"What about hidden clans? It's broad daylight in a lawful country—would they really dare move against us?"
Xu Ningbing adjusted her glasses, her gaze sharp and unyielding.
"You're too naive. Do you even know how the Ye family of Yang City was destroyed?"
Xu Shou asked calmly, his expression unreadable.
"The Ye family?"
Xu Ningbing glanced at Xu Mu, recalling that his wife was Ye Tong.
Then she frowned slightly. "Don't tell me the Ye family was wiped out by the hidden clans in Yang City?"
"No. The ones who dealt with the Ye family weren't from Yang City's hidden clans," Xu Shou said, shaking his head.
"That's right," Xu Mu added instinctively.
"You know?"
Xu Ningbing looked at him in disbelief.
Then again, thinking about it, Xu Mu had said before that he knew some powerful figure—perhaps he'd heard the story from that person.
"I know. A senior I'm acquainted with told me," Xu Mu replied casually, making up a quick excuse. "In truth, the Ye family was connected with those hidden clans, so of course they wouldn't have gone after their own."
"Oh? So you actually know something. Tell me more," Xu Shou said with a smile as he lit a cigarette.
"The logic behind how hidden clans make money is simple—they invest and control. For example, if they take interest in our Xu family, they'll send someone claiming to want to invest. After that, they'll demand a share of our profits."
Xu Mu paused for a moment, then continued,
"Almost every major corporation that survives in Yang City has backing from a hidden clan. The Ye family was one of their own."
"How much of a share are we talking about? And what if we refuse their investment?" Xu Ningbing asked.
"Hidden clans have martial artists. If you don't give them face, they'll find… other ways to make you comply."
Xu Mu shrugged, then turned toward Xu Shou. "Old man, you came to see Old Wei today because of this, didn't you?"
"Exactly."
Admiration flickered in Xu Shou's eyes. "There are two major hidden clans in Yang City. Back when Old Wei celebrated his birthday, one of their representatives even attended."
"I see now."
Xu Ningbing nodded thoughtfully. "When Old Wei said he'd 'look after us,' he meant he'd have them look after us, didn't he?"
"That's right. There's enough money for everyone, but when it comes to our company, we should eat the meat and let the others drink the soup."
Xu Shou took a deep drag from his cigarette and exhaled a long stream of smoke. "We're not that easy to bully. Let's head home."
Xu Mu returned to the Xu family estate. After a short chat with his father in the living room, he drove back to his own place.
Through the large window, Xu Shou watched the Cadillac fade into the distance, a faint smile on his lips.
Old Wei's willingness to help him wasn't because of that rare bottle of wine—it was because of Xu Mu's painting.
His son had been working hard in silence, mastering skill after skill, each requiring years of dedication.
Xu Shou suddenly felt a deep sense of guilt.
"Stop staring—he's long gone," Xu Ningbing said as she walked past him.
Xu Shou smiled at her. He truly regretted letting Xu Mu marry so early.
Still, there might be a way.
His son was so talented, even guided by experts, and his own meridians had healed.
If they developed steadily for a few more years, perhaps even the Xu family could become a hidden clan.
By then, Xu Mu could just marry Xu Ningbing.
That kind of arrangement was common among hidden clans—as long as they didn't register it legally, even the child's status could be fixed later with a single word.
But Xu Ningbing probably wouldn't agree.
Lighting another cigarette, Xu Shou exhaled slowly.
Everything had its pros and cons.
Years ago, to ensure Xu Ningbing could live in the Xu family without feeling any psychological burden,
he had told no one—not even her—that she was adopted.
Not even Xu Ningbing herself knew.
If she did, she wouldn't have grown such a strong personality, nor dared to boss Xu Mu around since childhood.
But since she was the daughter of his late best friend, Xu Shou only hoped she could have a warm home.
Meanwhile, Xu Mu was at home, doing some exercise after dinner.
Gotta stay in shape after a good meal.
With Ye Tong's help, his Fate Points had increased by another thousand.
Since he hadn't used the gacha yet, he didn't bother waiting until morning—he started drawing right away.
Ten-draw activated.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a Profound Rank technique — Illusionary Sword Heart Technique.]
Huh?
Xu Mu blinked in surprise. Looked like his luck was good tonight—starting off with a martial technique.
A Profound Rank mind technique, no less.
But learning and cultivating it sounded like too much work.
Too troublesome. Not interested.
If it were a Heaven Rank technique, maybe he'd care.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained +20 Cultivation Points.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained +20 Attribute Points.]
…
Xu Mu didn't ask for much—just the guaranteed cultivation points.
As for high-tier techniques, he'd save those for later. Once he accumulated enough people and reached ten thousand points, he'd go for a premium draw.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a Divine-grade ability — Level 3 Perception.]
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, you have obtained a Profound Rank technique — Illusionary Sword.]
What the—?!
He hadn't expected the last two of his eleven draws to both be big hits.
He first checked the Divine ability Perception. It was one of his signature skills.
As expected, its third level expanded the range—from one hundred meters to two hundred.
With it, he could even sense the layout of his neighbors' bedrooms.
As for the Illusionary Sword technique—it was basically an upgraded version of the Mountain-Splitting Palm.
It could condense released internal energy into sword-shaped forms, further enhancing offensive power.
He gained 120 cultivation points and 60 attribute points this round, all of which he allocated to his body.
He could feel the difference immediately—but no realm breakthrough appeared onscreen. So he opened his stats panel.
Name: Xu Mu
Identity: Villainous Sacred Physique / HR Manager, Xu Group
Realm: Early Gang Qi Stage
Physique: 360
Spirit: 360
Cultivation Points: 300 (Max 400)
Fate Power: 195
Xu Mu sighed. The higher the realm, the harder it was to advance.
Still, compared to others, he had it easy.
Even this Gang Qi Realm would take geniuses several years to reach—yet for him, it hadn't even been a month.
And during that time, he'd mastered several Heaven Rank techniques.
In the original story, learning such powerful arts would take ages.
"By the way," Ye Tong suddenly said, "are you busy tomorrow?"
"Nope. Why?" Xu Mu asked curiously.
"Tomorrow, Ye Yu said the school's having a parent-teacher meeting. I've got an experiment to run, so if you're free, could you go for me?"
Ye Tong smiled sweetly.
"Sure," Xu Mu nodded. After all, his job was practically nonexistent anyway.
"Wife, it's still early—and my post-sage mode has ended."
Ye Tong yelped and immediately dove under the covers, hiding her face.
Just as Xu Mu was about to start their "duet performance," his phone buzzed.
Who'd be messaging him this late?
He glanced at the screen—it was Lu Xueyao.
Opening the chat, her message read:
"Brother Xu Mu, are you still awake?"
Xu Mu looked at the time—it was only around 10 PM—so he replied,
"I'm awake. What's up?"
"There's a parent-teacher meeting at school tomorrow. I wanted to ask a favor."
Xu Mu's eyes narrowed slightly as he read the message.
This Lu Xueyao… was getting a little too bold for her own good.