Chapter 639: Chapter 74: What I Want Is Your Life!

After so many years, Sang Lanruo’s heart once again felt a pain that seemed to penetrate her bones.

It was even more painful than when she received the news of her husband’s death in battle back in the day. Nineteen years of longing had finally led her to see the daughter she had thought of day and night, only to suddenly realize that to her daughter... she was merely a stranger.

’I’m used to handling my own matters myself.’

Mu Qingge’s words echoed in Sang Lanruo’s ears for a long time, piercing her heart like arrows. ’Is she blaming me for years of neglect and indifference? Is she telling me that she’s no longer the child who used to cling to her mother?’

Sang Lanruo grabbed her collar tightly, her fingers faintly turning pale.

Her tightly bitten lips already had traces of blood, yet she was oblivious, only staring at Mu Qingge filled with guilt.

"There’s no point in more words, Mu Luofeng, come out," Mu Qingge said to Mu Luofeng.

Mu Luofeng suddenly felt a chill down his spine and said to her, "What do you want to do?"

Mu Qingge sneered, "What? You think you can just walk away from what you’ve done?"

"No! It wasn’t me!" Mu Luofeng refuted helplessly. At this moment, his continuous denial, his persistence, had become disgraceful after Su Nuannuan’s appearance.

"Luofeng! Be honest with me, did you commit this shameful act? Did you defile Miss Su’s purity?" Mu Chen angrily reprimanded.

He was truly disappointed, so disappointed that he didn’t know how to scold Mu Luofeng.

"Uncle, you must believe me..." Mu Luofeng’s eyes flickered, not even daring to look at Mu Chen.

"Look into my eyes and speak!" Mu Chen shouted at him. His stern voice made Mu Luofeng finally gather the courage to look up at him, yet he couldn’t hide the guilt in his eyes.

Mu Chen captured that slight guilt, allowing him to understand the truth in his heart.

He painfully stated, "If it’s true that you did all of this, today, you must apologize to Young Master Qingge in front of everyone. You must accept punishment or penalty without resistance. As for Miss Su, I will decide that you marry her, and you must be devoted to her without any betrayal, or else I will not spare you."

"What! Uncle, you want me to bow to Mu Qingge? And marry someone who’s fallen from grace?" Mu Luofeng exclaimed in surprise.

"Don’t expect me to marry the shameless person who defiled my purity. I just want to kill him with my own hands to avenge myself!" Su Nuannuan’s eyes turned red as she voiced her opposition after hearing Mu Chen’s words.

Both spoke simultaneously, and Mu Luofeng’s words ’fallen from grace’ almost pierced her so much, she wanted to rush over and tear the flesh off his body.

Mu Qingge sneered, "Mu Chen, isn’t your solution a bit too straightforward?"

Mu Chen’s expression showed a trace of struggle, and he said to Mu Luofeng, "Shut up! At this point, what else do you want to say?" Saying that, he grabbed Mu Luofeng’s hand and said to Mu Qingge, "Today, I’ll sever one of his hands as an apology to Young Master Qingge." He wanted to save Mu Luofeng’s life, but Mu Luofeng couldn’t grasp his good intentions.

"Uncle, you’re crazy! You can’t cut off my hand. If you sever my hand, how can I continue cultivating? How can I lead the Mu Clan back to its peak?" Mu Luofeng exclaimed in fear, struggling desperately to withdraw his hand.

Mu Chen closed his eyes in pain.

A person who committed such a serious crime as Mu Luofeng did... Why speak of leading the Mu Clan back to its peak? Just saving his life was already considering their years of companionship.

In the competition for the position of the Mu Clan’s Young Master, Mu Luofeng had already lost his eligibility; could he not see this?

Those of the Mu Clan lineage could never endorse someone with a blemish on their character for the position of Young Master, let alone against Mu Qingge who was right there.

"Mu Chen! Dare you act against me? Don’t forget, I am your master! Instead of protecting me, you actually conspire with outsiders to harm me. Are you loyal to me? To the Mu Clan? I understand, I understood long ago... You just favor that boy and despise me, right? You can’t wait to see me dead and then pledge allegiance to him, is that it? Hmph, you’re all a bunch of traitors, what Mu Clan, what loyalty, just a bunch of bastards!" Mu Luofeng cursed recklessly in desperation, unable to break free.

His words initially targeted Mu Chen, alienating Mu Peng and others from him. But later, when he insulted the Mu Clan, their fury was immediately ignited.

While Mu Luofeng cursed the Mu Clan, Mu Chen suddenly opened his eyes and shouted, "Shut up!" His other hand swiftly rose, golden spiritual power entwined on his palm, yet halting above Mu Luofeng’s forehead.

That palm strike, if unleashed, would probably kill Mu Luofeng by bleeding through his seven orifices.

’Golden Realm!’ Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed. She observed Mu Chen revealing his cultivation level and pondered: ’If this old thing wants to stop me from killing, I might have to release Hou to stand firm.’

She never considered that this was Sang Family territory, and despite their downfall, they surely had Golden Realm experts stationed here. Nor did she think of seeking help from the Sang Family if faced with obstacles.

Mu Chen’s hand, though not yet fallen, had scared Mu Luofeng into consciousness.

His face turned pale, and he dropped to his knees on the ground, begging him, "Uncle, I was wrong! Luofeng admits his mistake. I shouldn’t have said that. Luofeng promises you, as long as you don’t cut off my hand, I will definitely amend my ways, focus on cultivation, and not let you down. Please save me, I don’t want to lose my hand!"

"I don’t want your hand," said Mu Qingge coldly after watching for a long time.

Her words made Mu Luofeng stop crying, and Mu Chen also turned to look at her.

Mu Qingge turned her gaze, her clear eyes gleamed with a cold, indifferent light, and she said firmly, "What I want is your life."

What I want is your life!

The seven words were said so casually, yet they hit the hearts of everyone present like stones.

Sang Yichen was so moved by Mu Qingge’s arrogant demeanor that he showed a hint of admiration. King Sang Shun looked at Mu Qingge with a more inquisitive and thoughtful gaze.

Both Mu Chen and Mu Peng were stunned, a sense of powerlessness rising from their hearts.

In Su Nuannuan’s heart, however, there was a sense of satisfaction.

"No! You can’t kill me!" Mu Luofeng crawled up from the ground and backed away.

Mu Qingge ignored him and instead spoke to the High Priest, "Among the Mu Clan candidates, they are competitors, leading to a result where it’s either you die or I perish, isn’t that right?"

The High Priest smiled faintly, the wisdom in his eyes already understanding Mu Qingge’s purpose.

He stepped forward, addressing Mu Qingge respectfully, "Yes, Young Master."

"Who are you?" Mu Peng asked.

The High Priest raised his eyes to him, smiled faintly, and replied, "You may call me the Descendant, or the Tianluo One."

"You are the Tianluo One!" Mu Peng’s tone was filled with shock.

As descendants of the Mu Clan, both he and Mu Chen knew what the Tianluo One represented. They knew that there was once a Tianluo One who followed the Mu Clan’s direct lineage to the direction of Linchuan.

However, they never expected that the Tianluo One, who held a special status in the Mu Clan, had already acknowledged Mu Qingge as their master and was even accompanying her.

Mu Peng was shocked, and so was Mu Chen.

He withdrew his hand and respectfully bowed to the High Priest, "Mu Chen greets the Tianluo One." The Tianluo One, the Tianluo One... In the Mu Clan, the Tianluo One is practically a figure of supreme authority!

Tianluo One?

King Sang Shun listened silently on the side, feeling unfamiliar with the term. Meanwhile, he also sensed the uniqueness of this granddaughter.

The High Priest nodded slightly; his status was enough to maintain his dignity before Mu Chen and the others.

"If that’s the case, can he refuse my challenge at this moment?" Mu Qingge asked again.

The High Priest slowly shook his head, smiling, "He cannot refuse, otherwise he will lose his qualification to compete."

"Very well." Mu Qingge’s mouth curved into a mocking smile as she looked at Mu Luofeng.

Mu Luofeng also understood that he couldn’t refuse Mu Qingge’s challenge. If he did refuse, it would mean losing everything he currently had and being reverted to his original state.

’I have mastered skills, even if I leave, what is there to fear?’ Mu Luofeng comforted himself internally.

Without consulting Mu Chen or the others, he directly said, "I refuse! I won’t fight you!"

Mu Chen and Mu Peng turned to him in disbelief.

They couldn’t believe Mu Luofeng didn’t even have the courage to battle! Such a coward, is he really of Mu Family bloodline?

Having shouted this, Mu Luofeng immediately straightened his back and said to Mu Chen and Mu Peng, "What are you looking at? From now on, I have nothing to do with any of you. Do you still want to control me?"

With that, he looked at a few guards and said to them, "Whoever wants to come with me, I promise you will enjoy wealth and beauty in the future, rather than hiding in the wilderness with coarse meals and tough living."

He actually wanted to incite Mu Chen’s guards to defect with him!

Unfortunately, none of those guards moved and only looked at him with disdain.

"I’m afraid you can’t guarantee anything," Mu Qingge said, her clear eyes full of sarcasm.

Mu Luofeng was startled, looking at her and anxiously said, "What do you want to do? I’ve already refused your challenge, and I’m not competing with you for the position of the Mu Clan Young Master anymore. What else do you want?"

"Are you thinking the problem is too simple?" Mu Qingge sneered, slowly approaching him. At this time, the guards who originally surrounded and protected him all withdrew from their positions, making way for Mu Qingge, even Mu Chen and Mu Peng only stood silently without saying a word.

Mu Qingge’s gradual approach made Mu Luofeng sense something was amiss.

"Without that layer of status, it’s even easier for me to kill you." Mu Qingge stepped in front of him, coldly speaking these words to him. "I don’t even have to bother with a challenge."

"You!" Mu Luofeng’s eyes widened, unwilling to believe everything Mu Qingge said.

However, Mu Qingge didn’t give him another chance. She suddenly struck, grabbing Mu Luofeng’s lapel, and forcefully flung him, directly swinging him up and throwing him behind her.

"Ah—!" In mid-air, Mu Luofeng’s cry of shock echoed.

He crashed heavily in the middle of the Sang Family’s plaza, far from the protection of Mu Chen and the others. Mu Qingge’s strength was not small; with this throw, Mu Luofeng’s spine nearly broke upon landing, and even the ground beneath him shattered.

This throw was truly satisfying!

Even the unrelated members of the Sang Family felt a great sense of relief!

Mainly because Mu Luofeng was truly hateful and annoying.

Moreover, he had no self-awareness.

"Ah... my bones..." Mu Luofeng lay on the ground, wailing. In Mu Qingge’s hands, he didn’t even have the strength to resist.

Su Nuannuan saw her enemy right in front of her and wanted to step forward to exact her revenge but was held back by Jiang Li. "Don’t rush, it’s not your turn yet." Her lovely Qingge hadn’t finished yet; how could she let Su Nuannuan kill this guy with one stroke?

Su Nuannuan restrained her steps, gripping the sword hilt, her hatred made the long sword tremble slightly.

In the midst of Mu Luofeng’s wailing, Mu Qingge turned slowly. In a flash, she moved from her previous position to beside Mu Luofeng.

She stood with her hands behind her back, looking down at Mu Luofeng lying on the ground, her clear eyes revealing disdain and coldness.

She stepped forward, landing on Mu Luofeng’s wrist.

"Ah!" His wrist was suddenly stepped on, and Mu Luofeng let out a scream like a pig being slaughtered.

Mu Qingge, however, coldly chuckled, spiritual power poured in from the sole of her foot, forcefully entering Mu Luofeng’s body.

Suddenly, the sound of an explosion came from Mu Luofeng’s body.

Between his legs, a blood flower burst in front of everyone. Immediately, Mu Luofeng’s extremely painful screams echoed throughout the wide estate of the Sang Family.

This vicious move made the young men present involuntarily clench their legs and look at Mu Qingge with pale faces, their eyes full of fear.

Yet Mu Qingge seemed totally unaware of how shocking her actions were at this moment.

She exerted force again through her foot, this time pouring even more spiritual power into Mu Luofeng’s body.

Bang, bang, bang—!

One blood flower after another burst everywhere on Mu Luofeng’s body. In the end, he didn’t even have the strength to scream, only able to continuously spit out blood foam.

"Just kill me—! Kill me!" Mu Luofeng, unable to bear the pain, shouted at Mu Qingge with his last ounce of strength.

Mu Chen couldn’t bear it, and said, "If you want to kill him, just kill him, why torment him like this?"

Mu Qingge merely replied indifferently, "I heard he also offended the Sang Family, since I’m using the Sang Family’s place and preventing them from getting their revenge, naturally I must do something to let the Sang Family vent their anger."

These words made King Sang Shun’s eyes sparkle, looking at Mu Qingge with a gaze full of indescribable significance.

"Great! That’s the way to torment him to death!" Sang Yichen cheered on from the side. His boss was so mighty!

Sang Lanruo was also taken aback, the previous feeling of humiliation when teased by Mu Luofeng flooded her heart again.

"Mother, sister is venting for you." Sang Xuewu whispered in her ear.

Sang Lanruo tightly pressed her lips together and nodded slowly. Her gaze towards Mu Qingge was incredibly gentle.

"Well done! Well done!"

"Well done!"

The guards of the Sang Family echoed the shout.

The cries from the crowd left Mu Chen speechless, and he looked at Mu Luofeng’s miserable state, as if he had instantly aged several years.

Amidst these calls, Mu Qingge lowered her eyes, looked at the bloodstained Mu Luofeng, and softly asked, "Do you want to die?"

Mu Luofeng looked at her in horror, feeling as if the Mu Qingge before him had transformed into a devil—merciless and inhumane! If he were to endure such torture continuously, he’d rather die peacefully.

Mu Luofeng desperately nodded, preferring death over further torment.

Mu Qingge, however, smiled at him like a demon, "Confess the truth, and I promise not to torture you anymore."

"I... I’ll talk... I’ll talk..." Mu Luofeng hurriedly said, "It was me. I was jealous of you for winning the servant and being surrounded by beauties, and upon hearing Mu Chen and Mu Peng discuss that you excel in everything over me, I felt unwilling and wanted to cause you trouble. Then, I encountered the young lady of the Su Family. I had always had an interest in her, and seeing her enter the reeds alone, I intended to defile her, so I could satisfy my wishes and frame you for it. With luck, you might even die at the hands of the Su and Yan families. It was all me, all my doing! Kill me, just stop torturing me, I can’t take it anymore!"

He finally admitted, finally revealed what happened that day.

Su Nuannuan couldn’t stop her tears, and the complex emotions overwhelmed Mu Chen and the others.

In contrast, the falsely accused Mu Qingge showed no signs of joy from clearing the accusation, as if Mu Luofeng’s confession meant nothing to her.

She looked at Mu Chen and said, "This skill for wrongdoing, you taught him, didn’t you?"

Mu Chen’s body trembled, his eyes painfully shut. After a moment, he slowly spoke, "Mu Peng, destroy his cultivation."

Although, at this moment, stripping his cultivation might no longer matter, he understood Mu Qingge’s intention was to torment Mu Luofeng and gradually reclaim what he had.

Mu Peng’s face tightened as he walked towards Mu Luofeng, and under Mu Luofeng’s terrified gaze, he struck his dantian with a palm, shattering the place storing spiritual power and destroying all his cultivation.

"Ah—!" Mu Luofeng let out a painful scream. The agony of having his cultivation stripped surpassed any torment he previously suffered from Mu Qingge.

It was not only physical pain but also the agony of seeing years of effort destroyed.

"Mu Qingge, you lied to me! You said if I admitted everything, you wouldn’t torture me anymore!" Mu Luofeng lay on the ground like a dead dog, unable to move, venting his hatred with angry words.

However, Mu Qingge calmly replied, "I only said I wouldn’t torture you. Just now, it wasn’t by my hand." After speaking, she smiled at him.

This smile sent chills down Mu Luofeng’s spine.

He regretted it, regretted provoking Mu Qingge and antagonizing her!

"Miss Su, it’s your turn." Mu Qingge looked at Su Nuannuan and said.

Su Nuannuan finally awaited this moment, she stepped forward with her sword, and as she passed by Mu Qingge, the latter whispered in her ear, "He has already lost his cultivation, his meridians are shattered, even immortals can’t save him, don’t be afraid."

Su Nuannuan lifted her head, gratefully looking at her, nodding firmly.

Only then did Mu Peng, standing nearby, realize why Mu Qingge went through the needless task of stripping Mu Luofeng’s cultivation—she wanted to ensure Su Nuannuan’s safety during her revenge.

She passed by Su Nuannuan and stopped beside Jiang Li.

Jiang Li chuckled lowly, teasing, "You’re quite meticulous." Being Mu Qingge’s close confidant, how could she not see through her intention behind stripping Mu Luofeng’s cultivation?

But Mu Qingge simply smiled softly, "I promised her that once Mu Luofeng was caught, I would let her decide his fate, naturally I must ensure her comprehensive protection."

"Ah, you—like this. I might not be able to resist falling in love with you, let alone those other women who don’t know the situation?" Jiang Li shook her head helplessly.

Mu Qingge had an enchantment that could easily make both men and women irresistibly drawn to her.

Su Nuannuan approached Mu Luofeng, glaring fiercely at the man who brought her so much harm. Now, finally able to exact revenge, the resentment bottled up within her surged to be released.

"Ah—!" she shouted as if venting, her hands grasping the sword hilt, raising it high, and fiercely stabbing towards Mu Luofeng’s body.

She did not choose vital spots but targeted areas that wouldn’t cause immediate death.

Seemingly inspired by Mu Qingge, she too wanted to ruthlessly torment Mu Luofeng before ultimately killing him.

"Ah—! You bitch..." Mu Luofeng truly experienced what it’s like to be stabbed into a sieve. However, his mouth mercilessly provoked Su Nuannuan, seemingly wanting to anger her enough to deliver a fatal blow.

But, Su Nuannuan turned a deaf ear to his insults and continued stabbing him relentlessly.

The bloody scene stimulated the senses of everyone present, drawing in many members of the Sang Family.

Upon seeing the scene unfolding in the square, many couldn’t help but vomit.

...

Mu Luofeng was still dead, not from a lethal strike, but from his body being minced into a pulp. Yet, even though his flesh had been ground to bits, exposing the bone structure, Su Nuannuan kept stabbing, seemingly tireless.

Blood had already stained her entire body, her hands were numb, but the hatred in her heart had not yet been vented.

The Sang Family’s square had fallen silent.

Mu Chen and Mu Peng couldn’t bear to look at Mu Luofeng’s miserable state and turned their heads away, closing their eyes.

King Sang Shun looked at Mu Qingge, seeing her expression indifferent, without the slightest discomfort. He thought to himself: ’This child, heartless enough, calm enough, smart enough, courageous enough... a good seed.’

Once Su Nuannuan was done venting, Mu Qingge instructed Xuan Ya and Xie Ya: "Take Miss Su away, find her a place to settle in the city."

Xuan Ya and Xie Ya immediately stepped forward and helped the exhausted Su Nuannuan away, going back to the Spiritual Beast Car outside the gate.

Mei Zizhong then said to Mu Qingge: "I’ll go and have a look."

Mu Qingge nodded.

Mei Zizhong followed after the three of them.

After they left, Mu Qingge then said to King Sang Shun: "Thank you, Sang Family Head, for lending the place today. Since the matter is resolved, I’ll take my leave first."

She’s leaving?

King Sang Shun’s eyes narrowed sharply, his deep eyes fixed on her.

Hearing that Mu Qingge was leaving, Sang Lanruo also panicked, and with the support of Sang Xuewu, walked over. Sang Yichen, seeing this, quickly stepped forward to support her other hand.

Mu Qingge’s clear gaze swept over Sang Lanruo, and she said to the Sang Family Head: "I dirtied your place today, I’ll come to visit and apologize another time."

This statement already indicated that she would leave today but return to the Sang Family in the future.

At that time, it would be about the matter between her and Sang Lanruo.

The matter between them?

To Mu Qingge, it was indeed about Mu Liancheng!

King Sang Shun nodded slowly and said, "Alright, I’ll be waiting for you at the mansion."

Mu Qingge smiled faintly, ignoring the approaching Sang Lanruo, and walked in the direction of Mu Chen.

Suddenly appearing in front of him, Mu Chen was somewhat dazed but still joined the others in saluting her, calling out, "Young Master Qingge."

"How about leaving together?" Mu Qingge invited.

Mu Chen was taken aback, not responding immediately.

It was Mu Peng who timely reminded, "Great Elder!"

Mu Chen came back to his senses and said to Mu Qingge, "I’ll follow Young Master Qingge’s arrangement."

Mu Qingge nodded, turned, and left. Behind her were Jiang Li, the High Priest, as well as Mu Chen, Mu Peng, and others.

...

After Mu Qingge left, Sang Lanruo was taken back to her residence.

She, alone, walked down to the ice cellar, knelt beside Mu Liancheng, and finally allowed the tears she had held back to fall freely.

"Liancheng, I met our daughter. But, she doesn’t want to acknowledge me as her mother. I feel like such a failure, I’ve been so wrong, what should I do? How can I make her forgive me?" Sang Lanruo collapsed onto Mu Liancheng, pouring out her heartache.

She was well aware that she owed Mu Qingge, hence she didn’t know how to break the barrier between mother and daughter.

At this moment, burdened with emotions, she could only confide in her husband.

After a while, Sang Xuewu came to the ice cellar, looking at her mother painfully. She said softly, "Mother, Grandfather is here. He... came to ask about Sister’s matters."

Sang Lanruo, immersed in her sorrow, stopped crying when she heard this sentence.

She staggered to stand up, and Sang Xuewu quickly stepped forward to support her. However, she straightened her back, rejecting her daughter’s help, and wiped the tears off her face.

"Let’s go." Sang Lanruo walked decisively towards the exit of the ice cellar.

Sang Xuewu stood dazed, watching her mother become someone different. How long had it been since she last saw her mother like this? In her memory, such a mother only appeared when she and Yichen were very young and bullied by some people in the clan.

At that time, her mother was a towering figure in her heart. Protecting them like a mother beast!

Sang Lanruo went to the front courtyard. Her father, the Sang Family Head, King Sang Shun, was sitting in the room, drinking tea with Sang Yichen beside him. Faced with this stern family head grandfather, Sang Yichen and Sang Xuewu were somewhat uneasy.

He poured tea for King Sang Shun and then stood properly to the side, eyes and mind focused respectfully.

Only when Sang Lanruo entered did he seem freed, calling out, "Mother!"

King Sang Shun put down his tea cup, turned to look at his daughter. The chilling aura emanating from her body, along with the deathly air gathered between her eyebrows, made him frown.

"Lanruo, how long are you going to continue to torment yourself?" King Sang Shun immediately reprimanded.

Sang Lanruo did not respond, only asking, "What brings the Family Head here?"

"I’m your father!" King Sang Shun responded sternly.

Sang Lanruo turned her gaze aside, pursing her lips and remaining silent.

King Sang Shun sighed helplessly and said, "Are you still blaming me? Blaming me for ordering people to bring you back at all costs back then?"

"If it weren’t for your orders at that time, those who came to find me wouldn’t have lied to me, saying Liancheng could still be saved, causing me to abandon my husband’s family, abandon my young daughter, and return to the Middle Ancient Realm. They wouldn’t even let me inform the Mu Family." Sang Lanruo’s voice carried resentment.

King Sang Shun slowly shook his head.

So many years have passed, who can clearly say who was right or wrong? Faced with his daughter’s lack of understanding, he could only say, "If you hadn’t come back, Mu Liancheng would probably have already turned into a pile of bones. How could he still maintain his flesh body till now?"

"Then why not let me inform the Mu Family, let me and Qingge meet once? I know they hope that after I disappear, in the hearts of the Mu Family, I am already dead. Also, cutting off my thoughts of returning to the Mu Family!" Sang Lanruo’s voice suddenly increased.

"Enough!" King Sang Shun slapped the table. He said in a deep voice, "The past is past, the people who brought you back, I also severely punished them to let you vent. It’s been nineteen years, those three have all died for the Sang Family, what more do you want? Do you still want to keep entangling with it?"

Painful struggle flashed in Sang Lanruo’s eyes, but she said nothing more.

Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen stood silently on the side, eager to leave yet afraid to do so.

"You two little ones, go out first." King Sang Shun suddenly said.

Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen exchanged glances, worrying about their mother. They, of course, believed that their grandfather wouldn’t harm their mother, only fearing that the conversation between mother and grandfather would end unhappily.

Sang Lanruo didn’t respond to King Sang Shun’s words, as though consenting by default.

Sang Xuewu pulled Sang Yichen and left the secluded small courtyard.

Walking farther, Sang Yichen said to Sang Xuewu, "I don’t know what Grandfather wants to say to Mother... why don’t we go find Big Sister first?"

Sang Xuewu shook her head, "Since Big Sister said she would come back, let’s not disturb her for now."

"Then how long do we have to wait?" Sang Yichen said irritably.

Sang Xuewu confidently said, "Just these few days, be patient."

Sang Yichen’s eyes lit up, and he said to Sang Xuewu, "Why don’t we just take this opportunity to propose to Grandfather that we change our surname back to Mu and return to Linchuan to visit Grandfather?"

Sang Yichen’s proposal stirred a sense of interest in Sang Xuewu.

However, she always considered the bigger picture. She pressed her lips together and said, "Let’s not rush. Wait until Eldest Brother has seen Mother first. If we bring this up now, what if we anger Grandfather and he deliberately makes things difficult when Eldest Brother arrives?"

Sang Yichen nodded, "Then we’ll wait until everything has settled, and we’ll discuss it then?"

Sang Xuewu looked at him and nodded seriously.

In the courtyard, King Sang Shun calmed down and said to Sang Lanruo, "Today, the young master from the Mu Family who appeared, he is the child you left behind with the Mu Family in Linchuan, isn’t he?"

Without waiting for Sang Lanruo to respond, he added, "Don’t think of trying to hide it from me. I’ve seen the Illusionary Artifact you crafted."

Everything had already been seen through.

Sang Lanruo could only admit, "Yes."

"That child is not bad," King Sang Shun said.

"What do you intend to do?" Sang Lanruo looked at him warily, her eyes full of caution. She knew her father too well; all his considerations were always family interests first.

Back then, she was brought back because of a family marriage alliance.

If she hadn’t returned with her husband and was pregnant, she might have been forced into a bridal sedan by now.

"Hmph, what do you think I intend to do?" King Sang Shun said unpleasantly.

Being viewed with suspicion by his own daughter was not a pleasant experience.

Sang Lanruo’s expression turned slightly cold, "Xuewu and Yichen were raised by the Sang Family, and if you want them to contribute to the Sang Family, I won’t interfere. But Ge’er has never received any favor from the Sang Family. Between us, I owe her, she owes me nothing. Don’t think of binding her to the Sang Family to work for you!"

"Nonsense! Is that the kind of person I am in your eyes?" King Sang Shun angrily retorted. "She is your daughter, therefore my granddaughter. As a grandfather, would I harm my own granddaughter?"

Sang Lanruo mockingly said, "In the face of family, you can abandon all familial bonds."

King Sang Shun stood up in anger and paced back and forth in front of Sang Lanruo. Eventually, full of resentment, he said, "If I were as heartless as you say, I wouldn’t have cared about your deceased husband back then. I would’ve ordered the child in your belly terminated and stuffed you into the bridal sedan to marry into the Ying Family!"

"Liancheng isn’t dead!" Sang Lanruo argued.

King Sang Shun, not wanting to be entangled in this issue, continued, "Do you know how much the Sang Family had to compensate the Ying Family to annul the engagement so you could live the peaceful life you wanted? Over the years, all the precious medicinal materials and rare treasures you’ve used on Mu Liancheng came from the Sang Family."

"I exchanged them by refining artifacts for the Sang Family," Sang Lanruo said.

King Sang Shun sighed, "Over the years, your thoughts have been entirely on him. Your innate talents have long been worn out. Do you think the weapons you refine are getting better? To this day, you haven’t been able to refine a single Divine Artifact."

King Sang Shun’s words pierced Sang Lanruo’s heart. Her expression turned complicated as she said, "I know I’ve owed the Sang Family, so you can command me as you wish this lifetime. If you want me to refine a Divine Artifact, I promise to give you one within six months. But don’t use it as a leverage to make my daughter work for the Sang Family! I won’t allow you to touch her!"

King Sang Shun sighed again and again.

After a moment, he said wistfully, "Indeed, the Sang Family is no longer what it once was, akin to the setting sun beyond the West Mountain. I see potential in that child and hope to groom her as my successor. I only have you as my child. Now, you have no interest in inheriting the Sang Family, so I can only look to your child."

Sang Lanruo looked at her father in shock, and after a long while, she shook her head, "She wouldn’t agree. She’s a Mu Family person; she won’t become the head of the Sang Family."

She suddenly knelt down, pleading to King Sang Shun, "Father, I beg you. Ge’er has suffered too much, growing up without parents and, due to my arrangements, having to live disguised as a boy. Over more than ten years, who knows how many grievances she’s endured. I can’t bear to see her shoulder the heavy burden of the Sang Family."

"I ask you, does she have the Sang Family’s bloodline?" King Sang Shun lifted her from the ground and asked.

Sang Lanruo lowered her eyes and answered without hesitation, "No."

...

In Fusha City, the events in the Sang Family did not affect the residents.

The inn where Mu Qingge and her group stayed was the same one where Mu Chen and the others had stayed before. This inn, which Mu Luofeng had despised greatly, was nothing to Mu Qingge.

From beginning to end, she remained calm and did not voice any displeasure about the inn’s decorations.

This contrast left Mu Chen and Mu Peng with wistful sighs in their hearts.

Once settled, Mu Qingge brought the High Priest to Mu Chen’s room, where Mu Peng happened to be present as well. Seeing the two come over voluntarily, the two immediately stood up and paid their respects to Mu Qingge and the High Priest.

"Young Master Qingge! Heavenly Exalted One!"

Mu Qingge stepped in, approached the table they were gathered around, and sat down confidently. The High Priest followed her, his face always carrying a faint, unreadable smile.

Mu Qingge gestured to the other seats and said to Mu Chen and Mu Peng, "Sit." Then, she said to the High Priest behind her, "High Priest, you sit too."

The three of them sat around the round table as she directed. Mu Chen and Mu Peng appeared a bit uneasy about Mu Qingge’s sudden visit.

They were people who had split from the Mu Family in the Middle Ancient Realm. Now that Mu Luofeng was dead, they either had to follow Mu Qingge and recognize her as their master or return to the Mu Family, acknowledging Mu Feng as their leader.

Earlier, the two had been discussing this matter.

After all, with their carefully nurtured Mu Luofeng having just died, they were somewhat absent-minded about the discussion.

"Both of you are smart people, so I’ll be straightforward," Mu Qingge began. Her clear eyes swept over Mu Chen and Mu Peng.

Then she slowly said, "Remember, the last time we met, I mentioned the phrase ’a pearl cast in the dark.’

Mu Chen’s body stiffened; of course, he remembered when Mu Qingge had said those words.

"Now that Mu Luofeng is dead, according to the rules, shouldn’t you both belong to me?" Mu Qingge said forcefully.

Mu Chen and Mu Peng exchanged a glance, neither mentioned Mu Feng’s existence or their other option. They just nodded and said, "Yes."

Mu Qingge got the answer she wanted. Her voice suddenly rose, and her tone carried an added authority, "Then why have I not yet heard you pledge your allegiance to me?"

Mu Chen and Mu Peng’s hearts were suddenly struck with a sense of urgency. They immediately stood up and performed the master-servant ritual before Mu Qingge.

In unison, they said, "Young Master!"

With the previous title, two words were dropped, yet it felt more fitting to them than before.

The sense of frustration that had long been suppressed in their hearts poured out entirely.

Mu Qingge nodded slowly and said to the two of them, "Since you have acknowledged me as your master, past grievances will be forgotten. However, I have one rule that you must understand."

"Please tell us, Young Master!" Mu Chen said.

Mu Qingge stood up, placing her hands on the table, leaning slightly forward, and said solemnly, "Remember, you acknowledge me, Mu Qingge, not the Young Master of the Mu Clan."

What did this mean?

Mu Chen and Mu Peng’s eyes simultaneously narrowed, understanding the distinction between the two.

They could have retorted, reminding Mu Qingge of the Mu Clan’s rules. Yet, they didn’t do so. Instead, after she finished speaking, they simply said, "Yes!"

"Young Master, there is one thing I must inform you of," Mu Chen raised his eyes and addressed Mu Qingge.

"Speak," Mu Qingge said.

Mu Chen said, "Even though Mu Luofeng is dead, there is still one challenger to the Young Master. He is Mu Feng, the heir of the Middle Ancient Realm Mu Family!"

Then, he recounted the reasons for leaving the Mu Family to find Mu Luofeng.

After he finished speaking, he carefully observed Mu Qingge’s expression. However, she merely said indifferently, "Don’t worry about it for now. Our top priority is to find the Divine Strategy Middle Volume."

These words made the eyes of Mu Chen and Mu Peng light up.

They asked in unison, "Young Master, have you gotten a clue?"

Mu Qingge nodded, looking at the High Priest, "We’re just waiting for the High Priest to calculate the exact coordinates."

Wonderful!

Mu Chen and Mu Peng suddenly felt a sense of hard-earned relief.

"Prepare yourselves to accompany me to the Sang Family again tomorrow," Mu Qingge suddenly said.