Xu Mu didn't look back, but his Divine Eye perception saw everything clearly—both men had their eyes fixed on him.
He decided to leave the area first. A fight might break out soon, and he didn't want innocent people getting involved.
The fisherman nearby had already set up his umbrella and sat down, cracking open a can of beer.
"Want one?" the man asked, glancing at Xu Mu.
"No thanks, I'm driving," Xu Mu replied with a smile, waving him off as he started walking away.
He hadn't expected the people tailing him to be this brainless. Even with an ordinary bystander nearby, they still moved in—one in front, one behind—trapping him completely.
Xu Mu quickly used the Divine Eye to identify them, wanting to see who had gone through all this trouble for him.
The man on the left looked around forty, with a crew cut.
Name: Zhao Fei
Affiliation: Dai Family Bodyguard
Favorability: −1
Fate Level: 1 (Max: 10)
Xu Mu smirked. He'd already guessed it.
In Yang City, the only ones likely to target him now were the Feng family and the Dai family.
Since Feng Jian still had a scandal hanging over his head, he wouldn't dare move yet. That left the Dai family.
Xu Mu then checked the other man—a slightly younger one in his thirties, with messy short hair.
But when he used the Divine Eye again, he froze.
Name: Zhang Wen
Occupation: Assassin
Favorability: 0
Fate Level: 1 (Max: 10)**
Something was off. He remembered both men had come from opposite directions earlier.
Wait… they're not together?
Both men advanced from left and right, closing in.
Xu Mu decided to test them. He put his hands in his pockets and said calmly, "So you've finally shown yourself. I knew you were following me."
Zhao Fei and Zhang Wen's expressions changed instantly—they turned to glare at each other.
"Make your move! Let me see your strength!" Xu Mu said coldly.
The two exchanged a look—then both lunged forward.
At the same time, they pulled daggers from their sleeves—
Clang!
Their blades clashed midair, ringing with the sharp sound of metal on metal.
They had both mistaken the other as Xu Mu's ally.
Swish!
Zhao Fei swung a high kick. Zhang Wen countered with a fist.
Boom!
The impact sent a ripple through the air.
Xu Mu and the fisherman both stared—this was not what either expected.
Swish!
Suddenly, both Zhao Fei and Zhang Wen turned their attention back to Xu Mu, charging in unison.
Realizing they shared the same target, they attacked together—but ended up colliding again.
Boom!
Their fists met, each staggering backward.
Then, as Zhang Wen retreated, he flicked his sleeve—a dart shot out, embedding itself in Zhao Fei's knee.
Swish!
Zhao Fei retaliated instantly, hurling his dagger into Zhang Wen's thigh. Blood spurted from the wound.
"I say, old man," Xu Mu called to the fisherman, "you're still fishing at a time like this?"
"You're the ones fighting, not me," the man said lazily. "Though honestly, you're cold-hearted—your 'comrades' are bleeding and you don't even flinch."
"Comrades? I came alone," Xu Mu said, amused.
"What?"
Three confused faces turned to each other.
Zhao Fei glared at Zhang Wen. "You're here for Xu Mu too?"
"That's right! You too?"
"Damn it—we've been played!" Zhang Wen cursed.
The fisherman couldn't help but laugh. "Hahaha! You're an interesting one, kid."
"I'm just as surprised," Xu Mu said innocently. "You two started fighting each other before I even lifted a finger."
"Xu Mu! Even with one bad leg, I can still kill you!" Zhao Fei roared.
"No! I need him alive," Zhang Wen snapped. "Orders are to capture him."
"Then go ahead—fight again. Whoever wins, I'll go with them," Xu Mu said with a grin.
"Damn you!"
Ignoring the pain, Zhao Fei got back to his feet. Seeing Xu Mu's mocking smile, his rage boiled over. He was an Early Hidden Force expert—yet being toyed with by some rich kid? Unforgivable.
Xu Mu prepared to counter as Zhao Fei advanced. There was a bystander here, so using his Desert Eagle wasn't ideal.
Then it hit him—wait.
He narrowed his eyes. Something about that fisherman didn't add up.
Two martial artists were fighting nearby—blood already spilled—and yet the man sat there, fishing calmly.
Even the most diehard angler wouldn't stay so relaxed.
Xu Mu quickly used the Divine Eye again.
Name: Du Yan
Occupation: Dragon Nation Cleaner
Favorability: +5
Fate Level: 4 (Max: 10)**
Oh, hell.
Now it made sense. A Cleaner—no wonder he was so calm.
But Du Yan wasn't part of the original storyline, which was why Xu Mu hadn't recognized him.
Since he was a Cleaner, Xu Mu figured there was no need for him to interfere.
"At least tell me who sent you," Xu Mu said, glancing at Zhao Fei. "I'd like to know before I die."
"When you're dead, I'll tell you at your grave," Zhao Fei sneered.
"There's still another person here. You really gonna kill me in front of him?" Xu Mu said, gesturing subtly toward Du Yan.
"No cameras here," Zhao Fei growled. "I'll dump both your bodies in the river!"
He'd lost control completely—humiliated and furious, he wanted Xu Mu dead no matter what.
"Then let's take this somewhere else," Xu Mu said calmly, walking toward the road. "No need to drag innocents into it."
Above Du Yan's head, Xu Mu noticed a rise in Favorability—apparently the man appreciated his restraint.
Then Du Yan spoke. "No need. I'm not an innocent. I'm your man."
Xu Mu blinked. "Brother, I'm not into men."
"But I'm interested in you," Du Yan said with a faint smile, setting down his fishing rod. Then he turned to Zhao Fei. "Who sent you?"
"Who the hell are you?" Zhao Fei snorted disdainfully.
"Apologies," Du Yan said softly. "I was rude. Let me change clothes before I answer."
He opened the box beside him, pulling out a wrinkled black uniform.
After slipping it on, he raised his head, eyes half-lidded but sharp. "Now, I'll ask again—who sent you?"
The sight of that outfit made Zhao Fei's face go pale instantly. Zhang Wen, too, froze, disbelief written all over his face.
Even Xu Mu's heart tightened. Two white stripes?
An Intermediate Cleaner.
In the Cleaner organization, intermediates were notoriously complex—their ranks varied wildly. The strongest of them were nearly on par with advanced Cleaners, capable of top-tier combat.
"You think you can scare me, you scruffy fisherman?" Zhao Fei sneered.
Du Yan simply raised one hand—and slammed it downward.
Zhao Fei's body hit the ground like he'd been crushed by a mountain.
Boom!
Crack!
The pavement split under his knees—two deep craters forming as blood sprayed from the wounds.
"I don't like people bringing up my family," Du Yan said flatly.
Zhao Fei's face twisted in terror, pain forgotten.
Qi Manifestation?!