Chapter 85: To Die and Go Out to Die! (Please Vote)

Since moving into the Jia-yi Cave Residence, over the past month or so, many cultivators have come to pay their respects to Xiao Zhangqing.

There are those who come to pull strings, to give gifts, to ask for help, to buy Talisman Scripts…

But Xiao Zhangqing basically has Lin Ziyu turn them away at the door.

Except for a few he already knows, such as Pill Master Zhu Youlong, Baibao Lou manager Ruan Qingzhu, the Zheng couple who are close with Zixi, and the Symbol Master colleague from Lingfu Pavilion… when they visit, Xiao Zhangqing will give them a courtesy audience.

Today, while Lin Ziyu was disturbing his cultivation, she also informed him that someone outside came to pay respects and request help, which made Xiao Zhangqing's mind stir slightly.

Could it be an old acquaintance who ran into trouble and wants his help?

If there's no friendship, Lin Ziyu should know the rules and would refuse outright.

Xiao Zhangqing thought, then asked, "Who is it?"

Lin Ziyu quietly observed Xiao Zhangqing's expression and tone, and said, "It's Miss Mu, the former Miss of the Mu family and now the helmswoman, Mu Chunfeng. She's also brought a few members of the Mu family with her."

"Her?"

Xiao Zhangqing was slightly startled, his mind flashing with many faces and possibilities; he truly hadn't expected it to be Mu Chunfeng.

"Lord, shall we invite her in?" Lin Ziyu nodded and asked.

Until now, Lin Ziyu naturally had never dealt with Mu Chunfeng.

At first, before becoming Xiao Zhangqing's concubine, she was a Scattered Cultivator in the Peng Hu Qu, later she and her sister Lin Zixi supported each other in business, barely gathering some capital, and still a hundred‑and‑eighty‑thousand li away from the Mu family's standards, never reaching their threshold.

After becoming Xiao Zhangqing's concubine, the Mu family quickly rose to become the top clan of Nanshan Fang; Mu Renjie, with his late Foundation Establishment strength, dominated Nanshan Fang, and the Mu family became arrogant and unrivaled.

Lin Ziyu also had no right to deal with Mu Chunfeng.

Until recently, Mu Renjie was slain by his own lord, the Mu family fell precipitously, their situation became extremely dire; under the Cao family's full suppression, Mu family members were even less carefree than ordinary Scattered Cultivators, living day by day in constant fear.

The Mu family became the side with no right to deal with Lin Ziyu.

However.

Lin Ziyu didn't outright refuse Mu Chunfeng's visit because, on the night Mu Renjie died, she and her sister Lin Zixi were in the house and caught most of the conversation between the lord and Gong Wansheng.

Including the lord saying he was friends with Mu Chunfeng and letting Gong Wansheng, who had intercepted Mu Chunfeng, off the hook.

He remembered that at the time Gong Wansheng even joked about whether to hand Mu Chunfeng over directly to the lord.

So today Mu Chunfeng came to visit, announcing herself; Lin Ziyu, seeing her excellent appearance, figure, and temperament, felt uncertain whether her lord truly had an extraordinary relationship with this Miss Mu, and thus reported it while Xiao Zhangqing was cultivating.

"Invite them in, to the reception hall; I'll step out in a moment," Xiao Zhangqing thought for a moment, then said.

It seems the connection is indeed deep.

Lin Ziyu thought to herself that she wasn't angry or jealous.

She remembered her status: merely a concubine, not a Dao Partner or primary wife; her duty was to be obedient and sensible, and she didn't need to worry about whom the lord favored, as long as she performed well, the lord wouldn't neglect her.

"Yes." Lin Ziyu took the order, quickly went out and led Mu Chunfeng and several Mu family members into the reception hall.

She was very courteous, causing no embarrassment, and served spirit tea and spirit fruit.

Mu Chunfeng, of course, was not visiting the Jia-yi Cave Residence for the first time.

Two years ago, this was still her father's cave residence!

Although her father's temperament had drastically changed, becoming hard to communicate with, she, as his daughter, still came often to pay her respects.

Therefore, regarding the Jia-yi Cave Residence, Mu Chunfeng and several Mu family members could be said to be very familiar with it.

Only.

This familiar place, now that they return, appears exceedingly restrained.

Lin Ziyu served tea and spirit fruit, and none of them dared to take a bite.

A moment later, Xiao Zhangqing appeared in the reception hall; the others all rose to greet him, showing respect.

Xiao Zhangqing merely gave a slight nod, then sat in the main seat, looking at them.

Only then did he notice that besides Mu Chunfeng, there was another acquaintance: the Mu Family Grand Elder who had once patronized him at an exchange meeting.

Beside the Mu Family Grand Elder stood a young woman whom Xiao Zhangqing did not recognize.

These two, upon seeing Xiao Zhangqing arrive and forced to greet him, wore expressions of embarrassment and terror, looking extremely conflicted.

Especially the Mu Family Grand Elder, who had previously been haughty before Xiao Zhangqing, acting as if Xiao Zhangqing's rejection of his invitation was a sign of ingratitude.

Now he must grovel before Xiao Zhangqing, trying his best to please him; the gap in his heart is obvious.

Xiao Zhangqing was too lazy to give him another glance, and naturally didn't care about his emotional shifts.

"Miss Mu, long time no see," Xiao Zhangqing said with a smile, speaking to Mu Chunfeng.

Seeing Xiao Zhangqing's demeanor, Mu Chunfeng, who had originally been nervous, felt a little steadier.

Although she had never been overbearing toward Xiao Zhangqing before, throughout their interactions she consistently placed herself in a superior stance. Even when investing in Xiao Zhangqing, her attitude was good, but the 'investor' in her mind still wanted a certain degree of control.

Today, she was completely in a subordinate position, having prepared for the worst.

But fortunately.

From Xiao Zhangqing's reaction, it should not be the worst.

Mu Chunfeng inhaled deeply, her chubby, egg‑shaped face showing a pleasant smile, but her tone involuntarily became a bit humble: "I'm sorry for disturbing Symbol Master Xiao's cultivation. I've been too busy and never had the chance to congratulate Symbol Master Xiao on his promotion to Second‑rank Talisman Master. This is a small congratulatory gift I prepared; please accept it, Symbol Master Xiao…"

Xiao Zhangqing didn't know what the gift actually was.

But the gift was packaged in a storage bag!

Even a storage bag, as a smallest‑space item, is worth nearly a thousand Low‑grade Spirit Stones.

It can be foreseen that the so‑called gift from Mu Chunfeng would not be cheap.

Xiao Zhangqing shook his head, not touching the storage bag, "This gift is far too expensive; one should not receive rewards without merit. Moreover, I'm not lacking Spirit Stones right now…"

Back then he still lived in the Peng Hu Qu, had just become a regular at Lingfu Pavilion, establishing his footing; his finances were tight, even renting a cave residence required consideration of Cost Performance Ratio, so he naturally accepted the Mu family's investment and courting.

But now.

Although he could not be called the top cultivator of Nanshan Fang in the strict sense, he already resides in the Jia‑yi Cave Residence and is the sole Second‑rank Talisman Master, so there's no need to accept Mu Chunfeng's gifts.

Seeing Mu Chunfeng still trying to persuade, Xiao Zhangqing waved his hand and got straight to the point: "Miss Mu, you came to see me today; just say what you need, no need to hold back. If you personally need my help, we are friends and I'll consider it. But if it concerns the Mu family, I won't intervene."

At first, the Mu Family mercilessly, in an almost forced manner, reclaimed the cave dwelling, and the bond between Xiao Zhangqing and the Mu Family was completely severed.

He also told Mu Chunfeng that from now on he acknowledges Mu Chunfeng as a friend.

But each matter stands on its own.

Moreover, later the Mu Family even singled him out.

Mu Chunfeng's face showed shame; he naturally remembered these things.

She knew very well how the Mu Family had treated Xiao Zhangqing, and Xiao Zhangqing indeed had no reason to help the Mu Family.

Moreover, Xiao Zhangqing had already been more than enough to her.

Gong Wansheng a month ago returned her to the Mu Family without making things difficult for her, and he told her clearly that it was out of respect for Xiao Zhangqing's face.

In the past month, the Mu Family's situation has been terrible; not only has the Cao Family been suppressing the Mu Family from all sides, but enemies who previously dared not speak out because the Mu Family was powerful have now all emerged, beating a drowning dog.

Yet even so, Mu Chunfeng was still leading the Mu Family to hold on, too ashamed to ask Xiao Zhangqing for help.

But now, the Mu Family truly cannot hold on any longer…

At this moment, the Mu Family Grand Elder stood up and bowed deeply to Xiao Zhangqing, "Xiao Symbol Master, I have wronged you. When we reclaimed the cave you lived in, it was my unilateral decision; Miss had strongly opposed it, and I took advantage of her absence to act on my own! The later matters, my disrespectful words toward you, Xiao Symbol Master, and the targeting of Guangju Building, were all my own ideas! They have nothing to do with Miss, nor with the Mu Family."

"Today, I will sacrifice my life to Xiao Symbol Master, ending it here! I ask that you, Master Xiao Symbol Master, overlook my faults and help the Mu Family once!"

Having finished speaking, this proud and arrogant Mu Family Grand Elder, who claims to be the top master of the Qi Refining Realm below the Foundation Establishment Realm of Nanshan Fang, prepared to execute self‑execution on the spot.

"Stop!" Xiao Zhangqing barked coldly.

The Mu Family Grand Elder had already prepared for death, but upon hearing Xiao Zhangqing's command, his heart couldn't help but feel a fleeting joy—could this Xiao Symbol Master be so merciful? Yet Xiao Zhangqing retorted with disdain, "If you must die, die elsewhere; don't dirty this place! Dying here would only make me loathe the Mu Family even more!"

Thinking of moral blackmailing him?

Xiao Zhangqing would not buy that trick! At this moment, the female cultivator beside the Mu Family Grand Elder also stood up, her voice trembling with fear, and said, "Xiao Symbol Master, I'm sorry! When you refused to form a marriage alliance with me, I once spread rumors throughout Nanshan Fang that you pursued me, that I rejected you, and even claimed you were unworthy of me… If it would satisfy you, whether you demand my life or that I become your slave or maid, I would have no objection."

So this woman was the Mu Family Grand Elder's niece?

I recall that at first the Mu Family Grand Elder seemed to want to introduce his niece to himself.

But Xiao Zhangqing never cared about her, nor about the rumors she spread.

What a mental drain.

Xiao Zhangqing, uninterested in further idle talk, issued a dismissal: "Miss Mu, in view of our past friendship, if you are in trouble and I can be of help, I will certainly assist. But only for you. The lives of the other members of the Mu Family are none of my concern. Now, see yourself out!"

Lin Ziyu nodded, stepped forward, and said to the three, "Please, gentlemen."

She felt somewhat displeased at this moment.

She had never liked the Mu Family to begin with.

If Miss Mu were to cling to me, being willing to become the lord's concubine would be tolerable.

What about this Mu Yajing? Does she even deserve to be the lord's concubine?

She speaks as if she were quite aggrieved!

What kind of person is this! PS: I wanted to avoid staying up late, but my typing speed was just too slow! On the first day of the month, considering the author has been up so late, could I ask for a guaranteed monthly ticket?

(End of chapter)