"As long as you choose the right path and work hard enough, you may yet achieve something great and become a renowned figure on the continent!"
"Only those with a spirit beast martial soul can wield a spirit beast's Demon Blade..."
Suo Ling's words left everyone stunned.
They struck Tang San like a bolt from the blue, piercing deep into his soul and leaving him shaken.
He had always thought of himself as worthless, but in that moment, he finally saw a glimmer of hope.
Tang San sprang to his feet, his eyes shining. He threw back his head and shouted with all his might.
"Big brother! I, Tang San, have decided to follow you! No matter what the future holds—even if I die on the road, it's better than rotting away in the Martial Soul Hall!"
He voiced the dream he had buried deep in his heart.
"Besides, you're so talented, and you're clever, too. If I follow you, I, Tang San, won't have to worry about a thing!"
"You can learn from your big brother."
Mu Rong smiled warmly.
"If you're willing to think things through, that's all that matters."
"Come on. Let's head back and get some sleep!"
Suo Ling nodded gravely, his eyes filled with a resolve he had never shown before. He hurried after Mu Rong, not letting himself fall a step behind.
Early the next morning, the sky had only just begun to brighten.
"Bang!"
The door to the workers' dormitory was kicked open by someone with a leg as thick as a tree trunk, making a tremendous noise.
Everyone in the dormitory was jolted awake. They looked toward the entrance in a daze, and in an instant, they were all wide awake.
The newcomer was Lin. Two little brothers followed behind him, and they hurriedly searched the dormitory.
Suo Ling sat up from his bed.
"Take it easy, take it easy."
A calm voice came from the bed. Mu Rong slowly got dressed, then sat up.
He went straight to the doorway. Lin was already standing outside, staring into the dormitory.
Outside, the chill of the morning air swept in.
"I'm sorry to bother you this early, but something urgent has come up!"
Mu Rong raised a hand and spoke evenly.
Lin was taken aback. He straightened his clothes, shook off the drowsiness, and put on a smile.
"Ah, boss, it's nothing serious. It's just... my dad wants to see you."
"That's all?"
Mu Rong raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that only natural?"
Lin was momentarily speechless.
Lin scratched his head, then put on a serious expression.
"Boss, I went home yesterday and told my father about what happened. I explained how you taught me that clever method, and I told him you were a business genius. I didn't expect..."
He hesitated, his expression turning a little strange.
"I didn't expect him to hear that you'd already become a ten-gold-coin spirit master and suddenly seem reluctant to meet you..."
"Besides, my father has already started thinking about turning the spirit hall into a place for card games. Judging by the way he's acting, he seems..."
He trailed off, unable to bring himself to finish.
Mu Rong gave a cold laugh. He knew all too well what went on in the minds of those in power.
"Haha, it's fine."
He patted Lin on the shoulder.
"Don't worry. I'll go talk to him. Whether he agrees or not, you're still my little brother. I won't blame you."
Lin was so moved he nearly teared up. But then he straightened his back and puffed out his chest, pride filling his face.
"Then that's great! Don't worry, boss. If my father turns out to be unreasonable, I'll... I'll cut off ties with him!"
"No matter what, I'll stake my life on making you accept me as your big brother!"
His heartfelt words surprised Mu Rong a little.
He hadn't expected this young master from the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan to have such a strong sense of loyalty.
He patted Lin on the shoulder again, this time with more force.
"Don't worry. You're not the sort to go back on your word, either."
At noon, they set out.
Mu Rong found Suo Ling working hard to clear weeds in the flower garden.
"Take care of things here for me. I have to go out for a while."
"Of course, big brother! Go ahead without worrying!"
Suo Ling didn't ask any questions. He took the hoe from Mu Rong and got to work.
After making the arrangements, Mu Rong went with Lin, who had been waiting at the academy entrance since early morning. They climbed into a luxurious carriage and headed toward the city lord's residence.
The city lord's residence was far grander than the Martial Soul Hall, guarded by a forest of soldiers.
With Lin leading the way, Mu Rong passed through the layers of security without trouble and entered the main hall.
A man in his forties sat majestically in the main seat, his imposing face radiating authority.
He wore fine clothes, and his air of confidence made it clear that he was the city lord, Lin Changhe.
"Father, big brother Mu Rong is here."
Lin bowed respectfully.
Mu Rong merely dipped his head slightly, then greeted him casually.
"Greetings, City Lord."
Lin Changhe's eyes narrowed, and a sharp glint flashed through them.
"Oh? Lin, you can leave for now."
"Father..."
Lin looked at Mu Rong with some reluctance.
Mu Rong smiled at him reassuringly.
"Go on. Don't worry. Your father isn't going to eat me."
Lin reluctantly took three steps back, glancing over his shoulder as he left the hall.
Once only the two of them remained, Lin Changhe gave a cold laugh.
"You've got quite the nerve."
His gaze swept over the frail-looking young man standing before him.
"So the trick you used to fool my son was your idea. You're nothing but a ten-gold-coin spirit master, yet you weren't afraid I'd kill you?"
Tang San was full of contempt and disdain as he looked down at the child sitting above him.
Mu Rong remained calm. He walked over to a chair, sat down, picked up a cup of tea, and took a sip before setting it down.
"City Lord, ten gold coins are hardly a lot."
He paused, then continued.
"If you're willing to have the Lin family handle the letter of introduction, then of course you can take a share of the business."
He took another sip of tea, then slowly opened his mouth.
"As long as you help the Lin family arrange the introduction, you'll have no shortage of business. Even if a few thousand gold coins come in each day, a few hundred will still be yours, won't they? That's a steady stream of wealth."
"That's true."
Lin Changhe leaned forward slightly. An oppressive aura poured from him.
"But whether you're capable of doing it is another matter. Or perhaps I should say, this city lord doesn't intend to cooperate."
He stared at Mu Rong.
"Your little trick might fool that foolish son of mine, but it won't fool me.
"Whether you have any connection to the Martial Soul Hall, or whether that little bastard Lin is merely overexcited, you still won't get what you want from me.
"I've already investigated the whole thing."
"So what if I have? What proof do you have? You're going to accuse me to my face?"
The pressure grew heavier, and even the air seemed to solidify.
Mu Rong laughed instead. He had expected this result from the start.
He set down his teacup and leaned back against the chair.
"City Lord Lin really is as shrewd as they say."
"I'm a reasonable man, so I won't hide it from you. Since you're investigating me, I might as well tell you everything. Then you can pass it on to the Martial Soul Hall."
"As far as I know, the Martial Soul Hall has been developing rapidly in recent years, but it lacks a reliable source of income.
"Once this news gets out, and people learn about my innate talent, do you think the Martial Soul Hall will come looking for me?"
Lin Changhe's expression darkened.
"Of course. The city lord has also considered making a different arrangement—for example... making sure that a foolish child like you never leaves this city lord's residence."
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