The members of the Hei corps guided Lin Mu to the mansion. Along the way, he got to see the beauty of the garden and the decorations that had been placed around. Though the biggest part of the mansion's area was none other than the lake.
The lake had no specific name and was simply called as the Wu Lim City lake. All of the buildings that surrounded it were considered to be of high quality and belonged to the influential people of the city. Perhaps the only building better than these was the Mayor's manor.
There were a few small artificial islands made in the lake, and there were red wooden bridges extending from the banks of the lakes and joining them. The artificial islands had ornate pavilions constructed on them. Stone table and chairs were placed in the pavilions, which were exquisitely carved.
Lin Mu had thought that he was going to be taken into the Mansion but to his surprise, he was actually being taken towards the lake. Upon getting closer, he could soon see the back of a man that was sitting in the pavilion on the artificial island.
He was wearing a plain white robe and exuded a scholarly aura.
"My lord, senior Lin Mu is here." The member of the Hei corps introduced.
The scholarly looking man turned around and a plain smile appeared on his face. There was a small book in his left hand, while in his right hand there was a small wine cup. The man placed down the wine cup and closed the book before cupping his hands in a greeting.
"Welcome to my humble abode, brother Lin Mu." Wu Hei Spoke in a genial voice.
"I am honored to finally meet Lord Hei." Lin Mu reciprocated.
"Please sit," Wu Hei said as he gestured.
Lin Mu took a seat opposite to Wu Hei and the scholarly man poured him a cup of wine. But then Wu Hei saw the slight unwillingness on Lin Mu's face and knew that perhaps this was not right.
"Would brother Lin Mu prefer tea instead?" Wu Hei asked.
"Ah yes, that would be good. I… do not like the taste of wine much." Lin Mu replied.
"Of course, everyone has their preferences, nothing wrong with that." Wu Hei spoke, but without even his speaking a pot of tea was presented to him.
Wu Hei and Lin Mu exchanged a few pleasantries before finally getting to the crux of the matter.
"So, Lord Hei…" Lin Mu spoke but was then interrupted.
"Please call me Wu Hei, brother Lin Mu. Your standing is only equal if not higher than me." Wu Hei spoke.
Lin Mu was a bit intrigued upon hearing the surname of the Lord. Even when he had asked the Hei corps about the lord's name, they had only called him as lord or lord Hei, nothing more than that. Or perhaps it was their reluctance to say it.
"Please, forgive my overbearingness, but I wonder if brother Wu Hei is…"
"Yes, brother Lin Mu's guess is correct. I belong to the Wu clan." Wu Hei interrupted again.
"Leave us for now." Wu Hei said to the servants and the Hei corps.
Lin Mu had not expected that his guess was really correct.
'This means that the marriage Wu Hei wants me to participate in is none other than his own brothers?' Lin Mu thought.
"You are the mayor's younger son," Lin Mu realized.
Lin Mu saw that Wu Hei had sent away all the people around when he told him this, which meant that he did not want the others to know.
"I am indeed, but it is not an identity I particularly prefer. So I hope brother Lin Mu does not bother with it as much." Wu Hei stated.
"If it is what brother Wu Hei wants that it is fine." Lin Mu replied.
Lin Mu had no qualms about this though it did make him wonder why Wu Hei did not want others knowing about his identity as the mayor's son.
"Seems like this Wu Hei had many more secrets than he's showing," Xukong spoke.
Lin Mu internally nodded but did not show it on his face.
"So then brother Wu Hei, what exactly is that you want me to do?" Lin Mu finally asked the thing that he had come here for.
"You see brother Lin Mu, my position is that of the younger brother of the Groom. This means that I need to have a representative fight in the tournament that is held before the marriage ceremony. All of the powers that have been invited will be participating, and I need to come out on top of them. And also with the recent events with the mayor, there are even more eyes on us." Wu Hei answered.
"I understand. I'll do it then, though when will the tournament be and where?" Lin Mu replied.
"The tournament will be held at the mayor's manor and will be held in three days from now. They finalized the date just today, thus you came at the right time." Wu Hei spoke.
"Then I'll be there when you want me to be." Lin Mu responded with a nod.
"I… also heard brother Lin Mu has a little enmity with the Tri cauldron peony sect?" Wu Hei questioned.
"Yes, there is a certain Junior elder which I would prefer did not exist." Lin Mu stated as a matter of fact.
"I have investigated the matter on my own, and have found that the junior elder Fa Shiu is not in the city as of now. Neither has he ever come to the city before." Wu Hei informed.
"Hmm, seems like I'll need to keep a look out for him. He is going to be at the wedding though from what I heard, they were finding a gift for a certain Ye Zi Jin." Lin Mu said in a straight tone.
"Fear not brother Lin Mu, you'll be the first one to know the moment that man enters the city." Wu Hei declared.
