Chapter 693: 693 Han Yan’s Bloodline Awakening?
Mu Hanyan thought about it and realized that there truly was a possibility of that happening. She of course also knew that carrying an auspicious beast rumored in legends everywhere was not a good thing for her, so this outcome was not bad; pigs, after all, were quite cute.
As for why an egg would hatch a "pig" instead of a bird? Mu Hanyan did not ask further.
Generally, avians are oviparous, and mammals are mostly viviparous, but these rules do not apply to Exotic Beasts.
In order to better protect their offspring, many Exotic Beasts would form a barrier around the developing embryo using their own vital essence, which appeared similar to an eggshell but functioned more like a Guardian Barrier. The same was true for Divine Beasts; thus, it wasn’t strange for any type of avian or mammal to hatch from an egg.
"By the way, regarding the matter of Bloodline Awakening, Father, do you know about it?" Mu Hanyan recalled Yue Ji’s words before her death and the phrase that echoed in her mind during her dream, and couldn’t help but ask Mu Rui’an.
"I know what you’re guessing. I’ve never heard anyone mention this before, although I’ve had suspicions, it’s much like what you think," Mu Rui’an shook his head, telling Mu Hanyan, "You have already advanced to Sword Master before the age of sixteen, meeting your grandfather’s requirements. Pack up your things, and in a few days, head to the Capital, perhaps from him, you can get the answers you seek."
"Mhm." Mu Hanyan nodded.
Her heart was filled with many doubts; previously, she had been eager to advance to Sword Master and head to the Capital as soon as possible, but when the moment to leave actually arrived, she was reluctant to go.
The Capital was tens of thousands of miles away from Heishi City; once they parted, she did not know when they would see each other again. She remembered in her past life, she too had left home at the age of sixteen and thereafter, they were as distant as heaven and earth from each other. This was also an eternal pain in Mu Hanyan’s heart.
Leaving the hall, Mu Hanyan went to her mother’s room and chatted with her about various trivial matters, filling the room with laughter and joy.
"This is your auspicious beast, it really does look a bit like a pig," her mother, Yue Fanling, looked at the pink auspicious beast Mu Hanyan was holding down from her shoulder, joyfully saying.
"Where? This is much cuter than a pig, okay?" Mu Hanyan pouted, disagreeing.
"Yes, yes, it’s a bit cuter than a regular pig. Have you thought about what to name this little fellow?" Yue Fanling watched the little fellow still sleeping in Mu Hanyan’s arms, its nose releasing two bubbles, then with a pop sound, bursting. The little fellow, startled by the sound of his own snot bubbles popping, looked up in surprise, scanning his surroundings, found nothing alarming, then, meeting Mu Hanyan’s face, calmed down and continued to snooze in Mu Hanyan’s arms.
This scene made both Mu Hanyan and Yue Fanling unable to refrain from laughing.
"Indeed adorable," Mu Hanyan nodded and laughed heartily, "then let’s give the little guy a name, hmm. Since it’s said to resemble a pig, let’s just name it ’Humph,’ to disguise it a bit."
Yue Fanling: "..." She fell silent for a while, watching her enthusiastic daughter, but she didn’t voice the words that were on her lips. This is an auspicious beast, a legendary auspicious beast! My dear daughter, can’t you be a bit more serious, give it a grand and fitting name that matches its status?
"Alright, Humph, Humph..." Mu Hanyan kept calling the name herself, and suddenly, the name started to feel wrong. She imagined herself calling her pet ’Humph Humph’ incessantly in public, and people staring at her as if she were insane. The thought was too beautiful; she couldn’t bear it. "Mother, I think I should take naming it more seriously."
"Yes, you should indeed take it more seriously," Yue Fanling replied with a smile when she saw Mu Hanyan had come to a realization herself.
"Liu Guang, let’s name it this," Mu Hanyan finally decided on a name for the little one and, after saying it, shook the sleepy creature awake. The little one opened its eyes bewilderingly and looked at Mu Hanyan, who pointed at its nose and said, "Remember, your name from now on is Liu Guang."
The little one snorted, two little bubbles emerging from its nose, which burst with a pop, and then it fell back asleep.
"Mother, do you think Liu Guang’s father could be a hardcore auspicious beast that chose a Mutant Beast Pig as a wife to give birth to Liu Guang?" Mu Hanyan asked Yue Fanling, her lips twitching slightly.
"What kind of nonsense are you thinking of!" Yue Fanling flicked Mu Hanyan on the forehead, slightly irritated, "Besides, it’s been quite some time since your brother left; why hasn’t he come back yet?" Yue Fanling said, a bit worriedly,
"My brother will be fine; he should be back soon." Mu Hanyan calculated the time, guessing that her brother’s return was imminent.
"Yes, that child is just stubborn. Sometimes he says unpleasant things to you, but as his sister, don’t take it to heart; he actually cares about you very much." Sometimes Yue Fanling too felt overwhelmed by how her children interacted; the brother, despite caring deeply for his sister, sometimes said things that were infuriating.
"I know, Mother. I understand my brother’s feelings," Mu Hanyan reassured her mother with a smile, though her heart felt somewhat sore and pained. In her past life, her brother had sacrificed his own life to secure a sliver of hope for her survival. How could she not understand his intentions? "Don’t worry, Mother, I know that when my brother speaks harshly, it’s just because he’s irritated by my passivity. I know he really cares about me."
"Good, as long as you know. I’m just afraid that you might hold a grudge against your brother," Yue Fanling was relieved to hear Mu Hanyan say this. But then her expression turned worried again.
"Mother, what’s wrong?" Mu Hanyan saw the worried look on Yue Fanling’s face and asked concernedly.
"My dear daughter, when can you openly appear in beautiful dresses? My daughter will surely be the most beautiful woman under heaven." Yue Fanling suddenly said, "Because of your grandfather’s arrangements, you’ve always been in disguise as a man, I guess to protect you. But which mother doesn’t want to see her daughter dressed beautifully? I hope the day when this crisis is over comes soon; I want to dress you in the prettiest clothes and the loveliest jewelry. Those who spread rumors that you con men and bully women, calling you ’Mu Siyi’—I want to slap their faces hard! My daughter is so beautiful; how could she fancy those unsightly lads!"
Listening, Mu Hanyan found it amusing yet her eyes gradually became teary. Her mother felt she was wronged, defending her honor, but Mu Hanyan understood more clearly, the family’s arrangement was for her protection. Compared to the pressure and indignation endured by the family, her own troubles were trivial.
"Mother, that day will come; I promise. And, Mother, since you are so beautiful, of course, you gave birth to an even more beautiful daughter. When the day comes for me to openly change into women’s attire and reveal my true identity to the world, many will be shocked," Mu Hanyan confidently stated, her assurance bringing a sense of peace to Yue Fanling’s heart.