Chapter 24: Killing and Eradicating the Heart!

"Miss Mu, why… why would you specifically come to receive him?"

"He… isn't he a Mu family laborer, a temporary worker?"

"Impossible, absolutely impossible!"

"When did this useless guy become acquainted with Miss Mu? And you even let Miss Mu be so friendly to him!"

"On what grounds? How dare he?"

A series of thoughts exploded in Zhou Yun'e and Hu Youquan's minds, and both wore expressions of disbelief as if they'd seen a ghost.

If their remaining reason hadn't restrained them, they would have screamed out in shock.

But even pounding their heads, they couldn't figure it out—how could Xiao Zhangqing, a resident of Peng Hu Qu, a Scattered Cultivator at the very bottom of the early Qi Refining stage, deserve Miss Mu's special attention?

It seemed as if he were a distinguished guest of the Mu family! "What, a Qi Refining Fourth Level cultivation?"

"How long has it been? More than half a year, less than a year, and he went from Qi Refining Second Layer to Qi Refining Fourth Level?"

"What kind of joke is this?"

Hearing the two's conversation, Zhou Yun'e could no longer even maintain her cold, aloof demeanor.

She chose to abandon Xiao Zhangqing, follow Local Second Generation Cultivator Hu Youquan, and live in a genuine cave dwelling, where each meal includes Spirit Rice and occasional low‑grade Pills to boost cultivation.

Even so, she only recently, not long ago, broke through the third layer of Qi Refining.

Now she feels uncertain, wondering when she can breach the mid‑stage threshold of Qi Refining.

Even if the conditions Hu Youquan currently provides remain unchanged, it will still take at least three to five years, perhaps over ten at the longest! Her Dao Partner Hu Youquan also has a low‑grade spiritual root, has lived under such conditions since childhood, and is only at Qi Refining Fourth Level now!

Why does Xiao Zhangqing, whose spiritual root quality is similar to theirs, advance so dramatically…?

Could it be that in the past half‑year Xiao Zhangqing attached himself to some big figure? His cultivation conditions far exceed those of Hu Youquan and her!

Otherwise it makes no sense! "Cultivation progress is so swift, yet Miss Mu treats him specially…"

"Xiao Zhangqing, who exactly have you attached yourself to?"

At this moment, besides being incredulous and a mix of shock and anger, Hu Youquan also quickly sensed today's crisis!

Xiao Zhangqing, once a waste in his own eyes, has now turned his fortunes around, breaking through to Qi Refining Fourth Level, equal to him, and even leveraging a figure like Miss Mu.

"If he seeks revenge, he'll be doomed!"

Xiao Zhangqing isn't afraid of breaking through to Qi Refining Fourth Level; after all, he already has that cultivation, with deeper foundations, various protective Dao methods, and his overall strength is certainly greater than Xiao Zhangqing's.

But if Miss Mu lends a hand? That's entirely possible!

After all, between them lies a grudge over a stolen wife!

Hu Youquan is praying in his heart, hoping Xiao Zhangqing hasn't seen him.

He deeply regrets that he shouldn't have come to the Mu family to attend this birthday banquet today!

Zhou Yun'e's complexion turned ashen; her usual cold, aloof pride was completely shattered.

"Dao Companion Xiao, are those two your friends? I've seen you watching them; if you know us, go over and say hello," Mu Chunfeng pointed at the two.

Xiao Zhangqing gave a wry smile: "It seems Miss Mu has investigated my affairs quite thoroughly."

Of course, he had long since noticed Hu Youquan and Zhou Yun'e.

The moment Mu Chunfeng arrived, he also understood the other's purpose for today, what they intended to do.

Mu Chunfeng smiled as well, seeming to see that Xiao Zhangqing had grasped her meaning.

"Since we're all smart people, there's no need to beat around the bush," she said. "We cultivators value clarity of mind above all. If the mind is not clear, cultivation will be affected. Dao Companion Xiao, do you intend to take revenge today? If you do, these two can be dealt with at your leisure tonight."

"That won't be necessary," Xiao Zhangqing shook his head outright.

Mu Chunfeng was momentarily stunned, a hint of disappointment flashing in her eyes.

Xiao Zhangqing, still such a 'magnanimous' person? Can he let go of a grudge over a stolen wife and a life‑and‑death feud?

Someone like that might be a good person, but will never go far in the Cultivation World.

At this moment, Mu Chunfeng began to think she had misjudged him and made a wrong investment.

Perhaps the recent rumors about Lingfu Pavilion aren't groundless; the elders' desire to replace investors is justified.

"Dao Companion Xiao, are you sure?" Mu Chunfeng asked.

Xiao Zhangqing, knowing what she was thinking, retorted: "Miss Mu thinks that by borrowing your help tonight, after taking revenge my mind will become clear?"

"Uhh…" Mu Chunfeng hadn't considered that question.

She was simply being kind, hoping to let Xiao Zhangqing take revenge, vent his anger, and after his mind cleared, perhaps his talisman techniques would advance a notch.

"I have taken Miss Mu's feelings today to heart. However, if revenge still requires others' help, borrowing power like a fox assuming a tiger's might is rather uninteresting." If Xiao Zhangqing had just transmigrated into this world, with a family like the Mu clan stepping in to help him, he would have unhesitatingly clung to their legs and harshly trampled that pair of dog‑like couple.

But now he has a golden finger at his side, his future almost visibly bright, so why borrow anyone else's hand for revenge?

Revenge tonight may frighten Hu Youquan and Zhou Yun'e, but deep down they will likely feel resentful, thinking he merely got lucky to latch onto the Mu family's high branch.

Thus, revenge sometimes requires both heart and mouth compliance! "Later, when these two gradually regret and panic… revenge is easy, killing is simple, but eradicating the heart is truly satisfying," Xiao Zhangqing said earnestly.

Hm? Mu Chunfeng blinked.

She seemed to have completely misunderstood, never having figured out what kind of person Xiao Zhangqing truly is… "I originally thought you were a gentle, refined, easy‑going person…" Mu Chunfeng teased with a smile.

Xiao Zhangqing chuckled, "I'm an honest man."

"I believe you," Mu Chunfeng nodded.

…

…

Xiao Zhangqing and Mu Chunfeng chatted merrily, and at a glance their relationship seemed far from ordinary, not just a simple nodding acquaintance.

Without directly approaching Hu Youquan and Zhou Yun'e, he nonetheless tormented them, leaving them restless and increasingly terrified.

Mu Chunfeng's peripheral gaze quietly observed the two; after seeing their facial expressions, she understood Xiao Zhangqing's words "killing is simple, eradicating the heart is truly satisfying" even more clearly.

Tsk tsk.

What a Xiao Zhangqing.

But if that's the case, her strategy for tonight will have to change.

At that moment.

Finally unable to endure the inner torment, Hu Youquan no longer hoped for any gain tonight, treated the offered gift as a freebie, and prepared to pull Zhou Yun'e away quickly.

Mu Chunfeng, seeing this, hurried forward, blocked the two, and said to Zhou Yun'e with a half‑smile, "Miss, you actually abandoned Xiao Zhangqing, who is a Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master and whose cultivation rose from Qi Refining Second Layer to the Fourth Layer in less than a year, to choose this Hu cultivator? What kind of judgment is that?"

Zhou Yun'e shivered at the words, as if struck by lightning; her eyes showed shock, incomprehension, fear, and finally a faint trace of regret. She looked at the slowly approaching Xiao Zhangqing and asked, "You really have become a Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master?"

Xiao Zhangqing gave no reply; Mu Chunfeng nodded and answered on his behalf: "It's indeed true. Although he is still a Basic Talisman Master, he has been favored by the Lingfu Pavilion Shopkeeper and by the Second‑rank Talisman Master Lu Qiu, who has already left Nanshan Fang. Lu Qiu even gave Xiao Zhangqing a gift! Otherwise, why would Xiao Zhangqing become an honored guest of our Mu family?"

A Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master, yet favored by the Shopkeeper and by the Second‑rank Talisman Master Lu Qiu, who once caused a sensation throughout Nanshan Fang? This…

Zhou Yun'e and Hu Youquan, upon hearing this, felt a sensation worse than death!

You must still be a pretty boy, or just lucky as a stray dog, or happen to have a sudden turn of fortune! How can you truly have limitless prospects?

Watching the two's fluctuating expressions, Mu Chunfeng nodded with satisfaction and deliberately added, "Dao Companion Xiao, among us cultivators the greatest taboo is a mind that is not clear; otherwise, at best one's cultivation stalls, at worst one is plagued by heart demons. Some people are blind, unable to see the talent you possess, and they choose to leave you—not because they lack fortune, but because they themselves are unblessed, and outsiders cannot intervene. Yet there are those who once despised you for your low cultivation and weak strength, who acted recklessly against you; now that you have power, you should avenge them, which is reasonable…"

Killing, heart‑purging…

Hmm.

Mu Chunfeng seemed to grasp Xiao Zhangqing's meaning a bit.

Although Xiao Zhangqing does not intend to take revenge tonight, a heart‑purge is permissible.

"Xiao… Xiao Zhangqing, what are you trying to do? Don't act recklessly!" Hu Youquan trembled a little; he was truly frightened.

He wasn't foolish either; now he came to his senses, realizing that today it was clearly Miss Mu of the Mu family who set the trap, intending to vent on Xiao Zhangqing through him!

Otherwise, with his level of cultivation, he could not have been invited to the Mu family's birthday feast.

How laughable that he was still elated about it, having prepared valuable gifts, hoping to cling to the Mu family's favor.

Damned Xiao Zhangqing! The Mu family should die too! Hu Youquan roared in his heart.

His body trembled involuntarily; being killed by the Mu family was not much different from crushing a dead ant.

"Xiao… Dao Companion Xiao, the events back then were a misunderstanding, let me explain…" Hu Youquan tugged forcefully at Zhou Yun'e's arm, wildly signaling her to beg for mercy, hoping that Xiao Zhangqing, remembering the years of their relationship, would spare him today.

Zhou Yun'e's face showed a bleak smile.

Beyond shock, regret began to surface in her heart, but more so a spreading resentment!

On what grounds do you now turn the tables? I followed you for over ten years! Endured more than a decade of poverty! Why didn't you reveal your talent earlier, otherwise why would I have left you? You should have remained as you were—destitute, living in the slum district, with no glimpse of hope!

Xiao Zhangqing, you have let me down! You have wronged me! I hate you! Zhou Yun'e's heart was tangled in pain to the point of madness.

But she could not utter any pleas for mercy, apology, or reconciliation.

Because she knew that saying those words now held little meaning; Xiao Zhangqing was unlikely to forgive her.

Then perhaps she should cut it short and preserve her dignity.

"Xiao Zhangqing, if you want revenge, go ahead; I won't beg you!" Zhou Yun'e closed her eyes, looking ready to be killed or dismembered at will.

"Zhou Yun'e, you… I…" Hu Youquan was extremely anxious, but he could not bring himself to utter a disgraceful plea for mercy to Xiao Zhangqing; it was even more painful than being killed.

Even if Xiao Zhangqing has become a Basic Talisman Master of the Lingfu Pavilion, even if his cultivation has reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining, it is not worthy of him pleading for mercy!

Moreover, he was once a lowly Scattered Cultivator whom he despised!

Thus he turned his head toward Mu Chunfeng, pleading in a trembling voice, "Miss Mu, we came today to celebrate the birthday and even brought gifts; you cannot treat us like this, otherwise how will Nanshan Fang view the Mu family in the future…?"

"Just you, and you think you can threaten the reputation of my Mu family?" Mu Chunfeng sneered.

"Yes, yes, yes…" Hu Youquan was drenched in sweat.

Mu Chunfeng immediately let out a cold snort, "But on such a joyous day, the Lingfu Pavilion Symbol Master Xiao is in a good mood and doesn't want to be ruined by you. Scram quickly, go back and act like a dog with its tail between its legs!"

Although the words were highly insulting, Hu Youquan could not care about his dignity at that moment; like being granted a pardon, he hurriedly pulled Zhou Yun'e and fled.

(End of chapter)