10: A good show at the banquet

As everyone entered and took their seats, Zhao Jiuding made a few perfunctory remarks, and then the banquet officially began.

The various Family Heads exchanged toasts, most of them to Zhao Jiuding, and a few officials also toasted the City Lord.

On the Tao Family's side, only a few Family Heads of smaller families affiliated with the Tao Family were toasting Zhao Jiuding.

Suddenly, a loud shout rang out: "Return my son's life!"

A person drew a long sword, pointing it directly at Lao Mo, who was sitting beside Lin Mu.

Seeing that the show was about to begin, Zhao Jiuding feigned anger and stepped forward, saying,

"Family Head Shen, what are you doing? Do you intend to disrupt my banquet?"

Family Head Shen suddenly burst into tears: "Family Head Zhao, please uphold justice for me! My son was killed by these villains."

He looked at Lao Mo with a sinister gaze.

"Family Head Shen, everyone here today is my honored guest. Without concrete evidence, you shouldn't wrongly accuse good people."

Family Head Shen said with eyes wide with fury: "That scoundrel killed someone in the street that day, and many people present witnessed it. The Zhao Family's Second Young Master was also there."

"Is this true?" Zhao Jiuding looked at Zhao Xin.

Zhao Xin stood up, hesitating to speak: "Father, this..."

Zhao Jiuding feigned anger: "Speak directly, whatever you have to say. The City Lord is here; you must speak truthfully and not lie."

Zhao Xin stood up and cupped his fists in a bow to everyone present.

"That day, Tao Rong of the Tao Family and I had a few words. Shen Gang couldn't stand it and spoke up for justice."

"Unexpectedly, the Man in Black beside Young Master Lin suddenly attacked and killed him. I wanted to save him, but it was too late."

Zhao Xin then pointed to a few people in the corner and said, "Those friends were also present that day; they can testify."

The people Zhao Xin pointed to also stood up and echoed, "Yes, we all saw it with our own eyes."

Zhao Jiuding feigned difficulty, then turned to the City Lord and said, "City Lord, how do you think this matter should be handled?"

"You, Zhao Jiuding, you've dragged me into this too!"

The Hancheng City Lord was somewhat annoyed with Zhao Jiuding.

He had intended to remain a spectator, but he didn't expect Zhao Jiuding to pull such a stunt.

He frowned, then stood up and said,

"Since there are so many witnesses, it's unlikely to be fabricated. Family Head Tao, what is your explanation?"

"This... this must be some misunderstanding. I hope the City Lord will investigate clearly."

Tao Zhi was also helpless and could only respond evasively.

"Misunderstanding? My son merely spoke a few words of justice for Young Master Zhao and was tragically killed in the street. You call this a misunderstanding?"

Family Head Shen's voice was mournful: "City Lord, please uphold justice for me!"

The Hancheng City Lord looked at Lin Mu: "Young Master Lin, do you have anything to say?"

Lao Mo immediately spoke: "Anyone who dares to disrespect my Master deserves to die."

The City Lord heard the old man's strange address but didn't think much of it: "So, you did indeed kill him?"

"Since that's the case, a life for a life is only right and proper. Now, cripple your cultivation..."

Lin Mu, who had been silent, suddenly interrupted the City Lord and said,

"What kind of thing are you? Do you even deserve to give orders here?"

The Hancheng City Lord was suddenly stunned. No one in Hancheng City had ever dared to speak to him like that.

As the City Lord of a city in the Yanshan Kingdom, he had the imperial court's backing.

Even ordinary Spirit Roaming Realm cultivators would be respectful in his presence.

If it weren't for Zhao Qingfeng in the Zhao Family, he might not have even attended today's banquet.

He didn't expect a mere youth to dare to publicly humiliate him.

"Good, very good. This is the first time anyone has dared to speak to me like this in Hancheng City."

Lin Mu sneered disdainfully: "Just a small City Lord, yet you truly think you're some great figure?"

"Presumptuous! How dare you disrespect the City Lord!"

"I don't care what your background is. Today, I, Zhao, will teach this ignorant youth a lesson on behalf of the City Lord."

Zhao Jiuding suddenly flew forward and punched Lin Mu.

This punch seemed ordinary, but it concealed a deadly move; anyone below the Spirit Roaming Realm hit by it would surely die.

He was clearly aiming to kill.

Lin Mu saw Zhao Jiuding's punch coming.

He didn't stand up but remained seated and met the punch with his own.

Everyone looked on with mocking expressions: "This young man truly doesn't know what's good for him, daring to directly take a full-force blow from a Spirit Roaming Realm expert."

Tao Zhi was also startled by Lin Mu's actions: "Young Master, be careful!"

No sooner had Tao Zhi's words fallen.

Everyone heard the sound of bones shattering.

Immediately after, a figure flew backward like a kite with a broken string.

He only stopped after smashing a deep crater in the distant wall.

Everyone gasped in shock.

The person who flew backward was actually Zhao Jiuding.

At this moment, Lin Mu was still seated, his posture undisturbed.

With just one punch, he had sent a Spirit Roaming Realm cultivator flying.

Zhao Xin quickly ran to Zhao Jiuding.

Zhao Jiuding was currently embedded in the wall.

His eyes were tightly shut, and his right arm was completely broken.

Zhao Xin tried calling out twice: "Father, Father."

However, only silence answered him.

Zhao Xin involuntarily reached out a finger and placed it before Zhao Jiuding's nose.

No breath!

Zhao Xin was so shocked that he fell to the ground, followed by a heart-wrenching wail.

This had exceeded everyone's expectations.

A dignified Spirit Roaming Realm cultivator, actually killed by a junior with one punch?

After crying for a while, Zhao Xin suddenly stood up, drew his sword, and lunged at Lin Mu.

Lin Mu saw another person seeking death and was about to act when he heard an old voice say: "Scoundrel, die!"

A green light flew from a distance, striking Lin Mu directly.

It was none other than the Zhao Family Ancestor, Zhao Jin, who had made a move.

Zhao Jin, seeing his attack succeed, thought that even if Lin Mu wasn't dead, he would be severely injured.

But looking at Lin Mu still standing in place, his expression unchanged, he was actually completely unharmed.

"Could he have a protective Magic Treasure?" the Zhao Family Ancestor couldn't help but wonder.

"How dare you come to the Zhao Family to kill and commit violence, this old man..." The Zhao Family Ancestor still wanted to maintain some pretense.

"Noisy!" Lin Mu calmly uttered two words, then stomped his foot and rushed in front of the Zhao Family Ancestor.

Such speed! The Zhao Family Ancestor had no time to react and took a punch.

His body couldn't stop flying back three zhang, then he stumbled to the ground, spitting out blood continuously.

Spirit Roaming Realm is divided into Nine Heavens, with every three Heavens marking a watershed.

Zhao Jiuding had just entered the First Heaven of Spirit Roaming Realm, his Foundation not yet stable, and was instantly killed by Lin Mu.

The Zhao Family Ancestor had been in the Spirit Roaming Realm for many years, already at the Third Heaven of Spirit Roaming Realm, and with his protective soft armor, he barely managed to save his life.

Seeing that he couldn't kill the Zhao Family Ancestor with one punch, Lin Mu was also a little surprised.

"Good deeds should be done thoroughly. I'll send you two, grandfather and grandson, on your way together."

Saying this, Lin Mu was about to deliver another punch to the Zhao Family Ancestor.

The Hancheng City Lord was also in a dilemma at this moment, but seeing that Lin Mu still intended to kill.

He could only brace himself and say, "Young Master Lin, why be so ruthless?"

"The Zhao Family's Eldest Young Master is a Prodigy of the Qingyang Sect, and his Master is an expert of the Flying Heaven Realm."

"Aren't you afraid of the Qingyang Sect's wrath?"

"Qingyang Sect?" Lin Mu asked, puzzled: "Is it very famous?"

The Hancheng City Lord was stunned: "The Qingyang Sect is the largest Sect in the Yanshan Kingdom. It has many experts, and the Qingyang Sect Master's strength is unfathomable."

"If you retreat now, you might still save your life."

Upon hearing this, Lin Mu clenched his fist:

"What Qingyang Sect? If they dare to come, it will only add a few more vengeful spirits to my hands."

"What a boastful tone!"

No sooner had the words fallen.

Two figures stepped through the air!