TRWSB – Chapter 122 The Mu Family’s Dilemma

The Mu Family.

Several elders gathered in the main hall, with Mu Yueshan seated solemnly at the head of the room, his face dark with anger.

“Patriarch, we can’t go on like this. The family’s industries are already struggling, and with the Commerce Alliance suppressing us, the Mu family won’t hold out much longer before going bankrupt,” one elder said.

“That’s right, Patriarch! Recently, many merchants have come to terminate their contracts with us. The family’s spiritual herb cultivation has also run into issues, making it impossible to fulfill prior agreements. We’re now facing enormous breach-of-contract penalties that the family can’t afford,” added another elder.

“Patriarch, Mu Xingzhi has also been making moves lately. Who knows what he’s planning? What’s your strategy for dealing with him?”

“Patriarch, the mine in the south, which the Zhou family had promised to transfer to us, has now been unilaterally withdrawn. This is outrageous! Zhou family’s behavior is unacceptable. Shouldn’t we retaliate against them?”

“Given the family’s current precarious state, how can we afford to provoke others? The best course of action now is to swallow our pride and endure,” countered another voice.

“If we keep enduring, the Mu family will become a stepping stone for anyone who wants to walk over us!”

“And what solution do you have? Do you think we still have the resources to take action?”

…

Listening to the heated debate among his subordinates, Mu Yueshan felt his irritation grow.

“I’ve already approached someone from the Commerce Alliance to negotiate. Elder Fenghe is willing to help, but Fengyuan is adamant and refuses to relent,” Mu Yueshan said, trying to maintain his composure.

Fenghe, the second-in-command of the Commerce Alliance, held significant influence despite being weaker than Fengyuan. Initially, Fenghe might have had a chance to take the top position, but Fengyuan’s recovery had dashed those hopes, leaving Fenghe indefinitely stuck as a deputy.

“Patriarch, there’s no point in appealing to the Commerce Alliance. They’re acting on someone else’s behalf. If we want to solve this, we need to approach Qi Shaorong directly. But even that may be futile—we might have to deal with Mu Tingxuan instead,” another elder suggested.

“Why bother with Mu Tingxuan? He’s a cursed star. Do you think a cursed star will save the Mu family?” Mu Yueshan snapped.

“That’s not fair, Patriarch. Kuang Yi’s predictions aren’t always accurate. Perhaps he made a mistake this time,” the elder argued.

“The Mu family’s current predicament is all because of Mu Tingxuan, yet some of you are still questioning Kuang Yi’s judgment?”

“Patriarch, given the dire state of our family, shouldn’t we try every possible solution?”

“Honestly, Mu Tingxuan was exiled from the family as a child, and his Wood Spirit Heart was taken from him. It’s only natural for him to hold resentment,” another elder, Mu Yuehong, interjected.

Mu Yueshan’s face twisted with anger. “Third Brother, what are you implying? Do you believe the rumors from outside?”

“Brother, we’ve reached this point. Denying it won’t help. How else could someone possess two Wood Spirit Hearts in their body?” Mu Yuehong pressed.

Mu Yueshan shot to his feet. “You—!”

“Brother, the rumors outside say both of the Wood Spirit Hearts in Mu Huai’s body were transplanted from others. If one came from Mu Tingxuan, who provided the other?”

Unable to contain his anger, Mu Yueshan grabbed a teacup and hurled it to the ground. “Outrageous!”

Sensing the rising tension, one of the elders stepped in to mediate. “Everyone is here to resolve our problems. Let’s focus on finding solutions instead of arguing.”

“If dealing with Mu Tingxuan isn’t feasible, perhaps we can approach Mu Xingzhi. After all, he was nurtured by the Mu family and might still have some loyalty to us,” the elder suggested.

Mu Yueshan lowered his head, his expression conflicted. He had once believed Mu Xingzhi to be an unremarkable figure with little ambition. However, when news of Mu Tingxuan’s death reached him, Mu Xingzhi had erupted with fury. Back then, before leaving the Mu family, Mu Xingzhi had even attempted to kill him. If not for the intervention of the family’s reclusive elders, his life might have ended then and there.

The Streets of Liguo.

Hua Jinyue led Qi Shaorong and the others on a day-long tour.

Looking at Zhuang Hao, Hua Jinyue shyly said, “Young Master, the last time we parted in such a rush, I didn’t get the chance to ask your name. Can you tell me?”

Zhuang Hao frowned slightly and replied, “A name is just a label. Whether you know it or not makes no difference.”

Hua Jinyue’s expression dimmed with disappointment. “Young Master, are you unwilling to tell me?”

Zhuang Hao remained silent, his frown deepening.

Yi Fan wrapped an arm around Zhuang Hao’s shoulder and teased, “Ah Hao, the young lady is asking you nicely. Just tell her already—why the hesitation?”

Zhuang Hao shot Yi Fan a glare. “Why are you so nosy?”

Yi Fan turned to Hua Jinyue and said with a grin, “If he won’t tell you, I will! His name is Haozi. Just call him ‘Haozi.'”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Shen Yuan: “…”

“What do you mean by that?!” Zhuang Hao glared at Yi Fan, clearly annoyed.

Yi Fan shrugged. “Why are you glaring at me? Your father gave you that name—blame him, not me!”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

Qi Shaorong and the group followed Hua Jinyue as they wandered aimlessly, only to be stopped by Mu Huai, who stood firmly in their path.

Hua Jinyue frowned in confusion. “Young Master Mu Huai, what are you doing?”

Mu Tingxuan glanced at Mu Huai and said coldly, “Cousin, I don’t think there’s anything left to discuss between us.”

Mu Huai grabbed Mu Tingxuan’s arm. “Cousin! I truly have something important to say to you.”

Mu Tingxuan, observing Mu Huai’s persistence, sighed. “Fine, if you want to talk, then talk. But don’t expect to get the outcome you desire from me.”

Mu Huai looked at him with a serious expression. “Many people from the Mu family have sought you out.”

“Is that so?” Mu Tingxuan had expected the Mu family to contact him eventually, though so far, aside from Mu Xingzhi, he hadn’t seen anyone.

Mu Huai hesitated before saying, “From your reaction, it seems you’re unaware of this. Everyone who tried to approach you was stopped by Second Uncle.”

Lowering his gaze, Mu Tingxuan clenched his fists. Perhaps Mu Xingzhi truly had changed, but so what? The misfortunes of his childhood had already happened, and nothing could undo them.

“My father’s actions… I know everything now,” Mu Huai said.

Mu Tingxuan looked at him coldly. “And what is it that you know?”

“I know my father took your Wood Spirit Heart. I… I’m willing to return it to you. All I ask is for your forgiveness.”

“You think that’s all? My very destiny was altered at birth by a diviner your father hired. The only reason I survived was so he could wait for the Wood Spirit Heart in my body to mature. When news of Mu Xingzhi’s death reached him, he wanted to kill me to eliminate all threats.”

“Mu Huai, I will not relent, nor will I forgive. Do you think returning the Wood Spirit Heart would earn my gratitude? It was mine to begin with. Even if you refused to return it, I would eventually cut it out of you myself. It belongs to me, and you have stolen it for over a decade. Even if you return it now, you still owe me.”

Mu Huai closed his eyes. “I… I’m sorry.”

Mu Tingxuan fixed him with a cold gaze. “The Young Master once said, if you want respect, the only way to earn it is by strengthening yourself. Only power can command reverence and compel repentance. Mu Huai, if I were nothing more than a beggar on the street today, would you feel remorse? No, you’d only pity me. Perhaps you’d even believe I deserved my fate. The weak are always eliminated by the world.”

Yi Fan walked up to Mu Tingxuan. “Tingxuan, are you okay?”

Mu Tingxuan shook his head. “I’m fine.”

Hua Jinyue, perplexed, asked, “You’re a member of the Mu family? I thought you were from Liguo. Why would Mu Huai call you cousin?”

Mu Tingxuan looked at Hua Jinyue and said, “He’s mistaken. I’m not his cousin.”

“But you’re wearing a mask,” Hua Jinyue said doubtfully.

“Exactly. That’s why he made a mistake,” Mu Tingxuan replied calmly.

Hua Jinyue: “…”

“Qi Shao, out for a stroll?” Elder Feng Li of the Commerce Alliance greeted warmly as he approached.

The more powerful and influential a person, the more they feared unexpected mishaps. Building a good relationship with a healer like Qi Shaorong was always a wise precaution.

Qi Shaorong nodded lightly. “Yes.”

“You’re young, Qi Shao. This is the time to enjoy life and see the world,” Feng Li said with a smile.

Hua Jinyue watched Feng Li, her mind buzzing.

Her Hua family had some business ties with the Commerce Alliance, but only with its peripheral factions. The family’s higher-ups had long sought to establish a connection with the Alliance’s core but lacked the opportunity. Hua Jinyue was stunned to see Feng Li, a key figure in the Alliance, showing respect to someone she considered a rival.

The name “Qi Shao” echoed in her mind. She had heard of Qi Shaorong before but hadn’t made the connection until now. Suddenly, everything clicked.

Turning to Mu Tingxuan, she realized that if Qi Shao was indeed Qi Shaorong, Mu Huai calling the masked man “cousin” made sense. The Mu family’s fallout with the Commerce Alliance was widely known, as was Mu Tingxuan’s identity.

Hua Jinyue’s heart pounded as she looked at Qi Shaorong.

If her rival was Qi Shaorong, then Zhuang Hao must be the one who saved him.

Hua Jinyue blinked in disbelief. No wonder someone as striking as Zhuang Hao couldn’t possibly remain unknown—he was Zhuang Hao!

Feng Li smiled at Qi Shaorong. “I won’t intrude any further. I’ll take my leave.”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Very well.”