Chapter 84

Chapter 84

When Xie Qingfeng and his companions left the restaurant, Mu Dong's party had been waiting outside the private room. Upon seeing Xie Qingfeng, Mu Dong immediately stood up and approached.

Apologetically, Mu Dong said, “Mr. Xie, I’m sorry about earlier. Those three are distant relatives, and I didn’t expect them to be so rude to you. Rest assured, our families aren’t close, and we won’t help them anymore.”

Mu Dong was concerned that Xie Qingfeng might dislike them due to Mu Zhilan's family, especially since they had intended to seek Xie Qingfeng's help in a few days.

Xie Qingfeng bore no ill will towards Mu Dong's family over Mu Zhilan's behavior, acknowledging it was unrelated to them.

“No need to worry, Mr. Mu. Mu Zhilan's behavior is their own issue and not related to you. It’s just a personal grudge,” Xie Qingfeng reassured, noticing Mu Dong's hesitance. In a good mood, he offered, “Is there something else you need help with?”

Mu Dong, surprised and grateful, responded, “Actually, I was planning to contact Mr. He in a few days. It’s fortunate to meet you here. I do have a matter to discuss, involving my second son.”

Xie Qingfeng glanced back at the private room and led the way inside.

Mu's father, seeing this, breathed a sigh of relief, his previously furrowed brow relaxing into a smile towards Jing Xi and Hao Jixin, guarding the door like guardians: "Thank you, gentlemen, for your help."

Jing Xi was indifferent to Xie Qingfeng's decision, while Hao Jixin glanced at Mu's father, confident in the latter's generosity. There was no need to discuss remuneration upfront; they wouldn't dare shortchange the Master.

Mu's father sought help for the same issue as last time. After Xie Qingfeng helped the Mu family resolve a past incident, Mu Bin finally cleared the wrongful accusations that had plagued him for years. His entire demeanor changed for the better, showing immense respect and admiration for the Master.

After hearing Master Xie's words, Mu's father immediately investigated and was shocked by what he found, just as the Master had said.

He never expected his second son, Mu Zhong, to have been scheming so much over the years, each action indicating his ambition and dissatisfaction with him and Mu Qi.

Back in junior high, Mu Zhong had initially planned to test his scheme on the adopted son, Mu Bin, to see if pushing him down the stairs would result in a crippling injury. If successful, he would then target his elder brother, Mu Qi.

He and Mu Qi were twins, but according to the Mu family's rules, Mu Qi was the elder, even if only by a slight margin. So naturally, Mu Qi was to inherit the family business.

True to this, Mu's father had groomed Mu Qi as the successor from childhood, much to Mu Zhong's dissatisfaction. They were born on the same day, but because he was born ten minutes later, Mu Qi was esteemed, and he, Mu Zhong, was always second.

It seemed almost predestined – Mu Zhong's talents were indeed inferior to his brother's. Despite his efforts, he always fell short, and under the shadow of his brother, he grew increasingly twisted, wondering if crippling Mu Qi would allow him to take his place. Would the Mu family then be his alone? But just in case, he couldn't overlook the adopted son either.

Mu Zhong had a meticulous plan, supposedly foolproof, but perhaps due to nervousness on his first attempt, along with Mu Bing's good luck, Mu Zhong didn't push Mu Bing down but fell himself.

Thus, he proved one thing – falling can indeed lead to disability, only it was he who became disabled.

Later, Mu Zhong turned himself from an aggressor into a victim. After all, no one would think he would cripple himself. Mu Bing became the scapegoat by default, the adopted son removed, but the person Mu Zhong truly wanted to eliminate was unharmed, and he lost his chance.

Mu Zhong was disheartened for a while, and with time, he simply went abroad, pretending to be in a sanatorium for treatment while actually using the money from Chairman Mu to pave his way.

Chairman Mu sighed at this point, looking haggard with dark circles under his eyes. Since learning the truth, he hadn't slept well for many days, feeling it was his fault for not raising his son well. But now that he knew, he couldn’t let it continue.

"If you do wrong, you must be punished. I won’t show favoritism. Once I find him, I’ll handle it legally. It’s just that I can’t find Mu Zhong anywhere."

"I contacted the sanatorium, and they said he rarely stays there, just having someone impersonate him. I checked his immigration records; he returned to the country a year ago, but where exactly, I don’t know. I’m worried about this recent incident with Mu Qi... if I can’t find him, will he continue to target Mu Qi?" Chairman Mu was sure this son was capable of such things. After all, he even plotted against his own brother, thinking that crippling his brother wouldn’t replace him. Only if something happens to Mu Qi or he dies, could Mu Zhong naturally take his place.

Such a person's psychology is twisted; familial ties mean nothing to him.

Xie Qingfeng had already figured out his intentions: "So, you want me to calculate where he is for you?"

Chairman Mu nodded: "I want to catch him myself. He’s done wrong, and it can’t continue."

Xie Qingfeng appreciated Chairman Mu's willingness to prioritize justice over family ties. If he was lenient, it would only bring more trouble to their family: "I can indeed calculate where he is for you, but are you sure just the three of you can catch him?"

He had only seen a photo of Mu Zhong, not a recent one, so he couldn’t tell his current situation from his past facial features. However, he was sure of one thing: the person with Mu Zhong, who could inflict such harm on Mu Qi and remain undetected, must be skilled.

Ordinary bodyguards can’t handle such a person and might even increase the danger, merely delivering themselves to the enemy.

Hao Jixin chimed in at the right moment: “Even if you guys have bodyguards, Mu Zhong probably has people around him too. If they could target Mu Qi once, they could do the same to you. This isn't about physical strength; even the best fighter can’t always win. Of course, our master won’t let such people continue to cause harm, but our master is busy and visiting them would consume a lot of his spiritual power…”

Mu's father had been struggling with how to ask the Master for help, fearing that the recent incident might have left the Master displeased with the Mu family. Hearing the offer, he eagerly said, "Master, please help us with this matter. I understand the consumption of spiritual energy requires jade stones, which our family can provide. In addition, we will pay an additional twenty million dollars. Just help us catch that unfilial son and put him where he belongs. If you have any other requests, feel free to make them."

Mu's father was well aware that his second son was beyond redemption. He might have overlooked his actions once, but the son would not do the same. Instead of leaving a ticking time bomb, it's better to send him away for reform. Maybe there's still a chance to set him straight.

Hao Jixin was pleased with his cooperation. Since the Master had indicated his willingness to help, it was likely he would intervene. The Master might ignore the predetermined fate of others, but if someone maliciously manipulates another's destiny, the Master can't just stand by.

Now that the Mu family was offering jade stones and compensation, this trip would definitely be worthwhile.

Hao Jixin grinned at Xie Qingfeng, meeting the Master's approving gaze. He then glanced at Jing Xi, chin lifted slightly. No matter how strong someone is, can they make money for the Master? He can, because it's the brains that count.

Jing Xi: "...Is he boasting now?"

"Which box of gold in my treasury isn’t ten times more than this?"

But he had to admit, this kid’s ability to seize opportunities for profit was something he couldn’t match. Not saying much, let Hao Jixin gloat for now. When it’s time to train him, he’ll learn why he calls him 'Master', definitely leaving him crying for mercy.

It was already late, so Xie Qingfeng and the Mu family agreed to recalculate Mu Zhong's whereabouts the next morning.

The next morning, Xie Qingfeng awoke and removed the barriers he had set around. With his improved spiritual cultivation, his hearing and sight had enhanced, so even the faintest sounds were clear and seemed to play in slow motion. Therefore, he usually suppressed these senses, especially setting barriers at night.

However, his sense of taste remained unchanged. He woke up to the aroma of food, knowing without a doubt that Jing Xi had gotten up early to prepare breakfast.

While washing up, Xie Qingfeng raised his head, water droplets cascading down his face. He had never paid much attention to his looks, seeing them so often, but this time, looking in the mirror, the young man's face appeared cold and indifferent, as if nothing and no one could stir his emotions.

Xie Qingfeng pondered how he could have possibly won Jing Xi's affections, given his cold and detached nature. He found the emperor's taste peculiar, yet the depth of Jing Xi's feelings, even under restraint, was palpable to him.

He couldn't fathom what intense emotions drove Jing Xi to risk everything to be in his era. What if his gamble had failed?

Xie Qingfeng wasn't even aware of all that Jing Xi had done for him, and feared that with time's passage, Jing Xi might gradually fade from his memory.

While Xie Qingfeng had affection for his master and brothers, he never considered returning to his past life after his death and subsequent arrival in this era. He accepted his fate and the reality of his sacrifice for his country.

Jing Xi's feelings, however, seemed to open up a world completely different from his own.

Xie Qingfeng's world was a tranquil, uneventful one, focused solely on cultivation and culinary delights, indifferent to much else. In contrast, Jing Xi seemed wholly consumed by him.

Feeling a stir in his heart, Xie Qingfeng looked at his reflection again, quickly regaining composure, and went out to find Jing Xi greeting him from the kitchen: "You're awake? Breakfast is ready."

Xie Qingfeng acknowledged and helped set the table, noting the spread: "You know, just buying some food in the morning would have been enough."

Jing Xi, nonchalant, enjoyed preparing meals for Xie Qingfeng, believing homemade food conveyed his love more genuinely than anything bought.