Chapter 34: Young Master Mu's Disdain
Mu Lichuan knew very well that Bai Ping cared most about her son. In their past life, despite being an ordinary woman, she had lived a life of luxury because of Mu Xiaolin, even he himself had been unable to shake her position.
Back then, he had never suspected his mother’s death was orchestrated, truly believing it was suicide. Though he prided himself on being clever, there were certain unseen "forces" he simply couldn’t bring himself to believe in. Otherwise, he might not have been friendly with Mu Xiaolin, but at the very least, he wouldn’t have made trouble for him, even providing him with financial support.
"Bai Ping, don’t you see? Mu Xiaolin will soon be killed. As a mother, you can’t even save your own son." When she still didn’t react, Mu Lichuan pressed further, "You know about cultivators. If his soul is extracted, he won’t even get a chance to reincarnate."
Sometimes, provocation was necessary, gentler methods simply wouldn’t work. As for so-called "love," judging by his father’s behavior, it was all empty promises. How many of them were ever truly kept?
"Lichuan’s standing so close, is he saying something terrible? Could he be trying to harm Bai Ping and her son?" Seeing little movement from the dark energy, Mu Changnian voiced his concern.
Mu Xiwang scoffed at his son. "If you’re so worried, why were you too afraid to go earlier?"
Though he was from the secular world, he was no coward. And Mu Lichuan, so sensible and now possessing the Yin-Yang Eyes, was a tremendous asset to the Mu family.
Mu Changnian flushed under his father’s scolding. "I-I’m just an ordinary person. Lichuan at least has the Yin-Yang Eyes…" His words trailed off under his father’s glare.
Mu Xiaoran sighed. "What kind of time is this for idle chatter? The barrier won’t hold much longer. We need to awaken Mu Xiaolin’s consciousness first, then seal the dark energy back inside him. And we mustn’t provoke him, or he’ll break through the barrier again."
At this, Mu Xiwang frowned. "Father, can’t we just kill him?" To him, that was the simplest solution. Keeping such a time bomb in the Mu family would only breed unease.
"Kill him? Do you think we even can?" Mu Xiaoran understood that cultivators needed to be ruthless. Otherwise, they’d become prey themselves.
Even in the secular world, ordinary people harmed their own brothers for profit, let alone cultivators. Murder and treasure theft were hardly rare.
"Father, are we just supposed to keep him like this?" Mu Xiwang’s dislike for Mu Xiaolin deepened, and he shot his son a glare. "What’s wrong with you? How could you father such a monster?"
They had thought him a genius, but now… it was all a cruel joke. They had no way to purge the darkness inside him.
"We’ll find a solution later. For now, we must avoid provoking him or attempting any sneak attacks - trying to steal a chicken only to lose the rice." Mu Xiaoran took a deep breath. "And Changnian, you can’t let your bias show too much."
[偷鸡不成蚀把米 (tōu jī bù chéng shí bǎ mǐ): lit. try to steal a chicken only to lose the rice; fig. attempt something risky and end up worse off.]
He knew Changnian had only married Lichuan’s mother for the alliance between their families, something he had never been happy about.
Mu Changnian didn’t argue. "Grandfather, I understand. But Bai Ping has sacrificed much for me and bore the Mu family a genius. As for the dark energy in Xiaolin… even he himself probably doesn’t know its origin." To him, the boy was still young, having only interacted with ordinary people before. It was possible someone else had forced this energy into him.
"We’ll investigate later. Right now, our priority is resolving this situation." Mu Xiaoran’s expression was grave. He wasn’t sure if Lichuan would succeed, the talisman’s protection wouldn’t last long. But Lichuan couldn’t be allowed to come to harm. He was the Mu family’s new generation, their hope.
Bai Ping’s eyes fluttered open, and Mu Lichuan pressed on. "Though the Mu family prioritizes its interests, Mu Xiaolin brought this upon himself. Taking responsibility isn’t wrong. But if he keeps releasing this dark energy… you know the consequences." His tone was sharp, unyielding.
"Whether he lives or dies depends entirely on you, his mother. I believe you won’t let him die, will you?"
Bai Ping wiped the blood from her lips. She knew Mu Xiaoran wanted her son dead. "Xiaolin… Xiaolin, it’s me, your mother. Look at me… You can’t leave me behind."
Seeing this, Mu Lichuan quickly retreated. He wasn’t a fool, now that Bai Ping was awake, the rest was her responsibility.
The dark energy had spread further, and if not for his memory of the path, he might not have found his way back.
"Great-grandfather, it’s me, Lichuan. She’s awake." His voice was calm, devoid of emotion.
Mu Xiaoran handed two talismans to Mu Xiwang and Mu Changnian. "Hold these. The dark energy can corrode anything it touches. You’re ordinary people, you have no resistance."
Soon, Mu Lichuan re-entered the barrier, bringing traces of dark energy with him. Thanks to his talisman, he remained unharmed, though its power had weakened significantly.
Mu Xiaoran studied his great-grandson, suspicion flickering in his mind. The talisman shouldn’t have lasted this long, yet he was unscathed. Did he possess some treasure without realizing it? He could only hope this was a good sign.
"Lichuan, what’s the situation? Is Xiaolin awake?" Mu Changnian asked urgently. If the dark energy kept expanding, his grandfather’s barrier wouldn’t hold much longer.
Mu Lichuan’s eyes darkened slightly. He had always known his father favored Mu Xiaolin. To him, Mu Lichuan was merely an obligation. "Not yet, but Bai Ping is awake. I couldn’t stay any longer." He wasn’t stupid, if that energy corroded him, the loss would outweigh the gain. And no one would mourn his death anyway.
"Wise decision, Lichuan. The dark energy recognizes Bai Ping and won’t harm her. Now, we wait." Mu Xiaoran praised his great-grandson’s prudence.
Time passed. Just as the dark energy seemed uncontrollable, it suddenly retracted at lightning speed, leaving everyone stunned, even Mu Xiaoran hadn’t expected it to be so docile.
Mu Xiaolin’s face was pale, his eyes still tinged with red, but his rationality had returned.
The Mu family collectively exhaled in relief. "Handle the rest yourself," Mu Xiaoran said before leaving the hall. The family would deal with the casualties.
"Xiaolin… Ping’er." Mu Changnian knew he had to play the emotional card. "I’ve failed you as a father. I couldn’t protect you." His voice cracked.
Bai Ping glanced at him, then fixed her gaze on Mu Lichuan. "He cursed our son to die!" She remembered clearly, his words about the Mu family wanting Xiaolin dead.
"What?" Mu Changnian was secretly pleased. This proved the mother and son still wanted to stay with the Mu family.
"He wants our son dead!" Bai Ping repeated hoarsely, her voice thick with hatred.
Mu Changnian frowned. "Lichuan, what’s the meaning of this?"
Mu Lichuan replied coldly, "Father, if I hadn’t said that, do you think Bai Ping would’ve woken up so quickly? Otherwise, we’d all be dead, look at the servants in the hall. Their faces are blackened. They’re already gone." He knew Bai Ping and her son wanted to make him the scapegoat, but they’d have to reconsider their strength.
He was certain now, Mu Xiaolin would never hold status in the Mu family. As for the secular world, that would depend on his own ability.
"I… I killed them?" Mu Xiaolin, still a child, paled. Though hatred filled his expression, he had never actually killed before.
Before his father could console him, Mu Lichuan cut in, "Of course it was you. Who else? Your dark energy attacks indiscriminately." From his expression, it was clear he had no awareness of the energy within him.
Seeing her son trembling and disoriented, Bai Ping snapped, "Mu Lichuan, what are you plotting? Xiaolin has just recovered, and you’re provoking him again?"
"Lichuan, your aunt is right. Right now, we need to calm Xiaolin, not agitate him." Mu Changnian was displeased with his eldest son’s behavior.
Mu Lichuan smirked. "I’m just stating facts. Should we lie to him? That won’t do him any good. A person should have self-awareness, don’t you think?" With his grandfather’s backing, he no longer feared his father’s disapproval.
"Mu Lichuan!" Mu Changnian wasn’t a fool, he knew his son was twisting the knife. "We’ll discuss this later. Right now, you are still a young master of the Mu family. Or would you prefer to leave?"
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