Walker Of The Worlds

2760  A Rejection

”He… rejected?”

”He rejected US?”

”A man can do that!?”

The women were truly stunned.

Lady Yeon, however, faintly smiled.

ʼThe man I like certainly wonʼt be so easy to get,ʼ she thought to herself, intrigued by Lin Muʼs unexpected response.

”Just who is he that dares to reject us?!” one of the women fumed.

Their initial shock quickly turned into fury. Never in their pampered lives had they imagined that a man would actually reject them—especially not so openly. And in front of so many people, no less!

The other patrons sitting downstairs along with Lin Mu had certainly heard the exchange. They were all immortals, and even the slightest whisper was easily caught by their sharp senses.

As such, the rejection was not just a minor slight—it was a public embarrassment.

Everyone knew these women in the city. They were the Young Ladies of several noble clans, famously known as the Twelve Beauties of the Capital City. Their presence was never subtle; they always traveled with their entourage of maids, attendants, and admirers, ensuring that wherever they went, all eyes were on them.

And yet, right now, the gossiping had shifted away from them—to Lin Mu.

”Did you hear that? Someone just rejected the Twelve Beauties!” a short man whispered excitedly.

”What a legend! He actually resisted their charms,” another man in bright blue robes said, sounding almost proud.

”Hah! Heʼs just inviting trouble,” scoffed a third man, clearly a devoted admirer of the Twelve Beauties. ”You think anyone can get away with insulting them like that?”

Lin Mu heard all of this but paid it no heed. He simply continued sipping his tea, savoring its calming effect.

ʼDaoist Chu was certainly right… trouble seems to find me even when I do nothing at all,ʼ he mused to himself.

All he had wanted was a peaceful tea break to soothe his headache. And yet, a new headache had arrived to replace the old one.

ʼPerhaps it would have been better if I came here with the others,ʼ he thought. ʼMaybe I wouldnʼt have been singled out like this.ʼ

But then, another thought struck him.

ʼWould the Saintess have liked this tea?ʼ he wondered. ʼMaybe if I can incorporate the rippling effect into the wine, she might enjoy it even more.ʼ

His mind drifted toward ways to enhance his wine-brewing techniques, completely forgetting the group of fuming women on the balcony.

Then, another realization dawned upon him.

ʼNow that I think about it… she hasnʼt spoken in a while,ʼ Lin Mu realized. ʼSaintess, are you there?ʼ

He waited a few moments, but there was no response.

”Hmm… she might be busy,” he muttered, shrugging to himself as he got up from his seat.

Leaving the payment on the table, he prepared to exit the teahouse.

But just as he stepped toward the door, he noticed a group of bodyguards making their way down from the balcony area.

*Sigh…*

ʼI should have expected this,ʼ Lin Mu thought.

Their stiff postures and focused stares told him everything he needed to know—they were coming for him.

ʼAnd here I was, trying to avoid trouble,ʼ he lamented before lightly muttering something under his breath.

The bodyguards suddenly halted mid-step, their expressions blank as if their minds had short-circuited. Their eyes grew unfocused, and for a few moments, they simply stood there, completely still.

By the time they regained their senses, Lin Mu was gone.

”Where did he go?!” one of them exclaimed.

”He was right there a second ago!” another said, looking around frantically.

”Find him!” their leader barked.

The bodyguards scattered, rushing outside to search for him.

Unbeknownst to them, Lin Mu had already left. He had used the Severing Heart Sutra to daze them for a few moments, then blinked out of the building before sinking into the ground using Phase.

While he had no fear of confrontation, he preferred efficiency over unnecessary conflict.

ʼRather than fighting, this is much easier,ʼ Lin Mu thought to himself.

Of course, he could have fought them. But he still had eleven days left in the city, and a public battle would surely stir up more attention than he wanted. The noble clans would easily be able to track him down if they were determined enough. Given the commotion Meng Bai and the trio had caused earlier, he had no intention of adding more trouble to their plate.

ʼWeʼre already on thin ice as it is,ʼ he reminded himself.

With that thought, he emerged from the ground in a secluded alley several streets away.

*Shua!*

A quick change of clothes using the Silver Mirage Circlet left him looking like an entirely different person. He then took out a mask but hesitated.

ʼIʼll stand out too much wearing this,ʼ he reasoned. ʼRam Orchard City was one thing, but here, there are fewer masked individuals.ʼ

Thinking for a moment, he came up with a better idea.

Removing the mask, he instead pulled out a wide-brimmed hat with a thin veil that draped over his face. The translucent fabric obscured his features, leaving only a vague silhouette visible.

”Much better,” he muttered with satisfaction.

Now, rather than a mysterious masked figure, he looked like a wandering cultivator—a far less conspicuous presence in a bustling city.

Blending seamlessly into the crowd, Lin Mu strolled down the street. Soon enough, he encountered the very same bodyguards who had been hunting him down.

”There! He might have gone this way! Quick!” one of them shouted, scanning the crowd.

Lin Mu simply walked past them, entirely unnoticed.

ʼThis works better than I thought,ʼ he smirked, continuing on his way.

His day had taken an unexpected turn, but at least, for now, he had avoided yet another unnecessary mess.

Unknown to Lin Mu, the women had not calmed down.

”How can a man do that? Does he know know etiquette?” The yellow robed woman fumed.

”Right!” the green robed woman said before talking to her servants. ”I want to everything about him. GO!” she barked.