At daybreak, Mu Hanyan, as usual, got up, freshened up, and opened the courtyard door.
Outside, several maid servants were trimming the branches, quiet and calm. Seeing Mu Hanyan come out, they only glanced up before lowering their heads as usual. Two servants, only fifteen or sixteen years old, walked past the entrance of the courtyard, their gazes toward Mu Hanyan slightly wary, but not excessively unusual.
Mu Hanyan was somewhat surprised. The Mu family had always been lenient towards their servants without too many rules. These maid servants and young lads, being lively and unrestrained at the age of fifteen or sixteen, should not have been so calm knowing the result of her contest with Mu Feng, should they?
After all, these fellows were usually incredibly chatty and gossipy when they were idle.
"I’ve already imposed a gag order. Those who saw the result of your contest with Mu Feng have seen it, but they mustn’t let outsiders know," suddenly, the slightly deep and magnetic voice of Mu Rui’an sounded from beside her.
"Father," Mu Hanyan quickly bowed. After her rebirth, she had come to understand her father’s deep love for her, realizing that he was protecting her in his own way, and thus she was full of respect and affection for him.
Mu Rui’an slightly froze. Previously, Mu Hanyan’s respect for him as a father had outweighed familial affection, and her address was mostly formal. Hearing her affectionately calling him "Father" so early in the morning was somewhat unfamiliar to him.
"Come, let’s go inside and talk," Mu Rui’an closed the courtyard door and walked inside, his expression still stern as before, but his voice was much softer than usual.
Mu Hanyan’s heart inexplicably quickened. Over the years, her father had seemingly been indifferent towards her, almost a stranger, never even visiting her courtyard. Now that he had come so early in the morning, could it be that he was about to unveil some mystery? She had long suspected that the actions of her parents concealed other motives, but just didn’t know how to broach the subject. Now that her father had broached it himself, it was more than welcomed. ᴜᴘᴅᴀᴛᴇ ꜰʀᴏᴍ noᴠelfire.net
"When did your strength begin to improve?" Mu Rui’an asked as they reached the room.
Although he had given Mu Hanyan a Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill, he knew that just this pill couldn’t have enabled Mu Hanyan to advance from a First-level Swordsman to a Sixth-tier Knight in such a short time. In his opinion, Mu Hanyan’s strength must have greatly improved a while ago, and the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill was merely an additional boost.
As her father broached the topic of strength, Mu Hanyan didn’t wish to hide it and was about to explain everything about the Star Illusion Thousand Machine when a violent vibration from the Star Plate at her chest and a strong sense of warning surged into her mind.
Mu Hanyan swallowed the words at her lips and feigned contemplation, her hand "unintentionally" brushing against the Star Plate hanging on her chest.
"Do not speak, otherwise it will bring him a fatal disaster," a few rapid words flashed into her view, but her hand provided cover, so Mu Rui’an did not notice.
"It’s been a while now," Mu Hanyan replied vaguely.
The enigmatic Star Illusion Thousand Machine had appeared mysteriously by her side since the day she was reborn, and later helped her power surge. Everything about it seemed very mysterious, so Mu Hanyan could not ignore its warning.
"It’s been a while, huh, and even I didn’t notice," Mu Hanyan’s answer matched exactly with what Mu Rui’an had conjectured, so he had no reason to doubt. He nodded and said, "It seems you understand the principle that ’the tree in the forest is buffeted by the wind’ and know to keep a low profile. That is good. If it’s not necessary, do not easily reveal your strength, and conceal it as much as possible."