Chapter 310 309: Sincerity

Tao Xinxin was speechless. There was nothing she could say to that.

Just then, Mu Lin had already taken out a bank card and paid.

After he paid, it would still be a while before the car was ready for pickup.

Mu Lin called a car to take her home.

He then returned to the Holy Medicine Hall.

Zhao Ling'Er was overjoyed when she saw Mu Lin return. She had thought he was actually giving her the cold shoulder.

"Brother Mu!" Zhao Ling'Er called out, running joyfully toward Mu Lin.

Mu Lin patted Zhao Ling'Er's head. "It's been a while!"

Zhao Ling'Er said, "You've got some nerve! You haven't come to see me for so many days. Where have you been?"

Mu Lin said, "Me? I was away on a business trip, completely swamped. But didn't I come looking for you the moment I got back?"

"Liar! What was the deal with that girl just now? Don't try to fool me and say you don't know her!"

"I already explained this to your grandfather, and now I have to explain it all over again to you. She's Xue Xi's best friend. We're just acquaintances who met by chance; there's nothing between us..."

"Nothing between you...? Then why were you taking her to buy a car? I heard everything!"

'Damn it,' Mu Lin thought. 'How is Zhao Ling'Er's hearing so sharp?'

"Hey, see that car that was parked in the courtyard? That was hers. I'm the one who damaged it, so don't I have to compensate her with a new one? Stop being so suspicious."

Zhao Ling'Er thought it over. She couldn't find any holes in Mu Lin's story and figured it was probably the truth.

"Okay, I get it! I'll forgive you this time!"

Zhao Ling'Er said slowly.

"Okay, so where is Xue Xi's brother?"

"Oh, we have him settled in the small courtyard. Xue Xi is there as well."

Mu Lin headed for the small courtyard, with Zhao Ling'Er gently taking his arm and following along.

When they entered the courtyard, they saw Xue Xi helping her brother take a walk.

Xue Yang walked very slowly, but he was steady.

When Xue Xi saw Mu Lin arrive, she nudged her brother's arm.

She wasn't at all surprised to see Mu Lin. She had heard he was on good terms with the Holy Medicine Hall.

When Xue Yang saw Mu Lin, his expression immediately grew serious. He nodded at him.

"Team Leader Mu!"

Mu Lin smiled. "Manager Xue, I apologize. You were injured because of me."

Xue Yang laughed. "It's no big deal. Divine Doctor Zhao took a look and said it's not a fatal wound, just an internal injury. I just need to take some medicine and recuperate. The company covered the medical expenses, and President Li even gave me a nice long vacation to recover."

Mu Lin smiled. Li Xue had handled this matter well; he couldn't find any fault with it.

Since Xue Yang felt he'd gotten a great deal out of the situation, Mu Lin didn't see the need to mention it again.

A moment later, Divine Doctor Zhao found Mu Lin and pulled him aside.

With a grave expression, Divine Doctor Zhao asked, "Did you offend the Military Suppression Bureau?"

Mu Lin said, "Yes, but I had no choice. Who told them to act so inhumanly? You know about Elder Bai's situation. The Military Suppression Bureau is just as he said—they're a bunch of scoundrels."

Divine Doctor Zhao waved his hand. "I don't care what they are! The problem is their power is too great. As long as you're a Martial Artist, you're under their jurisdiction. Do you think you can offend them and get away unscathed?"

"Is there any room to resolve this conflict? If there is, you should hurry and apologize to get it over with!"

But Mu Lin shook his head. "Impossible. Someone might apologize, but it won't be me."

"It was their fault from start to finish. There's no reason for me to be the one apologizing."

Mu Lin's attitude left Divine Doctor Zhao feeling rather helpless.

"Fine... I can't persuade you. But you should think about it carefully yourself!"

Divine Doctor Zhao waved his hand and walked out, clearly dejected.

'That kid, Mu Lin, he's all grown up now,' the Divine Doctor thought. 'He has a mind of his own.'

Suddenly, Mu Lin sensed an exceptionally threatening aura.

As he focused on it, he realized it was coming from the main entrance.

Divine Doctor Zhao also vaguely felt that something was wrong. The pressure emanating from the newcomer was immense.

It was so heavy he felt a tightness in his chest.

Mu Lin glanced over. The man was a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

'Incredibly powerful,' he thought. 'What can be done in a time like this? Who knows?'

Captain Zhao walked up to Mu Lin and said, "I am the captain of the Military Suppression Bureau's Second Team, Zhao Weiyi."

Divine Doctor Zhao was so frightened he nearly fell over.

'Speak of the devil,' he thought. 'We were just talking about them, and now they're here to settle scores.'

Divine Doctor Zhao glanced at Mu Lin, giving him a meaningful look.

Mu Lin pretended he didn't see it, his own gaze toward Zhao Weiyi anything but friendly.

'This is bad,' Divine Doctor Zhao thought inwardly. He had practiced medicine in Di Yang, so he knew just how formidable the Military Suppression Bureau was.

'If Mu Lin confronts them head-on, he won't gain a single advantage.'

A captain in the Military Suppression Bureau held a status equivalent to the mayor of Di Yang. When combined with their martial strength and special privileges, their position was practically untouchable.

It was utterly pointless for Mu Lin to oppose them.

He could even be targeted as a public enemy by the Military Suppression Bureau and be disposed of directly.

Mu Lin was so young; it would be a terrible shame for him to be gone just like that.

Divine Doctor Zhao decided he couldn't just stand by and watch them take Mu Lin away; he had to intervene. He stepped forward and said, "I, Zhao Yang, greet you, Captain Zhao!"

Zhao Weiyi took a step forward and gently helped Divine Doctor Zhao up. "Elder Zhao, there's no need for such formalities. The Military Suppression Bureau has always respected its elders. If anything, I should be the one bowing to you!"

'What's gotten into this captain?' Divine Doctor Zhao wondered. 'Why is he acting so strangely?'

But he didn't dare gamble with Mu Lin's life, so he immediately said, "Captain Zhao, you are too polite. Mu Lin is still young and is prone to making the mistakes of youth. Please, don't hold it against him!"

Zhao Weiyi listened and then gave a gracious smile. "Divine Doctor Zhao, what are you joking about? If anyone should be asking for forgiveness, it's me!"

Divine Doctor Zhao was stunned. 'What does he mean by that?'

Zhao Weiyi's attitude didn't seem like an act at all.

'So what is going on here? What is Zhao Weiyi's true purpose for coming?'

'Who could say?'

While Divine Doctor Zhao was still stunned, Zhao Weiyi walked right up to Mu Lin and gave him a deep bow.

"Mr. Mu, my subordinates have done many inhuman things to you. I can only beg for your forgiveness."

Divine Doctor Zhao thought he was dreaming, that his eyes were playing tricks on him. 'What in the world is happening?' he thought. 'The great captain of the Military Suppression Bureau is actually bowing to Mu Lin.'

'He's even admitting fault. Is this still the Military Suppression Bureau?'

'The Military Suppression Bureau never admitted to being in the wrong. In their eyes, the only ones at fault could be the Martial Artists of the world.'

'Heaven knows how many Martial Artists they've framed, ruining families and ending lives. Now, all of a sudden, they're the good guys? The turnaround is almost whiplash-inducing.'

Mu Lin said, "Is this how your Second Team always acts? The highest-ranking officer I encountered before was a vice-captain. Where were you, the captain?"

Zhao Weiyi paused, momentarily at a loss for words, but he still managed to say:

"I had another assignment and was on duty in Di Yang. The truth is, I've been neglectful in supervising my subordinates, leading them to become so lawless. In the end, it is all my sin. Mr. Mu, if you must punish someone, then punish me alone. It has nothing to do with my men! I will be sure to discipline them properly!"

He was putting on an excellent performance. This was the classic tactic of inflicting injury on oneself to gain sympathy. If Mu Lin felt it was unseemly to press the issue and dropped it, he would have won big.

Besides, the people responsible were already dead. Dead men tell no tales.

Mu Lin didn't mention that. Instead, he asked, "Do you know Meng Jing'an?"

"I do."

"Is it true that Jin Cheng threatened him with his granddaughter?"

"Yes..."

Mu Lin's eyes were icy and emotionless. He waved a dismissive hand.

"Captain Zhao, just go. This is pathetic."

Zhao Weiyi said, "These are the faults of the Second Team. Not every unit is like this. Please, Mr. Mu, view the Military Suppression Bureau rationally and don't let this create a prejudice!"

With that, he left.

Mu Lin stared intently at Zhao Weiyi's retreating back, his guard raised completely.

The man was clearly very arrogant. His actions, from beginning to end, screamed of reluctance and compulsion.

For a moment, he couldn't figure out why the man had come to apologize at all.

Was it because he genuinely felt he was wrong, or was there some immense pressure on him that made not apologizing an impossibility?

Just then, his phone rang.

Mu Lin quickly picked it up. It was Wu Henghai.

"Mr. Mu! Has a captain-level officer been to see you?"

Mu Lin considered for a moment, then said, "He just left a few seconds ago. His acting is truly terrible. Even the apology was completely forced. It would've been better if he hadn't come at all!"

On the other end of the line, Wu Henghai broke out in a cold sweat.