Chapter 328 327: Vertical Cloud Ladder

Not even the Military Suppression Bureau's top interrogators were as badass as Mu Lin.

Right now, Niu Daoist's only chance to escape the pain was to spit out his secrets, and fast.

Shen Xilu was also curious. Just what kind of secret was it that would make Mu Lin go to such lengths to extract it?

Niu Daoist thrashed his head about and pleaded, "I'll talk! I'll talk!"

Niu Daoist immediately said, "When I left the Daoist Sect, I stole a secret manual—the Vertical Cloud Ladder!"

Mu Lin's eyes lit up.

The Vertical Cloud Ladder was a legendary technique, famous throughout the world even before the Daoist Sect had been established in its current form.

The Daoist Sect was an alliance of countless cultivation schools, having consolidated top-tier techniques from every discipline.

What Niu Daoist had stolen was more than just a top-tier Cultivation Technique; it was the ultimate Body Technique, a treasure so rare you could only stumble upon it by chance.

A single leap, with no external aid, could carry a person up two or three stories.

This was the mark of a top-tier technique.

More importantly, by mastering its method of exerting force, a Martial Artist's explosive power and endurance would both see a massive increase.

This was crucial for anyone aspiring to become a supreme master.

That's why its theft was a matter of grave importance to the Daoist Sect.

Although the investigation may have been shelved for other reasons, the moment they learned of Niu Daoist's death, they would surely show up at the door, demanding the return of a treasure so vital to them.

Mu Lin considered it. 'It's probably true. Niu Daoist wouldn't dare make such a bold claim if he hadn't actually stolen it.'

"Where is it?" Mu Lin asked coldly.

Niu Daoist replied, "I don't have it on me! I can take you to get it, all right?"

Mu Lin's gaze was ice-cold. "Take me there. And don't try anything funny. I can kill you at any moment. Even after you're dead, I have ways of making you tell the truth."

"Yes! Yes!"

As someone from the Daoist Sect, Niu Daoist naturally knew about esoteric techniques like the Soul Search, which could reanimate a corpse for questioning.

'If Mu Lin shatters my soul and prevents my reincarnation, that would be a truly terrible fate.'

"Follow me!"

Niu Daoist staggered for a short distance before stopping in front of a tree.

"It's here!"

He crouched down and dug near the tree's roots, unearthing a square box. Inside was the manual for the *Vertical Cloud Ladder*.

Mu Lin examined the manual, very pleased.

The manual was printed on a special kind of paper that had long since gone out of production; he could tell just by the touch.

Niu Daoist watched Mu Lin with pleading eyes. "I've told you everything I know. There's no point in killing me, so why don't we just call it even?"

Mu Lin smiled. "How could I do that? After all the evil you've done, letting you go would be a disservice to the world."

"You're a free man of the Jianghu, yet you're working for the Court's lapdogs. Have you no shame? What the hell does saving the world have to do with you!"

Mu Lin replied, "Who said I work for them? It's clear they work for me. Without the strands of hair and scraps of clothing they provided, how could I have found you so quickly?"

"And now that I have, I must follow my own principles: eradicate evil to the root. Only by killing you can I see justice done."

'How did the conversation turn to killing him? So frustrating.' Shen Xilu awkwardly tugged on Mu Lin's sleeve. "Mr. Mu... about that..."

A look of sudden realization crossed Mu Lin's face. "Oh, right, I forgot you were here. You need to take him in for questioning on other cases. Look at me, it completely slipped my mind."

"Of course, of course. Don't you worry, I'll make sure you get what you need!"

As he said this, Mu Lin raised a hand and struck Niu Daoist.

Niu Daoist crumpled to the ground, unconscious. Shen Xilu quickly slapped a pair of special shackles on him. Once locked, the cuffs would completely disrupt his internal energy flow, making escape impossible.

Unless someone else removed them for him.

Mu Lin stretched lazily. "Well, Miss Shen, let's get going. You take him back, and I'll go find Chu Chaoxiong to settle a few scores."

Shen Xilu was reluctant to leave. She knew that following Mu Lin would undoubtedly lead to seeing many more incredible things.

But she was in a bind. Dragging the unconscious Niu Daoist around, she wouldn't have the slightest bit of energy left to watch Mu Lin in action.

'Unbelievable...'

'I should just hurry back.'

Besides, there was also the Grandmaster's corpse to deal with. Shen Xilu couldn't possibly manage it all on her own.

With no other choice, Shen Xilu heaved a deep sigh.

'I'll just have to call for backup and have a colleague come get me.'

After parting ways with Shen Xilu, Mu Lin called Zhou Qianfan. He was the most likely person to know Chu Chaoxiong's whereabouts.

And even if he didn't know offhand, he could use his connections to find out.

"Mu Lin, why are you looking for Chu Chaoxiong? He's just a businessman. What good will giving him a hard time do for you? It's not like you're short on cash, right?"

Mu Lin said, "He's the mastermind behind Liangyu Investment. He's no simple character."

Zhou Qianfan was stunned. "Why would he do something like that? Did I do something to provoke him?"

Mu Lin shook his head. "No, it really has nothing to do with you. His actual target was me. You were just caught in the crossfire."

Hearing the words "caught in the crossfire," Zhou Qianfan felt a flash of anger. 'As the Patriarch of the Zhou Family, do I have no pride? How could I be mere collateral damage?'

'But on second thought, maybe it's a good thing. If I were the main target, could I have handled a challenge like this on my own?'

'If not, I'd be in serious trouble.'

'This is why I have to get stronger, to do everything I can to resolve this situation.'

Mu Lin said, "Uncle Zhou, don't worry, I can handle this. You just focus on dealing with the recent spoils."

"All right, I understand," Zhou Qianfan nodded. "You're right. I'll do as you say."

"I've found Chu Chaoxiong's location. Sending it to you now."

Zhou Qianfan sent Chu Chaoxiong's location to Mu Lin. With the address in hand, Mu Lin headed straight there.

'Zhou Qianfan really is incredibly resourceful,' Mu Lin mused. 'To find a person this quickly is no small feat.'

Chu Chaoxiong was in a luxury hotel suite, sitting in a large bathtub surrounded by beautiful, glamorous women in swimwear.

It was a life of pleasure far beyond that of any immortal.

But a wave of unease washed over him. He suddenly sat bolt upright in the tub, slapped the surface of the water, and barked at the women to get out.

The women looked aggrieved, not knowing what had made President Chu so suddenly irritable.

They didn't dare say a word or ask any questions, simply scrambling to get out, leaving a very unpleasant atmosphere in their wake.

Hearing the commotion, someone from outside the bathroom walked in. "Sir, is there a problem?"

Chu Chaoxiong waved a hand dismissively. "No, but I feel... uneasy. It feels like something is pushing me, rushing me."

The man who entered had a steady expression. "You're probably just tired, sir. A little rest should fix you right up."

Chu Chaoxiong waved his hand again. "I'm afraid it's not that simple. This feeling of panic is very real. I've never been this tense before."

The man said, "You're not worried about Niu Daoist, are you? His power is far beyond your imagination. You have no reason to be concerned."

Chu Chaoxiong wanted to put on a brave face, but finally admitted, "Yes... I am worried. If Mu Lin finds Niu Daoist, I'm afraid he'll follow the trail right back to me..."

The middle-aged man replied, "Don't worry, sir. Niu Daoist is a traitor from the Daoist Sect. Back in the day, the sect sent all its elites after him and they still couldn't catch him. Do you really think a nobody like Mu Lin stands a chance? The idea is laughable."

Chu Chaoxiong picked up a glass of red wine from the edge of the tub and took a sip. "You have a point, but I'm still worried."

The middle-aged man continued, "And even if he does track you down, I'm here to protect you. If he dares show his face, that would be for the best. I'll make sure he dies right here."

Chu Chaoxiong's eyes lit up. He hadn't thought of that. 'With a master like this protecting me, what the hell do I have to be afraid of!'

He settled back onto the bench in the tub and let out a long, slow breath. Seeing his mood improve, the women all moved closer, nestling against him with faint smiles.

But then Chu Chaoxiong's eyes shot wide open, his face a mask of terror, as if he'd just seen a ghost.

Everyone panicked. 'What's wrong?'