Outsider
I’ve never had any plans to search for my parents because I can’t tell if I’d forgive them or not. There’s no way I’m not bittered about being abandoned at two years old. I’ve wondered why my parents ditched me before; however, I don’t know how to face them if I really am their son
I don’t know if their decision was right if they really are my parents. If I really want to blame someone, it boils to Mu Tianhe’s obstinate desire for gains and fame! I don’t want to think about this, but it is ticking me off!
I had to watch all the other kids enjoy their parents while my face was green. While they were smiling and laughing, I was staring at the entrance to the village and hoping for the best. I used to want to see my parents back at the village and, arguably, even during my time at Mount Dustfallen. I, nonetheless, no longer have any desire to see them now.
Mu Yu inquired, “Is there anything else that can prove his affiliation?”
“I am not too sure if Mu Yu has it, but everyone in our clan h-”
“Dad, First Uncle and Second Uncle are tormenting Fourth Uncle again!” Mu Hao shouted, scampering into the courtyard.
“Again? What sort of brothers are they?! Sorry, Feng Mu, but please excuse me for a moment.”
Mu Yu felt vexed for some reason. He didn’t have the foggiest idea what it was all about, but he followed after the father and son duo after they hurried off. Outside the spacious courtyard were gossiping servants. Though the estate was clean and tidy, the same couldn’t be said for the mouths and minds of the inhabitants.
“Stop!” Mu Rongxuan demanded, barging into the courtyard.
In the alcohol-reeking courtyard, Mu Zhexing, who was drenched from head to toe, was tied up to a cross as if he was about to be crucified.
“Third Brother, stay out of this. If he refuses to tell us if True God’s disciple is his son or not, our clan is doomed,” voiced Mu Mingda, the eldest son of Mu Clan, splashing water from the bucket in his hand onto Mu Zhexing’s face.
Mu Jitong, the second eldest son of Mu Clan, concurred, “Mu Clan’s future looks bleak. Sikong Gaoming is pushing the envelope because he has Sikong Qiwen backing him. If we want to oppose Sikong Clan, we need Mu Yu.”
Mu Mingda and Mu Jitong were Primordial Infant Realm Ninth Layer Cultivators running for candidacy as the next patriarch of Mu Clan.
“How do you expect Fourth Brother to know if True God’s disciple is our descendant or not? He hasn’t confirmed it. You think he’d just leave his son out there if True God’s disciple was his son?” Mu Rongxuan vehemently remonstrated.
“Fourth Brother stole a family tree stone, and I’m dead certain he gave it to his child and that he knows where Mu Yu was born. With that information, we can find out where Mu Yu was born and prove our theory. We can then find him and tell him the truth. Mu Yu will help us for sure,” Mu Jitong proclaim.
“You know as well as I do that our clan owes Mu Yu. You want him to help out of the blue? You must be the drunk one around here. You think he wants to see you two tormenting his father if he’s our descendant?!” Mu Rongxuan snapped.
Mu Mingda digressed, stating, “We’re not torturing him. We’re trying to bring him to his senses. He’s been in his drunken stupor for over two decades already. It’s time he wakes up!”
“We can pamper him all you want if we have Qingfan without a complaint, but our businesses are facing a crisis now! We’re history if nothing changes!” Mu Jitong added.
“Let’s presume Mu Yu would help us. It still won’t make any different because True God’s disciple’s whereabouts have always been a mystery. How are we going to find him?”
Mu Rongxuan tried to release Mu Zhexing, but Mu Mingda prevented him, saying, “We have a fix for that. Once we confirm his lineage and spread the word, he’ll come help us.”
Standing under a tree and watching on, Mu Yu thought, I don’t know what makes you two think I’d just help Mu Clan. You think I’ll help just because we’re related by blood?
“You done yet?!” Mu Tianhe entered the courtyard, glaring at his sons. “Release Zhexing!”
Mu Mingda and Mu Jiting immediately released Mu Zhexing from the cross. Mu Zhexing lied sprawled out on the ground, eyes shut as though he had no clue what took place and what was going on.
Everyone lowered their heads in silence as Mu Tianhe cast his gaze on them. He lectured, “Nobody is to interrogate him again! Stop deluding yourself that Mu Yu is our descendant, and stop stepping on his name. You want to be the laughing stock of the city?!”
Mu Jitong and Mu Mingda quietly clicked their tongues in annoyance.
“If Mu Clan is to rise, Mu Clan must stand united, not rely on someone else for help. How am I supposed to trust you to lead if this is your idea of leading? When someone attacks you, you meet him with your fists; you don’t look around and ask someone to help. Jitong, the next time you ask a doctor or some voodoo goon to treat Zhexing, you’ll be in for it!”
“Yes, Dad, I promise not to do it again,” Mu Jitong lowered his head and solemnly promised, albeit not having given up on finding Mu Yu.
Despite what the one scenario might’ve implied, the four brothers were actually on the same wave length and determined to do better for Mu Clan. Unfortunately, unity didn’t necessarily make up for lack of power.
“I heard someone erased that traitor Mu Santu’s cultivation yesterday, and it, apparently, has to do with Mu Hao and Mu Xin. What exactly happened, Rongxuan?” Tian Muhe inquired.
Mu Rongxuan looked over his shoulder and dawdled. As Mu Yu told him not to mention his involvement, Mu Rongxuan answered, “Sikong Qiwu ordered Mu Santu to kill Hao. Fortunately, a mysterious man saved Hao and erased Mu Santu’s cultivation.”
“Mu Santu was a Primordial Infant Realm Ninth Layer cultivator, so the person who erased his cultivation must be a Body Severing Realm cultivator. Who is he? Did you check?” Mu Tianhe enthusiastically asked.
“… I do not know, Dad.”
“What?! You didn’t look into who our saviour was? Must I hold your hand all the time?!” Mu Tianhe looked around for Hao and gestured for his grandson to come over. “Hao, come over.”
“Yes, Grandpa?” Mu Hao stepped forward and responded.
“Do you remember who saved you yesterday?”
Mu Hao sneaked a quick gander his father’s way. Mu Rongxuan sent his son a blink.
“He left right after saving me, so I do not know who he is.”
Mu Tianhe visibly shrunk in disappointment. He scrubbed Mu Hao’s head and conveyed, “It’s disappointing, but I’m glad you’re not hurt. Sigh, you can all leave now. I’m going to have a word with Zhexing in private.”
Mu Yu remained on a tree while everyone else went their own way. Mu Yu had no intention of forgiving Mu Tianhe even if the elder was his grandpa. He, as a matter of fact, never took a liking to the elder.
The gentle breeze dropped a leaf on Mu Zhexing’s face. Mu Tianhe heaved a woeful breath as he watched his son lying on the ground.
“Zhexing, I know you still resent me for what I did, and I regret what I did. Even so, you have to bear in mind that we had to link up with Dongfang Clan if we were to oppose Yan Clan; I couldn’t let Mu Clan fall. It’s too late to change the past now. Our nemesis is no longer Dongfang Clan or Yan Clan but Sikong Clan. You must pick yourself up now.
“I’m aware it’s my fault that you’re separated from your child. I wish I could turn back time to prevent Zhu Qiuqi’s demise since your child is my grandchild, at the end of the day. I didn’t realise the events would be such a big blow to you. I suppose our plight is my comeuppance.
“I have a sense of pride. I’ve never deluded myself into believing Mu Yu is our descendant. All I ask is that you pick yourself up to help us get out of this mire we’re in. You were an outstanding cultivator in your youth – not to mention that you’ve surpassed me. I no longer am the same man I was in my youth. You’re our only hope now.”
Despite how despondent Mu Tianhe appeared, Mu Zhexing just kept snoring away. As for Mu Yu, he still deemed himself an outsider.
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