Chapter 16: Foundation Establishment Mu Family

Xiao Zhangqing was stunned.

He looked at the flustered Lin Ziyu and completely didn't understand what was happening.

How could I have called you a Kun Cultivator, a man anyone could have?

"I'm just following what you said, aren't I? 'You men, none of you are good! No matter how well you pretend on the surface, in essence you're all filthy and all cowards! Even if I, Lin Ziyu, am as despicable as can be, I will never compromise with you!' Lin Ziyu still wouldn't stop, continuing to vent."

"Dao Companion Lin, what unhappy thing have you run into?" Xiao Zhangqing frowned, his tone also not very pleasant.

What did I say! How could you call me filthy, how could you call me a coward?

It was you who invited me into the room, and just now you also took the initiative to flirt with me.

Even if I had some thoughts inside, I didn't show any trace of them.

Now you flip the script, as if I wanted to do something to you, to betray you! Are you ill! Just as Xiao Zhangqing was preparing to counterattack.

Suddenly, he noticed large drops of tears continuously sliding down Lin Ziyu's face, beginning a silent sob.

It seemed not feigned at all, but truly very sad.

A pair of originally sharp and attractive large eyes were now filled with grievance and indignation.

"…"

Xiao Zhangqing was speechless; the retort he had intended could not be spoken.

"Dao Companion Lin, you should rest early; I'm heading back first," Xiao Zhangqing sighed, waved his hand and turned to leave.

Not a woman of ordinary perception.

But he also didn't want to comfort anything.

This woman is not a simple lamp to oil; he can't get a hold on her now, there's no need to crowd in as a spare, being self‑indulgent.

As for what happened to her today, why her emotions fluctuated so much, he was too lazy to inquire.

…

…

Early the next morning, before dawn.

Xiao Zhangqing heard the sound of doors opening and closing from next door; Lin Ziyu left.

Obviously the other party didn't want to meet today, planning to avoid.

Having cultivated all night, Xiao Zhangqing wasn't sleepy; he shrugged and prepared to set out to find a new cave dwelling.

During the gap last night when his cultivation of spiritual energy was drained, Xiao Zhangqing roughly speculated on Lin Ziyu's abnormal behavior.

He guessed that she drank last night, not because she was happy about being treated to a feast, but because some unknown cause of conflict between them made her mood terribly bad, so she got drunk.

It was even possible that Lin Ziyu was completely disappointed with Hu Yuan, ready to give up, perhaps already broken, which made her notice Xiao Zhangqing's flirtatious thoughts.

As a result, Xiao Zhangqing's offhand remark that she could easily move to a Bing-level Cave Dwelling caused her to overreact, thinking he was mocking her.

What an unforeseen disaster.

But Xiao Zhangqing couldn't figure out what exactly happened between Hu Yuan and Lin Ziyu that made her so desperate.

Based on their previous behavior, they seemed very harmonious.

Hu Yuan's family background was sufficiently good, his talent was decent, and he had a modest reputation in Nanshan Fang, belonging to the promising youth. Moreover, Hu Yuan indeed seemed to like Lin Ziyu quite a lot, being attentive, not just a passing fling.

Lin Ziyu also clearly tried to flatter Hu Yuan to secure him.

Logically, it shouldn't have come to this step...

"Too lazy to think more, let's find a place," Xiao Zhangqing freshened up and went out.

Anyway, he hadn't slept last night, and nothing substantial happened between them; he didn't even pull up his pants to recognize anyone.

He hadn't even taken off his pants!

Since Lin Ziyu changed her mind and didn't want further entanglement, Xiao Zhangqing went along with her.

…

Lai Feng Lou.

As one of the most expensive restaurants in Nanshan Fang, here the ingredients, head chef, service, and decor are all top‑tier.

Thus a meal here costs no less than three Low-grade Spirit Stones per person.

For many Scattered Cultivators lingering at the bottom, a month's hard work still doesn't earn enough for a single meal.

Moreover, three Low-grade Spirit Stones is only the per‑person cost, allowing only common, ordinary dishes, leaving one pinching pennies.

If one orders the restaurant's special dishes, the per‑person cost rises to double‑digit Spirit Stones, which is not surprising.

Therefore, those who can dine at Lai Feng Lou either have strong cultivation, at least Late Stage of Lian Qi, or come from well‑off families with deep foundations.

A secluded elegant seat.

Two female cultivators, appearing just over twenty, one in red and one in purple, sat opposite each other, a table laden with delicious dishes.

It was clear they were not 'small‑scale cultivators' who had to save a year or two to afford a meal, but rather big spenders.

If anyone from Lingfu Pavilion were here, they'd recognize the red‑clad woman as Jiang Jiyue, who had recently become a First-rank Talisman Master and was the most popular within the pavilion.

The other, a round‑faced purple‑clad female cultivator with a hint of baby‑fat, came from one of Nanshan Fang's Foundation Establishment families, the Mu family, and was the young generation's star, the Miss Mu, Mu Chunfeng.

"Chunfeng, it's not that I'm not helping, nor that I deliberately hid the news. Before Senior Brother Lu left, I didn't know the specifics. The sect was urging urgently, so once Senior Brother Lu agreed, we set off immediately," Jiang Jiyue explained somewhat embarrassedly to her best friend.

The Mu family, as a Foundation Establishment family of Nanshan Fang, has a lineage of nearly two hundred years.

At its peak, the clan once had two Foundation Establishment cultivators who were unrivaled in Nanshan Fang.

Nowadays, though it can't compare to its heyday, the Mu family's Foundation Establishment cultivators are still in their prime.

A Foundation Establishment family, as long as it has Foundation Establishment cultivators, is as steady as Mount Tai.

Once they lose their Foundation Establishment cultivators, the family would split in an instant.

However, the Mu family's Foundation Establishment cultivators act rather extreme, and over the years have attracted many troubles and enemies for the Mu family.

Thus, the Mu family's current situation is not good.

Not long ago, the news that Lu Qiu had been promoted to Second-rank Talisman Master spread, and the Mu family naturally had thoughts of recruiting him.

Even if recruiting him is a foolish fantasy with low odds, being able to cooperate with Symbol Master Lu Qiu and purchase a few more Second-rank Treasure Talismans from him would still be greatly advantageous for the Mu family.

The Mu family's eldest daughter, Mu Chunfeng, and Jiang Jiyue had been good friends for years, so it was natural for her to take on this task.

It's a pity, but she was still a step too late.

"Symbol Master Lu Qiu left in too much of a hurry..."

Mu Chunfeng had a somewhat baby-faced look; even when she was puffed up in anger, she appeared cute.

Just as she was about to turn her sorrow into appetite and feast heartily,

From a nearby table, a man and woman's argument drifted over, causing both Mu Chunfeng and Jiang Jiyue to frown.

(End of chapter)