Did the Dou Family’s old ancestor just die like that?

In the middle of the battle, Li Yuntao’s eyes kept changing.

Suddenly, a feeling of driving tigers to devour wolves rose in his heart. It seemed that he shouldn’t have involved Mu Qingge in this matter before...

Crack—!

A head flew into the air and fell to the ground.

This immediately paused the battle, and no matter who it was, everyone turned their eyes to the head that died with its eyes open.

It was the head of the Family Head of the Dou Family, and his body was standing in front of Li Yuntao, slowly falling down.

The broadsword in Li Yuntao’s hand was stained with blood, already indistinguishable as to whose it was.

When everyone turned their gaze towards him, Li Yuntao’s eyes turned cold and filled with murderous intent, he shouted, "Kill—! Leave no one alive!" At his command, the slaughter resumed.

The people of the Dou Family were continuously being slaughtered, and the blood had long soaked the entire Dou Family residence.

"They’ve already lost the will to resist, why continue the killing?" Jing Hai stood beside Mu Qingge, looking at the blood-filled scene of slaughter in front of him, confused and not understanding.

Mu Qingge asked back, "If you were a member of the Dou Family and escaped today’s calamity, what would you do?"

Jing Hai was taken aback, his eyes scanned left and right, and he found the man and woman who suddenly appeared beside his master were also looking at him with mocking eyes.

His face turned red, and he gritted his teeth, "If it were me, I would go far away, find a master to learn skills, and once I gained strength, return to Haiyu City for revenge."

Mu Qingge gave a silent smile, "Still confused about why we must kill?"

Jing Hai’s eyes contracted, and he shook his head solemnly, "Eliminate the roots!" He pressed his lips together, his hands hanging by his sides slowly clenching into fists. He said to Mu Qingge, "Instructor, I understand. Different positions lead to different choices. If we let the people of the Dou Family go today, I’m afraid it will be our clan members who will die in the future."

Mu Qingge nodded imperceptibly and said quietly, "A child worth teaching."

Bai Xi looked at Jing Hai with interest, causing the handsome young man to blush. She covered her mouth and laughed lightly, leaning closer to Mu Qingge, speaking in a childish voice, "Qingge, your little apprentice is really interesting."

Bai Xi’s voice left Jing Hai gaping in surprise.

It seemed he couldn’t imagine such a cold and enchanting woman having such a... such an... hmm, innocent voice.

Hehe!

Bai Xi noticed Jing Hai’s shock.

Her charming and upturned eyes turned cold, "Boy, what are you looking at? Looking for death?"

Jing Hai’s face changed drastically, quickly holding his breath, withdrawing his gaze, not daring to look again.

Mu Qingge glanced at Bai Xi and explained to Jing Hai, "She really hates others being curious about her voice."

Jing Hai nodded quickly, tightly pressing his lips together.

"Qingge~." Bai Xi said coquettishly.

Mu Qingge said, "Alright, you’ll have a chance to vent later."

"What?" Bai Xi immediately perked up.

"Killing." Mu Qingge calmly uttered two words.

As soon as these two words came out, Jing Hai felt the surrounding temperature drop suddenly. Yet, when he looked at Bai Xi and the silent Yin Chen, he found the former’s eyes lit up with excitement, while the latter’s particularly blood-red eyes grew even darker.

"It’s almost time, let’s go over." After Mu Qingge finished speaking, she lifted her foot and started walking.

Jing Hai, still not having reacted, hurriedly chased after her.

In the Dou Family, the ground was littered with corpses, bloodstains everywhere.

The people of the Bai Family and the people of the Li Family stood among the corpses, looking at the scene before them, still somewhat disbelieving. Has the Dou Family, which had dominated Haiyu City as the top family for so long, really fallen?

Bai Jingteng wiped the bloodstains from his face, looked at Li Yuntao, unable to hide the excitement in his eyes.

With the Dou Family destroyed, everything in Haiyu City would have to be redistributed, and the Bai Family would only prosper further!

When Bai Jingteng looked over, Li Yuntao also looked back. Unlike the former’s excitement, Li Yuntao’s eyes held a trace of darkness.

"Brother Li, the great event is done tonight, we must have a drink!" Bai Jingteng laughed heartily, walking towards Li Yuntao.

Li Yuntao had a somewhat ambiguous smile on the corner of his mouth. When Bai Jingteng got closer, he slowly said, "Drinking, is not necessary."

Bai Jingteng was stunned, "What do you mean?"

"No particular meaning, just that..."

Crash—!

Before Li Yuntao finished his words, he launched an attack, fiercely swinging his broadsword towards Bai Jingteng. Bai Jingteng was caught off guard, hastily raising the dual swords in his hands to defend.

The clash of the two weapons produced a crisp metallic sound.

Bai Jingteng was pushed back several steps by Li Yuntao’s strike, his chest surging with blood and energy.

"Family Head!"

The sudden change here also alarmed the remaining members of the Bai Family, who rushed towards Bai Jingteng.

Bai Jingteng steadied himself, his gaze viciously fixing on Li Yuntao, saying harshly, "Li Yuntao, you truly have the heart of a wolf, even attacking your allies!"

Li Yuntao responded unhurriedly, "Haiyu City is only so big, and my Li Family is enough. Today, it’s not only the Dou Family’s doomsday, but also your Bai Family’s doomsday."

As soon as his words fell, the Li Family members quickly gathered, confronting the Bai Family members.

"Li Yuntao, aren’t you afraid of being scorned by the world for doing this?" Bai Jingteng shouted.

Li Yuntao coldly laughed, "The victor is always the king, who dares to scorn?"

Bai Jingteng said, "With the foundation of your Li Family, if you go to war with my Bai Family, even if you win by luck, you’ll be severely depleted. Do you think Haiyu City will be yours then? I’m afraid other families will take advantage and rise up, making your Li Family end like the Dou Family today, annihilated overnight!"

Bai Jingteng’s words, filled with hatred, didn’t cause any emotional fluctuation in Li Yuntao.

He showed a mocking smile, as if ridiculing Bai Jingteng’s naiveté. "Bai Jingteng, do you really think I would engage in this big game without any preparation?"

As soon as his words fell, several figures suddenly appeared between the two camps.

When the figures became clear, not only Bai Jingteng was shocked, but Li Yuntao was also shocked. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the man and woman following behind Mu Qingge.

These two people gave him an impression of great power!

’Since when, did Mu have two more people by his side?’ Li Yuntao asked this question in his heart, hating. As for Jing Hai, he had long been automatically ignored.

Mu Qingge casually walked over, Xie Ya also quickly appeared by her side.

In the Dou Family, filled with corpses and blood, among the three factions, her numbers were the fewest, yet they were the ones people dare not underestimate or look down upon.

Seeing Mu Qingge, Bai Jingteng’s eyes flashed, immediately calling out, "Master Mu, if you are willing to lend me a helping hand today, when the dust settles, I am willing to share Haiyu City with you!"

Yet another such promise.

Mu Qingge couldn’t help but slightly raise the corner of her mouth, looking with an indescribable expression at Li Yuntao, whose face had suddenly darkened.

"Bai Jingteng, even now you still wish to struggle in vain?" Li Yuntao yelled at Bai Jingteng, then turned his head to look at Mu Qingge, as if afraid she might suddenly betray him, suddenly shouting, "Master Mu, it’s getting late, how about we act according to our agreement soon?"

This sentence undoubtedly made it clear to Bai Jingteng that there was something shady between him and Mu Qingge.

Bai Jingteng, who originally wanted to make a last-ditch effort to win over Mu Qingge, realized the truth upon hearing this. The hatred in his eyes grew even stronger as he said to Li Yuntao, "Well then! Li Yuntao, I wondered why you suddenly sought outsiders to join, it seems you were waiting for me!"

Li Yuntao’s disdainful smile confirmed Bai Jingteng’s suspicion.

"Then let’s do it." Mu Qingge casually laughed.

Her lazy voice seemed to represent the mood of a spectator—this show was too dull.

Mu Qingge glanced at Xie Ya, and the latter immediately understood, disappearing from everyone’s sight.

As soon as Xie Ya left, Bai Jingteng inexplicably panicked and hurriedly asked, "Where did she go?"

Li Yuntao was also puzzled by this question, as he was unaware of Mu Qingge’s arrangements. It seemed that from beginning to end, after agreeing to cooperate, Mu Qingge’s response to everything was ’okay’, with the only request being tonight’s attack, unwilling to wait any longer.

Mu Qingge smiled and replied, "I haven’t seen Young Master Bai tonight, I was a bit concerned, so I sent a servant to visit, and to see him off on his journey."

During the day, Bai Xiao was rude to Xie Ya, so it was most fitting that Xie Ya personally sent him off.

She spoke lightly, but Bai Jingteng was both furious and shocked at what he heard.

Li Yuntao was also secretly alarmed, discreetly observing Mu Qingge. This red-robed resolute-gentleman, sometimes shrewd, sometimes casual, is it a spur of the moment, or a calculated move?

"Bai Xi, Yin Chen, take action." Mu Qingge said disinterestedly, then folded his arms and stepped aside with Jing Hai.

Bai Xi and Yin Chen had been impatient for a while. Once she gave the order, the two immediately charged forward, launching a massacre.

Li Yuntao saw this and without thinking further, immediately instructed the Li Family members to join the battle.

A new massacre began, with the smell of blood becoming even stronger in the Dou Family’s grounds. Countless wails and terrified shouts echoed through the night sky.

With the addition of Bai Xi and Yin Chen, this battle turned into a one-sided slaughter.

Blood splattered everywhere, as if congealing into a blood rain in the air.

Mu Qingge stood under a tree, indifferently observing, as if admiring the ’post-rain scenery’ amidst the blood and wind. Jing Hai dared not move recklessly and could only stand obediently behind Mu Qingge.

His delicate face had turned pale. The color of his lips was whitish, tightly pressed together, seemingly terrified by the bloody scene before him.

The killing scenes were deeply engraved in the depths of his eyes, shaking his soul.

’The Dou Family of Proud Sea Island City, just vanished like this.’

’The Bai Family, which had dominated Yu City for years, also disappeared in the blink of an eye?’

And all of this was related to the brother he met by chance in the mountains...

No! He’s no longer a brother, but a master, his instructor!

Jing Hai slowly raised his eyes, looking at Mu Qingge’s side profile. At first sight, this astonishingly beautiful face made him feel very pleasant. But now, this still beautiful and serene face made him feel a bit afraid.

"Are you afraid of me?" Suddenly, a question came.

Jing Hai was like being struck by lightning, and when he came back to his senses, he met Mu Qingge’s lowered gaze.

’The instructor’s eyes are very clear, very open...seemingly carrying a sense of clear conscience.’ Under Mu Qingge’s gaze, Jing Hai’s somewhat flustered heart gradually calmed down.

Mu Qingge’s question resonated in his ears.

He instinctively shook his head, lips tightly pressed, explaining, "Disciple...disciple is just not quite used to such scenes yet."

Mu Qingge calmly retracted his gaze, focusing on the slaughter before him.

Among those desperately fighting, at this moment more than one wanted to rush to her side and take her life. However, because of Bai Xi and Yin Chen, they could not succeed, only casting extremely resentful glances at her.

Mu Qingge smiled indifferently and slowly said, "In your heart, do you also think, like those Bai Family members, that I am the root cause of all this? That my presence led to their family’s destruction?"

Jing Hai suddenly lifted his head, his gaze bright as stars looking at Mu Qingge’s back.

He didn’t speak, because he indeed had a bit of this thought. However, contrary to what the master said, he didn’t believe the Bai Family perished because of the master, he just couldn’t understand why the master involved himself in something unrelated to him.

Jing Hai had a quality that Mu Qingge appreciated, which was not concealing his thoughts. Whatever he had in mind, or any confusion he felt, he would directly speak out.

Therefore, after a moment of silence, Jing Hai voiced his perplexity.

Upon hearing his words, a quick arc flashed across Mu Qingge’s lips. She turned her gaze towards the upright young man standing behind her and asked, "Do you think I would help Li Yuntao without sufficient benefit?"

Mu Qingge slowly explained, "The demise of the Bai Family was only a matter of time, because Li Yuntao’s ambition would not allow them to exist. My appearance is just icing on the cake, merely adding fuel to Li Yuntao’s fire. And he happens to need my fire to give him more confidence, to reduce losses, and to stabilize Haiyu City. As for me, what I need are tangible benefits. The cooperation between the two sides is just a matter of each taking what they need. As my disciple, skill is secondary; first and foremost, you must have a mind. At any time, you must place yourself in the most valuable position and clearly know what you want and what your purpose is."

The last sentence struck Jing Hai’s heart like a morning bell, instantly enlightening him!

He seemed to understand why his master, who didn’t need to provide much explanation, was explaining this to him now. The master was teaching him the law of survival in this world, survival of the fittest, the law of the jungle, things he could not learn from his life in Xiaoyu Village.

Understanding Mu Qingge’s meaning, Jing Hai took a deep breath, bowed deeply to Mu Qingge, and said with sincere respect, "Thank you for the guidance, Instructor!"

Seeing that Jing Hai understood her meaning, Mu Qingge said no more.

The two of them seemed like bystanders, watching the slaughter in the night and feeling the air around them filled with the scent of blood. As the number of Bai Family members dwindled, Xie Ya, who had left earlier, returned.

Her plain clothes were spotlessly clean, as ethereal and graceful as always, with extraordinary beauty.

However, the blood-dripping head in her hand added a few more degrees of coldness to her aura.

As soon as Xie Ya appeared, she caught Bai Jingteng’s attention.

And when his gaze fell on the head in her hand, he screamed and fell into madness.

"Not good! He’s going to self-destruct, retreat quickly!" Li Yuntao noticed something wrong with Bai Jingteng and immediately issued a warning, leading the Li Family members quickly backward.

As they retreated, Li Yuntao glanced at Mu Qingge, who was still standing motionless. A malicious thought flashed through his mind—"If she doesn’t retreat in time and gets blown up by the self-destructing energy, all the better!"

But before he could savor this thought, a contemptuous yet childish voice suddenly called out, "Trying to self-destruct in front of this old granny?"

Immediately, Li Yuntao saw a white light flash through and directly send the ball-like Bai Jingteng flying.

Bai Jingteng traced an arc in the sky above the Dou Family.

Before everyone could react, they heard his horrific screams, and before self-destructing, he seemed to be swallowed by something before their very eyes.

This bizarre scene shocked the Li Family members, including Li Yuntao. His eyes flickered incessantly, and his mind raced with thoughts.

Except for Jing Hai, no one noticed Mu Qingge’s fingers quietly hidden within her sleeves.

Jing Hai widened his eyes and stared at his master’s hidden hand. Just as Bai Jingteng was struck into the air, he clearly saw something shooting out from her fingers. As soon as that thing appeared, it seemed to twist the space before them, and then it headed toward Bai Jingteng.

After that, they witnessed Bai Jingteng’s disappearing scene!

Originally about to self-destruct, Bai Jingteng suddenly disappeared just like that?

The remaining members of the Bai Family were dumbfounded, staring blankly at the spot where their Family Head vanished.

Coming to his senses, Li Yuntao immediately rallied the Li Family to once again pounce on the remaining Bai Family members.

Bai Jingteng’s death and Bai Xiao’s head caused the remaining Bai Family members to completely collapse. They lost all power to resist and began to flee in disarray.

Xie Ya dropped the head she was holding and quietly returned to stand behind Mu Qingge, alongside Jing Hai.

Bai Xi and Yin Chen also returned, standing on either side of Mu Qingge.

The remaining situation no longer required their involvement.

"What exactly are your two current strengths?" Mu Qingge softly asked Yin Chen and Bai Xi.

Yin Chen pursed his lips and said, "Not as strong as Qingge."

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly.

Bai Xi, however, said mysteriously, "Well... it’s a secret!"

With one sentence, Mu Qingge slightly raised her head, looking at the gradually setting cold moon. She felt she had indeed asked an unnecessary question.

The aftermath did not require her presence anymore.

She had no interest in continuing to watch Li Yuntao’s bloody massacre of the Bai Family. Without any notification, she led those around her back to the inn.

On the way, Jing Hai and Xie Ya automatically fell behind, leaving the closest positions to Mu Qingge for Bai Xi and Yin Chen.

Bai Xi leaned towards Mu Qingge and asked, "Why did you suddenly take on a disciple?"

Mu Qingge paused slightly, then continued to walk. She seemed to think seriously about Bai Xi’s question and finally nodded, answering, "A momentary interest."

A momentary interest?

Uh!

The playful smile on Bai Xi’s face froze, as if she had heard something unbelievable.

’Did she hear wrong? Mu Qingge, who always has a clear purpose for everything she does, actually took on a disciple out of a momentary interest?’ Bai Xi found her mind unable to process.

She instinctively looked towards Yin Chen, but the latter gave her a cold and proud side glance.

Bai Xi’s gaze hardened.

Although that side glance was charming and flamboyant, it still gave her a strong impulse to punch!

Bai Xi withdrew her gaze from Yin Chen, only to find that Mu Qingge had already walked far ahead. She hurried to catch up, whispering in surprise to Mu Qingge, "Did I hear wrong? Did you say a momentary interest?"

Mu Qingge furrowed her brows slightly, seeming dissatisfied with the explanation she had given.

After a short pause, she blurted out, "In the Middle Ancient Realm, I need a native representative." This answer seemed more credible than the previous one; Mu Qingge unconsciously raised her eyebrows.

"Representative?" A trace of confusion flashed in Bai Xi’s eyes.

She felt that Mu Qingge’s answer still couldn’t satisfy her curiosity.

But just as she was about to continue questioning, Mu Qingge raised her hand to interrupt her. "I’ve already given you the answer. It’s up to you whether you believe it or not."

The cold language clearly revealed her attitude.

Bai Xi immediately shut her mouth obediently but unwillingly turned her gaze to Jing Hai, who was a distance behind. It seemed that she was pondering why this young man, apart from being somewhat gentle-looking, did not look special at all yet caught Mu Qingge’s eye.

"Being nosy."

Just as Bai Xi was looking at Jing Hai, a faint cold snort came from beside her.

Bai Xi’s sharp eyes immediately scanned over, and when she stared at Yin Chen, her dark pupils quickly flickered with a purple-gold light.

Jing Hai felt Bai Xi’s scrutiny.

He found this pretty sister’s gaze frighteningly cold.

"Xie Ya, who are they?" Jing Hai slightly leaned towards Xie Ya, using the faintest tone to inquire quietly.

Besides Mu Qingge, Xie Ya was the person he felt most familiar and close to; instinctively, he would go to her with any questions.

Xie Ya raised her bright eyes, glanced at Bai Xi and Yin Chen’s backs, and silently lowered them again. "A snake and a fox."

"Uh?" Jing Hai was petrified. He looked at Xie Ya in shock, forgetting to move forward.

His mind kept analyzing what ’snake and fox’ could mean.

Xie Ya walked two steps and felt the distance between them increasing, prompting her to turn back and give Jing Hai a puzzled look.

With her gaze, Jing Hai immediately snapped back to reality. He quickly ran up to Xie Ya, unashamedly asking, "Xie Ya, why do you say they’re a snake and a fox?" In his impression, snakes hid in grass, sinister and cold. Foxes were also cunning and changeable. It didn’t seem right for Xie Ya to describe the people around his master with snake and fox.

Facing Jing Hai’s innocent eyes, Xie Ya seriously said, "They are indeed a snake and a fox."

"..." Jing Hai was speechless and choked with silence.

At this moment, he doubted Xie Ya’s statement. Until not long after, he saw Bai Xi and Yin Chen’s true forms and fully understood that Xie Ya hadn’t been wrong; she was stating the plain truth!

A group of five, divided into three pairs, walked under the moonlight within Haiyu City.

Mu Qingge walked at the front, seemingly lost in thought.

She wasn’t thinking of anything else, only pondering Bai Xi’s question.

Why did she accept Jing Hai as a disciple?

Was it to repay the kindness of a meal? Or did she suddenly want to experience the thrill of being a mentor? Or out of sympathy for this boy abandoned by his parents?

For a long time, in her mind, a pair of unyielding eyes were fixed.

Those belonged to Jing Hai.

In the moment he was being beaten by the Dou Family’s servants, his unwavering spirit.

Though she said Jing Hai wasn’t agile and couldn’t judge the situation, in fact, wasn’t what she appreciated precisely this young man’s similar unyielding nature to her own?!

It seemed she finally solved the doubts in her heart.

Mu Qingge’s clear eyes emitted dazzling brilliance.

She looked at the pitch-black sky, the darkest moment before dawn, yet behind this darkness lay the dawn.

...

Back at the inn, Mu Qingge didn’t request two separate rooms for Yin Chen and Bai Xi.

In reality, upon returning to their rooms to rest, Mu Qingge had just sat on the bed cross-legged to cultivate when Bai Xi swiftly turned into a small white snake, darted into Mu Qingge’s collar, and coiled around her neck.

And Yin Chen? Not to be outdone, he transformed into a cute snow fox, with lazy and noble blood-red eyes, jumped into Mu Qingge’s embrace, and wrapped himself in his fluffy fox tail, quietly closing his eyes on Mu Qingge’s lap.

Neither the snake’s nor the fox’s movements escaped Mu Qingge’s spiritual sense, but she acquiesced.

Because Bai Xi and Yin Chen were very savvy about the rules and knew her boundaries.

She entered cultivation, and Yin Chen seemed to enter a state of cultivation too. Gradually, the spiritual energy emanating from Mu Qingge as if drawn, was absorbed by Yin Chen, emitting a faint silver light from his body.

These silver lights then gradually detached from Yin Chen’s body, being absorbed by Mu Qingge.

A peculiar cycle formed between the person and the fox, circulating the exhaled spiritual energy in a large cycle within each other’s bodies.

The white snake nestled in Mu Qingge’s collar suddenly opened its eyes, a flash of brilliance in its purple-gold vertical pupils.

She seriously observed Mu Qingge and Yin Chen, her purple-gold vertical pupils gradually becoming astonished...

As day fully broke, the bloodshed of Haiyu City was cleansed away.

Early in the morning, the news quickly spread among the people that the Dou Family and Bai Family had been wiped out overnight, leaving the Li Family as the sole dominant force in Haiyu City. Those intangible bloodsheds began to permeate Haiyu City.

And Mu Qingge gradually awoke from her cultivation.

As she opened her eyes and exhaled a breath of impure air, a trace of astonishment flashed in her eyes.

"It seems you’ve already sensed something amiss." Bai Xi’s childish voice spoke from the little white snake in Mu Qingge’s collar.

Mu Qingge was startled.

Suddenly, a flash of white light passed, Bai Xi transformed into human form standing in front of Mu Qingge.

And at this moment, Yin Chen also opened his eyes, his blood-red eyes glancing at Bai Xi, then leapt off Mu Qingge’s lap, transforming into human form, his long silver hair moving without wind.

Mu Qingge clenched her fists, looking up at Bai Xi and Yin Chen, slightly surprised in her tone, "I feel my cultivation seems to have accelerated quite a bit."

This accelerated speed gave her a sense of achieving twice the result with half the effort.

As Mu Qingge’s words fell, a hint of surprise also flashed in Yin Chen’s blood-red eyes; he similarly glanced down at his slender fingers.

Bai Xi glanced at him, her tone indistinguishable in cheer or anger, "You two actually reached an integrated breath realm during cultivation, making your cultivation speed naturally twice as fast."

"Integrated breath realm?"

"Integrated breath realm!"

Mu Qingge and Yin Chen exclaimed in confusion simultaneously.

Bai Xi nodded, his eyes carrying a hint of complaint, as he explained to Mu Qingge: "I suspect it might be because of the contract bond between you two, which was strengthened by the power of the Heavenly Tribulation before. So, by coincidence, you’ve entered this state of unified aura and are assisting each other in cultivation."

Those eyes filled with grievance seemed to blame Mu Qingge for not reaching such a state of unified aura with him.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, ignoring her accusing gaze.

She focused on Bai Xi’s explanation, lowering her eyes in deep thought.

After the shock, Yin Chen also looked at Mu Qingge with an attachment that a pet might have for its master within his blood-red eyes.

This gaze was caught by Bai Xi, causing him to shiver involuntarily.

He could simply not accept seeing Yin Chen, in his current form, casting such a pitiful look.

"Entering by coincidence, isn’t there a way to know the opportunity to enter the state of unified aura and gain mastery over it actively? Also, if that’s the case, does that mean that you and I, along with Yuanyuan, can achieve such a result in mutual cultivation?" Mu Qingge suddenly lifted her eyes, looking at Bai Xi with gleaming eyes.

She seemed to have found a shortcut for cultivation!

If this theory could be realized, then the four of them cultivating together could achieve four times the speed of cultivation!

What an alarming number that would be!

Mu Qingge’s bold idea left Bai Xi stunned. It also took Yin Chen by surprise.

After Bai Xi had fully digested her words, he murmured, "Should I say you’re greedy or bold?"

Mu Qingge, however, looked at him with bright eyes and asked, "Just tell me, is there any possibility of this?"

Her seriousness informed Bai Xi that this wasn’t a joke.

Slowly putting away his stunned expression, Bai Xi nodded slowly, "Give me some time to think about it."

The absence of refusal implied hope!

Mu Qingge gave a bright smile, unabashedly saying, "Then it’s all on you, Bai Xi."

"Thank you, little snake," suddenly, Yin Chen sincerely looked at Bai Xi and said.

This time, he didn’t call out Bai Xi’s loathed nickname, ’gluttonous snake.’ But the phrase ’little snake’ spoken from his mouth only incited the murderous intent within Bai Xi even further.

Just as her killing intent was about to take form, Mu Qingge suddenly appeared between them, coughing gently into her fist, "Ahem, the heavens have dawned. No wonder I’m feeling a bit hungry." She said, curling her lips while looking at Bai Xi and Yin Chen, smiling warmly, "Do you two need to have breakfast?"

At the mention of food, Bai Xi’s eyes instantly lit up, her killing intent dissipating into nothing, and she immediately shouted, "Yes!"

"No," a different answer rang out at the same time.

Bai Xi frowned, looked at the uncooperative Yin Chen, and snorted coldly, "If you don’t want to eat, go play elsewhere! Don’t affect my appetite!"

Yin Chen coldly glanced at her, unafraid, and uttered, "Rest assured, no one can affect your appetite."

"Yin Chen, since you’re not eating, go prepare some food for us outside," Mu Qingge seized the opportunity to speak, preventing Bai Xi from getting angry.

Yin Chen gracefully departed, and only after his silhouette disappeared did Mu Qingge feel a slight headache.

She simply couldn’t understand why Yin Chen loved to mock Bai Xi so much. The two seemed as if they really held grudges from a past life.

Mu Qingge suddenly looked at Bai Xi seriously and asked, "Bai Xi, in one of your past lives before you reincarnated, did you devour a certain Fox Clan?"

Bai Xi’s expression stiffened, her brows knitted slightly, seemingly deep in thought.

However, in less than an instant, she impatiently replied, "I’ve eaten plenty of things, who remembers whether I’ve eaten fox meat?"

...

When Li Yuntao appeared again, it was already past noon.

The affairs of Haiyu City were not something Mu Qingge would manage or wanted to care about. Therefore, she didn’t go inquiring as to how Li Yuntao had pacified Haiyu City so swiftly that the people of this city acknowledged his hegemonic status.

Yet when Li Yuntao saw Bai Xi and Yin Chen beside Mu Qingge again, his expression paled slightly, and however much reluctance was in his heart, he could only let it fade away.

The scene of Mu Qingge taking down the Dou Family’s patriarch was enough to shock him.

Furthermore, the sudden appearance of these two beside her made him feel they were unfathomable.

The aura surrounding them gave him a strong sense of crisis. Instinct and experience told him that he must not provoke them.

Originally, his plan was to eliminate the Bai Family through Mu Qingge’s hand and then quietly dispose of her, as Mu Qingge’s ambition made him feel pained.

But now, with the unintended exposition of Mu Qingge’s cards, he dared not act recklessly.

Because a slight misstep could lead the Li Family to follow in the footsteps of the Dou and Bai families!

Carefully scheming in his heart while dealing with Haiyu City’s affairs, Li Yuntao then came to see Mu Qingge at the inn.

Upon meeting, Li Yuntao pushed a deed and a key in front of Mu Qingge.

Upon Mu Qingge’s slight raise of her brow, he carefully explained, "This originally was a villa by the Bai Family, built beside a hot spring for leisure and amusement. Its setup is extremely luxurious and elaborate, crafted by countless skilled craftsmen. Now it belongs to Young Master Mu, a place to stay in Haiyu City." 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Mu Qingge’s mouth curled into a playful smile, not rejecting Li Yuntao’s goodwill.

Upon insistence, Li Yuntao relaxed a bit and said to Mu Qingge, "As for some of the Dou Family’s former shops, business locations... Although Young Master Mu has magnanimously stated not to take them, Li feels it best to divide some to Young Master Mu."

Mu Qingge’s smile deepened.

She said playfully, "Now I own a villa and some shops in this Haiyu City, along with the half of taxes and minerals agreed upon... It seems I truly deserve the name ’Mu Bancheng’ now."

Li Yuntao’s expression froze, a flash of pain crossing the depths of his eyes.

His response was swift, "Bancheng is great! Why not name Young Master Mu’s villa ’Bancheng Villa’ then!"

Mu Qingge’s smile grew even more playful, she said lightly, "But I’m not really capable of managing all the shops and businesses in the city myself."

"No need to worry, Young Master Mu. If you trust Li, you can entrust the Li Family to manage everything. The annual profits will be added to the taxes and minerals and delivered to Young Master Mu together," Li Yuntao said.

Mu Qingge smiled and said, "Since City Lord Li says so, I won’t stand on ceremony." A ’City Lord Li’ compliment immediately dissipated much of the resentment in Li Yuntao’s heart.

Yes! As long as Haiyu City is his, he is the king!

As for Mu Qingge...

At most, she’s just a Divine Dragon, a figurehead prince who appears and disappears.

The latest interest division of Haiyu City ended in a situation where everyone was pleased.

Mu Qingge, unwittingly drawn into this conflict, became the biggest beneficiary.

"But Young Master Mu, how should I deliver the annual income to you?" Li Yuntao cautiously asked, seemingly trying to probe into Mu Qingge’s background.

Mu Qingge, however, had prepared in advance and said, "Don’t worry about that. Once the things are ready each year, someone will come with my token to collect them."

A skillful move in Tai Chi blocked Li Yuntao’s intentions.

With a bitter smile, Li Yuntao left, and the more he failed to comprehend Mu Qingge’s background, the less daring he was with any intentions.

After Li Yuntao’s departure, Mu Qingge didn’t go to the ’Bancheng Villa’ that belonged to her. She merely put away the deed and key and took out the Le Family’s materials from Yu Shui City, carefully reviewing them before destroying them.

Standing by the window in her room, admiring the sunset over Haiyu City, Jing Hai entered with tea.

He stood behind Mu Qingge, seemingly contemplating whether to speak and interrupt.

Yet before he could decide, Mu Qingge’s voice reached him, "With matters in Haiyu City resolved, I’m leaving. Are you sure you want to follow me? Once you leave, you might never return to that peaceful fishing village, and you’ll tread a path of no return."

Jing Hai blinked his innocent eyes, saying, "Instructor, where do we go next?"

Those words made Mu Qingge’s lips twitch nearly imperceptibly.

She turned to face Jing Hai, and against the light, she seemed to radiate a golden glow or was shrouded in shadow. At this moment, in Jing Hai’s eyes, she transformed into an unattainable idol, the ’idol’ he would look up to and respect for life, and she spoke to him slowly, "Yu Shui City!"