Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 870 - 546: That Year, That Event

Chapter 870: Chapter 546: That Year, That Event

Mu Hongli and Mu Zhiyun.

Somewhat unexpectedly.

When Xu Yuan saw the clan emblems embroidered on the chests of the two, his mind initially hardly took any notice.

The history of the Marquis of Wucheng’s Mansion spanned several hundred years, and there were as many collateral descendants as there were hairs on an ox; all these people could embroider a family emblem on their attire to show their status, but he did not expect to encounter the Mu Family’s direct-line siblings here.

However, it turned out that Xu Yuan had misjudged.

Though the noble clans’ family emblems followed a set pattern, the embroidery on the robes and skirts of the noble clan disciples varied slightly based on their faction and rank within the clan.

Being able to discern someone’s identity based on these subtle differences was a required skill for disciples of noble families, although such an ability was not necessary for him; recognizing which family someone belonged to was sufficient.

Daring enough to point at the nose of a prince and say he wanted to "exercise" with his mother, the other noble families, whether collateral or direct-line, naturally made no difference to him.

During the exchange of glances, a fierce intent surged toward Xu Yuan in an instant.

Feeling this malevolent gaze, Xu Yuan did not take it to heart; instead, a touch of amusement arose in his mind.

Well, several years had not seen, and Mu Hongli remained the same.

This young Marquis, like the Wrapped Chest Princess, grew up in the Northern Border Army before being sent to Di’an as a Hostage Prince. The military life had endowed the young Marquis with a visage not of the gentle scions from noble families, but rather one that hinted at ruthlessness and brisk efficiency.

This look was not meant to offend, quite the contrary; it was a gaze that Mu Hongli unconsciously revealed when he felt solemn.

But unfortunately, who could recognize this habit at first meeting? Most people would take it as a provocation.

His gaze slightly shifted, turning toward Mu Zhiyun.

The young girl’s demeanor and temperament were completely opposite to her brother’s warrior image.

Mu Zhiyun was a very gentle woman, but not the intellectual and graceful type of gentle. Her actions were timid, and she could blush and lower her head just from making eye contact with a stranger.

It was difficult to imagine such a stark contrast in temperament between two siblings.

Oh, no, to be precise, half-siblings from the same father.

As he thought of this, a hint of amusement unconsciously rose in Xu Yuan’s heart.

Although it was publicly said that Mu Zhiyun was the legitimate daughter of the Marquis Wucheng who had been lost to the world, she was actually his illegitimate daughter.

Several years ago, he was bewitched into coercing Mu Zhiyun, and the Black Scale Guards conducted a comprehensive investigation on the background of this illegitimate daughter from the Marquis Wucheng’s Mansion, essentially turning her origins inside out.

As a result, Xu Yuan was quite thoroughly acquainted with these juicy scandals of the Marquis Wucheng’s Mansion.

The concealment of Mu Zhiyun’s true origins by the Marquis Wucheng’s Mansion was actually a form of compensation from the Marquis to Mu Zhiyun.

Everyone knew that the Marquis Wucheng, a formidable general, had been faithful in his love life, deeply devoted, loving only his legal wife, the country-supporting lady, his entire life.

This was true, yet it was not.

The great military deity, the Marquis Wucheng, indeed never took a concubine in his life, devoting himself solely to his wife.

But talented men are always charming.

Seriously injured once, meticulously cared for over several months, affection deepened unknowingly.

With the nature of the Marquis Wucheng, it was impossible for him to shirk responsibility, but the problem was that his wife was a true jealous woman, who could not stand her husband having another woman.

Although the Marquis loved his wife, he was not intimidated by her.

Expecting a slayer to be henpecked somewhat disrespected him.

Marquis Wucheng forcefully took Mu Zhiyun’s mother back to his mansion, where Mu Zhiyun was born.

But the Lady Fuguo was not so easy to deal with, seizing the opportunity while Marquis Wucheng was at war, she directly ousted Mu Zhiyun and her mother, both still enveloped in swaddling clothes.

When Marquis Wucheng pacified the war and was summoned back to the capital, he learned of this. Lady Fuguo forced him to choose between them.

Either divorce her or let the mother and daughter pair get lost!

Marquis Wucheng was furious, but ultimately he chose to compromise.

When Xu Yuan first read these records, his blood pressure rose somewhat high, but after analyzing the comments below, he came to terms with it.

Marquis Wucheng’s reasons for compromise were manifold, having reached his position, he could no longer act on impulse.

Because of his only legitimate son, because of the power behind Lady Fuguo, because of her capability, and also because he truly loved his wife.

Apart from jealousy, Lady Fuguo was an impeccable helpmate; she managed the estate of Marquis Wucheng’s mansion and the logistics of the three hundred thousand Northern Border Army with impeccable order.

Of course, there was another reason: Lady Fuguo had left some leeway.

She didn’t make Mu Zhiyun and her mother disappear off the face of the earth, as might happen within the crimson palace walls.

Mu Zhiyun’s somewhat cowardly personality had, to some extent, been shaped by Lady Fuguo’s actions.

Perhaps because of this, as an older brother, Mu Hongli, feeling guilt over his mother’s actions, was extremely protective of his half-sister.

When Mu Zhiyun was first brought to the capital, Xu Yuan lured her to a guesthouse near the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Learning of it, Mu Hongli rushed over without a carriage, tearing through the air with his physical body.

Had it not been for two Grandmasters risking their lives to protect him, and Mu Hongli’s concern that Mu Zhiyun was a mere mortal and holding back thus to avoid killing him with residual power, it might have been that he would have died under Mu Hongli’s furious onslaught.

Naturally, these were secondary reasons; the primary one was Xu Changge’s timely intervention.

At that time, the elder brother was in the inner courtyard office dealing with public affairs; upon receiving a transmission from the protective Grandmaster, he immediately rushed to the site.

And even though he arrived so swiftly, Xu Yuan was nearly killed by the whisk of Mu Hongli’s intricate Qi power; had Xu Changge not blocked a strike aimed right at his thigh, he might have ended up qualified to become a eunuch.

Blurry memories flitted through his mind; reflecting now, it seemed that these siblings were rather pitiable.

Because at that time, Xu Changge seemed angry too.

Narrowing his eyes slightly, Xu Yuan’s pupils revealed a hint of reminiscence.

...

The two protective Grandmasters who were sent flying smashed through several blocks, ultimately causing a dust cloud in a tavern, while the other crashed into the Prime Minister’s Mansion protection formation, causing ripples.

Inside the now-ruined guesthouse, wood chips were everywhere, and smoke filled the air.

The sudden collapse of the guesthouse at the Prime Minister’s Mansion turned the originally serene yet orderly street into chaos in an instant, with demonic beasts’ roars and terrified screams mingling together.

Some people ran, others curiously watched the spectacle.

Various noises reached his ears as Xu Yuan, half-naked, struggled to stand.

He did not know what had happened; the noisy and ordinary hustle and bustle only added to his already muddled mind.

Everything around seemed to be shaking, but the pain of organs shifting was unbearable.

"Ugh..."

Finally sitting up, a surge of fresh blood spewed onto the chaotic ground.

Looking at the viscous red beneath him, Xu Yuan’s body began to tremble uncontrollably, fear slowly creeping up on him.

"I’m... going to die?"

His lips trembled, and his gaze frantically swept the surroundings, but all he saw was dust swirling everywhere.

However, the next moment, he spotted a figure through the rising dust.

Run...

He wanted to run.

The sharp ringing in his ears lingered continuously, his mind nearly shut down from the haze, but Xu Yuan still suppressed the deep-seated instinct to flee.

Although he had never seen a High-Rank Cultivator in action, clearly this person was not a low-rank one. If they wanted to kill him, he couldn’t resist at all.

Therefore, he instinctively started talking.

He chose what seemed the best option for survival.

Speak.

His weak body made his voice sound feeble:

"If you dare kill me, my father won’t..."

"Shut up, you beast," a voice filled with murderous intent came from the shadow, who moved steadily, each step seemingly pressing down on Xu Yuan’s heartbeat:

"I’ve long heard rumors about you forcing common girls at the market, but to covet even the younger sister of Mu Hongli?!"

As he finished speaking, Xu Yuan opened his mouth to respond, but a powerful force from his opponent suddenly struck him.

Xu Yuan collapsed to the ground like a kite with its string cut, his half-naked, thin upper body crumpling as the excruciating pain made him want to scream, but under the heavy pressure, he couldn’t make a sound.

Seeing Xu Yuan’s painful expression, the shadow in the dust seemed to chuckle lowly, his tone cold and furious:

"Since you have such a fondness for women, I will let you truly appreciate it!"

With those words, a surge of energy shot towards his thigh as fast as lightning!

Xu Yuan couldn’t feel the force; the fractured bones were already fatal for a mere mortal like him.

He felt nothing else thereafter.

It felt like an instant, yet also like an eternity.

"Hmm—"

A surge of energy burst forth unexpectedly in front of Xu Yuan, wiping out any dust within a hundred feet with its shockwave.

Then,

A familiar figure in green slowly entered Xu Yuan’s fading vision.

Staring at the ground where his brother’s bones completely crumbled, Xu Changge expressionlessly shifted his gaze toward a burly young man in purple-black attire three feet away.

His voice was soft, the question short, only three words:

"Did you do this?"

"..."

Mu Hongli forcefully suppressed the anger in his heart, looking at the calm-faced elder son of the Xu Family, he coldly retorted:

"Abducting the direct daughter of the Mu Family, lacking manners, I disciplined on your behalf, do you have a problem with that?"

Saying so,

Mu Hongli glanced at the hidden Guest Elders of the Prime Minister’s Mansion around him, knowing it wasn’t appropriate to continue fighting, he snorted lightly:

"You all got off lightly this time, Zhi Yun, follow me back."

As he spoke, Mu Hongli took off his coat, turned away, and started walking toward Mu Zhiyun, while coldly saying to Xu Changge:

"Also, Xu Changge, take Xu Yuan back and teach him some morals, I don’t want to be the one disciplining your family member next time..."

"I don’t recall asking you these questions, nor did I say you could leave."

His words were interrupted.

Staring at Mu Hongli, Xu Changge’s narrow, phoenix eyes void of emotion, his voice still extremely calm:

"Just admit it was you."

"..."

Hearing this, Mu Hongli paused, slightly surprised as he looked back.

For after those words, he felt a Qi Machine lock onto him.

Xu Changge dared to use the Qi Machine Lock on him, a Primordial—

Amused, Mu Hongli exhaled softly, a slight smile appeared on his rugged face:

"It seems the Xu Family indeed lacks discipline, does the Great Grandmaster also want to be disciplined by me?"

"Maybe."

As he spoke, the ground beneath him collapsed, Xu Changge’s figure suddenly disappeared from the spot, reappearing right in front of Mu Hongli, a hand-chop aimed at his left shoulder.

In the blink of an eye, with a slight smile in his eyes, Mu Hongli stepped aside to the left while powering up his left arm with his Cultivation Technique.

As a Great Grandmaster... a full force punch should do.

"Bang!"

The visible force of the impact spread from the collapsed guest pavilion, crushing the surrounding debris once again.

It happened quickly and ended quickly too.

Traces of blood burst brilliantly beneath the dazzling sunlight, splashing and hitting the ground.

Half-kneeling in the sunken pit, Mu Hongli frowned as he looked at the hand-chop lodged in his left shoulder, his eyes filled with confusion.

He had clearly dodged that strike just now.

Why then...

As he pondered, the calm voice of the Xu Family’s elder son came through once more.

Casually retracting his hand-chop, flicking the blood off his knuckles, Xu Changge, from a higher position, spoke word by word:

"Mu Hongli,

"This matter was indeed initially Changtian’s fault, so if you don’t run... I won’t draw my sword."