Luo Pengcheng suddenly realized, it wasn’t due to the conflict between the Eight Great Families, nor was there any personal vendetta between himself and Mu Hanyan, but rather Dan Tai Xuan’s group had just recently experienced a bloody battle with heavy casualties.

Thinking of their fearless stance when they charged into the battlefield to save the day, not only Luo Pengcheng, but even those survivors among the citizens and soldiers around them showed expressions of admiration. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"However, although our team is weary and our combat power is lacking, we do have a lot of people. If Young Master Mu is short on manpower, we are still willing to allocate some people to lend you a helping hand." Dan Tai Xuan continued with righteous fervor.

Shameless, how could someone be so shameless! Mu Hanyan looked at Dan Tai Xuan with a gaze full of disdain.

It’s true that Dan Tai Xuan’s team had lost two hundred people, which could be counted easily enough, but to say everyone was wounded was grossly exaggerated. Mu Hanyan had looked carefully before; the most injured were no more than fifty or sixty people, mostly with minor injuries that didn’t affect their combat power. Only Mo Yanhong and the one with the broken rib had slightly severe injuries, but Mo Yanhong was a fool from the start. As the young master of the Mo Family and the only beloved son of the current Mo Family Patriarch, nearly all the Mo Family’s cultivation resources were piled on him, yet he was merely a Third Stage Sword Master and lacked experience; his actual combat power didn’t even reach the level of a Third Stage Sword Master. The one with the broken rib was even worse, nothing more than a Great Sword Master.

With such strength, let alone being severely injured, even if they died it wouldn’t have the slightest impact on the overall combat power.

By saying this, Dan Tai Xuan was clearly trying to negotiate terms with Mu Hanyan again. Unfortunately, he miscalculated; how could Mu Hanyan possibly negotiate terms with someone like him?

"No need, since you’re all wounded, just look after yourselves. We can manage." Mu Hanyan replied coldly.

"Are you sure you don’t need our help, Mu Hanyan? I’m offering with goodwill, and once we’re on the battlefield, it might be too late to ask for our assistance." Dan Tai Xuan was still not giving up and continued.

"Rest assured, that day will never come." Mu Hanyan said expressionlessly, not even willing to glance at Dan Tai Xuan.

At such a critical moment, despite being a steward of the Holy Court, he disregarded the bigger picture, and what’s worse, he thought only of personal gain. Such people are truly contemptible.

"Hmph, let’s go. I want to see how long you can hold out." Dan Tai Xuan, finding no satisfaction, left angrily, taking a group of young noble family members ahead.

This time, no one behind Mu Hanyan had a single word of complaint, not even Mu Chengqi. Watching Dan Tai Xuan’s departing figure, everyone’s eyes were filled with disdain, mixed with a bit of ridicule.

"This idiot, does he think more people would make a difference? He doesn’t even know that it’s quality over quantity when it comes to soldiers. Even if they doubled their numbers, they’d still be asking for death." Mu Chengqi said disdainfully.

"Exactly, trying to threaten Young Master Mu, utterly overestimating himself." He Qingzong quickly chimed in, feeling remorseful for missing the first chance to flatter.

"Young Master Mu, let’s head to Beining Pass and show Dan Tai Xuan that despicable little man the strength of Young Master Mu." Yan Yi followed suit.

Faced with the flattery from He Qingzong and Yan Yi, Mu Hanyan was somewhat speechless. The Yan Family and the He Family were among the upper ranks of the Eight Great Families of the Capital, yet how could the young masters of both families be so petty? But on second thought, she was relieved; after all, being overly rigid can lead to one’s downfall, and their kind of adaptable and flexible nature is more suitable for being a family head.

Someone with a stubborn nature like Yan Yuchu’s, paired with a face as impressive as Huayue’s, might bring glory to their family, but with a single misstep, it could also lead the entire family to utter ruin. Wisdom like that of the He Family Ancestor and the old Zhang Family Head is not something everyone possesses.

Although other noble family members weren’t as flattering, they also showed disdain for Dan Tai Xuan.

Luo Pengcheng noticed now what was obvious, his previous suspicions were indeed correct, there was clearly some animosity between Dan Tai Xuan and Mu Hanyan and those words earlier were meant to threaten Mu Hanyan, but she directly refused.

Strangely, her team of noble family members knew their numbers were far fewer than the other party, yet none of them appeared worried; instead, they brazenly dismissed the threat posed by the Exotic Beasts.

"Young Master Mu, gentlemen, do not underestimate those Exotic Beasts. Although Beining Pass doesn’t have many garrison soldiers, not a single one is not elite; the weakest are Sword Master Realm. If I’m not mistaken, the Exotic Beasts attacking Beining Pass this time probably include some comparable to Eighth Rank Ninth Rank Sword Masters; otherwise, with their skills and geographical advantage, it wouldn’t be so critical." Luo Pengcheng warned again, fearing they’d underestimate the enemy.

"What’s a Sword Master Ninth Rank? With Young Master Mu present, Lord City Master needn’t worry." He Qingzong exclaimed confidently. Of course, he wasn’t confident in himself but full of confidence in Mu Hanyan.

"Exactly, not to mention the Ninth Rank Sword Master, even the Great Sword Master poses no fear." Other noble family sons spoke with high spirits, as if they already had Exotic Beasts comparable to Great Sword Masters underfoot.

Luo Pengcheng, seeing the situation, remained confused but couldn’t say anything more.

"Alright, let’s set off then." Mu Hanyan wasn’t in the mood for chatting and mounted the Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beast, ready to depart, only to find the eager young general previously was now staring at her blankly.

"Why haven’t you left?" Mu Hanyan asked impatiently.

"Mu... Young Master Mu, will you really rescue the Fifth Prince?" The young general wiped his face and asked.

"Qu Fengting, is that you?" Mu Hanyan was slightly startled, the young general before her was actually Qu Fengting.

Back then, when the Fifth Prince brought Qu Fengting back to the Capital, intending to use Mu Hanyan to establish his reputation, he suffered consecutive failures, his prestige plummeted, becoming a laughing stock over teas and meals among the capital citizens. Qu Fengting received multiple blows, not just from the high-minded Zong Family, but even the Qu Branch Family in Heishi City, almost forgetting this former Young Master, completely abandoning him.

Later, they both left the Capital, and Mu Hanyan didn’t know where they ended up; it turns out they were stationed at Lu’an City, guarding the frontier. Only here could they escape their jokes and live with their heads held high.

"Young Master Mu, regarding the Exotic Beast Valley incident, I, Qu Fengting, was at fault. I apologize to you and the innocent family elites who perished. But it bears no relation to the Fifth Prince. Although he has ambition, he’s not inherently bad and hasn’t committed any heinous crimes. If you truly are willing to save him, I, Qu Fengting, will thank you even unto death. If you’re unwilling, I implore you to spare him and let another team do it." Qu Fengting knelt on one knee and said to Mu Hanyan.

Clearly, he was worried that upon reaching Beining Pass and seeing the Fifth Prince, Mu Hanyan might change her mind, missing the opportunity and causing the Fifth Prince’s demise.