Author Archives: sandy

Qin Leyi was stunned when her call was cut off.

This was treatment she had never once received from Mu Xing.

When she tried dialing again, she found she had already been blocked.

Pulling her car to the roadside, she clenched her teeth.

This absolutely had to do with Mu Xing.

She had expected him to be angry, to hate her, but she had never imagined he would be this ruthless.

After some thought, she stopped at a flower shop, bought a bouquet, and turned the car back toward the private hospital.

When she entered the ward, Mu Xing was still playing his mobile matching game. The cheerful game sounds reached her ears, and she stared at him in disbelief.

“You’re playing that?” In her impression, Mu Xing had nothing to do with this sort of game.

Mu Xing looked up at her once, then carelessly lowered his head again.
“What are you here for?”

Only then did Qin Leyi remember her purpose.

She repeated what her agent had told her about the cancelled events and demanded,
“Was it you who pulled all my schedules?”

Mu Xing’s fingers moved swiftly over the screen, the sound effects of eliminations ringing out.

Without looking up, he said,
“Probably.”

“What do you mean, ‘probably’?” Qin Leyi was furious at his attitude.
“I’m talking to you! Can’t you put down the phone and look at me? That’s the least respect you owe me!”

Mu Xing found her unbearably annoying. He finally lifted his head and looked at her.
“Miss Qin, before you talk about respect, shouldn’t you remember—you’re my ex-girlfriend who I caught cheating? When you betrayed me while we were together, did you ever think about respecting me?”

“As for your work…” Mu Xing thought for a moment.
“I don’t know about those specific events. I only told the GM of Huiteng not to give you any more resources. So if your jobs disappeared, yeah, it’s probably because of me.”

He admitted it that easily.

Qin Leyi’s eyes widened.
“You’re trying to ruin me?”

“Mu Xing, do you have to be so petty? I wronged you in love, I admit that’s my fault. But I never slacked in my work. I’ve worked so hard to get here—you can’t just take it all away!”

“Who says I can’t?” Mu Xing chuckled.

When Qin Leyi met his eyes, she no longer saw the warmth and indulgence she had always relied on. All that remained was clarity.

Clarity so cold it didn’t contain her at all.

And the man before her mercilessly told her,
“Of course I can. It’s only a phone call.”

He looked at her calmly.
“And you’re mistaken about one thing. Those roles, those events—why could the company swap you out so easily? Because those spots were negotiated by the company. In other words, it was a transaction between the company and the platform. You were never indispensable. Since you’re not indispensable, why should they give them to you?”

“You’re just venting your anger,” Qin Leyi said bitterly.
“You’re deliberately targeting me.”

“I really don’t like you right now. I’m no saint.” Mu Xing met her gaze openly.
“I am petty. I got cheated on, I’m angry, and I don’t want the people who betrayed me to have it easy. Does that answer satisfy you?”

“You—!” Qin Leyi burst into tears.

Tears rolled down her face as she sobbed.
“I worked so hard to get where I am. You can’t just wipe it all away with a word. I was wrong in love, and you can torture me however you want, but don’t destroy my career. That’s not fair to me.”

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door, interrupting them.

“Come in,” Mu Xing said.

The round-faced nurse entered with medication. Seeing Qin Leyi crying with pearly tears, she looked a little surprised.

She clearly recognized Qin Leyi’s face but, with good sense, said nothing. She simply replaced Mu Xing’s IV bag, and on her way out, softly reminded him:

“Don’t play on your phone too long. Your eyes and brain need more rest.”

After the nurse left, Mu Xing turned back to Qin Leyi.
“Don’t talk to me about fairness. You debuted not long before we got together. How many green lights did the company give you? How many resources even popular stars couldn’t get were handed to you? Compare yourself to the artists who debuted around the same time. Do you think it was fair to them?”

“I hope you’re clear about this: where you are today, besides your own effort, it was mostly me paving the way without asking for anything in return. Before, I liked you, and I was willing to do anything for you. But now, I can’t stand the sight of you. So everything I gave you—I’m taking it back. What’s wrong with that?”

“Let me emphasize one more thing,” Mu Xing said.
“We’re broken up. I don’t want to see you anymore, and I have no interest in tormenting you. If you really feel guilty, then just stop showing up in front of me. That’s all.”

Qin Leyi had originally come intending to soften her stance.

But with Mu Xing shielding her since her debut, her two years in the industry had been smooth sailing. She hadn’t seen the filth others endured.

She still had pride of her own.

With Mu Xing’s words so cutting, her temper flared. Wiping her tears, she glared at him fiercely.
“Fine. Mu Xing, you’re ruthless enough.”

With that, she turned and slammed the door.

Mu Xing truly couldn’t understand what right she had to be so angry. Shaking his head, he returned to his game.

Only when he cleared another set of levels to a round number did he finally exit.

Looking back at WeChat, Mu Xing saw a message from his younger brother, Mu Shao.

Mu Shao was his half-brother. Mu Xing’s mother, Zhu Lanjun, and his father, Mu Yuanjing, had married for business reasons, with no real feelings between them. Two or three years after Mu Xing was born, unable to endure the loveless marriage, they chose to divorce.

It had been a peaceful separation, and the two remained on friendly terms afterwards.

Mu Shao was the child born after Mu Yuanjing remarried.

It was impossible that Mu Shao and his mother had no thoughts about the family business. But since Mu Xing had always been cultivated as the heir and excelled in every respect, they had never had much of a chance.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, mother and son would have had to settle for shares of the family wealth, live as idle rich, or perhaps have Mu Shao start a business or pursue other interests.

But now, something unforeseen had happened.

The news that Mu Xing’s legs might be paralyzed was not good news for the Mu family.

Even if his brain was uninjured, a man crippled in both legs would inevitably be less convenient and energetic in many areas.

Mu Shao’s message to Mu Xing was basically boasting about securing a good project.

Mu Xing recalled that the original him and this younger brother hadn’t been especially close, but they hadn’t had a bad relationship either. Mu Shao’s mother had never schemed against her stepson. The family dynamic was relatively harmonious.

So he replied with a congratulatory sticker, and added a message:

[Work hard!]

Mu Shao: ?

Turning to his friend with a serious face, he said,
“I think something’s wrong with my brother.”

His friend asked in confusion,
“Why?”

Mu Shao mysteriously showed him the phone screen. His friend studied it for a while and couldn’t see anything unusual.

Under his friend’s questioning gaze, Mu Shao explained,
“Normally, when I throw out little provocations like this, my brother never bothers to respond. This time he told me to ‘work hard.’ What does that mean?”

Friend: “…It means your brother is bored?”

Mu Shao rolled his eyes.
“You think my brother is the type to waste time on meaningless things?”

Rubbing his chin, he mused,
“I think my brother’s legs probably won’t recover. He’s hinting at me, telling me to focus on my career.”

At this thought, his expression suddenly grew a little sad.
“I always wondered if I could take Mu Group from him. But if it’s like this, then I’d rather not.”

His brother had always been so proud and strong. Though Mu Shao had harbored some vague hostility toward him, he had never denied that since childhood he had measured himself by Mu Xing’s standard.

That was the goal he wanted to surpass.

But now, because of a single accident, this man… couldn’t even stand?

His friend, watching his expression, was surprised to realize that these half-brothers from a wealthy family seemed to share genuine feelings after all.

He opened his mouth, clapped Mu Shao’s shoulder, intending to offer some comfort.

But Mu Shao, lost in his own thoughts, suddenly jumped up.
“No, I think he’s not in a good state. I need to go see him.”

His friend followed him blankly.

Before entering the ward, Mu Shao carefully checked himself—yes, dressed plainly and properly, expression calm and neutral, no sadness or joy. He didn’t want to upset the patient.

He knocked gently on the door.

Inside, Mu Xing, who had been sitting with eyes closed, sensing the state of his body, furrowed his brow slightly.

In his previous life he had been a martial arts grandmaster. Though his internal strength hadn’t carried over to this life, his memory and experience had.

If he wished, once his body recovered, he could gradually train again.

He had studied his medical chart earlier, and even taken his own pulse. He already had a clear picture of his condition.

His legs would not be hard to heal—the damage to his body could be slowly nourished back to health with inner strength.

He opened his eyes.
“Come in.”

The ward door swung open, and two young men entered.

The first was in his twenties, tall and handsome, with a face somewhat resembling Mu Xing’s.

Beside him was a shorter youth with a babyish face and curly blond hair—clearly of mixed descent—whose smile was cute and lively.

The first was Mu Shao. The second was his friend, Yuan Rui, young master of the Yuan family.

Mu Shao had prepared himself to see a brother broken down or irritable. After all, not everyone could accept being crippled in their prime.

But when he looked carefully—

The man half-reclined against the pillows, hair neatly combed, expression serene, with a book resting at his side.

Stepping closer, Mu Shao saw the title: The Little Mermaid’s Adventure.

A children’s book?

Noticing his brother’s eyes lingering on the cover, Mu Xing asked,
“You want to read it too?”

He sounded a little troubled.
“I borrowed it from Nurse Xiao Yu. She got it from a child in the next ward, and I promised to return it tomorrow. If you want to read it, you might not finish in time.”

Nurse Xiao Yu—the round-faced nurse—had forbidden him from playing too long on his phone. With little else to do, she’d borrowed a half-text, half-picture book from a child next door to help him pass the time.

Mu Xing had looked it over and thought it was quite well-written.

Mu Shao shook his head in horror. He thought to himself: his brother really must be badly shaken—he was actually reading children’s literature.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

Mu Xing finished his meal and, in front of his mother, asked the doctor about his condition—how much longer he would need to stay in the hospital.

His willingness to face the illness head-on clearly delighted Zhu Lanjun.

After the doctor left, Zhu Lanjun said to Mu Xing:
“Xingxing, don’t worry. Your father and I have already contacted the world’s top rehabilitation medical team. We showed them your case, and the experts said that in your situation, there’s hope for your legs to recover.”

Mu Xing gave her a reassuring smile.
“I’m not worried. I’ll work hard on my rehab. You don’t need to worry either, Mom.”

Not only was her son optimistic, he didn’t even object to her calling him by his childhood nickname.

Back when he started high school, Mu Xing had forbidden the family from calling him that slightly childish name.

Zhu Lanjun couldn’t help but feel a pang in her heart: this injury really had made Xingxing more fragile. It seemed he also leaned on his family more now, showing closeness he hadn’t before.

She thought of something, then carefully asked:
“Xingxing, that girlfriend of yours…”

The family knew about Mu Xing’s relationship with Qin Leyi.

Zhu Lanjun had never liked her—not because she was old-fashioned or had impossibly high standards, insisting her son find someone of equal social status.

But as a woman herself, she had observed their relationship and always felt the affection wasn’t equal.

She couldn’t see how much Qin Leyi actually liked her son.

And in fact, that was true—since the accident, Qin Leyi had not come to visit even once.

It was impossible for Zhu Lanjun not to feel resentment. But all her energy was focused on her son, so she had no time to bother with the other woman.

Mu Xing heard her and calmly said:
“Mom, let me correct you. She’s my ex-girlfriend now.”

Zhu Lanjun froze.
“You two broke up? When?”

Mu Xing said:
“Before the accident. She cheated on me—with Cheng Qian. I caught them.”

If it had been the original Mu Xing, he would never have admitted something like this. He was too proud, too concerned about saving face.

But for Mu Xing, there was nothing shameful about it. If anyone should feel ashamed, it was the ones who cheated. Why should the victim be embarrassed?

Zhu Lanjun’s anger flared instantly. She sharply thought of something else:
“Then your accident—did it have something to do with this?”

Mu Xing thought a moment, then shook his head.
“I was a bit emotional at the time, but the car accident was just an accident.”

Zhu Lanjun snorted coldly.
“So it was related. You’ve been lying here all this time, and those two haven’t come to see you even once. Don’t they feel guilty at all?”

“Not to mention your two years together. Qin Leyi signed with our entertainment company, didn’t she? For years you poured resources into her. Her entire success was built by Glory backing her. That ungrateful snake!”

“No, this won’t do!” The more she thought about it, the angrier she became. She stood up.
“I’ll call that woman right now to curse her out—and then have the company freeze her career!”

“Mom.” Seeing her fury, Mu Xing had to interrupt before she worked herself up too much.
“Calm down. Don’t hurt your health over her.”

Zhu Lanjun gave him a suspicious look.
“You’re not still hung up on her, are you?”

“Of course not!” Mu Xing denied quickly.
“I don’t like her at all anymore.”

He explained:
“This is my own matter. I’m an adult now. Let me handle it myself.”

Zhu Lanjun hesitated, then pressed him for confirmation:
“You’re certain you don’t have any feelings left for that woman—and you won’t show her mercy?”

Mu Xing nodded firmly.
“I swear, I’ll make sure they get the punishment they deserve. You can rest easy.”

After his mother left, Mu Xing sent messages to both Qin Leyi and Cheng Qian:
Not going to come see me? 🙂

He closed his eyes, resting, waiting for the two of them to show up.

An hour later, they both appeared in Mu Xing’s ward.

Both wore guilty expressions. Each looked surprised to see the other, clearly not expecting Mu Xing to summon them together.

On the bed, propped against a soft pillow, Mu Xing’s black hair drooped over his pale forehead, making him look fragile.

Looking at the two as they entered one after the other, Mu Xing asked:
“I’ve been in this accident for so many days, and neither of you came once. Don’t you feel guilty?”

Qin Leyi’s eyes reddened.
“I’m sorry, Mu Xing. It’s not that I didn’t want to see you, I just… didn’t know how to face you.”

Cheng Qian gave an awkward smile.
“I was afraid you’d be even angrier if you saw me. And lately my family’s business has been keeping me busy.”

Mu Xing let out a laugh. To their ears, it sounded like mockery.

But he ignored what they thought. Looking straight at Qin Leyi, he asked with genuine doubt in his voice:
“All this time, I just couldn’t understand. What did I do wrong for you to betray me?”

He truly was puzzled. After all, in the memories, Mu Xing had genuinely cared for Qin Leyi.

Handsome, wealthy, and devoted—why hadn’t she been satisfied?

“Was I not good enough to you?”

Qin Leyi’s face turned pale, her gaze uneasy under his questioning.

Mu Xing frowned slightly.
“Is that such a hard question to answer?”

Qin Leyi bit her lip and finally said:
“Being with you, I couldn’t breathe. No matter what I did, I had to report it to you. Every step I took had to follow your will. What endorsements I accepted, what events I attended—they all had to be filtered through you first. You said it was for me to choose, but in reality, I had no choice at all!”

She stood there stubbornly, lifting her chin to meet Mu Xing’s gaze directly.
“I’m a person, not some bird you’ve caged. Mu Xing, your need for control is too strong—I don’t have the slightest bit of self left.”

She even looked aggrieved as she said it.

Mu Xing’s face was expressionless.
“If it was so unbearable for you, why didn’t you just tell me? Why didn’t you break up with me?”

Qin Leyi choked. How was she supposed to answer that?

The truth was obvious to everyone.

Mu Xing didn’t give her any face.
“Because those endorsements and events you complained about just now were all ones I carefully selected, even pulling strings to get for you. You weren’t going to find anything better.”

“And if you weren’t my girlfriend, you wouldn’t have been qualified for even one of them.”

Qin Leyi flushed red with anger.

She glared at him.
“What do you mean by that? Are you trying to humiliate me?”

Mu Xing’s eyes were cold and mocking.
“Telling the truth counts as humiliation? Which word I just said wasn’t fact?”

“You even spoke like you were the one wronged.” Mu Xing thought the original him was the real victim. “I’m the one who should be aggrieved. Handsome, rich, devoted—first time in my life I fall in love, and you treat me as a resource machine, then cheat on me on top of that. What right do you have to despise me?”

Qin Leyi couldn’t respond. She shot him a furious glare and turned to storm out, slamming the door.

Mu Xing didn’t even get the chance to stop her.

The room was left with only an awkward-looking Cheng Qian.

“Sorry, Mu Xing,” Cheng Qian was the first to speak.

He glanced at Mu Xing’s legs.
“I didn’t know you’d get into a car accident that day.”

Mu Xing let out a dry laugh.
“Neither did I. If I’d known that rushing out that day would lead to an accident, I would’ve stayed there and beaten you up until that truck had passed.”

Cheng Qian: “…”

At this moment, he felt terribly awkward facing Mu Xing.

He could only say,
“Did you call me here for something? If not, I’ll get going. You should rest.”

Mu Xing:
“Wait. Don’t rush off. I just want to ask—when did it start between you two? How long has it been? I can’t be left clueless about being cheated on, can I?”

Cheng Qian: “…”

He suddenly felt something was off about Mu Xing. Could it be… he’d suffered such a heavy blow it changed his personality?

Awkwardly, he did some mental math and answered honestly.
“About three months.”

Mu Xing thought it over. Half a year ago, he had introduced Qin Leyi to Cheng Qian himself.

That was at his birthday party, where he had invited many friends—all wealthy heirs from the same circle. Mu Xing had deliberately and carefully introduced Qin Leyi to them.

He had truly liked Qin Leyi, dating her with the intent to marry someday.

But his sincerity had meant nothing to her.

Mu Xing felt it wasn’t worth it for the original him. Looking at the man before him was equally unpleasant. He waved dismissively.
“Got it. That’s all I needed. You can get lost now. From today on, we’re done being friends.”

Cheng Qian, perhaps feeling guilty, said seriously,
“I never meant to steal your girlfriend, Mu Xing. I really saw you as a brother. I never wanted to hurt you, I just—”

Mu Xing: ???

He stared at Cheng Qian like he was some freak.
“You just what? Just made the same mistake most men would make? Or just couldn’t bring yourself to reject a pretty woman with similar interests?”

His tone was full of contempt.
“Be a man and admit you’re scum. Don’t shift the blame. I’ll despise you even more.”

Cheng Qian looked a little angry, but when his eyes fell on Mu Xing lying paralyzed in a hospital bed, he decided the man could only vent with words now. That pitifulness dulled his temper.

“Take care of yourself,” he said, shaking his head. Then, under Mu Xing’s mocking gaze, he left.

*

Qin Leyi hadn’t even made it home when she got a call from her agent.

“Sis Amy, wasn’t today supposed to be my day off? No work talk? Why are you calling me now?” Qin Leyi answered with a joke the moment she picked up.

Her relationship with her agent had always been good.

But the usually gentle Amy’s tone was serious this time.
“Leyi, did you offend someone?”

Qin Leyi’s heart skipped.
“What happened?”

On the other end, Amy said:
“I just got notice from the company. The primetime variety show you were supposed to record next week, and the gala at the end of the month—both replaced. And the drama role you’d been hinted for in advance? They gave it to Jiang Zhi instead…”

Qin Leyi pressed her lips tightly, then said quickly,
“I think I know what this is about. Hold on, let me make a call.”

She hung up and dialed Mu Xing.

Just then, Mu Xing was in the middle of playing a mobile game. The sudden interruption annoyed him. When he saw the caller ID: “…”

He hung up.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

ARC 3: I’m a CEO, I Don’t Understand Feelings

When Mu Xing opened his eyes again and found himself lying in a pure white hospital room, his expression was already calm.

It must be another reincarnation.

Although this reincarnation seemed a little off—he was already an adult.

The sharp pain coming from his legs made him frown. He glanced to the side and pressed the call bell.

Soon, a doctor and a nurse came in. Mu Xing looked at them calmly:
“My body hurts a lot. Is there a way to make me feel better?”

The doctor and nurse were clearly surprised at his attitude. The nurse quickly said:
“Yes, yes. We have the latest imported painkiller. It won’t cause any side effects to your body.”

Mu Xing nodded to her.
“Thank you.”

His face was pale from the pain and injuries, but that face was still so handsome. Even while enduring severe pain, he maintained impeccable composure. The nurse blushed.

As she went out to fetch the medicine, she thought to herself:
Mr. Mu was so irritable the other day… it must have been because he couldn’t bear the blow of losing his leg so suddenly, right?

Taking advantage of the nurse’s absence, Mu Xing lay on the bed and began to sort through this body’s memories.

Mu Xing, CEO of the Mu Group’s Zhaoxing Corporation, a wealthy heir born with a silver spoon, had a girlfriend.

Or rather, a former girlfriend now.

Ten days ago marked his second anniversary with his girlfriend, Qin Leyi. He had booked a special dinner and bought flowers and a ring, planning to surprise her at her home.

But what he got was a surprise of another kind—Qin Leyi and his buddy Cheng Qian were so caught up in their passion that they hadn’t even made it past the entryway.

When Mu Xing opened the door, their clothes were already half off.

In a fit of rage, he landed two punches on Cheng Qian and stormed out.

On the drive home, shaken and unstable, he crashed into a large freight truck.

After surgery, he woke up in the hospital to be told: his spinal nerves had suffered permanent damage, and with current medical technology, recovery was nearly impossible.

In other words—he was paralyzed.

His girlfriend and his best friend had betrayed him, and now he was crippled. A triple blow.

When Mu Xing first woke up, he nearly went mad. On top of the pain from his injuries, the presence of anyone—doctor or nurse—made him irritable and violent.

As for Cheng Qian and Qin Leyi, whether out of guilt or something else, neither of them had shown up since the accident.

The ward door opened.

The round-faced nurse came in and injected the painkiller. Seeing the frown on his face, she couldn’t help but comfort him:
“Mr. Mu, cases like yours aren’t without hope. Please don’t give up. Everything will get better.”

Mu Xing gave her a small smile.
“Thank you. I will.”

When the room was quiet again, Mu Xing began to sift through another set of memories.

These memories belonged to the future.

Events that, from now, had not yet happened.

In those memories, Mu Xing, consumed by pain and betrayal, had completely changed as a person.

Qin Leyi was a rising star in the entertainment industry, signed to Zhaoxing’s subsidiary, Glory Entertainment.

Or rather, Glory Entertainment had been founded by Mu Xing for the sole purpose of supporting her.

And with the resources that Glory Entertainment poured into her without asking for anything in return, Qin Leyi had risen in just two years from an unknown extra to a top-tier actress.

Of course, she wasn’t without talent.

But in the entertainment industry, there were countless pretty faces with skill who never got noticed. She had indeed taken the shortcut Mu Xing laid at her feet.

If it had only been ordinary cheating, Mu Xing might have just broken up with her.

But after the car accident left him paralyzed, his mind grew twisted. He wanted to torment her.

He used her infidelity and her career as leverage, refusing to break up, forcing her into humiliating demands.

Every time Qin Leyi was tormented by him, she would run to Cheng Qian for comfort. Over time, their bond only grew stronger.

Later, with his career neglected, Mu Xing was forced out of Zhaoxing’s core management.

Meanwhile, Qin Leyi’s career soared. In one interview, she “accidentally” revealed that she had been exploited by the company. Cheng Qian, too, maneuvered against Mu Xing.

Eventually, Qin Leyi left the company, got together with Cheng Qian, and achieved both love and success.

And Mu Xing, in his despair, finally ended his own life.

After reviewing these memories, Mu Xing only felt drowsy. Perhaps it was the sedative effect of the painkiller, or maybe it was that the original Mu Xing had been living under such tension that he had never rested properly.

In any case, he drifted off to sleep.

In his dream, Mu Xing saw an old acquaintance.

The glowing orb had returned, sparkling brilliantly.

Mu Xing asked curiously:
“You’re still here?”

The orb replied:
“Of course I am. With how tragic this life of yours is, don’t you have any thoughts about it?”

Mu Xing pondered.
“Work out well, focus on rehab?”

The orb: “…”

It was exasperated.
“I wasn’t asking about that! You ended up like this because of that scumbag pair’s betrayal. Don’t you want revenge? Don’t you want to see them lose everything, even die in misery? Wouldn’t that feel good?”

Mu Xing gave it a strange look.
“You’re ridiculous. Compared to getting my legs back, what are those trivial things worth?”

The orb: “…”

*

When he woke again, it was already dinnertime.

As soon as he opened his eyes, he saw an elegant middle-aged woman sitting in the ward. Her skin was fair, her features delicate, well-maintained, clearly someone from a privileged background.

Mu Xing moved his lips: “Mom.”

This was the original body’s mother.

Zhu Lanjun saw him awake and gave a cautious smile. “You’re awake? I brought you some food and soup. Would you like to eat a little?”

Mu Xing really was hungry. He nodded. “Sure.”

Zhu Lanjun’s expression instantly lit up with joy.

Ever since her son’s accident, she had come every day to see him, but Xingxing had been sunk in despair and bad temper, refusing to eat properly, to the point of needing nutrient injections.

Could it be… he had thought things through?

The hospital bed automatically rose partway, letting Mu Xing sit half-upright. Zhu Lanjun tucked an extra pillow behind him to make sure he was comfortable, then opened the insulated food box she had brought and set it on the little table.

“…Mom, I can do it myself.” Seeing her about to feed him, he quickly snatched the chopsticks. “My legs are useless, not my hands.”

Zhu Lanjun flinched, glancing at him nervously. When she saw his expression calm, his words about his “useless legs” carrying no other reaction, she finally let out a breath of relief. She turned her head, and tears immediately spilled down her face.

These days, watching her son suffer so much, her own heart hurt even more.

But in front of him, she always had to smile, afraid to upset him further.

Now, seeing him like this, it seemed he had finally come around.

Mu Xing lowered his head, pretending to focus on eating, but in truth he had seen her every reaction.

He sighed softly in his heart: in the memories of the future, there had been nothing about family—only Qin Leyi, only Cheng Qian, only his own despair. Not a single image of his closest kin.

It showed just how blinded by hatred the original had been, letting people who didn’t matter consume all his thoughts.

Compared to them, what could be more important than his own body—and the ones who truly loved him?

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

Ah Yue had become emperor!

The Mus were left dizzy by the sheer weight of such news.

Dazed, they were brought back to the capital by Ah Yue, dazed they attended his enthronement, and dazed again they were named the only non-imperial royal household of the new dynasty—causing every courtier to look askance.

All of Ah Yue’s blood kin were gone; in his heart, the Mu family were his only remaining relatives.

Anyone could see how much the new emperor cherished them. Riches poured endlessly into the Prince Mu’s household, and he treated the Mus with the courtesy due to his elders.

With iron-blooded means, once he took the capital, the new emperor purged half the former court. Every clan involved in the false charge that destroyed the House of Marquis Weiwu—he left not a single one untouched.

By then, it was plain to all that the Mus were exceptional. Visitors bearing gifts came in a ceaseless stream.

The Mu family… simply couldn’t take it.

Inside the grand and imposing princely residence—

Mu Dazhu spoke with Zhang shi: “Seems to me, being a prince isn’t such an easy life after all.”

Zhang shi agreed wholeheartedly. That day she had refused every guest, removed the heavy pins from her hair, leaving only one simple clasp, and felt her head instantly lighter.

She nodded. “Exactly. So many people, familiar and unfamiliar, all greeting me so warmly—and even knowing the name of my cousin’s younger brother. Isn’t it exhausting?”

The couple exchanged a look, then spoke in unison: “Why don’t we just go back home?”

They discussed it with the rest of the family. Perhaps because the Mus truly were different, all of them felt living in the princely mansion of the capital was stifling—far less free than life at home.

So, determined, the whole family entered the palace to speak with the emperor Ah Yue.

Ah Yue was reluctant, but the Mus were firm. He had no choice but to send them back to Dazhuang Village under escort, even assigning them two hundred private soldiers.

And still it wasn’t enough—he took up the imperial brush and granted Anle County, where Dazhuang Village lay, to the Mus as their fief.

Mu Xing did not leave with the rest of the family. He remained in the capital a while longer, for Ah Yue worried about his health. Not only did he summon the palace physicians, but he even posted public notices to seek the finest doctors of the land to tend him.

*

With the Mus gone, only one of them was left in the capital—and that one happened to be the emperor’s shixiong.

In a flash, Mu Xing became the most sought-after person in the city.

But he was nothing like the other Mus. Temperamental and willful, if in a good mood he might attend an outing, a flower banquet, or a feast of crabs and chrysanthemums; if not, he wouldn’t go, even if the palace itself sent invitations.

Over time, people learned his tastes, bringing delicacies or elegant amusements to please him. And Mu Xing did indeed make a few friends.

One day, the steward reported that a man claiming to be an old acquaintance had come to visit.

The visitor looked utterly ordinary. The steward couldn’t tell if he might be some relative of the Mus, so he asked Mu Xing for instructions.

The man was brought inside.

An ordinary elder, plainly dressed—yet his hands showed the unmistakable signs of a life without labor.

Mu Xing thought for a moment. The Mus surely couldn’t have such a relative.

“May I ask who you are?”

The elder lifted his head, tears streaming down his face. “So alike… truly too alike.”

Mu Xing frowned. The words rang ominously, stirring memories of a certain marquis’ household.

And sure enough, in the next instant the old man sobbed bitterly: “I am the second steward of the House of Marquis Cheng’en. Young master, the entire household is waiting for you to save them!”

So it was.

Mu Xing asked in surprise, “There are still people of the Cheng’en Marquis’ household left? I recall Ah Yue punished many clans. Wasn’t the Cheng’en Marquis’ family among them?”

The old steward: “…”

Why did that tone sound… off?

But he dared not say anything. He had no other way. Mu Xing was the only hope for the household now.

So he told the story.

Indeed, the house of Cheng’en had been implicated. In the case that destroyed the Weiwu Marquis’ clan, many great families were entangled, Cheng’en among them.

The house had been confiscated, its masters thrown into prison awaiting judgment. The servants, being of no consequence, had mostly escaped.

Nearly all the great houses friendly with them had been wiped out. Just when all hope was lost, Mu Xing suddenly appeared in the capital’s circle of power.

The second steward came at the heir’s command to beg Mu Xing’s aid.

“Young master, word has it you are His Majesty’s shixiong, and that His Majesty holds you in great esteem. If you but speak, the house will surely be spared from death!”

Mu Xing thought for a moment. “If I plead, Ah Yue would likely grant me that face.”

The steward’s face lit with joy.

But then the man before him went cold. “But why should I plead?”

Mu Xing gave a soft, derisive laugh. “What is Cheng’en Marquis’ house to me, that it’s worth my intercession?”

“Besides, if Ah Yue let an enemy live just for my sake, how wronged would he be?” Mu Xing’s gaze turned icy. “He suffered enough when he was young, and now at last he has risen to this height. Why should he suffer further for a household that means nothing to him?”

“Go back.”

The steward was aghast. His voice rose harshly: “But young master—whether you admit it or not, the blood in your veins is of the Lu family. That is a fact you cannot deny. You cannot be so heartless!”

“Is that so?” Mu Xing leisurely blew on his tea and said roguishly, “Well, I refuse to admit it. I have nothing whatsoever to do with the House of Marquis Cheng’en. So what? I really am that heartless.”

The expression on his face clearly said: And what can you do about it?

The old steward: “…”

Mu Xing looked at him. “Those who bring misfortune on themselves cannot live. The Lu family is merely paying for what they once did. No one can save them.”

“Go.”

---

Lu Jiaming lay on his bed.

Because of his condition, he hadn’t been thrown into the Imperial Prison with the other Lus.

But with the estate confiscated, the masters imprisoned, and the servants either gone or sold, the once-grand marquisate was now empty.

Other than the guards tossing a steamed bun by his mouth at mealtimes, no one paid him any attention.

He could even smell the stench rising from his own body.

From outside, he heard the guards chatting:

“I heard today another divine physician answered the imperial edict to treat Young Master Mu.”

“His Majesty truly dotes on Young Master Mu.”

“Of course! That’s His Majesty’s shixiong. They say His Majesty learned all his skills from Young Master Mu. And the Mu family—why, they’re His Majesty’s saviors.”

“The Mus are so lucky. Just for saving the young emperor once, they rose from peasants to princes overnight.”

“Young Master Mu doesn’t look like any peasant. I saw him once—the bearing, the looks, it’s not too much to call him an immortal. I’d say he even surpasses that famed imperial concubine of the former dynasty, the so-called most beautiful woman.”

“…”

Lu Jiaming’s eyes went wide.

He knew exactly who they were talking about.

The Mus! Mu Xing!

He wanted to shout, to declare that he too was of the Mu family!

That he was the Mu family’s true son, that he should have been the emperor’s shixiong, that he was the one who should be basking in endless glory!

But he could not speak.

Why hadn’t the Mus come to find him?

Now that they were a princely house, deeply cherished by the new emperor—why hadn’t they come to rescue him from this misery?

In a haze, he thought: If only, back then, the babies had never been switched.

---

At the Mu household.

Zhang shi woke from a dream with a start.

She sat bolt upright, staring blankly ahead. After a long while, she turned toward her sleeping husband.

“Mu Dazhu, wake up!” She slapped his face lightly.

Mu Dazhu opened bleary eyes, mumbling, “What is it? It’s not even dawn.”

Zhang shi shook him. “Don’t sleep! Tell me—don’t we have a youngest son, called Mu Xiaobao?”

Mu Dazhu looked at her as if she were mad. “What are you talking about? Missing Xiaobao so much you’ve gone crazy? He’s in the capital. If you miss him, send a letter.”

Zhang shi suddenly let out a long breath of relief. And then, unable to hold it back, tears streamed down her cheeks.

That frightened Mu Dazhu. He scrambled up, holding her and patting her back. “What’s wrong, what’s wrong?”

Zhang shi sobbed, “I just dreamed—when Xiaobao was just born, we thought he wouldn’t survive, so we secretly abandoned him. I saw him, so tiny, picked up by a beggar, never fed or clothed properly, growing up thin and frail, only to die of illness in his teens.”

The dream had been so vivid and real that Zhang shi had woken drenched in cold sweat, unable to tell dream from reality.

Mu Dazhu comforted her: “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. That was only a dream. Our Xiaobao is perfectly fine. His health is good now, and Ah Yue has hired countless divine doctors to treat him. Xiaobao will live a long life.”

Zhang shi murmured “Mm,” but she couldn’t sleep again. At dawn she had a carriage readied and hurried to the capital—she had to see Xiaobao with her own eyes to be at ease.

---

As Mu Dazhu had said, Mu Xing truly lived for over a hundred years.

He had cultivated the arts of the School of Carefree (Xiaoyao) Wanderers, his inner strength was deep. And with both the Mus and Ah Yue devoted to his health, sending him every tonic and rare medicine imaginable, he became perhaps the most well-nourished man in all of Great Zhou.

He was already beautiful, and with the cultivation of the Carefree School, as the years passed his bearing grew only more ethereal. His appearance remained unchanged for decades.

At first, some nobles of the capital sought marriage ties. But gradually, such proposals ceased.

It was as if all tacitly acknowledged that he was no mortal. Some even believed he was truly a celestial being.

By the end of his life, Mu Xing was surrounded by quiet emptiness.

His parents and brothers long gone, Ah Yue too had departed. The emperor now was Ah Yue’s grandson, who treated Mu Xing with deep respect.

But aside from his blood kin, others felt more awe than closeness. Who would not fear such a person, no matter how striking his outward beauty?

One day, Mu Xing felt a subtle premonition.

He bathed and burned incense, changed into plain robes, lay calmly upon his bed, and drifted into slumber.

The next day, when the palace attendants came to call him, they found him lying peacefully—breath already stilled.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

After settling the Marquis’s household’s affairs, Mu Xing returned to Dazhuang Village and lived a peaceful life.

He often thought of Ah Yue.

Not just Mu Xing—the family too would mention him from time to time.

“That child… it’s been so long, and still no word has come back.” The whole family worried endlessly.

After all, Ah Yue was at war. Even though Mu Xing had reassured them over and over, saying Ah Yue was highly skilled and nothing would happen, they still couldn’t shake their fear.

The fighting against the Beizhai dragged on so tensely that even a remote place like Dazhuang Village could feel the strain.

The court had forcibly requisitioned grain several times, and the common people’s lives were becoming harder.

Occasionally, when Mu Jiawang returned from town, his face would be clouded with worry.

Later came rumors that the court was going to surrender, cede land, and make peace. Many families living in the north packed up and began to move away.

Mu Xing grew ever more anxious about Ah Yue. He thought of that strange, seemingly supernatural light orb—but in this critical moment, it was completely unreliable.

It simply stopped appearing.

Until that day.

Dazhuang Village suddenly became lively. The village chief went around beating a gong.

Everyone learned the news: the court had defeated Beizhai!

The very air seemed to brighten with joy.

Before the usual hour when shops closed, Mu Dazhu and Mu Jiawang came home beaming.

“I passed by the teahouse and heard people say there’s a young general called Mu Yue, brave beyond compare, who captured the Beizhai king alive and made great contributions,” Mu Dazhu said, his face flushed red with excitement. “That name… could it be our Ah Yue?”

The whole family was thrilled. Grandma Mu, her hair completely white now, still spoke with vigor: “I’ve always said Ah Yue looked like someone destined for great things.”

Zhang shi forced herself to stay calm: “Don’t get too excited. What if it isn’t him? Let’s not go out spreading it.”

“I’d bet it is!” Grandma Mu chuckled. “Of course we won’t say it outside. We can just be happy behind closed doors.”

With the war over, the Mus waited for Ah Yue to return home.

But half a year passed, and still no word came.

Mu Dazhu went to the county office to inquire, but there was no record of such a person.

The family’s joy and anticipation turned to worry. Mu Xing even saw Zhang shi quietly weeping in secret.

He overheard Zhang shi and Mu Dazhu speaking softly:

“…We don’t expect Ah Yue to gain high rank or great office. As long as he’s safe, that’s enough. But how come there’s still no news from the child?”

That evening at dinner, Mu Xing said, “I heard the court will be granting titles to meritorious generals. Tomorrow I’ll set out for the capital to check.”

Mu Jiawang immediately said, “I’ll go.”

Mu Jiafeng spoke up too: “Sister-in-law is pregnant. Let me go.”

Mu Xing said, “I—”

The whole family looked at him: “You are not allowed to go!”

Mu Xing: “…”

He understood what they meant, and tried to defend himself: “My health is fine—I haven’t fallen sick in years. And I’m strong, Third Brother, you know that.”

But Mu Jiafeng cut him off flatly: “No. The travel is exhausting. I’ll go.”

Mu Xing had no choice but to secretly decide he would slip away the next day to look for Ah Yue himself.

But the next day, none of the Mu family got the chance to leave.

Before dawn, Mu Xing was jolted awake by the sound of neat, rhythmic hoofbeats outside.

Most of Dazhuang Village was still fast asleep, but Mu Xing focused his senses—it sounded like at least a hundred riders, and they’d reach the village within a quarter hour.

So many people coming to Dazhuang Village—what for?

He dressed quietly and perched in the great old tree at the village entrance.

Soon, he saw a dark mass of figures charging toward them in the distance.

Mu Xing watched calmly, but resolved that if they came with ill intent, he would find a way to protect the villagers.

But in the next moment, his eyes widened—the leading rider looked… familiar?

Ah Yue gazed ahead, his heart pounding with excitement.

It had been five full years since he last returned.

He hadn’t dared reveal even the slightest connection to the Mu family—he couldn’t risk implicating them if his plans failed.

For five years, he had hidden in the Northwestern Army, gathered his father’s old subordinates, and quietly built up power.

Afraid that failure would doom the Mus, he hadn’t dared send even one letter. Everyone around him thought he was an orphan.

In a sense, he truly was. The Qin clan of his mother’s line—all three branches—had been slaughtered by that dog of an emperor.

Ahead, Mu Village lay peaceful in the dim morning light. Ah Yue’s heart softened—no matter how the world outside changed, this place remained a pure land.

He was just about to tug the reins and tell his men to halt outside the village when something suddenly flew down at him from above.

Startled, his attendant cried out, “Young master, look out!”

Ah Yue’s hand shot up, his whip coiling around the strange object. He was about to fling it away when a glance revealed what it was.

A half-ripe apple, still tinged with green.

Ah Yue’s instincts flared. He jerked his head up.

Atop the old tree at the village entrance, on one of its ancient branches, sat a man in blue.

The morning light had barely broken. The world around them was hushed and misty. The pale, beautiful figure in blue, sitting lightly upon the branch, looked like some spirit from a strange tale, a creature that could bewitch the heart.

Ah Yue froze, staring blankly at him.

His attendant, too, was momentarily stunned. Then he came to his senses and yanked out his blade. “Who are you?”

Before that man could answer, he heard his usually taciturn young master cry out joyfully—

“Shixiong!”

Ah Yue dismounted, looked up at the man in the tree, and said with clear delight, “Shixiong, why are you here? Did you know I was coming back? It’s been five years, and you look even more impressive now. Have you been well?”

His attendant froze, not sure whether to be more surprised that the young master had a shixiong, or that the young master could talk so much at once.

Under Ah Yue’s concerned gaze, Mu Xing leapt lightly down from the tree and said, “I was asleep, you woke me with all that noise.”

Ah Yue suddenly realized—his shixiong’s internal strength was so profound, there was no way their group of mounted riders could have slipped past his notice.

He said apologetically, “I disturbed your rest, Shixiong. It was my fault.”

Mu Xing’s response was to raise his hand and pull him into a hug, chuckling. “Still putting on false courtesy with me, are you?”

He glanced at the people behind Ah Yue. “And these are?”

But Ah Yue only frowned slightly at the thin clothes Mu Xing wore. “The morning air is heavy with chill. Shixiong should take care of his health. At least wear a cloak.”

Then, with a bright smile, he added, “Let’s go home first. Uncle and Aunt must be awake by now. I’ll introduce them to you later.”

He ordered his men to wait outside the village, then followed Mu Xing back toward the Mu household.

The attendants exchanged glances. One asked, “Who was that? Do any of you know?”

The whole group shook their heads in unison.

By the time the two reached home, the family was already up.

Grandma Mu was sweeping the courtyard. She was old, but couldn’t sit idle—her hands always needed something to do.

Seeing the two walk in shoulder to shoulder, she blinked in surprise at Mu Xing. “Xiaobao, why are you up so early today?”

Her gaze shifted to the young man beside him. He looked vaguely familiar. After a few heartbeats, her eyes widened. “Ah Yue?”

She hurried toward them. “Ah Yue, is it really you?”

Ah Yue rushed forward to support her. “Grandma, it’s me. It’s Ah Yue. I’m home.”

Her eyes reddened. She gave him a light slap. “You child, not even one letter all these years. Do you know how worried we’ve been?”

Then she raised her voice and called out, “Dazhu! Xiulang! Ah Yue’s back!”

In a clamor, the whole Mu family poured out.

Ah Yue was surrounded, peppered with questions. Zhang shi was so overjoyed she nearly lost her composure. “You must have traveled all night? Are you tired? Hungry? I’ll go steam some buns.”

After breakfast together, Ah Yue suddenly stood, then dropped to his knees. Solemnly, he knocked his head three times each to Grandma Mu, Mu Dazhu, and Zhang shi.

“I have hidden something from you all,” he said in a deep voice. “That man who brought me back back then—he was not my father. We weren’t wandering because of disaster.”

The Mus exchanged glances. Grandma Mu said softly, “Good child, get up first. Whatever it is, we can talk it through.”

But Ah Yue remained kneeling, his voice low. “My true name is Qin Shuo, childhood name Ah Yue. I am the youngest son of Marquis Weiwu, Qin Zhen. Uncle Tingfeng was a household guard of the Qin family. I am the only survivor of the Qin clan. That year… I was fleeing for my life.”

“Back then, the court falsely accused my father of colluding with the Beizhai. The three branches of the Qin clan were exterminated. Uncle Tingfeng exchanged his own son’s life for mine, letting me live.”

“I dared not tell anyone my true identity, for fear of implicating you.”

The Mus were stunned, and even Mu Xing froze.

The name Marquis Weiwu rang a faint bell. He remembered that many years ago, his master had said that though the court was chaotic and traitors rampant, there was still one Marquis Weiwu who was a true hero.

But living secluded in Dazhuang Village, Mu Xing hadn’t known that this same Marquis Weiwu had been executed with his entire clan—nor that Ah Yue was his son.

When Ah Yue finished speaking, he lowered his head in silence. He didn’t even know what he was waiting for.

With such a background, having lived in the Mu household all these years—if his identity had been exposed, the entire Mu family would have been dragged down.

But instead, a pair of pale, slender hands reached out and lifted him up. Weak as they looked, they were steady and warm.

He met Mu Xing’s gaze, full of guilt.

Mu Xing’s voice carried a note of sorrow. “Master once mentioned Marquis Weiwu’s household. He said your father was a remarkable hero. If I had asked a little more back then, if Master had known sooner, perhaps he might have helped—and maybe you wouldn’t now be left without a single blood relative.”

Zhang shi too gazed at him with pity. “Silly child, it’s all long past. Why speak of it now? I always knew you carried secrets, but I never imagined such a tragic history. All these years, you bore the burden alone—how hard that must have been.”

The man who’d brought him back then had clearly been wounded by blades, but Mu Dazhu and Zhang shi had asked no questions. They had simply taken in the little boy and raised him.

Since they had chosen not to ask then, there was even less reason to hold it against him now.

Only Grandma Mu looked worried. “Then… should we pack up and move away? I hear Ah Yue made great military merit on the battlefield. If your identity is exposed, what will we do?”

Ah Yue’s heart finally settled at their reactions.

At her words, he suddenly remembered another matter. “Don’t worry, Grandma. No one can harm me now. I was so busy catching up, I forgot to tell you something.”

His tone was calm, almost casual, as if he were speaking of some trivial thing:

“This time, I rallied my father’s old Northwestern troops. Now, the army is already at the gates of Huayang City.”

“This world… is about to bear the surname Qin again.”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

Half an hour later, Mu Xing stepped out of the cave.

He was thoroughly irritated.

He truly had no desire to meddle in that family’s affairs.

Yet who could have guessed—Lu Jiayao had barely left before Lu Jiaming came knocking, refusing to let him live in peace.

Worst of all, Lu Jiaming had touched his bottom line.

Thinking back on what those assassins had confessed, Mu Xing’s expression was dark as water.

He fed each of them a pill of real poison this time.

“Go find Lu Jiaming. Whatever orders he gave you, carry them out exactly as told—return them to him, understand?” Under their horrified gazes, he tossed the same poison they had swallowed onto the ground.

In an instant, the patch of earth turned ashen, all plants upon it withering and dying.

“Don’t doubt its potency. If you make it back here before the end of the month, you’ll get the antidote.” Mu Xing showed no mercy this time to the killers who had come for his life.

The group left without pause.

That night, the usually lethargic light orb rarely entered Mu Xing’s dream.

It actually sounded animated: “Aren’t you the one who doesn’t kill? If you’d been this ruthless earlier, would you have all this trouble? The whole Marquis household might already be yours.”

Mu Xing shot it a glance and snorted. “Maybe I’ve mishandled some things, but that doesn’t mean I’ve forgotten how you once egged me on.”

Relaxing into the darkness, he added: “Whatever I do, it’s only because I choose to. My conscience is clear. Whatever it is you want from me, best give up on it now.”

On the twenty-eighth day of the second month, two badly injured men staggered into Dazhuang Village.

“We shook off our pursuers—no one will suspect you.” They bowed low before Mu Xing, cautious to the extreme. “Lu Jiaming had guards with him. Our assassination failed. The others all died.”

“And Lu Jiaming? Is he dead?”

The man on the left shook his head. “No, but he won’t recover either.”

He added in a low voice: “We feared mishap, so our blades were laced with poison. He took a strike to the chest—even if saved, he’s ruined.”

The killer looked up at Mu Xing pleadingly. “Living, he’ll suffer worse than death. Please… show mercy and give us the antidote.”

Mu Xing lowered his gaze, finding it bitterly ironic. “So afraid of death?”

“If you fear death, why become killers? Did you ever consider this day when you slaughtered others?”

“But I keep my word.” He handed over the antidote.

The two swallowed it in joy—only to realize, in the next moment, that their bodies felt empty.

“My inner strength—!” They glared at Mu Xing, eyes bloodshot.

“Of course it dissolved with the poison.” Mu Xing smiled pleasantly. “Ah, I forgot to mention—yesterday, I quietly left a letter at the county yamen. You two are both registered fugitives, aren’t you?”

“You’ve committed so many crimes; retribution always comes.” He ignored their hateful stares and pointed kindly toward the road. “Hurry and run. If you’re lucky, maybe you’ll escape before the constables arrive.”

---

A few days later, at the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household.

Lu Jiayao escorted out an imperial physician, barely able to keep the smile on his face.

The physician had said Lu Jiaming’s life was spared—but the poison was too vicious, and his body too frail. Though detoxified in time, he was left with grave afflictions.

Lu Jiaming was paralyzed.

His mind was intact, but he could no longer speak, nor move his limbs. He was, for all intents, a cripple.

Lu Jiayao scrubbed his face hard outside the sickroom door, arranging a mask of grief before pushing inside—only for terror to flash across his features.

The maidservants were collapsed on the floor.

In their place stood a tall, lean figure, back turned.

That figure turned, gaze calm.

“You—you…” Lu Jiayao reflexively looked back, the door slamming shut behind him.

“Shh.” Mu Xing gestured for silence. “Don’t make noise.”

At sight of that spring-bloom face, Lu Jiayao instantly remembered the table that had crumbled to dust, shrinking like a quail.

He glanced at the bedbound Lu Jiaming, whose eyes burned with hate, and a sudden revelation struck—his own eyes widened. “He… you…”

“What are you staring at me for? Has nothing to do with me.” Mu Xing’s expression was innocent. “He sent assassins to kill me. But those men were too kind-hearted—felt he was too cruel. Conscience pricked, they turned on their master. And so Lu Jiaming ended up like this.”

Lu Jiayao: “…”

Lies, all of it! Not a word of truth!

He cautiously asked, “What are you doing here? Didn’t you say you wanted no ties to the Marquis household?”

Already, he was calculating—if Mu Xing demanded the household itself, how could he refuse without angering him?

Mu Xing never guessed what was running through his head. He simply pointed at Lu Jiaming. “I came to confirm something.”

Lu Jiayao looked again at the man on the bed, dread rising. Confirm what? That he’s still alive?

Mu Xing clearly found the result satisfying: like this, Lu Jiaming could never cause trouble again.

And for one as proud as him, this fate was likely worse than death.

Having confirmed that, Mu Xing lost all interest in him and turned back to Lu Jiayao.

“No need to worry. Unless something unexpected happens, this will be my last time coming to the Marquis household. I have absolutely no interest in this place.”

Lu Jiayao asked cautiously, “When you say ‘unless something unexpected happens’… what do you mean?”

Mu Xing smiled faintly. “It means—it all depends on you, my lord heir.”

He pointed to himself. “Me, I dislike trouble, I like peace. Understand?”

“Understand, understand!” Lu Jiayao bobbed his head like pounding garlic. “Don’t worry, don’t worry, I’ll absolutely never disturb your peace again!”

Mu Xing was satisfied, but he stressed again: “The Marquis household never had a child switched. The young master has always been Lu Jiaming, isn’t that right?”

This was exactly what Lu Jiayao wanted—he nodded frantically again. “That’s right, that’s right. As for who the Mu family are, I don’t know them at all.”

“Good.” Mu Xing flashed him a smile. “Then farewell.”

Lu Jiayao was just about to offer to escort him out when, before his eyes, the figure vanished like a ghost.

Cold sweat broke out all over him again, and his resolve never to provoke Mu Xing was cemented.

He walked over to Lu Jiaming’s bed, let out a satisfied sigh, and said smugly: “Jiaming, why couldn’t you just leave that calamity star alone? Thanks to you, big brother owes you a debt.”

Lu Jiaming’s eyes nearly burst with fury, but no words could escape his lips.

As for Mu Xing, he couldn’t care less about the two of them tearing at each other. At last, the Marquis household’s mess was resolved once and for all.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

But perhaps Mu Xing was never meant to live a peaceful life.

Less than half a month after Ah Yue left, the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household sent people again.

This time, it was the heir himself, Lu Jiayao.

He was the legitimate eldest son of the Marquis, raised from childhood as the heir. The last time Mu Xing had gone to the Marquis household, he hadn’t even caught a glimpse of this elder brother.

Compared to the cold, indifferent Marquis Mu Xing had met before, this heir appeared gentle and broad-minded.

He properly had his men knock on the door, bringing gifts to pay respects to the Mu family.

“You must be Xing’er.” The heir of Cheng’en Marquis looked at Mu Xing, his eyes full of apparent joy. “Not long ago, I learned the truth of your birth from Grandmother’s own mouth. Only then did I realize that my true younger brother had been left outside all these years. You must have suffered much.”

“Elder brother has come to take you home. Will you come?”

Mu Xing gazed coolly at the man before him. His expression was so sincere, as though he truly felt guilty.

Mu Xing smiled faintly. “My lord heir, please don’t joke. I don’t understand the words you speak.”

The heir grew anxious. “You are clearly my brother! Lu Jiaming is nothing but a bastard from outside—”

Mu Xing’s expression chilled.

He looked at the heir, his tone suddenly frosty. “Do the Marquis and Madam know of your visit here?”

The heir answered heavily, “Father and Mother have been bedridden for a long time, they no longer manage affairs.”

“Oh?” Mu Xing raised his brows. He had no idea his master had a hand in this. He still remembered when he had seen the couple years ago—they’d looked perfectly healthy, hardly like people wasting away.

But it was none of his concern. Casually, he said, “That is truly unfortunate.”

The heir looked at him with expectation. “Come back with me. Elder brother will surely make it up to you.”

Mu Xing let out a light laugh. “My lord heir, Grandmother told you of my parentage, but did she also tell you that I have already severed ties with the Marquis household?”

Lu Jiayao’s face stiffened.

Of course he knew.

Before her death, the old lady had summoned him, telling him Lu Jiaming’s true identity.

By then, she had already seen that Lu Jiaming was ambitious, unwilling to live quietly. Though she had doted on him sincerely, in the face of the Marquis household’s interests, that affection meant little. She would never allow the Marquis legacy to fall into the hands of an outsider.

She had told Lu Jiayao, if Lu Jiaming kept quiet, so be it.

But if not, he was to expose Lu Jiaming’s origins and drive him out.

After her death, Lu Jiayao became the true master of the household.

As for Lu Jiaming, once he learned the truth of his birth, he was never at ease. Though his health was frail, he busied himself in the capital, leveraging the Second Prince’s name, making connections and widening his circle.

If it had been before, Lu Jiayao might have let it be. After all, they were family—more allies for the Marquis household could only help.

But now, knowing Lu Jiaming wasn’t truly of the family, Lu Jiayao only saw his actions as schemes for power.

He thought of Mu Xing—the younger brother cast aside outside.

Lu Jiayao didn’t want to earn the reputation of plotting against his own kin.

So he came quietly to Mu Xing, wanting to persuade him to act together in a staged play.

The true young master of the Marquis household reappearing, while the pampered, well-known Lu Jiaming turned out to be a usurper—

He, Lu Jiayao, could present himself as clean and innocent. At the right moment, if he appeared heartbroken yet resolutely brought his true brother home, Lu Jiaming’s position would instantly grow awkward.

The connections Lu Jiaming had cultivated through the Marquis name would crumble.

It was a fine plan—except Lu Jiayao never considered that Mu Xing would simply refuse to play along.

“I know you harbor resentment. Back then, Grandmother and the others were deceived by Lu Jiaming.” Lu Jiayao’s tone was earnest. “These years, Grandmother regretted deeply. She missed you dearly, but didn’t know how to face you.”

Mu Xing looked at him in surprise. “My lord heir—do you even believe the words you’re saying?”

“…”

Lu Jiayao fell silent for a moment, then finally shed the mask of warmth and sincerity.

He looked down at Mu Xing from above, his tone growing impatient. “What do you want, in order to return with me to the Marquis household?”

Mu Xing sighed. “Now you look much more pleasing. Truly, it’s better to deal with one another honestly.”

He shook his head. “So I’ll give you a serious answer as well: I am a Mu family son. I will never return with you.”

Lu Jiayao’s brows furrowed. Coldly, he said, “You are my brother. I do not wish to use unsavory methods on you.”

His gaze swept around the humble house, pointedly. “The Mu family has raised you all these years. Surely you don’t want to bring disaster upon them.”

At those words, Mu Xing’s expression darkened completely.

Mu Xing was a person of gentle temperament, always smiling, almost never showing anger.

But even the gentlest person has a reverse scale.

For Mu Xing, his family was that scale.

The Marquis household’s disdain for him in the past had never roused his anger—because he never took them seriously. But Lu Jiayao’s words—those touched his bottom line.

Mu Xing rose from his chair, meeting Lu Jiayao’s eyes head-on.

He spoke slowly: “I also hope you won’t force me… to use some rather uncivilized methods.”

Lu Jiayao reacted as though he’d heard a joke. “You’ve lived in this tiny place all your life, your vision is limited—you probably don’t know what the four words Marquis of Cheng’en mean—”

Mu Xing cut him off.

He looked as though truly enraged. One hand resting on the table behind him, he said slowly: “No, I know very well what the Marquis of Cheng’en means. But you certainly don’t know that people living in a small place are not ones you can bully at will.”

He stepped forward, then glanced back at the table he had just touched. Bending slightly, he gave it a gentle blow.

That tall, thick solid-wood table, under Lu Jiayao’s stunned, horrified gaze, turned to ash inch by inch, scattering across the floor.

Straightening, Mu Xing smiled with innocent eyes at him. “What was it you just said, my lord heir? I didn’t quite hear. Something about using disgraceful methods to force me?”

Lu Jiayao: “…”

Mu Xing fixed him with a gaze so chilling it raised goosebumps, his tone layered with meaning: “I wonder, my lord heir—compared to this solid-wood table, do you think your body is sturdier?”

Lu Jiayao couldn’t help but retreat two steps, staring at Mu Xing as though at a monster. “You…”

“I’ve been frail since childhood.” Mu Xing clapped his hands lightly, his expression returning to its usual sunny smile. “My family worried I’d be bullied, so I learned a little self-defense.”

He blew softly on his palm. “See? It came in handy. This way, when shameless people try to bully me, they’ll have to consider whether their own bones can withstand it.”

Cold sweat beading his brow, Lu Jiayao left the Mu household.

He didn’t dare harbor designs on Mu Xing again.

---

But Lu Jiayao underestimated Lu Jiaming.

He thought his visit had been discreet, yet it had already fallen under Lu Jiaming’s watchful eye.

“My elder brother went to a place called Dazhuang Village?” Lu Jiaming listened to his men’s report.

His face was pale as paper. Though it was early spring and others had already donned lighter clothes, he still had to wear a heavy cloak, coughing from time to time.

No one looking at him would doubt he was a man plagued by illness.

Lu Jiaming sipped some hot water, soothing the itch in his throat.

He could guess why Lu Jiayao had gone to Dazhuang Village—clearly, Lu Jiayao had learned the truth of his identity.

But that person hadn’t returned with him. That, Lu Jiaming hadn’t expected.

He couldn’t help recalling—

He had once seen Mu Xing, the first time the boy had been brought to the Marquis household.

Back then, his heart had been set on driving him away, so he had only taken a quick glance.

He could no longer clearly remember the boy’s features. But that first stunning impression had lingered ever since.

In all the years afterward, Lu Jiaming had never forgotten him.

Of course—he was still living under that boy’s identity. How could he possibly forget?

Originally, Lu Jiaming had thought—if Mu Xing kept his head down, he would leave him be.

But now, Mu Xing was about to become Lu Jiayao’s weapon against him.

Lu Jiaming thought: Don’t blame me. Blame Lu Jiayao for setting his sights on you. Once you reach the Yellow Springs, if you want to bear resentment, direct it at him.

He arranged for killers to lie in ambush around the Mu household, waiting for nightfall to harvest every life inside.

Lu Jiaming struck ruthlessly. He didn’t only want Mu Xing dead—he intended to wipe out the entire Mu family.

He felt no affection for these so-called blood kin. On the contrary, as long as the Mu family lived, they remained a potential threat.

Indeed, Lu Jiaming was no true son of the Marquis household. In terms of venom and cruelty, not one Lu clan member could rival him.

But like Lu Jiayao, he made a fatal mistake—he far too greatly underestimated Mu Xing.

Those assassins thought themselves hidden, but in Mu Xing’s eyes, they were plain as day.

Casting a glance outside, Mu Xing said to his sister-in-law Wang shi, “Sister-in-law, let me sweep the courtyard today.”

Wang shi scolded, displeased: “Such a little chore, I’ll do it. You just go back to your books.”

Mu Xing sighed helplessly. “I just want to move around a little. Sitting all the time is tiring.”

So she finally handed him the broom.

Mu Xing strolled about slowly, broom in hand, circling the house.

That night, the winds were calm, and the Mu family slept soundly.

At dawn, before anyone else rose, Mu Xing slipped out and collected the assassins strewn like corpses all over the ground.

He sealed their inner strength, strung them together with a thick rope like gourds on a vine, and dragged them into a nearby cave.

Then he returned home, lay back on his bed, and feigned sleep, waiting for his family to call him awake.

Two days later, Mu Xing finally “remembered” the men in the cave, and sauntered off leisurely to check on the assassins—by now dizzy and starving.

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

He told Xie Wang about what had happened the night before.

Ah Yue had already recounted the first part, so Xie Wang only learned the rest from Mu Xing.

When he heard Mu Xing bragging with pride about how strong he was, Xie Wang couldn’t hold back: “Winning against a few amateurs, and you’re this pleased with yourself?”

Mu Xing replied cheerfully, “Of course I’m pleased. What man hasn’t dreamed of being some invincible, super-powerful hero?”

“Hero?” Xie Wang found the word interesting.

But he didn’t linger on it and instead asked, “You didn’t kill those men?”

Mu Xing: “……”

Just as he couldn’t understand why his master was so indifferent toward human life, Xie Wang looked down on his little disciple’s softness.

Still, because of how much he cared for Mu Xing, he didn’t take it to heart.

Mu Xing tried to explain, “It wasn’t a fight to the death.”

Xie Wang said nothing to that, and asked instead: “The Marquis household is targeting you because of that fake young master?”

Mu Xing nodded. “That family is cold-blooded and foolish. I can’t begin to understand them.”

Xie Wang said casually, “This is actually easy to solve.”

Mu Xing looked up at him.

Xie Wang spoke as if stating something ordinary: “I’ll kill that fake young master for you, and the matter will be settled.”

Not a hint of jest in his tone or expression.

Mu Xing was horrified. “This… Master, it hasn’t come to that.”

The Marquis household might be heartless, but they hadn’t tried to take his life.

Xie Wang assured him, “Don’t worry. I have countless methods. No one will ever link it back to you, nor will the Mu family be implicated.”

Mu Xing pressed his hand to his forehead. “Really, there’s no need. Master, don’t go killing people… think of it as helping me accumulate some merit, all right?”

Xie Wang gave him a cold look, and after a long pause, said, “I told you your heart is too soft. You really don’t resemble a disciple of mine.”

Mu Xing smiled obediently. “How can you say that? Didn’t you say I was just as gifted as you, Master?”

Xie Wang handed him a small bottle of medicine. “One pill a day. Don’t use your inner force for now. Rest and nourish yourself for a month.”

Mu Xing bobbed his head like a little pecking chicken. “Got it, got it.”

By the time Zhang shi came in with porridge, master and disciple had finished talking.

Xie Wang exchanged a few words with her before leaving.

Zhang shi sighed. “Mr. Xie is truly our family’s great benefactor. He stayed by your side for two whole days this time.”

Mu Xing thought of someone. “Where’s Ah Yue?”

Zhang shi replied, “That child was frightened too. He stayed by your side for ages until he fell asleep. I carried him to bed.”

When Mu Xing finished his porridge, the rest of the Mu family came in, crowding around his bed. Wang shi even secretly slipped him a little jar of candied fruits.

They hadn’t been there long before Wang shi shooed them away. “Don’t make noise. Let Xiaobao rest more.”

Mu Xing actually felt fine. He had slept for three days, and though he felt weak from lying down too long, his body didn’t hurt anymore.

But the Mu family always treated him like this, convinced their delicate Xiaobao needed plenty of sleep. So, in a flurry, they all left.

He could only ask Zhang shi to bring him a book, propping himself up to pass the time.

Not long after, Ah Yue quietly pushed open the door.

He carefully came to Mu Xing’s side and asked, “Brother Xiaobao, are you still feeling unwell?”

When Mu Xing reassured him, he added, “Reading tires the mind. I’ll read to you.”

Mu Xing chuckled. “You’re treating me like porcelain, being this cautious?”

Ah Yue said nothing.

He truly had been frightened by Mu Xing.

In his heart, Mu Xing had always been so powerful. But seeing him burning hot and lying unconscious no matter how he was called—it was terrifying.

Only from the Mu family’s reactions did Ah Yue finally understand that “Brother Xiaobao has always been frail and sickly” wasn’t just talk.

Seeing his look, Mu Xing stroked his soft hair and said gently, “Don’t be afraid. This was just an accident. My health is fine, and I’ll be more careful from now on.”

He didn’t realize that this incident would etch itself deeply into Ah Yue’s mind—and the belief that “Brother Xiaobao is fragile and needs protection” would take root firmly there.

Because of this illness, Xie Wang ordered him to rest at home for ten days. Naturally, the Mu family followed Mr. Xie’s orders to the letter, taking turns to watch Mu Xing so closely that even getting out of bed felt difficult.

What Mu Xing didn’t know was that during those ten days, Xie Wang had gone alone to the capital.

The Marquis household of Cheng’en suffered disaster.

Since his disciple had told him not to kill, Xie Wang indeed refrained from killing.

That boy who had taken Xing’er’s place—hadn’t he once deliberately used medicine to feign illness? Xie Wang simply granted his wish and made sure he would never recover for life.

The Marquis household was too idle? Idle enough to still remember to harass the Mu family and Xing’er?

It was time to give them something else to worry about.

The key figures of the household—from the old madam, to the Marquis himself, to the marchioness—all fell ill one by one.

The symptoms were the same: weakness, fatigue, unable to do more than lie in bed.

Even the imperial physicians could not find the cause.

At just that time, a court official obtained a secret ledger, detailing years of the Marquis household’s embezzlement and private dealings.

None of it was enough for capital punishment, but taken together, it was plenty to enrage the emperor, who exploded in fury on the throne.

And with the whole Marquis household bedridden, they had no strength left to scramble for solutions.

Fortunately, thanks to the noble consort’s persuasion and the Second Prince’s mediation, His Majesty did not deal a lethal blow to the household.

The Marquis household, trembling with fear, handed over more than half of its wealth to the national treasury to preserve its title. Still, imperial favor was no longer what it once was.

Coupled with the family’s strange illness, no one thought for the time being of Mu Xing—the “true young master” living quietly in the countryside.

Xie Wang never mentioned the matter, and Mu Xing had even been surprised that the Marquis household had finally quieted down.

But to him, this was a blessing. He only wished the Marquis household would never remember him again for the rest of their lives.

---

Time passed steadily for eight years.

Mu Xing grew into a slender, delicate young man, and Xie Wang finally could not hold on any longer.

“As your teacher, I am glad I lived to see you grow this much.” His hair was now completely white, but his face had miraculously grown younger, with only a few fine lines at the corners of his eyes. To look at his features alone, one could believe he was merely in his thirties.

But Mu Xing’s heart sank: he recognized this as the final flare of vitality from the Xiaoyao Heart Method.

His master’s life was at its end.

Xie Wang gazed at him gently. “Do not grieve. Meeting you and passing on my Xiaoyao Heart Method was an unexpected joy.”

“In this life, I have known both glory and defeat. I have no regrets, and no final words to leave behind. After I die, cremate me, and scatter my ashes in the mountains and wilds.”

“In the future, if you meet a child of great talent, take them as a disciple and continue my Xiaoyao lineage. If not, it does not matter. Leave behind the legacy, and someday it will find a destined inheritor.”

With these words, Xie Wang closed his eyes as though falling into sleep.

But Mu Xing knew—he was gone.

His expression calm, Mu Xing carried out his master’s last wishes.

The Mu family worried deeply, afraid he might be too sorrowful and harm his health.

Ah Yue worried as well.

Now nearly fourteen, Ah Yue already looked like a young man.

Unlike Mu Xing’s frail build, Ah Yue’s training in external martial arts had made him tall, strong, and strikingly handsome, his sharp features resembling Xie Wang’s more than Mu Xing’s did.

As they grew older, when the two stood side by side, Ah Yue looked more like the elder brother.

“Shixiong (senior brother), don’t be too sad. Master passed without regrets,” Ah Yue tried to comfort him.

Two years earlier, he had barely qualified to be considered a proper disciple. Though Xie Wang still disapproved of him, acknowledging only Mu Xing as his true successor, he reluctantly accepted the title of “master.”

Thus, Ah Yue now naturally addressed Mu Xing as “shixiong.”

“Why would I be sad?” Mu Xing shook his head, looking at him in puzzlement. “I really am not.”

He had said this several times to his family already, but everyone thought he was forcing a smile.

“Master lived to an old age. He left with no regrets and without suffering. I will do my best to find a gifted successor for the Xiaoyao sect in the future.” Mu Xing glanced at Ah Yue, now as tall as himself, and repeated, “I am not sad.”

Ah Yue looked into his eyes.

They were still the same as when he was a child: clear, bright, and without shadows.

There was some sorrow, but no grief.

He really wasn’t heartbroken.

Ah Yue suddenly realized—perhaps he had never truly understood his shixiong.

Tender-hearted and pure, able to befriend animals in the mountains, unable to bring himself to kill…

He was no cold-blooded man. Yet regarding his master’s death, he was more accepting than anyone.

“Everyone dies. Nothing is eternal. Master himself said he had tasted everything in life and had no regrets. Since that’s so, what good is grief except to make yourself suffer?” Mu Xing said.

Ah Yue was silent for a long time.

A few days later, he sought out Mu Xing. “Now I finally understand why Master said you are the one most suited to the Xiaoyao Heart Method.”

“Mm?” Mu Xing was baffled by the sudden remark.

But Ah Yue changed the subject. “I’m leaving, shixiong.”

“Leaving? Where to?” Mu Xing was surprised.

“Beizhai has been restless. I’m going to enlist,” Ah Yue said.

He paused, then added, “And to avenge my family.”

Mu Xing nodded after hearing this. “All right. If you wish to go, then go. But you must explain properly to grandmother and mother—they will be reluctant to let you leave.”

Especially Grandma Mu. Though she was still healthy, at her age, she couldn’t bear to see her grandchildren far from her side.

“Shixiong won’t try to dissuade me?” Ah Yue asked.

Mu Xing looked at him oddly. “You’ve endured for so many years for this revenge. Do you think a few words from me could make you give it up?”

“I won’t,” Ah Yue admitted.

“Exactly.” Mu Xing tossed a handful of freshly picked flowers into Ah Yue’s arms. “Put these in the studio. And remember—keep yourself alive, come back home, don’t make your family grieve.”

Three days later, the Mu family saw Ah Yue off from Dazhuang Village.

That night, the light orb slowly drifted into Mu Xing’s dream.

Its glow had grown faint, and its tone was weary. “The old madam of the Marquis household has passed away. Now the heir controls the household. Lu Jiaming seems to have realized he’s being excluded from the inner circle, so he’s begun maneuvering for power.”

Mu Xing waited a while but heard no more. “Mm? That’s it? You’re not going to urge me to seize this chance and reclaim my identity?”

The orb sighed faintly. “Would you go if I urged you?”

“Of course not.”

“Exactly.” The little light actually sounded resigned, almost Buddhist in its detachment. “So let it be.”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

He asked again, “Has anything big happened in the Marquis’s household recently?”

“Big?” The leader thought for a moment, then shook his head. “No.”

“Really nothing?” Mu Xing didn’t believe it.

There was no way the old madam wanted to see him for no reason.
That excuse of “missing him” was something only a fool would believe.

The men racked their brains for a long while before one finally said, “The young master of the household has been sick for over half a year. The Marquis’s family has been seeking doctors and medicines all this time. The old madam even offered a heavy reward for a good physician.”

He glanced carefully at Mu Xing. “I don’t know… does that count as something big?”

Lu Jiaming is sick?

Could it be that because Lu Jiaming fell ill, the Marquis’s household suddenly thought of their true young master?

Even if Mu Xing racked his imagination, he could never have guessed their real intention—because it was simply too absurd.

After questioning them again and again until the guards were nearly in tears, Mu Xing finally stopped.

“Well then, may we ask, Young Master Mu, about the antidote?” they asked timidly.

Mu Xing gave a cold laugh, voice merciless: “Antidote? Of course there isn’t one. The poison only acts up once a year. You are not allowed to speak of what happened tonight. A year from now, come find me for the antidote.”

He had already wasted too much time here. Ah Yue was surely still worrying. Mu Xing stopped talking nonsense with them, turned, and vanished into the darkness.

The guards exchanged glances, unable to tell if Mu Xing’s words were true or false.

But none of them dared gamble with their lives.
They weren’t bonded servants of the Marquis’s household—since their lives weren’t tied to it, they gritted their teeth, hurried back, gathered up their families, and fled the capital altogether.

Mu Xing slipped quietly back in through the window. Ah Yue immediately sat up. “Brother Xiaobao, are you alright?”

Mu Xing patted his head. “I’m fine.”

His tone was still full of excitement. “I just realized how strong I am—I beat those guys until they were crawling on the ground!”

He wanted to brag about how dashing and imposing he had been, but it was late, and Ah Yue had been waiting for him without sleeping.

So Mu Xing just patted the blanket. “Sleep first. We’ll talk tomorrow.”

Ah Yue obediently curled back into bed and quickly fell asleep.

But the next day, Mu Xing didn’t get the chance to boast of his might.

He fell sick.

Out in the middle of the night dressed thinly, then using his inner force to fight—his frail body couldn’t take it.

Before dawn, he was burning up. Ah Yue, half-asleep, felt the heat beside him, touched Mu Xing, realized he was feverish, and leapt up to pound on Zhang shi and Mu Dazhuang’s door.

The entire Mu family was roused.

It had been so long since Xiaobao had last fallen ill—Zhang shi was weeping in heartache.

Fortunately, Xie Wang knew medicine. When he heard the news, he came by during the day, took Mu Xing’s pulse, carefully examined his condition, and called Ah Yue aside.

“Xing’er fought someone, didn’t he?”

Bound by Mu Xing’s instruction, Ah Yue hadn’t told the Mu family about the previous night. But with Xie Wang, there was no need to hide.

He explained how people had sneaked in to take Mu Xing away, how Mu Xing had gone out with them, and how he had fought.

Xie Wang’s face darkened like still water. He looked at the anxious, worried child but said nothing.

He personally wrote a prescription, fetched the medicine, and stayed by his disciple’s side.

Mu Xing sank into unconsciousness—and stayed that way for three days.

In his dreams, the light orb that had been gone for a long while appeared again.

“Lu Jiaming is sick, very sick. Now’s your chance to return to the Marquis’s household. One is a sickly invalid, the other a healthy and clever child—anyone would know which to choose,” it urged.

Mu Xing only asked, “Do you know why the Marquis’s household wants me back?”

The orb said slyly, “Of course. They think you’re the one suppressing Lu Jiaming’s illness, so they want to use you to find a cure for him.”

Its voice grew coaxing: “That whole family is rotten. Don’t you want revenge? Take Lu Jiaming, for instance—his very existence has been an insult and persecution to you. Now’s your chance. Return to the Marquis’s household. With your talent and wit, win your grandmother’s and parents’ favor, then deal with that stumbling block Lu Jiaming and reclaim what’s yours. Once you control the Marquisate, wiping out that filthy family will be nothing.”

Mu Xing was silent for a while, then affirmed, “That family is indeed sick.”

The orb perked up, but Mu Xing had already said his next line:

“But why would I fight over a rotting Marquisate with a bunch of lunatics?”

With that, he woke from the dream.

His body felt weak and heavy, but dry—clearly someone had been wiping him down.

“Xiaobao’s awake!” Zhang shi’s eyes were red; she hadn’t rested well in days.

She fussed over him: “Are you thirsty? Hungry? Still uncomfortable?”

Mu Xing shook his head and smiled at her. “I’m fine, Mother.”

Just then, Xie Wang pushed the door open.

Zhang shi said quickly, “I’ll bring you some porridge—let Master Xie take a look at you.”

Mu Xing looked up at his teacher’s stormy expression.

He offered an obedient smile. “Xiaobao being sick these days has troubled Master.”

Xie Wang glanced at him. “Don’t you know the state of your own body? I taught you martial arts so you could cultivate your health and defend yourself when necessary, not so you could show off your courage.”

Mu Xing felt aggrieved. “It wasn’t on purpose—someone came for me first.”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣

Ah Yue stroked the soft little creature in his arms, and suddenly remembered—just not long ago, his older brother had given him a young colt.

He had loved it instantly, clutching the little horse and refusing to let go.

That colt had been just as soft and gentle as the squirrel in his arms now.

He couldn’t help recalling his brother’s expression back then, the hearty smile on his face: “Before long, Ah Yue will be able to ride the colt and run alongside brother. Ah Yue, are you happy?”

When Uncle Tingfeng had taken him wandering from place to place, he too would clutch him tightly in the middle of the night, repeating over and over: “Ah Yue, don’t only think of revenge. As long as you live well, that’s the greatest wish of the General and Madam.”

He lowered his head, and a tear slid silently into the squirrel’s soft fur.

When he looked up again, he forced his eyes into a smile at Mu Xing: “I understand. Thank you, Brother Xiaobao.”

---

The Mu family soon noticed that Ah Yue had become much more cheerful.

He still trained diligently, but at home he now greeted people on his own, and would quietly help with chores.

Dazhuang Village was small. The fact that the Mu family had brought back a five-year-old boy spread quickly.

Zhang shi explained simply: Ah Yue’s parents had died of illness, and his paternal family hadn’t wanted to raise him. Seeing he was pitiful, she brought him home.

No one in the village doubted it. In these times, people placed great importance on blood ties. As long as they weren’t too poor to feed themselves, they were usually willing to take in relatives.

Only a handful of people were displeased with Ah Yue’s arrival.

For instance, Xu Dapang, who had been at odds with Mu Jiafeng since childhood.

Xu Dapang’s father was a peddler, clever and well-traveled, who had made good money. Their family was one of the better-off households in the village. If not for Xu Dapang’s utter lack of talent, his father would’ve sent him to study in town.

Xu Dapang had once been the leader of the village children, but Mu Jiafeng and Mu Jiajia refused to follow him. The two sides had clashed since they were young.

Later, when Mu Xing was born sickly and couldn’t leave the house for three years, Xu Dapang had even mocked the siblings, saying their family had birthed a short-lived weakling.

——That was, until Mu Xing grew older, his health improved, and he could go outside.

Even without schooling, people had a natural sense for beauty.

The little Mu treasure of the Mu family was more beautiful than flowers! That was the truest description the uneducated village children could come up with.

Xu Dapang and his gang stopped picking fights with the Mu siblings and instead wanted to bring the beautiful little brother along to play.

They were just kids, with no real malice, and Mu Xing didn’t dislike them.

But he wasn’t truly a small child, and couldn’t spend every day running barefoot with them, digging for crickets, worms, and mouse holes.

The others didn’t mind. Mu Xiaobao was too good-looking, fair-skinned, not the same shade as them at all. Quietness suited him.

That wasn’t “unsociable”—that was… what did his mother say? Gentle and refined. Yes, gentle and refined!

But now, the Mu family had picked up Ah Yue.

In order to make him happy and free from burdens, Mu Xing tried hard to take Ah Yue everywhere, encouraging him to play with children his own age, determined to bring him joy.

The group of kids, used to Mu Xiaobao’s quiet persona, suddenly saw him treating this outsider differently.

And an outsider, no less! How could that be tolerated?

Xu Dapang and a few of his hangers-on chose a time, lying in wait on the roadside when Ah Yue returned alone from Xie Wang’s place one day. They leapt out, ready to beat him up, show him the cruelty of the world, and announce who the real boss of the village was.

——Instead, they themselves tasted the cruelty of the world, beaten up thoroughly by Ah Yue.

By now, Ah Yue had been following Xie Wang for almost half a year. He wasn’t amazing yet, but knocking down a few ten-year-olds was more than easy.

He stared in puzzlement at the four wailing on the ground. He didn’t know them, and didn’t sense any killing intent from them either.

When he got home, he told Mu Xing what happened.

After a rough description, Mu Xing instantly knew who it was.

“They tried to beat you? Four against one?” Mu Xing jumped up.

So angry!

In his mind, since Ah Yue had been adopted into the Mu family,

Ah Yue shook his head. Just as he was about to say “I beat them up”, Mu Xing shot him a glare.

Ah Yue opened his mouth, then closed it again.

Hearing that Ah Yue wasn’t hurt, Zhang shi finally let out a sigh of relief—then rolled up her sleeves: “How unreasonable! That Xu Dapang is so big already, and he still dares bully our Ah Yue? Ah Yue, don’t be afraid. Auntie will go to the Xu household right now and ask that woman Li Cuihua how she’s raising her son!”

Fuming, Zhang shi stormed out to demand justice from Xu Dapang’s mother.

Ah Yue looked at her departing back, conflicted. “I just lied.”

That soft, round bun-like face wearing such a troubled, forlorn expression was so adorable it made one want to pinch it.

Mu Xing looked at the solemn little fellow and couldn’t help feeling amused. He wondered what kind of family had raised such an honest child.

He declared righteously: “How did you lie? Wasn’t it Xu Dapang who led people to block you? We only left out part of the truth.”

“And besides,” Mu Xing continued, “if you hadn’t been strong, wouldn’t you have been beaten for nothing by them today?”

“The only reason you’re unharmed is because you’re capable. That doesn’t mean they weren’t wrong.” He patted Ah Yue’s head. “So, them getting beaten by you was what they deserved—but it still wasn’t enough.”

After going on a bit, he realized he was talking too much. “Forget it, you wouldn’t understand. You just need to know this: when us kids are bullied, our mother will always stand up for us.”

Mother will always stand up for us.

Ah Yue repeated the words silently in his heart. His lashes trembled lightly, and at last he lifted his head and gave a firm “Mm.”

About half an hour later, Zhang shi returned.

“That brat from the Xu family still tried to deny it, even accused our Ah Yue of hitting him. What a joke!” Zhang shi huffed angrily. “Does he even think? Our Ah Yue is so little, and those four big kids ganged up on him. Even his own mother didn’t believe that nonsense.”

Indeed, Madam Li clearly knew her son was lying. She was furious at Xu Dapang for bullying a child so much younger, one who’d even lost his father, and after confirming the truth, she broke off a tree branch and gave him a beating right there.

Finishing her tale, Zhang shi looked at Ah Yue and smiled kindly: “Next time you run into them, don’t be afraid. They won’t dare bully you again. Otherwise, I’ll have his mother thrash him to death.”

Only then did Mu Xing widen his eyes with feigned innocence. “Mother, actually there’s something I forgot to tell you earlier.”

“What is it?” Zhang shi asked.

“Well, the truth is, Xu Dapang and his gang weren’t a match for Ah Yue. They tried to bully him but ended up getting soundly beaten instead.”

Ah Yue instantly tensed, tilting his head up to watch Zhang shi’s reaction.

She froze, instinctively looking at the child who barely reached her waist, and asked uncertainly, “Ah Yue really beat them up?”

Ah Yue nodded. “Master is very powerful.”

Zhang shi suddenly broke into laughter. She bent down and planted a firm kiss on his cheek. “Well done! You truly are one of our Mu family!”

She then perfectly demonstrated the Mu family’s double standards—her face turned immediately to disdain. “Those Xu boys are a disgrace. Four of them, so big already, and they can’t even beat a five-year-old? If I were his mother, I’d thrash him again. Shameful!”

When Zhang shi went into the kitchen to cook, Mu Xing looked at Ah Yue, who was still covering his cheek, and grinned. “See? I told you. You can tell the family anything. Mother will always speak up for us.”

Ah Yue really did like the Mu family.

They were cheerful, hardworking. Life here was poorer than what he’d once known, yet they were happy—and so was he.

He thought the Mus had no sore spots.

Until that day, when a few riders arrived at their door.

They were people from the Marquis of Cheng’en’s household.

Ah Yue followed behind Mu Xing, unafraid of being recognized. He had always lived at the border, never appeared in the capital.

The visitors had come to take Mu Xing back to the capital—

Because the young master Jiaming was ill.

This time, it was real.

Before, in order to drive Mu Xing away, Jiaming had taken some medicine and even sought out a so-called “master” to say that he and Mu Xing’s fates clashed.

As he wished, the Lu family believed that this outsider Mu Xing couldn’t compare to the child they had raised. The one to remain was Lu Jiaming.

Everything had been perfect.

But from that day on, Jiaming began to truly fall ill.

He stopped taking the medicine, focused on recuperating—but instead he started coughing, lost his appetite, and no matter how carefully he was tended, he failed to improve.

As he wasted away, the Lu family sought famous doctors, even imperial physicians, yet no cause could be found.

The old madam of the Marquis household grew desperate. Suddenly she remembered the words of that “master”: Mu Xing and Jiaming’s fates clashed.

In Dazhuang Village, the Marquis household had always kept eyes watching in secret.

They did not believe the Mu family was truly so honest. Trusted retainers had been ordered to watch, with instructions that if the Mu family ever traveled toward the capital, they were to seize them and bring them in.

What happened afterward would be handled by unspeakable means.

At present, the old madam herself didn’t even know exactly what she wanted from bringing Mu Xing over. In her eyes, he was nothing more than a possible “medicine” that might cure her grandson. Whether it worked or not didn’t matter—it was worth trying.

As for Mu Xing’s own wishes—who cared?

Those men hadn’t expected the Mu family to refuse.

They came under the pretense that the old madam missed Mu Xing, the child she had entrusted to relatives, and wanted to bring him to the capital to live a good life.

In their eyes, for a country boy to catch the eye of the Marquis’s old madam was an enormous honor.

But the Mu family refused without hesitation—and even shut the door in their faces.

Dazhuang Village wasn’t small, and with so many locals who had lived there for generations, quite a crowd came out with their families to watch the commotion.

“Boss, what do we do?” one of the mounted riders asked.

With so many witnesses, and acting under the Marquis of Cheng’en’s name, they couldn’t just openly snatch a child. If the Mu family submitted a complaint, the Marquis household wouldn’t suffer much, but small fry like them would be punished.

The leader gave the Mus a glance and muttered, “We’ll come back at night.”

In these mountains, if a child disappeared, it wasn’t anything strange. With no evidence, even if the Mu family suspected, no one would dare confront the Marquis household over mere suspicion.

“Bah!” After that group left, Zhang shi spat with disgust.

“What kind of Marquis household is this? Those masters must all be crazy in the head.” She frowned. “When they drove us away, they looked at us like filth. Now suddenly they say they want our Xiaobao.”

Even if she didn’t understand schemes and stratagems, she knew this wasn’t normal.

“There’s definitely some nasty trick behind it!” she declared.

That night.

Mu Xing opened his eyes in the dark. Beside him, Ah Yue also awoke.

Ah Yue crept closer and whispered, “Brother Xiaobao, someone came in.”

Mu Xing nodded lightly. “I know.”

The two brothers stayed still, pretending to sleep. Soon, someone climbed in through the window.

Guided by moonlight, the intruder easily picked Mu Xing out and slung him over his back.

At the village outskirts, in a patch of dense woods, several men gathered.

“So quick? Nicely done, Old Third.”

The one carrying Mu Xing—called Old Third—grinned. “Just a farm family. With my skills, how could they possibly notice?”

The leader looked at Mu Xing. “Give him some medicine. Don’t want him waking up and causing trouble on the road.”

“What kind of medicine are you trying to feed me?” came a crisp voice in the darkness.

The leader froze. Realizing the child was awake, he raised his hand like a knife, aiming to knock Mu Xing out.

But before his hand could fall, a soft little hand blocked it.

Mu Xing knew his master was powerful, and had often heard him say he had great talent.

But he had never faced a real opponent—so he had no idea of his true strength.

Until now, when he grabbed the leader’s wrist, channeled inner force, and gave a light squeeze—

Crack!

The sound of bones breaking rang out, followed by the man’s pained cry.

Had he… accidentally crushed the man’s bone?

Startled, Mu Xing leapt down from Old Third’s back, guilt written all over his face. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was that strong. I didn’t mean it.”

Leader: “……”
Others: “……”

They all stared at Mu Xing like he was some kind of monster.

Clenching his teeth through the pain, the leader barked, “This kid is strange. What are you waiting for? Take him down!”

The others snapped out of their daze and rushed at Mu Xing.

This was Mu Xing’s first real fight since learning martial arts from his master.

The night posed no obstacle to him. In his eyes, their bodies were full of flaws, their movements unbearably slow.

Suddenly, he felt disdain for the Marquis household.

This was supposed to be a noble family of the first rank? And their people were this weak?

He was wronging them, though.

Xie Wang, arrogant as he was, had never mentioned his own fearsome reputation in the martial world to his only disciple.

And Mu Xing truly had no idea how formidable he was.

For a household of civil officials and nobles, their guards weren’t even on par with third- or fourth-rate fighters in the jianghu. How could they match him?

Within moments, all of them were sprawled on the ground.

Mu Xing stood over them. “The Marquis household sent you to drag me back. What for?”

Of course, none of them answered.

Mu Xing thought for a moment. “Didn’t you say earlier you wanted to feed me some medicine?”

He rummaged around, pulled something out, and shoved it into their mouths. “Courtesy demands reciprocity.”

“What did you feed us?” the leader asked in terror.

Mu Xing said calmly, “Don’t worry. Just a little poison that’ll kill you if you swallow it.”

The leader went pale. “We didn’t want your life!”

Mu Xing dusted his hands. “Nor do I. Tell me the truth and I’ll give you the antidote.”

Seeing his unfathomable martial skill and his eerie, unpredictable manner, none of them dared provoke him further.

The leader grimaced. “We really don’t know much. The Marquis gave the order to bring you back. We’re just following orders.”

“Bring me back for what?”

“The old madam wants to see you,” the leader admitted.

From their expressions, Mu Xing judged they really didn’t know more. He felt wronged.

“It’s not even my fault. They’re the ones who came looking for trouble first.”

❣╰(⸝⸝⸝꒳⸝⸝⸝)╯❣