It turns out, they were the main characters.

This is especially evident in Bai Ruoxi.

If his memories had awakened any later, judging by the timeline, he would probably have already been humiliated by Ye Yu.

After all, if it were his old self, Mu Zhian would probably have surrendered immediately and become a sycophant when Bai Ruoxi asked for his help.

However, those who fawn over their idols will ultimately meet a terrible end.

If I hadn't refused him in the carriage for those few days, things wouldn't have turned out this way.

Ye Yu didn't understand this point, which is why Bai Ruoxi disliked him.

"Young Master Mu, are you planning to see Gongsun Xiong next?" Bai Ruoxi asked softly.

Gongsun Xiong is the patriarch of the Gongsun family and one of the two major families that besieged the Bai family.

Unlike the Morning Dawn Merchant Guild, which came from outside, the Gongsun and Mu families are both native families of Tianxuan City with a strong foundation. It is rumored that there is more than one cultivator at the Refining God Realm in the Gongsun family.

Mu Zhian snapped out of his reverie, turned his head, and met Bai Ruoxi's gaze. He shook his head and smiled, "Let's not rush things. Let the rumors simmer for a while."

Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a hint of doubt flashing in her beautiful eyes.

She didn't understand what Mu Zhian meant.

Logically, Mu Zhian should be releasing the news that the man in black robes killed Gongsun Zan as soon as possible, but the other party doesn't seem to be planning to do so... This puzzled her.

Mu Zhian didn't explain his plans, but simply changed the subject casually, saying:

"Thank you for your handkerchief. I'll have my servants wash it and send it to you another day."

Mu Zhi paused for a moment and said, "Or I might visit the Bai family again later... but I doubt your mother would welcome me."

If Mother knew you were coming to the Bai family, she would probably be so happy that she would have the servants beat drums and gongs... Bai Ruoxi walked silently down the street with her eyes slightly lowered.

Bai Ruoxi's mother disliked Ye Yu, but she always coveted Mu Zhian, her wealthy husband.

When Mu Zhian was pursuing Bai Ruoxi, Bai Yuanfeng was subtly probing to test Bai Ruoxi's feelings.

"Young Master Mu is too kind. The Bai family would welcome you anytime you wish to come," Bai Ruoxi said softly, her cherry lips slightly parted. "My mother would also like to meet you."

You want to see me...?

Mu Zhian was taken aback for a moment, and then, as if he understood something, he smiled and said, "It seems you also have a lot of difficulties."

Judging from Bai Ruoxi's tone and even her gloomy expression, it's not hard to tell that the girl came to beg him several times probably because of pressure from her mother.

Thinking about it, it makes sense. For Bai Ruoxi, it would be an extremely difficult thing to ask a spoiled brat for help when she was used to being the center of attention.

However, this was not something Mu Zhian needed to consider... All he needed to do was change Bai Ruoxi's impression and deal with the black-robed man's problem.

Mu Zhian reached out and gently took Bai Ruoxi's slightly cool, soft hand, and picked up his umbrella from her.

"I'll find some time to visit the Bai family another day and return the handkerchief to you. Besides, I'm sure Miss Bai won't be bored these next few days."

Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, a strand of hair slipping from her forehead.

Looking at the gentle smile on Mu Zhian's handsome face, she inexplicably felt that he wasn't lying.

These next few days, Tianxuan City will probably be anything but boring.

……

Mu Zhian eliminated evil and brought peace, killing Gongsun Zan... This news, unsurprisingly, spread throughout Tianxuan City by evening.

The people were in an uproar.

This is undoubtedly a bombshell.

Gongsun Zan was an uneducated and incompetent young man who was obsessed with beautiful women. Mu Zhi'an was also obsessed with beautiful women and was a young man who was equally incompetent.

But now, one scoundrel has killed another?

Moreover, it was Mu Zhian who stepped in to help when he saw injustice.

That evening, almost every household was talking about it.

"Although Young Master Mu is obsessed with beautiful women, he mainly goes to brothels or seeks out women who are single, unlike Gongsun Zan."

"It's understandable that he couldn't stand by and watch Gongsun Zan bully the women and took action. If it were me, I would have done the same."

This belongs to the faction that believes in Mu Zhian.

Of course, there are also those who oppose it.

"I don't believe it. Maybe when Mu Zhi'an passed by that mansion, he happened to see Gongsun Zan bullying a woman, and Mu Zhi'an also took a fancy to that woman. He was lustful at first sight, and the two got into a fight. Gongsun Zan was accidentally killed by Mu Zhi'an."

"In the end, we don't even know who released this information. With the Mu family's power in Tianxuan City, it would be too easy for them to spread false information."

Of course, besides those who believe in Mu Zhian and those who harbor the greatest ill will and distrust him, there are other factions, such as...

"Mu Zhian and Gongsun Zan? Neither of them are good people. They're just dogs fighting each other. They should both just die."

Some people, feigning a "rational and objective" attitude, said the same thing.

Only a small minority of people do not discuss these things.

They are truly rational and objective people, and they will not spread rumors before the truth is revealed.

Of course, such people are ultimately in the minority.

While the outside world was making a great fuss about this matter, at this very moment, in the Mu residence, Mu Zhi'an was lazily leaning back in a tea chair, leisurely sipping a cup of hot tea.

"What time is it now?" He turned his head to look at the maid beside him.

"Young Master, it is now the hour of You (5-7 PM)." The maid beside him said respectfully, but her bright eyes were secretly observing Mu Zhi'an with curiosity.

The servants of the Mu family had also heard the news, and were therefore curious as to whether it was true or false.

"The hour of You (5-7 PM)... that's about right."

Mu Zhian pondered for a moment, then gently put down his teacup.

It's time to pay a visit to that clan chief, Gongsun.

Chapter 16 The Man in Black Robes—The Designated Scapegoat

The Gongsun family.

Gongsun Xiong leisurely brewed tea in the hall, enjoying the shoulder massage from the beautiful woman behind him.

It was easy to tell from his expression that this man was unaware that the outside world was already in an uproar.

The Gongsun family, the Mu family, and the Bai family are the three major families in Tianxuan City. The Mu family is ahead of the other two. The Morning Light Chamber of Commerce is a force that entered from outside a few years ago. However, its development has been steadily rising in recent years, and today it is on par with the three major families.

Gongsun Xiong has six sons. The eldest son has been helping to manage the family in recent years. The second son... well, let's not talk about the second son who is obsessed with other people.

The third son, Gongsun Zan, was uneducated and incompetent, obsessed with beautiful women; the fourth and fifth sons were traveling abroad; and the sixth son had not yet received any enlightenment.

Of all the children, Gongsun Xiong disliked Gongsun Zan the most, but out of consideration for family ties, he always let Gongsun Zan do whatever he wanted.

Outside the hall, a subordinate rushed in, saying urgently, "Master...Young Master Gongsun Zan is in trouble!"

Gongsun Xiong immediately looked up, and the subordinate continued, "Young Master Gongsun Zan got into a conflict with someone today while he was raiding the Chen family's property because he wanted to attack the eldest daughter of the Chen family... and was killed."

Gongsun Xiong's gaze sharpened, and he said in a deep voice, "In this Tianxuan City, is there anyone who dares to lay a hand on my Gongsun family?"

Although the third son was uneducated and born to a concubine, he was still his own flesh and blood, and when he went out, he represented the Gongsun family.

Killing the third son would be a slap in the face to the Gongsun family.

"Who did it? Have you found out?" Gongsun Xiong stared at his subordinates, a burning anger raging within him.

"Yes, it's Mu Zhi'an from the Mu family!"

Mu Zhian, the only heir of the Mu family... Gongsun Xiong's anger subsided, and he gradually calmed down.

Some anger can be quelled with just a name, and the Mu family is one of them.

"Explain the whole story clearly," he said in a deep voice.

The servant recounted the events that had spread throughout Tianxuan City that day. Upon hearing the end, Gongsun Xiong did not react with the expected fury. Instead, he calmly waved his hand and said:

"You go down."

Behind him, a voluptuous and beautiful woman gently massaged his shoulders and whispered:

“Master, the Mu family has been arrogant for so long, and this time they even dared to lay a hand on Zan’er… This clearly shows that they don’t take our Gongsun family seriously.”

Gongsun Xiong shook his head and said, "That's a woman's view."

He paused, put down his teacup, and said, "You should know about the Mu family's influence in Tianxuan City, right?"

The beautiful woman was taken aback for a moment, then nodded slightly.

Gongsun Xiong continued, "Then do you think it would be difficult for the Mu family, with their strength, to cover up Zan'er's murder?"

"Even if the Gongsun family wants to find out the truth, it will probably take a lot of trouble. How could someone be killed in the morning and the whole city know about it by the afternoon? Do you think the Mu family are all fools who would just ignore this matter and let it fester?"

The beautiful woman's eyes flickered slightly, and she said softly, "Then what does the master mean...?"

“Someone is framing the Mu family,” Gongsun Xiong said with certainty.

"It might have been done by the Bai family, or the Morning Light Chamber of Commerce, or even some other small family or force."

Gongsun Xiong continued, "Although Mu Zhian was obsessed with beautiful women, he was still very clear-headed. He knew what the consequences would be if he killed Zan'er."

"As for the so-called Mu Zhian's act of helping those in need... do you believe it?"

The beautiful woman shook her head silently.

They probably all knew Mu Zhian's personality; he wasn't the kind of person who would punish evil and promote good.

"The master's analysis is indeed insightful," the beautiful woman complimented.

Gongsun Xiong snorted coldly: "However, regardless of whether it has anything to do with the Mu family, we must at least get some benefits from them this time."

No sooner had the words been spoken than a servant rushed into the hall to deliver a message, saying:

"Master, Young Master Mu is outside requesting an audience."

"Such a thing just happened today, and Mu Zhian still dares to come to the Gongsun family?" The beautiful woman was somewhat surprised.

The news of Gongsun Zan's murder had barely spread when this person brazenly came to the Gongsun family... This was far too audacious.

Gongsun Xiong pondered for a moment, then said, "Please invite him in."

A moment later, led by a servant, Mu Zhian entered the hall and met the patriarch of the Gongsun family, as well as the beautiful woman behind him.