Chapter 20: Coercion

Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu had long coveted the Mu Family’s resources, scheming for them for decades. They finally seized this perfect opportunity today, barging into the Mu Manor with fierce momentum, fully expecting to realize their long-held desire to successfully invade and carve up the Mu Family. They never imagined a real wrench would be thrown into their plans, shattering their dreams completely.

The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon and the jade carriage hovered in the air like towering mountains, bearing down heavily on Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu, weighing on their hearts and making them feel nearly suffocated, utterly unable to straighten their bodies.

Seeing the dozen or so Elders who had come with them to the Mu Manor all fallen and unable to rise under the pressure from the Golden Dragon carriage, and even themselves not spared, while the Mu Family members from top to bottom remained completely unaffected, standing calmly in place, even if Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu were incredibly foolish, they knew the aerial pressure was targeted.

At this moment, Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu no longer dared harbor any improper thoughts about the Mu Family’s resources; they only wanted to preserve their own lives.

As Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu were cautiously pondering how to beg for mercy, the beaded curtain of the Golden Dragon carriage suddenly parted, and a figure emerged from within.

This figure was a full two meters tall, with an exceptionally imposing build. His facial features were rugged, and he wore an extremely dazzling golden crown on his head. A black robe adorned his body, on which a purple-eyed Golden Dragon stretched from head to tail, lifelike, with faint roars and growls seeming to emanate from its throat, echoes from a primordial age.

The middle-aged man in the python robe opened his eyes, and intense light shone forth, captivating the soul. His every movement exuded an aura of looking down upon the world, and his presence was as deep as an abyss, inspiring awe and longing.

Under the pressure from the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon and the jade carriage, Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu were already overwhelmed, sweat pouring from their bodies like pulp. After the middle-aged man in the python robe appeared, their mouths went dry, their heads swam with dizziness, and they even lacked the strength to utter a plea for mercy.

“You seem to have realized the mistake you just made. Considering this was an unintentional offense on your part, I will not hold your discourtesy against you. Why don’t you leave this place immediately?” The middle-aged man in the python robe cast a faint glance at Wang Xiangnan, Li Qingyu, and the others kneeling on the ground, reprimanding them softly.

Although the middle-aged man’s tone was extremely impatient, as if shooing away flies, his words fell on the ears of Wang Xiangnan, Li Qingyu, and the others like sweet music, making them overjoyed.

After a stunned moment, confirming they hadn’t misheard, they hurriedly voiced their gratitude, then scrambled and crawled their way out of the Mu Manor’s courtyard, not daring to look back at the Mu Manor even once from beginning to end.

Within a few breaths, everyone from the Wang Family and Li Family had fled completely, leaving not a single trace behind.

Seeing the fleeing backs of the Wang and Li Family members, the people of the Mu Manor were filled with astonishment and pleasant surprise. Had the crisis of their manor’s destruction been resolved just like that?

“Thank you for your assistance, senior. The entire Mu Family will never forget this favor.” While the Mu Family members were still stunned by the supreme authority of the middle-aged man in the python robe, Mu Xian cupped his hands towards the man in the sky, thanking him with neither humility nor arrogance.

Hearing Mu Xian’s calm voice, a flicker of surprise crossed the face of the middle-aged man in the python robe. Mu Xian’s reaction was far too plain, completely asymmetrical with his identity and age.

“Don’t thank me too soon. I did not come to the Mu Manor specifically to resolve your crisis. I have a matter to discuss.” The middle-aged man in the python robe cast a faint glance at Mu Xian, a complex look flashing in his eyes.

The middle-aged man’s words left Mu Xian utterly bewildered.

Given the middle-aged man’s cultivation and status, what matter could he possibly have to discuss with the Mu Family?

As if sensing Mu Xian’s confusion, the middle-aged man in the python robe paused, then said in a grave voice, “Fair ladies are what gentlemen seek. I know you are infatuated with a girl named Xiao Yuerou at Yunyang Academy. However, you have Inherently Blocked Veins. Even with great determination and perseverance, your lifetime achievements will be extremely limited. Xiao Yuerou, on the other hand, possesses a Heavenly Spirit Body, her path of cultivation smooth and unobstructed. The distance between you will only grow wider, and your eventual cultivation and status will be as different as clouds and mud. If possible, could you voluntarily distance yourself from Xiao Yuerou?”

Although the middle-aged man’s words seemed to be a request for Mu Xian to stay away from Xiao Yuerou, his demeanor was domineering, and his tone was filled with an air of unquestionable authority, like an emperor issuing a decree to the Imperial Court, exuding immense pressure.

“Xiao Yuerou?” Mu Xian silently repeated the name in his heart, and the image of a stunningly beautiful girl surfaced in his mind.

As this girl’s image appeared, a charming smile spread across Mu Xian’s face, a smile of pure joy. Simultaneously, a warm power surged from within him, filling Mu Xian’s eyes with a sudden surge of fighting spirit.

This feeling arose so abruptly and was completely beyond Mu Xian’s own control, leaving him stunned for a long while before he realized what was happening.

After his Spiritual Power cultivation reached the Nourishing Soul Realm, the memories from his past life and present life had completely merged. He easily understood that the Xiao Yuerou mentioned by the middle-aged man was the senior sister he secretly admired at Yunyang Academy. Xiao Yuerou was not only the princess of Yunmen County but also the pride of Yunyang Academy, a goddess-like existence in the hearts of many students at the academy, and Mu Xian was naturally no exception.

The sole reason Mu Xian had endured three years of insults and torment at Yunyang Academy without dropping out was entirely because of Xiao Yuerou’s presence.

“Senior, as you said, fair ladies are what gentlemen seek. Asking me to stay away from Xiao Yuerou is forcing me to do something against my will.” Without any hesitation, Mu Xian blurted out.

Hearing Mu Xian’s reply, surprise flashed once more in the eyes of the middle-aged man in the python robe. He had thought that, having saved the entire Mu Manor earlier and speaking gently enough, the other party would surely agree to his request, or at least consider it. He never expected that as soon as he finished speaking, the other party would refuse so decisively.

He gave Mu Xian a puzzled look. When he saw Mu Xian’s face brimming with a confident smile, his eyes filled with fighting spirit, the middle-aged man’s mood suddenly soured.

“Kid, if you continue pursuing Xiao Yuerou, not only will it yield no results, but it will also bring life-threatening danger to you and your clan. The ambush you faced on your way home this time, your father’s peril in the Poison Mist Swamp, and the crisis of your manor’s destruction just now are the best proof. Are you sure you still want to persist?” This time, there was no trace of a smile on the middle-aged man’s face, and a hint of amusement gleamed in his eyes as he looked at Mu Xian.

The middle-aged man’s words hit Mu Xian’s heart like a heavy hammer, leaving him speechless for a long while. The expressions of Tang Qiluo, Ling Tian, Ling Zhan, and others standing behind Mu Xian also turned very grim.

The Mu Family members had originally been puzzled. Over the past dozen or so years, Mu Yuanshan had entered the Poison Mist Swamp countless times; in theory, with his immense experience, he shouldn’t have encountered life-threatening danger. Yet this time, he had gone and not returned, sending back tragic news instead.

After hearing the middle-aged man’s words, everyone suddenly realized—it seemed someone was pulling strings behind the scenes all along.

“Senior, there is one thing you might not know. That child Xiao Yuerou and our Xian’er are engaged by a marriage contract, arranged before they were even born. So their situation isn’t as hopeless as you described.” Just as Mu Xian was at a loss for how to respond to the middle-aged man, Tang Qiluo, who had been silent until now, took light steps forward, placed herself in front of Mu Xian, and took over the conversation.

Hearing this, the middle-aged man was taken aback. He clearly hadn’t expected this layer of relationship between Mu Xian and Xiao Yuerou. His gaze lingered on Tang Qiluo for a moment, and he couldn’t help but frown slightly.

Under the middle-aged man’s stare, Tang Qiluo felt as if she had no secrets from the inside out. She instinctively wanted to avoid his gaze, but remembering her son Mu Xian stood right behind her, she forcefully restrained herself from stepping back.

“I’d forgotten that Mu Yuanshan was once a disciple of Xuanmen Palace and shared a fellow disciple bond with Xiao Tianhan. I certainly didn’t expect their relationship to be so close that they would arrange a marriage for their unborn children. But this makes it all the more reason for you to voluntarily withdraw from the engagement. As far as I know, Xiao Tianhan’s cultivation aptitude is average. Past fifty, he remains at the Human King Realm, with no hope of ever stepping into the Earth Emperor Realm in his lifetime. So, he was simply sent by his sect to manage sect affairs in this remote little place, Yunmen County. Xiao Yuerou represents Xiao Tianhan’s last chance for promotion. You wouldn’t want to drag him down to suffer with you, would you?” After a moment of contemplation, the middle-aged man scoffed.

Tang Qilou had thought her words might change the middle-aged man’s mind, or at least make him more restrained. But after hearing his response, her face turned extremely grim.

Over the past dozen years, the Mu Family’s ability to stand firm in Shitang Town was undoubtedly tied to the efforts of its members, but more importantly, Princess Xiao Tianhan had been secretly looking after them, allowing the Mu Family to reap many benefits.

Although Xiao Tianhan’s cultivation aptitude was poor, he was a man of great loyalty. His daughter, Xiao Yuerou, possessed a Heavenly Spirit Body and had already become a Soul Departure Realm Spiritual Master at a young age, her combat power completely surpassing Xiao Tianhan’s, which moved the older man to tears of joy.

With Xiao Yuerou’s beauty and cultivation aptitude, Xiao Tianhan could fully return to his mountain sect and receive abundant cultivation resources. He wouldn’t have to remain stuck in a remote place like Yunmen County, dealing with mundane affairs.

Seeing the growing gap between Mu Xian and Xiao Yuerou, Mu Yuanshan and Tang Qiluo had also considered withdrawing from the engagement. But every time they broached the topic with Xiao Tianhan, it met with fierce opposition. Over time, the couple didn’t dare bring it up again in front of Xiao Tianhan.

“Moreover, as a member of the Snow Fox Clan, possessing the Profound Yin Exquisite Body, instead of staying in the North Ice Palace, you hide in my Qian Tian Wang’s Territory, willingly marrying an ordinary human, even enduring the pain of your descendant having Inherently Blocked Veins. What are your intentions here?” Before Tang Qiluo could respond, the middle-aged man’s voice suddenly rose several times louder as he scolded harshly.

With the middle-aged man’s explosive shout, the sounds of ancient beasts roaring echoed above the Mu Manor. Infinite pressure descended like crashing waves, pouring directly onto the heads of the Mu Manor members, completely burying them.