Chapter 244 243: What a Coincidence

The Bai Family residence.

Third Master Bai received a phone call reporting that Bai Jingchang and two Martial Arts Grandmasters had been found at the entrance to the compound. His expression immediately twisted with rage.

This was a complete and utter lack of respect for the Bai Family. They had to be taught a harsh lesson.

"Did this happen at the Celestial Phoenix Hotel?"

Third Master Bai's face was grim. "I just hired a Grandmaster as a retainer. I had Old Sixth arrange a welcome dinner for him."

"Let's go. We'll pick up our retainer first. This is a matter that will require his personal attention."

A little over an hour later, Third Master Bai met with the newly hired Grandmaster Xiao.

"Grandmaster, you've come all the way from Di Yang. It must have been a tiring journey!"

Grandmaster Xiao had a good attitude toward the boss who was paying him. "Tiring, yes, but it's all worth it as long as I can ensure the Bai Family's peace and safety! Third Master, you're too kind."

Seeing Grandmaster Xiao's attitude, Third Master Bai felt a sense of satisfaction. After a moment of thought, he said:

"Grandmaster, let's head to the hotel for dinner! But before that, there's some small fry that I need you to clean up."

Grandmaster Xiao hadn't expected to have a job right upon arrival. 'This is a perfect chance to show my new boss what I'm capable of,' he thought.

"Let's go. You can tell me the details on the way!"

Third Master Bai eagerly agreed. He and Grandmaster Xiao got into a car and headed toward the Celestial Phoenix Hotel together.

"My sixth younger brother went to the Celestial Phoenix Hotel to arrange your welcome banquet, Grandmaster Xiao. Unfortunately, he got into an argument with someone and was beaten so badly he ended up in the hospital."

"You have to stand up for us! Anyone who dares to touch a member of the Bai Family must pay with their life!"

Grandmaster Xiao heard this and thought it was no big deal—just a simple beating. "I understand. I guarantee you'll be satisfied."

The moment he stepped out of the car, Third Master Bai bellowed, "Where's the private room where my brother was beaten?"

A waiter who recognized Third Master Bai hurried forward. "Third Master, this way, please. I'll take you there!"

Third Master Bai pulled some cash from his wallet and tossed it directly to the waiter.

After receiving the money, the waiter's attitude became even more accommodating, calling out "Third Master" with great frequency.

Third Master Bai pursed his lips, furious.

'Grandmaster Xiao is extremely powerful,' he thought. 'Among Grandmasters, he's in the top tier, capable of fighting Su Longfei to a standstill.'

Third Master Bai asked, "Who was he eating with?"

The waiter took out his phone and checked the system. "Oh, Chairman Song Chuan is hosting, and Chairman Zhong Wentao is there as well."

"Song Chuan?" Third Master Bai savored the name, a malicious grin spreading across his face. "I said it back then. We shouldn't have just suppressed the Song Family; we should have wiped them off the map of Songyang entirely."

"Song Chuan actually wanted to reconcile with us back then. I think he must have been out of his mind."

"Look at the situation now. How could reconciliation even be possible?"

When it came to the Song Family, Third Master Bai had always been part of the faction that advocated for pulling up the weeds and digging out the roots.

He kicked the door open. Seeing the people inside still eating leisurely, he roared:

"Song Chuan, Zhong Wentao, how interesting. You beat my sixth brother and didn't even run. You're still here, enjoying a relaxed meal. I see you're not scared at all, are you?!"

Song Chuan and Zhong Wentao exchanged a glance. They had just agreed to stand firm against the Bai Family to the very end.

How could they possibly show any fear now?

Third Master Bai shouted, "Who injured my sixth brother? Step forward and die!"

Mu Lin stood up calmly. "I did. What about it?"

Third Master Bai's eyes narrowed. He scanned Mu Lin up and down repeatedly before speaking:

"Alright, so you're a tough guy, huh? If you're not afraid to die, then I'll send you on your way right now! Grandmaster Xiao, he's all yours!"

Grandmaster Xiao stepped out from behind Third Master Bai and stared at Mu Lin.

Their eyes met, and a sudden silence fell.

Mu Lin felt that the man before him looked a little familiar.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Grandmaster Xiao, however, was overcome with terror. His face went pale, his lips trembled uncontrollably, as if he saw a terrifying phantom looming over Mu Lin.

He suddenly bowed deeply, sweat pouring down like rain. "Mr. Mu! It's been a while! Have you been well? I've really missed you."

Huh? Just like that...

Mu Lin rubbed his nose, finally remembering who this person was.

This was one of the three Grandmasters he had encountered at the Di Yang Li Clan.

After Mu Lin killed one of them, the other two had immediately fled. This was the younger of the two survivors.

"Grandmaster Xiao, what are you doing? Did you hear me? Kill him and avenge my sixth brother!"

Third Master Bai's shouting was ferocious, which only made Grandmaster Xiao more frantic.

'The more fiercely he yells,' he thought, 'the more likely Mu Lin is to kill me.'

The sight of Mu Lin killing a Grandmaster with a single slap was just too terrifying. It had been replaying in his mind ever since.

Sometimes, he would jolt awake from a nightmare, seeing that horrifying scene all over again.

He knew Mu Lin was from Anhua, so he had sworn never to set foot there.

Then he heard that the Bai Family of Songyang was looking for a Grandmaster-level retainer, so he immediately offered his services.

Songyang was a bit smaller than Di Yang, with very few Grandmasters. It was basically an easy gig.

But he never, ever expected to run into Mu Lin before he had even found his footing.

The very core of his nightmares.

Grandmaster Xiao said hastily, "Grandmaster Mu, what a coincidence! What are you doing here?"

Mu Lin tilted his head. "You should listen to your boss. Strike me dead with a single palm strike."

Grandmaster Xiao trembled all over. 'Grandmaster Mu sure has a sense of humor,' he thought.

"You... you really know how to joke. I can't even begin to express my admiration for you!"

"I wouldn't dare to strike you, not even if you paid me to!"

Third Master Bai was dumbfounded. His face twitched, a truly spectacular sight to behold.

Mu Lin was actually a Grandmaster.

He couldn't believe it, and his mind raced with all sorts of wild possibilities.

But he dismissed every single one of them without exception.

Because Grandmaster Xiao could kill him at any moment; there was absolutely no need to lie to him.

Grandmaster Xiao suddenly spun around, pointed at Third Master Bai, and roared, "Bai Jingqiong, you have some nerve! You actually want to kill Grandmaster Mu?"

Bai Jingqiong understood the situation now. He pointed at Grandmaster Xiao and said:

"Are you saying you're going back on our deal?"

"Of course!" Grandmaster Xiao said coldly. It was a decision that required no thought at all.

'Nothing is more important than staying alive,' he thought. 'The Bai Family has offended Grandmaster Mu. Their days are numbered.'

There was no point in talking about integrity with a bunch of dead men, because they wouldn't need it.

Besides, what had he fought so hard for all this time? It was for good food, good drink, and a life of leisure and freedom—not to have it all ruined by a bunch of bastards like them.

"Grandmaster Mu, let me take care of him for you! A treacherous villain like him deserves to die!"

Mu Lin said, "Just teach him a small lesson. No killing. Otherwise, I'll hold you responsible."

'This Bai Family member... he's from the same family Zhao Yang helped fake a death for.'

'There's still a bit of a connection there, so to speak.'

'I have to consider Zhao Yang's reputation. Otherwise, what would I say when I face the returning Elder Patriarch Bai in the future?'

Grandmaster Xiao thought Mu Lin was telling him to go easy so that he'd have an easier time explaining things to the Bai Family later. He was deeply moved and acted with even more vigor.

He immediately beat Bai Jingqiong and all his attendants to a bloody pulp.

They were only external injuries, however. It looked gruesome, but they would recover with a bit of rest.

After that, Grandmaster Xiao pointed to a male waiter. "Grandmaster Mu, this is the one who tipped off the Bai Family. Should I get rid of him? If we don't eliminate him, I'm afraid he'll continue to work for the Bai Family."

The waiter was so scared he pissed himself. He kowtowed repeatedly. "I was just trying to make a living! Houses in Songyang are so expensive, I had no choice…"

Mu Lin waved his hand. "Just give him a beating and throw him out. Life isn't easy for him either. I'm sure Xu Bing won't keep him on after this."

Grandmaster Xiao swiftly took care of it. A moment later, he returned to the private room and bowed respectfully to Mu Lin.

"Grandmaster Mu, my presence here today was a complete coincidence! I had absolutely no intention of acting against you!"

He grabbed the decanter and poured Mu Lin a glass of wine.

Good heavens… A Grandmaster pouring wine for Mu Lin. What a sight!

Zhong Wentao and Song Chuan watched, their hearts pounding in their chests.

But a second later, that feeling turned into sheer ecstasy.

Mu Lin picked up his glass. "Don't just stand there. Sit. Pour yourself a glass, too."

How could Grandmaster Xiao dare to disobey? He obediently sat down and poured himself a glass of wine.

Mu Lin asked, "What are you doing here? How did you end up getting mixed up with the Bai Family?"

Grandmaster Xiao said hastily, "I came here to make a living. I heard the Bai Family was looking for a Grandmaster as a retainer, so I hurried over."