novelraw Chapter 764 overestimates himself and underestimates her
Chapter 764 overestimates himself and underestimates her
The Zong Family’s Third Elder indeed contended with Mu Beichen for the position of Family Head and failed. The disharmony between the two factions was an open secret of the family.As time passed, Mu Beichen grew older, and his only son, Mu Rui’an, had gone far away to Heishi City. Although Mu Beichen held the title of Family Head, the strength of his faction had weakened to an extreme.
In contrast, Mu Chengxuan was taken in by the Supreme Elder, regarded as a prodigy of the Mu Family. The Third Elder’s faction was already strong, and with this, they were rising even more.
If things continued this way, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Third Elder snatched the position of Family Head from Mu Beichen’s hands.
However, it was at this time that Mu Hanyan’s reputation began to rise in Heishi City, and after sixteen years, she returned to the Capital. Although the messages from Heishi City were mixed with truth and falsehood, it was evidently clear that the younger generation, including Mu Zexian, greatly admired Mu Hanyan.
Of course, Mu Chengxuan didn’t wish for Mu Hanyan to steal his limelight and affect his position in the family, nor did he want to spoil the Third Elder’s grand plans. That’s why he was in such a hurry to put her in her place.
Once she understood all this, Mu Hanyan felt relieved. So, they just wanted to see her display some formidable skill, to curb her spirit and not give her the opportunity to make her mark in the Zong Family, right? Lady Mu was once a Sword Saint Realm master. Although her strength had not yet recovered to its previous level, she wouldn’t take such petty schemes seriously.
Mu Hanyan even found it somewhat amusing. Seeing the situation, Mu Chengxuan clearly worried she would be intimidated by his strength and unwilling to confront him head-on. Hence, he made a big deal out of Han Yunyun’s matter, forcing her to accept the challenge. Sadly, he had underestimated her.
"As long as you can overcome the longsword in my hands, I’ll act as if this never happened," Mu Chengxuan said without answering Mu Hanyan’s question directly, his hand gently touching the hilt of the sword, speaking arrogantly.
"And what if I lose?" Mu Hanyan asked, keeping her composure.
"If you lose, then just stay at home obediently, focus on your cultivation for a few years. When the Long Yan Academy’s selection comes around, there’s no need for you to participate," Mu Chengxuan said.
"What a cunning plan!" Mu Hanyan said coldly with a laugh.
Now, she completely understood. Apart from curbing her vigor, Mu Chengxuan also had this in mind.
The matter of the Divine Bloodline was only known to the successive Family Heads and Mu Family descendants who had undergone Bloodline Awakening. Even the Supreme Elder probably didn’t know the details, but the news of the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, they likely couldn’t hide from their scrutiny.
Although Mu Chengxuan didn’t know the mysteries of the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, he wasn’t a fool. How could he fail to see the importance the Mu Family and the Yan Family placed on it? He definitely harbored his own intentions and certainly did not wish for the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate to fall into her hands.
As long as Mu Hanyan accepted his challenge, it would accomplish two things: take her down a peg, tarnishing her reputation as soon as she returned to the Mu Family, and also cut off her aspirations, denying her any opportunity to touch the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate.
No wonder the Mu Family had lasted for hundreds of thousands of years. Those regarded as elites by the family were indeed not to be underestimated. The only pity was that he overestimated himself.
"Mu Hanyan, have you thought it through? Are you really going to take up the cause for two insignificant maids?" Fearing that Mu Hanyan would back down, Mu Chengxuan resorted to reverse psychology.
"Young Master, please don’t fall for his..." Han Yan hadn’t even opened her mouth when Aunt Xiu, anxiously cut in. Having been in the Mu Family for many years, she had seen her fair share of the cunning and struggle for power among the noble families and had picked up on Mu Chengxuan’s scheme.
Today was Han Yan’s first day back to the Mu Family, and if she were to be defeated by Mu Chengxuan like this, her reputation would be greatly damaged. One must know that within the clan, there were not a few who harbored jealousy and resentment towards the Family Head, Mu Beichen. Back in the day when Mu Rui’an was overflowing with natural talent, he firmly suppressed his peers, and he too was the subject of envy.
Although up until now, no one had stepped forward to mediate the matter, there was no telling how many were waiting in the shadows to laugh at Han Yan’s misfortune.
What was more critical was that once Han Yan faced defeat and gave up the chance to join Long Yan Academy, not only would it be a source of ridicule, but it would also delay her for several years before the next academy selection. For a swordsman, the ages of sixteen or seventeen are the most precious times of youth. Such a delay could leave Han Yan with no chance for regret.
She might not be aware of the deeper issues at play, but just these two aspects alone were enough to cause Han Yan regret for a lifetime. The Family Head has been good to her, and the Mu Rui’an couple treated her like family; how could she wish to see Han Yan take such a risk for her and her daughter?
"Bitch!" Although Aunt Xiu’s status was low and she dared not utter the words ’sly plot’, how could Mu Chengxuan fail to grasp her implication? He slapped her across the face with a palm strike.
This slap was filled with rage and a trace of Qi. If it had hit her, Aunt Xiu would have been severely injured if not killed.
Han Yan raised a hand to block, and with a dull thud, both slightly staggered. Neither had used their full strength, so it was impossible to tell who was stronger from this single exchange.
"Mu Chengxuan, you truly are the perfect role model of a noble family’s son. Tsk tsk, so fond of the word ’bitch’? Is it all you think about every day? You just want to fight me, don’t you? Fine, I’ll oblige," Han Yan said with a cold laugh.
"All you have is your sharp tongue!" Mu Chengxuan’s face turned a shade darker.
"Young Master, you really don’t have to stand up for us mother and daughter. Being of low status, even our deaths wouldn’t warrant a second glance from others. It’s not worth you taking such a risk for us," Aunt Xiu said, wiping away tears as she looked at Han Yan.
Mu Yunshui looked at Han Yan with suspicion. It was obvious what Mu Chengxuan was up to, so surely Han Yan could see it, too?
Could it be that after his sword had grievously injured Zhao Yuanji that day, he no longer considered the world’s experts worth looking at?
He had already told Han Yan before that Mu Chengxuan’s strength was not less than his own. In truth, he was trying to save face by putting it mildly; in fact, Mu Chengxuan was also a Fifth Rank Sword Master, far stronger than him.
Zhao Yuanji was also a Fifth Rank Sword Master that day, on the same level as Mu Chengxuan. However, the Zhao Family of Heishi City was not even comparable to the Mu Family’s Zong Family. Whether it was in terms of perspectives, cultivation techniques, or swordsmanship, Zhao Yuanji could not stand up to Mu Chengxuan.
What was more, he reflected carefully on the battle that day, and he began to suspect that Zhao Yuanji’s strength was not entirely the product of his own hard work; it was likely related to the Heavenly Destiny Star Plate, and since he hadn’t been promoted for long, he wasn’t able to wield the full combat power of a Fifth Rank Sword Master, and certainly couldn’t compare to Mu Chengxuan, who was personally taught by the Supreme Elder of the Mu Family.
Also, when Han Yan made her move that day, Zhao Yuanji was already gravely injured, almost at the end of his rope, and certainly couldn’t bring out his strongest power.
If Han Yan, because of her victory over Zhao Yuanji, underestimated Mu Chengxuan, then she was in for a world of hurt.
(Is there an extra update today?)
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