Chapter 641: Chapter 76: I Don’t Want to Owe You Feelings!

The moonlight is hazy, the clear brilliance like gauze...

Mu Qingge waited in Fusha City for three days. During these three days, Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen would come to find her every day, but they were all sent away.

It’s not that she didn’t want to see them, but she had already guessed what they wanted to say, so there was no need to meet again.

Jiang Li leaned against the window, body resting on the wall, watching Mu Qingge standing in front of the window.

Mu Qingge gazed at the moonlight outside the window, her hands behind her back, her fingertips gently rubbing the Exquisite Finger Ring on her right index finger. From her expression, it was impossible to discern what she was thinking.

Fortunately, Jiang Li was also too lazy to think, and usually, she would ask directly.

"What are you thinking?"

A trace of dim light flashed in the depths of Mu Qingge’s clear eyes. She lowered her gaze and replied softly, "Thinking about how to preserve the corpse at a constant temperature."

Mu Liancheng had been placed in an extremely cold environment for many years. If the environment suddenly changed, despite his body having the Earth Emperor Pill, it might still be damaged.

However, this was just an excuse from Mu Qingge.

If she hadn’t considered this issue, how could she have presumptuously proposed to take Mu Liancheng away? She had already instructed Mengmeng to find a low-temperature spot in the space when leaving the Sang Family.

Taking Mu Liancheng away, naturally, the Mystic Ice had to be taken along as well. So the issue of environmental change had long been resolved by her.

"Lying." Jiang Li mercilessly exposed her falsehood.

Mu Qingge looked over at her, the corners of her mouth slightly raised, bringing a trace of an elusive smile.

Jiang Li straightened her body, squeezed over to join her at the window, enjoying the moonlight outside together. "For a problem like this, if you hadn’t thought it through and went to the Sang Family to ask for someone, then you wouldn’t be Mu Qingge. Come on, what’s troubling you, tell your sister, maybe I’ll have a brilliant solution."

Mu Qingge shook her head lightly, rather helplessly said, "Even coming to the Middle Ancient Realm, I still can’t change your gossiping heart."

Jiang Li widened her beautiful eyes, justified in her self-defense, "I only gossip about your matters, okay? Do you only see my gossiping and not the deep concern hidden underneath?"

Mu Qingge pulled at the corner of her mouth, only Jiang Li could say such things so righteously... ’Touching!’

Removing her gaze from Jiang Li, she looked outside the window again. Mu Qingge exhaled a breath of foul air between her lips, speaking in a low voice, "I was just thinking about the matters at the Sang Family."

"What matters?" Jiang Li asked.

Mu Qingge’s gaze darkened, her eyes deep and unfathomable. "Why Sang Lanruo would lie to King Sang Shun, saying that I didn’t inherit the Sang Family’s bloodline. Does she really not know, or is she purposely hiding it? And also Sang Lanruo’s explanations."

Jiang Li nodded imperceptibly and began discussing with her. "Actually, you retelling her words made me feel the matter became a bit complicated."

"Complicated?" Mu Qingge looked at her, a bit puzzled in her eyes.

She didn’t think there was anything complicated about it.

Jiang Li gazed at her, saying seriously, "If she really didn’t make any effort and left, and hadn’t thought of you for nineteen years, then it’d be easy. Just don’t acknowledge this mother. But you said, her explanation was that she wanted to leave a message but couldn’t find the opportunity, begging the Sang Family to send word to the Mu Family but was deceived. After returning to the Middle Ancient Realm, she tried to send a message to the Linchuan Realm through artifact refining for others but never succeeded. So she did her best, at least didn’t forget you. Acknowledging this mother or not becomes challenging. Regarding the possibility of her hiding your bloodline, there are only two possibilities. One is that you were too young then, and the bloodline hadn’t manifested, she genuinely did not know. Another is not wanting you to be controlled by the Sang Family, forced to stay."

"If I don’t want to stay, the Sang Family can’t keep me." Mu Qingge said calmly.

She continued, "Acknowledging or not isn’t the issue. Human emotions are complex, and many relationships cannot be explained just by a title."

She looked at Jiang Li, pointing to her own heart, "Acknowledging is not about words, but the heart." At least, so far, she hasn’t regarded Sang Lanruo as a mother in her heart.

"Since you understand this, why are you still troubled?" Jiang Li asked, bewildered.

Mu Qingge’s eyes darkened slightly, voice lowered further. "Because my purpose in coming to the Sang Family also includes the artifact refining technique of the Sang Family."

"The Sang Family’s artifact refining technique?" Jiang Li was surprised.

Mu Qingge nodded. "Yes, the Sang Family’s artifact refining technique. No matter what, the Sang Family’s technique is authentic. Seeing it once could greatly help my artifact refining skills. I am currently planning to upgrade the Dragon Tooth Guards’ weapon level and need many weapons for city construction. But my artifact refining skills are stuck at the Treasure Artifact Refiner level and hard to break through. I think the Sang Family’s technique could help me break through this barrier."

"A Divine Level Refiner!" Jiang Li’s eyes widened in shock, suddenly exclaiming, "Damn! Are you planning to craft no less than five hundred sets of divine-level equipment?" She remembered that Mu Qingge’s Dragon Tooth Guards numbered five hundred, and if each had a set of divine-level equipment, the spectacle would be unimaginable!

In the face of Jiang Li’s surprise, Mu Qingge just nodded lightly.

To her, five hundred sets of divine-level equipment seemed insignificant.

Jiang Li shook her head in amazement, teasingly said, "Mu Qingge, if you tell me now you want to pluck the moon from the sky to wear as a hairpiece, I wouldn’t be surprised."

Mu Qingge raised her brows, immediately catching Jiang Li’s hint.

"You don’t believe me?"

"Believe! Of course, I believe." Jiang Li laughed, patting Mu Qingge’s shoulder, seriously said, "Well, if convenient, when crafting, please make me a Divine Artifact too, thanks."

Five hundred sets of divine-level equipment!

This is not a task that can be completed just with time! Even the head of the Sang Family, after a lifetime of refining, has probably not crafted this amount of divine-level weapons.

Of course, if Mu Qingge’s ’ambitious goal’ really materializes, when the five hundred Dragon Tooth Guards reveal their divine-level equipment, the visual impact would be remarkable.

Hearing Jiang Li’s disbelief, Mu Qingge smiled, too lazy to explain.

"So, how do you plan to obtain the Sang Family’s artifact refining technique?" Jiang Li asked.

This too was a difficulty for Mu Qingge. She furrowed her brows, pursing her lips without speaking.

Jiang Li mused, "To get the Sang Family’s artifact refining technique, just admit your refiner bloodline and acknowledge the Sang Family, I think they wouldn’t be stingy. But you don’t want too many ties with them, even less to be bound by them. Then only one option remains, coaxing it out of your sister."

Mu Qingge shook her head, "Such knowledge can’t be casually shared. Why make it difficult for her? If it gets exposed, she’d be implicated too."

"You." Jiang Li sighed, shaking her head, "You’re someone who won’t complain even if others implicate you. Yet your matters, you never want to involve others in."

"In this world, the hardest to repay is a favor." Mu Qingge said with a mild smile.

Then she added, "Not every blame I’m willing to shoulder either."

"Yes, indeed, but as long as it’s someone you care about, you’ll never shirk. I understand now why the Dragon Tooth Guards are so loyal to you, why Mei Zizhong and the others are willing to risk their lives just to find you." Jiang Li sighed.

The humor in Mu Qingge’s eyes almost gleamed as she looked at Jiang Li, "You forgot someone."

"Hmm?" Jiang Li was momentarily puzzled.

Mu Qingge smiled, "That person abandoned his kingdom, splendid rivers and mountains, luxurious life, countless citizens, all just to stay by my side."

Jiang Li’s face turned peculiar at Mu Qingge’s words.

She couldn’t help but get goosebumps, shivering slightly. Rubbing her arms, she said, "Too cheesy! I said I came to the Middle Ancient Realm out of curiosity for the land, not just because of you!"

"There’s a reason involving me, don’t be shy." Mu Qingge smiled broadly.

Jiang Li rolled her eyes at her, turned to leave, yawning, "So sleepy! I’m going to bed, too lazy to keep you company here in the night breeze."

Reaching the bed, Jiang Li sat on it, since reuniting with Mu Qingge, she actually stayed night after night with her, a behavior that seemed to solidify her ’man’ status to outsiders.

In front of Xie Ya and Xuan Ya, even in front of Mu Chen and Mu Peng, she was practically the future lady boss.

Before lying down, Jiang Li asked, "You’re going to the Sang Family to pick someone up tomorrow, should I accompany you? Or perhaps you go distract the Sang Family while I steal the refining technique? Otherwise, after tomorrow, if you still want to approach them or stay in Fusha City for opportunities, you’ll have no more excuses."

Who’s to say when Mu Qingge doesn’t acknowledge her mother?

"No need. The matter of the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique cannot be rushed. Let’s get the person out first." Mu Qingge said to her.

Seeing that Mu Qingge already had an idea, Jiang Li nodded and said no more, lying down on the bed.

Jiang Li was already asleep, but Mu Qingge was wide awake.

Stealing or tricking to obtain the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique is definitely not feasible. Even if she were to ask Sang Xuewu, not to mention whether she would violate the Sang Family’s rules and tell her privately, it’s uncertain whether she knows the complete Artifact Refining Technique.

To obtain the complete Artifact Refining Technique, she’ll probably have to make a move on King Sang Shun.

However—

Mu Qingge’s eyes darkened slightly under the moonlight, and her brows furrowed lightly. That day, King Sang Shun tested her, with a stance that seemed to say if she had Sang Family blood, she must return to the Sang Family.

If she truly admitted it, wouldn’t she be tied to the Sang Family to forge artifacts for a lifetime?

She already had many matters of her own and indeed no time to help the Sang Family with artifact forging.

Since being honest won’t work, she can only negotiate.

But what does she have that King Sang Shun would want to exchange for?

’That’s it!’

Suddenly, a bright idea flashed in Mu Qingge’s eyes and emerged in her mind.

Her eyes were filled with unpredictable changes, and she murmured softly: "Although it’s not completely upright, it is a mutually beneficial arrangement. Since I’m not acknowledging it, why fear carrying the blame of being unfilial in others’ eyes?"

With her words finished, the expression in her eyes settled and became incredibly firm.

...

The next day was the agreed date.

Early on, Mu Qingge brought along Mu Chen and Mu Peng, and also released Bai Xi, heading to the Sang Family. Accompanying them was Mei Zizhong.

The three at the front were brought because Mu Qingge anticipated their trip wouldn’t be very smooth today. Having these three could exert a certain level of intimidation, making the Sang Family weigh their decisions carefully.

She didn’t release Yuanyuan because Yuanyuan was of the Abnormal Fire Body, and she wasn’t sure if King Sang Shun would see through it. If it was seen through, wouldn’t she have been exposed?

Anyway, even if Yuanyuan stays in the space, he can be released anytime if things get urgent.

As for bringing along Mei Zizhong, that was for another matter.

"Brother Mei, once we arrive at the Sang Family, follow my instructions in everything. By the way, what level of elixir can Brother Mei refine now?" Mu Qingge asked Mei Zizhong, standing outside the Sang Family’s entrance.

Mei Zizhong stood beside Mu Qingge, ethereal and serene, answering her inquiry: "Treasure Level."

Treasure Level!

Mu Qingge smiled and said to him, "That’s enough."

Soon, people from the Sang Family came out and welcomed them inside. In the Sang Family’s main hall, Mu Qingge saw King Sang Shun again. Besides him, there were two others who were present on the first day as well.

They were the Second Elder and Third Elder of the Sang Family.

The person in charge of the Sang Family was King Sang Shun, so besides being the Family Head, he was also the Great Elder. His brothers, on the other hand, managed different affairs, becoming the Second and Third Elders.

As for the older generation, most are now retired, or focus on cultivation, or are secluded in refining.

However, now in the Sang Family, there are only three or four remaining elders. The younger ones have not yet matured, and there’s no exceptional talent to lead the younger generation, showing the decline of the Sang Family.

In simple terms, the current situation of the Sang Family can be described as—passing the baton.

Mu Qingge was quite familiar with the Third Elder. But with the Second Elder, she had only met him once, so as she sat in the Sang Family’s main hall, her gaze lightly swept over him without much attention.

"You truly came." As soon as Mu Qingge sat down, King Sang Shun opened his mouth, his tone carrying the posture of an elder addressing a junior.

Mu Qingge responded indifferently, "I promised to come for the person in three days, naturally I wouldn’t miss the appointment."

King Sang Shun’s gaze flashed, and he instructed the attendant beside him, "Go ahead." The attendant bowed and withdrew, seeming to go look for Sang Lanruo.

The main hall plunged into silence.

Taking advantage of Sang Lanruo and the others not yet appearing, Mu Qingge said to King Sang Shun, "Family Head Sang, there’s a transaction I would like to privately discuss with you."

King Sang Shun’s gaze sharpened, his eye color shifted a few times before he stood up and said to her, "Come with me."

Mu Qingge smiled slightly, stood up, and followed King Sang Shun to the corner of the main hall.

The two stood facing each other, and King Sang Shun waved his hand, a golden spiritual power cascaded from his hand, enveloping them in radiance, isolating them from the others in the main hall.

They could see each other, but couldn’t hear what King Sang Shun and Mu Qingge were discussing.

"What do you want to say?" King Sang Shun asked.

Mu Qingge smiled faintly, her gaze traversing through the light covering them, toward Mei Zizhong’s direction. "Family Head Sang, do you see that man who seems like an immortal?"

Following her gaze, King Sang Shun saw Mei Zizhong, serene and outstanding.

He nodded silently, didn’t speak, wanting to see what Mu Qingge was up to.

"That gentleman is a Treasure Level Alchemist." Mu Qingge said playfully, revealing Mei Zizhong’s identity. Although Mei Zizhong’s alchemy skill wasn’t learned in the Middle Ancient Realm and he didn’t have the recognized alchemy certification from the Middle Ancient Realm, she did!

She could have used this exchange condition herself, but she was unwilling.

She took out a badge given to her by the old man from the Medicine Tower long ago and handed it to King Sang Shun.

King Sang Shun lowered his gaze, took the badge from Mu Qingge’s hand, scrutinized it for a moment, and returned it to her, nodding calmly, "Yes, indeed a Treasure Level Alchemist. So, are you trying to tell me that you’ve found a Treasure Level Alchemist and can wake up your father?"

His guess, Mu Qingge slowly shook her head. "No, what I want to discuss with you is not about Mu Liancheng but about Sang Lanruo."

"Lanruo?" King Sang Shun’s deep eyes shrank slightly, his voice contained a few traces of surprise. "What’s the matter with Lanruo?"

Mu Qingge spoke steadily, "That day, this Alchemist already saw within her that her meridians were imbued with chill, and these chills have been eroding her meridians and internal organs. Moreover, she has been infected with death energy from too much contact with Mu Liancheng, and this death energy is also constantly corroding her body. If not treated quickly, I’m afraid she won’t live much longer."

The result was a bit exaggerated, but it wasn’t too far off.

When she first examined Sang Lanruo’s body, she vaguely sensed a problem. Upon meeting her the second time, she became increasingly certain. If not addressed, Sang Lanruo wouldn’t die immediately, but the corroded body would gradually weaken, her health deteriorating, and she would become frail, growing thinner. Naturally, this would impact longevity. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"What did you say!" King Sang Shun’s eyes widened, fixed on Mu Qingge, as if assessing the truth of her words.

Mu Qingge continued, "Master Mei said he could solve Sang Lanruo’s issues. However, the decision to act is up to me."

King Sang Shun immediately understood. He asked solemnly, "What do you want? If it’s to blackmail me into handing over your father’s remains, just take them." Over the years, he had little contact with Sang Lanruo and thought her growing thin was due to sorrow, never expecting such a grave hidden danger in her body.

And now, with Mu Qingge bringing this matter up to him, he could clearly sense she had ulterior motives.

What does Mu Qingge want?

Nothing more than her father’s remains!

However, Mu Qingge shook her head slightly, "I naturally want to take Mu Liancheng’s remains back. Isn’t that why I’m here today? What I want to discuss with Family Head Sang is another transaction. I can have Master Mei treat Sang Lanruo, but it requires a condition for exchange."

"What?" King Sang Shun instantly asked.

"The complete Artifact Refining Technique of the Sang Family." Mu Qingge stated her demand.

King Sang Shun’s eyes narrowed sharply, staring at Mu Qingge with a gaze as sharp as a blade.

"I can assure the Head of the Sang Family that once I obtain the Artifact Refining Technique, I will not pass it on. Whether to save her or not depends on the decision of the Head of the Sang Family." Mu Qingge said.

"What do you want the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique for?" King Sang Shun asked warily. He had suspected that Mu Qingge might have inherited the Sang Family’s bloodline, but Sang Lanruo had denied it.

"That is inconvenient to say." Mu Qingge smiled faintly, not providing an answer.

However, King Sang Shun stared at her and said, "Only someone who has inherited the Sang Family’s bloodline would be interested in the Artifact Refining Technique." So, is this granddaughter of his also inheriting the Sang Family’s bloodline? King Sang Shun’s eyes faintly showed excitement.

Mu Qingge, however, showed no sign of panic at his words, smiling faintly and saying, "The Head of the Sang Family is overthinking. I’m just curious and want to see how magical this Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique really is."

Her words, or rather her calmness, made King Sang Shun frown, uncertain.

Did Mu Qingge inherit the Sang Family’s bloodline or not?

Setting this question aside for now, King Sang Shun spoke in a low, slightly cold tone, "She is your mother, yet you now trade her life for what you want. Don’t you feel guilty?"

Mu Qingge casually replied, "Mother? The Head of the Sang Family must be joking. For the past nineteen years, I didn’t know I had a mother. In Linchuan, I’m nothing but a playboy, not a gentleman and certainly not someone who knows filial piety. So, there’s no need to use such noble words to sway me. Trading a life for the complete Artifact Refining Technique seems like a good deal for the Head of the Sang Family. It’s up to you to decide what to do."

"You!" King Sang Shun’s face turned somber.

He hadn’t expected such cold and indifferent words from Mu Qingge.

The old and the young exchanged silent glances. After a while, King Sang Shun said, "Do you think you can threaten me? I can also find a Treasure Level Alchemist to cure Lanruo."

Mu Qingge shrugged indifferently, "Please, feel free. But as far as I know, Alchemists are rare in the West Continent, let alone Treasure Level Alchemists. Even if the Head of the Sang Family goes to the East Continent to seek medicine, it’s uncertain if you can find someone who can concoct a cure, and even more uncertain if Sang Lanruo can hold on until then."

"Do you have a heart at all?!" King Sang Shun shouted harshly.

"The Head of the Sang Family flatters me. Whether I have a heart or not, it’s not for you to worry about. Now, I want to ask, for the Head of the Sang Family, what is more important: your daughter’s life or the Artifact Refining Technique?" Mu Qingge’s clear eyes seemed to shine like a mirror, reflecting the heart.

King Sang Shun felt as if struck by lightning. In Mu Qingge’s clear eyes, he saw himself. He saw his contorted and ferocious features, saw the struggle in his eyes.

"I refuse!" In that gaze, he uttered his answer.

This answer made Mu Qingge’s eyes darken. Suddenly, she laughed, "It seems the Head of the Sang Family is also a heartless person. Very well, let’s pretend I never said anything. Of course, if the Head of the Sang Family changes his mind while I’m still in Fusha City, you can come to me anytime."

With that, she turned and walked out of the barrier set by King Sang Shun, heading back to her original spot. However, the smile on her lips slowly faded, and a thin layer of ice rose in her eyes.

Heartless person!

King Sang Shun’s face turned a bit pale, the hand hidden in his sleeve clenching into a fist.

The Sang Family had ancestral rules passed down through generations, forbidding anyone outside of the Sang Family from accessing the Artifact Refining Technique. For centuries, this rule had been strictly followed, and it certainly couldn’t be broken now.

Mu Qingge returned to her seat. Mei Zizhong looked at her and asked softly, "How did the conversation go?"

"He refused." Mu Qingge replied in a grim tone.

This was a way to peacefully resolve the needs of both parties, but King Sang Shun refused without giving it much thought.

"Don’t worry; there will be other ways." Mei Zizhong comforted her.

Mu Qingge nodded slightly, her emotions already calming down.

King Sang Shun returned to his seat as well.

"Family Head..." The Third Elder spoke worriedly. Currently, King Sang Shun’s face wasn’t looking good.

The Second Elder also looked at him, equally filled with inquiries.

King Sang Shun shook his head slowly, "I’m fine."

As soon as his words dropped, Sang Lanruo walked into the main hall accompanied by Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen. Upon entering, Sang Lanruo’s eyes stared complexly at Mu Qingge.

"Ge’er..." she murmured softly.

Yet Mu Qingge didn’t even spare a glance.

"Lanruo, sit." Knowing Sang Lanruo’s physical condition, King Sang Shun unconsciously softened his tone towards her.

Sang Lanruo was escorted by Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen to a seat opposite Mu Qingge. The twins stood properly behind their mother, also looking at their sister with complicated expressions.

The sister wants to bring back their father’s remains, leaving them unsure if it’s right or wrong.

On one side is the sister, on the other is the mother; they can’t understand why the family can’t simply be together? Why must a choice be made?

"Madam Sang, the three-day period ends today, and I am here to take them." Mu Qingge spoke directly.

Hearing her daughter calling her ’madam,’ Sang Lanruo’s heart ached tremendously. She forced back tears, smiling, "Ge’er, does it have to be this way? I’ve been with your father all this time. If you insist on taking him away, I must follow."

"I wander around; madam would be better off staying with the Sang Family. As for them..." Mu Qingge looked at Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen, then continued, "They too will have to visit Linchuan Mu Mansion sooner or later."

"Outrageous!" The Second Elder of the Sang Family couldn’t listen anymore and roared.

King Sang Shun did not stop him.

Mu Qingge looked towards him, saying playfully, "Outrageous?"

The Second Elder of the Sang Family, with an unpleasant expression, said, "Because you are of Lanruo’s nieces’ bloodline, we tolerate you everywhere. But don’t push your luck!"

"Push my luck? I’m not sure what the Elder means by that." Mu Qingge’s smile became more playful. "I’m here to retrieve my father and have the Mu Family’s bloodline acknowledged. Is that pushing my luck?"

"Hmph! Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen have the Sang Family’s bloodline. Over these years, the Sang Family has invested so much in them. Do you think you can just take them away with a word? That dead man you want to take, go ahead. But taking Sang Xuewu is absolutely impossible!" The Second Elder said with a flick of his sleeve.

These words changed the atmosphere in the main hall several times.

"Second Brother, sit down." Only then did King Sang Shun speak to stop him.

The Second Elder of the Sang Family only sat down reluctantly after giving a disgruntled cold snort.

His words had left a tinge of anger in Mu Qingge’s clear eyes. Sang Xuewu and Sang Yichen didn’t feel good either, especially Sang Yichen. To him, the Second Elder’s words were simply a blow.

Sang Xuewu can’t leave, but he doesn’t matter, huh?

Just like his father, he’s merely a burden in the eyes of others in the Sang Family!

"Second Elder, please be careful with your words!" Sang Lanruo took a deep breath, stood up, and faced the Second Elder. "The dead man in your words is my husband. Xuewu and Yichen are originally of the Mu Family’s bloodline, and acknowledging their roots is only a matter of time."

"What do you mean by this, Lanruo niece? Do you want to be an ungrateful wretch?" The Second Elder said sharply.

"Enough, Old Second!" King Sang Shun stopped again.

He was somewhat worried that Sang Lanruo might get further agitated.

The Second Elder of the Sang Family looked at him, puzzled, "Family Head, are you really going to indulge them like this? Back then, she acted on her own, secretly went to Linchuan, and even privately pledged herself to someone. We spent so much effort just to find her back. Not only did she bring back a dead man, but she was also pregnant, forcing us to offend the Ying Family and pay heavily to appease their anger and dissolve the marriage. Over the years, how much has the Sang Family given to nurture that dead man? Even these two little ones lived off the Sang Family. Xuewu is okay, after all, with the Sang Family’s bloodline and talent. Despite her youth, she’s already skilled in Artifact Refining and has made a name on the Cub Phoenix List. But what about Sang Yichen? He hasn’t inherited any Artifact Refining bloodline, and even in cultivation, he’s lazy and unmotivated. Still, we raised him for nineteen years. Now, these people from the Mu Family came, and with one word, they want to take Xuewu away? I absolutely disagree!"

"Second Brother, stop talking. Back then, the Family Head had already agreed to let Xuewu and Yichen acknowledge their roots. Lanruo agreed to temporarily allow the surname Sang because of this." The Third Elder tried to counsel.

However, the Second Elder stubbornly said, "I don’t care about anyone else, but Xuewu must not leave the Sang Family."

"Enough!" Sang Yichen suddenly shouted.

This roar drew everyone’s attention to him in the hall. His eyes were bloodshot, his shoulders trembled lightly, and his chest heaved. In a deep voice, he said, "The debts I owe the Sang Family, I will repay them sooner or later." He lifted his head, looked at Mu Qingge, and, with a voice choked with sobs, said, "Boss, whether or not you acknowledge me in the end, whether or not you agree for me to return to the Mu Family, from now on, my name is Mu Yichen, not Sang Yichen anymore."

Mu Qingge narrowed her eyes and said nothing.

"Yichen!"

Sang Xuewu and Sang Lanruo looked at him in shock.

Sang Yichen... Mu Yichen strode forward, knelt in the hall, and kowtowed to King Sang Shun. After three kowtows, he spoke to King Sang Shun with tears in his eyes, "Grandfather, thank you and the Sang Family for raising me for these nineteen years. From today onwards, Yichen will leave the Sang Family and no longer accept any favors from you. What I owed before, I will repay one by one. But I ask, Grandfather, to allow me to visit the Sang Family often to see my mother."

"That’s enough!"

"That’s enough!"

Mu Qingge and King Sang Shun spoke simultaneously.

The two glanced at each other, and Mu Qingge slowly stood up and said to the three on the main seat of the Sang Family, "I said I will take them back to recognize their ancestry, and recognize their ancestry they must. No one can be left behind. They are both of Sang Family’s blood, and yet you speak to me of the expense of raising them. To me, it seems Mu Xuewu is nothing but a tool in your eyes."

Her words caused Sang Xuewu to tremble all over, her eyes welling with tears as she murmured, "Boss!"

"Indeed. I am their grandfather, and raising them was indeed my duty. From now on, no one is allowed to bring up this matter again. Moreover, even if they bear the Mu surname, they are still my Sang family’s children, and that changes nothing," said King Sang Shun.

His words left the Second Elder very upset.

But Mu Qingge gave him a dubious look.

It seemed the King Sang Shun who had so easily abandoned his daughter’s life was a different person from the King Sang Shun who now defended the Mu family’s twins.

Unexpectedly, King Sang Shun looked over at her and said, "To get what you want doesn’t necessarily require the approach you just used. If you acknowledge me as your grandfather and acknowledge your mother, once your lineage is proven, my Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique will also be freely imparted to you."

"Family head!" The Second Elder was shocked by King Sang Shun’s words.

The Third Elder also looked at him dumbfounded.

Sang Lanruo glanced at Mu Qingge, she hadn’t expected that Mu Qingge wanted the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique.

Trying to trick me?

Mu Qingge sneered inwardly.

This seemingly great deal was actually most beneficial to King Sang Shun. If she really acknowledged the Sang family for the sake of the Artifact Refining Technique, as Sang Lanruo’s daughter, wouldn’t she save her mother who was sick?

Naturally, she would save her.

By saving Sang Lanruo, the Sang Family would gain an Artifact Refiner.

This was King Sang Shun’s plan!

Mu Qingge smiled faintly and, under King Sang Shun’s expectation, slowly said, "I’m merely curious about the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique. It doesn’t matter to me whether I see it or not."

She refused, absolutely not falling into the pit dug by King Sang Shun.

This darkened King Sang Shun’s gaze.

"Take your father away," Sang Lanruo suddenly stood up.

Her straightforward answer surprised Mu Qingge and the others, including King Sang Shun.

Sang Lanruo merely looked at Mu Qingge and said, "Come with me." With that, she pushed away Sang Xuewu’s support and turned to walk out of the main hall.

Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered, and she stood up to follow.

The people in the main hall were perplexed by this scene. King Sang Shun said, "Why don’t you two quickly go watch over your mother?"

However, just as Sang Xuewu and Mu Yichen were about to follow her, Bai Xi jumped out, blocked their way, and said with a lazy smile, "My master doesn’t wish to be disturbed now."

Mu Chen also spoke up at this moment, "Sang Family Head, leave some time for the mother and children to be together; perhaps it’ll help resolve any issues they have." Having been to the Sang Family so many times, even the dullest person could guess the relationship between Mu Qingge and the Sang Family.

...

"Wait for me here for a moment," Sang Lanruo took Mu Qingge to a small courtyard, left her in the front hall, and went into the inner room.

Mu Qingge said nothing as she watched her leave.

In her perspective, the biggest obstacle to taking away Mu Liancheng was Sang Lanruo. However, she had unexpectedly agreed, and this unusual behavior left her unsure of Sang Lanruo’s intentions.

After a long time, Sang Lanruo came out of the room again, holding a scroll in her hands. "This is written with how to take care of your father as well as his previous medications. Keep it safe."

Looking at the scroll handed to her, Mu Qingge reached out and took it.

She was about to open it when Sang Lanruo stopped her, "Go with me to get your father. You can read the scroll later."

She turned and walked towards the ice cell, and Mu Qingge followed her, curiously studying her back.

"Since you’ve gotten your father, leave Fusha City as soon as possible and don’t delay. Xuewu and Yichen are still young, and whether you acknowledge it or not, you are their elder sister, so you need to guide them well in the future."

Sang Lanruo said these cryptic instructions and led Mu Qingge to Mu Liancheng.

She knelt by Mu Liancheng’s side and once again tended to his appearance. Her voice low, like a lover’s whisper, she spoke softly, "Liancheng, this might be the last time I tidy you up. Look at you, you’ve been asleep for so long and still refuse to wake up. Forget it, I won’t push you, sleep as you wish, as long as you remember to wake up. I don’t know... after sleeping for so long, will you still remember me? Will you blame me? If you are going to blame me, I’d rather you wake up and no longer remember me."

Mu Qingge didn’t disturb her conversation with Mu Liancheng.

Sang Lanruo might not be a good mother, but she was wholeheartedly devoted to Mu Liancheng.

After saying what needed to be said, Sang Lanruo supported herself with the Mystic Ice and stood up, turning to Mu Qingge, "Take the Mystic Ice with you, your father can’t do without it."

Mu Qingge stepped forward and, with a wave of her hand, stored Mu Liancheng’s body and the Mystic Ice into her space.

Luckily, Mu Liancheng was now deceased; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to store him.

"Go, leave quickly, don’t delay," Sang Lanruo urged again.

Mu Qingge didn’t linger any longer and left the Sang Family with her party. However, Sang Lanruo’s unusual behavior kept bothering her.

After her departure, Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen were also called before Sang Lanruo.

"Your sister continues to stay in Fusha City, and I fear the Sang Family might trouble her. You two should go see her off and ensure she gets to a safe place. Didn’t you say you wanted to return to the Mu Family? Use this opportunity to go back to Linchuan," Sang Lanruo instructed as she sat and spoke to them.

Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen felt strange, yet couldn’t argue against their mother, so they left to find Mu Qingge.

As the two of them had just left, King Sang Shun arrived at the courtyard where Sang Lanruo lived.

"Something’s not right." Halfway there, Mu Qingge suddenly stopped. She took out the scroll that Sang Lanruo had given her. Suddenly, a folded piece of paper fell out.

"Young Master," Mu Peng picked it up and handed it to Mu Qingge.

Mu Qingge opened it and quickly scanned it. Her eyes suddenly tightened. On the paper was written the Sang Family’s Artifact Refining Technique. The ink was very fresh, clearly just newly written.

At the end, it also instructed her to take good care of Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen.

Just as Mu Qingge finished reading its contents, Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen caught up from behind. Seeing the two of them, Mu Qingge suddenly understood Sang Lanruo’s intentions.

However, this was not what she wanted! Mu Qingge lightly frowned, her lips tightly pressed together...