Pan Shi ran a hand through his bright red hair. He truly didn't lack this kind of money.
Cars like this were his favorite—solid rear crash beam, built like a tank. Even if it leaked a little oil or built up some carbon, nothing serious.
"I'll drive whatever I want. I don't need you telling me what to buy."
Li Yun frowned slightly and turned to Xu Mu. "Xiao Mu, what did you mean by that bonus?"
"Remember the foreign visitor who came to our company last time? She signed a major contract with us—you were the one who received her."
Xu Mu smiled as he explained.
Li Yun suddenly understood, her expression lighting up with pleasant surprise. "Alright then, I'll listen to you. I'll buy that car."
The saleswoman beamed. "Sister, please come with me to sign the contract."
Pan Shi watched Li Yun's figure as she walked away and took a deep breath—what a woman.
He then turned to Xu Mu with a calm expression. "Kid, what's your relationship with that woman?"
"What's it to you?"
Xu Mu looked at him, hands in his pockets.
"It is my business. I've got my eye on her," Pan Shi said in a low voice. "Name your price. You're buying a Wuling Hongguang, so you're obviously not rich. How about I give you two hundred thousand?"
"Scram. Don't make me slap you."
Xu Mu's tone chilled. He knew every rich kid in Yang City—this clown wasn't one of them. Just some punk with a bit of cash trying to show off.
Before Pan Shi could respond, the burly man beside him strode forward, reaching to grab Xu Mu by the collar.
But Xu Mu's hand shot up first, catching the man's wrist.
The thug strained, muscles bulging.
Xu Mu narrowed his eyes. Wait—this guy's an ancient martial artist?
A weak one, though—barely at the early Internal Force stage.
"Ahhh!"
The man suddenly screamed, sweat dripping down his face as his knees buckled.
With a dull thud, he dropped to the floor, face contorted in pain.
Pan Shi, who had been smirking a second ago, stared wide-eyed in disbelief.
"It's not New Year's. No red envelope for kneeling today."
Xu Mu released his grip and let the man collapse fully. Then he quietly activated the Divine Eye to scan the redhead.
Name: Pan Shi
Identity: Assassin
Favorability: -5
Fate Level: 1 (Max: 10)
Xu Mu's brows twitched. An assassin?
What the hell was happening in Yang City?
He'd just met one of the legendary "Two Cripples," Zhang Que, and now while buying a car, he'd run into a killer.
"What's your name?"
Pan Shi's tone had changed—grim now. Anyone who could casually overpower his bodyguard had to be a martial artist.
He hadn't expected to meet such an expert here of all places. Word must've spread already.
"When you ask for someone's name, you should introduce yourself first. Basic manners," Xu Mu said coolly.
"Heh. If I told you where I'm from, you'd be terrified," Pan Shi sneered.
A family? Xu Mu thought. He's a killer but says he's from a family, not an organization… Could it be—
"I come from the Mourning Love Clan!"
Pan Shi lifted his chin proudly. "I am Pan Shi—the First Hall Master under our Second Leader, Crying Rose, of the Mourning Love Clan!"
"…What?"
Xu Mu blinked, dumbfounded. Is this guy serious?
"I told you it'd scare you. But here's another shocker," Pan Shi continued proudly. "Our Second Leader, Crying Rose, is right here!"
Xu Mu didn't know whether to laugh or sigh. For some reason, his scalp itched—as if his hair were growing longer, about to fall across one eye.
Then, to his surprise, a woman really did emerge from an office nearby.
She looked about twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with silver wavy hair that covered her left eye. Her skin was pale, her right eye sharp—and just below it, a black teardrop tattoo.
She wore denim shorts that showed off long, shapely legs, and a white blouse with the top button undone—hinting at curves that were clearly in the "C-range."
Xu Mu's mind flashed back to Xiao Ran, one of the Dragon King's subordinates—also short-haired with one eye covered.
But Xiao Ran never gave off this bizarre Shamate (punk-goth) vibe.
This woman, though… she was chaos incarnate.
Her looks? Undeniably beautiful. Her silver hair and teardrop mark made her seem both rebellious and coldly elegant.
Xu Mu quietly activated the Divine Eye again.
Name: Miao He
Identity: Assassin, Female Lead of "The Strongest Son-in-Law"
Favorability: 0
Fate Level: 9 (Max: 10)
What the hell?!
Another heroine—and according to the original story, she was one of Fang Chu's harem.
So, finally, one of Fang Chu's women turned out to be a powerhouse. The rest so far—Li Yun, Zhao Yingying—were all ordinary people.
"Second Leader!"
Pan Shi hurried to greet her, whispering in Miao He's ear while stealing glances at Xu Mu.
Xu Mu's mind was spinning. He didn't know exactly where Fang Chu's plotline was right now, but the pattern was obvious.
Fang Chu had allied with the Chai family in Yang City—and now, this woman, a Fate Level 9 assassin, had appeared here.
Following the story's logic, once Fang Chu regained his full power, he'd meet her soon. They'd interact—and she'd become his next harem member.
If she joined him, Fang Chu would gain a deadly asset: a team of assassin martial artists.
That couldn't happen. Xu Mu had to intercept her first.
Which meant—he sighed inwardly—time to sell his charm again.
Hands in his pockets, Xu Mu walked up to Miao He.
At close range, he noticed the rose-shaped earrings she wore.
"This guy—your subordinate?" Xu Mu asked, pointing at Pan Shi.
"You—watch your mouth—"
Pan Shi started, but Miao He raised a hand, silencing him.
"Yes." She nodded lightly.
"Then keep him on a leash," Xu Mu said calmly. "He disrespected me earlier. I only let him go because of you. Next time, I won't."
Pan Shi clenched his fists, his face dark. This punk had some nerve.
He was the First Hall Master under the Crying Rose, her strongest lieutenant. No one dared talk to him like that.
Beat one low-level Internal Force fighter and suddenly thought he was invincible?
Unforgivable. He couldn't let this brat walk away unpunished.