"Lady Mu, during the annihilation of our Han and Tang Families, though it was the Holy Courtâs doing, the peace and stability of the Continent today are also thanks to the Holy Courtâs efforts. Perhaps there might have been some misunderstanding." Tang Wanfang seemed to discern the turmoil in Mu Hanyanâs heart and sought to console her.
The Han Family is renowned on the Continent as the Tianji Family, unlike ordinary people who lack understanding of the Holy Court, and Tang Wanfang naturally knew some things as well. Having previously noticed the affection between Mu Hanyan and Ye Lanfeng, and knowing his identity, she could guess her current feelings.
It had been years since the annihilation of the Han and Tang Families, and as she grew older, seeing her grandchildren grow up and reuniting with Han Jinglun and his wife was her greatest happiness, leaving little room for thoughts of revenge. Of course, this was also because she knew the foes were too powerful, and seeking revenge would be like striking a stone with an egg, severing the last bloodline of the Han and Tang Families.
"Indeed, among the people there is both good and evil, and the Holy Court may not be all good people; itâs inevitable there are arrogant ones. Perhaps this was the act of a particular Holy Court steward, not necessarily the will of the Holy Court." Han Jinglun also said.
Unlike the old lady, he was not only worried that Tang Bufan and Han Yunyun would harbour thoughts of revenge and lose their lives, but also that their impulsiveness might implicate Mu Hanyan and the Mu Family behind her.
"Elder Han, Madam, I will certainly uncover the truth and return justice to your Han and Tang Families," Mu Hanyan said with emotion.
Her feelings towards the Holy Court were extremely complex. Because of Wei Wenshan, Su Deacon, and the Tian Annan father and son incident, she actually harboured some resentment towards the Holy Court. However, due to Ye Lanfengâs identity as the Saint Heir of the Holy Court, she was indeed reluctant to become enemies with the Holy Court. Of course, with her current strength, she was in no position to oppose such a colossal entity.
Could it be a misunderstanding? Mu Hanyan knew that only by uncovering the truth of the matter could she resolve her inner conflict.
And to uncover the truth wasnât difficult; she only needed to ask Ye Lanfeng for help the next time she saw him.
"Lady Mu, you have helped our Han Family so much, yet we have no fitting gift to offer. Please accept this jade pendant. Although the ancient relicsâ Ancient Treasure brought disaster upon our Han and Tang Families, itâs only because our foundations were too shallow. If you truly have the fortune, it might not be a grand opportunity. But I canât risk harming you; our Han and Tang Families stand as a cautionary tale. Whether to keep or discard it is up to you," Tang Wanfang said.
"Then I wonât be too polite. Thank you, Madam," Mu Hanyan considered for a moment and said, accepting the jade pendant.
According to the Tang Familyâs ancestral teachings, Tang Wanfang was naturally not to cultivate. It wasnât until the emergence of the Han and Tang Families that the Great Handprint of the temple was practiced. Hidden away in the Capital all these years, with a frugal family situation, there were naturally no cultivation resources, yet with a mere move, two Ninth-Order Swordsmen could be killed easily. Thus, it could be imagined the boundless mysteries hidden in the ancient relics.
For others, keeping this jade pendant might invite endless trouble, possibly even leading to annihilation like the Han and Tang Families of old. But Mu Hanyan wasnât worried at all, tossing the jade pendant into the Star Plate abyss; who could find it?
Once her strength was a bit stronger, she intended to visit the relics. It could potentially be greatly advantageous for enhancing her strength. Knowing the Continent faced countless dangers, Mu Hanyan certainly wouldnât miss any opportunity to strengthen herself.
"Han Yan, we will take our leave first," Han Jinglun said, rising.
"Where are you planning to go?" Mu Hanyan asked.
"Thanks to the care of the Mu Family all these years, our family finally had the opportunity to reunite. Weâve troubled you enough and canât bring more disaster upon you. We are leaving the Capital to settle elsewhere," Han Jinglun gratefully said.
"Elder Han, are you worried the Holy Court will come again and implicate the Mu Family?" Mu Hanyan understood his meaning and asked with a smile.
Han Jinglun nodded.
"Elder Han, thereâs no need to worry so much. Why did the Holy Court secretly send people after the Han and Tang Families back then? It was because there was no just cause. If you leave now, you will be playing right into their hands.
In my opinion, you might as well stay in the Capital. After all, Su Deacon and others are dead, Tian Annan has been caught with evidence, and wouldnât dare to act rashly against you, making it much safer. Even if your whereabouts are discovered again, they wouldnât dare kill innocents wantonly in the Capital.
Here is, in fact, the safest place," Mu Hanyan said with a light-hearted smile.
She had thought this through long ago. Dozens of years ago, the Holy Court annihilated the Han and Tang Families in secret because there wasnât a suitable reason. Claiming the Tang Family was the successor of the temple had no real evidence, as the meridians and physical constitution of the Tang Family descendants were no different from those of cultivators on the Holy Court Continent.
According to Ye Lanfeng, over the centuries, the rift between the Holy Court and the Continentâs various countries and academies had grown deeper. Even with the Holy Courtâs authority, they wouldnât dare wantonly kill innocents, especially not in a nationâs Capital. Hence, Han Jinglunâs family staying in the Capital was far safer.
"I hadnât thought of that," Han Jinglun said, patting his head, a look of realization dawning.
"From now on, you all stay at the Nanyan Commerce, and Iâll have Mu Nan be extra cautious," Mu Hanyan said.
The Nanyan Commerce was growing stronger, now part of Anyunâs three major chambers of commerce. The guards hired included experts in the Sword Master Realm, and someone of Su Deaconâs calibre couldnât infiltrate easily.
"Han Yan, you have helped our Han Family so much; Iâm truly at a loss on how to thank you," Han Jinglun said gratefully.
"Elder Han, youâre too kind. Bu Fan is my best friend, and Yunyun is my sworn sister. Helping you is only natural," Mu Hanyan said.
Behind her, Tang Bufan and Han Yunyunâs eyes glistened with tears.
"Bu Fan, from now on, stay in the Capital and take good care of your family," Mu Hanyan said to Tang Bufan.
"No, thatâs not possible," Tang Bufan resolutely said, and before Mu Hanyan could speak, he firmly added, "The Mu Familyâs grace to my Han Family is like a mountain, and Miss has saved our lives. Bu Fan swears to follow my lady to the death, never leaving her side."
"Bu Fan, youâve been separated from your family for so many years; stay in the Capital and be with them," Mu Hanyan persuaded.
"Han Yan, let him follow you. I know his strength is meagre and may not be of much use by your side. But only in this way can he repay the Mu Familyâs kindness," Han Jinglun said, waving him off, his gaze as resolute as Tang Bufanâs.
"Bu Fan, follow the lady well. If any harm befalls her, do not bother to see us again," Aunt Xiu also said. Usually gentle and mild, Aunt Xiu spoke with undeniable firmness.
"No one can harm Miss without stepping over my dead body," Tang Bufan nodded heavily.