Chapter 266 265: A Person of Character

'It seems Chen Bing is dead set on recommending me to his good friends,' Mu Lin thought.

From his interactions with them, Mu Lin felt they were trustworthy; they weren't bad people at heart.

With Chen Bing vouching for them, treating their ailments really wasn't a big deal.

As the group drank and chatted, they grew closer and closer.

Just then, Chen Wanma said, "Brother Bing, I ran into Shi Qianxi on my way in. He's hosting a banquet here too."

Chen Bing's gaze turned icy in an instant, and his smile stiffened. He paused for a moment before forcing a smile and raising his glass again.

Mu Lin noticed the change immediately and quickly asked, "Brother Wanma, who is this Shi Qianxi?"

Chen Wanma glanced at Mu Lin, pausing for a moment before it dawned on him. "Oh, it seems you don't know about this. Shi Qianxi is Brother Bing's enemy! His meridians were shattered by Shi Qianxi's older brother, Shi Qian Dong."

Chen Bing swung his arm forcefully, sloshing twenty percent of the wine from his cup.

Some of it splashed onto Tang Shuang.

Tang Shuang let out a small gasp but quickly composed herself.

She didn't dare say anything more.

Chen Bing also realized he had lost his composure and quickly said, "Sorry, I lost my cool for a moment…"

Tang Shuang waved her hand. "It's just wine, it's nothing. But Chen Bing, you seem really out of sorts. Are you okay?"

Chen Bing sighed. "I'm sorry. I can't help but get angry whenever I hear about these things."

Mu Lin said, "It means you still care, doesn't it?"

"He's a Grandmaster now. Caring is useless," Chen Bing said with a long sigh.

"I'm afraid I'll never be able to catch up to him in this lifetime!"

Mu Lin chuckled. "Brother, have you forgotten what I told you? You have a chance, but you need to think more and not act so rashly. Right now, you're just being rash."

Chen Bing sighed. "You're right. I know."

"Shi Qianxi is a deputy captain in the Military Suppression Bureau now. His power is immense."

Mu Lin's eyebrow twitched. He was a bit surprised. 'The Military Suppression Bureau really does have people everywhere. But I guess that makes sense.'

'Once you reach a certain level, you're bound to run into more people like this. It's only normal.'

"Is Shi Qian Dong's power that great?"

"Great is an understatement. Even the mayor of our own Songyang has to show him deference. You tell me, is he formidable or what?"

Cheng Shizhong raised his glass to Mu Lin before speaking. "Brother Mu, you probably don't have a deep understanding of this. The Military Suppression Bureau is an enormous organization made up of Cultivators. Mortals with no cultivation have absolutely no say in their affairs."

"This transcendent status makes everyone inside incredibly powerful. Even the lowest-ranking members are people that ordinary folks rarely get to meet."

"If you have the connections to get a position as a member in the Military Suppression Bureau, and pull a few strings, you can basically do whatever you want, wherever you go. Even the richest bosses wouldn't dare to look down on you."

'The people I've met from the Military Suppression Bureau were nothing special, to be honest,' Mu Lin thought.

'Besides, since the Military Suppression Bureau constantly faces danger, I doubt even a basic member would have any desire to come back to the secular world and throw their weight around.'

'But these outsiders can't see that at all. In their eyes, the Military Suppression Bureau is a cage of monsters, filled with mysterious existences when you peer inside.'

Having become familiar with the Military Suppression Bureau, Mu Lin no longer felt that terrifying pressure.

"Shizhong, why are you telling Younger Brother Mu all this? We didn't come here to make ourselves uncomfortable."

Cheng Shizhong agreed it was inappropriate. He nodded repeatedly, raised his cup, and chugged the contents.

"You're right, my mistake. I'll down this. The rest of you, drink as you please!"

The atmosphere lightened up a little, but it was impossible to return to the carefree mood from before.

After all, Shi Qianxi had actually shown up here.

Chen Bing still wanted revenge, but the gap between their cultivation levels had become an insurmountable chasm.

With this situation hanging in the air, no matter how lively the atmosphere tried to be, everyone felt a chill in their hearts.

Tang Shuang moved closer to Mu Lin and gently tugged his sleeve. "Brother Mu, I think my brother is one of those low-level members, and he's not mysterious at all. He's dog-tired from morning till night."

Mu Lin smiled faintly. "He is indeed one of the most junior members. He's worked very hard these past few years."

"However, he shouldn't be one for much longer."

Tang Shuang's eyes went wide. "Why? Brother Mu, what are you saying?"

Mu Lin chuckled. "He saved his captain this time, which counts as a great meritorious service. A two-rank promotion is the least he should get. If he doesn't, I'll personally go find Captain Wu."

Tang Shuang's eyes lit up. So that's what Mu Lin meant. She had thought the Military Suppression Bureau was going to kick her brother out.

Before he could finish, Mu Lin sensed something amiss—several threatening auras were just outside the door.

He pulled Tang Shuang up, moving her away from the door.

Tang Shuang didn't have time to react, blushing as Mu Lin pulled her along.

A moment later, BANG! The door was kicked open.

An imposing procession of figures filed in from outside.

"Heh, Eldest Young Master Chen, sitting here in the Heaven-grade room. You've really got some nerve!"

The man in the lead sneered.

Chen Bing's face instantly darkened. To think Shi Qianxi would actually follow him here.

As a Martial Artist, Chen Wanma was the first to jump to his feet, pointing at Shi Qianxi.

"Shi Qianxi, stop acting so high and mighty! If it weren't for your brother, would you be where you are today?"

Shi Qianxi looked Chen Wanma up and down. "You still have the nerve to pop up in front of me? I gave you so many chances to abandon the darkness and join my side, but you insisted on following this Chen Bing. What's so great about this piece of trash that's worth following?"

Chen Wanma stated flatly, "I interact with people to make friends, not to find a master! You, on the other hand, brought all these dogs with you. Is there a single one among them who truly sees you as a friend? Can you find even one?"

Chen Wanma's words made Shi Qianxi's face twitch.

'Of course he knew he had no true friends among his subordinates.'

'But so what? He had still managed to amass this much power.'

'Was that not allowed?'

"Who are you calling a dog?" Chen Wanma's words had clearly struck a nerve with some of them. Weren't they following Shi Qianxi precisely for his brother's influence?

'In a way, they really were no different from dogs, but so what?'

'It was still better than being like Chen Wanma, who had no power to speak of.'

Chen Wanma sneered. "Whoever answers is the dog! You think I'm some kind of pushover? Huh?"

After a bit more back-and-forth, a few of Shi Qianxi's men really looked like they wanted to rush out and fight Chen Wanma.

But Shi Qianxi raised a hand to stop them. This was Su Longfei's territory, and starting a fight here would easily offend him.

Besides, there were ordinary people present. If they got caught in the crossfire, it would be difficult for him, as the relative of a Military Suppression Bureau member, to answer for it.

"Chen Bing, I heard you went to Anhua and your injuries are all healed? You got lucky as hell, actually finding someone who could cure you."

Chen Bing sneered. "That's right. You got a problem with that?"

Shi Qianxi said cheerfully, "Let me just remind you, my brother is with the Military Suppression Bureau. You'd better not fall into his hands, or I'm afraid there won't be anyone left to save you."

Chen Bing's expression was grim. "I live an upright and honest life. I don't need you worrying about me!"

Shi Qianxi was about to retort when his gaze fell upon Tang Shuang, and his eyes were instantly glued to her.

He walked straight toward Tang Shuang. "Miss, you look so familiar. I think I must have met you in a past life. Would you do me the honor of stepping out with me to catch up?"

What kind of bullshit line was that? The expressions on everyone at the table turned ugly.

Harassing Tang Shuang right in front of them was unforgivable.

After all, Tang Shuang had come with Mu Lin.

Tang Shuang glanced at Mu Lin, whose gaze was already locked onto Shi Qianxi.

If Shi Qianxi made even the slightest wrong move, Mu Lin would slice his hand off without a second thought.

Seeing Mu Lin protecting her, Tang Shuang felt her courage swell, and she said, "I don't know you, and I don't want to talk to you. Thanks!"

Shi Qianxi's mouth twitched. He hadn't expected Tang Shuang to be so completely disrespectful.

"Miss, my brother is the most promising deputy captain in the Military Suppression Bureau, and I'm a Martial Dao expert myself. How about you show me some respect? I'll make it worth your while!"

SLAM! Chen Bing slammed his hand on the table, the force rattling the cups and plates with a loud CLATTER.

"Shi Qianxi, get the hell away! That's my brother's woman! If you dare touch her, I'll fight you to the death!"

But Shi Qianxi's gaze locked onto Mu Lin. He could see that Tang Shuang relied heavily on him.

'To win Tang Shuang's favor, the right way was to take care of Mu Lin.'