Volume One: The Emperor’s Sword Chapter 87: Not Foul, Not Arrogant, Not Given to Violence

In a grove more than ten li from the Mu family’s mine, Yun Que and the others were taking a much-needed rest.

After the ferocious battle, everyone had been drained nearly to the last trace of power, their spiritual energy almost exhausted; they had barely managed to fly here.

The ground here was higher, and from beyond the trees one could see the direction of the mine.

Aside from the initial tremor of the earth, no sign of the tree demon had appeared in the mountain.

After devouring the Gu master, whether it had gone back to slumber or already departed from beneath the mine, no one knew.

Yun Que returned the Flower Spirit Sword to Mu Qingyao, then gave Mu Wan, who lay there like a dead dog, a kick.

“The culprit and the evidence are both in hand. Once we go back, I’ll still need the young master’s help to ask the Grand Chancellor to clear the Mu family’s name,” Yun Que said.

“A trivial matter. Leave it to me. But this case is far too complicated; the Mu family’s mine may not be returned anytime soon,” Zhou Yuanliang said.

“Just get the people out first. Wealth is something outside the body. I’m sure Uncle Mu already has plans,” Yun Que said, glancing at Mu Qingyao.

Right now, Yun Que rather admired Mu Qingzhou.

That three-hundred-cart dowry prepared back then had now become the Mu family’s lifesaving straw.

Mu Qingyao clearly thought of the dowry’s use as well, and nodded in agreement.

The Mu family’s present plight could easily end in the execution of the whole clan. Even if Mu Wan, the traitor, were dragged out, he was still one of the Mu family; the clan would inevitably be implicated.

If the mine could be exchanged for the safety of their people, that would already be a bargain beyond measure.

Money could be earned again, mines could be reopened, but once people were gone, nothing remained.

Yihong Wen had been deeply poisoned and was limp on the ground; Luo Xiaoyu helped prepare some herbs.

“That bastard Mu Wan is truly detestable! He actually colluded with the barbarian tribe and nearly wiped out our Mu family. He deserves a horrible death!”

After taking the antidote, Yi Hongwen recovered a little strength and cursed bitterly, venting the frustration over his lost treasure as well onto Mu Wan.

No one paid him any mind.

After cursing a few times, Yi Hongwen fell awkwardly silent.

After a short rest, the group set out for the imperial capital, flying back by sword.

The sooner they returned, the better; the people of the Misty Pavilion were not easy to deal with, and who knew what trouble they might stir up.

On the way back, Yun Que still rode the same flying sword with Mu Qingyao, wrapping his arms around her slender waist from behind; the feel was indescribably pleasant.

Especially when he gave it a slight squeeze, Mu Qingyao would immediately tense up, much like a nervous cat.

Yun Que was secretly amused, thoroughly enjoying himself.

Only when they landed in the imperial capital did Mu Qingyao realize that the fellow behind her had been able to wield four flying swords in battle; sustaining sword flight for a long time would have been easy for him.

So he had been taking advantage of her all along, and twice over at that!

After returning to the imperial capital, they split into two groups.

Mu Qingyao went first back to Sword Palace to report the tree demon’s whereabouts to the elders there.

The seventy-seventh chapter? Wait.

Luo Xiaoyu and Yi Hongwen also returned to Sword Palace. One was exhausted, the other severely poisoned; both needed rest as soon as possible.

Yun Que gave the little dog Wangcai to Luo Xiaoyu and asked her to take it back to Wu Dachuan.

Then Yun Que and Zhou Yuanliang hurried to the Zhou residence to see the Grand Chancellor and explain the whole matter.

After hearing the account, Zhou Shibo remained silent in thought for a long while, then said, “Since the culprit and the evidence are both in hand, clearing the Mu family’s name is not difficult. However, why would people from the Misty Pavilion appear outside the mine?”

This question puzzled the Grand Chancellor as much as it did Yun Que.

When he learned that they had merely guarded the mine entrance and had not transported any ore, Zhou Shibo’s brows tightened even more.

“Please, Lord Yun, make a trip to the Duke’s residence and ask the Grand Duke to send a detachment to the mine to gather the barbarian corpses and the forged weapons, and preserve all evidence.”

Having said this, Zhou Shibo ordered men to escort Mu Wan to the palace. He would personally seek an audience and speak up for the Mu family.

Yun Que and Zhou Yuanliang prepared to leave to find the Duke of Yu.

Just as they reached the front gate, a girl walked in toward them.

She looked sixteen or seventeen, wearing a pale blue short jacket with a matching silk skirt. Her skin was white as snow, her delicate features carried a hint of mischief, and especially those pair of deep blue eyes, which gave her an air of nobility and mystery. Though not tall, she somehow inspired an impression of looking down on others.

Yun Que and the girl met head-on.

He did not know her.

The girl lifted her head to glance at Yun Que, then turned her gaze to Zhou Yuanliang, her voice crisp.

“And where are you off to again? You’re grown, yet you still know no restraint, spending your days running wild with a pack of loafing good-for-nothings.”

Her voice was pleasant enough, but her tone was far too domineering; with a single sentence, she had scolded both Zhou Yuanliang and Yun Que.

Zhou Yuanliang did not mind at all, and said to Yun Que with a smile, “Lord Yun, this is my younger sister, Zhou Jingshu! A famed true disciple of the Spirit Sword Sect, still unmarried. Aside from having a foul temper, a haughty manner, and a childhood fondness for hitting people, she’s actually quite good in every other respect. Ow, ow, ow!”

Zhou Jingshu pinched the flesh at her brother’s ribs, her delicate brows nearly shooting upright, and glared. “My temper is foul? I’m haughty? I like hitting people?”

“Not foul! Not haughty! Not hitting people!” Zhou Yuanliang finally wriggled free, rubbing his ribs with a pained grimace and sucking in cold breaths.

This first young master of the capital had been bullied by his younger sister since childhood and did not have the slightest bit of temper before Zhou Jingshu.

After glancing at her brother, Zhou Jingshu shot Yun Que a glare and said huffily, “What are you looking at! It’s people like you, all wine and meat friends, who’ve led him astray, running about recklessly and causing trouble all day long. None of you are any good, hmph!”

With that, she turned and left. Her hair tips brushed Yun Que’s face as she passed, and then she drifted away with graceful steps.

Seen from behind, she stood alone and fragile, lovely and endearing, yet she was a willful little princess who cared nothing for right or wrong.

Zhou Yuanliang gave an awkward laugh and left the Zhou residence with Yun Que.

They went to see Yu Guogong, explained what had happened, and reported that a tree demon lurked deep within the mine.

The old duke immediately dispatched a force of five hundred elite guards, equipped with artillery and led by a cultivator, to investigate the Mu family’s mine.

By the time everything was arranged, night had fallen.

Yun Que and Zhou Yuanliang found an imposing three-story tavern, ordered a full table of fine wine and dishes, and ate heartily.

“It’s been a long time since I ate so happily. Today was truly perilous,” Zhou Yuanliang said after eating and drinking his fill, savoring the wine with narrowed eyes and an expression of pure enjoyment.

“Luckily I had the young master’s help, otherwise today would have been a disaster,” Yun Que said.

“Heh, Lord Yun, no need to flatter me. In today’s crisis, you were the true pillar of stability. I did think of driving the wolves into the tiger’s mouth, but I didn’t dare.” Zhou Yuanliang crossed one leg over the other and spoke lightly, yet his tone was grave.

Indeed, he had not dared.

Courage to face a seventh-rank great demon was not something just anyone possessed.

And it was not as though they were Core Formation grand cultivators. A bunch of weak Qi Refining little fry before a tree demon could only be snacks; they did not even count as an appetizer.

“Newborn calves are not afraid of tigers. Next time I won’t dare go either. Many thanks to the young master this time,” Yun Que said, pouring himself a cup and draining it in one gulp.

He had possessed astonishing tolerance for alcohol since childhood, practically invincible to a thousand cups; to him, wine was basically water, just something to quench his thirst.

“No need for thanks. I just went along for the ride and gained a bit of experience. In the future I can brag to others too: I once fought barbarian Gu masters!”

Zhou Yuanliang winked and grinned impudently. “So, what does Lord Yun think of my sister?”

Yun Que thought for a moment, then said, “She’s not bad. Straightforward, too. Though really, it makes me want to hang her up and spank her.”

“Hahaha! Great minds think alike! If you ever get the chance, feel free to hit her as much as you like. Just remember to tell me what expression she had at the time, hahaha!” Zhou Yuanliang laughed.

That willful younger sister of his annoyed even him, her own brother, to no end.

“Grand Chancellor seems to harbor some suspicion toward the Misty Pavilion as well,” Yun Que said thoughtfully. “I haven’t been long in the imperial capital, but you’ve lived under the emperor’s feet for years. Do you know much about the Misty Pavilion?”

“The Misty Pavilion...”

Zhou Yuanliang toyed with the wine cup in his hand, and the look on his face grew solemn.

“Does Lord Yun think much of my talent?”

Zhou Yuanliang did not answer Yun Que directly, but instead asked an odd question.

Yun Que gave a faint smile and said simply, “A gem in the rough conceals its brilliance; a precious pearl hides its glow.”

“Who understands me better than Lord Yun!” Zhou Yuanliang raised his cup and drank deeply, drinking with unrestrained delight.

Yun Que naturally kept him company to the end, and the two of them drained two large jars of excellent wine in one go.

“The Misty Pavilion was founded ten years ago. It was tasked with overseeing the civil officials, and my father is precisely the head of all officials...”

Zhou Yuanliang wiped the corner of his mouth, his eyes darkening with gravity as he said softly.