Translator: Kazeyuki_, Henyee Editor: Henyee
Being experienced and knowledgeable, Qin Wushuang had already begun thinking about his current situation. At this point in time he did not wish to keep having small issues pop-up.
After having stayed at the inn for the night, he finished writing the invitation card and sent it to the Floating Snow House branch in the capital city. As the rules were similar to other places, to enter the mountain, you must send an invitation card.
Because of his unusual relationship with Mu Rong Xu he was not recognized in the city. Therefore, by sending the invitation card, it was a chance to show respect to the Floating Snow House.
Early the next morning, Qin Wushuang received the notification he had hoped for and started heading towards the Floating Snow House. When he had almost reached the midway point of the mountain, Mu Rong Xu had brought Little Bamboo and was already waiting for him there.
“Young Master Qin! You are finally here!” Overjoyed at the turn of events, Little Bamboo immediately waved her hands.
As Qin Wushuang looked at Mu Rong Xu standing on top of the hill, he saw her as a blooming snow lotus showing unparalleled purity and holiness. Glowing under the early morning sun, her appearance was even more splendid.
Feeling endless love and affection, Qin Wushuang walked up quickly. Their palms intertwined together. Mu Rong Xu had yearned for him even more because of their temporary separation. Upon seeing her loved one arriving, her tormented mind had turned joyful. She continuously thought to herself, “Senior Brother Qin will surely take care of all problems. Certainly he will.”
“Young Master Qin, this is the Floating Snow House. You and Miss must control yourself or else the elders or anyone else who sees will begin to talk” Little Bamboo reminded them.
Mu Rong Xu blushed and said with a low voice, “Brother Qin, when you are here, please pardon them.”
As Qin Wushuang looked at Mu Rong Xu’s expression, he knew that certainly in the past ten days she did not have it easy. Showing even more affection, he nodded, “Don’t worry, I know how to behave appropriately.”
The Floating Snow House seemed to be giving Qin Wushuang an initial sign of strength as their group of people had appeared extraordinarily in order. Almost all higher-ups had gathered within the great hall of the Floating Snow House.
Qin Wushuang walked into the great hall with a neither servile nor overbearing attitude. Immediately, he was watched by a few hundred pairs of eyes who had fixed their gaze on him. Of course, these watching eyes were higher-ups and core disciples of the Floating Snow House.
“Junior Qin Wushuang is here to see Lord Mu Rong and all Seniors.” Qin Wushuang showed his courtesy and saluted to them. Mu Rong Xu was making introductions for him from the side.
Mu Rong Qianji did not intentionally show hostility as he carried a light smile on the corner of his mouth. “Young man, we meet again. All affairs of the world are unpredictable. Initially, I put forth a bounty of one hundred thousand to find you. Now, you have come to my Floating Snow House. Very good… wonderful.”
Upon hearing the words of her father, Mu Rong Xu had become slightly more calm. Although she worried about everyone making things difficult for Qin Wushuang, she was full of hope. Regardless, she would stand next to Qin Wushuang and not allow people of the clan to join hands and bully him.
“Since the parting from the Judgement Mountain Prefecture, I have extremely admired Senior Mu Rong’s demeanor. This time, as I get the golden opportunity to pay a formal visit to Senior Mu Rong, indeed it is a happy occasion.”
Upon hearing the words from Qin Wushuang, Mu Rong Xu was secretly overjoyed. It seemed her father and Qin Wushuang were on good terms since their last meeting. As long as Father did not oppose them, Mu Rong Xu would be free of worries. In the end, these people of the clan had viewed Mu Rong Xu as a chess piece and always thought for her. Therefore, she also did not plan to change her resolution from the obstacles caused by these people.
Mu Rong Qianji laughed. “Last time at the Judgement Mountain Prefecture, you were a nameless young junior. Yet in a few months, you have become an eminent young talent of the Xuan Yuan Mound. Indeed it’s a matter worthy of celebration.”
“I don’t see myself with this reputation. The deeds I have conducted were only born out of self-protection and were against my will,” Qin Wushuang said humbly.
Mu Rong Qianji laughed and waved his hand. “Let us drink tea.”
Qin Wushuang held the tea cup and was about to drink the tea. At this moment, the middle-aged man next to Mu Rong Qianji and who was observing Qin Wushuang finally opened his mouth to speak.
“Qin Wushuang, from being an obscure and unknown man to the human countries to then become an overnight celebrity at the Xuan Yuan Mound… Indeed, not many young men possess such skill.”
Qin Wushuang revealed a faint smile. “Senior Qianhuan, I’m flattered.”
This middle-aged man with a valiant face was Mu Rong Qianji’s younger brother and Mu Rong Xu’s uncle, Mu Rong Qianhuan. One only heard him sneering, “I am not complimenting you, do not take it wrongly.”
Qin Wushuang revealed a faint smile, but did not respond. He used this opportunity to take a sip of tea. As this tea was brewed by the ice and snow of the high mountain, it exhibited strong flavor.
Qin Wushuang nodded and looked at Mu Rong Qianhuan with a servile gaze. He waited for him to continue to speak. He knew that Mu Rong Qianhuan would not end the conversation with such a mindless sentence, after having brewed it for a long time.
Clearly, Mu Rong Qianhuan had come prepared. After a moment of silence, suddenly he glared at Qin Wushuang with fierce eyes and said with an indifferent tone, “Qin Wushuang, do you know that across the Xuan Yuan Mound, while they praise you, at the same time they view the Floating Snow House as a disgrace and are sneering at us?”
Qin Wushuang turned cold and said, “Forgive me for being slow-witted, but with the Floating Snow House’s well-known reputation, how could it be humiliated by me?”
“You do know how to pretend to be confused, don’t you!” Before Mu Rong Qianji had opened his mouth to speak, another Elder next to him spoke first. This Elder was also a leader of the Floating Snow House for his position was beneath the Mu Rong Qianji siblings. He who possessed a fiery temper, was called Mu Rong Qianshan and a junior cousin to the siblings of Mu Rong Qianji. Earlier Qin Wushuang had been told by Mu Rong Xu that this man was a firecracker who would explode with the slightest ignition.
Therefore he did not respond to him. Instead, Mu Rong Xu said with a soft voice, “Uncle Qianshan, when I came back from the outside, I did not hear people slandering the Floating Snow House. Uncle you have been staying inside, yet you’ve heard this?”
Mu Rong Qianji shouted, “Xu’Er, you must not be rude. Sit down first.”
Mu Rong Xu did not dare to disobey her father and sat down after retreating to her father’s side; however, a layer of faint coldness covered her expression.
Mu Rong Xu had rarely become flustered with other people. This was one of the few times for her to show a mix of emotions.
Clearly, Mu Rong Qianshan was somewhat surprised. Secretly, he shivered. It seemed for the few years his niece was outside, there were some changes to her personality.
She exhibited more traces of unyielding character then before.
“Big Brother, your daughter has grown up and is ready to spread her wings,” Mu Rong Qianshan said while taking troubles to his heart.
Mu Rong Qianji said with a faint smile, “When a child grows up, there will be some changes. Third brother, don’t take things personally from a kid.”
Mu Rong Qianji was always overprotective. His daughter was his only bloodline and a pearl in his life.
Mu Rong Qianshan nodded, “Ok, Xu’Er, now that you have grown up, you cannot take in my words. For the few years you were gone, do you know how much pressure the Floating Snow House has shouldered for you?”
Mu Rong Xu said with an indifferent tone, “Uncle Qianshan, these pressures should not be there in the first place. Across all the powerhouses in the Xuan Yuan Mound, all of the young disciples go out to train. It’s not a big deal when I go out.”
“Xu’Er, if this is your excuse, let me tell you something,” Mu Rong Qianhuan’s tone sounded somewhat discontent. “You are different from them. You had an engagement and you fled when the wedding day was just around the corner.”
“Second Uncle, I never agreed to this marriage. I also never wanted it,” Mu Rong Xu retorted.
“Nonsense!” Mu Rong Qianhuan rebuked at her angrily, “You are acting willfully and making a scene. Xu’Er, you have changed. When you were young, you were always so obedient. Now, who has allured you and caused you to not listen to any advice?”
“Second Uncle, I have grown up. I only know that it would be reasonable for me to have say in my own fate. Marriage is not a child’s play. I never thought of marrying someone I dislike. Second Uncle, if it were your daughter, would you be willing to push her into misery? Put yourself in my shoes. For the so-called benefit of the relationship, you want me to marry Luo Ting. You only seek to benefit, but have you ever thought of how the life of your niece would be?”
Mu Rong Xu did not make her accusation like a torrential storm, but she spoke slowly and through an unhurried stance. Like a small stream, her words gradually hit with force.
Mu Rong Qianhuan gave a long sigh, “Xu’Er, as part of the Floating Snow House, your fate does not only belong to you. It’s tightly connected with the family clan. For this, you have always known. Can you not understand?”
Mu Rong Xu shook her head with determination. “No, I only know that if a person can not grasp their own destiny, one would rather die than to live without freedom. Second Uncle, it’s not that I don’t understand your virtuous cause. However, by the way the clan has been treating me, I should be repaying the clan in the same way. They don’t care about my well-being. Do they wish to see me torn apart?”
“You… You are disgraceful!” Mu Rong Qianshan flew into a rage and said to Mu Rong Qianji, “Older brother, look at your daughter. What kind of words does she speak?”
“Yes. Older brother, if you don’t discipline her, the first traitor of the Floating Snow House will appear!” another leader, Mu Rong Qianlin, who had remained silent for the past moments also said.
Mu Rong Qianji still maintained an undisturbed expression as he swept across the faces of the other three people and said, “Everyone, do you guys think to the Floating Snow House, what meaning would it hold to settle accounts after autumn? Luo Ting is already dead, and that marriage contract is abolished. Both you and me know how ridiculous that marriage would have been. With that situation extinguished, it seems that you wish my daughter experience torment in a different way.”
“Big Brother, what are you talking about? It’s nothing personal!” Mu Rong Qianji smiled apologetically.
“Big Brother, you have loved your daughter since she was a child. However this time, the Floating Snow House is truly at a disadvantage, for our reputation is ruined!” Mu Rong Qianshan glared at Qin Wushuang and shouted, “Qin, if I were you, I would shrink my head and make my way out of here. You dare to run to the Floating Snow House? Do you truly think people of the Floating Snow House are statues made of clay and without a temper?”
Finally, the focus had returned to Qin Wushuang. Qin Wushuang said, “Senior Qianshan, if I may talk bluntly, list my crimes against the Floating Snow House. Are there any? If so, I will defend myself or accept your scolding wholeheartedly. When you speak off the cuff, I am not persuaded physically nor mentally.”
Mu Rong Qianshan slapped the table. “You little kid of the human countries. You harbor unfathomable motives with Xu’Er and lie to her by taking advantage of her young age. You have ruined her reputation and tricked her into filing the lawsuit to the Heavenly Emperor Mountain. The reputation of the Floating Snow House is completely obliterated. Can you not see these as your crimes?”
