Mu Qinglan blinked. “What are you talking about, Master Mu Yan?”
Her voice was calm, and a hint of confusion could be heard underneath her tone. It was as if she didn’t understand what Mu Yan was talking about at all.
When Mu Yan had been at the auction hall, he didn’t think anything of it at first. But, when he saw that the last item to be auctioned was a Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal, he suddenly had a thought in mind and became suspicious…
The Tier 6 Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal was definitely not something that could be obtained easily. At least in Luo Xi City, he was sure that not a single person could do it.
However, if it had been any other Yuan crystal, he wouldn’t have been bothered. But, it was a Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal!
He clearly remembered that Mu Linghan had brought back a Tier 6 Yuan Core from the Nine Foot Mountain Range, and it had been from a Fire Spirit Lion.
If someone were to tell him that these two matters were utterly unrelated, Mu Yan wouldn’t believe them.
But, after looking at the mysterious person’s appearance, Mu Yan had a few more doubts.
He really couldn’t think of any reason to make Mu Linghan risk doing all that the mysterious person had done.
A Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal was precious, and if it were anyone else, they wouldn’t have auctioned it off. Not to mention, the mysterious person had been arrogant and reckless, deliberately provoking Jiang Xuan.
Mu Yan really couldn’t believe that Mu Linghan, who had fallen into such a desperate state, would do such a thing.
“That Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal… No one else would have been able to pull one out, except for you.”
Mu Yan’s voice was heavy and low as he stared at Mu Linghan.
Mu Qinglan seemed to freeze for a moment. Then, as though she had come to a sudden realization, she said incredulously, “You think that I’m…”
Mu Qinglan shook her head.
“Master Mu Yan, you’re really muddled-headed right now.”
Mu Yan didn’t respond to that.
“Even though I obtained a Yuan Core from the Fire Spirit Lion, that was just by chance. I’m afraid I would be dead right now if not for luck. As for whatever Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal, I’ve never seen one before.”
Her words were earnest, and her tone was calm. Mu Yan couldn’t pick out the slightest flaw in her demeanor.
“What’s more…” Mu Qinglan’s lips curled up in a self-deprecating smile, which was vaguely meaningful, and said, “With the situation I’m in now, why would I seek my own death?
“I’m the only one left in my father’s lineage, so I naturally would value my life.”
Mu Qinglan said those words so lightly, as though it was a breeze that blew past only for an instant.
Mu Yan felt complicated on the inside.
Looking at the teenager with a smile on his lips, Mu Yan suddenly felt a lonely and desolate aura from him. The youth’s figure was half-hidden in the fading light, revealing an indescribable coldness.
That’s right… In Mu Linghan’s current state, how would he dare to do any of those extreme things?
Not to mention, Mu Linghan’s body shape and voice were completely different from the mysterious figure. Even if he really had that Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal, Mu Linghan would be aware of the sin of harboring it to himself.
Many people were aware of the fact that Mu Linghan had a Tier 6 Yuan Core. The commotion caused that day was not small, after all.
But, none of them had suspected the Yuan Soul-Fire Crystal that had been auctioned at Xia Shang Auction House had anything to do with Mu Linghan. This was because no one would associate the despondent youth who had been expelled from the main family with the extremely unrestrained mysterious man.
Mu Qinglan slowly said, “It’s best if you don’t overthink it. I’m only afraid that… that person… will not be happy.”
These words immediately caused Mu Yan to jolt up, and his mind cleared instantly!
That person!
Who else would it be?
Obviously, it was the youth in a white robe with unfathomable strength who had appeared the other day!
Perhaps… it was that person’s doing?
If that was the case, then everything made sense.
Mu Yan suddenly felt relieved. He looked at the simple youth before him and suddenly felt that his previous guess had been absurd.
He waved his hand dismissively. “It was just a momentary misunderstanding on my part. You shouldn’t take it to heart.”
Mu Qinglan shook her head with a faint smile.
“Just… I wonder what the identity of that person is? Linghan, you and him…”
Mu Yan had wanted to ask for a long time, but only found a suitable opportunity at this moment.
Mu Qinglan paused, then answered casually, “I don’t know who he is. I just met him at the Zhongyuan Secret Realm previously, and it was a coincidental encounter. He helped me because I… and my sister once helped him in the secret realm. He’s just returning the favor.”
She spoke indifferently, as though she didn’t want to talk about it much.
Mu Yan pondered over Mu Qinglan’s words for a while.
It was no wonder… At this age, he was already so unfathomable. The youth in white robes was also a young talent chosen to enter the secret realm, so his background definitely wasn’t anyone simple. Even his potential seemed endless.
Mu Yan suddenly thought about how the youth before him used to be the same, extremely talented, and the envy of countless people.
If Mu Linghan had not met with that accident, he would probably be the same as the white-robed youth… Mu Linghan wouldn’t be here in this dilapidated room and ignored by everyone.
But, there was still one last doubt in Mu Yan’s heart.
He lifted his gaze to meet the eyes of the lightly smiling youth before him. Then, he hesitated for a moment before shoving that doubt back down and merely said, “You should rest early.”
Having said that, Mu Yan turned around and left.
Mu Qinglan stood there for a long time, and after an unknown amount of time had passed, she faintly heard a voice from far away.
“… Mu Mansion will protect you till the end…”
Mu Qinglan smiled lightly.
***
These days, the atmosphere in Luo Xi City was tense.
The Jiang family people had stationed people at the city gates who would strictly check anybody who passed through. Often, teams of Jiang family guards walked on the streets, seemingly looking for someone.
Countless people had grievances and criticism for this. Still, because the Jiang family dominated Luo Xi City, no one dared to resist and could only silently endure.
Some people were in the know, and there were private rumors going around that the Jiang family was searching for the mysterious man who had picked a fight with Jiang Xuan at Xia Shang Auction House the other day.
“I heard that Young Master Jiang tried to rob that person afterward, but he was instead severely taught a lesson by that other party, and is now lying on his deathbed!”
“What? Is that true?”
A female voice suddenly rang out in a courtyard of Mu Mansion.
“Lady Liu’er, even though it’s just a rumor, looking how angry the Jiang family is, I think it should be quite accurate.”
The person who replied bowed low at his waist, displaying an extremely respectful look.
In this room, there were two boys and one girl. They were all dressed in the same green robes, but the girl was seated on an elevated platform, which obviously displayed her more revered status.
The two youths were average in appearance, and only the girl looked delicate and bright. Her features were beautiful, and there was a hint of pride in how she carried herself.
After listening to her subordinate’s report, several of them started laughing.
“That Jiang Xuan is useless! He’s used to throwing his weight around, so he deserved what he got! It seems that he won’t be participating in the martial arts tournament that’s coming up. It’s no wonder the Jiang family is furious. Without Jiang Xuan, I’m afraid they can’t keep their previous status in the tournament.”
“The Jiang family has taken first place two years in a row, and if they had done the same this year, our family would only be in a more difficult position.”
“What are you afraid of? We’ve all been training in the academy for the past two years, and we’re finally free to come back this year. It’s only natural we’ll have to teach the Jiang family a good lesson!”
The two youths took turns to speak, and then they glanced at the young girl with a proud look on her face and said with a smile, “Moreover, Sister Liu’er is back with us, so we’ll definitely be taking first place this year!”
The corner of Mu Liu’er’s lips curled up slightly because of the compliments.
She looked towards one of them and said, “By the way, I’ve just returned, but I haven’t seen Little Ye yet. If he knows I’m back, why hasn’t he come to see me?”
The subordinate she spoke to had a complicated look on his face.
Mu Liu’er furrowed her brows slightly and said in a stern voice, “What the hell is wrong?!”
“Lady Liu’er! I-it might be better if you see for yourself! Young Master Mu Ye is… he might not hold out for long!”
***
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Bang!
The sound of someone kicking the door open echoed loudly.
Mu Qinglan slowly withdrew the Yuan Energy surrounding her body and turned towards the door.