Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 76: The Debt Collector

Mu Residence, Inner Chambers.

Mu Qingyao sat dazedly on the edge of her bed, her expression downcast.

The once vast and bustling estate was now hollow and deserted, with only a few elderly servants remaining. The lively days filled with voices were gone forever; every direct member of the Mu family, including the family head Mu Qingzhou, had been taken and imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison.

If not for Mu Qingyao’s status as a disciple of the Sword Palace, which granted her a special exemption, she too would have been thrown behind bars.

Misfortune never comes singly. When the imperial decree for confiscation arrived at the Mu Residence, Mu Qingyao nearly lost control and almost cut down the court official delivering the edict.

Left with no choice, she locked herself in her chamber, racking her brain for a way out. The clamor of officials’ footsteps outside only agitated her further, making it impossible to devise any strategy.

This was a calamity upon the Mu family, a disaster from nowhere; with her strength alone, she was powerless to change anything.

“Tyrant!”

Mu Qingyao gripped her Flower Spirit Sword tightly, her teeth clenched in anger.

She yearned to storm into the Golden Throne Hall and slay the emperor sitting atop the dragon throne, yet she knew she was powerless to do so. With her cultivation, she would be cut down by palace guards before ever catching sight of the emperor.

Though a Sword Child in the Qi Refinement Realm—an extraordinary status—it was still far from enough to defy the ruler of a nation. Even her master could not achieve such a feat.

The mundane dynasties were deeply intertwined with the world of cultivation, serving as fertile soil for sects and able to rise and fall by their own accord—but never to be manipulated by outsiders.

As a Sword Child, Mu Qingyao knew far more than any other disciple of the Sword Palace. She was well aware that Yan and its neighboring kingdoms, even the barbarian tribes, were all under the domain of the Spirit Sword Sect. Within these lands, the sect was the true master. Killing the emperor would only bring down the wrath and judgment of the sect’s higher authority.

And by then, the consequences would be far worse than mere imprisonment of her family.

It was precisely her awareness of the Spirit Sword Sect’s might and terror that kept Mu Qingyao from acting rashly, forcing her to watch helplessly as the Mu estate was slowly emptied.

“I am truly useless...”

Once more, Mu Qingyao tasted the bitterness of helplessness and despair. She could neither protect her family nor her family’s property.

A crash sounded.

The door was kicked open, and a woman in official robes entered—over thirty years old, with a cold and arrogant look.

Trailing behind her was a timid eunuch—Eunuch Nan, who had been repeatedly humiliated by Yun Que.

“It’s this room. Take everything,” the woman said coldly, casting a glance at Mu Qingyao.

At once, several menial servants barged in and began to haul things away.

A resonant hum—

Unable to bear it any longer, Mu Qingyao’s sword sang in her grip.

“What, will you defy the imperial edict?” the woman asked coldly.

Eunuch Nan hurried to chide her, “How dare you! Mu Qingyao, what do you intend? This is Lady Haitang of the Ephemeral Pavilion! She is here by decree to confiscate your family’s property. Any resistance will be punished by death!”

At the mention of the Ephemeral Pavilion, Mu Qingyao’s expression grew even more wary.

The Ephemeral Pavilion, founded by the Imperial Preceptor, served as Yan’s agency of surveillance—gathering countless experts, responsible for intelligence, monitoring officials, and dealing with human traffickers.

Anyone living within the capital knew that to fall into the hands of the Ephemeral Pavilion was worse than death.

Though their official rank was not high, their power was immense—even the Prime Minister treated them with caution.

Mu Qingyao swallowed her anger, suppressing the flames in her heart.

Lady Haitang’s gaze fell on the Flower Spirit Sword in Mu Qingyao’s hand, her tone icy: “You may be exempt from prison for being a Sword Palace disciple, but this sword is Mu family property. It must be confiscated and sealed. Hand it over.”

Mu Qingyao could endure no longer. This was intolerable! They dared even covet her treasured weapon!

Just as she was about to fight desperately, someone else kicked the door in.

With a loud crash, the doorframe split, and the wooden door shattered in two.

Eunuch Nan was struck in the eye by the broken door and instantly sported a black eye. Furious, he shouted, “Who dares! Such insolence!”

“Debt collection,” came the reply.

The newcomer stood squarely in the doorway, blocking the blazing sunlight.

Eunuch Nan found the voice oddly familiar. Looking closely, he was startled out of his wits.

“Mar—Marquis Hanshui!”

He wailed and cowered behind Lady Haitang, as if he had seen a ghost.

Mu Qingyao was stunned.

When she saw Yun Que before her, her lips trembled, but she forced down her grievance, stubbornly maintaining a cold demeanor.

Lady Haitang gave the interloper a frosty glance, her voice arrogant: “The Ephemeral Pavilion is conducting official business. Outsiders must withdraw, or be treated as Mu family accomplices.”

“My, such authority! May I ask, madam, what is your official rank?” Yun Que feigned alarm.

“The Ephemeral Pavilion has no formal rank. We answer directly to His Majesty.” Lady Haitang gave a perfunctory salute toward the palace, her tone icy.

“No rank?” Yun Que chuckled. “With no rank, what are you putting on airs for? Just a lackey, daring to offend a Marquis of the realm—do you realize your crime?”

Lady Haitang’s eye twitched. She responded with a cold laugh, “The Ephemeral Pavilion acts by imperial decree to confiscate the property of criminals. Is the Marquis Hanshui planning to defy the edict?”

A cunning woman—when pressed with nobility, she simply invoked the imperial edict.

Yun Que, naturally, would not fall for it. He smiled, “I wouldn’t dare defy the edict. I said, I’m here to collect a debt.”

Eunuch Nan, still cowering behind Lady Haitang, poked his head out and protested, “What debt? We owe you nothing!”

He had been tormented enough by Yun Que; now, just the sight of him made his legs tremble.

“Of course, Eunuch Nan owes me nothing—but the Mu family does.”

Yun Que produced a promissory note, waving it before Lady Haitang and Eunuch Nan. “Black and white, signed and sealed by the Mu family head himself. The law is clear: a debt must be repaid. The Mu family owes me money, so I am here to collect. It is only right.”

Mu Qingyao was startled, her lips slightly parted.

Now she understood why, during her visit to her father in prison, he had insisted she bring the promissory note to Yun Que.

So this was his plan—a masterstroke!

She could not help but admire her father’s cunning, and Yun Que’s resourcefulness. She had never thought to use that farcical promissory note to their advantage.

“Too late, the imperial decree arrived before you,” Lady Haitang said coldly, her gaze sharpening as she stared at Yun Que.

“The decree may have come first, but the debt predates it. This note is from half a month ago; everyone in the Mu family knows about it. You’re welcome to investigate if you wish,” Yun Que replied, waving the note.

Seeing he would not back down, Lady Haitang grew impatient. “Marquis Hanshui, what exactly do you want?”

“I’ve told you—debt must be repaid. I’m only here to collect what’s owed,” Yun Que replied with a smile. “Once the debt is collected, I’ll leave at once.”

Eunuch Nan whispered urgently to Lady Haitang, “He’s a real tough nut—His Majesty can’t do anything about him, either. Why not let him take his debt and get rid of him?”

Lady Haitang narrowed her eyes, studying Yun Que coldly. “Very well. Since Marquis Hanshui insists, I can grant you this favor. But once you’ve collected your debt, you must leave immediately.”

“It’s a deal!”

Yun Que replied decisively, then turned and strode out of the room, calling to the crowd waiting outside: “Get to work! Take only the valuables—leave the cheap stuff!”

With a great clamor, nearly a hundred strong men he had just hired surged through the Mu estate, carrying off goods.

Such a spectacle left Lady Haitang and Eunuch Nan dumbstruck.

Was this debt collection?

This was confiscation!

And more ruthless than theirs!