Chapter 107: Backbone

The corner of Divine Doctor Zhao's mouth tightened grimly. "The Holy Medicine Hall has been in business for decades, and we haven't survived by kneeling and begging for mercy from powerful clans!"

His words were filled with imposing dignity.

The burly warrior shot a look over his shoulder, and the men behind him immediately lunged forward, swarming the helpless Zhao Ling'er.

"You... what do you think you're doing?" Zhao Ling'Er backed away in fear, her face filled with terror.

"It seems your grandfather is trying to slack off. I was hoping Miss Zhao could help him rediscover his fighting spirit."

The burly warrior said, "If Divine Doctor Zhao cooperates, then Miss Zhao will naturally remain unharmed."

To say such a thing was to treat them as less than human.

Zhao Ling'Er declared, "If you don't leave right now, when my man gets here, he'll beat every last one of you to death!"

The burly warrior chuckled. "Is that right? Ooh, I'm terrified!"

His expression immediately turned icy. "The Liu Family has never feared anyone in a fight. I'm afraid Miss Zhao is about to be disappointed."

"Then I suppose I'll have to teach you some manners and show you that one ought to have a little humility in this world," Mu Lin announced as he strode into the Holy Medicine Hall, his words shattering the oppressive atmosphere.

"Brother Mu!" Zhao Ling'Er was so excited she looked ready to leap into his arms.

Mu Lin gave Zhao Ling'Er a small smile. "It's okay, I'm here now. But... when did I become your man?"

Zhao Ling'Er's face flushed crimson with embarrassment. She had only shouted it out of desperation, never expecting that Mu Lin was actually nearby.

"I..."

Mu Lin smiled understandingly and patted her on the head. "I get it. Don't worry about it."

Zhao Ling'Er relaxed slightly, a flicker of joy in her heart. 'He actually understands how I feel.'

'This was so incredibly important.'

The burly man sized Mu Lin up with a sharp glare. "And who are you to come here and criticize me? You got a death wish?"

Mu Lin sneered. "And who are you? If you want to leave a name behind before you die, you'd better say it now. Don't blame me when you die an unknown."

"Huo Tianqi," the burly man announced, stating a well-known name.

Mu Lin mulled it over for a moment before delivering his conclusion: "Sounds a bit girly, doesn't it?"

Huo Tianqi was livid. 'It's the name my parents gave me! Who asked for your damn opinion?!'

"What's it to you? Get him! I must take her with me today!"

As he spoke, the men behind Huo Tianqi rushed forward and surrounded Mu Lin.

Mu Lin's footwork was a blur as he spun nimbly.

BAM BAM BAM...

His fists shot forward like a machine gun, instantly blurring into countless afterimages.

The thugs who were hit went flying, tumbling down the street. Passersby leaped out of the way, and those who weren't quick enough were knocked down hard, suffering sprains and fractures. They had just become the Holy Medicine Hall's newest bone-setting patients.

Huo Tianqi's eyes narrowed. To him, Mu Lin's movements looked incredibly nimble and effortless.

If they weren't enemies, he probably would have shouted his approval.

But now, as enemies, he could only offer what sounded like a slight but was secretly a compliment: "Nothing but brute force. That's all."

"You," he pointed to the fighters who hadn't yet attacked, "stand down. I'll handle this."

Mu Lin watched Huo Tianqi in amusement. "Come on, then! Show me what you've got. Let's see why the Liu Family sent you of all people to do their dirty work."

"You don't need to know! A dead man has no right to know my name!"

With a hard push of his foot, Huo Tianqi became a gust of wind, lunging violently at Mu Lin.

It was the 'Hungry Tiger Pounces on its Prey,' a move that looked reckless but was filled with endless variations.

He had already calculated every possible move Mu Lin might make in response.

If Mu Lin retreated, he would push off again and seize the initiative.

If Mu Lin advanced, that would be even better; he would use his own powerful momentum to strike Mu Lin's vitals.

If Mu Lin dodged, Huo Tianqi could use the momentum to pivot and land a heavy kick.

Truly, it was an incredibly formidable technique.

But Mu Lin did nothing at all, standing his ground as if he were an old tree that had taken root, utterly motionless.

'Isn't that even better? You're a dead man!'

Huo Tianqi licked the corner of his mouth, revealing a bloodthirsty smile as he lunged fiercely at Mu Lin.

Mu Lin moved!

He threw a punch like a cannonball, aimed straight at the center of Huo Tianqi's chest.

If Huo Tianqi insisted on completing his attack, it would inevitably result in a tragic trade: his life for injuring Mu Lin.

Mu Lin wouldn't necessarily die from the lunge, but Huo Tianqi would go into shock from the devastating blow to his heart.

Then, he would be meat on the chopping block. If Mu Lin was in a good mood, he might even be let go.

If Mu Lin was in a bad mood, Huo Tianqi would die an ignominious death while still unconscious.

Left with no choice, Huo Tianqi changed his attack. With a nimble tap of his toes, he used his forward momentum to launch himself into the air, aiming his right heel down at the crown of Mu Lin's head.

And that wasn't all. A sharp steel spike emerged from his heel. A direct hit would undoubtedly pierce the skull.

"Die!"

Huo Tianqi bellowed arrogantly.

But Mu Lin simply took one shuffle step, suddenly shifting his entire body to the left.

Huo Tianqi hit nothing but air. He had already exhausted his momentum on the mid-air pivot and was left unable to react.

But Mu Lin launched a sudden attack, raising his arm and striking Huo Tianqi's descending leg with heavy force.

CRACK.

Huo Tianqi's face twisted in agony. His leg bone had actually snapped.

He had meticulously conditioned his bones and sinews; ordinarily, no one would have been able to break them.

But by attacking with all his might from above, he had allowed Mu Lin to use his own momentum against him, effectively doubling the force of the blow.

No matter how well-trained a martial artist was, there was no defending against an attack like that.

Huo Tianqi howled and collapsed to the ground, clutching his leg, completely immobilized.

For a martial artist, their stance is everything. With one leg crippled, he had virtually no way to fight back.

While Huo Tianqi was crying out in pain, Mu Lin raised his foot and stomped on his upper arm. With another CRACK, Huo Tianqi's right arm also broke.

Next, Mu Lin walked toward Huo Tianqi's head.

Divine Doctor Zhao thought, 'This is bad. If he really kills Huo Tianqi, the Liu Family will never let this matter rest.'

He hurriedly shouted, "Mu Xiaoyou, you mustn't!"

Mu Lin could only force himself to stop, pulling back his foot. "Divine Doctor Zhao just saved your life. Remember to build him a shrine for it."

He then changed the stomp to a kick, his foot flying out.

Huo Tianqi flew like a spinning ball, soaring into the distance, over the busy road, and landing with a heavy thud on a patch of soft, damp grass.

"And you lot, get lost," Mu Lin said, pointing out the door. "Go tell the person in charge that this place is under my protection now."

With that said, Mu Lin slowly walked back to the front of the Holy Medicine Hall. Zhao Ling'er's eyes were sparkling. 'Brother Mu is so incredible! There's really nothing he can't do.'

"Brother Mu, come have some tea!" Zhao Ling'Er clung to Mu Lin's arm, excitedly pulling him into the Holy Medicine Hall.

Divine Doctor Zhao said angrily, "Ling'Er, watch yourself! What kind of behavior is this, clinging to him like that? Have you no sense of propriety?!"

But Zhao Ling'Er couldn't care less. She had already made up her mind: 'He's the one for me.'

Mu Lin downed the tea in one gulp and let out a long breath.

Divine Doctor Zhao sighed. "Ah, Mu Xiaoyou... what am I to say to you?"

Mu Lin shrugged. "What is there to say? If there's trouble, I'll handle it."

"What's so great about the Liu Family?" 'Honestly,' Mu Lin thought, 'I've already faced down the Yang Family. A little-known clan like the Liu Family is nothing to be afraid of.'

"What's so great?" Divine Doctor Zhao gave a bitter smile. "Mu Xiaoyou, you're still too young. The Liu Family is likely the most difficult to deal with out of the three major clans! Every last one of them is a trained martial artist. If they don't reach a certain required level, they aren't even allowed to claim the Liu Family name."

'Huh, so that's a thing?' Mu Lin thought to himself. 'Why didn't the old man ever mention it? Oh, right. He did, back when he was drunk and boasting. He said there were some Martial Arts Clans, but they were usually just cannon fodder in his stories, so I subconsciously forgot about them.'

'It seems the Liu Family is one of those clans.'

'But if the old man could wipe the floor with them, there's no reason I can't,' Mu Lin thought. 'Judging by that sissy Huo Tianqi, the Liu Family's standards can't be that high.'

Just then, someone walked in. Zhao Ling'Er went to greet them and was surprised to see it was Xue Yang.

Mu Lin stood up. "Manager Xue, what brings you here?"

Manager Xue was surprised to see Mu Lin as well, but then he recalled Mu Lin had said he knew Divine Doctor Zhao. Seeing him drinking tea in the Holy Medicine Hall proved he hadn't been lying.

"I came to ask Divine Doctor Zhao to save my sister! Even though you said you could cure her, it's not like it's a sure thing, so..."

Mu Lin said, "I've already completely expelled your sister's Cold Toxin. She'll never suffer from it again. In fact, we've already made plans to go to her best friend's house later so I can cure her, too."

Xue Yang was overjoyed. "She's really cured?"

"Not a trace left. I pulled it out by the roots. She'll never have to worry about it again."

"Really?!"

Hearing this, Divine Doctor Zhao's curiosity was piqued. "What kind of ailment is this?"

Mu Lin gave a brief explanation, and a keen light flashed in Divine Doctor Zhao's eyes.

"I never thought such a fascinating affliction existed in this world..."