When Mu Yin returned to the ‘crime scene’ with Mu Yuefeng in tow, everyone from the Nine Stars Gate was stunned.
They saw Mu Yuefeng following behind her, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile. He fretted over Mu Yin’s every move, even wincing when she so much as lifted a finger. Despite the late hour, he refused to let anyone sleep, instead ordering torches to be lit in the southern courtyard, illuminating the entire area in a blaze of light.
The once-forbidden southern courtyard was now packed with people. Servants craned their necks curiously, while disciples of the Nine Stars Gate began digging under Mu Yuefeng’s direction. Even the officials from the magistrate’s office were dumbfounded when they arrived, lining up to watch the spectacle.
Mu Yin grew a little tired from standing, and Mu Yuefeng immediately barked at the servants behind him, “What are you all standing around for? Can’t you see the young lady is exhausted? Hurry up and fetch a chair, along with some tea and snacks!”
Everyone was dumbstruck they had never seen Mu Yuefeng dote on Mu Yin like this before. They exchanged bewildered glances.
Mu Yuefeng, furious at their hesitation, rolled up his sleeves and personally fetched a chair for Mu Yin, even brewing her tea.
Seated in the chair, Mu Yin gazed at Mu Yuefeng’s ‘loving’ face and couldn’t help but sigh, “If only you could always treat me like this.”
Mu Yuefeng patted her head, his expression pained as he said, “Silly child, what are you talking about? Your father was wrong in the past and made you suffer. From today onward, that will never happen again.”
Mu Yin replied meaningfully, “Yes, from today onward, it never will.”
The magistrate, who had been roused from his bed, was still half-asleep. Jiang Fan, as the senior disciple, naturally explained everything to him. The magistrate was also startled and instinctively glanced at Mu Yuefeng, hoping to discuss the matter.
When Mu Yuefeng noticed the magistrate looking at him, his face flushed red with rage. Pointing at the man’s nose, he roared, “You old fool! Whatever my daughter says, you do it! What’s with all the meaningful looks?”
The magistrate nearly fainted from anger and turned to the crowd, declaring, “In that case, this official shall proceed strictly by the law!”
Soon, over forty skeletons were unearthed from the dry well. Everyone’s faces turned ashen, including the magistrate’s. A massacre of this scale was far beyond the authority of a minor official like him. He immediately ordered Mu Yuefeng and his family imprisoned while he rushed to report the matter to his superiors overnight.
However, with both witnesses and evidence in place and Mu Yin as the victim’s surviving relative, this was merely a formality.
Hong Zhuang knew the matter shouldn’t be delayed, so she decided to leverage the authority of the Five Skandha Sect to expedite the investigation.
By the next morning, the entire city had learned of the Nine Stars Gate’s crimes.
The moment the effects of the Joyful Heart Talisman wore off, Mu Yuefeng’s once-kindly smile vanished without a trace, replaced by unbridled fury.
“Damnable wretch!!!”
Mu Yuefeng gripped the prison bars, screaming at the jailers and Five Skandha Sect disciples outside who were handling the transfer, “That cursed Mu Yin! She used such filthy tricks to frame me!”
Jiang Fan, as the senior disciple of the Nine Stars Gate, was fully responsible for escorting Mu Yuefeng and his family. Hearing his curses, she turned and strode over.
Mu Yuefeng glared at her with eyes that wished she could be torn to pieces alongside Mu Yin.
“Patriarch Mu,” Jiang Fan said, crossing her arms and smiling as she stood before him, “do you know why you fell for the trap?”
Mu Yuefeng had always looked down on Mu Yin, believing a girl he could crush with a mere flick of his fingers posed no threat. That was why he carelessly accepted the ginseng soup she handed him.
“If it were me or anyone else, you would have been cautious. But you’ve always despised Mu Yin for having not a shred of Magical Power, which is why you fell for the simplest trick,” Jiang Fan sighed, looking at Mu Yuefeng. “You’ve been nailed with the Mystic Nails to seal your Magical Power. Now you’re just an ordinary man, stop struggling pointlessly.”
Mu Yuefeng tried to summon his spiritual power, only to find it blocked. His face twisted with rage as he gripped the bars and pointed at Jiang Fan. “You, you want to take my place, don’t you? You’ve always coveted the position of Sect Leader of the Nine Stars Gate!”
Jiang Fan tapped her cheek with a finger, casting him a disdainful glance. “You really think anyone would want that seat? Aside from you, everyone else probably considers it cursed.”
“You!”
“Don’t be angry, Elder Mu,” Jiang Fan said with a smile. “I’ll personally watch as your entire family is beheaded.”
Mu Yuefeng paled. “Wh-who are you? Why are you helping Mu Yin destroy me?!”
Jiang Fan regarded him calmly and replied softly, “Last month, while traveling, I met a senior who enlightened me with a single sentence.”
“What?”
“At the time, there was a famine, and my fellow disciples and I were aiding the refugees,” Jiang Fan explained. “That senior happened to be practicing medicine nearby. She told me something.”
[“A single meal’s kindness, those beggars will remember it for life.”]
“A single meal’s kindness.” Jiang Fan’s thoughts drifted. She remembered starving near the city walls, on the brink of death, until the former Sect Leader of the Nine Stars Gate saved her with daily porridge. How could she let his family die unjustly, their bones left to rot in a dry well?
Mu Yuefeng frowned in disbelief. “All because of one sentence? That’s why you started investigating the Nine Stars Gate?”
Jiang Fan nodded. “Yes. Her words reminded me why the former Sect Leader suddenly vanished and led me straight to you.”
“Fortunately, good and evil always meet their retribution.” Jiang Fan’s lips curled as she looked at Mu Yuefeng. “Your days of fortune are over.”
News of the Nine Stars Gate scandal spread through the city’s streets and alleys in a single day. The tale of Mu Yuefeng murdering the former Sect Leader’s family traveled swiftly, even reaching the ears of the major cultivation sects. Soon, everyone knew the truth, and outrage erupted.
With little else to entertain themselves, the people of antiquity naturally turned such a shocking case into a Storybook, making it the talk of every teahouse.
Though the immortal sects and the government rarely interacted, the Five Skandha Sect, as the leader among cultivation sects, had to show respect. Thus, Mu Yuefeng’s trial proceeded swiftly, and within three days, his execution was scheduled.
The remains in the southern courtyard were properly handled. The Nine Stars Gate still held considerable influence in the city, so memorial tablets, coffins, and burial sites were quickly arranged. Once the case concluded, the bones were laid to rest.
Mu Yuefeng was to be executed in three days, as was his wife, Qin Shi. As for the others, the men were conscripted into the army, the women forced into brothels, condemned to servitude for generations.
When Mu Yin heard the sentencing result, she couldn’t help but feel it was somewhat severe. Yet upon remembering that over forty members of the former sect leader’s family had perished, she realized this punishment wasn’t unjust.
Originally, she had planned to stay at the sect for just one day before leaving, but unexpectedly encountered such a major incident. This delay had kept her there for nearly half a month.
Hong Zhuang was packing their belongings while speaking to Mu Yin, who sat nearby sipping tea and petting a cat: “Young Madam, everything has been arranged. We can set off tomorrow.”
Mu Yin gave a soft “Mm” in response, gazing at the new sprouts outside the window.
The previously lifeless southern courtyard was now showing signs of renewal.
Si Lingqing lazily yawned, wrapping her tail around Mu Yin’s hand as she contentedly nestled in her lap, seeking affection.
Seeing the little black cat sleeping so comfortably in Mu Yin’s arms, Hong Zhuang couldn’t help but laugh: “This little black cat is truly lazy.”
She reached out to pet it, but Si Lingqing turned her head away to avoid the touch.
Hong Zhuang pouted slightly, determined to pet the cat anyway. Mu Yin chuckled: “Alright, alright. If she doesn’t want to be touched, don’t force her.”
“Fine then,” Hong Zhuang conceded, withdrawing her hand. She then asked: “Young Madam, do you plan to adopt this little black cat or leave her at Nine Stars Gate?”
“Of course, we’re taking her with us,” Mu Yin replied.
She couldn’t possibly leave the young mistress of Five Skandha Sect alone as a cat at Nine Stars Gate, could she?
Hearing this, Hong Zhuang smiled and asked: “In that case, what name does Young Madam intend to give this little creature?”
A name?
Mu Yin paused momentarily, realizing she’d been caring for Si Lingqing in cat form for half a month without naming her.
“You’re right,” Mu Yin said, stroking Si Lingqing’s little head with a smile. “We should give her a name.”
“What would be a good name?”
After some thought, Mu Yin’s eyes brightened: “She’s so black, how about calling her Coal Tycoon?”