Chapter 702: Guardian of 702 brother Han Feng
In those days, Eldest Young Master Mu, Mu Rui’an, was a domineering figure in the Capital, carefree and bold as the skies. When speaking of the name "playboy," he was hardly any different from today’s Mu Hanyan. In fact, if one were to delve into it, Mu Hanyan’s reputation as a playboy, though not entirely baseless, was indeed an inheritance of his behavior.
However, after all, he was no longer young, and Mu Rui’an had become much more peaceful than before. Remembering that Mu Ziping’s father had ultimately been injured at his own hands and had never recovered since, Mu Rui’an felt embarrassed to act against a younger generation.
"Naturally, it shall be the family law, strip him of his cultivation!" Mu Ziping said without any hesitation.
His visit to Heishi City wasn’t merely to cheer for Mu Yunshui; it was to avenge his father’s old grievance of a blade.
Of course, he knew he was no match for Mu Rui’an, yet what better way to repay a father’s debt than to extract some interest from Mu Hanyan first?
Over the years, since his father’s severe injury, their branch of the family had fallen greatly in stature. If it weren’t for his commendable talents, which multiple elders highly valued, their branch might have already been expelled from the Capital. Thus, his hatred for Mu Rui’an’s family ran deep.
"What, strip him of his cultivation!" Mu Ze and others were utterly shocked.
The rules of the Mu Family were strict, and significant errors indeed warranted being stripped of cultivation. But Mu Hanyan’s actions surely didn’t merit such severe punishment.
Moreover, they had come to sincerely respect Mu Hanyan, and casting aside their prejudices to reassess his so-called reckless behavior, they found that most of it was mere rumors without solid proof. Even if he did bully someone, he bullied the likes of Yuan Tianbo and Fourth Miss Zhao. How could that be considered a fault?
Mu Ziping’s insistence on severe family punishments and stripping of cultivation clearly showed his intention to target Mu Hanyan.
"Hehe, you wish to strip Hanyan of his cultivation?" Mu Rui’an laughed lightly.
With Mu Hanyan’s current strength, even among the scions of the Eight Great Families of the Capital, he was a prodigious talent seen once in a thousand years. Every family treated such gems as treasures, carefully handling them like delicate eggs and fearing they might dissolve if held in their mouths. He actually wanted to strip Mu Hanyan of his cultivation? If the other elders and tributors of the Mu Family came to know of it, they’d probably slap him dead.
Unfortunately, without his father’s command, he couldn’t openly boast about Mu Hanyan’s strength and could only watch Mu Ziping hop around like a clown.
"Mu Ziping, if you want to avenge your father, just say so. Why take such a roundabout way? You just want me to suffer a bit, right? How about I give you a fair chance to fight, if you want to avenge your father, just come at me," Mu Hanyan also laughed.
There aren’t many among the noble family’s son who are soft-hearted. Forget about her undeserving notorious name, even if it were true, what could it count for? Family punishments might at most mean a beating, but stripping of cultivation?
In the end, Mu Ziping just wanted her to suffer a bit physically, to vent his father’s frustrations.
But unfortunately, she didn’t like suffering.
Family was Mu Hanyan’s biggest weak spot. Mu Ziping’s accusations and insults towards Mu Rui’an had already struck her vulnerable point.
Although her face still wore a smile, Mu Hanyan’s heart had turned ice cold.
"Just with you, you think you’re qualified for a fair fight with me, hahaha?" Mu Ziping burst into loud laughter.
Mu Hanyan guessed it right; he had never considered just stripping her of her cultivation for such a trivial "charge." The exaggeration was just to pressure Mu Rui’an, making Mu Hanyan suffer a bit to let out some steam and gain some benefits.
But he had never expected that Mu Hanyan would dare to challenge him, and even talk about a fair fight... Pah, with a bit of power, she became arrogantly self-assured, this frog at the bottom of the well has no idea how vast the gap between the Zong Family’s Disciples and the Branch Family Members was.
"How is it, are you scared?" Mu Hanyan said indifferently.
"Fine, fine, since you’re asking for it, I’ll grant your wish," Mu Ziping said with a chilling face.
Indeed, he’d been wishing for a chance to act personally; Mu Hanyan was delusional to come knocking, and he certainly wouldn’t be polite. He originally just wanted her to suffer some minor physical pain while also making Mu Rui’an feel heartache. Now, Mu Ziping decided to severely injure Mu Hanyan in front of Mu Rui’an, breaking her cultivation path, so she too could experience this pain.
"Clang!" The longsword in Mu Ziping’s hands came out of its sheath, emitting a dragon’s roar, and an immense aura emanated from him.
"Great Swordsman!" Mu Ze and the others exclaimed, unable to believe that Mu Ziping, who didn’t look much older than them, possessed the cultivation of a Great Swordsman.
Worry appeared on many Mu Family disciples’ faces. Even though they knew Mu Hanyan was strong, stronger than when she fought with Mu Feng last time, they had not seen with their own eyes how powerful she truly was.
However, odd expressions appeared on the faces of Mu Ze and the others. To tell the truth, they also weren’t very clear about how strong Mu Hanyan currently was, but they knew the strength of Yan Yuchu, and they knew about her encounter on the return trip where Mu Hanyan fought against three, facing Zong Dingfang, He Songhua, and Qu Shanhai, and their capabilities.
Facing such experts, more than one, Mu Hanyan had managed to come out unscathed; even if she had not reached the Sword Master Realm, she surely couldn’t be far from it.
Mu Ziping, with the cultivation of a Great Swordsman, daring to provoke Mu Hanyan—wasn’t that masochistic?
Huayue and Zirong collectively yawned; honestly, they had no interest in watching such a contest.
"Draw your sword, I’ll give you three strikes so that no one accuses the Zong Family’s disciples of bullying a member of the Branch Family," Mu Ziping said proudly.
"Are you sure?" Mu Hanyan laughed, there really are many arrogant fools in the world. Thankfully, he too was a Mu; Mu Hanyan would not want to harm his life. If it were someone else, they might not even know how they died.
Mu Hanyan’s hand slowly rested on the sword hilt.
"Let me handle this small fry," a cold voice rang out, and the familiar figure of Mu Hanfeng appeared at the courtyard entrance.
"Hanfeng, you’re back," Mu Hanyan looked at her brother delightedly.
Not having seen him for over half a year, Mu Hanfeng appeared taller and his features bore traces of hardship inappropriate for his age, yet he seemed even more stable and incisive, just standing there casually as if he was an unsheathed longsword.
"Yes, I’m back. Leave it to me," Mu Hanfeng nodded.
His tone was as indifferent and calm as always, but Mu Hanyan saw in his eyes the joy of reunion and deep care.
Mu Hanyan’s eyes slightly moistened. Having been away for half a year, Mu Hanfeng didn’t know everything that had happened to her, nor did he know her current strength, and he still thought she was the "big brother" who needed his protection.
(Begging for monthly tickets, playfully asking for monthly tickets, various kinds~ Looking at everyone with starry eyes, give your monthly tickets to me during the day, love you guys)