Legendary Son-in-Law: The Man with Poison Talismans

But Lin Mu pulled her up, and she sat down next to him, half of her body hidden behind him, like a frightened kitten.

Jingqiu and several deputy commanders took their seats in turn.

Lin Mu didn't stand on ceremony and started eating as soon as he picked up his chopsticks.

He picked up a piece of braised pork knuckle, stuffed it into his mouth, and found it rich but not greasy, melting in his mouth. The aroma made him squint his eyes.

I picked up a piece of braised fish with my chopsticks; it was tender and flavorful, even the bones were stewed until they were soft. I chewed it and swallowed it.

I slurped down a bowl of stewed mutton, broth and all, and the hot meat warmed me from my throat all the way to my stomach.

Chunxing was shy at first, holding her chopsticks in her hand, but unable to pick up a single bite for a long time, as reserved as Grandma Liu entering the Grand View Garden for the first time.

Lin Mu picked up a piece of roast chicken and put it in her bowl, whispering "Eat," before she slowly put it down.

He picked up food faster and faster, chewed it more and more deliciously, and his cheeks bulged out, like a little hamster stealing food.

Lin Mu watched her eat and smiled, then buried his head in his food and started showing off.

No matter the airs of a superior person, the command of the Imperial Guard, or the summons of the Empress, nothing can compare to this meal.

This is food fit for humans, it smells delicious.

I never expected that such a terrible place like Fengmo would have such a good cook.

Yang Xiong held his wine glass, watching Lin Mu wolf down his food. He exchanged a glance with the deputy commanders, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He had seen too many awakened individuals who had struggled in the Sealed Demon Valley, and when they came out, they were either covered in wounds or emaciated, and it was common for them to eat in a disgusting manner.

But it's rare to see someone like Lin Mu eating so nonchalantly and confidently, without a care in the world. He's down-to-earth, generous, and unpretentious. That's what a truly great person should be like.

It took Lin Mu almost half an hour to finish his meal before he put down his chopsticks, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh. Chunxing, who had also eaten until her belly was round, wiped her mouth contentedly and then lowered her head shyly.

Lin Mu rubbed his stomach, then suddenly remembered something. He turned to Yang Xiong, his tone casual as if they were chatting about everyday things: "Brother Yang, among the prisoners in the mining area, there's a father and daughter named Qin Zhengchuan and Qin Yumo. You know them, right?"

Yang Xiong paused for a moment, his hand holding the wine glass still.

Qin Zhengchuan, isn't that the guy who bravely stormed the Demon Soul Palace for his daughter? He's quite the talent.

He nodded and said, "Yes..."

Looking at Yang Xiong's expression, Lin Mu originally wanted to tell him to let him go, but then changed his mind.

In the end, he is still a Taoist priest without any official position or title. Why should the Demon-Sealing Commander release him?

Even if Yang Xiong gives him face, it's only because of the Empress, not because of Lin Mu. He'll owe too many favors; it'll be hard to repay them later.

"Where are those two now? I'd like to see them." Lin Mu's tone was very soft, as if he were asking about something insignificant.

Yang Xiong put down his wine glass, pondered for a moment, and said tactfully, "These two are still in the mining area. Brother Lin, just let me know if you need anything. His Majesty is urging us to get back to Bichon as soon as possible; we can't afford to be delayed."

Chapter 149 Arrangement

He genuinely didn't want any unnecessary complications. The sooner the person the Empress wanted was delivered to Bichon, the sooner he could complete his mission. If there were delays or mishaps on the way, he couldn't bear the responsibility.

Lin Mu didn't say much, picked up his teacup and took a sip, his tone becoming more casual: "These two are old acquaintances of mine. Since it's inconvenient for me to meet them, I'll trouble Brother Yang to take care of them."

Yang Xiong's eyebrows twitched slightly when he heard the words "Brother Yang".

The change in address from "Lord Yang" to "Brother Yang" is more effective than any gold or silver treasure.

A smile appeared on his face as he picked up his wine glass and raised it to Lin Mu: "Don't worry, Brother Lin, this little thing is all taken care of."

Lin Mu nodded, said no more, put down his teacup, picked up a glass of wine, and downed it in one gulp.

After the banquet.

Lin Mu was still worried.

He said he wanted to go and see where Chunxing lived.

Seeing his serious expression, Yang Xiong nodded and asked Jingqiu to accompany him.

Chunxing led the way, with Jingqiu following beside Lin Mu. The three of them passed through the narrow streets of Fengmo City and turned into a cramped alley.

The alley was deep, with peeling paint on the walls on both sides, revealing gray-black bricks and stones underneath. The stone slabs underfoot were uneven, with moss and weeds growing in the cracks.

Chunxing stopped in front of a dilapidated wooden door, took out a key from her pocket, and struggled for a long time before finally opening the lock.

The door creaked open, revealing a small room with dusty walls, a pitted floor, and a missing tile on the roof, letting in a few streaks of grayish-white sunlight.

Chunxing stepped over the threshold. She looked around, then turned to Lin Mu and said, "The door is locked; Mother must have gone out."

Lin Mu nodded.

It's better if he's not here; it saves us the trouble of exchanging pleasantries.

He looked around the room: a wooden bed, a table with wobbly legs, two crooked stools, a half-full bag of flour piled in the corner, and a griddle for making pancakes and an oil jar on the stove.

On the table was a statue of a deity, about the size of a palm, dusty and gray, its material unknown.

The statue emitted a faint fluctuation, like invisible ripples spreading outwards, purifying the wisps of demonic energy.

It had little effect, but it was better than nothing, which shows that Chunxing had exaggerated before.

But in this drafty, cold-weather house, the statue was probably the only thing that allowed one to sleep peacefully.

Lin Mu turned to look at Chunxing and reached out to touch her head. He paused for a moment as his hand landed on her head.

My finger touched a small, hard bump, hidden in my hair, like something pushing out of my bone.

Lin Mu's eyes narrowed, he grabbed her arm and pushed her sleeve up a bit. Chunxing cried out in surprise and tried to pull her hand back, but Lin Mu held it tightly and she couldn't pull it back.

On his upper arm, several small, grayish-black scales were embedded in his skin, gleaming coldly in the dim light.

Chunxing lowered her head, not daring to look at Lin Mu.

Lin Mu released her wrist and gently pulled down his sleeve to cover the scales.

He was silent for a moment, then spoke in a low voice, as if afraid of startling something: "You've suffered."

Chunxing's eyes reddened instantly, tears welling up, but she held them back. She sniffed, her voice soft and stubborn: "It's not hard work. It's the son-in-law who's working hard outside."

Lin Mu looked at her, wanting to say something, but not knowing how. He looked down at Chunxing and said, "Come with me."

Chunxing's eyes lit up instantly, like two stars that had been lit up, and the corners of her mouth turned up uncontrollably.

But as soon as she raised her head and her gaze met Lin Mu's face, she recoiled as if she had been burned.

She glanced at the female Taoist priest at the door.

Jingqiu stood there, her long robe embroidered with a golden phoenix emblem, a token pinned to her waist, her back ramrod straight.

Just like those who ransacked the Qin residence back then.

She lowered her head, clutching the hem of her clothes, her fingers twisting and turning.

The son-in-law will likely achieve great things in the future, as he will be surrounded by people like him.

I'm just an ordinary person, I can't help with anything, and I'd only be a burden to my son-in-law if I stayed by his side. I absolutely cannot hold him back.

She raised her head, looked at Lin Mu, and said softly but firmly, "But Madam... Mother and the others are still here."

She paused, then lowered her voice, "I'll stay here. This is my home."

Lin Mu looked at her. Just now, those eyes had brightened for a moment, making his heart skip a beat.

But now it's dark again.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.

Even if I force her to take me away, what difference will it make?

Ultimately, I'll be a wanderer, traveling the world. Today I'm in Fengmo, tomorrow in Bichon, and who knows where I'll end up the day after tomorrow.

She followed him, but they didn't even have a fixed place to stay.

She's here; she has a mother and a home. It's definitely more suitable for her.

Lin Mu turned his head to look at Jing Qiu, who had been standing quietly at the door, and asked, "How much does this place, the one with the demonic energy isolation array, cost?"

Jingqiu thought for a moment and replied, "The housing prices in Fengmo City are not cheap. Those with array formations cost two gold coins per square meter."

Two gold coins. One square meter. Lin Mu silently did the math in his mind.

The cook at the Bichon Qin Mansion earns 30 silver coins a month, which is equivalent to 3000 copper coins. This remote, godforsaken place, Fengmo City—which was practically a third-rate county town in my previous life—has housing prices that are a staggering 20,000 copper coins per square meter! Is this robbery?

"What about those without formations?" Lin Mu asked again.

“It’s cheaper without the array, 2000 copper coins per square meter.” Jingqiu paused and added, “But those houses can’t block demonic energy. If you live there for a long time, things will grow on your body.”

As she spoke, she glanced at the statue on the table again, "And in a room without an array, even if you put a statue there, you can't completely dispel the demonic energy, and the effect won't last long, so it's not worth it."

Lin Mu glanced at Chunxing's arm and didn't ask any further questions.

He took out a handful of gold coins from his storage bag, counted them into five stacks of 100 each, and neatly arranged them on the table. The gold coins gleamed in the dim light, making Chunxing's eyes light up.

Lin Mu pushed the gold coins toward Chunxing, then turned to look at Jingqiu, and took out a ring and a helmet from his Qiankun bag and placed them on the table.

[Demon-Slaying Ring, Attack 1-4, Magic 1-2, Taoist Magic 1-5, Magic Defense 0-6, Requires Level 25]

【青铜头盔：防御0-1，道术0-3，需要等级10。】

"I will keep your matter in mind. Please use these 500 gold coins to help Chunxing buy a house with a magic array in Fengmo City."

He pushed the ring and helmet toward Jingqiu again, saying, "Consider this ring and helmet as payment. I hope you'll take care of me in the future."

Jingqiu took the ring and helmet, glanced at them, and her fingers paused slightly. She looked up and lowered her voice, "Young Master Lin, this is too precious."

Chapter 150 Farewell and the Royal Martial Arts Academy

Lin Mu waved his hand: "Keep it safe."

Jingqiu remained silent for a moment, carefully put the ring and helmet into her Qiankun bag, raised her head, looked at Lin Mu, and said solemnly, "Young Master Lin, rest assured, I will never let Miss Chunxing suffer any injustice."

Chunxing stood to the side, looking at the pile of gold coins, and finally couldn't hold back her tears, which fell down in a steady stream. She bit her lip, trying her best to hold them back, but she just couldn't stop them.

Jingqiu glanced at the sky and said softly, "Young Master Lin, the Commander is still waiting."

Lin Mu nodded, then reached out and patted Chunxing's head. His hand lingered on her head for a moment, gently rubbing it, just like he used to do back in the Qin residence.

"Take care of yourself...Give my regards to the lady."

Chunxing nodded vigorously, her eyes red-rimmed.