A black,漆黑 (qīhēi - pitch-black) coffin lay across the entrance to the villa district, still emitting a strong paint odor.
It was certain that the coffin had been freshly made, and an old man was lying inside.
This old man was none other than the old patriarch of the Jin family, Jin Bùníng.
Upon learning that Mu Feng had arrived, he crawled out of the coffin.
"Oh, have you prepared your own coffin? Did you foresee your own death?" Mu Feng walked over, a playful expression on his face.
Jin Bùníng adopted the lowest possible posture and immediately knelt down.
Before Mu Feng could speak, he kowtowed three times: "Mr. Mu, these three kowtows are Jin family's apology to you. I hope you will not vent your anger upon the Jin family disciples. If it is possible, this old man is willing to atone for your sins alone!"
Mu Feng frowned. He had originally intended to give the Jin family a good thrashing and immediately take away several ringleaders.
However, as the saying goes, one does not strike a smiling face. After Jin Bùníng pulled off this stunt, Mu Feng was momentarily unsure how to proceed.
"Are you sure you are the ringleader? That seeking the Han family's help was unrelated to anyone else?" Mu Feng's murderous intent had lessened considerably.
Of course, Jin Bùníng did not notice his change in expression. He confirmed with certainty, "Mr. Mu, it was indeed my decision alone, and it has nothing to do with anyone else!"
With that, he even took out a dagger and offered it with both hands, continuing, "Please end this old man's life to atone for sins. They are truly innocent!"
Many Jin family disciples watching from within the villa district were moved to tears. They never expected their old patriarch to step forward at such a critical moment.
"No, old patriarch, we all made mistakes in this matter. We absolutely cannot let you suffer calamity!"
"Yes, patriarch, if we must die, let us die together. If you are no longer here, what is the point of our continued survival?"
As they spoke, Jin Bùníng was terrified. He quickly explained, "Mr. Mu, please listen to me. They want to protect me, so they are saying this intentionally. This matter truly has nothing to do with them!"
Mu Feng looked down at everyone and said calmly, "I never deliberately pick fights, but your Jin family has repeatedly tried to kill me. Why don't you put yourselves in my shoes and think about what you would do?"
Jin Bùníng naturally understood this. The root cause was his good-for-nothing son, who had offended people he shouldn't have.
"Therefore, please punish me, Mr. Mu. I am willing to use my blood to wash away these sins!" With that, he directly thrust the dagger into Mu Feng's hand.
Mu Feng sneered, "Alright everyone, there's no need to put on a melodrama. Such crude tactics are useless against me!"
Everyone felt a sense of impending doom, all lowering their heads, awaiting their final judgment!
With a clang, Mu Feng threw the dagger aside.
Jin Bùníng looked up, utterly bewildered, "Mr. Mu, what are you..."
"I act according to my mood. I don't wish to create more bloodshed. If you are willing to agree to my three conditions, I can let all of you go!" Mu Feng narrowed his eyes.
Jin Bùníng was completely stunned. His mouth hung open, not expecting such a turn of events.
In his excitement, he immediately knelt again and kowtowed three times, blood flowing down from his head.
"Mr. Mu, please command us. Even if all the Jin family's assets are contributed, this old man is willing!"
After all, survival was the utmost priority at this moment.
Mu Feng touched his nose and said, "I won't take a single cent from you, as in my opinion, your money is not clean. My first condition is to do good deeds. I want all of you to do good deeds, whatever it may be!"
Jin Bùníng listened with deep respect and nodded heavily, "Please rest assured, Mr. Mu. My Jin family will henceforth dedicate itself to charitable activities globally, sparing no effort!"
"As for the second point, you must guarantee not to harbor any more ill intentions towards me. Otherwise, I warn you, none of you present will escape!" Mu Feng then made a throat-slitting gesture.
Jin Bùníng gritted his teeth, "You don't even need to say it, please rest assured!"
"For the third point, I haven't thought of it yet. When I have any needs in the future, I will inform you!"
Upon hearing Mu Feng's words, the heavy burden in everyone's hearts was finally lifted. They understood that their lives were truly saved this time.
"Alright, I've said what I needed to say. I hope you will take care of yourselves!" With that, Mu Feng turned to leave.
Out of courtesy, Jin Bùníng dared not let this harbinger of death leave just like that.
After all, what if the other party suddenly felt displeased and decided to return?
He hurriedly chased after Mu Feng and said, "Mr. Mu, you have traveled a long way. Please allow us to host a welcoming banquet for you. Also, there is a chance of thunderstorms in the next two days, and flights should be suspended. Please consider staying with us!"
Mu Feng took out his phone and checked the weather forecast. The afternoon flights were indeed canceled.
With no other choice, he nodded, "Alright then, I will trouble you all!"
Jin Bùníng felt overwhelmed with gratitude, shaking his head repeatedly, "No trouble, how could it be trouble? This old man is honored by your presence, Mr. Mu. Please, this way!"
And so, surrounded by a group of Jin family members, Mu Feng was accommodated in a villa specially reserved for distinguished guests.
At this moment, the Jin family members were unaware that everything that had just transpired was being spied upon. A young man hid in the shadows, the muscles on his face twitching incessantly.
"Jin family, you have wronged my father terribly. If it weren't for you, why would my father have died?"
This young man was none other than Han Tianyǔ, the son of Han Jun. His father had died suddenly shortly after returning to Goryeo and before he could establish himself.
As the banquet was about to begin, he infiltrated the Jin family's kitchen.
"This Mu Feng is a top-notch divine doctor. If I pour potent poison into these dishes, he will surely discover it!"
"At that time, your Jin family will be plunged into an abyss of eternal damnation. Remember, this is what your Jin family owes me!"
With that, Han Tianyǔ took out a small porcelain bottle and poured the contents into a pot of beef kimchi soup.
Inside the Jin family, there was laughter and merriment, everyone cheering and celebrating their survival.
However, they were unaware that a storm was quietly brewing.
Upon arriving at the banquet hall, Mu Feng was invited to sit at the head table.
Jin Bùníng smiled and stood up, and coincidentally, he personally served a bowl of beef kimchi soup and placed it before Mu Feng.
"Mr. Mu, this is our local specialty. Don't be fooled by the ordinary ingredients. This beef is select 5A-grade Wagyu, costing over a thousand for just one slice. And this soup has been simmered with pork bones for three full days, all for our most honored guest!"