Chapter Ten: A Friendly Duel

Compared to Ming Shui Town, Ming Mu stands out in every aspect, especially when it comes to its architecture. It may sound unbelievable, but in a villa district of thirty-two houses, Mo Han owns nine.

“Ninth Master, Black Serpent Lord is not someone to be trifled with. Remember to always be polite when you speak, or you might end up dead!” Chen Yuan cautiously followed behind Gu Zhiheng up the stairs, quietly reminding him.

Although Chen Yuan looked like a child, his combat abilities were decent—just that his courage was woefully lacking.

Gu Zhiheng nodded, signaling his understanding, though he worried Chen Yuan might not grasp the situation.

After some thought, he explained his perspective, “I know. We need something from him, and now we’re under his roof.”

“My sister is here, and given her relationship with him, I doubt we’re in any real danger.” With that, he strode away quickly.

The last time he entered Ming Shui Town, he felt suffocated. Here in Ming Mu, however, he was perfectly at ease, even comfortable and familiar.

Returning to his own bedroom, he surveyed the cold-toned decor—something only Mo Han could possibly appreciate.

To be blunt, it was as gloomy as a black pit.

Poor ventilation, poor lighting—he wondered if living here too long might drive someone mad.

“Kid, rein in your inner monologue—I’m perfectly aware of it!” Mo Han suddenly appeared at the window, casting a disdainful glance at Gu Zhiheng.

“Mr. Mo, you know why I’m here. Your attitude is only natural.” Gu Zhiheng’s expression suggested he thought Mo Han was making unnecessary fuss.

He then pulled back the covers, lay down, and slept without a care.

He knew this task would be difficult—not because obtaining the blood was hard, but because Mo Han himself was so troublesome.

Mo Han was infuriated by Gu Zhiheng’s indifference, unsure what to do.

Indeed, none of the Gu family seemed to have a normal mind.

Especially this one, he’d love nothing more than to strangle him.

What karmic debt had he incurred to meet such a creditor, one so brainless?

True, his cultivation had succeeded thanks to the Gu family.

Back then, he’d been an ordinary black serpent, not yet awakened.

Gu Moxiang, the Gu ancestor, discovered him wandering in a bamboo grove and brought him home.

He was cared for meticulously, fed with spiritual fruits and foods, and his cultivation soared.

Yet, he’d committed many atrocities for the Gu family!

He’d long since repaid their kindness, and now he still had to endure the attitude of this brat because of that damned old favor. It made him restless and irritable.

“Enough. If not for the Gu family, none of us would be who we are now,” Chu Xingran always shielded Gu Zhiheng, standing by his side in times like these.

She’d known Mo Han for about three hundred years, and witnessed the Gu family’s upheavals.

Everyone owed their survival to the Gu family. Setting aside Gu Zhiheng’s origins, why not accept another junior from the family?

“Fine, I’m just intimidating him. But if he wants the blood from between my brows, we’ll see if he has the ability.” With a flick of his sleeve, Mo Han left.

Chu Xingran knew Gu Zhiheng was frail, and after so much commotion, he fell asleep as soon as he lay down.

Thoughtfully, she tucked him in before leaving.

She wasn’t worried Mo Han would harm Gu Zhiheng out of spite, but she feared he’d ruin her centuries-old plans in a moment of anger.

The Gu family meant little to her compared to Gu Zhiheng.

Even if he forgot her, even if there was no future for them, she only wanted him to live well.

“Sis, get some rest. Don’t worry about me,” Gu Zhiheng mumbled sleepily, turning over and drifting off again.

Chu Xingran left his room, found Chen Yuan dazed in the corridor, and dragged him into her own bedroom.

“Don’t provoke Mo Han—you’re no match for him. Just stay close to Ah Heng.”

Chen Yuan understood and nodded before leaving.

The sun climbed higher, and the group slept soundly in their rooms.

Mo Han, bored, drove to his company in the distant city.

He rarely stayed in Ming Mu—he’d only come because Chu Xingran had returned.

As for old favors, they meant little to him compared to Chu Xingran.

“President, there’s a video conference at one o’clock this afternoon. Please be on time.”

The speaker was one of Mo Han’s own kind—a member of the Black Serpent clan.

“The old men are all there—let them handle it. I’m busy!” He was far too irritated for meetings.

A billion-dollar project was nothing but a number to him.

If he wished, a billion could be settled in a few words, but he simply didn’t want to.

What was the point of amassing wealth, when he alone spent it?

The kitchen in his villa was packed with Chu Xingran’s favorite meats and vegetables, and the outside fridge was stocked with her favorite snacks.

So, he didn’t need to worry about lunch today.

“Mo Bai, did my father mention introducing me to someone last time?” Mo Han lounged lazily on the sofa, always nonchalant.

“Yes, President. The old master wants you to visit home this weekend.” Mo Bai, adopted by the elder Mo, was Mo Han’s personal assistant and utterly loyal to the Mo family.

“That’s fine. It’s Monday now—I’ll go back and see what kind of woman could catch the old master’s eye.”

Many wanted to marry him, but this was the first time the old master had approved anyone.

“Ranran, I’ve decided—if you marry me, I’ll agree to the conditions you set at the beginning.” Hah, what use are schemes!

Voice message sent successfully!

Chu Xingran would be his woman, and no one else’s!

“Deal!” Her reply was simple, but it revealed how important Gu Zhiheng was to her.

Everyone understood, except Gu Zhiheng, who remained oblivious.

Mo Han saw Chu Xingran’s message and couldn’t help but feel a pang of sadness.

For Gu Zhiheng’s sake, she could even give herself away. What couldn’t she do?

...

“Sis, you just poured vinegar, not soy sauce,” Gu Zhiheng said quietly, watching her cook lunch.

“Chen Yuan, stop snacking—you might get poisoned.”

Gu Zhiheng always kept his distance from Chu Xingran’s food.

She wasn’t cooking; she was clearly experimenting with making poison—unsolvable poison, at that.

“Forget it, I’ll do it myself!” After all, he’d picked up a thing or two over the years.

“Let’s have a cook-off and see whose food tastes better, hmph!” Chu Xingran, proud as ever, refused to believe she couldn’t cook.

Yes, just a friendly competition.

Half an hour later, the kitchen was a disaster.

Another half hour later, the siblings had blown up the villa’s kitchen.