Chapter 216: Master, Slave Qiu has prepared a surprise for you tonight

Although they came to the entrance of the town to welcome them.

In truth, aside from Yang Yanqiu and Zheng Qingyun and her son, there were only a few servants left; they did not stir up too many people.

After the two sides met up and exchanged brief introductions.

Yang Yandong rode his horse, leading a few servants to clear the path ahead, while his sister and mother boarded that luxurious carriage that had made him feel so envious and covetous.

Before long.

They wound through the streets and alleys, arriving at the center of the town.

Before the gate of an extremely ancient and opulent mansion.

This place was the ancestral home of the Yang Family.

It was also the headquarters of the Worship Moon Hall.

And the entire Yangjiazhuang was practically the private property of the Yang Family.

The residents of the town, aside from the collateral branches of the Yang Family, included servants who labored for the Yang Family, long-term farmhands, tenant farmers, or various people related to the industries under the Yang Family's banner.

Of course.

More importantly, there were the followers under the Worship Moon Hall.

That night.

Inside the dining hall of the Yang Family mansion.

"Master, please sit here."

Yang Yanqiu pulled out the main seat and then let Ning Mu sit there.

At this moment in the dining hall, aside from Yang Yanqiu and Zheng Qingyun, everyone else had come along with Ning Mu.

Ning Mu did not stand on ceremony and sat directly in the main seat.

At this time.

Yang Yanqiu was seen kneeling before Ning Mu, her face full of apology and trepidation as she said, "Slave begs Master for forgiveness. Master, it is not yet convenient for others to know of Slave's status, especially younger brother Dong. In front of younger brother Dong, may I address you as 'Young Master'?"

Ning Mu did not speak, but merely looked at Zheng Qingyun, who was standing to the side with a complex expression.

Yang Yanqiu followed Ning Mu's gaze and immediately understood his meaning.

At once, her eyes shimmering, she whispered, "Although Qingyun is the Mistress of the Yang Family and younger brother Dong's mother, she is actually as close as a sister to Slave Qiu, and our relationship is inseparable. She knows everything about Slave Qiu, so Master need not worry~"

???

Once these words were spoken.

Aside from Yang Yanqiu and the blushing Zheng Qingyun, everyone in the dining hall widened their eyes, looking at these two in a strange manner.

A father's wife being as close as a sister to his daughter could perhaps be explained away.

But the key point was.

That she also knew about her becoming Ning Mu's private slave—was that not a bit inappropriate?

This level of trust was simply too much!

Zheng Qingyun, standing to the side, said nothing; she merely lowered her beautiful eyes, her hands folded over her abdomen, standing there motionless just like a lowly servant.

However, the visible blush on her face revealed that her heart was clearly not as calm as she appeared on the surface at this very moment.

Ning Mu was also surprised for a moment.

But he immediately nodded and said, "Fine, I understand."

As he spoke.

He flipped his palm, and a silvery, extremely lightweight key appeared in his hand.

"Come tonight, and I will unlock you."

A wicked smile played on the corners of Ning Mu's mouth.

Yang Yanqiu's face was lovely and flushed, her eyes flashing as she shyly said, "Master, Slave Qiu has prepared a surprise for you tonight."

"Oh?"

Ning Mu looked up in surprise, swept a glance at the seemingly restless Zheng Qingyun to the side, and then looked at Yang Yanqiu, asking with interest, "What surprise?"

But before Yang Yanqiu could answer.

At this moment.

The sudden intrusion of Yang Yandong made the atmosphere turn abruptly awkward.

"Mother, Sister, Mr. Ning, why aren't you all eating? I'm exhausted. That exotic beast is truly well-proportioned and beautiful; it runs like the wind, it's amazing!"

After Yang Yandong walked in and saw Ning Mu sitting in his seat, he felt no displeasure; instead, he sat down enthusiastically next to Ning Mu and spoke with excitement.

Ever since seeing the 'Old Driver', Yang Yandong, who was at an age where he was curious about everything, could no longer take his eyes off it.

After returning home.

He had begged his sister, Yang Yanqiu, to ask Ning Mu to let him sit on that majestic exotic beast and play for a while.

Since he was the Hall Master of the Worship Moon Hall and also Yang Yanqiu's younger brother, Ning Mu naturally did not object.

Just a moment ago, Yang Yandong had been riding the 'Old Driver', playing a few laps in the paddock.

"Dong'er, how are you speaking in front of Mr. Ning!"

Just as Yang Yandong was getting excited, Zheng Qingyun's expression changed slightly, a flush rising to her face as she slapped the back of Yang Yandong's head, chiding him with feigned anger.

Well-proportioned and beautiful...

Is that how one describes things? It's all that influence brought back from the brothels.

Zheng Qingyun hurriedly explained to Ning Mu, "Mr. Ning, please excuse him. Dong'er is still young and has learned bad habits from those scholars; I will certainly discipline him strictly another day!"

Ning Mu waved his hand, smiled indifferently, and said, "Mistress, you are being too formal."

As he spoke.

He looked at Yang Yandong again, patted him on the shoulder, and laughed, "Little Brother Dong is a man of true temperament; it's quite normal at this age, no need to blame him."

Yang Yandong, who had originally been somewhat fearful of his mother, beamed with joy upon hearing the guest's praise.

He winked at Zheng Qingyun, then said with a look of self-satisfaction, "Exactly! Mr. Ning truly has a discerning eye. If Mr. Ning doesn't mind, I shall call you Big Brother!"

Yang Yandong cupped his hands, looking at Ning Mu with great familiarity, and grinned.

He was not stupid.

He could tell that his only elder sister held this Mr. Ning, who was only two years older than himself, in high regard.

In this family, he still had a place only because his elder sister had secretly made a comeback and his mother had assisted; otherwise, everything would be a bubble.

Since even his elder sister and mother valued him so much.

Then building a good relationship with this Mr. Ning was definitely the right move!

What's more.

This Big Brother Ning had so many heroines and beauties by his side, among whom were Lay Buddhists practicing while keeping their hair, and even exotic beasts as mounts.

All these things highlighted Big Brother Ning's extraordinary nature!

But as soon as these words left his mouth.

Zheng Qingyun, standing behind him, suddenly became a bit anxious.

She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but upon careful thought, she found no way to speak. The key was, wasn't this boy taking the initiative to build a good relationship with Mr. Ning exactly what she wanted to see?

It was just that...

Directly acknowledging him as Big Brother... then where did that leave A-Qiu's status? And herself...

A flash of panic crossed Zheng Qingyun's eyes, and her face flushed red all at once, not knowing what to do.

And just as she was at a loss.

Ning Mu laughed heartily and said, "Hahaha, easily done, easily done, Second Brother!"

"Big Brother!"

Yang Yandong was instantly excited; he stood up immediately, knelt on one knee, and bowed with his hands cupped.

"That is too much courtesy, too much courtesy."

"Get up quickly!"

Ning Mu immediately reached out to help him up.

Yang Yandong stood up with a silly grin.

And Yang Yanqiu also wore a strange and inexplicable expression.

This silly younger brother...

He really managed to climb up the social ladder.

He had become the master's younger brother.

Wouldn't that make him her uncle? In other words, she, the elder sister, would have to call her younger brother 'Second Uncle'?

A feeling of extreme absurdity welled up in her heart, and her eyes revealed a deeply strange look.

If her thoughts were known to Yang Yandong.

Given Yang Yandong's personality, he would definitely say: What is difficult about this? In the future, we shall each count our own relations; I will call you Sister-in-law/Sister, and you will call me Uncle/Brother! "Everyone, sisters-in-law, please sit, sit. Why are you standing? Eat if you must. If there is anything unsatisfactory, I, your little brother, will have the kitchen prepare more!"

"Mother, Sister, you sit down too, and eat!"

Yang Yandong, with the air of a host, invited Liuli, Wei Youqing, and the others to take their seats.

"After traveling for a day, everyone is tired. Sit down and eat, and rest early after you finish."

Then.

Ning Mu turned his head to look at Yang Yanqiu and said, "A-Qiu, take advantage of the mealtime to explain the situation in detail."

As Ning Mu spoke.

Everyone sat down one by one.

Thanks to her status as the local host, Yang Yanqiu sat beside Ning Mu, while on the other side sat Liuli Shitai, who was very concerned about the situation.

And on Ning Mu's other side were the Worship Moon Hall Hall Master, Yang Yandong, and his mother, Zheng Qingyun.

Wei Youqing and Pi Yalu sat opposite the main seat.

There was also a little fox, Su Zuozuo, who had disappeared after entering the mansion.

Ning Mu told her to go play by herself and not to run too far, lest she be discovered.

"Mas—"

Yang Yanqiu was just about to speak about the situation she had verified.

But as soon as she opened her mouth, the word 'Master' almost slipped out.

Glancing at Yang Yandong, who was burying his head in his food, she hurriedly said, "I have already verified the main situation, my Lord."

"The strength of the entire Blood Blade Hall is not weak. There is a True Person martial artist who sits in the hall and has been in seclusion for years. I heard this person is the ancestor of the Li family and the founder of the Blood Blade Sect back in the day, named Li Tingdao. Through a stroke of fate, he consumed a Heaven and Earth Spiritual Treasure and managed to break through to the Divine Origin realm, but for hundreds of years, because the cultivation technique he practiced was inferior, he has been unable to break through further. Now, his lifespan is running low, and he has been in seclusion seeking to create his own technique to break through, but there has been no news. Additionally, there is a Grandmaster, the current Blood Blade Hall Hall Master, Li Zhengrong, who is already over sixty years old. There are also over a dozen experts in the Inner Profound Realm and over thirty in the Heavenly Circuit Realm."

Yang Yanqiu explained everything she had inquired about during these days.

In addition, she also described the situation of Yingyue Lake Town, where the Blood Blade Hall was located, including the hall's troop numbers, defense deployments, and so on.

Beside her, Liuli's brow showed a hint of gravity.

She had not expected that even a Blood Blade Hall would have a True Person expert sitting in command.

It seemed this trip would not be as smooth sailing as imagined.

But no matter how difficult, the hatred of the family's destruction and the clan's annihilation back then had to be avenged with her own hands!

"And what about your Yang Family?" Ning Mu asked.

Before Yang Yanqiu could speak, Yang Yandong, who had already finished gnawing on a pork knuckle, wiped his mouth and grinned, "Big Brother, let me tell you about the situation of the Yang Family!"

"The Yang Family's strength is not as good as the Blood Blade Hall's. The Sun Moon Divine Sect has countless halls under its jurisdiction; besides the Great Bright Island itself, the Blood Blade Hall's strength should be considered the best among them. Next is the Tianxin Hall in Taihe County to the north, which also has a True Person sitting in command!"

"My Yang Family's strength is actually very poor. A few years ago, when our father was still alive, we still had two Grandmasters, but now, there is only one Grandmaster left, and he is from a collateral branch and doesn't really listen to our orders. If it weren't for my sister becoming the Saint Mother of the Divine Sect, the Yang Family might have been swallowed up or encroached upon by the collateral branches."

Speaking of this.

Yang Yandong suddenly stood up, took a glance at his mother Zheng Qingyun beside him, then looked at Yang Yanqiu, cupped his hands in a salute, and said sincerely: "Mother, Sister, thank you both for the efforts you have made to continue the Yang Family all these years. Dong'er is ashamed to be the Head of the Family; my strength is insufficient, and I have let you and Mother down!"

Yang Yandong put away his joking manner, his face full of shame.

Seeing him like this, Zheng Qingyun and Yang Yanqiu could not help but exchange a glance, both seeing surprise in the other's eyes.

This good-for-nothing child had grown up.

"Sit down, Dong'er. If you can have this heart, Mother's pampering of you has not been in vain!"

"That's right, Brother Dong. As long as you are obedient, do not act recklessly, and properly support this family business, Sister and your mother will be satisfied. As long as you put in the effort, even if the Yang Family ceases to exist in the future, we will not blame you. Father will also understand your hardships from the netherworld!"

Zheng Qingyun and Yang Yanqiu spoke one after another to comfort him.

When Yang Yanqiu finished speaking.

Zheng Qingyun's eyes flickered, she glanced at Ning Mu, who was sitting in the main seat smiling without a word, and then immediately instructed Yang Yandong: "Dong'er, from now on, you must listen more to Mr. Ning's teachings."

She stopped at the right point, not saying too much.

Yang Yanqiu had already told her about the various circumstances regarding this Mr. Ning.

Including his rapidly advancing strength, as well as the information that the several ladies in the Mountain Stronghold where he resided were incomparably formidable.

Two True Human Realm martial artists, and Grandmaster martial artists who were imprisoned just like that.

He even had connections with the Libationer of the Jixia Academy and the Disciples of the Master.

It was said that the lady holding the Whisk was the renowned Divine Nun Ciyun of the pugilistic world, and her master was none other than Zen Master Poluo.

Even the headquarters of the Sun Moon Divine Sect only had two True Persons and a few Grandmasters.

Such formidable background and strength, coupled with Yang Yanqiu's allegiance, made her, the Mistress of the Yang Family, very rationally make a choice for the future of the Yang Family on behalf of Yang Yandong, the Head of the Family.

"Mm!"

Hearing his mother's words, Yang Yandong nodded very solemnly, then turned his head to look at Ning Mu, cupped his hands and said: "Big Brother, I will have to trouble you to guide and support me in the future!"

Ning Mu smiled slightly, patted Yang Yandong on the shoulder, and signaled for him to sit down.

But he did not give any promises.

Everything seen at the moment was not enough to prove anything.

Yang Yanqiu's loyalty was beyond doubt.

At least until now, she had not shown the slightest tendency to betray.

As for the Yang Family...

After all, it was dragged down by such a behemoth as the Worship Moon Hall, and its internal relations were intricate and complex; whether they were enemies or friends was currently unknown.

Everything would have to wait until Liuli's revenge was complete and the dust had settled before a decision could be made.

The wine and meal were finished.

It was already approaching midnight.

Under Yang Yanqiu's personal arrangement, Ning Mu moved into a large courtyard.

As for Liuli, Wei Youqing, and Pi Yalu, the master and her two disciples were also each arranged a place to stay.

"Master, please wait a moment. This servant will go prepare bathwater, then come to serve Master in bathing to relieve your fatigue~"

After sending Ning Mu into the room, Yang Yanqiu's face was charming, her eyes filled with a hint of secret joy and shyness, she gave Ning Mu a mysterious wink, and then left.

Not long after.

Maidservants came in one after another carrying buckets filled with hot water, as well as towels and flower petals of various colors, filling the water in the bathtub.

Then, the maidservants silently retreated and closed the door behind them.

Looking at the empty room and the bathtub steaming with heat, Ning Mu could not help but be stunned.

"What is this woman up to?"

He frowned slightly.

Ning Mu stopped waiting for Yang Yanqiu, took off his clothes directly, and then entered the bathtub, soaking comfortably.

He had been on the road all day and had drunk quite a bit of wine in the carriage.

Soaking in this hot water for a while now, he immediately closed his eyes comfortably.

However.

Not long after.

Creak.

The sound of the door being pushed open rang out, followed by light footsteps approaching from far to near, as if walking on tiptoe.

It was the sound of a woman's footsteps.

Ning Mu's ears twitched, but he did not open his eyes.

"A-Qiu, what were you doing?" Ning Mu asked casually.

"Come, like before, use your chest to scrub my back!"

He thought it was Yang Yanqiu who had entered.

But he waited for a moment, yet did not receive a response from the woman.

He could not help but be stunned, then opened his eyes and turned his head to look.

It would have been fine if he hadn't looked, but after seeing clearly who it was, he was immediately taken aback.

"Madam, why is it you?"

(End of this chapter)