Chapter 9: Strategizing in the Command Tent

Two days—if it were an ordinary person, or even a common martial artist, the lack of food and water would be unbearable, perhaps even leading to collapse. But Mu Tianhen, blessed with the Innate Sacred Body, felt little hunger. Moreover, his cultivation had advanced, his physique improved once more; another day without sustenance would do him no harm.

Yet he knew he must pause, leave the Treasure Pavilion.

Mu Tianhen rose slowly, opening his eyes. Though his outward appearance showed little change, his aura was greatly enhanced; every gesture and movement now carried the bearing of a king.

He strode to the weapon rack, selecting a fine black-iron longsword to serve as his current weapon, and then chose a light steel blade for Mu Tianxue, his sister, and left the Treasure Pavilion with both in hand.

He walked directly toward his residence.

“Brother!”

Before he could enter, his sister’s call reached him. The petite figure rushed forward, leaping into his arms. She always kept the courtyard gates open, awaiting her brother’s return.

“Brother!” Mu Tianxue hugged him tightly, asking eagerly, “Did you find any treasures? Was it the best one?”

In her heart, her brother was the best person in the world; naturally, he deserved the finest treasures.

Mu Tianhen gently patted her head, then handed over the light steel sword. “Of course I found a good treasure. This is for you. Do you like it?”

“For me?” Mu Tianxue accepted the sword, clutching it to her chest with a blissful smile. “Even though I’m not a martial artist, everything my brother gives me, I love—love it so much!”

“Our little Xue’er will one day become a martial artist too—the most powerful of all.” Mu Tianhen stroked her hair again, then took her hand and walked toward Mu Qianyuan, who stood at the gate.

“Thank you, Ancestor, for caring for Xue’er,” Mu Tianhen said, bowing respectfully.

Mu Qianyuan waved his hand with a smile. “No need for formality, little Tianhen. It’s only right. And Xue’er is so sensible—she’s won my affection.”

“Now that you have your treasure, I won’t disturb your cultivation.”

With that, Mu Qianyuan stepped out of the courtyard, soon disappearing around the corner.

Once Mu Qianyuan had left, Mu Tianxue asked, “Brother, can I help with anything?”

Mu Tianhen smiled. “Our Xue’er makes excellent pastries—make some more, and you can ask others to help. Don’t tire yourself out.”

“Okay!” Mu Tianxue nodded vigorously, determined to do her best, and immediately set off out of the courtyard.

Mu Tianhen quickly called after her, “Xue’er, leave the sword behind—it’s not convenient for work.”

“No!” Mu Tianxue clutched the sword tighter, pursing her lips stubbornly. “I won’t put it down. Brother gave this to me—I want to keep it by my side always.”

Without waiting for any further protest, she turned and ran off.

Mu Tianhen could only shrug helplessly, then entered the house, ate some pastries, and instructed the servants to summon the core members of the clan to discuss the ancestor’s upcoming birthday.

Soon, everyone arrived and sat in the hall, awaiting Mu Tianhen’s commands. However, the Mu Zihao family was absent.

Their absence was due to tending to Mu Tianyou, who had been injured by Mu Tianhen.

Everyone understood that Mu Zihao’s family refused to obey Mu Tianhen, seeking to embarrass him.

Mu Tianhen felt no displeasure; he had anticipated this. He proceeded to assign tasks according to his plan, detailing responsibilities for each person.

Listening to Mu Tianhen’s arrangements, the others found it hard to believe a sixteen-year-old could have devised such plans. They assumed the ancestor must have instructed him in advance.

Nevertheless, no one dared to oppose or expose him. With the ancestor’s protection, any show of dissatisfaction would yield nothing good.

Thus, everyone took their tasks and began preparing for the ancestor’s birthday.

“Tianxiang, stay for a moment.”

Mu Tianhen beckoned to a woman in white, asking her to pause and then turned back into the hall.

The others continued on, knowing Mu Tianhen had special matters to discuss—it was expected.

Mu Tianxiang was five years older than Mu Tianhen, the eldest among their generation, known for her steady conduct since childhood and much beloved. Her cultivation was formidable, having reached the first level of the Burning Blood realm.

If not for her being a woman, she would have been a strong contender for the clan head.

From the start, Mu Tianxiang had been kind to Mu Tianhen and his sister, especially in the years when Mu Tianhen was crippled and others mocked him. She often brought things to cheer them up, encouraging them not to give up, assuring them their parents would return.

So now, Mu Tianhen asking her to stay behind was entirely natural.

Mu Tianxiang looked at Mu Tianhen with a smile. “Little Tianhen, finally giving me a task?”

Earlier, Mu Tianhen had not assigned her any responsibilities, leading others to think he was deliberately letting her rest, though Mu Tianxiang herself felt uneasy about it.

But when he called her aside, she knew she would have a special assignment.

Mu Tianhen smiled, sipped his tea, and said, “Sister Tianxiang, what I’m about to tell you must not be revealed to anyone—not even uncle and aunt.”

Hearing this, Mu Tianxiang put her smile away, her expression turning serious. “What is it, little Tianhen?”

Mu Tianhen glanced outside, handing her a prepared antidote fruit as he spoke. “At the ancestor’s birthday banquet, a great upheaval will occur.”

“These are antidote fruits—eat one yourself at the time, to avoid being poisoned…”

“Wait!” Mu Tianxiang interrupted him. “Little Tianhen, who would dare poison the whole clan? Even if the chief elder intends to harm you, he wouldn’t involve everyone.”

Mu Tianhen nodded. “True, he wouldn’t risk the whole clan, but others would. Mu Zihao is nothing but a foolish traitor, being manipulated.”

“Who?” Mu Tianxiang pressed, “Who would do this to our clan? Who told you?”

“I guessed it,” Mu Tianhen replied. “Though I don’t know who Mu Zihao contacted, it must be one of the major families. Sister Tianxiang, just do as I say, and remember—tell no one.”

“At that time, keep Xue’er by your side. Protect her for me. This concerns the survival of our clan—I beg you, Sister Tianxiang.”

Seeing Mu Tianhen’s seriousness, Mu Tianxiang pondered over which family Mu Zihao might have contacted, though she hoped it was merely Mu Tianhen’s misjudgment.

With the antidote fruit in hand, Mu Tianxiang departed, quietly observing Mu Zihao’s family for any unusual activity, and also watching the other major families.

Unfortunately, she found nothing amiss; all seemed normal.

With everyone working together, the Mu clan was filled with festive cheer, drawing the attention of outsiders who prepared gifts for the ancestor’s birthday.

No one knew that beneath this joyful surface, a hidden current was gathering against the Mu clan.

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