Let Me Explain, Fairy
Chapter 995 - 615: Mu Qing_2

Chapter 995: Chapter 615: Mu Qing_2

"Young Master, your exceptional talent is truly extraordinary. To think that you can penetrate the Sound Avoidance Formation without my noticing..."

While speaking in a soft, flattering tone, Zhou Chen carefully observed the other party’s expression. Upon noticing the gloom in his brows, his heart involuntarily sank.

As he pondered, a fragrant breeze swept past him.

The petite woman beside the Third Young Master, wearing a white silk veil, had already entered the room without waiting for an invitation.

Seeing this, Zhou Chen quickly stepped aside and made way:

"Please, come in, Young Master."

"....."

Without responding, Xu Yuan cast a glance around the interior layout before walking straight to the main seat and sitting down.

This branch of the Black Scale Guards was hidden in an unremarkable residential area, a modest-sized courtyard.

Removing the veil from his head and placing it on the table, Xu Yuan looked at the somewhat uneasy Zhou Grandmaster on the opposite side. Remembering their first meeting, when Zhou Chen had appeared so irreverent, Xu Yuan couldn’t help but lightly shake his head:

"Mr. Zhou, what were you trying to accomplish using my connections?"

"...."

The moment Zhou Chen heard this question, his inner thoughts cursed incessantly.

Those words of his had been spoken neither too early nor too late, just in time for the Third Young Master to overhear.

If he didn’t report it to the Third Young Master, the latter would likely be displeased. Reporting it, however, would offend his immediate superior—and there was no way Mr. Mu would be dismissed over such a matter.

Yet, after a brief moment of deliberation, Zhou Chen quickly arrived at a conclusion.

Everything he had now was built upon his relationship with the Third Young Master; he needed to prioritize and base all decisions on the Third Young Master’s interests.

After carefully choosing his words, Zhou Chen briefly explained his earlier intentions, then anxiously awaited the Third Young Master’s instructions.

After gathering his thoughts for a moment, Xu Yuan looked at Zhou Chen, sighed softly, and uttered four words:

"It’s already too late."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chen froze for a moment. He subconsciously wanted to say something but was interrupted by Xu Yuan raising his hand.

After summarizing the information, Xu Yuan looked at Zhou Chen, his eyes tinged with slight regret:

"Mr. Zhou, for such a simple test, you only now figured it out?

"Mr. Mu’s actions in Di’an are well-documented. Lou Ji assigning someone of your status, as one of my direct subordinates, here—do you really think it was for you to retire peacefully?"

"...."

It’s over.....

Zhou Chen’s mind blanked out for a moment but quickly began to work again.

No, it’s not over yet.

If the Third Young Master intended to abandon him, there would be no need to say such words.

Immediately, Zhou Chen solemnly bent down and bowed deeply, speaking with a steady voice:

"I have failed to live up to the Young Master’s grace. Please punish me."

"Stop putting on an act."

Xu Yuan leaned tiredly against the back of his chair, speaking plainly:

"The fact that you could immediately adapt after meeting me is barely acceptable. But remember, this is your last chance."

"Yes." Zhou Chen bent even lower in response.

Xu Yuan did not exempt Zhou Chen from his bow, leaving him standing there awkwardly for a while. Suddenly, Xu Yuan asked softly:

"You mentioned earlier that Mr. Mu has returned to Zhenxi Prefecture?"

Zhou Chen tentatively glanced at Xu Yuan’s expression. Upon seeing his face, a tremor involuntarily ran through his heart as he answered honestly:

"Yes, Mr. Mu returned to the state government three days ago."

Xu Yuan’s slender index finger lightly tapped the table as he said:

"Prepare a Communication Crystal, then have Mr. Mu come to see me."

"The Communication Crystal can be prepared immediately."

After a slight hesitation, Zhou Chen lowered his voice and reminded:

"But Mr. Mu, considering your current status, Young Master..."

"Clang..."

A clear sound echoed as a token was tossed at Zhou Chen’s feet.

Xu Yuan impatiently waved his hand and said in a low voice:

"The Black Scale Leader’s token—seeing the token is the same as seeing me. Go and return quickly."

"Yes."

Zhou Chen picked up the token and, with a quick step, left the room.

As he departed, he couldn’t help but glance back at the room, only to catch the indifferent gaze of the Third Young Master.

"..."

Feeling a chill, Zhou Chen hurried off to find Mu Qing.

In these few years, the Third Young Master has changed so much....

...

...

...

After Zhou Chen left,

Tian Ye plopped directly onto the desk, crossing her legs as her delicate toes lazily traced circles in the air:

"Is someone so unambitious really worth keeping?"

"He’s capable and loyal."

"If he were truly loyal, he wouldn’t have waited until you appeared to change his ways."

"Loyalty to interests is still loyalty."

Xu Yuan cast her a brief glance and said casually: "If he survives this matter, he could still be of use."

At these words, the corners of Tian Ye’s lips curled slightly beneath the white silk veil:

"It seems you’ve made up your mind?"

Xu Yuan nodded faintly, his voice calm as he spoke softly:

"Your earlier jest reminded me of some things I had overlooked...."

"Which words?"

"The stray dog."

"Oh~?"

Tian Ye’s eyes glittered with amusement as she laughed lightly, turning around. She pressed her bare foot lightly against Xu Yuan’s thigh with a playful smile: "Do you think that dog is really the Qilin Wolf?"

"Of course not."

Xu Yuan casually grasped her ankle, intending to move her foot away. Finding it resistant, he gave up and replied softly: "If the Great Desert Qilin Wolf could enter the city, Zhenxi Prefecture City would’ve fallen long ago."

The girl reflexively crossed her arms and tapped her chin lightly with a finger, tilting her head:

"If not that, then what did I remind you of?"

Xu Yuan took a deep breath and spoke in a low voice:

"The possibility of the Three Saints assaulting the city."

"Oh?"

"Previously, I didn’t believe that Mu Xingyi’s clan would attack the city because they had no motive. But if Li Junwu and the Great Desert Goddess are hiding within Zhenxi Prefecture City, they would indeed have reason to do so."

"Li Junwu is the legitimate daughter of the Marquis of Zhenxi. Why would her return to the city need to be concealed?"

"Li Junwu is no fool. Considering the experiences and information of both herself and the Great Desert Goddess, it’s certain that the Mu Clan Commerce Guild has already infiltrated Zhenxi Prefecture. Unable to determine who’s friend or foe, she would only trust her father, the Marquis of Zhenxi."

"That makes sense... But I recall that pair of crazed husband and wife had no grudges against the Great Desert Goddess."

"None at all."

Xu Yuan nodded slightly, glancing down at his hand: "But that Saint Level Ghost likely had some dealings with the Qin Family. Once, in Di’an City, I was briefly bewitched by it."

"Oh?~"

Tian Ye dragged out the note, her tone filled with mirth: "You think that relationship is enough to make that family take such a risk to assault the city?"

"I’m not certain, but it’s possible. And... who says it will just be those three attacking the city?"

"Are you suggesting... the Lord of the Ancient Abyss?"

"Pinning the city’s downfall on the Ancient Abyss afterward—right now, the Dayan government doesn’t have the resources to march beyond the Wanxing Mountain Range to punish the Ancient Abyss."

"...."

After pondering seriously for a while, Tian Ye used her Tianyan-laced bare foot to press against Xu Yuan’s upper thigh, bending her charming gaze as she softly laughed:

"So, are you planning to notify the Zhenxi Prefecture garrison under the Prime Minister’s Mansion’s name?"

"I still need to confirm if Li Junwu is in the city."

Xu Yuan glanced at the bare foot, the gloom in his brows finally giving way to a faint smile as he said softly: "The method is simple. I will have Zhou Chen, the Grandmaster, shout out something only she and I know. If she’s in Zhenxi Prefecture, she’ll naturally come to find me."

Tian Ye pursed her lips mockingly and teased:

"You seem quite pleased."

"If I can confirm this point, a solution to this crisis becomes apparent. Why wouldn’t I be pleased?"

"Really now?" Tian Ye remarked nonchalantly.

Xu Yuan paid no heed to the mischief in her eyes, asking softly:

"You can sense the Willow Ghost Blade, can’t you?"

"I can."

"Has everything inside it been completely consumed? I can’t sense it from this distance."

"I’m just an observer; I can’t tell you that, dear brother~"

"Tch."

Xu Yuan clicked his tongue, not expecting her to reveal anything.

After those words, the two fell into silence.

One incense stick’s time later, Tian Ye suddenly leapt off the desk, casting an interested glance toward the door. She smiled faintly and silently stood behind the desk.

The next moment, a knock echoed at the door.

Soon after,

A strikingly handsome middle-aged man in a black hooded cloak stepped into the hall.

Mu Qing had arrived.

In the instant he saw him, Xu Yuan suddenly understood why he had been dragging his feet.

This Mr. Mu was injured,

And upon those wounds,

The ominous and maddened aura of the Willow Ghost Blade lingered.