When a Man Dies, Birds Fly Skyward

Mu Family genius Mu Lu had died in battle. The incident caused a tremendous stir throughout Jiamar Holy City. Although most eyes were focused on Nalan Chaoge's forceful rise, the Mu Family could not be overlooked.

After fermenting for a night, the outcome of the matter was finally decided.

Nalan Jie produced an Earth-tier beginner cultivation method as compensation for Nalan Chaoge accidentally killing Mu Lu.

The imperial family also promised to compensate the Mu Family. Mu Tie's military rank was raised, and he was ordered to guard Ghost Suppressing Pass. The hundred thousand Silver Armored Army at Ghost Suppressing Pass had always been something the Mu Family coveted. Now that they had reclaimed it from Nalan Su, it could be considered a blessing in disguise.

One Mu Lu in exchange for a hundred thousand Silver Armored Army.

Or rather, that old fox Jia Xing Tian was using the hundred thousand Silver Armored Army and Ghost Suppressing Pass to keep Nalan Chaoge in check.

Because Ya Fei had been involved, the Mite'er Family also promised certain benefits, finally dispelling the Mu Family's suspicions.

After all, when a man died, birds flew skyward—no, that wasn't right. The deceased should be respected!

What the Mu Family found hardest to swallow was that the Jia Ma Imperial Family, the Mite'er Family, and the Nalan Family would rather pay compensation than hand over Nalan Chaoge.

After some investigation, the Mu Family reached several conclusions. Nalan Chaoge possessed only the strength of a Dou Zhe. Nalan Chaoge possessed an Earth-tier Battle Skill, and this Battle Skill could be used without expending much Dou Qi. Nalan Chaoge had encountered a great opportunity. Most importantly, even Mu Tong, the Mu Family's worthless cultivator who was only a Two-star Dou Shi, could easily crush Nalan Chaoge.

A gentleman's revenge was never too late. The Mu Family temporarily swallowed their anger. As long as Nalan Chaoge dared to be alone, it would be his day of death.

Of course, it had to be done discreetly!

Compared to all this, no one cared about what the Mu Family thought.

The day after the compensation was made, beneath a towering tree in the Nalan Family training grounds.

A bare-chested youth had both hands tightly bound with ox sinew and was suspended beneath the tree.

Guo'er was also being punished alongside the youth, tightly hung beneath the tree with ropes.

Naturally, there were also those four Da Dou Shi guards.

The surroundings were packed with Nalan Family disciples and a number of retainers.

"I killed him. If you want to beat or scold someone, come at me. It has nothing to do with Guo'er or them!" Nalan Chaoge struggled. The rope binding him was made of ox sinew, making escape impossible, and struggling only caused it to tighten continuously.

"Since my Nalan Family established itself, we have never done anything to wrong others. I never expected you to kill someone over a personal grudge. Today, I... I'll kill you, you unfilial brat!" Nalan Jie held a leather whip, which cracked sharply through the air.

"Old Master, you mustn't! You mustn't!"

"That's right, Old Master. Young Master is still young. You mustn't!"

"Old Master, this isn't Young Master's fault. Guo'er failed to stop him. If you want to punish someone, punish me!"

"Old Master, we failed to stop Young Master. We were at fault! Punish us instead!"

"Old Master, Young Master is a genius. In just one month, he reached..."

"Ha..." The corner of Nalan Jie's mouth twitched. Seemingly "helpless," he lowered the whip in his hand, though his gaze kept drifting toward the Gate.

"Grandfather, punishing me is fine, but Guo'er is still a girl. Let her go! A man takes responsibility for his own actions. I absolutely won't drag my own woman into this!" Nalan Chaoge looked at Guo'er, whom he had implicated, with some heartache.

"Young Master, being punished alongside you is Guo'er's honor!" Hearing Nalan Chaoge call her "his own woman," Guo'er's face flushed crimson. Still, she looked at him happily as she spoke.

"All of you, shut up! Think carefully about what you did wrong. Even if you want to do something, you should wipe your own ass clean first! Today, I'll hang you for three days and make you remember this lesson. Do you think the Mu Family is so easy to provoke? Do you think others can't see through your little schemes? You are the hope of my Nalan Family. I won't allow anything to happen to you!"

"..."

Nalan Chaoge was nearly unable to keep acting. It was obvious that Grandfather was thrilled that he could cultivate.

"She's here! Princess Yaoye is here!" The steward standing at the Gate suddenly announced.

The moment he heard the announcement, Nalan Jie perked up. The whip in his hand cracked again. "You unfilial brat! Watch how I punish you properly!"

This time, Nalan Jie truly followed through. His whip cracked as it lashed toward Nalan Chaoge.

"Ah!" Nalan Chaoge twisted his body and cried out miserably, clenching his lips as he sucked in a cold breath.

Everyone in the Nalan Family was stunned. Wasn't this supposed to be an act? Why was he actually hitting him?

But with Princess Yaoye present, no one dared say anything.

"Mu Lu deserved to die. Even if I had to do it again, I would still kill him! He insulted my Nalan Family and insulted my fiancée. His death was no loss!" Nalan Chaoge held his head high, looking righteous and indignant.

"You... you're still being stubborn?" Nalan Jie shook the whip in his hand. Crack, crack, crack! Three more lashes fell.

Nalan Chaoge's body kept swaying in the wind, but he did not cry out again.

"What? Why aren't you talking now?"

"I have nothing to say."

"Didn't you just say that Mu Lu insulted my Nalan Family and your fiancée? You can explain yourself!" Nalan Jie's beard trembled with anger.

"That damned Mu Lu said he knew I liked Princess Yaoye. To stop me from marrying Yaoye, he had Mu Chen propose to Yaoye as well. He even said that he did not like Yaoye at all. As long as Yaoye married into the Mu Family, the Mu Family could use Yaoye to control the Jia Ma Imperial Family..."

"Shut up!"

"Even if you beat me to death today, I won't regret it!"

"Fine, then I'll beat you to death..."

"Grandfather Nalan!"

A cool, clear cry suddenly rang out, forcing Nalan Jie to stop his whip in midair.

Dressed in a magnificent brocade robe, Yaoye approached from the Gate with graceful steps, neither hurried nor slow.

Her faint pressure, cool expression, and peerless beauty caused everyone who met her gaze to lower their eyes.

"Granddaughter Yaoye, you came at the right time. Today, I'll hang this unfilial brat right here as an explanation to the Mu Family!" Nalan Jie was a Dou Wang, ranked among the Jia Ma Empire's ten greatest experts. Not only did he not need to bow when meeting Yaoye, he could even stand as an equal before Jia Xing Tian.

Strength represented everything.

Yaoye glanced at Nalan Chaoge, who appeared to be on his last breath. His bare upper body was covered in whip marks.

At first glance, it was indeed quite horrifying.

"Grandfather, I think Chaoge did nothing wrong!" Yaoye sighed. Since when had the always proud and righteous Nalan Jie been led astray by that bad boy Nalan Chaoge? He actually knew how to put on an act now.

"No, no, Chaoge was at fault..." Nalan Jie said in a fluster.

"Grandfather, actually, we're already family. My grandfather agreed to my marriage with Chaoge!" Even Yaoye, who had always stood above others, could not help but blush slightly when speaking of her own marriage.

Upon hearing Yaoye's words, Nalan Chaoge nearly jumped up in excitement. Yaoye! A princess! Just the thought of it was enough to excite him.

This was far more thrilling than those cosplays.

Besides, she was an elegant older beauty. Yaoye was absolutely the elegant older beauty type, and she even came with Queen attributes!

Oh, I love elegant older beauties!

Nalan Chaoge let out another ****. It seemed killing Mu Lu had truly been a far-sighted decision.

This book was first published on Chuangshi. Everyone can read it on QQ Reading.

This is a new release. If you have any good suggestions, cameo ideas, or plot ideas, feel free to leave them in the comments. I will choose some to add.

Also, after reading, could everyone please vote for Chaoge with a recommendation ticket?

Thank you!

As long as everyone supports me, I'll work hard to update more in the future—three chapters, four chapters, five chapters, ten chapters...