Zhu Qiuqi
Mu Yu found a hobby in drinking ever since coming to Clearwater City, one that he enjoyed at night, and tonight, where the moon’s light created a thin silver veil was no exception – minus the fact that his father joined him on the opposite side of the table. Sure, Mu Yu used to share drinks with Cai Lie, but he wasn’t sold on it yet back in those days.
Mu Zhexing didn’t know how to broach the topic of Mu Yu’s past or express his feelings even though he was busting to.
“Want a drink?” Mu Yu inquired.
“I’ve quit.”
Mu Yu poured himself a drink. “I’ve started to like drinking.”
Mu Zhexing smiled. “You bear a striking resemblance to her; I felt you two were similar from the first time I met you.”
“Is that why you slept in my courtyard?”
“I wanted to verify my suspicions. I thought it was just coincidence. Of course, part of me didn’t feel comfortable leaving Xin with a stranger because she trusts people too easily… You want to know about your mother?”
Mu Yu probably had some feelings towards his mother, but it was no longer yearning. He was no longer interested. He couldn’t fathom under what condition a mother would abandon her child; however, he felt it would be polite if he let his father speak – he could sense his father’s urge.
“Go on.”
Maybe he wanted to remind himself of her. Maybe he wanted to share with his son. Either way, a smile came to his lips as he recounted, “Qiuqi was from an ordinary family, kind and had great aptitude for cultivation. I loved to drink without using my spiritual energy to expel it. Just so you know, that means you’re drinking as an ordinary human does. One day, I flopped at her door, and she kindly took me in for a night.
“She used her spiritual qi to expel the alcohol in me, which struck the wrong nerve on me. I flipped out at her, only for her to pinch my ear and warn me to never get drunk again. I later learnt that I puked all over her place, yet she still kindly washed my clothes for me. Even though she lectured me, I found it fun, so I deliberately passed out at her door over and over.”
“Basically, you’re a thug,” Mu Yu remarked cheerfully.
“I guess so. She took me in every time, nevertheless, and would lecture me again. Gradually, I fell for her, and we started dating. I seldom drank after getting with her because she didn’t like my drunken state. Before we knew it, she had you.
“I just had to be the younger master everyone lauded and was locked into an engagement deal with Yan Clan. I was afraid to tell your grandpa about my relationship with Qiuqi, worried he’d oppose to the idea. I stole a piece of green stone as everyone in the clan receives one and eloped with Qiuqi as Primordial Infant Realm cultivators. When your grandpa found out and caught us, we pled him to let us go. We told him Qiuqi was pregnant with you. He, however, was so busy fuming over the business deal with Yan Clan that fell through as a result of my actions. He demanded Qiuqi get an abortion, so I helped her escape and turned myself in.”
Anger flitted across Mu Zhexing’s face as he reached the part of separation.
“Where did you run to?”
“A secluded place near Mist City called Moyun Mountains. That’s all I know; I don’t know where Qiuqi took you. I was grounded after I was taken home. He wanted me to succeed him as patriarch, so I drank as a means of rebelling against him. I met Qiuqi again two years later after she gave birth to you. She feared my dad would kill you, so she refused to divulge your whereabouts.”
“She loved you to the point she was willing to leave me?”
Mu Zhexing shook his head. “I noticed something missing from her when I was reunited with her, but I couldn’t my finger on what it was. Dad later told me that he had an alchemist from Pill Cauldron Sect diagnose her and discovered she was missing the wood element from her body, resulting in her losing wood original qi constantly. That’s not normal. Unfortunately, I couldn’t figure out what was causing it.”
Mu Yu mulled, That means… I killed my mother. I must’ve been the one who threw off the balance in her body. Now I know what Qiao Xue meant when she said she caused her mother’s death! Did Cheng Yan, Lie Shang and Xiang Nan also kill their mothers the same way?
“Sorry,” Mu Yu muttered, realising he misunderstood his mother when he assumed she was just heartless.
“Sorry for what? We should be the sorry ones, no? She told me she hoped you could be with the one you loved unlike us.”
Everything she did was for my sake, my freedom, Mu Yu realised.
Clouds had shrouded the moon without them being aware as both of them were lost in their memories and thoughts.
“Let bygones be bygones. Live on, and live on well for your mother’s sake. We need to take care of Mu Clan.”
“I will cherish this life she gave me,” responded Mu Yu, then whispering to himself, “For the sake of everyone who gave me life. I swear it.”
Mu Zhexing suddenly knocked back a cup.
“I thought you said you quit.”
“That was my last drink.”
“Let’s get drunk together this once.” Mu Yu spawned a wooden cup for himself.
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