Chapter - 261 - It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Ye Qian's eyes momentarily glazed over as she murmured to herself, "So that's how it is..." Her words carried a hint of both regret and relief. On one hand, she wished her sister and Brother Mu could be closer, yet on the other, she didn't want her sister to leave her too far behind. However, the thought of her sister possibly being intimate with Brother Mu in the room tonight stirred a complex mix of jealousy and excitement within Ye Qian. These emotions roiled in her heart, causing her to gaze at Mu Zhi'an with a look full of complexity. "Did Brother Mu meet Princess Yongning today?" Ye Qian suddenly asked, looking up. "I ran into her on the way to the library... How does Qian'er even know about this?" Mu Zhi'an questioned, wondering if this little girl had been following him. "When I went out today, I met someone from the palace, and they just happened to mention you," Ye Qian explained. "Besides the princess, someone else from the palace came?" Mu Zhi'an's eyes flickered as he realized he might have overlooked something. Ye Qian nodded slightly. "It seemed to be an attendant of the Crown Prince, investigating something. They even asked me some questions." "The Crown Prince's attendant?" Mu Zhi'an muttered to himself. He quickly connected it to what Yan Ruyu mentioned earlier about the ominous aura. One's fortune couldn't possibly affect the dynasty's fate, but given the waning fortune of the Da Gan Dynasty, the helplessness of the national advisor, and the emperor's obsession with cultivation, it's natural for the Crown Prince to have concerns about the kingdom's downfall before he becomes emperor. Hence, he secretly tasked someone to investigate the ominous aura. Understanding this, Mu Zhi'an then shifted his gaze to the golden glimmers emanating from Ye Qian's skin and asked, "By the way, Qian'er, what's this light coming from you?" Ye Qian glanced at the soft glow emanating from her skin, then looked up at Mu Zhi'an, saying, "Isn't Brother Mu the same?" "You have a pink glow on you too." Mu Zhi'an was momentarily taken aback, and when he looked down at himself, he realized his own body was emitting a subtle pinkish glow, albeit with hints of red and even a touch of black... "This might be fortune," a familiar, melodious voice suddenly came from not too far behind. Following the voice, Mu Zhi'an turned his head. She was dressed in a black gown with a slender black ribbon around her waist. Her hair cascaded naturally down her back, tied at her calves with a white ribbon. Her attire was solely black and white, yet the dark fabric accentuated the alabaster fairness of her skin. His future young aunt had also been drawn out... Mu Zhi'an smiled, "Siyu, what brought you out here too?" Ye Siyu squinted her beautiful eyes, casually approaching with her hands behind her back, teasing, "Why do you sound so disappointed, as if I'm interrupting some good moment of yours?" Though she seemed to have a playful smile, there was a dangerous glint beneath it, as if confirming her suspicions about him. Despite being deeply connected with Ling Xuan, he didn't even spare her sister... Indeed, this guy is just as I suspected, quite a rogue. Mu Zhi'an shook his head, smiling, "Why would that be? I’m actually happy to see you here, even though it's a surprise." Ye Siyu gazed at Mu Zhi'an softly, and he met her gaze without hesitation. After a short moment, Ye Siyu huffed and remarked, "I'll let you off this time, but don't let me catch you red-handed, or I’ll tell my sister. If she finds out her daughter's boyfriend is unfaithful…" Her purpose at Erhead Sect wasn't strictly for the Ascension Conference, but to observe Mu Zhi'an closely and report the truth back to her sister. Mu Zhi'an sighed, "It seems you have some deep-seated misunderstanding about me, Siyu." Just as he was about to embrace both sisters, Ling Xuan and Qian'er, a new challenge arose in the form of their aunt. Looks like I should avoid getting too close to Qian'er here... Better save any intimacy for outside... "Do you know where this light around us is coming from?" Mu Zhi'an decided to change the subject. Then he noticed that besides himself and Ye Qian, Ye Siyu also had a similar golden glow around her. Though her cultivation level wasn't high, Ye Siyu had been around since ancient times, so her knowledge and experience far exceeded theirs—she might know what's going on. "Fortune," Ye Siyu revealed plainly. She scrutinized Mu Zhi'an again with her finger thoughtfully resting on her chin, "Though, why does your fortune look so peculiar...?" "I'm just as curious," Mu Zhi'an quipped. He then eyed Ye Siyu and asked, "Is this fortune? But why does it manifest this way?" "It has to do with that thing in the sky," Ye Siyu pointed to the bright moon in the night. "What is it...?" Mu Zhi'an queried in confusion. "The Dao," Ye Siyu answered. "The Heavens, Humanity, Earth—each Dao manifests in mysterious ways when comprehended. This time, it must be someone in the Glazed Pavilion grasping a strand of Dao, causing a reaction. It’ll fade soon." Before it dissipates, all cultivators’ fortunes are revealed in this form. Her eyes gleamed with intrigue, "But it seems the person who grasped the Dao is in the Glazed Pavilion. This makes the Ascension Conference more interesting." No one knows how powerful a godly realm cultivator who has grasped a strand of Dao will be, but you'll likely witness it at the Ascension Conference. When you discover it’s Ling Xuan’s sister, you’ll find it even more fascinating… Mu Zhi'an thought to himself. Recalling something, he looked at Ye Siyu, suddenly asking, "You said all fortune becomes visible?" Ye Siyu nodded slightly, "It's a sort of area-wide immortal technique, which only great powers can block out. It manifests on a cultivator's body." "If misfortune is excessive, it may even incur punishment from the heavens." "What's wrong?" Ye Siyu noticed Mu Zhi'an's odd expression, prompting her to ask curiously. Mu Zhi'an shook his head, smiling, "After Ling Xuan comes out, tell her I left early for something urgent. She doesn’t need to see me off—I’ll come by for her in a couple of days." With that, he turned and left De Xinyuan. Ye Siyu tilted her head slightly, watching him curiously. Ye Qian watched Mu Zhi'an's hurried departure, feeling a touch of worry. It was her first time seeing Mu Zhi'an so anxious. --- *Heaven and Harmony Courtyard* Lan Mu Lian descended gracefully, arriving at the entrance of Heaven and Harmony Courtyard. A faint golden glow surrounded her—an embodiment of fortune. Her gaze swept across the courtyard, quickly spotting a maid in a yellow dress, enveloped in ominous black mist. "He hasn't returned to Heaven and Harmony Courtyard tonight. You’ve come to the wrong place," Wei Meng Ruo informed her. With a thoughtful look in her eyes, Lan Mu Lian murmured softly, "It seems tonight’s celestial phenomenon indeed relates to him?" Mu Zhi'an had always had a unique constitution, often causing disturbances. Hence, Lan Mu Lian had her suspicions before coming. Soon, she collected her thoughts and her eyes settled serenely on Wei Meng Ruo. The maid, with her exquisite beauty, was almost entirely cloaked in dark mist, the deep black stark against her fair skin. Even her legs beneath the yellow dress were covered by the profound dark glow. "What's with your fortune? It seems more exaggerated than before?" Lan Mu Lian hesitated for a moment, scrutinizing Wei Meng Ruo more closely. Wei Meng Ruo lightly shook her head, "I'm not sure, but it doesn't affect anything, so it's alright." Despite her words, a shadow of gloom passed through her eyes. Despite her efforts to suppress her misfortune with the bronze fragment, tonight’s events suggested its return—though not affecting daily life, it was unsettling. Suddenly, Wei Meng Ruo sensed something and glanced beyond Heaven and Harmony Courtyard. "What is it?" Lan Mu Lian asked. "Seems like someone’s trying to enter. You rest here, senior sister. I will check." Wei Meng Ruo replied. Heaven and Harmony Courtyard had arrays that only recognized specific individuals; others couldn’t enter unless forcibly breaking through the formations. Clearly, this outsider must have never been to the Heaven and Harmony Courtyard before. With that in mind, Wei Mengruo gracefully stepped outside the courtyard. What came into view was a young man with a sharp, somewhat mean-spirited face. He looked excited, as if seeking credit, and pointed at Wei Mengruo, saying, "Grand Tutor, see, I was right! Her fortune isn't like regular bad luck at all!" Beside this young man stood an old man, referred to as the Grand Tutor. His cloudy eyes scrutinized Wei Mengruo before his gaze turned meaningfully thoughtful. "Such misfortune is indeed quite unusual." As he spoke, he continued to eye the black aura surrounding Wei Mengruo, as if she were some rare specimen, causing her expression to grow cold. "Who are you two?" The old man responded with a gentle smile, "Young lady, I am the Grand Tutor serving the current Crown Prince, here concerning matters of national fortune." "What does the nation's fortune have to do with me?" Wei Mengruo frowned slightly. "The ominous aura is a mysterious anomaly. It brings great misfortune upon a dynasty, causing its fortune to collapse. The national advisor's divinations have shown that the ominous aura resides within the Erhead Sect. Thus, we are here for this purpose." The Grand Tutor, smiling, observed the black glow around Wei Mengruo, with a hint of dread in his muddled eyes. Nevertheless, this mission was commanded by the national advisor and must be completed regardless. Having searched the sect all day without locating the source of the ominous aura, the celestial phenomenon turned out to be a great aid. If not for this phenomenon revealing every cultivator’s fortune, they might have never discovered that a maid of such stunning beauty bore such astonishing misfortune. "Would the young lady care to accompany us to the Da Gan Dynasty? Our national advisor has matters to discuss with you," the Grand Tutor asked politely, though his tone left little room for refusal. Sensitive to others' malice, Wei Mengruo immediately sensed their hostile intent and replied coolly, "Not interested." With that, she turned to leave. At this moment, the Crown Prince’s attendant suddenly spoke, "No one dares to touch Mu Zhi'an within Erhead Sect, but the Mu family is not within its walls... Do you really intend to go against us?" Wei Mengruo halted her steps, glancing back coldly at the two men. The Grand Tutor, playing the good cop, remarked kindly, "Young lady, the national advisor simply wants to know if the nation's fortune is linked to the ominous aura. If you could, we would appreciate your cooperation." "After all, you wouldn't want to cause trouble for those around you, would you?" he added, though his gaze carried a hint of menace. Had they not been within the Erhead Sect, he wouldn’t need to be so courteous and could subdue her directly. While a godly cultivator is indeed powerful, they can still be subdued by an immortal on earth. "Consider your young master's future if not your own?" the attendant smirked, having found the maid's weakness. Wei Mengruo hesitated momentarily, her lips parting as if to say something. The Grand Tutor gestured invitingly, smiling, "Please." After a brief pause, she was about to reluctantly step forward. Just then, a familiar voice rang in her ears, "I've been with her for nearly ten years and wouldn't dare threaten her, so who the hell do you think you are?" Stunned by the blunt crude language, the Grand Tutor's expression turned angry. Yet, upon seeing the young man, he forced a thin smile, "Ah, so it’s Young Master Mu. Your presence is timely; we have some matters to discuss with you today." "Not interested. Please, both of you, leave," Mu Zhi'an responded bluntly. Then he took Wei Mengruo by the hand, intending to lead her back into the Heaven and Harmony Courtyard without even glancing at the pair. At exactly that moment, Lan Mu Lian and Bai Ruoxi, presumably aware of the commotion outside, also stepped out of the courtyard. Observing the dynamic between the master and his maid, and then glancing at the two individuals from the imperial court who seemed a bit displeased, they quickly surmised what was happening. "Young Master, this is a serious matter. If the nation's fortune collapses, the Da Gan Dynasty will be destroyed. Would you heartlessly see its citizens displaced?" the Grand Tutor attempted to leverage the weight of patriotism. Holding Wei Mengruo's hand, Mu Zhi'an glanced at the duo, suddenly smiling, "You ought to ask your emperor why he neglects his duties and instead drains the treasury for cultivation. Were I you, I’d petition him to change his ways, rather than blaming one individual’s fortune." "Are you questioning the sage emperor?!" the attendant spat angrily. "The actions of this emperor are the very definition of foolishness," Mu Zhi'an mocked. "I will report this to His Majesty—" Before he could finish, Mu Zhi'an cut in, "Do you dare swear on the Great Dao that your emperor isn’t a fool? Swear now and I’ll accompany Sister Mengruo to the Da Gan Dynasty." "You—" "If you won't swear, it shows you think the current emperor is foolish too," Mu Zhi'an taunted. The attendant was so infuriated that his spiritual aura nearly destabilized, almost prompting him to act. Yet the Grand Tutor remained composed, placing a steadying hand on the attendant's shoulder. He glanced at Mu Zhi'an, maintaining a smile, "Young Master Mu, I understand your deep bond with your maid. We mean no harm, only that the national advisor wishes to discuss matters with her."