who is your master?" Lin Mu asked, frowning slightly.

"My master's surname is Dao," the man replied, still smiling.

In all of River City, there was only one prominent figure with that surname.

Dao Wuming.

This man was the number one figure in River City's underworld. Even Cheng Bugui was outmatched by him. Legend had it that Dao Wuming had started from scratch, building a vast empire in River City in just over a decade. No one believed he could have achieved this without possessing significant prowess.

And Lin Mu knew something more: this Dao Wuming was the one in charge of the Dark Web in River City. He had just issued the order to annihilate the Dark Web, and now Dao Wuming himself had come knocking.

Is he truly ignorant, or is he just feigning ignorance?

"Lead the way," Lin Mu nodded, readily accepting.

Whatever Dao Wuming's motives were, Lin Mu wanted to see for himself what the person who had repeatedly targeted him from the shadows looked like.

Qi Shi Xuan was a famous private restaurant in River City, frequented only by the rich and powerful. Ordinary people didn't have the qualifications to dine there. When Lin Mu got out of the car, he noticed very few people around.

"My master has booked the entire place to host you, Mr. Lin, so you can be at ease," the bespectacled man said.

"Hm. So if he wanted to make a move on me, no one would know, right?" Lin Mu said, smiling at him.

The smile on the bespectacled man's face stiffened for a moment. "Mr. Lin, you certainly have a sense of humor," he chuckled, gesturing with his hand. "Please. The Family Head has been waiting for quite some time."

Lin Mu gave the man a deep look before smiling and walking into Qi Shi Xuan. He could tell that this man, despite his respectful demeanor, was a formidable martial arts expert. He even carried a familiar scent—the scent of blood and iron from the battlefield. This man had undoubtedly been forged in the crucible of countless firefights.

But Lin Mu was completely unfazed. Even if this place were a dragon's den or a tiger's lair, he was eager to test its mettle.

"Mr. Lin, please!" The bespectacled man opened the door to a private room and stood aside.

Lin Mu nodded and stepped inside. As the door closed behind him, the room grew dim. Visibility was poor, but for Lin Mu, it made no difference at all.

He saw a man of about forty sitting in the room. Dressed in casual clothes, he had an ordinary face with no remarkable features. His eyes, however, exuded a sinister feeling, seeming to radiate killing intent at all times.

This was the head of the Dark Web.

Dao Wuming.

Upon seeing Lin Mu, Dao Wuming's eyes sharpened. He knew Lin Mu was young, but seeing him in person, he was still struck by just how young he was.

This is the Martial Arts Grandmaster who shook the Martial Arts World? This is Lin Wudi, the man who killed the True Immortal of Thunder Law, Yun Xu, with his bare hands? He truly has an extraordinary aura!

These thoughts flickered through his mind for only an instant before he expertly concealed his surprise.

"Mr. Lin, I am Dao Wuming. I have long admired your great reputation!" Dao Wuming stood and gave Lin Mu a fist-and-palm salute.

He knows I'm a Grandmaster, yet he calls me 'Mister.' How intriguing.

"I hope you'll forgive me for not greeting you at the door, Mr. Lin," Dao Wuming said with a smile as he took a couple of steps forward. "I injured my leg a few days ago, so it's a bit inconvenient for me to move around."

Indeed, his gait was unsteady, as if he were genuinely injured.

"It's no matter," Lin Mu said with a nonchalant smile, walking directly to the table and taking a seat.

Dao Wuming's smile didn't falter. "Mr. Lin, these are just some simple, home-style dishes. Please, try them."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Lin Mu replied, a smile playing on his lips as he picked up his chopsticks and sampled a few dishes. "Mm, the flavors are quite good," he nodded while eating.

Dao Wuming chuckled, but his smile held a deeper, unreadable meaning.

Lin Mu feasted heartily, paying Dao Wuming no mind. Dao Wuming, however, did not seem offended. He simply refilled Lin Mu's plate and poured his wine, occasionally introducing the various dishes.

After eating and drinking his fill, Lin Mu let out a long, satisfied breath. "Delightful."

Dao Wuming laughed. "If you enjoy the food here, Mr. Lin, you are welcome to come often. To be honest, this Qi Shi Xuan is one of my properties." He made a grand gesture, his face beaming with magnanimity. "If it pleases you, Mr. Lin, I would be happy to gift it to you."

"I don't accept rewards without merit. I think I'll pass," Lin Mu said with a light smile. "Whatever I want, I will take with my own hands."

Dao Wuming's smile stiffened for a second before he laughed. "Mr. Lin, you really have a way with jokes."

But Lin Mu's expression was utterly serious as he replied, "I'm not one for jokes."

Dao Wuming was rendered speechless.

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