"You have no chance, he is mine!"

Jiang Li was instantly jolted awake by Mu Qingge’s words, staring at her with wide-eyed disbelief.

What did Mu Qingge just say?

Was there something wrong with her ears? Did she hear or understand incorrectly?

At this moment, Mu Qingge seemed to her like a child who just learned to walk, boasting about becoming the number one master in the world.

Mu Qingge ignored her shock and scrutiny, still looking at Si Mo’s phantom, her clear eyes filled with only him.

Jiang Li took a few deep breaths, quietly saying: ’Uh, I was just using a metaphor, you know? The Holy King is not someone that us mortals can long for. That Lan Feiyue is looking to die without knowing it, so don’t you do something foolish too.’

Jiang Li’s golden eyes revealed a sense of horror.

After all, what Mu Qingge said wasn’t about serving the Holy King, but rather... ’He is mine.’ How could she say such arrogant and shameless words?

Seeing that Mu Qingge ignored her, Jiang Li couldn’t help but worry, saying, "You must not let beauty cloud your mind!"

Jiang Li’s words made the corner of Mu Qingge’s mouth curve larger.

She felt that if she didn’t explain or say something, this woman might just scare herself to death with her own imagination.

To scare the fearless Empress Jiang of Ancient Witch Country like this, it seems this Holy King Si Mo is doing his job quite well!

However, before she could speak, Lan Feiyue’s voice drifted over.

"Holy King, Feiyue has come. Feiyue has come as promised!" Despite Lan Feiyue’s efforts to conceal the excitement in her tone, she failed.

Mu Qingge swallowed the words on her lips, her clear eyes turning slightly cold, her gaze shifting lightly to Lan Feiyue.

’Her in that white dress seems to match Si Mo quite well.’

Unknowingly, Mu Qingge’s face had already taken on a cold expression.

"Shameless," Jiang Li sneered contemptuously, forgetting that she had just considered offering herself.

Then, she said to Mu Qingge, "She jumping out is good, lets you see the fate of one who covets the Holy King, wake up. Those words just now, better not be repeated."

Mu Qingge said nothing, she just looked at the towering phantom of Si Mo, wanting to know how he would handle Lan Feiyue’s self-recommendation.

However, Si Mo seemed truly asleep, showing no reaction to Lan Feiyue’s words.

Standing on both sides beneath the gigantic throne, Gu Ya and Gu Ye glanced coldly at Lan Feiyue, their eyes full of disdain and ridicule. Gu Ya couldn’t help but look at Mu Qingge.

"Darn! Why is he looking over here? Did he hear what you said just now?" Seeing Gu Ya’s gaze sweeping over, Jiang Li pressed her lips tightly, using her eyes to convey messages to Mu Qingge.

Being stared at by the Holy King’s Black Servant, even as an Empress, she dared not use sound transmission!

Mu Qingge glanced at Gu Ya, the coldness in her eyes not diminishing one bit.

Instead, Gu Ya, feeling her gaze, his eye twitched slightly, retracting his gaze.

This scene went unnoticed by Jiang Li.

Once Gu Ya retracted his gaze, Mu Qingge said to Jiang Li, "Are you stupid? I just transmitted those words with sound, how could he have heard?"

Jiang Li instantly felt relieved, saying to her, "I was really afraid you’d be seduced by beauty and never leave this Li Palace!"

Mu Qingge frowned, saying, "The one who acted like a love-struck fool before, seemed to be you!"

A trace of embarrassment flashed across Jiang Li’s face, defending, "I was merely appreciating, with some occasional fantasies. A man this cold isn’t suitable for me."

Mu Qingge had no heart to banter with her at the moment; she looked towards Lan Feiyue.

Even after Si Mo’s phantom showed no reaction, she still did not give up, stepping forward on her knees, looking up at the tall phantom with infatuated eyes, "Holy King, do you remember Feiyue? Fifteen years ago, when Feiyue first met you, I vowed that I must enter Li Palace to serve you in this lifetime. Now, I have come to honor my vow, I ask that the Holy King allow Feiyue to stay."

’Did she make her lovesickness that obvious?’ Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly.

As Lan Feiyue abruptly spoke, Gu Ya and Gu Ye did not stop her. Even the people represented by Huangfu Haotian remained silent.

It seemed everyone was waiting for Si Mo’s response.

Especially the Lan family, whose members were trembling with anxiety, nervously awaiting the final outcome.

If the Holy King accepts Lan Feiyue, the Lan family can leap beyond the mundane, even standing strong against the Holy Yuan Empire.

But what if the Holy King does not accept?

No, there’s no "what if"...

This result is something the Lan family cannot bear or dare to imagine.

A group of pitiable people, immersed too long in their woven dreams, had long forgotten reality. They neither wished nor dared to step out, fearing that upon waking, it would all be an illusion.

As they say, the greater the expectation, the greater the disappointment.

Therefore, Lan Feiyue must, absolutely must, remain in Li Palace! Regardless of the price the Lan family has to pay!

The Family Head’s eyes were filled with unbreakable determination. He looked up at his most prized daughter, saying, "Feiyue, quickly let the Holy King see your appearance."

Her father’s reminder brought Lan Feiyue back to her senses.

She lifted her hand, holding the veil on her face, saying with deep emotion, "Holy King, for more than a decade, no one has seen my face. I vowed that this face will only be revealed in your presence when the veil is removed."

’Swearing again?’ Mu Qingge sneered inwardly.

As her words fell, the white veil on her face was torn away.

A stunning and unparalleled face, like that of the Guanghan Fairy, was revealed to everyone.

The exclamations of amazement from around her made a flicker of pride flash through Lan Feiyue’s eyes. She had full confidence in her looks; the title of Tiandu’s number one beauty wasn’t given in vain.

She looked towards Si Mo, eagerly anticipating his reaction.

The corner of her eye glanced at Gu Ya and Gu Ye, hoping to see astonishment in their eyes.

However, she was left disappointed.

Gu Ya and Gu Ye remained as calm as ice, indifferent to her beauty. As if she were as plain as any ordinary person, not worth a second glance.

Their reactions inexplicably unnerved Lan Feiyue.

Even the Black Servants serving the Holy King were so calm, how about the Holy King himself?

Suddenly, Lan Feiyue’s confidence in her own beauty crumbled instantly.

The face she was so enamored with seemed to become a ridiculous joke.

Everything around turned awkward.

The Lan family members, who had come with dreams, were now filled with fear.

The unrelenting indifference made Mu Qingge’s mouth lift slightly.

"See that? Lan Feiyue’s self-recommendation totally backfired, how will she face others in the future? How will she maintain the reputation of Tiandu’s number one beauty?" Jiang Li said, gloating at Mu Qingge’s side.

As if also hinting to Mu Qingge to retract some unrealistic ideas quickly before anyone knows, cover them tightly, and best just destroy them on the spot!

"She is her, I am me." But Mu Qingge calmly replied.

With a demeanor that wouldn’t cry without seeing the coffin.

Jiang Li could only roll her eyes helplessly, speechless about Mu Qingge.

She just couldn’t understand how Mu Qingge, who seemed utterly indifferent to matters of love, could suddenly become so stuck in a rut?

"Holy King..." Lan Feiyue despondently knelt on the ground.

Suddenly, the phantom of Si Mo, who had been keeping his eyes closed, slowly opened them.

As soon as he opened his eyes, everyone before him seemed to fall into another world, his opalescent eyes representing the sun and moon, the tangible gaze representing scattered stars.

These eyes revealed his strength.

As if accommodating the entire universe, within his eyes lay the deepest secrets of the world, representing the most formidable power.

The reaction from Si Mo’s phantom reignited hope in Lan Feiyue from despair.

She eagerly awaited Si Mo’s gaze to fall on her, yet Si Mo looked towards Emperor Yuan, Huangfu Haotian, kneeling at the forefront.

"Withdraw." Two words fell from Si Mo’s mouth.

Yet like the might of heaven, preventing any resistance.

He was expelling guests!

The crowd was stunned.

They didn’t even have time to say a word to the Holy King before being driven out of the Li Palace?

It’s all because of that woman from the Lan Family! If it weren’t for her presumptuous actions angering the Holy King, they wouldn’t be thrown out like this.

At this moment, everyone hated Lan Feiyue deeply.

Lan Feiyue’s face was pale and blue, frozen in place.

How could this be? It’s completely different from what she imagined. Why? Why did the Holy King not even glance at her? The word ’withdraw’ was filled with disdain?

"Holy King, please calm your anger!" Huangfu Haotian quickly pleaded.

Angering the Holy King was definitely not a good thing.

Huangfu Haotian was furious at the stupidity of the Lan family. In the past, they had borrowed the power of the Holy King to act high and mighty, which was bearable. Now they even dared to truly try to align themselves, they must be courting death!

"Withdraw." Si Mo repeated.

An invisible wave of air accompanied these words, creating a fierce gust that directly blew the kneeling crowd out of the hall’s entrance.

Consequently, the door of the great hall shut tightly, with Gu Ya and Gu Ye appearing in front of it, preventing anyone from approaching.

The crowd, swept out, looked disheveled and embarrassed.

Lan Feiyue lay on the ground, the pain from the impact was nothing compared to her current heartbreak.

When the wind surged, she felt as if her skin was being painfully sliced by sharp blades, and the Holy King showed no pity for a beauty.

Like everyone else, she was thrown out like a dead dog.

The humiliation made Lan Feiyue wish she could bury herself in a hole.

"Huh? Where’s Qingge?" Suddenly, Jiang Li’s voice emerged from the crowd.

Her voice was filled with surprise, completely disregarding the rule of not speaking recklessly.

Gu Ya and Gu Ye both looked at her, their cold eyes full of warning.

Jiang Li obediently shut her mouth, but Mu Qingge’s sudden disappearance made her anxious.

When they were blown out, Mu Qingge was clearly beside her, how did she suddenly disappear?

With her shout, others also realized Mu Qingge was missing from the crowd. Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei searched around nervously but found nothing.

Hua Qinxin, ignoring her mother’s restraint, ran to Jiang Li’s side and anxiously asked, "Where’s Young Lord Mu?"

Jiang Li had no time to deal with her, directly pushing her aside to walk towards Gu Ya and Gu Ye. If she wanted to know where Mu Qingge was, she could only ask the two of them.

However, after just a few steps, she was stopped by Huangfu Huan.

Jiang Li looked at him, her golden eyes full of hostility.

Huangfu Huan quickly said, "Don’t be impulsive. Young Lord Mu was kept by the Holy King, there won’t be any trouble." He knew of the connection between Mu Qingge and Si Mo and was specifically told to take care of Mu Qingge, so as soon as Mu Qingge went missing, he guessed the situation.

His words shocked everyone.

And what was most unbelievable was that Gu Ya and Gu Ye, the two Black Servants, did not refute Huangfu Huan’s words.

Jiang Li’s eyes were filled with shock, she blinked, seemingly unable to process it all at once. But the hostility in her eyes dissipated and she was no longer as panicked as before.

However, at this moment, there were different reactions in everyone’s hearts.

They were all driven out, yet only Mu Qingge was left behind. What did this mean?

Shen Bicheng’s eyes filled with a fierce fighting spirit, if it weren’t for the inappropriate setting, he seemed ready to challenge Mu Qingge again.

Jing Tian’s face turned even paler, his eyes filled with a gloomy and unfathomable vibe, glancing at the tightly shut door with jealousy.

Lou Xuantie and Hei Mu quickly exchanged a look, seemingly signaling a change in plans, halting their actions.

Taishi Gao also looked at the closed door with jealousy, feeling very unwilling, wondering why they were driven out while Mu Qingge was left behind?

Lan Feiyue remained sprawled on the ground, unable to face standing up indifferently.

She always considered herself the Holy King’s woman, yet was thrown out coldly and heartlessly. And the person she wanted to bring closer to the Lan family and introduce to the Holy King, Mu Qingge, was the one who was left behind?

Why?

Lan Feiyue’s eyes were filled with intense unwillingness, her heart’s jealousy growing uncontrollably.

In her perspective, the one left behind should have been her. What was that hereditary noble from a third-class country compared to her?

...

The tightly shut door divided the inside from the outside world.

Inside the hall, only Mu Qingge stood, making the space seem even more empty and small.

She hadn’t been blown away like the others, instead, a force held her in place. She did not resist the force because she knew its source.

"Come here." A tall voice, sitting upright, beckoned her over.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, murmuring, "Pretentious."

Her voice was small, but still reached Si Mo’s ears.

Seeing the long-missed figure appear and walk up to him, Si Mo’s eyes, usually cold and distant before others like ice, thawed, filled only with gentle affection.

"My true form is not in Linchuan, this is just a fragment of my Divine Sense left behind. After talking to you, it will disperse," Si Mo explained kindly.

Mu Qingge looked at Si Mo’s illusion in surprise, not expecting that when she reached him, he wasn’t really there!

"The place I went is far, far from Linchuan. The time for a Divine Sense is limited, how could I waste it on irrelevant people?" Si Mo further explained.

This time, Mu Qingge understood. No wonder he started off by sending everyone away, he really was pressed for time!

Mu Qingge took a few steps forward, carefully examining the Divine Sense Si Mo had left. Though vivid and lifelike, it lacked the solid feel of a real person.

"Little Ge’er, come up here, let me take a good look at you." Si Mo beckoned to her again.

In his words, a strong sense of longing was evident.

Mu Qingge’s cheeks flushed slightly, but she still maintained a cold expression and said, "What’s there to see? I haven’t even congratulated you on a beauty volunteering herself to you."

"What beauty?" Si Mo’s Divine Sense was puzzled. He seriously looked at Mu Qingge, saying, "In my heart, no one compares to you."

Mu Qingge’s lips curled slightly at these words, the cold expression fading somewhat from her face.

She looked at Si Mo, coldly asking, "I have something to ask you."

"Ask away," Si Mo responded cheerfully.

Mu Qingge pressed her lips together, her expression momentarily conflicted before saying, "When I was on the Ghost Sea, and entered the illusion, was it you who intentionally distorted my vision?"

Si Mo looked at her, silent for a long time.

His eyes, like polished amber, shone brighter, as if under his gaze, everything was awakening.

"Answer me," Mu Qingge said in a firm tone.

"No," Si Mo replied decisively.

This answer stunned Mu Qingge. The insistence in her question showed an unusual level of concern.

"No," Si Mo firmly answered.

This response left Mu Qingge bewildered. If he had manipulated the illusion and she believed it, tricked by his scheme, there was no need for him to purposely alert her in the end.

While Mu Qingge was lost in thought, Si Mo’s voice interrupted again, "Qingge, be good and wait for me. Once I’m done, I’ll come back soon."

Mu Qingge looked up at Si Mo, realizing his image was becoming more blurred, less real.

"By the way, Huangfu Huan asked me if I could take him as my apprentice?" Mentioning the Huangfu family suddenly reminded Mu Qingge of her promise to ask this question to Si Mo.

"Does Little Ge’er want me to accept him?" Si Mo asked in return.

Mu Qingge just opened her mouth when she saw Si Mo’s figure turn to nothingness before her eyes.

"Little Ge’er, wait for me." Si Mo’s voice echoed in the palace.

"When will you..." come back.

Mu Qingge’s words were abruptly cut off. Because Si Mo’s divine sense, his voice had already vanished.

She still had things to say to Si Mo. Does she have to keep waiting again?

...

The tightly closed door finally opened.

Gu Ya and Gu Ye turned their bodies to watch as Mu Qingge slowly walked out.

"Qingge!" Jiang Li called out, snapping Mu Qingge out of her thoughts.

Mu Qingge raised her eyes, first glancing at Jiang Li, and then turned her gaze to Huangfu Huan standing beside Jiang Li. The latter nodded slightly toward her, and she returned the gesture.

"Everyone’s here, let’s go." Gu Ye suddenly spoke.

As his voice fell, everyone’s vision darkened. When they could see clearly again, they found themselves on the staircase they had used to arrive.

The difference was that before they were going up, now they were heading down, leaving the Li Palace.

Why was Mu Qingge left alone? What had happened when she met with the Holy King alone? What did they talk about?

These questions formed doubts in everyone’s minds, so much so that on the way out, their gazes at Mu Qingge were filled with inquiry.

By the time they stepped out of the forbidden technique, exactly an hour had passed.

Seeing the crowd kneeling at the foot of the mountain again, Mu Qingge wanted to say, ’Si Mo isn’t here, what’s the use of kneeling here?’. However, the words came to her lips but she swallowed them back.

Mu Qingge turned her gaze to the mountains shrouded in clouds and mist.

Si Mo had said Gu Ya and Gu Ye would leave subsequently. What exactly required his personal handling and also taking Gu Ya and Gu Ye with him?

Would this matter involve danger?

An inexplicable worry, something she had never felt before, surfaced in Mu Qingge’s heart.

An emotion called ’attachment’ entangled her.

"Lord Mu." Huangfu Huan approached her.

Mu Qingge withdrew her gaze and looked at him. From the expectant look in Huangfu Huan’s eyes, Mu Qingge guessed what he wanted to ask. "I asked, but the Holy King did not answer."

Mu Qingge thought for a moment and gave him the answer.

She had no intention of spreading the news about Si Mo leaving.

A flicker of wild joy crossed Huangfu Huan’s eyes. He solemnly bowed to Mu Qingge, "Thank you, Lord Mu. I shall visit someday to properly express my gratitude to Lord Mu."

With that said, he turned and left without any further delay.

He walked back to Huangfu Haotian, who watched him tensely. Despite the distance, Mu Qingge caught some traces from their expressions.

Huangfu Huan must have conveyed what she said to Huangfu Haotian.

And after Huangfu Haotian listened, his expression was as full of excitement as Huangfu Huan’s, even looking at her with grateful eyes.

Si Mo didn’t answer, yet that alone was enough to make them so happy?

Mu Qingge was somewhat puzzled. Because, she didn’t know that for Huangfu Haotian and Huangfu Huan, as long as Si Mo didn’t definitively refuse, it indicated hope.

Did the Holy King’s lack of response mean he was considering?

Mu Qingge lowered her eyes and pondered, ’Si Mo asked her if she hoped he would accept Huangfu Huan as a disciple, what did that mean?’ Unfortunately, Si Mo’s divine sense left too quickly for her to ask further.

"Qingge, what did you talk about with the Holy King?" Jiang Li finally asked.

Mu Qingge looked around; many were filled with curiosity about her.

It seemed everyone wanted to rush over to find out exactly what she and Si Mo had talked about.

Smiling, she told Jiang Li, "Let’s talk about it when we get back."

Coming down from the Li Palace completed today’s mission, and everyone could disperse.

Everyone gathered around was mostly because of Mu Qingge.

The sole exception was the Lan Family.

Lan Feiyue’s veil was no longer on her face. She wasn’t left behind but walked out with the Lan Family. To the outsiders unaware of the inside story, this was an explanation.

An explanation that the Holy King didn’t need the company of the so-called most beautiful woman of Tiandu from the Lan Family.

In the eyes of the other families, it meant that the Lan Family’s plan to use their daughter to attach themselves to the Holy King had failed.

The Lan Family couldn’t remain here, leaving in disgrace.

But as Lan Feiyue passed by Mu Qingge, the two resentful glances cast at her left her perplexed.

"Is she crazy?" Mu Qingge scoffed coldly.

Jiang Li glanced at Lan Feiyue’s retreating figure with a mocking smile, "Crazy with jealousy, suffering from green-eyed envy."

Mu Qingge chuckled immediately.

Everyone wouldn’t leave, all wanting to extract information about Si Mo from Mu Qingge’s mouth. Mu Qingge silently smiled, gesturing to Zhao Nanxing and Feng Yufei to return to the Post House.

However, just after taking a few steps, Shen Bicheng, that lunatic, blocked Mu Qingge’s path.

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow.

"I want to duel you again!" Shen Bicheng bluntly stated his intention.

If it were another time, Mu Qingge would have agreed without hesitation. But now, she lacked the mood to compete or fight. Walking around Shen Bicheng, she said indifferently, "Another day."

"When?" Shen Bicheng persistently asked.

Mu Qingge stopped helplessly, turned to look at him, her clear eyes devoid of any impurities, "Isn’t the Linchuan Conference about to start? Let’s meet on the stage."

Shen Bicheng thought for a moment and nodded, "Alright."

After speaking, he left without looking back. He did not return to the Shen Family’s group but left alone. And the Shen Family, seeming accustomed to his solitary actions, did not stop him.

After seeing Shen Bicheng off, Mu Qingge said to the others, "Let’s go."

She left, but the others’ doubts remained unresolved.

They dared not ask Mu Qingge, but they could still question one person.

After the people from the second-class countries had left, the remaining three families blocked the path of Huangfu Haotian and Huangfu Huan.

"Your Majesty, what exactly is the relationship between Lord Mu and the Holy King?" The head of the Hua Family was the first to inquire. If Mu Qingge indeed had a connection with the Holy King, she might reconsider her attitude.

No matter what, she had to marry Qinxin into the Mu Mansion.

After all, for thousands of years, no force has ever managed to establish even the slightest connection with the Li Palace.

The three families blocked the royal family’s path, and the Myriad Beasts Sect and the Refining Tower, originally planning to leave, also paused to listen. They too were keen to know the relation between Mu Qingge and the Li Palace.

Previously, they had planned for Mu Qingge to commit an offense against the Holy King during their stay at the Li Palace, expecting the Holy King to kill her. Unexpectedly, things turned out like this.

Without understanding her relationship with the Li Palace, they couldn’t act rashly!

As for the Medicine Tower, they had already left with the people from the second-class countries.

Faced with the Hua Family head’s questioning, Huangfu Huan smiled lightly, "Family Head Hua jests, how could we know such matters?"

"Crown Prince, please don’t keep it from us. Earlier, at the Li Palace, the Empress of the Ancient Witch Country was worried about Lord Mu’s safety and wanted to go find him, but it was you who stopped her, saying that Lord Mu was called in for questioning by the Holy King, and there was no danger. And just now, you were whispering with that Lord Mu. We all witnessed these events firsthand, with no deception. Your Majesty, Crown Prince, if you know something, why not tell us, so that we do not unknowingly offend a distinguished person?" The head of the Shen Family also spoke.

Jing Tian stood behind the family, watching it all, lips pressed into a line, unable to understand why Mu Qingge always easily obtained what others could only dream of!

His father, the head of the Jing Family, was also among the crowd, probing into Mu Qingge’s background.

He had never seen his father behave like this!

"Your Majesty, Crown Prince. The heads of the Shen and Hua families are right, we work in conjunction with the royal family, and since the Crown Prince knows the inside story, it shouldn’t be kept from us!" The head of the Jing Family said.

Huangfu Haotian and Huangfu Huan were besieged with questions.

The two exchanged a wry smile. Since the Holy King instructed their Huangfu Family to secretly look after Lord Mu, he naturally didn’t want this matter made public.

Besides, they are not clear about the exact relationship between Mu Qingge and the Holy King, so how could they speculate freely?

Yet, this group of people in front of us seemed unwilling to give up without an answer.

If they are not given an answer, today’s matter might not pass so easily.

After some thought, Huangfu Huan finally said, "Everyone, actually I don’t know much either. What I know is that a few years ago, when the Holy King was traveling through the Third-class Countries, he passed by the Qin Country and showed some appreciation for Young Lord Mu. That’s all we know."

This matter is not really a secret.

If any force here wants to investigate in the Qin Country, they would know. That’s why Huangfu Huan brought it up.

To earn the appreciation of the Holy King, just that alone, along with what happened today, is enough for these people to gain a new understanding of Mu Qingge.

At the very least, while Mu Qingge is still in Tiandu, these people won’t rashly provoke her.

"What! The Holy King has met Young Lord Mu before? And he holds him in high regard!"

"Why didn’t you say such a big thing earlier, Your Highness?"

This news once again shocked everyone present.

After the initial shock, the heads of several families began to ponder in their hearts, reconsidering their attitude towards interacting with Mu Qingge.

Lou Xuantie and Hei Mu exchanged a glance and left quietly.

Even if Taishi Gao was unwilling, he could only follow along and leave.

After getting out of the vicinity of the Li Palace, Lou Xuantie frowned and said, "I didn’t expect that Mu had such a connection with the Holy King, no wonder he’s so arrogant."

His words made Taishi Gao’s expression even darker.

Hei Mu said with a grim face, "This indeed is beyond our expectations. That guy is truly cunning, knowing the Holy King yet keeping it from us, causing us to form a deadly grudge with him."

"Great Elder, are we really going to let this enmity with Myriad Beasts Sect go just because he has some dubious connection with the Holy King?" Taishi Gao said dissatisfied.

He couldn’t swallow this anger! He couldn’t forget that he almost died twice at the hands of Mu Qingge!

"Revenge?" Hei Mu sneered.

Lou Xuantie also said coldly, "I’m afraid it’s not just a matter of whether we want to bury the hatchet. Even if we do swallow our pride, what about him? We have long harbored an irreconcilable grudge. Either he dies, or we do. Now, even if we choose not to pursue it considering the Holy King’s favor, there’s no guarantee she won’t turn the tables on us. At that time, should we just stand by helplessly and await our doom? Or resist with all we’ve got?"

Lou Xuantie’s words made Hei Mu nod repeatedly. He sighed and said, "This matter, if it had just happened, maybe it could have been resolved. But now... how many disciples, spirit beasts of Myriad Beasts Sect have died at her hands? Moreover, the Myriad Beasts Sect’s treasure, the Beast Taming Flute, is still with her. Are these things something that can be just wiped away like dirt?"

"And several elders of the Refining Tower, countless disciples, even the Refining Tower Branch were destroyed by him. If we tolerate this, what face does the Refining Tower have to survive on the Linchuan Continent?" Lou Xuantie said furiously.

"Since we can no longer laugh off past grievances, what should we do next?" Taishi Gao said sternly.

Hei Mu thought for a moment and said, "Let’s not act rashly for now. Have someone keep a close eye on Mu’s every move, and pay attention to any news from the Li Palace. If we act, we must ensure a fatal blow, leaving no chance for an accident. Then, even if the Holy King gets angry, surely he wouldn’t wage a full-scale war against us over a dead person."

Lou Xuantie nodded and said, "Right. This matter requires careful planning. I’ll write letters to bring out the elders in retreat within the tower. We absolutely cannot let Mu escape again this time."

"Young Sect Master, please also write to the Sect Master, informing him of this matter in detail. If he agrees with us, ask him to send other elders to join the combat force." Hei Mu said to Taishi Gao.

To set a death trap for Mu Qingge, of course, Taishi Gao would not refuse. Without any hesitation, he agreed.

...

A conspiracy revolving around Mu Qingge seemed to be quietly brewing.

She was completely unaware of this.

Returning to the post house, she was pulled into a room by Jiang Li, who barred anyone from entering.

Mu Qingge was pressed into a chair by her, with Jiang Li’s spiritual power forming a rope to tie her up.

Mu Qingge struggled a bit, but the rope only tightened. She could only look up at Jiang Li with a smile and say, "What are you doing?"

"You better confess honestly!" Jiang Li said through gritted teeth.

Mu Qingge sighed, "Just ask what you want to know. I won’t hide what I can tell you. Why bind me up?"

"I want you to feel the gravity of the situation!" Jiang Li lifted her chin.

Mu Qingge quickly nodded, "I feel it! I truly feel it, so can you let me go now?"

Jiang Li pursed her lips and withdrew the spiritual power rope from Mu Qingge.

Once free, Mu Qingge moved her shoulders a bit. She then looked at her and said, "Ask what you want to know."

Looking at her seriously, Jiang Li asked, "You mentioned before that the Holy King is yours. Is he the one you said you were waiting to meet?"

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched, and she awkwardly nodded, admitting it.

Jiang Li took a deep breath, widened her eyes, and circled Mu Qingge.

"What are you doing?" Mu Qingge said with a wry smile.

Jiang Li clapped her hands suddenly and shouted, "Amazing! Mu Qingge! You quietly won over the most powerful man on the Linchuan Continent?"

What is this stuff she’s talking about?

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly.

"Quick, tell me about how you two met and fell in love!" Jiang Li pressed close to Mu Qingge, winking at her.

Mu Qingge rolled her eyes, "There’s nothing much to say."

"Hey! That’s mean!" Jiang Li said displeased.

Mu Qingge helplessly shrugged, "I really don’t know how to put it. Simply put, I met him at my most disheveled moment, and then inexplicably..."

Mu Qingge suddenly paused.

Jiang Li urged, "Inexplicably what? Say it!"

Mu Qingge shook her head with a bitter smile, "In short, he said he hoped I would become his wife, but I hadn’t sorted out my feelings for him, so I didn’t agree."

Jiang Li stared at Mu Qingge in disbelief, and after a while, she extended her thumb in admiration: "Mu Qingge, you’re amazing! Not only did the Holy King propose to you personally, but you also have the guts to refuse! From now on, you’re my idol!"

Mu Qingge smiled weakly, "I also don’t know why I had the courage to refuse at the time. Perhaps, deep down, I’ve always trusted that he would never hurt me."

"So, have you thought it through now?" Jiang Li asked curiously.

Mu Qingge took a deep breath and nodded, "I’ve thought it through."

Jiang Li’s eyes lit up, and she asked quickly, "Did you tell him?"

In her view, since the two had been alone in the Li Palace for so long, surely they had clarified their feelings.

Yet, she didn’t expect Mu Qingge to shake her head.

"What’s up with you!" Jiang Li said angrily, frustrated with her friend’s lack of action.

Mu Qingge innocently replied, "It’s not my fault, I didn’t get the chance to say it."

Jiang Li blinked, suddenly understanding, "You mean..."

With one look from Mu Qingge, she fell silent and nodded knowingly.

It turned out that the Holy King himself wasn’t at the Li Palace at all; it was just an image left behind, which explained why Mu Qingge hadn’t had the opportunity to express her feelings.

Understanding the sequence of events, Jiang Li sighed and shook her head, comforting Mu Qingge, "Good things are worth waiting for!"

"You should keep this matter to yourself, no need to tell others," Mu Qingge said to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li nodded, making a silent gesture, "I’ll keep my lips sealed tight, don’t worry."

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

Mu Qingge looked towards the door and asked, "Who is it?"

Feng Yufei’s voice came, "Young Lord, someone outside has sent a formal invitation and an invitation card."

Invitation? Card?

Mu Qingge frowned slightly and walked out with Jiang Li.

"Young Lord." Seeing them, Feng Yufei handed the two missives to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge took them and opened them, looking at the contents inside.

Jiang Li asked curiously, "Who sent them?"

"Wanxiang Building." Mu Qingge narrowed her eyes slightly, closed the invitation, and replied.