Chapter 404 403: Finding Their Whereabouts

The abbot simply could not accept this reality. 'This is the Celestial Dragon Temple's trump card!'

If used properly, it could restrain someone at the Peak of Grandmaster.

Yet it had been broken so easily. Just how terrifyingly strong was Mu Lin?!

They had picked a fight with an enemy they couldn't possibly defeat.

So terrifying, so unfathomable.

Mu Lin advanced quickly and said coldly, "Where are Xu Jishan and his son? I know you brought them here. And I have ways to control souls, so lying to me is pointless."

The abbot was panicking. 'Mu Lin even knows techniques like that? What's going to happen next?'

But Mu Lin gave him no chance to resist or hesitate.

It was pointless.

He had already given them enough chances, but neither the abbot nor the entire Celestial Dragon Temple had cherished them. In that case, Mu Lin's hands were tied.

"So, where are Xu Jishan and his son?"

With a vacant expression, the abbot said, "Xu Jishan was taken away by someone. His son, Patriarch Xu, is locked in a basement two hundred meters behind the Great Hero Hall. Lift the curtain, and you'll see the entrance."

'So that's how it is.' Mu Lin wasn't in a hurry. He continued his questioning, "Who told you to do this? And why?"

"Elder Deng. It was Elder Deng who told us to do this. We don't know what he's planning."

Mu Lin's brows furrowed deeply. In an instant, the scope of his thoughts expanded to infinite possibilities.

This Elder Deng had come up countless times.

'Who in the world is he?'

Heaven only knows.

But Mu Lin was certain of one thing: Elder Deng was incredibly influential.

Here in Lanyang, he was a major power. Though he couldn't be seen on the surface, a little digging revealed that this Elder Deng was everywhere.

"Are there any other experts in your Celestial Dragon Temple?"

The abbot said, "My sixth martial brother, Minghui. But he doesn't practice martial arts. I beg you not to make things difficult for him."

Mu Lin thought, 'His mind is being controlled, yet he's still pleading for his martial brother. Their bond is truly strong.'

Mu Lin immediately sent out his spiritual sense and located this Minghui. Mu Tianran was also hidden there.

The other ordinary disciples were terrified, hiding to the side and whispering amongst themselves as if the Celestial Dragon Temple was about to be destroyed.

It was indeed about to be finished, but the situation was perhaps a little different from what they imagined.

Mu Lin turned and appeared before Master Minghui. Seeing Mu Lin approach, Master Minghui instantly panicked.

"Has the Abbot-brother been defeated? I told him long ago that aiding a tyrant like this would not end well, but he was obstinate and refused to listen to me."

"Patron, could you please not make things difficult for the ordinary disciples? None of this has anything to do with them. These were all decisions made by us old folks."

Minghui put down his scripture, his face filled with sorrow.

Mu Lin said, "No problem. As long as you cooperate with me, I can spare them."

"Patron, you are merciful! Minghui is eternally grateful!" Minghui said with a sincere expression.

Mu Lin pursed his lips. "Of course. But I'm in a hurry. Please take me to the basement."

In the basement, Mu Lin saw Patriarch Xu. Next to him was a beautiful woman Mu Lin didn't recognize.

'Who's this?'

'Old Xu has some secrets, huh?'

Mu Lin ripped the tape from Patriarch Xu's mouth and said, "Patriarch Xu, quite the situation you've got here. Hiding a beauty away in a gilded cage?"

This infuriated Patriarch Xu. "Can't you wish me well for once? Hiding a beauty at my age? I'd like to live a few more years! This is Xiao Hongling, the daughter of the richest man in Nanjiang! Me, hide her away? Do I have a death wish?"

Mu Lin looked the woman up and down, then let out an "oh."

"So you mean any other girl would have been fine?"

"Get outta here!"

"So I guess it's fine if I rescue Miss Xiao, too?"

Patriarch Xu said, "Of course it is! This is a huge favor. Only an idiot wouldn't take it!"

Mu Lin thought that it wasn't really a big deal. He knew quite a few people now and could get most things done. He didn't have much need for this kind of connection anymore.

In fact, it was starting to feel like a bit of a burden.

After all, this so-called richest man in Nanjiang would certainly be active in Di Yang, which really had nothing to do with Mu Lin.

Once Mu Lin settled things in Anhua, he was going back to the mountains. It really wasn't a big deal.

In the future, he had connections to help solve his problems anyway, and the Li Family's situation definitely wouldn't escalate to a higher level.

It was enough to live on, and he considered his debt of gratitude repaid.

What more could he want? After all, climbing higher isn't necessarily a good thing. Wealth doesn't last past three generations, and being content with a small fortune is just fine.

Mu Lin glanced at the bones in the corner. There were several complete skeletons.

Mu Lin said, "Master Minghui, who were these people? Your monastic vow against killing is really something else. As long as no one finds out, it doesn't count as killing, is that it?"

Minghui paused and was silent for a long time before saying, "This has nothing to do with me. As for the specifics, I'm not really clear..."

Mu Lin sighed. They were his martial brothers, after all. He couldn't push him too hard when he spoke.

Mu Lin walked over to Xiao Hongling. Her face was pale, and she was so frightened she was completely stupefied. She didn't react at all as Mu Lin approached.

Mu Lin swept his spiritual sense over her and was relieved to find that Xiao Hongling wasn't seriously harmed.

"Miss Xiao, please excuse me," Mu Lin said as he reached out and lifted Xiao Hongling into his arms. She still seemed to feel nothing, not even showing the slightest reaction.

Mu Lin then started walking out. Patriarch Xu followed right behind. Once they reached the surface, he felt much more comfortable.

"HUFF! The sun, the air... this is what I've craved most these past few days of being locked up."

Mu Lin set Xiao Hongling down, then said, "Uncle Xu, what do you think I should do with Miss Xiao? How do I contact her family?"

Patriarch Xu laughed. "Contact them? If you're ruthless, you could just leave her by the side of the road. Someone will eventually find her. If you want to be more particular, just grab her phone and call her dad."

But Mu Lin's expression suddenly changed. Patriarch Xu chuckled and said, "What's wrong? You're not getting shy, are you? It's not like anything has even started between you two, what's there to be shy about? Besides, isn't my own daughter enough to keep you busy?"

Mu Lin waved his hand. "Don't mess around..."

As his spiritual sense drifted about, he discovered several bodies on the back mountain. They were already decomposed but still vaguely retained a human shape.

They were clearly connected to the Celestial Dragon Temple.

He immediately took out his phone and called Zheng Ying. Zheng Ying was startled by Mu Lin's news. "Mr. Mu, are you sure about this? The Celestial Dragon Temple is a key protected site. This involves a lot of people. If we make a mistake, could it cause even bigger trouble?"

Mu Lin said, "There won't be any problems. Just get over here!"

Zheng Ying quickly set off for the Celestial Dragon Temple with his men.

Mu Lin thought that since the Celestial Dragon Temple was a Martial Dao organization, he should probably give the Military Suppression Bureau a heads-up.

So, Mu Lin called Meng Fang. Meng Fang didn't say much and immediately headed over with his people.

Seeing Mu Lin make these calls, Master Minghui's expression turned quite ugly.

If these accusations were proven true, forget about the Celestial Dragon Temple's status as a thousand-year-old monastery—it would be a question of whether his martial brothers could even meet a peaceful end.

Mu Lin looked at Master Minghui. "Since the Celestial Dragon Temple is a thousand-year-old monastery, I presume it must have a great many Martial Dao scriptures?"

How could Master Minghui not understand Mu Lin's meaning? On any other day, he would have thrown such a person out on the spot. But now, the circumstances were against him. He could only pinch his nose and accept it.

Who knew what would happen to him otherwise.

"Please, follow me. You are free to choose any scripture from the Scripture Pavilion," Master Minghui said with great sincerity. Mu Lin smiled faintly and politely asked Master Minghui to lead the way.

When they arrived, he glanced around. There was truly a whole row of precious scriptures.

However, he still had to go greet Zheng Ying and Meng Fang, so he had to head back first to meet them.

When Zheng Ying saw Mu Lin, he first greeted him with an enthusiastic handshake. "Mr. Mu, give me the bottom line. Is this for real? If I seal this place up, will there be any trouble?"

Mu Lin said, "The deaths are real. And since the Celestial Dragon Temple is a Martial Artist organization, I've also asked the Military Suppression Bureau to come and investigate."

Every time Zheng Ying heard the name "Military Suppression Bureau," he would jump. The organization's reputation was so formidable that just hearing its name was enough to give him sleepless nights.

Meng Fang hurried over. "Mr. Mu, I'm here! Where are the bodies you mentioned?"

Mu Lin said, "Follow me!"