“Is there a need for you all to go to such an extent?” Kuzan Feng shook his head and asked. Behind him was Busey, who appeared as if he wanted to mention something but decided against it after some thought.
Zanian Feng solemnly replied, “Father, since you know about what’s happening in the White Horse Constellation, I assume that you watched the footage shown in the Yu family’s Ancestral Hall?”
“I did.” Kuzan nodded. The Dragon Ascension Martial Hall has deeply rooted connections throughout the Law Realm, and its intelligence network reaches the entire realm. What happened in the Yu family was not something that escaped Kuzan’s eyes.
Zanian nodded as he continued speaking. “Xia Fei was a finalist of the Dragon Ascension Conclave’s second examination and could be considered as a part student. However, because he has been dragged into this matter, there’s no way for him to continue participation, and this somewhat tarnished the reputation of the Dragon Ascension.”
Kuzan bobbed his head. “What you said makes sense, but it’s not up to the Dragon Ascension to decide whether he’s innocent or not. We must wait for the Law Enforcement Board to arbitrate. The reason why we had the Law Enforcement Board set up is for the purpose of settling the various disputes found among clans in the Law Realm, and we aren’t an exception to that, either.”
Zanian said in a grave tone, “Father, there are some things that are inconvenient to be stated, but anyone knows that there are a handful of individuals who aren’t under the jurisdiction of the Law Enforcement Board. I’m afraid that the board won’t be standing on the side of justice this time. If we don’t make our move, there are people who will take this chance to stamp out Xia Fei.”
Kuzan’s eyelids twitched. He knew just well how this would end. He had been living in the Law Realm for a long time, after all, and he tacitly understood what his son meant. He had already made the link that there could have been someone powerful pulling the strings to this situation in the Yu family.
Busey furrowed his brows, looking very concerned.
Seeing that his father had gone silent, Zanian proceeded to speak. “We can very clearly tell from the footage shown that Xia Fei has already attained the strength comparable to a Law Emperor. From our investigations, it’s barely been a year since he began cultivating law force, so that’s truly a shocking rate of promotion. Going by the conventional route, Xia Fei should’ve joined our martial hall and become a formidable expert in the circle under the tutelage of Uncle Busey. However, those people disrupted this development, and not only did it negatively affect Xia Fei, even our Dragon Ascension lost face because of it.”
Zanian was not that old, yet he was already extremely crafty. He knew how important the Dragon Ascension was to his father and how the latter would most certainly do his utmost to protect it.
After taking some time to mull things over, Kuzan suddenly laughed. “Will we, the Dragon Ascension, be able to handle someone whom even the Law Enforcement Board can’t afford to provoke?”
Zanian rebutted, “Who says we’ll be provoking this unknown entity? We’re only insisting on justice and fairness; just as you said, it’s up to the Law Enforcement Board to judge who is in the right or wrong.”
Kuzan’s eyes twinkled as he looked at Zanian with a measure of admiration.
Lightly tapping his finger on the table, Kuzan asked, “Mu Fuping is the apple of the old patriarch’s, Mu Qiyun’s, eyes. If she wishes, she can surely invite Antecessor Mu out, and the outcome may not be disastrous.”
Zanian knew that his father was probing about the stance the Withered Mu Clan would be taking, which was why he answered, “But of course. Earlier, while I was at Yu family’s Ancestral Hall, Miss Fuping cried quite a few times and promised to convince her patriarch to show his face.”
“Oh, is that so?” Kuzan nodded. “You may excuse yourself; I’ll decide on this matter myself.”
Zanian backed out from the room, closing the door behind him with a sigh. He felt completely at ease. From what he understood of his father, he knew that his interest had been piqued.
……
After Zanian Feng left the room, Busey remained inside. As Kuzan Feng’s confidant, the former knew that the latter would definitely wish to discuss this matter with him.
“Zanian has grown.” Kuzan leaned back in his seat as he chuckled. “He now understands the importance of connections, and though it looks like he is helping the Dragon Ascension from the outside, he’s actually looking out for his future right-hand man.”
Busey took a sip of tea and remarked, “Hallmaster, I don’t think that that’s anything bad, either. Xia Fei has the condition and the circumstances on his side, and we don’t have to intervene directly. All we need to do is exert a little pressure on the Law Enforcement Board, and it’s a reasonable appeal to both the cause and the sentiment. As for that individual hiding in the background, we won’t be offending him if we insert ourselves in such a way. Besides, the patriarch of the Withered Mu Clan will also be acting, so the chance of success isn’t negligible.”
Kuzan smiled as he looked at Busey. “So what? Are you tempted as well?”
Busey nodded meaningfully. “Xia Fei may not be the strongest candidate out of this batch of recruits, but he’s got the greatest potential. It would be quite a waste to give up on such a wonderful sapling.”
“It’s not easy for him to have caught your eye,” Kuzan casually commented. “Plus, we don’t have to use too much effort on this matter. After all, we do have justification, and it is indeed worth considering.”
“Then what are you hesitating for?” Busey curiously asked.
Kuzan let out a sigh. “I just don’t think that Zanian is capable enough yet; while it’s true that Xia Fei might become grateful to the Dragon Ascension if we lend him a hand, most of that gratitude would be attributed to Zanian. I can’t stay with the Dragon Ascension forever, and it’s only a matter of time before Zanian replaces me. That’s why he needs to begin nurturing his own relations now and search for his confidant. Given how Xia Fei, this peer of his, has limitless potential, he’ll surely be a very good choice for the role. Even more atypical is the fact that he has no roots in the Law Realm and should be someone who knows how to reciprocate gratitude, devoting himself to the managing of the martial hall for Zanian.”
Busey shook his head. “Then I’m even more clueless than before. If Zanian will benefit from you lending a hand to Xia Fei, allowing him to gain his own confidant, it won’t be an exaggeration to call this a flawless plan. So why would you still say that Zanian’s not capable enough?”
Kuzan’s eyes glowed brightly as he solemnly stated, “What I’m speaking of is what will conventionally happen. Zanian will have easily won over anyone else, but this won’t work on Xia Fei. Neither you are nor I am able to see through the young man, so he’s definitely not someone whom Zanian can command. What I’m afraid of is Xia Fei only feeling gratitude toward Zanian but not enough for him to give his life to my son. As the saying goes: ‘A dragon will only temporarily reside in a pool; its ambitions and high self-esteem means that it’s destined for greatness!”
Busey was speechless. Thinking back on Xia Fei’s performances during the Dragon Ascension Conclave, he could see that the young man was indeed not someone who would bow down to another. On the contrary, he was a ruthless individual!
“Does that mean that you don’t plan to act?” Busey could not help but ask. Deep down, he was unwilling to bury such talent.
“We’ll act. Zanian has been under too much pressure from me, so my son having finally sought my help in saving a prospective confidant of his, how could I say no? He’s the one who selected that young man. As for whether he can make the man submit or not, that will be up to him.”
…
Almost at the same time, Old Patriarch Mu Qiyun’s abode was ushering in a familiar face, which was none other than the worried Mu Fuping.
Different from Zanian Feng’s scheming, she had no plans of taking Xia Fei as her confidant, nor was she considering principles of good and evil. She simply believed that Xia Fei should not be wronged by others, nor could she imagine the deep seated contest behind her back.
Old Patriarch Mu Qiyun seemed to be in a good mood, and he was currently pruning and taking care of his beloved flowers and plants in the garden. Behind him stood a man dressed in black, who was whispering something softly to the old man.
“That means Fuping is presently coming over to find me, so she can get me to take action on her behalf?” he set down his shears and whispered back.
“At the moment, she ought to have arrived at the courtyard, waiting to speak to you,” the man in black replied back quietly.
Great clans had plenty of eyes around, not only to monitor their enemies but to take in every action of the people in their clans so that all would be within the grasp of the old monsters. Mu Fuping had not even arrived, yet the spy with her had already reported this matter to the old patriarch.
“You may leave.” Mu Qiyun waved his hand to dismiss the man, who abruptly disappeared from where he stood, and the silence of the back garden was restored.
Sure enough, in less than a minute after, Mu Fuping appeared in the garden. She whined like a pampered child the moment she arrived. “Grandfather, you have to help me this time.”
Mu Qiyun smiled as he tossed the shears aside, leading his precious granddaughter over to the benches in the garden and personally bringing over a platter of fruits. Unfortunately, Mu Fuping was in no mood to enjoy the snacks, for her thoughts were all on Xia Fei.
“My precious granddaughter, just who offended you this time?” Mu Qiyun asked, pretending not to know. Though he loved Mu Fuping dearly, it would not be good if she learned that he had secretly sent a spy to keep tabs on her. Despite living to his old age, he feared nothing but his precious granddaughter being angry with him.
Mu Fuping hurriedly told him about everything that had happened in the Yu family’s Ancestral Hall, claiming grievance on Xia Fei’s behalf. She was determined to have her patriarch show up at the Law Enforcement Board so that he could urge them to deal with this matter impartially.
Mu Qiyun’s two eyes widened in bewilderment as he slapped his thigh forcefully!
“How terrible! The Law Realm is a place with order and rules to follow, and to think someone would dare frame my dear granddaughter’s friend! I’ll have it out with this person!”
On the contrary, Mu Fuping was shocked upon seeing her grandfather’s reaction. She originally thought that she would have to act spoiled a little and perhaps even offer some flattering words. She had not expected the elderly man to fly off the handle upon hearing her story.
“Men!” Mu Qiyun bellowed.
*Whoosh whoosh whoosh*
Three clanguards instantly rushed over, offering fisted salutes as they stood at the side, awaiting their patriarch’s orders.
“I’m making a trip to the Law Enforcement Board. See which of the clan executives are around and get them to join me!” Mu Qiyun ordered.
The three clansguard immediately backed off. Mu Fuping’s eyes were wide in astonishment. Not only would the patriarch himself be going, he would also be bringing the clan executives! As such, the attitude that the Withered Mu Clan had adopted toward this matter became very evident, and it was even greater than what she had expected!
Mu Fuping tugged on Mu Qiyun’s arm as she coquettishly called him grandfather.
Mu Qiyun stroked her long hair and sighed. “It’s too bad you’re not born a male, or else I’d surely bestow you the seat of patriarch. Don’t worry. Aside from this one thing that grandfather can’t do for you, I’ll give you everything else that you ever want!”
Mu Fuping was deeply touched by this. Having her grandfather act on her behalf was already enough. When Mu Fuping first became obsessed with artificary, it was Mu Qiyun who had supported her in setting up her own shop against all odds. When it came to this dear granddaughter of his, Mu Qiyun had always gone in accordance with her wishes.
The reason why the elderly man had been so decisive this time was principle, too. After all, reason was on Xia Fei’s side, and with Mu Qiyun’s explosive temper and his granddaughter’s imploration, Mu Qiyun was of course more than happy to make a determined effort on this front. He truly intended to go down the Law Enforcement Board and make a scene there!
There were rumors that the relationship Miss Mu Fuping shared with the old patriarch was nothing short of extraordinary; it was a first-class level of pampering in the Mu Clan. Mu Fuping was not just the old patriarch’s direct granddaughter but also looked very much like Mu Qiyun’s late wife, both in her temperament and her looks.
Looking at her granddaughter, the elderly patriarch could not help but be reminded of his spouse. The two had been a loving couple who respected each other greatly, widely known throughout the Law Realm as the epitome of love.
Now that Mu Qiyun had aged, he missed his wife deeply. This was why he had devoted all his love on this end toward Mu Fuping; even if the young lady wanted the moon in the sky, his old bones would most definitely pluck it out just for her!
…
The troublemaking lads were making a huge fuss out on the streets, turning the entire city upside down as they did. Kuzan Feng and Mu Qiyun were two major figures in the circle who were setting off to put pressure on the Law Enforcement Board, and it looked like the situation was developing in Xia Fei’s favor.
Unfortunately, some people were unwilling to let the matter rest so easily!
