Chapter 32: Signs of Demonic Possession
Upon hearing Mu Xiwang's words, Bai Ping's face instantly turned deathly pale. "Master, Xiaolin is your child, this was confirmed by DNA testing! How could Father-in-law say such things? Just because the Mu family never had geniuses before, does that mean we can't have one now?" Tears streamed down her face as if she had suffered unbearable humiliation.
Mu Changnian was also in a foul mood. For his father to publicly cast doubt on his son in front of so many people. "Father, our family matters should be resolved internally. Right now, we need to settle the conflict between the Mu and Mo families." His words were a clear warning for his father to stay out of it.
"Hmph! This matter has little to do with Lichuan. Don’t drag him into it. Even an old man like me, half-buried in the grave, wouldn’t stand for this," Mu Xiwang retorted coldly. What he despised most was people who dragged their own kin into trouble.
The feud between Mu Xiaolin and Mo Shanshan was nothing more than an accident between juniors. Since the latter’s innocence had been ruined, the former should take responsibility, not act arrogantly just because he had a single spiritual root. The Mu family had stood among the three great clans for generations without relying on so-called geniuses.
Mu Lichuan was surprised that, in this life, his grandfather was taking his side. In his past life, the old man had remained aloof, leaving everything to his father.
Mo Xiangxiong nodded slightly. "Patriarch Mu, your family must show some sincerity."
Mu Changnian knew that mishandling this situation would lead to future complications. "Very well. Xiaolin will marry Shanshan. The Mu family will ensure she is treated well, and we will cede one percent of Mu Corporation’s shares."
Matters of the mortal world should be resolved with mortal methods.
"Shanshan..." Mo Xiangxiong looked at his daughter, clearly signaling for her to accept.
Mo Shanshan gave a slight nod. "Fine, but if Mu Xiaolin ever mistreats me, your family must punish him. Also, we’ll be engaged first, marriage will wait until we come of age."
"Agreed." Mu Changnian inwardly sighed in relief.
Mu Xiaolin wanted to protest, but under his mother’s warning gaze, he could only glare stubbornly at Mo Shanshan and the Mu family. None of this was his fault, yet he was being forced to bear all the consequences.
Soon, the Mo family left. The Mu family’s internal affairs were none of their business. The engagement ceremony was set for a month later.
"From now on, Xiaolin will study under me," Mu Xiaoran declared solemnly. The boy’s temperament was too stubborn, his thoughts too shadowed. Left unchecked, he could become a calamity for the Mu family.
Bai Ping froze, then turned to her husband. Mu Changnian hesitated. "Grandfather, Xiaolin is still young. He hasn’t even mastered basic knowledge. Isn’t it too soon for him to—"
"He can learn just as well by my side. Even without ice-element cultivation techniques, he can start by drawing in qi," Mu Xiaoran interrupted, his gaze piercing. "Indulgence has its limits."
He had no interest in meddling in his descendants’ affairs, unless they threatened the Mu family’s future.
"As you command, Grandfather." Mu Changnian bowed respectfully. Among the Mu elders, his grandfather held the highest authority.
Mu Xiaolin seethed at the Mu family’s high-handedness. Glancing at Mu Lichuan, he said coldly, "If I’m to study, shouldn’t Elder Brother join me? Or is Great-Grandfather trying to isolate me?"
Mu Lichuan smiled. "If Great-Grandfather is willing to teach me, I’d be honored." In truth, he had already mastered all mortal knowledge. His time was better spent elsewhere.
"Lichuan, it’s not that I won’t teach you, it’s that I can’t," Mu Xiaoran admitted frankly. "Learn from the Mo family how to wield your Yin-Yang Eyes. As for qi absorption, I’ll guide you. Whether you become a cultivator depends on your destiny." His tone was gentle yet firm.
"Understood, Great-Grandfather." Mu Lichuan bowed courteously. Once Xiao Mo awakened, his real training would begin. Falling behind Mu Xiaolin again was not an option, he refused to relive his past life’s tragedy.
"I refuse!" Mu Xiaolin’s simmering resentment finally erupted.
He was a genius! Why should Mu Lichuan enjoy the Mu family’s privileges while he suffered? Even his mother hadn’t been formally married into the family. This was blatant discrimination!
"You refuse my guidance?" Mu Xiaoran frowned. Such ingratitude was unacceptable.
Mu Xiaolin shook his head. "I’ll learn from you, but not if it means abandoning everything in the mortal world." With Earth’s sparse spiritual energy, qi absorption might take years. He wouldn’t live like an ascetic until then.
"If you can draw in qi within three years, you won’t need seclusion," Mu Xiaoran conceded. The boy’s flaws couldn’t be fixed overnight. "But first, you’ll learn humility from Lichuan." His voice turned stern. "Fail in either, and you’ll be cast out."
This was his final offer. He wouldn’t coddle a potential demonic cultivator.
Mu Xiaolin’s face darkened. "First, the Mu family abandons me for years. Now, you threaten to discard me again?" His heart bled, the beast within him snarling, but he knew exile meant losing all protection.
"The Mu family has no use for the incompetent," Mu Lichuan countered flatly. "Your heart festers with malice. If left unchecked, you’ll succumb to demonic possession, bringing ruin to us all."
"Cultivation begins with the heart. If you can’t master your desires, you’ll become a demon - a scourge upon our family."
Having witnessed demonic cultivators in his past life, he recognized the signs. Mu Xiaolin couldn’t be allowed to walk that path, but his father’s blind favoritism made intervention difficult.
"Mu Lichuan!" Mu Changnian roared. "How dare you curse your own brother?" Guilt gnawed at him, had he not failed Bai Ping and Xiaolin, they wouldn’t have suffered in secrecy.
Mu Lichuan blinked innocently. "Father, I’m only stating facts. Novels say excessive inner demons lead to demonic cultivation, feeding on others’ suffering to grow stronger. I don’t want that for Xiaolin. Right, Grandfather? Great-Grandfather?"
This time, he had allies. His Yin-Yang Eyes, able to perceive ghosts, made him invaluable.
"Lichuan isn’t wrong," Mu Xiwang said gravely. "Xiaolin must first purge the hatred in his heart. Otherwise, even successful qi absorption could lead to possession." A demonic cultivator would doom the entire planet.
Bai Ping let out a shrill laugh. "You condemn my son as a demon before he even cultivates? The Mu family goes too far! Changnian, is this your so-called love?" Her heart burned with hatred.
Mu Changnian wavered, torn between guilt and duty. "Father, Grandfather, how could you—"
"The Mu family needs talent, but not at any cost," Mu Xiaoran cut in. "He claims he went to the cemetery to prove himself, yet was he not gathering yin energy? Or summoning ghosts?"
Mu Xiaolin shuddered under his piercing gaze, as if his secrets had been laid bare. Defiant, he spat, "So what if I sought yin energy? On this planet, spiritual qi is scarce, but yin energy is plentiful! Should I wait centuries to die like the rest of you?"
His face flushed crimson, his eyes glinting with a sinister red light.
Mu Xiaoran’s expression hardened. "These are unmistakable signs of demonic possession! This boy cannot stay!" However painful it was to lose a genius, a demonic cultivator would bring catastrophe.
"Guh—!" Bai Ping suddenly coughed up blood, the crimson spray drenching Mu Xiaolin.
Enraged, Mu Xiaolin lost all reason. "Mu family... Murderers! You killed my mother—I'll destroy you all!"
Black miasma erupted from his body.
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