"Haha, Rongxuan, weren’t things fine just a moment ago? Why have you become so reserved now that it’s my turn? The sons of the Mu Family should be more composed. Let bygones be bygones." Mufeng was the first to speak. After Mu Rongxuan served the tea, he helped him to his feet, took a sip, and patted his shoulder with a smile. "Blessings to you both. Also, I must add one thing: as men of the Mu Family, and as husbands, you must cherish your partners."
"Brother Feng is right. Everyone in the Mu Family does the same; you could call it a family tradition." After Mufeng finished speaking, Bi Wan continued, "But you’ve certainly made the Mu Family proud. Unlike your third brother, who doesn’t care about his mother at all!"
As she spoke, Bi Wan shot a malicious sidelong glance at Mu Chen. The jab caught Mu Chen mid-sip, and he suddenly sprayed his tea out. After a couple of awkward coughs, he stared up at the sky, feigning a deep interest in the patterns on the roof of the newly built Mu Mansion. Mu Bingling, however, stifled a giggle with her hand; after all, it wasn’t often Mu Chen was so flustered.
Hearing their words, Mu Rongxuan felt a warmth spread through his chest and the tip of his nose tingle. Then, as if he had made a great resolve, he took a deep breath and strode over to Mu Chen’s side. Mu Chen, who was still studying the sky, was startled to find a figure suddenly standing before him. He was taken aback for a moment, then saw Mu Rongxuan actually bending his knees to kneel. This gave Mu Chen quite a shock!
Without the slightest warning, a hand shot out and caught Mu Rongxuan’s arm, holding him up. Mu Chen sighed. "Second Brother, why must you do this? Like Father said, let bygones be bygones. As bearers of the Mu Family’s blood, we kneel to heaven, to earth, and to our parents—but to no one else. I am your younger brother. Do you mean to bring me misfortune?"
"I..." Mu Rongxuan was taken aback and smiled bitterly. ’He won’t let me kneel. Does that count as forgiveness?’
Mature as he was, Mu Chen of course understood Mu Rongxuan’s thoughts. With a flick of his wrist, a creamy-white scroll appeared in his hand. It was a Combat Skill he had requested from the Profound Old Ghost upon learning that Mu Rongxuan and Wang Junyao were to be married. Named Earth Manipulation, it was an incredibly powerful Profound Rank Battle Technique. The wielder expended very little Primordial Power, yet the technique’s destructive capability was immense, as it relied on Spiritual Power to reshape stone or terrain into any form for attack or defense. As such, it was exceptionally precious.
Mu Chen had found out that Mu Rongxuan was an Earth Attribute Martial Artist after enrolling in the Xuanling Imperial Academy. So, while this gift was prepared on short notice, it was filled with sincerity. "Second Brother, this is a Combat Skill that I happened to acquire. It can be cultivated by an Earth Attribute Martial Artist. If you feel that we can put the past behind us, then accept this gift from your younger brother. Consider it my blessing for you and Sister-in-law."
"..." Gazing at the mature, steady Mu Chen before him, the guilt on Mu Rongxuan’s face grew even deeper. Only when he had been trampled underfoot by Chen Qing in the Xuanling Empire did he finally appreciate what Mu Chen must have endured for eleven years without Cultivation or Primordial Power. He could never easily forget his own past actions.
CLASP! Mu Rongxuan took the Combat Skill from Mu Chen without hesitation. He looked at Mu Chen with determination in his eyes and bowed deeply. "Third Brother, one day, I will make up for what I’ve done."
Mu Chen was slightly surprised to see this. ’He really has changed...’ he thought.
...
That night, the Mu Royal Mansion was still steeped in celebration. Yet on a small hill in the rear courtyard of the Mu Mansion, a man in white sat all alone. (He’s eighteen and an adult now, so let’s just call him a man. It’s a hassle to keep calling him a youth.) Moonlight spilled down, revealing the man’s face in full.
"Xiao Chenzi, why aren’t you at the final banquet?"
Mu Chen sat quietly by the pond, legs crossed, watching the occasional fluorescent moth flutter by. He smiled and said, "I’ve never been fond of such noisy celebrations. I grew up used to being alone. Too many people around just makes me feel out of sorts. You know that, Master."
"Heh heh~" The Profound Old Ghost materialized weightlessly behind Mu Chen. Clad in robes as white as snow, his alluringly demonic purple pupils glinted with a cold light. Had it been anyone else, they would have certainly mistaken him for a demon.
"Your Master never cared for that kind of atmosphere in the past. No, I still don’t. When you’re used to spending all your time in the Extreme Spirit Pearl, you grow accustomed to solitude. Heh... how did we get onto such an odd topic? I came out to tell you that I’ve learned something about that Holy Tomb Mountain."
At these words, Mu Chen shifted slightly to the side. The Profound Old Ghost continued, "It is very close to the Central State."
...
The days passed. In a mountain range not far from the border of the Central State, there was a place perennially shrouded in thick fog. From the outside, it seemed utterly unremarkable. But within this misty frontier, a Giant Sword Inscription carved from stone was plunged diagonally into a massive peak. A dense Sword Intent emanated from the Sword Blade, continuously guiding the surrounding fog to swirl around the colossal sword in incomparably profound patterns!
Upon the blade of this giant sword, some unknown person had inscribed three enormous, golden words with terrifying power. The light they released burst through the endless fog and surged into the Azure Sky, dyeing the heavens in glorious splendor! The aura was incredibly majestic!
And those three words were: Holy Tomb Mountain!
At that very moment, from somewhere within Holy Tomb Mountain, the sound of two people talking could be heard...
"There isn’t much time left before that group of youngsters heads to Holy Tomb Mountain. Have you decided how you’re going to test them?"
"Dean, this assessment has been set to the Special Level of difficulty, just as you instructed. But... these youngsters are exceptionally talented, but isn’t this a little too difficult? I’m worried..."
Had Mu Chen and the others been present, they would have recognized the speaker’s voice. It belonged to the Grand Elder of Holy Tomb Mountain, Dilaka! And the man he called "Dean" was the very same beggar-like elder who had appeared in the sky on the day of the Imperial Tournament. He still had a wine gourd and a tobacco pipe at his waist, and he was currently holding a chicken leg, nonchalantly eating away.
"What’s there to be worried about? Just do as I say. As for the result, you will see it. But there is one thing you must remember: no matter what, you are to bring those six little ones from the Xuanling Empire to me completely unharmed. And you will ensure they enter the Inner Mountain!" Seeing the utter astonishment in Dilaka’s eyes, the beggar-like elder waved his hand. "I know you’re puzzled, but I can’t tell you why right now. And as for that kid, Mu Chen... this old man won’t fight you for him. Go make the arrangements."
Hearing that the beggar-like Dean would not fight him for Mu Chen, Dilaka instantly dismissed all his questions as non-issues and turned to leave, satisfied. Watching Dilaka’s retreating figure, the Dean put down his chicken leg, his expression becoming exceptionally grave. He whispered, "Dilaka, the reason I’m not telling you... is because these six people are far too important."
...