After a while, a young man stood out from the crowd and rode his horse over to Han Yanâs side.
"Brother Han Yan, thereâs something I want to discuss with you," said the youth named Mu Ze, who was only a few years younger than Han Yan and had just advanced to Fifth Rank Swordsman a few days ago. He was considered to have quite a good natural talent.
Because of his considerable strength and his steady temperament, not to mention that his behavior was much more mature than his peersâ, Mu Ze held great influence among his brothers and sisters.
"Go ahead," Han Yan was interrupted in her thoughts but still kept that strange smile on her face.
"This time we go to Xiushui City, with Brother Han Yan leading the team. However, Brother Han Yanâs strength is formidable, and you are the backbone of our team. You shouldnât waste your energy on trivial matters, so I discussed with Xitian, and we thought maybe Brother Han Yan should focus on cultivating and gathering strength, and let me handle the affairs en route, how about that?" Mu Ze suggested.
"Oh? You want to seize power," Han Yan raised her eyelids, questioning.
Though Mu Zeâs words were polite, how could Han Yan not hear the implication behind them?
While she had long noticed their dissatisfaction and their despondency, and was aware that they would not obediently follow her lead, Han Yan still didnât expect that they would try to usurp power so soon after leaving the city. This so-called "power" seemed like childâs play in her eyes.
"Brother Han Yan, you exaggerate my words. I only wished to relieve Brother Han Yan of some worries so that you could concentrate on cultivation," replied Mu Ze, much more maturely than his peers, calmly and without the slightest change of expression.
However nice his words seemed, he still aimed to take power. He was now offering to alleviate Han Yanâs burdens, but perhaps after taking on these burdens, there might be no need for Han Yan to be involved anymore, and they would have to obediently follow his lead.
"What insolence! This mission to Xiu Zhou City is led by Brother Han Yan, and all actions shall be commanded by Brother Han Yan. This was personally ordered by the Family Head and the two Elders. How dare you defy the familyâs command?" Mu Nan certainly caught on to his meaning and angrily rebuked.
"Iâve already told you, I just wanted to alleviate some of Brother Han Yanâs worries, youâre the ones overthinking it," Mu Ze maintained his composure as he spoke.
"Mu Ze, why bother with all this irrelevant talk? Just say it plainly. Brother Han Yan, itâs not that we want to seize power. You heard what the Third Elder said earlier. Although he did not spell it out, who doesnât understand the meaning? Normally, your misconduct and lack of self-examination might slide by in Heishi City, since everyone is wary of your status as the Young Master of the City Lordâs Mansion and dare not express their anger.
But once we leave Heishi City, that Young Master status wonât help, and if you cause another incident, weâll all suffer because of you," said a young man named Mu Xitian as he rode forward aggressively, his words much less polite than Mu Zeâs.
"Exactly, if you were just bullying some common folk, we could still clean up your mess, but do you know what nickname youâve recently earned? âMu Siyi,â âMu Siyi,â do you understand? If you let your lust take over and tear another girlâs clothes, we canât help you," Mu Yuying also rode forward, speaking her mind. Despite being even younger than Han Yan by half a year, this young ladyâs words were sharp and hit right at the most painful spot for Big Playboy Mu.
"And what if I refuse to cede power?" Han Yan didnât argue but instead asked with a faint smile.