Shameless Father-in-Law
“Welcome back, Son. Your grandpa and I were just talking about you?”
“You started spreading tripe here, too?” Mu Yu grouched.
Mu Tianhe recounted, “Mu Yu, you should’ve notified us you got married. Also, had your father-in-law not arrived, we would be in trouble by now.”
“Can you tell me what happened?”
Mu Zhexing detailed, “Eight days ago, a group of advanced cultivators – the highest being Body Synthesis Realm cultivators – came to the city out of nowhere and came to us in droves, claiming you are colluding with elemental demons. I was completely in the dark. Had Mr. Bai not arrived in time, our clan might not have made it.”
“They will perish,” Mu Yu muttered under his breath, resulting in his Mu Zhexing and Mu Tianhe recoiling.
“Mu Yu, you are Mu Yu, right?” queried Mu Tianhe.
Mu Yu suppressed his bloodlust as much as he could and forced a smile. “I’m fine, Grandpa. Sorry for implicating all of you.”
“Family go through thick and thin together. We’ll support you even if it means opposing the entire world as I know you’re clear about what you’re doing. In fact, you surpass me in that facet.”
“Grandpa, I…” Mu Yu stopped himself, mulling, Do I really have to tell them that I massacred a city?
“Don’t worry about it. I don’t believe any of the rumours floating around. Our clan would already be history if you were the man they describe. This isn’t the first time someone has frame you. Didn’t they used to claim you’re conspiring with the evil Archfiend Baiyuan? Nothing ever happened, right?” comforted Mu Tianhe.
Mu Yu shot Archfiend Baiyuan a warning when the latter wanted to speak up. Archfiend Baiyuan shrugged and said, “Mr. Mu, Archfiend Baiyuan is actually a tall, striking, cool, gentlemanly elder, a mentor to Mu Yu. Together, they braved Hell on Earth. You need to have faith in your grandson. Birds of the same feather flock together. His friends share his ideals. You must not buy into rumours.”
“You are right, Mr. Bai. Mu Yu, they say Qiao Xue is your junior, so she must be True God’s disciple. Mr. Bai is also a friend of True God, so you two are a perfect match. It’s unfortunate I haven’t had the fortune of meeting my daughter-in-law yet.”
“Brother Mu Yu, I also want to meet her,” pleaded Mu Xin, coquettishly tugging Mu Yu’s hand.
Wrestling with himself to keep his hand warm, Mu Yu promised, “This is rather sudden. I’ll bring her back when I’m done with business.”
Mu Zhexing kept stealing glances Mu Yu’s way.
Archfiend Baiyuan conveyed, “Qiao Xue is currently training under her mother’s guidance, which is why she can’t be here. I’ll bring her over in the future. We can’t be impolite unlike some people, who refuse to address their father-in-law properly despite having visited his in-laws.”
“Mu Yu, you can’t do that. I did say I wouldn’t interfere in your marriage, but you have to address your father-in-law properly, okay?” lectured Mu Tianhe.
“Grandpa, I need to have a word with him in private. We’ll have our talk later.” Mu Yu gestured for Archfiend Baiyuan to follow him with his head and walked off.
“We need to do something about his tendency to be shy around everyone,” remarked Archfiend Baiyuan, getting out of his chair.
“I apologise, Mr. Bai. His shyness comes from his mother. He will change,” voiced Mu Zhexing.
***
Archfiend Baiyuan strolled into the courtyard and plopped onto a stone chair. “What does my son-in-law have to say to me?”
“Thank you.”
“Is that sincere? Is it the same as the last thanks you gave me?”
“Did you tell my family about what happened to me?”
“You want them to know?”
“No.”
“Well, I haven’t said anything, but whether or not it stays that way depends on your attitude.” Archfiend Baiyuan crossed his legs in anticipation, but no response ever came. “Oi, you’re supposed to rage: ‘you threatening me?!’ Say it!”
Archfiend Baiyuan wanted to hear the question so that he could conceitedly reply, “Damn right I am!” to get back at Mu Yu for shutting him down in front of Hai Dongqing’s altar.
“… Listen, Runt, I’m sick and tired of your cold attitude. I’d rather you bite back!”
Mu Yu just kept staring.
“Stupid runt, bloody has to mess with that stupid bloodlust energy to kill what sparse remaining brain cells he had. Ah, whatever. I’m here to protect Hai Dongqing. Since Third Heaven Palace is targeting the five of you, your family will become a hindrance to us. And so, let’s make a deal.”
“Out with it.”
“In return for protecting your family, you must bring Hai Dongqing’s heart back in three months. Should you be late, I’ll also stop protecting your family, and whatever happens to them is not my problem.”
Since Mu Yu was not going to be able to stay at Clearwater City with all the tasks on hand, he had no choice but to reply, “All right. Show my family some respect, and keep a lid on the truths.”
“Hehe, I’m your father-in-law, after all. Your grandpa and I get along. I have to guard Hai Dongqing, so I’ll stay here for now. Your grandpa is a good man. I need to be closer to him to ensure my daughter’s place in Mu Clan is protected.”
“No attitude and no threats.”
“I wouldn’t do any of that. I’m an exemplary father-in-law, after all. I’m not the kind to bully the weak. Reason is my weapon.”
“Shamelessness is your weapon, you mean,” Xiaoshuai corrected.
“Shut up!” Recalling Xiaoshuai’s gluttonous nature, Archfiend Baiyuan slyly proposed, “Kid, I heard there’s a place called Yihong Restaurant in this city that makes wonderful roast suckling pig. You want to go there?”
“Really?!”
“You’re not going,” asserted Mu Yu, shoving Xiaoshuai back inside his shirt.
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