Mu Zian returned from the imperial palace. As he arrived at the courtyard gate, he saw a crowd gathered outside. Upon seeing him, they all came forward to greet him. Leading them was a burly man, once a family guard of the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence. After being injured on the battlefield, he retired from the army and, through years of managing a timber business, had become a wealthy merchant.
“Zhao Dahu greets Young Master.”
Lu An opened the door and entered the courtyard. The others followed Zhao Dahu in single file. As soon as they entered, they saw the towering ancient tree lying horizontally on the ground. Mu Zian reached up to remove his armor, and Zhao Dahu quickly stepped forward to assist him, saying, “Young Master, the main structure of the Heroine Marquis’ residence is now complete. It’s time to procure timber. However, good-quality wood around the capital is scarce. If you want it built to your standards, we’ll have to import timber from Jiaozhi.”
Mu Zian neatly folded his armor and calmly said, “From now on, the Heroine Marquis’ residence has nothing to do with me.”
To help Lu Yunxue build the Heroine Marquis’ residence, Mu Zian had spared no effort, aiming for perfection. The construction standards rivaled those of the imperial palace. It drained almost all the foundation of the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence and even incurred considerable debt. But now, the two had cleanly severed ties. Naturally, Mu Zian would not pour more money into this bottomless pit.
Hearing Mu Zian’s words, Zhao Dahu didn’t show disappointment; instead, he looked quite excited. “So Young Master has finally thought it through!”
Mu Zian nodded. Zhao Dahu slapped his thigh and laughed heartily. “Young Master, I always knew that woman wasn’t a good person! I didn’t dare speak earlier, fearing you’d blame me. When I heard you tore up the marriage contract today, I rushed over with the brothers, afraid you’d done something foolish. But now, it seems I worried for nothing.”
“You are the only son of the State-Stabilizing Duke, one of the top nobility of the Great Li Empire. What kind of woman couldn’t you have? Liking her was already giving her face. She thought that just because she earned a few military merits, she could float above others. Truly shameless!”
Spitting to the side in disdain, Zhao Dahu’s chest swelled with satisfaction. “Since that’s settled, we’ll be off. Time to inform that old bastard from the Tang family not to think about making money off Young Master again!”
Just as Zhao Dahu finished speaking, the system’s voice rang out.
[Ding! Choice triggered!]
[Choice 1: Follow Zhao Dahu to the Lu residence and personally tell the Lu family that it’s a clean break. Reward: Archery skill — Piercing a Willow at a Hundred Paces.]
[Choice 2: Stop Zhao Dahu, maintain peace with the Lu family. Reward: Armor — Superior Chainmail.]
[Please make your choice.]
Lu An immediately called out to Zhao Dahu, who was preparing to leave, “I’ll go with you to the Lu residence. Some things are better made clear.”
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for making a choice! Reward issued!]
As the system’s voice fell, Mu Zian’s vision instantly sharpened. Even an ant a hundred meters away was visible in perfect clarity.
Moments later, inside the Lu residence.
The Lu family’s matriarch glared at Mu Zian. “Mu Zian, what’s the meaning of this! After all these years of me speaking well of you before Xue’er, is this how you repay me? You ungrateful wretch!”
Mu Zian almost laughed out of anger. If anyone in the Great Li Empire embodied ingratitude, it was surely the Lu family. Over the years, while Lu Yunxue was away at war, the entire Lu family relied on Mu Zian’s support. They lived extravagantly. The matriarch alone spent 300,000 taels of silver on a single birthday celebration, and their total expenses amounted to nearly five million taels—almost one-tenth of the empire’s annual revenue.
Zhao Dahu could no longer restrain himself and cursed, “You old hag! How thick can your skin get?”
“If it weren’t for our Young Master, you’d have starved long ago!”
“You promised that once your granddaughter returned, she’d marry our Young Master.”
“And now? Engaged yet flirting with another man! Shameless!”
“Calling you shameless would be too polite. You’re worse than prostitutes!”
Mu Zian didn’t want to waste words with them. In their eyes, his sacrifices were natural; they never felt a shred of shame.
“From today onward, don’t expect a single tael from me!”
“And all the money you borrowed over the years—I remember every single coin. I’ll send someone with the accounts; you’ll pay back every last bit!”
With that, Lu An turned and left, ignoring the matriarch’s wailing.
Soon after, Lu Yunxue returned home from the military camp and was dragged to her grandmother’s side. Confused, she asked, “What happened?”
The matriarch angrily recounted Mu Zian’s visit, her grievances spilling out, “I always knew the Mu family was full of ingrates! Just because you refused to marry him, he now wants to halt the construction of our residence and even demand back the money he spent!”
Lu Yunxue sneered. “Grandmother, don’t worry. We know what kind of man Mu Zian is. He’s just being petty, trying to use money to threaten me. But there are things in this world that money can’t buy.”
“Building a residence? If he won’t pay, I’ll cover it myself. Does he think I care about his miserable money?”
She summoned the foreman and asked, “How much silver is needed to finish the residence?”
The foreman thought for a moment. “Replying to the Heroine Marquis, 300,000 taels are still needed.”
“What? 300,000 taels?”
The matriarch, who had been lying in bed, almost jumped up. “Xue’er, go appease Mu Zian quickly! 300,000 taels is no small sum. Even selling the Lu family won’t raise that much!”
Lu Yunxue was shocked by the amount too. “Are you sure you’re not skimming off the top?”
Her voice turned icy, and the foreman, terrified, knelt and kowtowed. “I wouldn’t dare! Young Master Mu personally oversaw the project. All materials are top-grade. If we follow the blueprints, it’s impossible to finish without 300,000 taels.”
Lu Yunxue’s expression grew cold. Naturally, she couldn’t agree with her grandmother’s suggestion. The construction couldn’t stop; it must be completed with both quality and quantity assured. Otherwise, as the foremost female general of the Great Li Empire, how would she maintain her dignity and future political standing?
Spending money was a small matter—face was the big one.
She reassured her grandmother, “Don’t worry. Since I returned victorious, the Emperor’s reward will surely be generous. A mere 300,000 taels is nothing.”
“Besides, Brother Pei’s family is wealthy. If the reward falls short, I’ll borrow from him. No need to beg that petty Mu Zian.”
Hearing this, the matriarch relaxed and spoke earnestly, “Whether the Lu family rises or falls rests on you. Mu Zian, the ingrate, is unworthy to be our son-in-law!”
“Today, his true nature is revealed. He’s not someone we can depend on. I trust your judgment, Xue’er.”
“Brother Pei is a rising star. Being with him puts my mind at ease.”
Lu Yunxue nodded in agreement. “Brother Pei is cultured and outstanding in martial arts, far superior to Mu Zian.”
After talking for a long time, Lu Yunxue left. As for the 300,000 taels, she wasn’t worried. Since entering the State-Stabilizing Duke’s residence, she had never concerned herself with money.
At night, in the small courtyard.
Lu An packed his things to move out, digesting the memories in his mind. With Lu Yunxue-related memories erased, his mind cleared up. Matters the original Mu Zian once neglected now surfaced, foremost among them—the death of his father, Mu Zhanying.
As the foremost general of the Great Li Empire, Mu Zhanying’s martial prowess was unmatched. He was an army unto himself, capable of battling thousands. He always had his elite Vanguard Battalion with him; even in defeat, he could retreat safely. As a seasoned veteran, his instincts for war were unparalleled.
If Mu Zhanying’s death weren’t a conspiracy, Mu Zian wouldn’t believe it even a hundred times over. Yet, with all the anomalies, he had no clue where to start investigating.
Just as Mu Zian was deep in thought, a faint sound came from outside the window. A sword, glinting with cold light, thrust toward his back.
Fortunately, Mu Zian had sensed it. With a sidestep, the sword barely grazed his cheek. He kicked up the Fangtian Halberd resting in the corner and swung, deflecting the sword.
“What petty assassin dares come!”
Under the moonlight, a shadow flickered past. Mu Zian sneered and charged out with his halberd.
“Overlord Halberd Technique, First Move: Demon-Subduing Frenzy!”
The 50-kilogram Fangtian Halberd felt light as a feather in his hands. As he swung, gusts of fierce wind followed, shattering stone walls and wooden doors alike.
Facing Mu Zian’s storm-like assault, the shadow was clearly surprised. In that instant of hesitation, Mu Zian seized the opportunity, spinning the halberd into a full moon arc, smashing it down.
“Overlord Spear Technique, Heaven-Splitting Strike!”
With his 5,000-kilogram strength behind it, the blow descended like Mount Tai crashing from the heavens!