Chapter 112

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Chapter 112: Mu Lin: I Am a Good Person

After accepting the task of subduing monsters and evil spirits, Mu Lin took Yan Yunyu and Chu Lingluo toward Spring Fountain City.

Unfamiliar with the roads, the trio passed through a deserted alley during their journey.

The alley was narrow—they vanished from public view for mere moments before reappearing.

Following Mu Lin’s lead, they then marched directly to the city’s grandest tavern and began feasting.

Their laid-back and carefree attitude left both the local constable Gu Quan and military leader Zhuang Zhan bewildered.

“What’s wrong with that man? No orders, no investigation—just eating and drinking?”

“How should I know? Ask the heavens…”

Zhuang Zhan grumbled but eventually declared, “Enough. Let’s keep hunting that evil ghost ourselves. That outsider can flee if things go south, but our families and livelihoods are rooted here. We can’t run.”

Gu Quan nodded. “True. We’ll keep investigating. But we can’t ignore him either… Maybe he’s waiting for payment. I’ll collect some Spirit Stones…”

They moved swiftly. Before Mu Lin had settled in the tavern, lavish spiritual meals arrived.

Accompanying the food were beautiful girls and a tray of Spirit Stones, leaving Mu Lin exasperated.

Meanwhile, Wan Yangyu and his Qianyang Taoist Palace companions grew increasingly puzzled.

They’d entered the Tower of Illusions right after Mu Lin. Finding him already lounging in the tavern, they exchanged baffled glances.

“What’s he doing? Shouldn’t he be hunting enemies instead of stuffing his face?”

“I’ve heard some A-level cultivators extort payments before acting—but this is an illusion! Nothing here can be taken!”

Mu Lin’s odd behavior thoroughly confused them.

Outside the tower, similar confusion spread.

Teachers could project events from the Tower of Illusions using special permissions. While Dongfang Ya respected students’ privacy, Qi Qiu had no such qualms. He cast the scene onto a magical mirror, though his Qianyang Taoist Palace affiliation limited the view to Wan Yangyu’s group initially.

When the teams merged, Mu Lin’s relaxed figure became visible to Zhou Liang, Jing Yeming, and Zong Xiu outside.

“???”

“What’s his game?”

Jing Yeming, who’d attempted the Fifth Floor before, frowned deeply. “He’s wasting critical time!”

“Brother Jing? Is the Fifth Floor’s timing that strict?”

“Absolutely. These illusions unfold during peak crises. Delay even slightly, and civilians die—strengthening the monsters and evil spirits through their killings. Every death weakens our side and boosts the enemy. Move too slow, and everything collapses.”

Hearing this, the students of Anping Taoist Palace grew nervous.

They then saw Mu Lin within the illusion, still casually eating and drinking without any urgency.

"Big bro, move already! You can eat anytime – this is an assessment!"

…

Emotions don’t vanish – they transfer.

Mu Lin’s relaxed behavior made Zong Xiu and others who’d hoped he’d save the situation increasingly anxious. Meanwhile, Wan Yangyu and his group from Qianyang Taoist Palace stopped worrying the moment they noticed Mu Lin’s actions.

Not only did they relax, they even felt like eating and drinking like Mu Lin.

"Let’s get some food too."

"Why not just attack now?"

This came from Cai Tian. Though having his tongue torn out was severe, Qi Practitioners had more mystical healing methods. After some healing, his wounds were mostly recovered, allowing him to enter the Tower of Illusions with the group.

Despite his recovery, Cai Tian hated Mu Lin deeply after their earlier encounter.

The sight of Mu Lin made him want to strike immediately, intending to kill him in the cruelest way. Yet he only asked questions instead of acting – because fear held him back.

With his heart of the Dao broken, Cai Tian was too scared to face Mu Lin alone. Though lacking courage for solo combat, he still dared confront Mu Lin with his group’s support.

But Captain Wan Yangyu ignored him.

"Enough! We came to Anping Taoist Palace to cooperate, not feud. You’ve already caused tension between us – keep talking and I’ll kick you out."

After this rebuke, Wan Yangyu gestured and moved towards Mu Lin’s location.

"To the tavern. If Mu Lin stays put, so do we."

"This is his assessment anyway – not our problem to rush."

Soon reaching Mu Lin’s tavern, Wan Yangyu hesitated briefly before boldly sitting at the same table.

Mu Lin arched an eyebrow, but before he could speak, Wan Yangyu clasped his fists politely: "Brother Mu, we’re here to assist."

Yan Yunyu at the neighboring table snorted coldly.

"Help? More like sabotage."

"Miss Yan jokes. We sincerely wish to help." Wan Yangyu smiled before turning to Mu Lin. "But shouldn’t you act? Just sitting here won’t clear the Tower of Illusions. Evil spirits grow stronger through killing – waiting lets them build power."

Mu Lin glanced at him and replied flatly: "Isn’t that what you want?"

"But I…"

Before Wan Yangyu finished, Mu Lin added casually: "For your information – I already made my move."

"What?!"

Wan Yangyu’s eyes narrowed as he scanned their surroundings, studying Mu Lin intently but finding nothing. As he pondered, a murmur arose nearby.

"Bluffing."

The speaker was Cai Tian. Though warned by Wan Yangyu, his seething hatred and anger forced the words out.

Wan Yangyu’s warning had some effect—Cai Tian stuck to mild mockery rather than outright insults.

Truthfully, "bluffing" barely counted as mockery. If Mu Lin retaliated and fought them over this, it would seem petty.

Especially since Wan Yangyu immediately snapped at Cai Tian after he spoke.

"Cai Tian! Silence!"

After shutting him down, Wan Yangyu turned to Mu Lin with an apology. "My fault for failing to discipline my subordinate."

With the apology given, Mu Lin couldn’t reasonably push further.

Shrugging, Mu Lin said, "No matter. I’m not that thin-skinned. Pity your teammate missed my good intentions earlier."

"Sowing discord, spreading slander, smooth talk, twisting words… Bad habits. If I were you, I’d fix them. Others won’t be as forgiving as I am."

*Crack. Crack.*

Mu Lin’s mocking gaze and razor-edged words made Cai Tian’s fists clench, face contorting. He burned to attack—but Wan Yangyu’s warning held him back.

Finally, he hissed through gritted teeth, "Worry about yourself, not m—AHHH!!"

His venomous retort became a scream as his freshly healed tongue tore free again.

"Mmgh! Ugh—!"

Agony and terror twisted Cai Tian’s features. He scrambled backward, putting distance between himself and Mu Lin. Once safely away, fear gave way to rage. He jabbed a finger at Mu Lin, howling garbled noises—clearly accusing him of attacking first and urging teammates to strike.

Wan Yangyu rose, expression ice cold. "Mu Lin. This goes too far. We came to cooperate—"

Even villains crave righteous appearances. Knowing the Tower of Illusions’ events were being watched, he needed justification.

Mu Lin cut him off with a shrug. "Why yell at me? I didn’t touch him."

"Who else? Cai Tian only provoked you!"

"Oh? So you admit he started it."

Mu Lin’s tone remained calm. "But I didn’t act. Did any of you see me move?"

Silence answered. None had witnessed Mu Lin strike. No magical fluctuations. Nothing.