Chapter 651: Chapter 86: Mu Family, I’m Home! (Double Update)

Central Continent, Divine Hall.

The Divine Tower stands tall, reaching the clouds.

No matter how far apart, no matter where you are in the Central Continent, you can see the silhouette of the Divine Tower.

"Goddess, shall we go directly to the Divine Hall?" Wu’er asked.

Xi Qianxue gazed at the silhouette of the Divine Tower, nodding slowly.

Returning from the West Continent, it was time for her to report back to her master.

...

"Qianxue, you’re back? How did it go?"

In the pure and spotless great hall, Xi Qianxue saw her master, the highest authority of the Divine Hall—the Divine Venerable.

There was always a gentle and serene smile on the Divine Venerable’s face, and when facing his only disciple, there was an indescribable emotion hidden deep in his eyes.

"Master." Xi Qianxue kneeled on one knee before the Divine Venerable, performing the master-disciple ritual. "I did not kill him."

"Oh? Speak while standing." The Divine Venerable said slowly.

He did not seem surprised by Xi Qianxue’s reply.

Xi Qianxue stood up, her snowy dress reflecting a faint silver light, holy and beautiful. Her exquisite features remained calm, like a fairy untouched by secular matters. "I am not his match; I couldn’t defeat him."

Her answer was simple and straightforward, with no embellishments whatsoever.

The Divine Venerable nodded, not blaming her but simply said, "It seems this person is even more formidable than we knew. Go and rest."

Xi Qianxue looked up, confusion in her beautiful eyes. She asked, "Master, what do you plan to do next?"

"Next?" The Divine Venerable gave a faint smile, shaking his head. "I haven’t received any more divine messages regarding this, so I surmise my guess was correct; it’s just a personal enmity."

Xi Qianxue pressed her lips together in silence.

The Divine Venerable continued, "Let’s put this aside for now. If any further news arises, we’ll address it then. For now, let us not get entangled in matters above our control."

He suddenly remembered, "Oh, when you struck, did you reveal your identity? Did he know why you wanted to kill him?"

Xi Qianxue lowered her gaze and slowly shook her head, "No. I just said I came out of seclusion, having heard of his battle with Ying Ze and Ji Yaohua, so I went to seek guidance." Xi Qianxue felt that Mu Qingge seemed to have discovered something, but when her master asked, she instinctively held back this detail.

"Hmm, a good reason indeed." The Divine Venerable nodded.

He then advised Xi Qianxue, "Qianxue, sometimes in handling matters, you lack certain means. Never mind, this time we’ll let it go."

Xi Qianxue slightly nodded, preparing to leave.

"Are you heading back to the Xi Family?" The Divine Venerable spoke again as Xi Qianxue was about to leave.

Xi Qianxue nodded and lowered her gaze in response, "Though this mission was not completed, it made me realize my shortcomings, so I plan to return to the Xi Family for secluded training."

"Having ambition is good, but you can also train in the Divine Hall; I’m here to guide you," the Divine Venerable offered.

However, Xi Qianxue declined, "I haven’t yet visited my parents at the Xi Family after returning. Moreover, I intend to refine my skills in close combat during this period of seclusion; the martial arts within the family could aid me."

"Close combat?" The Divine Venerable’s eyes flickered with intrigue as he focused on her, hesitantly asking, "Qianxue, you’ve never shown much interest in close combat before. Why the sudden curiosity? Did you suffer some setback?"

"No." Xi Qianxue denied, looking up. In her mind, she recalled being subdued by Mu Qingge, receiving a smack on her backside. Fortunately, she controlled her emotions well and showed no hint of this incident.

In response to her master’s inquiry, she provided a reasonable explanation, "Previously, I didn’t mind because I could eliminate enemies before they approached. But now, I realize my ranged attack skills are decent, yet I have a vulnerability in allowing close proximity. If I can overcome this, it will greatly aid my cultivation."

"Hmm, you make a valid point." The Divine Venerable pondered Xi Qianxue’s words and raised no further concerns. He said to her, "Alright then, return to the Xi Family, and should anything arise, I will send someone to find you there. If you encounter any issues in cultivation, feel free to come to me."

"Yes, Master." After saluting, Xi Qianxue turned and departed.

The Divine Venerable watched her leaving figure, his eyes showing a subtle reluctance.

...

In the Land of Deities and Demons, no one knows in which space this vast continent exists. It just seems to float amidst the void, its whereabouts difficult to trace.

In an inconspicuous courtyard, shadows flickered past.

This courtyard, when looking across the entire Land of Deities and Demons, is almost infinitely smaller than a speck of dust.

"Tianyin, did you go to the Divine Capital last month?" Suddenly, an elderly voice called out to the fleeting shadow.

The figure froze, seeming to just realize there was a person sitting behind him.

He turned around, glancing at the silver-haired old man sitting cross-legged in the house. The sunlight outside spilled in through the window lattice, only dispelling part of the gloom inside the room. The two facing each other were both hidden in chaos, their appearances unclear, with only vague silhouettes visible.

"Master." The one called Tianyin greeted the old man respectfully.

But the old man said, "You are the future Mu Clan Leader, there’s no need to be so respectful to me."

Mu Tianyin still respectfully replied, "Even if I am the Mu Clan Leader, my master remains my master."

"You haven’t answered my question yet," the old man did not continue to press.

Mu Tianyin paused before saying, "Yes."

"What did you do in the Divine Capital?" The old man asked again.

Mu Tianyin replied with a slightly deep voice, "Master recently calculated the whereabouts of the Divine Strategy Middle Volume and inadvertently speculated that a person affecting my Mu Clan’s Life Star is in the Ancient Realm, so I went to investigate."

The old man gazed through the sunlight at him hidden in the gloom, taking a long time before slowly saying, "Do you intend to use the Divine Hall to kill him?"

"Yes." Mu Tianyin did not hide it.

He infiltrated the Divine Hall in the Divine Capital to issue an order to the Divine Hall in the Ancient Realm, yet now he doesn’t know how it has fared.

"Do you realize that doing so is very risky? Perhaps it could attract other Divine Clan to chase us down, exposing your own whereabouts?" The old man asked again.

"I know." Mu Tianyin replied without hesitation.

"It seems you’ve thought through the consequences. Tell me, why choose to take the risk?" The old man spoke while slowly closing his eyes.

Mu Tianyin raised his gaze, and even in the dimness, his eyes were remarkably fierce. "We don’t have the map for the Divine Strategy Middle Volume, and can only rely on Master’s powerful ability to calculate. Letting the Divine Hall go to kill him, I just aim to create some trouble for him, to delay time. Killing him would be best, but if not, at least it can ensnare him in dilemmas, preventing him from focusing on looking for the Divine Strategy. As for exposing whereabouts..."

He scoffed with a cold laugh, "For ten thousand years, which day have we not been living in darkness, under endless pursuit?"

The old man opened his eyes to look at him, "Hmph, to become the Mu Clan Leader, you need to be ruthless and decisive enough. Not only ruthless towards others but also towards yourself. The previous Mu Clan was lost for being too soft-hearted. Remember, as long as they are your adversaries, as long as they are obstacles to strengthening Mu Clan, you must eliminate them all."

"Master, you won’t punish me?" Mu Tianyin asked in surprise.

He thought that having done such a thing secretly, upon discovery, he’d surely receive punishment.

But the old man said, "Why punish you? Though dealing with this matter was somewhat risky, you were brave and wise. However, regardless of the outcome, do not go to the Divine Capital again during this period. Your infiltration into the Divine Hall was purely due to luck, and such luck should not be relied upon repeatedly. Moreover, during this period, I’ve carefully recalled things told to me by the previous Clan Leader, things I’ve been involved in, and gradually sorted them out into a coherent whole. Now I have some clues about the location of the Divine Strategy Middle Volume, and you just need to wait patiently for my news, and immediately act upon it. Therefore, during this time, stay here and cultivate peacefully."

"Yes!" Mu Tianyin responded, his figure faded and disappeared from the room.

...

Ancient Realm, West Continent.

In a hidden ruin, Mu Qingge stood together with Mu Yichen, Mu Xuewu, and Jiang Li.

"Is the Teleportation Array here?" Mu Qingge was a bit surprised.

Jiang Li nodded, "I don’t know when it was passed down, nor do I know who constructed it. According to my Clan Elder, tens of thousands of years ago, there were a type of people called Array Masters, but they gradually vanished."

Mu Qingge pursed her lips, remaining silent.

Things like array formation restrictions are indeed rare nowadays in Linchuan Realm and Ancient Realm.

Even what she’s studied was handed down by Mengmeng from the dimension space, or given by Si Mo. If now someone could create such a Teleportation Array, having one in Luoxing City, wouldn’t it make traveling to and from Linchuan Realm very convenient?

Unfortunately, now those adept in this field are gone. If she finds it troublesome, wanting to go to Linchuan Realm, she can only consume a vast amount of Spirit Stones and cultivation, splitting open a temporary channel, and returning to Linchuan.

If not finding it troublesome, just like at this moment, she can travel long and arduous journeys across thousands of miles, coming here to use the Teleportation Array to return.

Jiang Li led the way in front, as the four walked through the wild grass woods.

After a while, Jiang Li finally stopped and said to the three, "We’re here."

Mu Yichen looked around with confusion and said, "It’s overgrown with wild grass here. Where is there any teleportation array?"

"Right underneath your feet," Jiang Li remarked.

"Ah!" Mu Yichen jumped up.

Prompted by Jiang Li, the three looked down at their feet. Sure enough, faintly visible carvings appeared on the ground, concealed by the grass.

The four squatted down together, clearing away the grass. As Jiang Li worked, she explained, "We disguised it on purpose when we left so no one would find it."

She then turned to Mu Qingge and asked, "You only have a month. This teleportation array leads to the Ancient Witch Country, but traveling from there to the Qin Country takes ten days to half a month."

Mu Qingge smiled and said, "Don’t worry, I have a mount."

"A mount?" Jiang Li asked curiously.

Mu Qingge merely smiled without speaking.

’Hey, don’t even think about making me carry you back,’ a voice sounded in Mu Qingge’s mind, belonging to Hou.

Mu Qingge’s smile remained unchanged as she replied in her mind, ’Don’t you claim to be able to run on land, fly in the sky, and swim in the water? What’s this resistance? Don’t tell me you can’t fly anymore?’

’I am not your mount!’ Hou said, suppressing his anger.

’Then what do you call me?’ Mu Qingge teased.

’...’ Hou was silent for a while before reluctantly saying, ’Master.’

’That’s more like it! I’m your master, so you follow my orders. Sometimes persistence and stubbornness are meaningless,’ Mu Qingge concluded, shaking the golden bracelet on her wrist with a seemingly casual flourish.

’Fine! Stop shaking it, I get it,’ Hou’s voice died down.

"By the way, leaving Yuanyuan at the Sang Family won’t cause any problems, will it?" Jiang Li dusted off her hands and stood, suddenly asking.

Mu Qingge tossed spirit stones aside as she answered, "The High Priest is at a critical point in his calculations, leaving Yuanyuan there provides support. Who knows if someone from the Divine Hall will show up again."

Jiang Li nodded, placing the spirit stones Mu Qingge had thrown into the grooves of the teleportation array.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu listened to their conversation with partial understanding. They sensed Mu Qingge was up to something significant but hesitated to ask.

"Alright, step inside now," Jiang Li instructed, holding the last spirit stone in her hand as she moved to the center of the teleportation array.

Mu Qingge and the others followed her in, and Jiang Li placed the final spirit stone in its slot.

Once the spirit stone was set, the entire teleportation array emitted a piercing light, enveloping the four of them—

"Linchuan, I’m back!" Mu Qingge murmured, taking a deep breath within the white light.

...

The blinding light faded, and their surroundings changed dramatically.

"Your Majesty, the Empress!" A voice of delight called from the side.

Jiang Li stepped out of the teleportation array and addressed the guard, "What are you doing here?"

The guard of the Ancient Witch Country spoke respectfully to Jiang Li, "Ever since Your Majesty left, the Elders dispatched us here to await your return day and night!"

Jiang Li smiled, turning her gaze to Mu Qingge and her two companions, "We’ve reached my domain. Stay the night before departing."

Mu Qingge nodded with a smile.

The guard, recognizing Mu Qingge, also greeted respectfully, "Lord Mu!"

As they traveled from the teleportation array to the Ancient Witch Country Palace, Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu curiously observed their surroundings. This was when they realized Jiang Li was indeed the esteemed Empress.

The Ancient Witch Country Palace dazzled the two with its exotic splendor.

Jiang Li’s return invigorated the entire palace, sparking a nationwide celebration.

That evening, the three were generously plied with drinks.

Mu Yichen had to be carried back to his room by the end, while even Mu Xuewu was slightly intoxicated, unable to distinguish directions. Fortunately, Mu Qingge provided her an antidote.

After the feast, Mu Qingge and Jiang Li sat on the palace rooftop, each with a bottle, gazing over the nightscape of the Ancient Witch Country and the distant ocean.

Their bottles clinked together, the clear sound amplified in the night air.

After taking a sip, Mu Qingge squinted and said, "Why abandon the role of Empress just to suffer in the Middle Ancient Realm?"

Jiang Li chuckled softly, her demeanor tinged with slight intoxication, "Staying in one place too long inspires wanderlust. I must thank you, for providing a reason and the courage to leave."

She raised her bottle, clinking it again with Mu Qingge’s.

Mu Qingge laughed, "We are indeed kindred spirits, both restless in solitude."

"Exactly! Restless," Jiang Li laughed boisterously.

They enjoyed idle chat, drinking and appreciating the night while listening to the waves crashing, finding peace and contentment.

"Oh, if you find yourself free, could you check on Li Country for me?" Mu Qingge suddenly remembered Mu Yi, sent back by Han Caicai.

"Hmm? To find Feng Yufei’s Crown Princess?" Jiang Li asked.

Mu Qingge nodded, "I promised to find her husband if I reached the Middle Ancient Realm. I entrusted him to Han Caicai to return him to Linchuan, unsure if he made it back." Since she had committed to this, it should conclude in her care.

This could’ve been discussed with Han Caicai when they were in the Middle Ancient Realm, but a few disagreements led her to forget.

"Alright, noted," Jiang Li readily agreed.

That night, Mu Qingge didn’t return to the room Jiang Li prepared but stayed up drinking and chatting. It puzzled them both how they never ran out of things to say.

Even their light banter seemed endlessly engaging.

The next morning, Mu Yichen awoke from his slumber, his head pounding, only to be informed by Mu Qingge of their departure.

Resignedly, Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu, still weary from the previous night’s drinking, appeared in the Ancient Witch Country Palace’s plaza.

Mu Qingge released Hou, the peculiar little rabbit crouched conspicuously in the expansive plaza. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Mu Qingge nudged him with her toe and called, "Hey, stop playing dead. Aren’t you going to change size?"

Hou reluctantly struggled, his round, fluffy rear wiggling, lacking any dignity, only looking adorably silly.

Mu Qingge lifted an eyebrow, revealing the golden bracelet on her wrist.

Hou’s flame-like eyes widened at the sight of the bracelet. Without need for further prodding, he swiftly transformed into an enormous rabbit!

The size was just right for the three of them to sit on.

Mu Qingge looked up at him, a corner of her mouth twitching, "Don’t tell me this is your true form!"

Hou retorted with disdain, "It’s only a ride; my true form isn’t needed."

Mu Qingge laughed, "Admit it, you refuse to reveal your true form to hide that a fierce beast lord, Hou, became a mount!"

Annoyance clouded Hou’s gaze, wishing he could bite Mu Qingge dead!

Yet the cursed predicament left him unable to harm her in any way.

This was infuriating! Utterly infuriating! His lifetime reputation ruined by Mu Qingge!

"What a huge rabbit!" Mu Yichen exclaimed, astonished, from behind.

Rubbing his eyes, he approached Mu Qingge to inspect Hou, immediately sobering, "Where’d such a gigantic rabbit come from?"

Mu Qingge spotted Mu Xuewu’s astonished arrival from behind him as well. She asked, "What’s your cultivation realm now?"

Um!

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu checked themselves, surprised, "Purple Realm Peak, but it’s not quite complete."

"..." Mu Qingge fell silent.

Last night, both she and Jiang Li noticed that after returning, their cultivation realms hadn’t changed and remained at the Silver Realm. At this moment, asking Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu, they had changed, being suppressed to the critical point of the Linchuan Realm’s cultivation.

’Could it be that people who leave the Linchuan Realm and return have their cultivation uninhibited?’ Mu Qingge thought to herself.

"Boss, how could this happen?" Mu Yichen asked, somewhat panicked.

Mu Qingge collected her thoughts and said to him, "Don’t worry, it’s just the suppression of the Linchuan Realm’s realm."

Hearing this explanation, Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Otherwise, they really felt as if they had been knocked back to the pre-liberation period!

"Let’s go." Mu Qingge called out, jumping onto the back of the Hou first.

She stamped her foot and found it quite comfortable.

’Enough!’ However, the Hou’s warning voice immediately echoed in her mind.

Mu Qingge gently curled her lips, not responding in her mind.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu also jumped up, and then the Hou leaped into the air, disappearing above the Ancient Witch Country Palace in an instant.

Jiang Li leaned against the window, watching Mu Qingge leave. Only when she could no longer see her did she yawn and walk towards her big bed. "Last night was so tiring that I didn’t sleep at all; today I need a good rest, and I won’t see anyone!"

In the sky, the three of them barely sat firmly.

The speed of the Hou was beyond Mu Qingge’s expectations. At this rate, she would be back in the Qin Country in less than half a day.

"Head northwest, don’t go to the wrong place." Mu Qingge said to the Hou.

The giant rabbit merely snorted and accelerated once more.

...

Qin Country, Luodu.

Returning here again, Mu Qingge felt a sense of change and nostalgia.

She landed outside the city, storing the Hou away in the spatial space, standing at a distance, watching the city gate, not in a hurry to enter.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu, following behind her, stayed silent as they saw her fall into silence.

After a moment of reflection, Mu Qingge took a step forward and said to the two, "Let’s go."

"L-Little Lord!" A soldier on the city wall burst out in shock upon glimpsing a striking red figure approaching from afar, rubbing his eyes repeatedly.

"You’re seeing things, right? How could Little Lord be..." The comrade beside him was about to tease him but stopped abruptly when his eyes caught the red figure.

"Quick! Report to the General!" A realization spread, causing chaos on the city wall.

Yet, as Mu Qingge slowly approached, she remained unaware that her appearance had stirred such a commotion.

When she led Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu to the foot of the city gate, a squad of soldiers suddenly emerged from the city, blocking the townsfolk queuing to enter and exit the city to the roadside, clearing the central path.

The townsfolk were surprised, only to see the City Defense General, leading all soldiers, appear valiantly and kneel on one knee.

"Minister, City Defense General Yuan Rong, unaware of the Little Lord’s return, failed to welcome from afar; I beg the Little Lord’s pardon!" The General said with a powerful voice.

The other soldiers also knelt one after another, yelling together, "Welcome the Little Lord back to the capital!"

"Welcome the Little Lord back to the capital!"

"It’s the Little Lord who returned!"

"Little Lord! Is our Little Lord back?"

Among the townsfolk, startled by the scene, after realizing, they searched for Mu Qingge’s figure. It took no effort to spot the trio approaching the city wall.

"It truly is the Little Lord!"

"Really, really! How fortunate am I to see the Little Lord on this market day!"

"Welcome the Little Lord back to the capital—!"

"Welcome the Little Lord back to the capital—!"

The people all knelt, sincerely welcoming Mu Qingge back.

Mu Qingge’s mouth twitched slightly; she did not intend to make such a grand entrance. But unexpectedly, after being away for so long, these city defense soldiers recognized her at a glance.

Mu Qingge walked up to Yuan Rong and said to him, "Rise."

"Thank you, Little Lord!" Yuan Rong stood up, holding his head high, seemingly wanting to demonstrate his valor before Mu Qingge.

"Everyone, stand up." Mu Qingge glanced around, addressing the kneeling soldiers and townsfolk.

"Thank you, Little Lord!"

The crowd called in unison, standing from the ground, though their eyes still watched Mu Qingge eagerly, their joy as if a loved one had returned.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu were astonished by the scene, unaware that their boss had such a place in the hearts of the military and civilians!

"Little Lord, allow me to escort you back to the mansion!" Yuan Rong suggested proactively.

Mu Qingge shook her head and said, "No need to bother, I’ll go back myself."

"But..." Yuan Rong said hesitantly, "With the news of your return, rumors might have spread within the city. If no one clears the way, I fear you may find it difficult to advance, Little Lord!"

With that, he showed a wry smile, conflicting with the excitement between his brows.

"Yes! Little Lord, let us escort you back to the mansion!"

"It’s an honor of a lifetime to escort the Little Lord back!"

The townsfolk joined the commotion.

Mu Qingge shook her head and smiled, glancing at Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu, who immediately understood her intention.

Then the three vanished before everyone’s eyes, leaving the crowd bewildered.

When they reappeared, they had already arrived outside the Mu Mansion.

Mu Qingge said to the two, "I wanted to return quietly, didn’t expect to cause such a stir. This is the Mu Mansion." Then, she looked up, eyeing the three plaques under the eaves.

"Imperial-founded eternal hereditary Duke Yongning Mansion... National Guardian General Mansion... Mu Mansion..." Mu Yichen read the words on the three plaques lowly.

With each word, his heart warmed a bit. Mu Xuewu felt similarly; although her emotions weren’t as easily displayed as Mu Yichen’s, her eyes were moist, her heart surging.

’Imperial-founded eternal hereditary Duke Yongning Mansion, National Guardian General Mansion, Mu Mansion.’ Mu Qingge likewise focused on the three plaques, her mind awash with thoughts.

Back then, she was reborn from Sunset Wilderness and brought back by Mu Xiong.

Seeing these three plaques for the first time was shocking. Especially the ’National Guardian General Mansion’ written in vermillion on a black lacquered board. Bold strokes, unable to contain the hot-blooded battlefield, golden spears and iron horses.

Now, she’s back, bringing Mu Xiong another grandson, and... Mu Liancheng, lying quietly in her space!

Creak—!

The tightly closed gate of the Mu Mansion slowly opened.

A person came out, initially stupefied seeing the three standing outside the door.

Upon seeing Mu Qingge’s appearance, he couldn’t help but rub his eyes and immediately shouted loudly, "The Little Lord is back—! The Little Lord is back—!"

Mu Qingge turned her eyes towards him, immediately recognizing his identity.

The Mu Mansion’s chief steward, a former veteran on the battlefield, stayed in the Mu Mansion after retirement, managing everything for Mu Xiong.

...

"Grandfather, I’m back."

The familiar voice startled Mu Xiong, who was arranging flowers and grass, turning around in disbelief, only to see Mu Qingge standing in front of him.

The small iron shovel in Mu Xiong’s hand fell to the ground with a clatter.

The Mu Mansion’s butler, who accompanied Mu Qingge inside, quietly wiped the corner of his eyes and stepped forward to pick up the small iron shovel. He said to Mu Xiong, "Old Lord, our young lord has returned!"

Mu Xiong strode towards Mu Qingge, his wide-open eyes already misty with tears.

"Ge’er! It’s really Ge’er!" Mu Xiong grabbed Mu Qingge’s arms with his dirt-covered hands, feeling the reality of it, only then daring to believe everything was true.

"Hahaha—!" Mu Xiong threw his head back and laughed, embracing Mu Qingge tightly, his heart full of longing. "It’s good to be back, it’s good to be back."

Mu Qingge, held in Mu Xiong’s arms, suddenly felt a slight sting in her nose.

To Mu Xiong, no matter how much she ventured outside or how much glory she achieved, nothing compared to her coming home.

"Grandfather, I’m back." Mu Qingge repeated to Mu Xiong.

Mu Xiong’s eyes welled up with tears, suppressing a sob before he carefully looked Mu Qingge over. "You’ve lost weight. Have You He and Hua Yue not been taking good care of you?"

Mu Qingge chuckled, "How could I have lost weight?"

"How could you not?" Mu Xiong widened his eyes. Then, he insisted, "I don’t care how long you’re staying this time, as long as you’re here, you need to eat lavishly to make up for it!"

Mu Qingge shook her head helplessly, stepping out of Mu Xiong’s embrace. She said to him, "Grandfather, I’ve brought two people back with me this time."

This statement made Mu Xiong’s body stiffen.

He wasn’t foolish; how could he not understand the implication of Mu Qingge’s words?

He had once said that if there was a chance, Mu Qingge should bring the two children back to the Mu Family to acknowledge their ancestry. Yet he hadn’t expected this day to come so soon.

Mu Qingge turned to look outside the courtyard gate, calling to the two hidden behind the door, "Come out."

That call made Mu Xiong’s hands tremble with excitement.

His tiger-like eyes, filled with complex emotions, stared at the gate, even his breath unknowingly held.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu walked in from outside the door, immediately spotting Mu Xiong. Even though Mu Xiong appeared much older than King Sang Shun, that aura of the battlefield marshal’s mighty and iron-willed presence made them feel an inherent sense of familiarity.

The two of them approached Mu Xiong excitedly, kneeling in front of him and bowing their heads.

"Unfilial granddaughter Mu Xuewu, here to see Grandfather."

"Unfilial grandson Mu Yichen, here to see Grandfather."

They spoke in unison.

Mu Xiong’s feet felt as if they were filled with lead, his body stiff and difficult to move. As he reached out to help the two children kneeling on the ground, he realized his hands were actually trembling. "Good, good, stand up, don’t kneel on the ground, it’s cold."

This gapless sentence made Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen’s hearts twinge with emotion. Following his words, they stood up, each holding one of Mu Xiong’s arms, resting their heads on his sturdy shoulders.

Mu Xiong held their hands tightly, unable to express the myriad of emotions in his heart. He could only look at this pair of grandchildren with teary eyes.

Their first meeting, Mu Qingge sighed lightly and withdrew.

She left time and space for the three generations within.

The Mu Mansion’s head butler followed her out, wiping away the tears at the corners of his eyes, and sighed, "A few days ago, the old lord received a letter from the young lord and learned that there were still descendants of the Mu Family. He was so excited that he couldn’t sleep for days and nights. He often told this old servant that if he were a few years younger, he’d personally go to the Middle Ancient Realm. Today, his dream has finally come true. Young lord, please quickly assign me some tasks, because my mind is in a tangle, and I truly don’t know what to do."

Mu Qingge smiled slightly at him, "First, prepare two courtyards for them to live in. Also, arrange some good wine and food; I reckon Grandfather will want to drink heartily tonight. Also, notify everyone that the whole mansion will celebrate together tonight."

"Alright! This old servant will arrange it now." The old butler bowed and retreated. After taking just a few steps, he added, "Young lord, ever since you left, the old lord had Chi Yun Garden, where you lived, cleaned continuously, with not a speck of dust ever settling, just hoping that you might suddenly return one day."

"These words warmed Mu Qingge’s heart." She nodded almost imperceptibly and said to the old butler, "I understand. By the way, send a message to Aunt and ask them to come back once."

"Alright, alright." The old butler finally retreated.

The once quiet Mu Mansion became lively again.

Mu Qingge returned to her Chi Yun Garden, strolled around, and indeed found that nothing had changed. Even on the table in the room and beside the rocking chair in the courtyard, her favorite snacks and fruits were still laid out.

It was as if she had never left.

Mu Qingge sat nostalgically for a moment under the tree, and soon a maid came over to greet her. "Young lord, the old lord invites you."

Mu Qingge stood up and, led by the maid, made her way to the family’s ancestral hall.

Outside the ancestral hall, Mu Qingge saw Mu Xiong, along with Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu.

Upon seeing her, Mu Xiong glared and said, "We’re home now, why don’t you take off that obstructive earring?" Now, the entire Linchuan knows she’s a woman and about her marriage contract with the Holy King. Yet, she still dresses like a man, always awkward.

Mu Qingge smiled helplessly and took off her earring, reverting to her female identity.

This was the second time Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu saw Mu Qingge as a woman. They were surprised for a while. Mu Yichen dazedly said, "Has everyone known about the boss’s identity?"

Mu Xiong snorted and said, "Who in Linchuan doesn’t know about our Mu Mansion’s Lady?"

"Grandfather, please don’t belittle me anymore." Mu Qingge laughed as she walked over to them.

Mu Xiong then said solemnly, "Ge’er, you’re now the head of the Mu Family. Since these two children have returned, arrange for them to join the ancestral temple and write their names into the clan’s genealogy."

"I’ll follow grandfather’s instructions." Mu Qingge showed no resistance.

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu were instantly excited.

They returned not only to see Mu Xiong but to officially return to the Mu Family.

"Thank you, boss!"

"Thank you, boss!"

Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen said in unison.

Mu Qingge nodded slightly without saying a word, and then walked over to push open the door of the ancestral hall.

Under Mu Xiong’s guidance, she had Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu bow to the ancestors of the Mu Family. She saw that the place where Sang Lanruo’s tablet was placed before was empty now. However, Mu Liancheng’s tablet was still retained.

At this moment, Mu Xiong explained in her ear, "After learning from you that your mother is still alive, I had someone remove the tablet."

Mu Qingge didn’t say anything, but according to the clan rules, she added the names of Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu to the genealogy.

The Mu Clan was small, starting from Mu Xiong’s generation, there were not too many complicated ceremonies.

However, after leaving the ancestral hall, Mu Xiong still said, "Today counts as your return to the Mu Family. Tomorrow, I’ll submit a report to the Emperor, then announce to the world that you are recognized as the young masters and young ladies of Mu Mansion!"

"Thank you, grandfather!"

"Thank you, grandfather!"

Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu said in unison.

"Grandfather, would you like to see... father?" Mu Qingge looked at Mu Xiong and said. She originally wanted to say Mu Liancheng, but she changed it to father when the words reached her lips.

Mu Xiong’s body trembled, and he said in a lost voice, "You brought him?"

Mu Qingge nodded.

She led Mu Xiong to a relatively dark room without sunlight and then had Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen close the doors and windows before waving her hand, placing Mu Liancheng along with the Mystic Ice in the room.

"Liancheng! My child!" Upon seeing Mu Liancheng lying on the Mystic Ice as if asleep, Mu Xiong couldn’t control himself, tears cascading down his face.

A middle-aged man losing both his wife and child, who knows how he’s lived these past twenty years!

Mu Xuewu and Mu Yichen felt a sourness in their hearts at this scene, silently standing aside without disturbing. Mu Qingge also waited for Mu Xiong to vent the emotions in his heart before saying to Mu Xiong, "Grandfather, don’t worry, I will resurrect father and bring him back to you alive."

Mu Xiong wiped away the tears on his face, sighed, and slowly shook his head, saying, "Ge’er, you’re a good child. But grandfather doesn’t want you to bear too much. Your father’s been gone for twenty years; now being able to see him again, I’m already content, no longer extravagant in my desires. You shouldn’t push yourself; how could resurrecting the dead be an easy task? Why not choose an auspicious day and bury your father in the Mu Family ancestral grave, letting him return to his roots and rest in peace."

Mu Xiong’s choice shocked Mu Yichen and Mu Xuewu.

At this moment, they seemed to finally understand why Mu Qingge was always indifferent towards Sang Lanruo.

"Grandfather, it’s not difficult. I’ve already found the method. Once I gather all the necessary items, I’ll be able to awaken father," Mu Qingge comforted.

"Are you serious? Not lying to me? Not just trying to comfort me?" Mu Xiong asked in surprise.

He looked seriously at Mu Qingge and said, "Ge’er, if attempting to resurrect your father would harm yourself or put you in any danger, I’d rather you not do it. I’d rather... Liancheng just stay dead."

"Grandfather, no. Don’t worry," Mu Qingge assured, holding Mu Xiong’s hand.