Chapter 39: Staying Against Their Will
"Because he still had some rationality left, knowing you were his mother, the person he cherishes most. Should we test it again? See if the dark energy inside him will corrode you, Aunt Bai?" Mu Lichuan's face was filled with loathing. "Actually, Grandfather wanted to test your and Father’s blood to see if there was anything unusual, to find a way to dispel the dark energy and ensure Xiaolin’s safety."
"You know how Grandfather is...old and prideful. He speaks bluntly and doesn’t like explaining himself." As the boy spoke, his gaze remained fixed on Mu Xiaolin.
In his past life, Mu Xiaolin, wielding his power, had disregarded everyone else’s opinions. He crushed anyone who opposed him, including Mu Lichuan himself.
Though Mu Lichuan didn’t know what had happened after his death in that life, Mu Xiaolin’s cruel torment of him proved one thing: he feared no pressure from the Mu family. No, to be precise, the Mu family’s pressure meant nothing to him.
Hearing his grandson defend him, Mu Xiwang felt a twinge of awkwardness before turning away. He hadn’t expected the boy to be so skilled at twisting words, turning lies into truths.
Mu Xiaolin retorted loudly, "Impossible! You just want to drive us out of the Mu family!" Hmph! Did they think he couldn’t see through Mu Lichuan’s venomous schemes?
"Little Brother, you misunderstand me deeply. When did I ever say I wanted you gone? Or have you forgotten, if not for this incident, Aunt Bai would already be the Mu family’s matriarch, wouldn’t she?" A faint sneer curled Mu Lichuan’s lips as he spoke.
Truthfully, it would be best if the mother and son left the Mu family. But he knew all too well, with Mu Xiaolin being a walking time bomb, the Mu family would never let him roam free to harm others. Neither would the other major families.
At these words, Bai Ping and her son fell silent. Mu Changnian, however, looked at his eldest son with relief. "Father, if you had such concerns, why not explain earlier?"
He understood that Mu Lichuan’s words were just covering for his father. From Mu Xiwang’s actions, it was clear he truly doubted Xiaolin’s parentage.
But how could Xiaolin not be his son when their DNA had matched? Another test would be the ultimate blow to his dignity as the family head. Who would respect him after this?
Mu Xiwang’s face remained impassive. "The blood test is still necessary."
"You—!" Bai Ping’s expression darkened. Despite Mu Lichuan’s smooth explanations, she wasn’t fooled. Even a blind man could see Mu Xiwang’s disdain for her son.
They needed the Mu family’s protection. Without it, certain people might discover them, bringing unforeseen dangers. She had to inform that person quickly. Otherwise, her son’s safety couldn’t be guaranteed.
"Ah Ping, Father means well. Let’s cooperate," Mu Changnian said reluctantly. He couldn’t bear to leave the Mu family either. Who knew what dangers lurked outside?
It wasn’t the mundane struggles of ordinary life he feared, but the unknown threats, especially the dark energy within Xiaolin. The memory of its corrosive force still haunted him.
Mu Xiaolin watched their act coldly. "Mom, can’t you see? They want to imprison us in the Mu family!" The boy’s voice was firm, devoid of fear.
The dark energy inside him was a gift from that person, a protection. It would never spiral out of control. So why...? Were they planning to use him? Or control him?
Bai Ping was torn. Part of her wanted the Mu family’s protection for her son. Yet another part refused to let him live under their surveillance.
"Mom!" Mu Xiaolin called out sharply when she hesitated. Tears of stubborn defiance welled in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall.
"Fine. We’ll leave," Bai Ping said softly, her voice tinged with resignation.
Mu Changnian was taken aback by their resolve. Just when things could have been smoothed over, they chose exile. "Ah Ping, Xiaolin, you—" He trailed off, conflicted.
Bai Ping laughed coldly. "We never should have come to the Mu family. Never should have hoped for the impossible. From the moment we step out, we’ll have no ties to the Mu family."
She had misjudged Mu Changnian. She’d thought he could protect them, but he held no real power in the Mu family, not even basic standing.
Mu Lichuan feigned panic. "Little Brother, Aunt Bai, leaving is suicide! Are you really willing to take that risk?" His dark eyes brimmed with concern, as if already seeing their corpses.
"If we die, it’ll be the Mu family’s doing!" Mu Xiaolin’s eyes burned with hatred. Once he gained enough power, the first to die would be Mu Lichuan, then the entire Mu family. The Mo family wouldn’t be spared either.
"Little Brother, must you be so extreme? You’re part of the Mu family. Everything we do is for your own good," Mu Lichuan said, frowning slightly. As if Mu Xiaolin, raised outside, couldn’t understand familial duty. He was too selfish to ever protect the Mu family, even if he succeeded.
"For our good? How hypocritical! Using ‘for our good’ as an excuse to imprison us?" Mu Xiaolin spat. His heart had twisted beyond reason, blind to the terror of the dark energy within him.
This time, Mu Lichuan stayed silent, glancing at his father instead. The man’s face was stormy, clearly angered. "What does the Mu family want from you? Haven’t we given you everything - food, shelter, a life?"
"Master!" Bai Ping shrieked when she saw her son’s pale, trembling lips. "You’re right. Without your support, we wouldn’t be alive today."
Her heart ached. She’d thought entering the Mu family would be easy. Now she saw the truth - getting in was hard, leaving even harder. Unless they became pawns. Unless they were useless.
Her son’s body attracted unclean things. If a powerful evil spirit came, even the Mu family might not withstand it. But for now... staying was their only choice.
"Mom..." Mu Xiaolin’s eyes swam with tears. The Mu family’s oppression only fed his hatred, his eyes gradually tinting red.
Recognizing the signs of the dark energy’s influence, Mu Lichuan acted fast. "Aunt Bai, the Mu family means no harm. Look at Xiaolin—!"
Bai Ping had doubted him, but at the mention of her son’s condition, she whirled around. Xiaolin’s face had gone blank, his eyes glazed with an eerie light. "Xiaolin! Xiaolin! It’s me—Mom! Look at me!" When he didn’t respond, she steeled herself and slapped him.
The pain jolted Mu Xiaolin back to awareness. "Mom? What’s wrong?" In just a blink, his mother was sobbing uncontrollably.
"My son... my son..." Bai Ping dropped to her knees, clutching him tightly. "We’ll stay with the Mu family." Even if they learned Xiaolin wasn’t a Mu by blood, they wouldn’t dare harm him. If he lost control, the entire family would pay.
Mu Xiwang and the others exhaled in relief. None of them knew the extent of the dark energy’s reach, whether it was limited or infinite. The death toll could be catastrophic.
Mu Xiaolin was utterly confused. "Mom, what happened? Don’t cry. I’m fine." He remembered nothing of the past moments.
"Aunt Bai, Xiaolin is a Mu family's... genius. Our ancestors wouldn’t want him in danger. You should stay," Mu Lichuan said, his goal achieved. No need to push further, not when the elders now viewed him favorably.
For now, he needed their protection. His foolish father might do anything otherwise.
Mu Changnian added, "Xiaolin, you’re my child, a member of the Mu family. Where else would you go?"
"The engagement ceremony is soon. Aside from school, prepare for it." Once betrothed to Mo Shanshan, Xiaolin would have the Mo family’s backing too.
The thought of being engaged to Mo Shanshan made Mu Xiaolin sick. If he hated the Mu family, he despised the Mo family even more. Their mess, yet he had to clean it up.
"I’ll talk sense into Xiaolin. Don’t worry." Bai Ping squeezed her son’s hand - a silent plea to endure, for now.
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