Chapter 20: Lived

If Lin Shen had known Qi Tianfu thought this way, he would have definitely believed Qi was out of his mind.

On the way back, Lin Shen had already tried persuading Wei Wufu to return the Alloy Egg and go wherever he needed to go.

Wei Wufu only had one response: since Lin Shen had won him over, he was now Lin Shen's man, and wherever Lin Shen went, he would go.

Lin Shen didn't say anything further, as Wei Wufu clearly had his sights set on him. Even if Lin Shen hadn't subdued him, Wei Wufu would undoubtedly have found other ways to get close to him.

"It seems Wei Wufu is also after Gourd Mountain. What exactly is in Gourd Mountain that draws powerful figures like Bai Shenfei and Wei Wufu?" Lin Shen decided not to drive Wei Wufu away and arranged for him to stay in the guest room at the Lin Family Manor, assigning someone to quietly keep an eye on him.

"Lin, I heard you managed to rope in Wei Wufu?" Ye soon rushed over.

"That's right," Lin Shen nodded slightly.

"Wei Wufu must have some issues. Both the Qi Family and the Wang Family sent people to invite him to join them, but he turned them down. Wang Chuan, the Alloy Mutator from the Wang Family, tried to intimidate him, but Wei Wufu shattered his Alloy Carapace with just one punch," Ye sighed deeply. "Lin, you shouldn't have brought this trouble back."

"If I hadn't brought him back, does that mean he wouldn't have come anyway?" Lin Shen said calmly. "If he's coming, then let him come. We already have enough people with designs on the Lin Family. One more doesn't make much of a difference."

Ye wanted to say more, but Lin Shen preempted him: "I've already agreed to go to Gourd Mountain with Bai Shenfei the day after tomorrow. The Qi and Wang families will also be joining. You should prepare to come with me."

Ye's expression changed drastically upon hearing this, and he exclaimed, "Lin, are you out of your mind? How can you bring outsiders to Gourd Mountain?"

"It's not me taking them to Gourd Mountain. It's Bai Shenfei leading us there," Lin Shen replied, looking at him.

"She couldn't possibly know where Gourd Mountain is. She must be trying to trick you into taking her there. Tell me everything she said to you," Ye's face darkened.

"I don't know where Gourd Mountain is. What good would it do her to trick me?" Lin Shen recounted his conversation with Bai Shenfei, mostly truthfully, though he omitted the parts involving Ye.

"That's impossible. If it were really Fourth Brother instructing her to take you to Gourd Mountain, how could I not know about it?" Ye's face flickered with doubt.

"Ye, I have no choice this time but to go. Now can you tell me where Gourd Mountain is and what's there? We need to prepare in advance," Lin Shen said, staring at Ye.

"Lin, did Mr. Lin Zongzheng or Fourth Brother really never mention Gourd Mountain to you?" Ye mused in response.

"Never," Lin Shen replied directly.

Ye stared at Lin Shen for a long moment before speaking. "If Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother didn't tell you, they must have had their reasons. If I tell you, it might complicate things for them."

"How about this: since we've already agreed with Bai Shenfei, let's go with her to Gourd Mountain first and see what her true intentions are," Ye suggested after thinking for a moment. "As for the Alloy Mutators we have at home, we need to discuss who to bring. At least two should stay behind to prevent the Qi and Wang families from exploiting any openings."

"There's no need. Since Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother aren't here, even if we brought all the Alloy Mutators, we wouldn't be a match for the Qi and Wang families. I'm planning to take only you, and if Wei Wufu insists on coming along, then we'll bring him too," Lin Shen said.

"That's not going to work..." Ye shook his head quickly.

"The others staying at the base is the only way to protect the Lin Family's holdings. As for Gourd Mountain, with Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother there, we won't lose out," Lin Shen interrupted Ye again.

"But what if Mr. Lin Zongzheng and Fourth Brother get trapped and can't free themselves?" Ye continued trying to convince him.

"If even they can't protect themselves, then bringing a few Alloy Mutators won't change anything. Ye, this is settled. If you think it's too dangerous, you can stay back at the base and guard the house for me," Lin Shen said coolly.

"I must be by your side, Lin, even if it costs me my life. I have to ensure your safety for Fourth Brother's sake," Ye said passionately.

"Alright then, go prepare. We leave early the day after tomorrow," Lin Shen replied.

"Fine, I'll get ready now," Ye said as he turned to leave. Just as he turned away, he suddenly reached out and pressed his hand against Lin Shen's chest.

Ye moved too fast. Without the boost of Seven Steps of Conflict, Lin Shen couldn't react in time and was struck squarely on the chest by Ye's palm.

The force hit Lin Shen like a tidal wave, sending him stumbling back several steps despite Ye holding back most of his power mid-strike.

"Lin, you..." Ye looked at Lin Shen in shocked disbelief.

"That's right. I'm not an Alloy Mutator or a Steel Mutator. I haven't undergone Base Mutation," Lin Shen stated calmly.

"Then how did you..." Ye asked doubtfully.

"Subduing the Supersonic Gunman was purely thanks to a life-saving object Third Brother once gave me. Unfortunately, it can only be used once. In that moment, I had no other choice but to use it," Lin Shen explained.

"You really haven't undergone Base Mutation?" Ye still couldn't believe it.

"See for yourself," Lin Shen rolled up his sleeve and stretched his arm out to Ye.

Ye carefully examined Lin Shen's skin and bones. After Base Mutation, even without using mutant powers, the body would exhibit certain differences—particularly the bones, which would be denser and significantly harder. This couldn't be faked. Ye immediately confirmed Lin Shen truly hadn't undergone Base Mutation.

"Lin, without Base Mutation, going to Gourd Mountain would be far too dangerous," Ye said, his expression turning peculiar as he looked at Lin Shen.

"It's fine. You'll protect me, won't you? Besides, even if I said I wasn't going, would the Qi and Wang families allow it? And if they did, would Bai Shenfei agree?" Lin Shen withdrew his arm and rolled his sleeve back down.

"Don't worry, Lin. I, Ye, swear on my life to keep you safe," Ye declared solemnly.

"Then that's settled. Go get ready—this time I'll have to rely on you," Lin Shen said, dismissing Ye before lapsing into deep thought.

*Lin Shen felt that Ye was becoming increasingly suspicious and could no longer be trusted. The Qi and Wang families watched like predators, Bai Shenfei and Wei Wufu had unpredictable motives, and this journey seemed fraught with danger.*

*Neither Bai Shenfei nor Ye earned Lin Shen's full trust. Third Brother and Fourth Brother had always told him he shouldn't take unnecessary risks no matter what. The idea that they'd want him to go to Gourd Mountain left Lin Shen skeptical.*

*But if Lin Shen refused to go, they might resort to forceful measures. Not only would Lin Shen himself be dragged to Gourd Mountain, but the Lin Family's painstakingly cultivated legacy might also suffer heavy losses. He had no choice.*

"I need to prepare some extra leverage for myself. Hopefully, this Fire Seed will prove useful." Lin Shen placed the spear-like Base Mutation Creature's corpse beside the bed and lay down himself.

Wei Wufu's Alloy Egg was in Lin Shen's possession, but hatching it required time and wouldn't be of immediate use.

"The Supersonic Gunman could be a decent ally, but facing such a complex and dangerous situation with only him isn't enough." Lin Shen regretted not acquiring some Alloy pets earlier. Now he didn't even know where to start looking for them.

He had rarely left the base before and always had someone guarding him there, so he'd never needed pets.

"It seems the only things I can rely on are those bug-like Fire Seeds," Lin Shen thought as he gradually drifted off to sleep.

Lin Shen didn't know how long he'd been asleep when he felt something cold sliding over his body. The chill gliding across his skin made his hairs stand on end, jolting him awake.

Lin Shen opened his eyes and immediately widened them in shock, nearly leaping out of bed in fright.

He wasn't trying not to leap; his body was bound tightly by snake-like coils, like a wooden pole, making it impossible to move.

"It's alive!" Lin Shen stared at the snake-like creature, its head raised to lock eyes with him. Finally, he could recognize its true form.