Mu Hanyan finally realized why Star Illusion Thousand Machine had taught him the Divine Martial Refining Soul Technique that could operate the Star Mechanism Plate, and why there had been complications involved. The so-called Star Mechanism Plate originated from the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, which was an auxiliary artifact used in the cultivation of Divine Sense.
"I remember you once said that the so-called Star Divination Technique is just a minor skill you spread around, which means you are the Guardian of the Gods?" Mu Hanyan finally connected the dots to Star Illusion Thousand Machineâs background and asked in shock, his heart filling with a touch of reverence.
"Yes, I am indeed one of the legendary Guardians of the Gods. Unfortunately, I have devoted my entire life to this Star Divination Technique and neglected my cultivation, resulting in lifelong regret." Star Illusion Thousand Machineâs tone was filled with remorse.
"Actually, thereâs no need for regret. At least your Star Divination Technique has been passed down to this day, and itâs not completely useless. Predicting good and bad fortunes can sometimes be quite effective," Mu Hanyan, hearing his despondency, consoled him. He was more shocked than anything, never expecting the progenitor of all god-men to be right beside him. Should he feel honored?
"Hehe, you will understand some things later," Star Illusion Thousand Machine responded without committing, giving a faint smile that carried a hint of sorrow.
"Playing mysterious again! Forget it, since you are the ancestor of all the god-men of Holy Court Continent, I guess they inherited their bad habits from you. I wonât hold it against you." Mu Hanyan initially despised Star Illusion Thousand Machineâs mysterious ways, but understanding his background, he felt relieved.
"..." The Star Plate showed two big white eyes, clearly, Star Illusion Thousand Machine was deeply affected and even lost the mood to talk.
With his questions finally answered, Mu Hanyan did not pester Star Illusion Thousand Machine any more and resumed cultivating the Divine Martial Refining Soul Technique.
He was also looking forward to sealing a few longswords to give as surprises to Huayue and the others, and Han Yunyun, and also a surprise for Lan Feng.
At daybreak, Mu Hanyan walked out of the room.
After a night of cultivation, Mu Hanyan wasnât tired in the slightest, his spirits bright and radiant.
"Brother Han Yan, Brother Han Yan," as soon as he stepped out, Mu Zexian and a group of noble familyâs sons greeted him.
"So early," Mu Hanyan remarked, noticing the sky had just brightened, wondering what these guys were up to.
"Didnât we say weâd invite Brother Han Yan for drinks yesterday? Later we heard you were with the Family Head discussing matters, so we dared not disturb you. Hence, we came early to take Brother Han Yan for a good tour around the Capital," Mu Zexian said with a grin.
"Thatâs perfect, itâs my first time in the Capital. Iâm unfamiliar with the place and could use your help," Mu Hanyan said without ceremony.
After cultivating the Divine Martial Refining Soul Technique all night, Mu Hanyan wasnât sure of its effects and planned to buy a few quality longswords to try.
"Young Master, I have prepared breakfast. Eat before you go, and Young Master Zexian, all the young masters, please join us," Aunt Xiu, who had already prepared the breakfast, quickly made more after seeing Mu Zexian and others arrive and respectfully addressed everyone.
"Thanks, I havenât had breakfast yet and Iâm quite hungry," Mu Zexian promptly said.
The other young nobles also thanked her in what appeared to be a perfunctory manner with little sincerity, but it wasnât openly contemptuous.
Seeing this, Mu Hanyan gained some respect for Mu Zexian and the others. Being from the Zong Family noble lineage, managing to treat it with ordinary regard was already commendable.
It seemed that although these young men had a bit of a playboy air about them, they werenât beyond redemption. At least they were much better than Mu Chengxuan who frequently called others lowly, emphasizing his so-called nobility.
"Whereâs Ye Lanfeng?" Mu Hanyan looked towards Ye Lanfengâs room door with confusionâit wasnât open.
"Is he still resting?" Zirong guessed.
"Then let him rest. Aunt Xiu, please prepare breakfast for Ye Lanfeng when he wakes up," Mu Hanyan instructed.
"Of course, Young Master. Donât worry," Aunt Xiu agreed immediately.
After breakfast, Mu Hanyan and his party left the courtyard, surrounded by Mu Zexian and others.
"Brother Han Yan, where shall we go for fun today? There is no place in the Capital that Iâm not familiar with," Mu Zexian said nonchalantly.
"How about we go to Zuixiang Building? I wanted to take Brother Han Yan there yesterday," an energetic young man, full of craftiness, suggested excitedly.
His name was Mu Zeran, and he was Mu Zexianâs cousin, as well as a descendant of a branch of the Fifth Elderâs family.
Mu Hanyan wiped his cold sweatâa visit to Zuixiang Building first thing in the morning? Truly, a Zong Family playboy is different.
"Who goes to Zuixiang Building this early in the morning? Thatâs a place for the nighttime," another young man said, pulling on his sleeve.
"Why?" Mu Zeran asked, puzzled.
"Have you never been?" Mu Hanyan looked at Mu Zezhi strangely.
"How could I not have been? I am, after all, a disciple of the Zong Family. Let me tell you, the âMist of the Moonâ at Zuixiang Building is famous for not intoxicating the drinker, but making them intoxicate themselves, and âSnow Drifting Fragranceâ is praised as being fragrant for miles, like orchids and snowâall are rare good wines. Once you taste them, youâll understand," argued Mu Zeran, not convinced, with a face full of bliss.
Mu Hanyan burst out laughing.
In her previous life, as she traveled, she had heard of âMist of the Moonâ and âSnow Drifting Fragrance.â They werenât fine wines at all, but the two leading oirans of the Zuixiang Building. The sayings, âthe wine does not intoxicate; the people intoxicate themselves,â and âfragrant for miles, like orchids and snow,â naturally described not the scent of wine but their beauty.
"What are you laughing at, Brother Han Yan? Have you tried them before, and they didnât taste good?" Mu Zeran asked, still clueless.
"Stop talking, you fool," another young man jabbed harshly at Mu Zeran, who still looked utterly baffled.
Seeing his bewildered appearance, Mu Hanyan laughed so hard she couldnât straighten up.
Behind her, Huayue and a few others also laughed. Although they hadnât been to Zuixiang Building, they were a few years older and could guess what kind of place it was and what âMist of the Moonâ and âSnow Drifting Fragranceâ really referred to.
"Cough cough, Brother Han Yan, I apologize for his ignorance. He hasnât been there himself; he just believes whatever others say," Mu Zexian, feeling embarrassed for his cousin, explained to Mu Hanyan.
"Like youâve been there yourselves," Mu Zeran, with his face now a great spectacle, retorted furiously.
Hearing this, Mu Zexian and others also showed faces flushed with embarrassment.
Mu Hanyan then realizedâthey hadnât been there either. Their talk of taking her to drink was actually just their own desire to experience the world.