Chapter 042: Did I Scare You?

“Brother, you can't kill them all, you mustn’t kill everyone! Please stop, stop and distinguish carefully, don't be reckless!” Mu Tianxue stared anxiously at her brother within the illusion, unable to contain her worry, speaking again and again, hoping he could overcome his inner demons, discern right from wrong, and pass the trial.

Yet, the Mu Tianxue inside the illusion was saying something utterly different.

She stood behind Mu Tianhen, gripping her long spear, her whole being exuding murderous intent, speaking coldly: “Kill them! Every one of them must die!”

Opposite them, the clansmen continued to laugh, jeering at Mu Tianhen and calling him a useless wretch, utterly unafraid of him, even making provocative and mocking gestures. These gestures were exactly those the siblings had been subjected to most often during those four years, fueling Mu Tianhen’s fury and deepening his bloodlust.

“All of you, die!”

Suddenly, Mu Tianhen roared, kicked off the ground, and raised his sword, charging at the clansmen.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

The long sword sliced through the air, sword energy weaving a net, bursting forth in dazzling flashes that enveloped the clansmen.

His movements were lightning-fast, leaving afterimages behind him, just as when he had slain Mu Tianfeng and his mother—impossible to track, even harder to evade.

The Gale Sword Art displayed its tremendous might in this moment—none could withstand it.

Slash after slash, wherever the sword light passed, blood sprayed in mists that filled the air, staining swathes of green grass red with the reek of iron, unbearable to the senses.

Amidst the blood mist, one life after another was snuffed out, bodies collapsing in twisted heaps upon the grass, twitching spasmodically before quickly becoming corpses.

Seeing this, the clansmen scattered in all directions, fleeing for their lives, yet still cursing Mu Tianhen, calling him a bully who only dared attack his own kin, a pitiful loser without a home.

These words only stoked Mu Tianhen’s rage further, unleashing his slaughter as he chased after the fleeing clansmen.

Anyone caught by him would have their throat slit by a single stroke, falling dead on the spot.

Before long, Mu Tianhen had already killed more than a dozen clansmen, their blood flowing freely, pooling into rivulets that made even onlookers shudder in terror.

Even those outside the illusion trembled uncontrollably, forgetting that this was but Mu Tianhen’s trial. It was all too real, too savage.

Many had already concluded in their hearts that Mu Tianhen had cultivated demonic arts and succumbed to madness. Thus, this trial was sure to end in failure—he could never overcome his inner demons.

Even Mu Tianxue, who had always had unwavering faith in her brother, now felt a flicker of doubt. But more than that, she prayed, hoping her brother could stop at the crucial moment.

Mu Qianyuan, the one who had arranged this test, gripped his hands tightly, his brow furrowed deep with anxiety.

He did not know whether Mu Tianhen could conquer his inner demons, whether he could distinguish right from wrong in such a situation. If not, should he really allow him to become head of the clan?

And if not, with Mu Tianhen on a killing spree, how would he stop him?

Even Mu Tianfeng could not match him—who else in the Mu clan could suppress Mu Tianhen now?

Mu Qianyuan was torn, his heart in turmoil.

Within the illusion, Mu Tianhen continued his relentless pursuit, claiming more lives and adding fresh corpses to the ground.

By now, only eight of the fleeing clansmen remained. Apart from Mu Qianyuan and Mu Tianxiang, all were from Mu Tianfeng’s branch of the family.

These were the very ones who, during those four years, had been the most hostile and eager to torment the Mu siblings. Mu Tianhen’s hatred for them ran deeper than the sea—he would show no mercy.

He continued to wield the Gale Sword Art like a tiger unleashed, weaving swiftly through the grass. With each strike, another enemy fell.

In scarcely a dozen breaths, he had personally beheaded five of them, each losing their head to a single sword stroke.

At that moment, all mocking voices ceased abruptly, and a deathly silence fell over the land. Only the sound of his approaching steps, and Mu Qianyuan and Mu Tianxiang retreating through the grass, could be heard.

Gazing upon their faces, Mu Tianhen’s mind suddenly buzzed, a searing pain filling his head as memories began to surface.

In these fragments, he saw Mu Qianyuan secretly protecting him on occasion, Mu Tianxiang’s various acts of care. Each memory struck him like a hammer, stirring a strange feeling within him.

Two opposing voices echoed within Mu Tianhen’s heart.

“They are not enemies. They are good members of the clan. You must not kill them!”

“Kill them! They all tormented you—they are your enemies, and you must leave no chance for them to strike back. Kill without mercy!”

“Do not kill!”

“Kill them all!”

These two voices clashed inside him like warring factions, neither yielding, each trying to sway Mu Tianhen to their will.

At the same time, Mu Qianyuan and Mu Tianxiang looked at Mu Tianhen with fear, longing, pain, and helplessness in their eyes.

Those gazes became blades, stabbing again and again at Mu Tianhen’s heart, making him suffer unbearably.

Behind him, Mu Tianxue had also fallen silent. She no longer shouted for her brother to kill, simply standing quietly and watching.

Now, everything depended on Mu Tianhen’s own choice. To kill or not to kill—all hung on a single thought.

But the two warring voices within him grew ever more strident, his head throbbing with pain, his face twisted in torment.

His steps slowed, the bloodstained sword drooping in his hand, yet he did not stop, continuing to approach Mu Tianxiang.

Just then, Mu Tianxiang slipped and fell, letting out a shriek. She sat on the grass, hands braced behind her, shrinking back fearfully from Mu Tianhen.

“That look in her eyes... why does it feel so familiar…”

A heavy blow struck Mu Tianhen’s heart, memories of warmth and kindness flooding his mind. These images formed a mysterious force, suppressing the murderous voice within until it faded to a whisper.

Gradually, Mu Tianhen’s overwhelming bloodlust dissipated, vanishing altogether as he drew within three feet of Mu Tianxiang. His eyes cleared, his sword slid back into its sheath.

He stepped forward, stopped before Mu Tianxiang, and extended his hand with a gentle smile. “Sister Tianxiang, did I frighten you? Come, let me help you up.”

Mu Tianxiang took his hand, letting him pull her to her feet. She finally managed a sweet smile, shaking her head softly.

Then, Mu Tianhen turned to Mu Qianyuan and said with a smile, “Ancestor, I understand your actions before now. I won’t blame you.”

At last, he gently approached Mu Tianxue, patted her on the head, and said softly, “Xue’er, it’s all right now. With your brother here, everything is in the past. Come, let’s go home.”

With those words, Mu Tianhen took his sister by the hand and walked in the direction he felt was home. Behind them, Mu Qianyuan and Mu Tianxiang followed.

Yet just as they had set out and not even half a cup of tea had passed, something utterly unexpected occurred.