Chapter 520 518: The Small Park Incident

Upon entering a small park, Hong Jiantao explained what had happened.

He had made a grand promise to the heads of various media companies.

He promised them that if they took down the negative press about the Profound Secret Pharmacy and Su Changyuan, they would be considered for a strategic partnership with Xingchen Media in the second half of the year.

Using his powers of persuasion, dozens of websites and media outlets, both large and small, all took down the negative stories about Su Changyuan.

Immediately after, Yang Shaokang gathered all the well-known local paparazzi into a conference room.

He offered them a hefty sum to buy all sorts of dirt on the Zhang Family father and son.

"Are these paparazzi really that capable?"

Mu Lin asked curiously, "Not only do they know who was pulling the strings, but they also have dirt on them?"

Mu Lin had never been involved in the media and entertainment industry, so it wasn't surprising that he was unfamiliar with its inner workings.

"Mr. Mu, you may not know this, but to the average person, it seems like the most paparazzi and gossip reporters do all day is chase celebrity scandals or hide near famous people's homes to take secret photos. But that's just a common misconception."

"Their capabilities are far greater than that. As long as the price is right, they can dig up any kind of information we want."

Hong Jiantao said with a smile.

"The Zhang Family father and son are both famous figures in Di Yang. No matter how secretive they are, their every move can't escape the eyes of professional paparazzi."

"The paparazzi have had dirt on them for hurting people for a long time. They just haven't released it because they were waiting for the highest bidder."

Mu Lin understood.

'So these people are quite useful after all.'

"Keep walking forward. Don't look back."

Hong Jiantao paused, stunned. "Mr. Mu, what's wrong?"

"Just keep walking and continue talking to me."

A mysterious smile played on Mu Lin's lips as he stuffed his hands in his pockets, acting as if nothing was wrong.

He continued walking and chatting with Hong Jiantao.

After exiting through the back of the small park, Mu Lin stopped.

"You've been following us for so long. Even if you're not tired, I am. Get the hell out here."

"Boss, we've been spotted!"

"I'm not deaf."

A moment later, a group of thirty to fifty people swarmed out of the park.

Hong Jiantao was shocked at the sight and reflexively stood in front of Mu Lin.

"These guys are clearly bad news. I'll cover you, get back!"

"You'll cover me? Hahaha..."

Hearing this, Mu Lin let out an amused laugh.

The moment these people had stepped into the park, Mu Lin had detected them with his spiritual sense.

The reason he hadn't acted immediately was that he wanted to see just who these people tracking him were.

It turned out they were just a bunch of ordinary thugs.

"Hong Jiantao, it's best you stay put. If you run, we'll just have to waste energy catching you. Come here quietly and don't even think about resisting."

A tall man with a long scar on his face stepped out from the crowd.

"You're here for Hong Jiantao?"

Mu Lin calmly pushed Hong Jiantao aside.

"Aren't you a smart one! This has nothing to do with you, brat. Scram."

The scar-faced man said viciously.

"Let's make a deal. I'm in a good mood and don't feel like fighting. Just tell me who sent you, and I'll let you go."

Mu Lin's words sent the crowd into roaring laughter.

Scarface and his men made a living from fighting. They had seen their fair share of arrogant opponents.

But all of them put together weren't as interesting as the guy in front of them.

He was just one person, yet he dared to order dozens of them around, even saying he'd let them go if they ratted out their boss.

'Who does he think he is?'

'A god from the heavens, or a war god on earth?'

"It seems you have no intention of cooperating."

"Cooperate my ass!"

Scarface waved his hand and ordered, "A few of you, go teach this blind little bastard a lesson."

"The rest of you, grab Hong Jiantao and call the boss to come pick up the merchandise."

Following Scarface's order, the thugs at the front swung the steel pipes and wooden clubs in their hands, bringing them down on Mu Lin's head.

"Mr. Mu, run!"

Seeing Mu Lin just standing there like a fool, Hong Jiantao broke out in a cold sweat from anxiety.

He was about to pull Mu Lin and run for their lives.

But unexpectedly, the menacing thugs had only taken a few steps before they were sent flying backward, one after another, all spitting up blood.

It was as if they had been struck by some immense force.

"How is this possible?"

As his men crashed to the ground, Scarface and his crew were completely dumbfounded.

They wondered if their eyes were playing tricks on them.

Mu Lin tilted his head, his eyes narrowed. "Still not planning to talk?"

"Boss, this kid is no simpleton."

Hearing his underling's panicked shout, Scarface put on a brave face. "Don't panic. Listen to me."

"That kid just used a Blinding Technique. Don't be afraid. There are so many of us; no matter how good his Blinding Technique is, he can't handle all of us. Let's get him together."

"Fall!"

Mu Lin let out a low roar, and the Eight-Section Golden Dragon Roar followed.

Instantly, the Power of Sound Waves pierced through everyone's eardrums.

The dozens of thugs swayed like drunkards before collapsing to the ground.

"Mr. Mu, do you know... Magic?"

It wasn't just the thugs who were stunned, but also Hong Jiantao, who was standing to the side.

Hong Jiantao's legs went soft, and he fell to the ground with a THUD.

'A single low roar knocked dozens of people unconscious. Is he even human?'

"Don't be afraid. I didn't use Magic. It was a Martial Arts Technique."

Mu Lin pulled Hong Jiantao up and dusted him off.

"Do you know what a Martial Artist is?"

"I do."

As a legendary figure in the media world, Hong Jiantao was naturally well-informed.

"I am a Martial Artist."

Mu Lin said gently, "First, think hard about who you might have offended recently."

"Those men asked for you by name. They were clearly here for you."

With that, Mu Lin took out his phone and called Li Ba.

Hong Jiantao said hesitantly, "I don't think I've offended anyone."

"If you can't remember, then don't worry about it. Someone will be here in a moment to help you figure it out."

Li Ba was a renowned underworld boss in the area, with connections to people from all walks of life.

Having him come over to identify these men might reveal who was behind this.

Soon, two black vans pulled up, one after the other.

Before the vehicles had even come to a complete stop, Li Ba threw open the door and jumped out. He cupped his fist in his palm and said, "Mr. Mu, what are your orders?"

Mu Lin instructed, "Go take a look. See who these people on the ground are."

"Understood."

Without another word, Li Ba walked over to the unconscious crowd and looked down at their faces.

"Isn't this Mad Dog?"

After a moment, Li Ba dragged a person over.

It was the scar-faced man from before.

Mu Lin asked, "You know him?"

Li Ba let go of the man and said contemptuously, "I wouldn't say I know him. I've just seen him around a couple of times."

"His nickname is Mad Dog. He has a few dozen guys working for him, and they make a living through blackmail and extortion. The man has no principles."

"They'll work for anyone who pays. Even if it were his father's killer, as long as the money's there, Mad Dog would obediently do their bidding."

"No principles means he has no backbone."

Mu Lin bent down and slapped Mad Dog's face.

The unconscious Mad Dog's eyes fluttered open.

"A ghost! Help!!!"

Having just woken up, Mad Dog flailed his arms and screamed.

It was as if he had suffered immense psychological trauma.

Mu Lin gave a sinister smile. "Do you want to live?"

"Yes, yes, I do! Don't kill me! I'm begging you, please don't kill me!"

Mad Dog squeezed his eyes shut, not daring to look at Mu Lin's face.

"Fine, I won't kill you. But you'll tell me honestly who sent you."

"It was Ren Yuejin! He's the one who sent me!"

Just as Mu Lin had analyzed, Mad Dog truly had no spine.

Ren Yuejin had hired him and his underlings for a price of 200,000.

He had ordered them to follow Hong Jiantao and, after catching him, not to harm him just yet.

They were to wait for Ren Yuejin to arrive before dealing with him.

'So it was him. That certainly fits his style.'

Mu Lin commanded, "Call Ren Yuejin right now. Tell him you've caught Hong Jiantao and that he should come over immediately."

"You're not a ghost?!"

As Mu Lin stood up, his shadow was stretched infinitely long by the streetlight.

"I told you to make the call! What's with all the bullshit!"

Li Ba kicked Mad Dog in the face.

"If you don't call him right now, believe me, I'll fucking end you."

"You're Master Li!!!"

Only then did Mad Dog realize that Mu Lin wasn't a ghost and that the local top boss, Li Ba, was also here.

Mad Dog hastily pulled out his phone, inwardly cursing Ren Yuejin's eighteen generations of ancestors.

'If I'd known this job was a death trap, I wouldn't have taken it even if I had ten times the nerve.'

'Now, all I can do is obey. Maybe then I'll have a slim chance of survival.'

A short while later, Mad Dog hung up the phone.

"Ren Yuejin said he's on his way. Can you... can you let me go now?"