Promise!

Chapter 211, Jade Scroll

When Zhuang Jin returned, he also learned that Mu Yuantu had occupied half of the northern part of the city. He sighed and said, "My father-in-law is the kind of person who never suffers a loss!"

“Jun was invited by Madam Shen again today; Qing went to the Mu family at the request of Jun and the Shen family; and the female relatives of Lin Hong, Bi Kai and others have also come to visit these past two days…” Chen Yun said.

Zhuang Jin nodded slightly upon hearing this, not surprised.

Now, our family acts as a link between the Shen and Mu families, which gives us face to both sides and gives us a superior position, while also playing a central role in communicating between them.

With Zhuang Jin and Shen Xianhong gone and this incident occurring, the Shen family is leaderless. It is only natural for them to use their connections to ask Mu Qing to go back and persuade and probe the Mu family's thoughts.

Meanwhile, the families of Lin Hong, Bi Kai, Wu Hao, Duan Tao, and Xue Yandao were probably trying to find out Zhuang Jin's thoughts amidst this change and to keep their actions in sync with his.

"This is troublesome. If this operation had gone smoothly and everything had proceeded normally, this matter would have been manageable. But Shen Xianhong is injured, and although I don't know the exact extent, it's definitely not minor... At this critical moment, this unexpected turn of events has stirred up a storm!"

Zhuang Jin, with keen insight, pondered his own involvement in this matter: 'I'm afraid I can't remain uninvolved this time; on the contrary, my location is where the key players converge.'

'However, with my current strength, I can easily handle this situation and am capable of changing the course of events to my own advantage!'

……

Mu family.

Mu Qing, who had high hopes for the Shen family and had returned to her parents' home to persuade them, first sat for a while in the purple bamboo grove where she had lived before her marriage, then petted the orange cat she had raised, and then sat down to taste a novel fruit, just like a normal visit to her parents' home, without mentioning anything about the north of the city.

"Father, I've never seen this fruit before." Mu Qing pointed to the cherry-sized, pale green fruit shrouded in mist, tasted its sweet and sour flavor, and asked softly.

"Your third brother cultivated a new variety using Qingyuan Liquid, which is a variant of cherry, and named it 'Qing Puti'. He's such a bored idiot, doing absolutely nothing!"

Mu Yuantu grumbled and cursed, but seeing his daughter across from him nodding slightly and appearing calm, he finally couldn't help but ask, "Daughter, don't you want to say something, or try to persuade your father about the matter in the north of the city?"

"How can a daughter possibly persuade someone to change something like this?"

With Mu Qing's intelligence, she naturally understood that although her status seemed aloof and she had face in many things within the Mu family, it could not be such a strategic matter. Only her husband, Zhuang Jin, had the authority to truly influence and change it.

It would be useless to try to persuade them, and Mu Qing understood this as well as Shen Xujun. They were only forced to do this because of their status and the situation.

“That’s right. If you were to try to persuade me about the matter in the north of the city, I would have to curse you out. The fact that Shen Xianhong gave your husband the innate movement technique makes me seem stingy! But when we got married, didn’t I also give him the Azure Lotus Sword? Do you think your father is someone who’s stingy with anything? That old bastard Shen Xianhong is so dishonest! I’m still alive… but he…”

Mu Yuantu knew there were some things he couldn't say too explicitly. He snorted coldly and looked at his daughter: "Also, how could you not know that your husband practices innate movement techniques? It was your father who found out about this through his own connections..."

The more he spoke, the more bitter he felt.

"At home, I obey my father and brothers; after marriage, I obey my husband. I secretly believe that Father doesn't want his daughter to be in a difficult position. I apologize to Father!" Mu Qingshen knew how to show weakness, so she lowered her attitude and spoke softly.

Seeing his beloved daughter like this, Mu Yuantu softened and shifted his hatred: "That makes sense. Qing'er, you also have your own difficulties. My son-in-law is trustworthy when it comes to accepting gifts and doing business."

—The way she addressed Zhuang Jin changed from "your husband" to "my son-in-law," which shows that her anger towards Zhuang Jin had also subsided.

"It's all because of that pale-faced, black-hearted old man, Shen Xianhong. We had agreed... well, we didn't agree on anything, but we still had a tacit understanding... I'm so angry! I regret not listening to you, my daughter!"

The relationship between Shen Xianhong, Zhuang Jin, and Mu Yuantu is actually quite delicate. This time, Shen Xianhong broke the tacit understanding with Mu Yuantu and secretly made a deal with Zhuang Jin, excluding Mu Yuantu from his activities. To some extent, this created a sense of insecurity in Mu Yuantu, causing him to have some stress reactions.

Of course, it would be a gross underestimation of Mu Yuantu to think that this is the whole story. He is just using this as an excuse to make a fuss. You can't expect the squeaky wheel to fly!

Mu Qing blinked, understanding her father's mindset, and even guessing her own family's intentions this time: even if they were to return half of the northern part of the city, they would have to take a bite out of the surrounding counties. If they couldn't take two counties, they would at least have to take one.

Gaining control of half of the northern part of the city is merely a tangible achievement, serving as a bargaining chip in negotiations. In reality, it's a move that "lifts the roof," and at best, it only "opens a window."

After Mu Yuantu led his men to occupy half of the northern part of the city, the situation in the prefectural city suddenly became tense. However, she understood that the essence of the Shen and Mu families fighting but not breaking apart had not changed... Based on the current information, she did not think it was too serious.

Of course, whether Mu Yuantu would have other ideas and take advantage of the situation if he discovered Shen Xianhong's injuries is another matter entirely.

"Master, Patriarch Shen and Lord Zhuang have returned."

"Oh? That old bastard Shen Xianhong didn't come immediately, which shows he's somewhat settled."

"Master, the head of the Shen family sent someone to say that he would like to invite you, Lord Zhuang, and others to a three-way meeting tomorrow to discuss the matter in the north of the city."

"Humph, I knew it!"

"Father, then I'll head back now!" Mu Qing stood up and instructed her maid to prepare some 'Green Bodhi' for her: "Take some back with you, for my husband, sisters and cousins ​​to try."

The Green Bodhi is a newly cultivated variety, and the Mu family doesn't have many of them. Her sisters-in-law all have limited shares, but her status in the Mu family is different. She can take whatever she wants, eating and taking things as she pleases.

"Take it, take it all back, so your husband can eat his fill!"

Mu Yuantu wasn't reluctant to part with some fruit, but he was jealous of his daughter's actions. His daughter had never thought of him like that before, but now she was someone else's... No, he couldn't think about it anymore, the more he thought about it, the more heartbroken he became.

He didn't know the term "heartless daughter-in-law," but he could empathize with the situation. He could only transfer his resentment to Shen Xianhong and decided to take a good bite out of the Shen family tomorrow to make up for it.

……

Inside the inner courtyard of the Shen family, in a secret room.

call!
Shen Xianhong exhaled a breath of white air, and some color returned to his pale face.

As Zhuang Jin had expected, he was indeed seriously injured this time, even to the point of being critically injured. After the acupoints were sealed and the injury was suppressed, the situation was aggravated to some extent by rushing back. Only the Shen family's deep resources allowed them to use some rare medicines to stabilize his injuries and recover a little. However, at this moment, his brows were deeply furrowed.

"Mu Yuantu's occupation of half of the northern part of the city is clearly a pretext to extort money from my Shen family."

Before the destruction of the Medicine King Gang, Mu Yuantu, as the prefect and a Xiantian master, received a very generous share of the wealth in this prefecture city, whether from the white, gray, or black factions. Even so, the number of middle and high-level martial artists he could support was limited. Now, having established a Xiantian family and inherited the Medicine King Gang's legacy, he is somewhat strapped for cash due to poaching talent from the government and promising resources.

In this situation, the Mu family either needs to slow down its development or acquire additional resources. This time, they're trying to squeeze in some extra resources from the Shen family. "Giving Zhuang Sheng 'Free and Easy Wind Riding' did break the tacit agreement, but Mu Yuantu and I didn't have a formal agreement. In such ambiguous matters, the final decision will be made by force; a fight is inevitable to determine the outcome."

Normally, Shen Xianhong wouldn't be afraid, but he's injured now.

'We can only temporarily suppress the injuries.'

This renewed ban, coupled with the need to fight against those of similar strength, will inevitably worsen his injuries and even leave him with hidden ailments. However, for the sake of the Shen family, Shen Xianhong is willing to do anything about it.

"In a fight, concealing injuries is best. If they are exposed and the worst-case scenario occurs, Mu Yuantu will definitely have ideas. I will then have to adopt a do-or-die attitude, willing to take the opponent away, until I delay healing or cultivate the next Innate Realm cultivator."

This requires a great deal of wisdom and a good grasp of the situation. Shen Xianhong believed that he could handle it with his skills, but he was more worried about something else.

'Zhuang Jin is now at the second level of the Innate True Qi Realm—the Qi-Moving Thunder Sound Realm. If he were to harbor any ill intentions, the Shen and Mu families would likely be rendered useless by him!'

Zhuang Jin had saved Shen Xianhong's life, but that had nothing to do with personal feelings. At this moment, he was considering the matter as the head of the Shen family.

Zhuang Jin's current strength is a threat in itself... Although Zhuang Jin said that he was only in Yunnan Prefecture for a short time, people's hearts are very fickle.

"Ugh!"

Shen Xianhong stood up and took out a jade book.

The Shen family originated from a branch in Jiaozhou two or three hundred years ago. At that time, the main family provided some resources and gave them a jade book, which allowed them to request assistance once... However, after so many years, due to various reasons, the relationship has long since faded and become distant, and the jade book may no longer be of any use.

All I can say is that this thing is like an expired explosive charge; once lit, it might explode, or it might be a dud.

Shen Xianhong thought for a moment, then took out another item and began to peruse it again.

This was a very detailed report compiled two years ago, before Zhuang Jin returned after his eldest son, Shen Xuhong, died suddenly after failing to break through his cultivation path. He had someone investigate Zhuang Jin again.

Among them are the evaluations of various people, such as Lin Hong and Bi Kai, who are his trusted subordinates; Ping Yongfeng and Xing Yan, who are his teachers and colleagues; and Qian Wende, Chang He, and the Chang family, who have long been estranged and even severed ties with him.

The final investigation revealed that none of the individuals, including Xing Yan, Qian Wende, and the Chang family, spoke ill of Zhuang Jin. Just as Zhuang Jin had said, he had never let down anyone who had shown him kindness.

'Zhuang Sheng has principles, a carefree nature, and a passion for martial arts; he wouldn't necessarily harbor such thoughts, otherwise he wouldn't have saved me... Once this thing is used, our relationship can never go back to what it was before.'

"Furthermore, even if this jade book is useful, if someone actually comes, it might not be the outcome I want. Driving one tiger to devour another might end up trapping us in our own web!"

Shen Xianhong thought to himself, put down the jade book, and said, "Never mind, let's take another look!"

……

The bookmaker.

Mu Qing and Shen Xujun were both delighted to hear that Zhuang Jin had returned. For the past two or three years, Zhuang Jin had been in seclusion, yet they had seen him every day. Now, after only two or three days apart, they felt a sense of attachment and warmth upon seeing him again.

"My husband, Sister Yun, Sister Jun, I brought back some newly cultivated fruits. Please try them."

"I also brought you gifts when I came back from this trip."

Zhuang Jin took out monkey wine and two vermilion fruits, and cut a slice of the latter for the three women: "Yunniang, Qing'er, Jun'er, you should all try it, especially Qing'er, you have a cold constitution, see if this vermilion fruit can help you."

Mu Qing has a cold constitution, is congenitally weak, cannot have children, and has some impact on her lifespan. As for her mother... one can only say that her intelligence was a kind of balance.

It was precisely for this reason that Mu Yuantu doted on her immensely. He would subconsciously give way to her as a brother, sister-in-law, and other relatives, without feeling any resentment.

Zhuang Jin also tried to solve Mu Qing's physical problems, but Mu Yuantu couldn't solve them either, and he had no other solution.

Chen Yun and Shen Xujun both knew this, and they didn't eat the piece of vermilion fruit they had been allocated, intending to observe the effects on Mu Qing first.

Amidst concerned gazes, Mu Qing ate.

As Zhuang Jin took Mu Qing's pulse, he sensed that the rare and precious Zhu Guo had indeed alleviated Mu Qing's physical condition. Although Mu Qing was still unable to cultivate, he would feel much better in the winter. And because of this relief, his lifespan might be extended to some extent.

After consulting with Chen Yun and Shen Xujun, he gave both Vermilion Fruits to Mu Qing, since Mu Qing could not practice martial arts and did not occupy the family's martial arts resources, which could be considered as compensation.

"It is fine for my husband to use himself, or to exchange for it. Giving it to me would be a waste of his talents."

Although these two Vermilion Fruits are not fully ripe, together they have about 60-70% of the effect of a normally ripe Vermilion Fruit. If used as cultivation resources, they can help Zhuang Jin reach the third level of the Innate Realm—Qi Refining Rainbow—more quickly. If used for exchange, such a rare and precious material that can help with the three stages of the Innate Realm is priceless.

"These two vermilion fruits are merely icing on the cake for me, but for Qing'er, they are a lifesaver. With the two options compared, is there any need to hesitate?"

Zhuang Jin shook his head slightly. He was indifferent and cold to outsiders, but he was quite generous to those close to him, let alone his woman.

"Husband!"

Such a clear understanding of the pros and cons, yet still a firm choice, is truly rare and precious, deeply moving even someone as intelligent as Mu Qing.

Looking at Zhuang Jin, she was at a loss for words. Even with her father and brothers' favor, there was still room for maneuver, such as arranging a marriage for her... Although in retrospect, the outcome was excellent.

It can be said that Mu Qing's unrestrained behavior in front of her family was always measured, because she knew that her father and brothers' love also had its limits and was not so unconditional. For example, these two Vermilion Fruits, if they were in their hands, such precious resources, even if they knew they would be useful to her physique, they would most likely not give them to her, but Zhuang Jin did just that.

In that instant, Mu Qing's heart fluttered, and she seemed to understand what love was.

'My dear husband, I will repay your kindness with kindness, and I will never let you down.' Mu Qing thought of something, and a firm resolve appeared in her heart.

……

(End of this chapter)