I am grinding experience in another world

The waning moon hung in the sky. The Luo River was shrouded in mist.

Seven or eight speedboats broke through the fog, swiftly rowing upstream on the Luo River.

Chen Mu sat awkwardly at the bow of the boat, forcing himself not to look back.

At the stern, Lin Que's orange-peel face was flushed red. Yet he still panted and toiled at the oars.

His eyes fixed on the junior in gray ahead, his teeth itched with hatred. He, a hall master of the Startling Swan Gang, rowing for a junior?

Growing more and more frustrated, he asked coldly, "Who do you run with?"

Haven't we been through this already? Chen Mu, puzzled, replied, "Helmsman Zhang Yun."

"Zhang Yun has control of three boats. I'm asking which one you're usually on?" Which worthless scamp would take a fancy to you, someone who can't steer a boat to save his life?

Chen Mu breathed a sigh of relief: "Oh, I guard the warehouse."

Lin Que's eyebrows knitted together: "The warehouse has always been Zhao's responsibility. How would you be guarding it if you're following Zhang Yun?!"

Chen Mu's heart skipped a beat—damn, his cover was about to be blown!

"You damned fool! Zhang Yun can't even manage his own people, yet he dares to meddle in others' affairs! You think you can go undercover in my territory? When I get back, I'll divorce his sister!" Lin Que spat bitterly.

Chen Mu: "..." Fine, whatever helps you sleep at night.

"That doesn't make sense. You're such a waste, how could old Zhao not have noticed?" Lin Que furrowed his brow even more deeply.

"I... don't know," Chen Mu was at a loss for excuses.

Lin Que stared at Chen Mu, his expression growing increasingly serious.

Just as Chen Mu couldn't bear it any longer and was about to send an Iron Lotus Seed his way.

A call traveled over the water.

"Brother-in-law, why are you rowing alone? Come over to my boat!" Not far off, Zhang Yun was shouting and beckoning to Lin Que from his speedboat.

Lin Que's face darkened.

Why am I rowing alone? Isn't it all because of you?

With that, he rowed vigorously a couple of times, drawing closer to the speedboat ahead.

So this is Zhang Yun? Chen Mu squinted toward the thin, tall figure shouting and waving.

Quietly, he clutched an Iron Lotus Seed in his hand.

As Lin Que put down his oar, preparing to jump across.

Woo!

It was like a gust of river wind blowing by.

Splash!

The opposing boat's helmsman fell face-first into the river.

"Quick, quick, quick! Big brother, the pursuers are upon us!"

"Damn Zhu Yi Pavilion!" Lin Que cursed and immediately grabbed the wooden paddle, his arms spinning like wheels, frantically rowing.

Chen Mu instantly let out a sigh of relief.

This was no time to meet Zhang Yun face-to-face.

If the two groups confronted each other, wouldn't his cover be blown?

Once he was on the White Tiger Hall's main ship, all he had to do was hide quietly in the cabin amidst the chaos of the crowded deck, and all would be well.

...

Stimulated by the sudden attack, Lin Que rowed like a madman.

Having mastered the Shape Cultivation Technique to perfection, his explosive strength was immense. For a moment, the speedboat seemed to give the impression of a motorboat.

The bow of the speedboat lifted slightly, trailing a series of white waves, as it surged rapidly towards the upstream of Luo River.

The seven or eight speedboats that had set off early were one by one overtaken.

"Way to go, big brother!"

"Shut up!"

"Alrighty!"

A fifty-meter-long boat quietly appeared, hiding silently in the middle of the Luo River.

Seeing the big boat, Lin Que couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. He had finally made it home.

...

Below the White Tiger Hall's ship, Lin Que sprang up, jumping directly onto the boat. His subordinates followed suit, jumping on one after another.

Chen Mu didn't jump. He dragged his feet, blending in with the ordinary gang members, climbing onto the deck using the rope ladder.

The mission tonight hadn't gone smoothly, resulting in heavy casualties. They had spent the better part of the night escaping for their lives.

Now back on the main ship, the gang members dropped to the deck without regard for appearances.

Chen Mu quickly surveyed his surroundings.

All around was pitch black. The few patrol disciples who hurried over also didn't carry lights. Clearly, it was to maintain secrecy.

Chen Mu took the opportunity to sneak behind the noisy gang members and covertly head for the nearest cabin entrance.

He needed to find a hiding spot first. Once these people also entered the enclosed space of the cabin, he would immediately release the Mesmerizing Divine Smoke.

...

"Stop! Where do you think you're going?" A sudden shout shattered the quiet.

Chen Mu's hand, just about to open the cabin door, paused involuntarily.

Turning around, he faced Lin Que's cold glare.

"I knew there was something off about you. You're one of Zuo Sheng's men, aren't you?"

As Lin Que's voice fell, the gang members who had been sprawled out moments before were now standing upright. Expressionless, they turned to gaze at Chen Mu.

"As a member of the Startling Swan Gang, you can't even row? Zuo Sheng's eyes must be blind,"

the gang members immediately burst into boisterous laughter.

"Originally, you could have survived. I wouldn't mind keeping you around to annoy Zuo Sheng," Lin Que said calmly.

"Too bad your luck runs out."

He had a series of misfortunes tonight, and his elite subordinates had suffered heavy casualties; he was already seething with frustration.

"Throw him into the water to feed the fish," Lin Que said indifferently, then casually turned and gestured, "Set sail."

A minor lackey wasn't worth his effort.

White Tiger Hall had suffered too many losses recently; he needed to consider how to cope with the upcoming situation.

Recruit more members? The ones who had just been recruited hadn't been thoroughly vetted and assimilated; recruit again now?

"Forget it, just recruit," Lin Que sighed, walking slowly toward the captain's cabin, "White Tiger Hall's business territory can't be affected."

Wuu wuu wuu...

Suddenly, a deep whistling sound surged from behind.

Ah...

A series of short, sharp cries pierced the sky.

Lin Que's head jerked sharply to the left.

Thud!

An Iron Lotus Seed grazed his ear, leaving a hole the size of a finger in the wooden door ahead.

Lin Que abruptly turned around.

More than a dozen gang members all lay on the ground, clutching their left chests.

His nephew, Zhang Yun, was also collapsed on the ground, blood uncontrollably spilling from his mouth and nose.

All three hall masters were injured, with blood streaming from their shoulders and arms.

"Heh!" Lin Que grinned, his teeth glowing a ghastly white under the moonlight, "It seems we have an expert here."

He looked dispassionately at his subordinates sprawled all over the ground.

"Useless."

He was extremely disappointed with these underlings.

It seemed he had been too lenient with them on a daily basis. They had grown complacent and lazy, forgetting even how to fight!

...

Chen Mu watched Lin Que with an expressionless face.

He hadn't wanted to get involved.

He just wanted to have a private word with Lin Que, to clear up the misunderstandings between them.

It was just about giving some gifts.

For a peaceful life.

Save where you should, spend where you must!

But they all attacked him together?!

And wanted to feed him to the fish?!

How cold that water must be!

To capture someone and feed them to the fish in the dead of night?!

That's too brutal!

Chen Mu had no choice but to take action reluctantly.

Fortunately, he had never let his skill with throwing weapons lapse in proficiency. Even though he didn't practice much every day, he had gradually leveled it up to Fourth Rank.

The Iron Lotus Seeds had gained a group attack feature.

A handful thrown out could take a life with each seed.

Just now, surrounded by so many people.

Chen Mu was terrified!

He was just an ordinary person who kept to himself; where had he ever seen such a scene?

Without thinking, he threw out a handful of Iron Lotus Seeds.

Looking at the gang members lying all around, Chen Mu felt a deep sense of relief.

"Proficiency never lies!"

...

Lin Que slowly lifted his head, a smile on his face but his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"It seems you're not one of Zuo Sheng's men."

"Zhu Yi Pavilion?"

"Zhu Yi Pavilion has vast resources, losing a person or two surely doesn't hurt them,"

Lin Que pulled out two short knives from behind his waist.

"No, how could you be from Zhu Yi Pavilion. You must be one of Zuo Sheng's men,"

Lin Que said with a chilling laugh, "It's quite normal for the Startling Swan Gang's halls to spar and accidentally injure or kill one or two, right? Haha..."

So what if it's Zhu Yi Pavilion!

The strong dragon does not suppress the local snake.

He didn't believe Zhu Yi Pavilion would start a war with the Startling Swan Gang over a mere pawn!