In those days, Eldest Young Master Mu, Mu Ruiâan, was a domineering figure in the Capital, carefree and bold as the skies. When speaking of the name "playboy," he was hardly any different from todayâs Mu Hanyan. In fact, if one were to delve into it, Mu Hanyanâs reputation as a playboy, though not entirely baseless, was indeed an inheritance of his behavior.
However, after all, he was no longer young, and Mu Ruiâan had become much more peaceful than before. Remembering that Mu Zipingâs father had ultimately been injured at his own hands and had never recovered since, Mu Ruiâan felt embarrassed to act against a younger generation.
"Naturally, it shall be the family law, strip him of his cultivation!" Mu Ziping said without any hesitation.
His visit to Heishi City wasnât merely to cheer for Mu Yunshui; it was to avenge his fatherâs old grievance of a blade.
Of course, he knew he was no match for Mu Ruiâan, yet what better way to repay a fatherâs debt than to extract some interest from Mu Hanyan first?
Over the years, since his fatherâs severe injury, their branch of the family had fallen greatly in stature. If it werenât for his commendable talents, which multiple elders highly valued, their branch might have already been expelled from the Capital. Thus, his hatred for Mu Ruiâanâs family ran deep.
"What, strip him of his cultivation!" Mu Ze and others were utterly shocked.
The rules of the Mu Family were strict, and significant errors indeed warranted being stripped of cultivation. But Mu Hanyanâs actions surely didnât merit such severe punishment.
Moreover, they had come to sincerely respect Mu Hanyan, and casting aside their prejudices to reassess his so-called reckless behavior, they found that most of it was mere rumors without solid proof. Even if he did bully someone, he bullied the likes of Yuan Tianbo and Fourth Miss Zhao. How could that be considered a fault?
Mu Zipingâs insistence on severe family punishments and stripping of cultivation clearly showed his intention to target Mu Hanyan.
"Hehe, you wish to strip Hanyan of his cultivation?" Mu Ruiâan laughed lightly.
With Mu Hanyanâs current strength, even among the scions of the Eight Great Families of the Capital, he was a prodigious talent seen once in a thousand years. Every family treated such gems as treasures, carefully handling them like delicate eggs and fearing they might dissolve if held in their mouths. He actually wanted to strip Mu Hanyan of his cultivation? If the other elders and tributors of the Mu Family came to know of it, theyâd probably slap him dead.
Unfortunately, without his fatherâs command, he couldnât openly boast about Mu Hanyanâs strength and could only watch Mu Ziping hop around like a clown.
"Mu Ziping, if you want to avenge your father, just say so. Why take such a roundabout way? You just want me to suffer a bit, right? How about I give you a fair chance to fight, if you want to avenge your father, just come at me," Mu Hanyan also laughed.
There arenât many among the noble familyâs son who are soft-hearted. Forget about her undeserving notorious name, even if it were true, what could it count for? Family punishments might at most mean a beating, but stripping of cultivation?
In the end, Mu Ziping just wanted her to suffer a bit physically, to vent his fatherâs frustrations.
But unfortunately, she didnât like suffering.
Family was Mu Hanyanâs biggest weak spot. Mu Zipingâs accusations and insults towards Mu Ruiâan had already struck her vulnerable point.
Although her face still wore a smile, Mu Hanyanâs heart had turned ice cold.
"Just with you, you think youâre qualified for a fair fight with me, hahaha?" Mu Ziping burst into loud laughter.
Mu Hanyan guessed it right; he had never considered just stripping her of her cultivation for such a trivial "charge." The exaggeration was just to pressure Mu Ruiâan, making Mu Hanyan suffer a bit to let out some steam and gain some benefits.
But he had never expected that Mu Hanyan would dare to challenge him, and even talk about a fair fight... Pah, with a bit of power, she became arrogantly self-assured, this frog at the bottom of the well has no idea how vast the gap between the Zong Familyâs Disciples and the Branch Family Members was.
"How is it, are you scared?" Mu Hanyan said indifferently.
"Fine, fine, since youâre asking for it, Iâll grant your wish," Mu Ziping said with a chilling face.
Indeed, heâd been wishing for a chance to act personally; Mu Hanyan was delusional to come knocking, and he certainly wouldnât be polite. He originally just wanted her to suffer some minor physical pain while also making Mu Ruiâan feel heartache. Now, Mu Ziping decided to severely injure Mu Hanyan in front of Mu Ruiâan, breaking her cultivation path, so she too could experience this pain.
"Clang!" The longsword in Mu Zipingâs hands came out of its sheath, emitting a dragonâs roar, and an immense aura emanated from him.
"Great Swordsman!" Mu Ze and the others exclaimed, unable to believe that Mu Ziping, who didnât look much older than them, possessed the cultivation of a Great Swordsman.
Worry appeared on many Mu Family disciplesâ faces. Even though they knew Mu Hanyan was strong, stronger than when she fought with Mu Feng last time, they had not seen with their own eyes how powerful she truly was.
However, odd expressions appeared on the faces of Mu Ze and the others. To tell the truth, they also werenât very clear about how strong Mu Hanyan currently was, but they knew the strength of Yan Yuchu, and they knew about her encounter on the return trip where Mu Hanyan fought against three, facing Zong Dingfang, He Songhua, and Qu Shanhai, and their capabilities.
Facing such experts, more than one, Mu Hanyan had managed to come out unscathed; even if she had not reached the Sword Master Realm, she surely couldnât be far from it.
Mu Ziping, with the cultivation of a Great Swordsman, daring to provoke Mu Hanyanâwasnât that masochistic?
Huayue and Zirong collectively yawned; honestly, they had no interest in watching such a contest.
"Draw your sword, Iâll give you three strikes so that no one accuses the Zong Familyâs disciples of bullying a member of the Branch Family," Mu Ziping said proudly.
"Are you sure?" Mu Hanyan laughed, there really are many arrogant fools in the world. Thankfully, he too was a Mu; Mu Hanyan would not want to harm his life. If it were someone else, they might not even know how they died.
Mu Hanyanâs hand slowly rested on the sword hilt.
"Let me handle this small fry," a cold voice rang out, and the familiar figure of Mu Hanfeng appeared at the courtyard entrance.
"Hanfeng, youâre back," Mu Hanyan looked at her brother delightedly.
Not having seen him for over half a year, Mu Hanfeng appeared taller and his features bore traces of hardship inappropriate for his age, yet he seemed even more stable and incisive, just standing there casually as if he was an unsheathed longsword.
"Yes, Iâm back. Leave it to me," Mu Hanfeng nodded.
His tone was as indifferent and calm as always, but Mu Hanyan saw in his eyes the joy of reunion and deep care.
Mu Hanyanâs eyes slightly moistened. Having been away for half a year, Mu Hanfeng didnât know everything that had happened to her, nor did he know her current strength, and he still thought she was the "big brother" who needed his protection.
(Begging for monthly tickets, playfully asking for monthly tickets, various kinds~ Looking at everyone with starry eyes, give your monthly tickets to me during the day, love you guys)