It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists-Chapter 345: Lan Mulian: Looking for Me?

“Let’s go. It’s almost time,” he said, standing up and stretching.

“Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked, concerned.

“Are you worried about me, Mengrou?” he teased.

“You deserved it,” she retorted coldly, then took his hand. “You’re injured. I’ll take you. It will be less suspicious.” He had to maintain the act.

“You’re so kind, Mengrou,” he said, then embraced her.

“Are you planning to eliminate Xiao Hua?” she asked, summoning her flying sword, her heart fluttering at his touch, but maintaining her composure.

“He’s still useful. I’ll just weaken his luck and damage the Heavenly Dao,” he chuckled. A weakened Heavenly Dao meant a better chance for Yuanluo. And a dead Xiao Hua was less valuable. “And we might even earn a favor.”

If it were Ye Yu, he would deny any involvement.

But Xiao Hua had no choice. He could either admit to the attack or reveal his secret. The former meant he might survive. The latter… was a death sentence.

…

Luo Tan arrived at the hall and saw Xiao Hua lying unconscious on the floor. There was no sign of the Void Nightmare, but traces of its presence lingered.

“His consciousness is incredibly weak. Even after fighting Bai Ruoxi, he shouldn’t be this weak,” Yao Meng said softly, sensing something amiss. “This is too much of a coincidence. The Void Nightmare appeared in your palace, Pill Emperor, and the Holy Son of Yu State just happens to be unconscious.”

Ye Qingxin looked down at Xiao Hua, her mind made up.

He was the one who attacked Mu Zhi’an.

Luo Tan frowned, her beautiful face turning cold. She knew Mu Zhi’an had orchestrated this, but Xiao Hua was still the prime suspect. She scanned his body with her Spiritual Sense.

Her eyes turned colder.

As the Jade Empress had said, his consciousness was incredibly weak, almost undetectable.

It couldn’t be just because of the backlash from the Void Nightmare.

As Mu Zhi’an had predicted, although the Nightmare was now his, Xiao Hua had to take the blame.

Unless he wanted to reveal his true nature and have his consciousness examined.

And after the examination…?

If they proved he hadn’t summoned the Nightmare, it would expose his secret.

Possessing another’s body… was a death sentence.

He had no choice but to feign unconsciousness and indirectly admit to the attack.

“I’ll give the Jade Empress an explanation,” Luo Tan said.

After all, it was one of her people who was involved.

Xiao Hua’s condition clearly showed the Nightmare’s backlash. She could sense its residual aura within his weakened consciousness. And his life essence was also severely depleted. He had used it to feed the Nightmare.

However, Yao Meng wasn’t satisfied and was about to speak when a weak, tired voice came from the entrance.

“I didn’t expect it to be Brother Xiao… This is a surprise…”

Mu Zhi’an, supported by Wei Mengrou, had arrived. He looked at the unconscious Xiao Hua, his expression a mix of surprise and… a strange calmness.

“When did you become enemies with him, young friend Mu?” Luo Tan asked, glancing at him.

How could a newly arrived Holy Son from Yu State have a grudge against someone he had never met, even resorting to a sneak attack?

Mu Zhi’an smiled wryly. “I’ve… interacted with Miss Xiao Shuixian these past two days, and Brother Xiao… saw us…”

“It doesn’t seem like something he would do…” Luo Tan frowned, suspicious.

“I agree. Perhaps we should investigate further before making any decisions,” Mu Zhi’an said, bowing respectfully.

“You’re defending him after he attacked you?”

Yao Meng looked at him, her green eyes cold, her beautiful face showing her displeasure.

“I’m not saying we should ignore this, but it’s a complicated matter. We should investigate first,” Mu Zhi’an said, his gaze apologetic.

Yao Meng was stunned for a moment, then a look of understanding appeared in her eyes. She seemed to realize something, and a faint smile curved her lips. “Fine. Since you think I’m meddling, don’t come to me for help next time,” she said coldly, then turned and left.

“There’s no need to argue. If it was truly Xiao Hua, I’ll punish him severely,” Luo Tan said.

“I’ve heard the Holy Son of Yu State is magnanimous. I doubt he would resort to such methods just because I talked to his sister. There must be a misunderstanding,” Mu Zhi’an said.

Luo Tan’s eyes held a hint of approval. She also felt that something was amiss. She knew Mu Zhi’an was acting, but Xiao Hua was still the prime suspect.

Ye Qingxin looked at them, her beautiful red eyes narrowed. “Since you say there’s a misunderstanding, young friend Mu, you must have some evidence,” she said softly.

Mu Zhi’an nodded slightly. “Miss Xiao Shuixian mentioned something about her brother when she visited me earlier.”

He glanced at the unconscious Xiao Hua. “She said his consciousness was weak since childhood, due to his Divine King Bone being stolen, making it difficult for him to refine pills.”

Luo Tan raised an eyebrow, surprised.

“She told you that?”

It was a closely guarded secret.

“Yes,” Mu Zhi’an nodded. “And yet, he refined two pills recently… With his weak consciousness, he should barely be able to refine third-grade pills, let alone sixth-grade ones.”

“Miss Xiao came to see me because of this, expressing her suspicions.”

Luo Tan’s eyes narrowed.

She was intelligent and understood his implications. She looked at him intently. “Are you suggesting that Xiao Hua… isn’t the real Xiao Hua?”

“I’m merely relaying what Miss Xiao told me,” Mu Zhi’an replied calmly.

“That does seem strange… I thought he had simply obtained some kind of fortuitous encounter and strengthened his consciousness,” Luo Tan said softly.

She was now suspicious of Xiao Hua.

Her maid had also mentioned his strange behavior after his tribulation, but she had dismissed it as arrogance.

But now… his changes seemed too drastic. And she had never seen him use those techniques before.

“I’ll examine his consciousness when he wakes up. If he’s truly been possessed, I’ll owe you a favor, young friend Mu.”

“You’ve already given me a pill, Senior. I can’t take credit for this,” Mu Zhi’an said sincerely.

As he had planned, Xiao Hua didn’t have to die. The more Luo Tan doubted him, the weaker his luck would become.

After Luo Tan had her maid take the ‘unconscious’ Xiao Hua away, Mu Zhi’an remained silent.

“I didn’t expect him to be possessed… Although he seemed a bit jealous, I didn’t think he would resort to such methods,” Luo Tan sighed.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t comment, maintaining his respectful demeanor. He didn’t know her well enough to speak ill of Xiao Hua.

After chatting with her for a while longer, he excused himself and left with Wei Mengrou.

Luo Tan would investigate Xiao Hua’s true identity. That was enough.

…

Outside the hall, Mu Zhi’an turned to Ye Qingxin and bowed respectfully. “Thank you for your help, Senior.”

Ye Qingxin, her black and red dress billowing in the wind, her captivating red eyes filled with admiration, nodded slightly. “You’re too kind. I don’t care about formalities.”

She found him much more agreeable than Ye Yu. His humility and gentleness, combined with his Innate Celestial Furnace, made him truly unique.

“You haven’t refined the Dao Heart Pill yet. If you need my help, just let me know,” she said.

“Your consciousness was weakened last time, Senior. I’ll refine it myself,” Mu Zhi’an said sincerely.

“After my Innate Celestial Furnace evolves, it can nourish your consciousness. Perhaps I can repay your kindness then,” he added subtly.

Unlike Ye Yu, he was a good boy who cared about his… Senior Ye.

“That’s thoughtful of you, but it might affect the Heavenly Court’s Spiritual Energy within your Innate Celestial Furnace,” Ye Qingxin said with a smile, surprised and touched by his offer.

“It’s a small price to pay,” Mu Zhi’an replied.

“…Thank you, young friend Mu.” She looked at him, a faint smile curving her lips.

As he was about to leave, he suddenly sensed a familiar aura and looked up, seeing a young man in black robes flying away on his sword.

It was Ye Yu!

His injuries had healed in just two days?

This guy is like a cockroach…

Ye Yu also looked at them, his eyes filled with cold hatred.

“You obtained a treasure map fragment. I’ve calculated the location of the ruins. Don’t waste time here. Leave now,” Yao Shan’s voice echoed in his mind. Although he doubted Luo Tan knew about him, it was better to be safe.

Ye Yu suppressed his anger and left.

He had also benefited from his defeat against Mu Zhi’an. He had faced his inner demons and even obtained a treasure map fragment during his tribulation.

And the location of those ruins… was known to his master.

This opportunity made his defeat less bitter.

However… seeing his beautiful ancestor with Mu Zhi’an… made his heart twist with resentment.

She’s with him…

But even he can’t control her. I’ll make them regret this…

He flew away.

Mu Zhi’an’s eyes flickered, and he used his consciousness to command the Void Nightmare, which was now his pet, to secretly follow Ye Yu.

Then, he sighed softly. “Brother Ye still seems to have a grudge against me. It seems reconciliation is impossible.”

“There’s no need to befriend him. Focus on your own cultivation,” Ye Qingxin said, shaking her head, her heart filled with conflicting emotions. Ye Yu had been disrespectful, but he was still a Ye family descendant. However, Mu Zhi’an had not only promised to help her find the Heavenly Court’s Master and bring her clan to the Heavenly Court, but he had also shown genuine concern for her well-being. His sincerity was touching, although she knew he had ulterior motives.

If he didn’t have a Dao Companion, she might actually consider him…

He had a deep connection to the Heavenly Court, an evolving Innate Celestial Furnace, and he was skilled at charming women. Life after Dao Integration was rather boring. A bit of… fun wouldn’t hurt.

But he was the Jade Empress’s Dao Companion…

She would observe him further. Although his Innate Celestial Furnace and his charm were intriguing, it wasn’t enough to sway her heart.

“Luo Tan will investigate this matter. Just wait for her news.”

“If you need anything, you can come and see me.”

Ye Qingxin collected her thoughts and left.

“Thank you, Senior,” Mu Zhi’an said sincerely, watching her leave, then turned to Wei Mengrou. “Let’s go, Mengrou.”

She was dressed in her usual yellow dress, her alluring figure accentuated by the thin fabric, a ribbon tied around her slender waist, her hair slightly disheveled by the wind.

“You’re interested in Ye Qingxin, aren’t you? Aren’t you afraid of the Jade Empress finding out?” she asked calmly, seeing through his thoughts.

If there were ranks in palace schemes, the Jade Empress would be the queen. If she found out, he would be ‘punished’ severely.

“I only see her as a senior, Mengrou,” Mu Zhi’an said helplessly.

“Hmph. You know what you’re thinking. I don’t believe you,” she scoffed.

He leaned closer and whispered in her ear, “You’re the one I love the most, Mengrou. Do you believe me?”

She froze, her eyes flickering, a warmth spreading through her heart, her cheeks flushing crimson.

She fluttered her eyelashes, trying to maintain her composure. “…No,” she replied coldly.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her with a gentle smile, and she quickly turned her head away, flustered.

“Let’s go back. This isn’t a good place to talk,” she said, summoning her flying sword, her voice still cold, but her usual aloofness softened.

“You’re right,” Mu Zhi’an chuckled.

With two Chosen Ones now, he had to prepare his next move.

Although he didn’t know where Ye Yu had gone, the Void Nightmare was following him.

Don’t disappoint me, little treasure-hunting rat…

He stepped onto his sword, about to embrace Wei Mengrou, when he suddenly sensed a familiar aura approaching.

He looked up and saw a woman in a moon-white dress.

“Senior Sister?”

He watched as Lan Mulian landed gracefully before him.