TRWSB – Chapter 110 Mu Tingxuan’s Emotional Entanglement

Shen Yuan, with his natural friendliness, leaned over to the talkative cultivator at the neighboring table and asked, “Brother, what’s the story about Mu Xingzhi defecting from the Mu family?”

The long-bearded cultivator chuckled and replied leisurely, “Young man, are you also interested in the affairs of the Mu family?”

Shen Yuan smiled sheepishly. “I don’t have many hobbies, but I do love a good piece of gossip.”

“Haha! A man after my own heart! You’ve come to the right person. I know the Mu family’s story inside and out,” the cultivator declared proudly.

“Mu Xingzhi,” he began, “was the sharpest blade of the Mu family. He was a rigid man, always putting the family’s interests above all else. Back then, he sacrificed himself to protect a shipment of goods for the Mu family. Or so everyone thought—he was believed to have died heroically. But not long after his supposed death, the Mu family killed his only son.”

Shen Yuan gasped in shock. “That’s horrible! How could they?”

The cultivator nodded gravely. “It gets worse. Turns out, Mu Xingzhi wasn’t dead. He had been gravely injured and went into hiding to recuperate. Three years later, he returned to find his son dead and his personal estate taken over. Furious, he killed several Mu family elders and defected from the family.”

Shen Yuan couldn’t help but feel indignant. “The Mu family’s actions were truly heartless. After all Mu Xingzhi sacrificed for them, they went and murdered his son while he was recovering!”

“Exactly! And Mu Xingzhi, foolish as he was, didn’t realize the family’s true nature until his son was gone,” the cultivator said with a sigh.

“What was Mu Xingzhi’s son’s name?” Shen Yuan asked, his curiosity piqued.

“I believe it was Mu Tingxuan,” the cultivator replied casually.

Shen Yuan’s eyes widened in shock. “What?! Mu Tingxuan?”

The cultivator gave him a puzzled look. “What’s wrong, young man? Is the name Mu Tingxuan that surprising?”

Shen Yuan quickly shook his head. “No, no. I just think it’s a good name. Such a pity for someone with such a name to die so young.”

The cultivator stroked his beard thoughtfully. “Mu Xingzhi was once fiercely loyal to the Mu family. But after defecting, he joined the Wood Spirit Sect, a rival faction, and has since become one of its core figures. He’s doing quite well for himself now.”

Shen Yuan blinked. Mu Xingzhi’s son shared the exact same name as the quiet, reserved man by Qi Shaorong’s side. Was this just a coincidence?

Yi Fan entered the room and saw Mu Tingxuan sitting on the bed, leaning against the headboard. “Tingxuan, are you okay?” he asked.

Mu Tingxuan replied indifferently, “It’s nothing.”

Yi Fan sat down beside him and gently probed, “Would you mind sharing with me?”

Mu Tingxuan let out a self-deprecating laugh and leaned back against the bed. “I thought I’d achieved inner peace, but it seems I was wrong.”

He looked at Yi Fan for a long moment before finally speaking. “Mu Xingzhi… he’s my father.”

Yi Fan didn’t respond immediately. The conversation at the neighboring table and Mu Tingxuan’s reaction had already given him some suspicions, but hearing it confirmed still left him shaken. Was Mu Tingxuan acting this way because of the revelation about his father defecting from the Mu family?

“This is the first time I’ve heard you talk about your father,” Yi Fan said softly, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

Lowering his gaze, Yi Fan felt his heart race. Although he and Mu Tingxuan were close, he had always felt that there was an invisible barrier keeping him out of Mu Tingxuan’s inner world. Now that Mu Tingxuan was opening up, Yi Fan couldn’t help but feel a mix of anxiety and excitement.

“I’ve always hated him,” Mu Tingxuan began bitterly. “My father was raised by the Mu family through a special method, practically brainwashed to be their loyal soldier. When I was a child, people always called him a hero of the family, someone who lived and died for the family’s benefit.”

“When I was born, a fortune-teller claimed that I would affect the family’s fortunes. My father, worried about the Mu family’s future, didn’t hesitate to send me away to be raised outside the family.”

“While other children grew up at their father’s knee, I was left alone in a shabby hut with a caretaker who couldn’t have cared less about me.”

“I used to wish my father were a scoundrel—someone who lied, cheated, and stole—just as long as he loved me. Instead, he was a fool, blindly loyal to the family.”

“And then?” Yi Fan asked gently.

“Then he died,” Mu Tingxuan said coldly. “While escorting a shipment, he was ambushed by bandits and died in the line of duty.”

Mu Tingxuan stared blankly into the distance. “I always thought he was dead.”

He closed his eyes. Though Mu Xingzhi had never shown him any affection, he would not have stood by and let him die. If not for the news of Mu Xingzhi’s death reaching the family, his uncle wouldn’t have dared to harm him so openly.

“But just now…”

“The man said my father defected from the family eight years ago. If that’s true, he might still be alive.” Mu Tingxuan took a deep breath. “Shortly after news of his death reached the family, I was disfigured and cast out. If he’s alive, why didn’t he show himself? Or is he waiting for the Mu family to finish me off before making an appearance?”

“Maybe… maybe your father defected for your sake,” Yi Fan suggested hesitantly.

“That’s impossible,” Mu Tingxuan cut him off. “You don’t know what kind of man he was. When I was sent away because of my supposed fate, he never once came to see me. In his heart, there was only the Mu family—never me. If he wouldn’t visit me then, why would he leave the family for me?”

Yi Fan remained silent.

“Ah Fan, do you know?” Mu Tingxuan said heavily. “I hate him. I hate him so much.”

Shen Yuan paced back and forth in the room, drawing Zhuang Hao’s attention. “Shen Yuan, what are you wandering around for?” Zhuang Hao asked.

Shen Yuan turned to him, a flicker of curiosity on his face. “Zhuang Hao, do you think that Mu Tingxuan who’s with Qi Shaorong could be the same Mu Tingxuan from the Mu family? Could he be connected to them?”

Zhuang Hao gave him a helpless look. “You’re asking me? How would I know? One thing’s for sure though—Mu Xingzhi isn’t your father.”

Shen Yuan: “…”

“Aren’t you the one who went to dig up information about the Mu family’s Mu Tingxuan? What did you find?” Zhuang Hao asked.

Shen Yuan shrugged. “From what I heard, the Mu family’s Mu Tingxuan had pretty bad luck. He was said to bring misfortune to the family, so they sent him away shortly after he was born. Later, it was reported that he died of illness.”

“Died of illness?” Zhuang Hao asked, his tone skeptical.

Shen Yuan nodded. “That’s what they say. But as for what really happened, only the Mu family would know the truth.”

Zhuang Hao furrowed his brow. “Mu Tingxuan should have some connection to the Mu family.”

Shen Yuan nodded in agreement. “Most likely. After all, he has the same name as the supposedly deceased Mu Tingxuan.”

Just then, Qi Shaorong walked in, catching the two mid-conversation. “What are you two whispering about?” he asked.

Shen Yuan quickly waved his hands. “Nothing! Nothing at all! Qi Shao, Zhuang Shaoye and I are as innocent as can be!”

Qi Shaorong raised an eyebrow. “Don’t worry. Even if you claimed you weren’t innocent, I wouldn’t believe you.”

Shen Yuan: “…What’s that supposed to mean?!”

Shen Yuan glanced behind Qi Shaorong. “Qi Shao, where are Yi Fan and Mu Tingxuan?”

Qi Shaorong shrugged. “They went out to explore. Liguo is much more bustling than Yuanguo. Since they’re here, they might as well enjoy it.”

Shen Yuan hesitated for a moment before asking, “Qi Shao, is your Mu Tingxuan connected to the Tianhu Mu family?”

Qi Shaorong shot him a sidelong glance. “You’re asking me?”

Shen Yuan nodded eagerly. “Yes!”

Qi Shaorong shrugged again. “You’re asking me? Who am I supposed to ask?”

Walking beside Mu Tingxuan, Yi Fan suggested, “There’s a store called Qinghua Pavilion up ahead. Let’s check it out. They might have some spiritual items that suit you.”

Although Mu Tingxuan didn’t seem particularly interested, he nodded in agreement. “Sure, let’s take a look.”

As they stepped inside, Mu Tingxuan’s gaze landed on a well-dressed couple standing at the counter. A salesperson was enthusiastically promoting a hairpin to them.

“Young Master Mu Huai, you have excellent taste! This hairpin is inlaid with a core from a sixth-level wood-elemental beast, the Tuanrong Beast. It’s a perfect match for your fiancée.”

The young woman beside Mu Huai beamed with delight. “Ah Huai, will you put it on me?”

Mu Tingxuan frowned slightly but said nothing.

Yi Fan narrowed his eyes. He had already gathered much information about the Mu family. Mu Huai was the son of Mu Yue Shan, the Mu family head—the very man responsible for Mu Tingxuan’s suffering.

“What a lucky woman,” Mu Tingxuan remarked lightly.

The Tuanrong Beast was a rare creature that rarely advanced beyond the fourth level. For one to reach the sixth level was remarkable. Its beast core, though small, contained significant spiritual energy, making it ideal for crafting accessories.

“Let’s look elsewhere,” Yi Fan suggested.

Mu Tingxuan nodded. “Alright.”

As they left, Mu Tingxuan’s face darkened. He couldn’t help but think, Rebirth really is a matter of luck. His talent was no worse than Mu Huai’s, yet because Mu Huai was born to a powerful father, his life had been smooth sailing. Meanwhile, Mu Tingxuan had lived on the edge of survival, constantly battling death.

Yi Fan wrapped an arm around Mu Tingxuan as they ascended the stairs. Mu Tingxuan couldn’t resist glancing back at Mu Huai. By coincidence, Mu Huai also looked in his direction.

“Ah Huai, what’s wrong?” the young woman, Lan Qinghua, asked.

“That man just now… It seemed like he recognized me,” Mu Huai said.

Lan Qinghua laughed. “Ah Huai, you’re famous! Of course, many people know who you are.”

Mu Huai frowned. “This feels different. His gaze was… complicated.”

“How so?” Lan Qinghua asked.

“It was as if he hated me but also envied me,” Mu Huai replied.

Lan Qinghua chuckled. “What’s strange about that? Ah Huai, you’re exactly the type to make people envy, hate, and admire you.”

Mu Huai furrowed his brow but said nothing more. “Maybe.”