"Young Master, this isn’t like you at all?" Zirong looked at Mu Hanyan, somewhat puzzled. Official source is n̷o̷v̷e̷l̷f̷i̷r̷e̷.net
He hadn’t exploded or started beating people up; he just swallowed their provocations, allowing them to taunt him. That wasn’t Big Playboy Mu’s style.
"Do you think I should have beaten them up, taught them a lesson, and made them obediently heed my words, not daring to challenge the authority of the City Lord Young Master again? Do you think I’m the kind of person who bullies others with power, or tyrannizes the weak without reason?" Mu Hanyan asked with disdain.
Huayue and Zirong, as well as Mu Nan, fell silent for a moment, then nodded together, looking as if they thoroughly agreed, just short of writing "yes" on their foreheads.
"I belong to the Mu Family by blood, after all; I, Mu Hanyan, can pick on outsiders, but how could I lay hands on my own family? Even if I want to make them submit, I would never use such a method. One day, I will make them see the real me, and have them sincerely pledge their loyalty to me from the bottom of their hearts!" That was when Mu Hanyan truly became furious and was tempted to resort to violence.
"Uh... to conquer with virtue, that’s what Young Master means, right? Truly, the one whom I, Zirong, follow! I’ve seen many young masters from other families, and isn’t every one of them misbehaving arrogantly due to their family’s status, even daring to hurt their own relatives ruthlessly? Only the Young Master has compassion for his kin, refusing to resort to force, instead wishing to win them over with virtue.
The Young Master is devoted to the bright moon, yet the moon shines upon the ditch, with no one understanding his intentions. I, Zirong, am fortunate to hear the Young Master’s heartfelt words, now understanding his painstaking efforts, and am more resolute in my loyalty unto death. Even if it means climbing mountains of blades or descending into seas of flames for the Young Master, I would not hesitate to take a knife for him." Zirong, quick-witted, spouted flattery before Mu Hanyan’s foot lashed out.
"Uh..." Huayue and Zirong both retched at the same time.
"Scram!" Originally undecided about using violence, Mu Hanyan found it unbearable after those words and kicked out.
The journey that followed was uneventful, for fear that Mu Hanyan would cause trouble, especially worried about his lasciviousness leading to stripping others of their clothes. Mu Ze dared not take the main roads and took side paths whenever possible, avoiding the few cities along the way as much as he could.
Though this made the journey more arduous, Mu Siyi was deprived of any opportunities to create mischief, which pleased Ze Xitian and the others greatly.
Seeing Mu Ze’s diligence, Mu Hanyan secretly laughed to himself, too lazy to say anything, and took every chance to focus on cultivation. Unknowingly, his strength had improved significantly, drawing him a step closer to becoming a Ninth Rank Swordsman.
Xiaoyang City, located outside Xiushui City, was a small town and a necessary stop en route to Xiushui City. Reaching there, Mu Ze could no longer avoid it.
The group dismounted and entered the town, with Mu Hanyan looking at the town with some curiosity.
Strictly speaking, Xiaoyang City and Xiushui City both were subordinate to Shanyang City, so they weren’t very large, even smaller than Heishi City.
However, Shanyang City was an essential pass for anyone traveling from the north to the south of Anyun Country to enter the Longyan Mountain, resulting in a fair number of adventurers and merchants on quests or trade journeys, which, in turn, brought prosperity to Xiaoyang City as well.
The weather was still hot this season, but as they entered the town at dusk, the breeze from Longyan Mountain blew through the small town, bringing some coolness, along with a light fragrance of grass and flowers.
After a day of sweltering heat, the townsfolk stepped outdoors, and vendors also set up their stalls along the streets, making the scene extraordinarily lively.