Chapter 46: Seclusion

Not everyone felt grateful toward Mu Yuanshan. No matter how righteous or benevolent Mu Yuanshan was, it was an undeniable fact that he had killed most of the elites from the Wang and Li families. It was completely impossible for the close relatives of those killed by Mu Yuanshan to harbor no hatred in their hearts.

In fact, Mu Yuanshan had also struggled over whether to eliminate the root of the problem. But in the end, he was too soft-hearted and did not create more bloodshed.

“Old Brother Mu, Old Brother Mu, I had long advised you not to show mercy. You insisted these people were innocent and gave them a way out. If you knew how those you spared were scheming against you behind your back, would you still have done this?” Hearing the indignant condemnations and curses from Li Qingyun and the others, Duan Kun’s face was as dark as water. Finally, he sighed softly.

Among the three families of Shitang Town, Duan Kun had always respected Mu Yuanshan’s character the most. After working with Mu Yuanshan for most of the day today, Duan Kun’s understanding of Mu Yuanshan deepened even further, and he was completely won over by Mu Yuanshan’s character. Therefore, during today’s operation, Duan Kun almost entirely followed Mu Yuanshan’s lead.

“Boss, these people are really tired of living. They have no strength at all, yet they still dare to think about dealing with Family Head Mu. Why don’t we just finish them off to save us the annoyance?”

“Family Head Mu was kind to them, but we don’t have to be. At the Li and Wang families, Family Head Mu spoke up and pleaded for them. Now, in this desolate wilderness, no one will speak or plead for them.”

“These people are truly foolish beyond compare. Family Head Mu already gave them a chance to live, but they didn’t know how to cherish it properly. Since that’s the case, we don’t need to show them any mercy either.”

Hearing Duan Kun’s sigh, the members of the Viper Mercenary Corps immediately understood his thoughts. They chimed in one after another from the side.

“Family Head Mu gave the brothers so many benefits. We should do something for him. Otherwise, everyone would feel uneasy taking so many things, right?” Duan Kun smiled upon hearing this, then patted his horse’s rump and galloped toward Li Qingyun and the others.

The other mercenary corps members were momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter, repeatedly agreeing. They also quickly followed.

Under everyone’s gaze, Li Qingyun recounted his plan with rising and falling tones, his face glowing with excitement. He seemed to greatly enjoy the feeling of being the center of attention.

Just as Li Qingyu was speaking happily, a noisy and loud sound of horse hooves suddenly interrupted his speech. He looked displeased in the direction of the sound.

When Li Qingyu clearly saw Duan Kun at the head, his face suddenly changed. His eyes flickered uncertainly, and his tall, straight figure suddenly seemed much shorter.

While Li Qingyu was still trying to stay calm, the dozen or so people surrounding him were filled with panic. Some got up and fled, while others, agitated, directly shouted about revenge and charged toward the Viper Mercenary Corps led by Duan Kun.

When Mu Yuanshan and his group had attacked the Wang and Li families earlier, Mu Yuanshan, Ling Tian, and Ling Zhan still had some reservations and didn’t dare to kill freely. The mercenary corps members, however, had far fewer reservations. Their moves were almost all deadly, and most of the Wang and Li family members died at their hands. So, in terms of hatred, the survivors of the Wang and Li families clearly hated the Viper Mercenary Corps members even more than they hated Mu Yuanshan.

“Darn it, these incompetent good-for-nothings who ruin everything.” Seeing the dozen people he had painstakingly gathered fall into chaos in an instant, Li Qingyun inwardly cursed. After a silent swear, he quickly stood up and moved toward Duan Kun, forcing a servile smile onto his face.

The next moment, Li Qingyun couldn’t smile anymore, because Duan Kun completely ignored him, riding past him on his horse. At the same time, a dazzling black light bloomed in Duan Kun’s hand, blinding everyone.

This black light quickly expanded, eventually turning into a giant flower bud. Then, with a loud “bang” in the air, it scattered, whistling and splattering in all directions, emitting sharp, piercing sounds.

Li Qingyu rubbed his eyes and took a long time to clearly see what was splattering in the air. Those black objects resembling flower buds were clearly cold, hard iron caltrops.

Just as Li Qingyu clearly saw the iron caltrops, the survivors of the Wang and Li families who had scattered and fled earlier began to emit screams and cries.

With just one move, Duan Kun stopped all the fleeing people.

“Duan… Duan Corps Leader, why is this? Didn’t you agree earlier to spare our lives? Are you going back on your word? Aren’t you afraid of being ridiculed by all the heroes for breaking your promise?” Li Qingyun swallowed hard and asked with difficulty.

Hearing Li Qingyun’s words, Duan Kun coldly swept a glance at him, his face full of mocking and disdainful smiles, but he couldn’t be bothered to utter a sound.

“Li, Family Head Mu spared your lives. It’s a pity you didn’t know how to cherish it yourselves. Since that’s the case, why should we be polite with you?” Duan Kun remained calm, but a mercenary corps member beside him couldn’t help but speak mockingly.

“Luo Feng, why bother talking nonsense with this kind of person? For such shameless scum, just kill them directly. I feel disgusted even saying one more word to him.” As soon as Luo Feng’s words fell, an axe descended from the sky, directly slicing toward Li Qingyun’s head.

Feeling the killing intent from above, Li Qingyun was both angry and anxious. He leaned his body back, narrowly avoiding the axe above his head.

But before Li Qingyun could feel relieved about escaping with his life, the next instant, he felt a chill at his neck. His body immediately became rigid, and his heart sank into an abyss.

“Brother Hu, sorry, this head is mine.” In the last moments of Li Qingyun’s fading consciousness, he heard a young, childish voice.

Li Qingyun vaguely remembered that in the Viper Mercenary Corps, there was a youth about the same age as Mu Xian. Usually smiling, but when it came to killing, he wouldn’t even blink. Moreover, his skill at finishing blows was particularly strong, always making people grind their teeth in hatred. This person seemed to be Duan Kun’s adopted son, Duan Wuhui.

Li Qingyun could never have dreamed that he would die at the hands of a child he had never paid any attention to.

With Li Qingyun’s death, the dozen or so remnants of the Li and Wang families who had just gathered to seek revenge on Mu Yuanshan were all executed.

After a simple search of the bodies, Duan Kun led the Viper Mercenary Corps members to continue on their way.

Long after Duan Kun and the others had left, a figure emerged from the bushes. When this person fully revealed himself, it turned out to be Ling Tian.

“Xian’er’s judgment is good. This Duan Kun is indeed someone worth befriending.” Ling Tian muttered to himself, then turned and headed in the direction of Shitang Town.

Half the time it takes for an incense stick to burn later, Ling Tian recounted in detail what had happened on the forest path of Shenduan Mountain.

After listening to Ling Tian’s account, Mu Yuanshan remained silent for a long time, as if he had aged ten years in an instant.

“Xian’er, you won.” After a long while, Mu Yuanshan patted Mu Xian’s shoulder and said solemnly.

Mu Xian looked at his father with concern, his lips moving slightly, but he didn’t know what to say.

When Mu Yuanshan, Ling Tian, Ling Zhan, and the others returned victorious, Mu Xian couldn’t help but ask Ling Zhan about the specific events that had happened at the Wang and Li families. When Mu Xian heard that his father had not only let the women and children of the Wang and Li families go but had also, out of foolish kindness, spared a group of men with considerable combat strength, an ominous premonition immediately rose in his heart. He then begged Ling Tian to immediately set off to tail the remnants of the Wang and Li families to see if they were behaving.

Ling Tian caught up with Li Qingyun and the others almost at the same time as the Viper Mercenary Corps. He also heard everything the Viper Mercenary Corps heard, so even if the Viper Mercenary Corps hadn’t taken action, Li Qingyun’s plan would not have succeeded.

“Yuanshan, why are you like this? Xian’er is clever and capable, calculating without missing a detail. You should be happy. Didn’t you work hard to build this family fortune precisely to pass it on to your child?” Seeing Mu Yuanshan’s dejected look, Tang Qiluo spoke softly from the side.

Hearing his wife’s words, Mu Yuanshan was first stunned, then his heart felt unburdened, and a joyful smile appeared on his face.

“Xian’er, it seems Dad has no choice but to admit he’s getting old in front of you.” Mu Yuanshan lovingly stroked Mu Xian’s head and asked softly, “You took leave to come back this time, delayed for half a month on the road, stayed home for two more days. Now that family matters are resolved, will you continue playing at home, or return to school immediately?”

Hearing this, Mu Xian lightly raised his eyebrows, his beautiful crescent brows almost knitting together. After a long while, he said crisply, “I still have some urgent matters to deal with at school, so I must immediately rush back. I’m afraid I have no time to stay home to accompany you and Mom any longer.”

By the end, Mu Xian’s face showed a somewhat apologetic expression.

Mu Yuanshan and Tang Qiluo didn’t detect any hidden meaning in Mu Xian’s words. They didn’t blame him at all for his words. Instead, they urged Mu Xian to hurry back to school and not waste time at home.

In the eyes of Mu Yuanshan and Tang Qiluo, all the great changes in their son over the past three years were thanks to Yunyang Academy. Therefore, the sooner their son returned to the academy, the better. If they knew about Mu Xian’s true situation at the academy, they would absolutely not let him go back.

Yunyang Academy, Heaven Court.

After reading the latest information appearing on the jade slip in his hand, Tantai Yanjun first frowned deeply, then laughed heartily. “Haha, Father has entered seclusion. Father has actually entered seclusion! And it’s a full three-year seclusion. Doesn’t that mean for these three years, I can do whatever I want, and no one will criticize me anymore?”

After leaning forward and back with laughter for a long time, Tantai Yanjun’s excited mood calmed down a little. He turned and asked the shadow beside him, “Uncle Tian, did you deliver the gift I prepared for Xiao Tianhan? What did he say?”

Hearing Tantai Yanjun’s words, the shadow’s expression faltered. After a long while, he said carefully, “Xiao Tianhan… Xiao Tianhan said the Heir’s gift is too heavy, he dare not accept it… He also said he will not interfere in matters among the younger generation. Xiao Yuerou’s affairs are entirely up to Xiao Yuerou herself. If the Heir can win Xiao Yuerou’s heart, he will absolutely not interfere in the slightest…”