"Chen Ruoping is dead?" Lin Mu was somewhat surprised to hear the news. Then, he smiled faintly. "Consider him lucky."

"Master, the Chen Family..." Li Xiaotian began.

Lin Mu thought for a moment and replied, "Forget it. If the Chen Family doesn't come looking for trouble, let them be. There's no need to bother with a flock of sheep that has lost its leader."

Li Xiaotian immediately understood. The Master meant that if the Chen Family didn't know their place, he wouldn't mind annihilating them. After all, this was something the Master did often, and he was certainly skilled at it.

"How is the investigation going?" Lin Mu asked about the matter that concerned him.

Li Xiaotian immediately replied, "According to the news from Cheng Bugui, those filthy rats will be leaving River City by boat tomorrow night."

"Leaving by boat?" Lin Mu let out a cold laugh. "They caused so much trouble and think they can just leave? It's not that easy."

Li Xiaotian heard a hint of murderous intent in Lin Mu's tone and felt a chill in his heart.

"Master, I will personally handle this matter. I certainly won't disappoint you." Li Xiaotian knew that person had touched the Master's Ni Lin.

"Hmm... Forget it. I'll go myself." There were some things he needed to ask in person.

***

「Three days later.」

It was night. The river surged, and the weather was gloomy, as if the heavens were brewing a storm.

River City neighbored Jiangling and Jiangbei, with the Bolan River flowing between them. At this moment, a few boats were anchored on the water. With a storm approaching, the workers had already left early to head home. No one else would be here at this time.

Therefore, it was a good place to slip away quietly... and an excellent place for a killing.

On the dock, piled high with shipping containers, only Old Zhang, the head of security, stood anxiously with another man, waiting for something.

Although the containers on the dock weren't worth much, the boats were essential for transporting goods. If even one were lost, selling Old Zhang himself wouldn't cover the cost. Usually, in weather like this, Old Zhang would have long since retreated to the security room to enjoy some music and a drink. But today was different.

A few guests were leaving by boat. Although he found it strange, Old Zhang complied. The whims of the wealthy were beyond his comprehension anyway.

The man behind him was his nephew, Zhang Dagen. Having previously worked for a cruise company, he was very familiar with the waterways, and he would be the one taking the guests away tonight.

"Uncle, why haven't they arrived yet?" Zhang Dagen glanced at the sky, his expression anxious. Traveling on water in this weather was very dangerous. Even though they were only going to the end of the Bolan River, the journey wasn't short.

"What's the rush?" Old Zhang chastised impatiently. "The guests have already paid the deposit. Even if they don't show up, the money isn't refundable."

Although his nephew had seen his share of major events, he still lacked experience. Old Zhang was glad he had called the young man back to work by his side.

"But—"

Just as Zhang Dagen started to speak, Old Zhang's eyes lit up. "They're here!"

From a corner of the dock, a light flashed a few times—the prearranged signal.

"Come on, let's go greet them." Old Zhang led the way, an excited smile on his face.

As soon as these guests board, I'll get a huge sum of money. It's enough to retire on! And with the rest, I could even buy two women.

At this thought, Old Zhang rubbed his hands together and giggled, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.

Zhang Dagen curled his lip in disdain. So dramatic. It's not like they're smuggling across the border, yet they're acting as secretive as an underground organization.

However, the prospect of getting a large sum of money did excite Zhang Dagen somewhat.

"Over here, over here!" Old Zhang called out in a low voice, flashing his flashlight a few times.

The signal was apparently received, as three figures emerged from behind a shipping container. All three were bundled in black overcoats, covering them from head to toe.

Zhang Dagen sized them up. Aside from telling they were all men, he couldn't make out any other details. The man in the middle even had his face hidden by a hat. When Zhang Dagen snuck a peek, he saw the man was also wearing a surgical mask.

Pursing his lips, Zhang Dagen immediately lost interest.

"Who is he?" the man in front asked, glancing at Zhang Dagen with a cold glint in his eyes.

For some reason, that one glance made Zhang Dagen shiver uncontrollably. The man's gaze was terrifying, like that of a predator.

Old Zhang quickly explained, "This is my nephew. He'll be the one taking you tonight."

"Can he be trusted?" the man asked in a deep voice, his gaze lingering on Zhang Dagen.

Zhang Dagen didn't dare say a word, hardly daring to breathe.

"Don't worry, don't worry. Dagen is an honest lad, he won't blab," Old Zhang said hurriedly.

The man hesitated for a moment, then seemed to crack a smile. "Alright, I'll trust you this once."

"Let's go." The man spoke, preparing to head for the dock, but in the darkness, he discreetly gestured to one of his companions behind him.

"Ahem." Old Zhang stopped the man, rubbing his hands together. "The boat is ready. So... about the money?"

"Don't worry. Once you get us out of River City, you'll get every last penny," the man snorted, pulling open his overcoat to reveal a bag full of cash.

Greed flickered in Old Zhang's eyes as he nodded eagerly. "Good, good. Just give the money to my nephew then."

The men boarded the boat. Before they left, Old Zhang pulled Zhang Dagen aside for a few words of caution.

"Dagen, these guests are mysterious people. Just focus on piloting the boat. Don't ask questions, don't listen in. Pretend you're deaf and mute."

Zhang Dagen nodded frantically. "I know, Uncle. I know."

"Go on now. Be careful."

Zhang Dagen started the boat and quickly carried the men away from the dock, disappearing into the night.

Old Zhang stood on the shore, waving towards the water, but after only a few waves, his arm froze, and he slowly crumpled to the ground.

On the boat, one of the men slowly retracted his hand and whispered, "Dealt with."

"Good." The man who had spoken with Old Zhang glanced toward the cabin and said in a low voice, "Once we're clear of River City, kill this one."

"Then how do we leave? I can't pilot a boat," another man complained.

"We'll swim to the other bank. Someone will be there to pick us up."

"So you had it all planned out?" the last man asked in surprise, then added in confusion, "But why do we have to be so sneaky? Our identities haven't been exposed. Couldn't we have just left normally?"

"Hah, what do you know." The first man sighed heavily, his gaze on the river's surface complex—a mixture of unwillingness and fear.

Shaking his head as if to banish the fear from his heart, the man said, "You have no idea. Not long ago, a massive battle took place right here on the Bolan River."

He began to recount the tale of the battle between Grandmasters on the Bolan River.

"Walking on waves? Wielding thunderbolts? That's ridiculous!" The other two were naturally incredulous.

"If people like that really existed, they'd be Immortals... Ah! Look! What is that?" The man didn't even finish his sentence. He pointed at the river, his pupils shrinking in shock.

"What?" The other two, startled, followed his finger with their eyes and let out a gasp.

On the dark, churning surface of the river, a lone figure was walking toward them. With every step he took, ripples fanned out across the water, his feet landing perfectly atop the crest of each successive wave.

He was walking on water. An Immortal had arrived

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