When Xu Ningbing heard this, she looked up at Xu Mu. "Why?"
"With just a little power, he's already lost himself in arrogance. A man like that won't go far."
Xu Mu crossed his legs. "He became a martial artist by sheer luck, and now he looks down on everyone. Do you know what he said to me the first time we met?"
"What?" Xu Ningbing asked.
"He told me I wasn't worthy of Ye Tong and should stay away from her. Then he said that since he and Ye Tong aren't blood-related, he intends to make her his own."
Xu Mu wasn't exaggerating or slandering—this had really happened.
"What!?" Xu Ningbing's eyes went wide in disbelief.
No wonder that man had shown up at the company all puffed up, acting like they owed him something. She hadn't expected him to be that disgusting—trying to take his own sister!
Did Ye Tong even agree to that nonsense?
"Come with me! Upstairs, now!"
Xu Ningbing slammed her chopsticks down, grabbed Xu Mu's arm, and dragged him upstairs.
She knocked on Xu Shou's office door, then walked in with Xu Mu.
"What's going on?" Xu Shou asked, sitting in his chair, smoking, and staring out the window.
"Dad, that Ye Chen from yesterday—we can't cooperate with him," Xu Ningbing said and explained everything Xu Mu had told her.
Xu Shou's face darkened. "So that's what kind of man he is. Arrogant little bastard."
"He's got good luck and talent, and he's gathered a group of strong followers in just a few years," Xu Mu said, sitting down with a faint smile. "He's riding high right now. We don't need to get involved—just find an excuse to refuse."
"Agreed. People that cocky will get taught a lesson eventually," Xu Shou said with a nod. Then he looked at Xu Mu. "How do you know all this so clearly?"
Xu Mu chuckled. Of course he knew—he'd read the novel. Ye Chen was the protagonist, and everything revolved around him. But even if he told them that, neither Xu Shou nor Xu Ningbing would believe it.
"You don't know—Meng Wanyue, the woman around me, she was originally sent by him. But now, she's on my side."
He explained calmly. "All this information came from her."
"Meng Wanyue? Oh, that woman—yes, she's quite good," Xu Shou said, recalling the beautiful woman who'd sat beside Xu Mu at the Nangong residence.
"Dad! What do you mean 'quite good'?" Xu Ningbing said sharply. "Don't tell me you're planning to find me a stepmother!"
"Nonsense. Your mother and I are true love," Xu Shou said, glancing at the photo frame on his desk with a chuckle. "If your mom knew I remarried, she'd kill me."
Xu Mu frowned slightly. Come to think of it, his father had never actually said his wife was dead.
"Then what do you mean by 'quite good,' huh?" Xu Ningbing pressed.
"Of course, I mean from a daughter-in-law's perspective, she's not bad," Xu Shou said cheerfully.
"Hmph, dream on," Xu Ningbing shot back coldly, glaring at Xu Mu. "If you dare betray Ye Tong, I'll beat you to death!"
"Yeah, looks like your butt's asking for another beating," Xu Mu said meaningfully.
Her expression stiffened. Back when she'd asked Xu Mu to spar for combat practice, he'd only ever aimed there. And she hadn't been able to hit him back—infuriating.
"I'm leaving. I'll find a reason to reject Ye Chen," Xu Ningbing said, glancing at Xu Mu before turning away.
"I'm off too," Xu Mu said with a grin, following her out.
As they waited for the elevator, Xu Mu suddenly said, "By the way, I got three new cultivation manuals on this trip."
"Xiao Mu! Give them to me!"
Xu Ningbing instantly moved half a meter closer and grabbed his arm.
Xu Mu immediately felt his arm trapped between two terrifying forces—immovable.
No wonder she was a Fate Level Ten heroine; she was definitely stronger than Dai Xingluo.
"Well, since you're my sister…" Xu Mu said lightly.
[Favorability +15]
"Xiao Mu, you're so good to me," Xu Ningbing said gratefully. She had come to understand a lot about martial arts lately and knew how precious cultivation techniques were.
"I'll send them to you later. Same as before—if you don't understand something, ask the old man," Xu Mu said as the elevator doors opened.
Xu Ningbing nodded.
…
At that moment, Fang Chu emerged from the ruins, his face full of anger.
He had come to find treasures, and all he got was a dagger with decent hardness—nothing else. Worse, he'd been violated by Zhao Gang.
By coincidence, he had found the tomb chamber, but despite turning the place upside down, there was nothing valuable. Even when he opened the suspended coffin, it contained only a skeleton.
"Damn it!" Fang Chu cursed under his breath.
And all of this—was Xu Mu's fault.
If not for him, how could he have ended up like that?
And Zhao Gang, that bastard—he was on Fang Chu's death list now. He'd kill him soon.
If Zhao Gang told people what happened, and everyone found out Fang Chu had been… violated, how could he ever show his face again?
Just then, a voice sounded beside him.
"Fang Chu! Thanks to you this time. Without you, we wouldn't have found the tomb's location."
It was Ren Sangsang, the senior cleaner.
Fang Chu turned and saw the mature beauty with the side-parted hair. He smiled. "You're welcome. I just got lucky."
At least he'd met a Senior Cleaner who was also a beauty—worth making deeper contact later. Not a total loss.
"We'll head back now," Ren Sangsang said and left with the other cleaners to report to sanitation headquarters.
This so-called ancient ruin turned out to be just a tomb—only burial items, no cultivation treasures.
As Fang Chu was about to leave, he saw Zhao Gang approaching, surrounded by other disciples.
Among the cleaners was Sun Ziqiang, a Formation expert. When Fang Chu discovered the formation at the top, Sun Ziqiang had dismantled it, revealing the exit.
That meant everyone now knew about the opening above—and had escaped.
"Brother Fang Chu!" Zhao Gang said cheerfully, patting Fang Chu's shoulder hard. "Tell me, did someone… open up a path through you once?"
Fang Chu's face turned dark. "What the hell are you talking about?"
"No? Huh, must've imagined it—just felt kinda loose. Anyway, come find me if you ever need something," Zhao Gang said, grinning as he walked off.
Fang Chu clenched his fists tightly. He would kill that bastard.
But he had to plan carefully. Xu Mu's strength was far beyond what he'd expected—he really was from a sect.
As Fang Chu hesitated, he spotted Liang Yi and her master in the distance.
He walked over. Alone, his power was limited—he'd need allies.
…
Meanwhile, Xu Mu stopped at the gate of the Yang City branch company.
Before long, Jiang Huihui rode up on her electric scooter.
Smiling, Xu Mu stepped out of his car and walked toward her.
It was time to discuss the martial arts marriage tournament.