The Desire for Strength

Seeing Mu Zhuoyun so furious, Mu Ningxue's icy face showed a hint of surprise.

This wasn't the Mu Zhuoyun she had imagined.

Watching the expression on Mu Ningxue's face, Mu Zhuoyun knew exactly what she was thinking.

He sighed softly. "Ningxue, your father wanted you to marry into a good family because you're exceptionally gifted..."

"Your future should be even more brilliant, so your other half naturally can't be lacking."

"But your father never meant to make you..."

Mu Zhuoyun didn't finish, but Mu Ningxue understood his meaning.

Then Mu Zhuoyun thought of something else and asked, "Did he... did he force you into anything?"

"No."

Mu Ningxue shook her head.

Mu Zhuoyun had been young once too, and to him, the promise Chen Lang made to Mu Ningxue was likely just sweet talk.

In truth, Mu Zhuoyun's head was spinning.

Because from Mu Ningxue's introduction just now, Chen Lang was clearly a direct descendant of the Chen Clan!

With such extraordinary talent, his status within the Chen Clan was unimaginable.

Let alone his own Mu family—even the Great Xia Mu Clan would have to yield before the Chen Clan.

For a moment, he felt powerless.

Seeing Mu Zhuoyun's troubled expression, Mu Ningxue said, "Father, he said it's my choice whether I agree or not."

Hearing his daughter's reassurance, Mu Zhuoyun's heart ached again.

She was still too young!

She couldn't possibly understand the dark side of this world.

After his outburst, Mu Zhuoyun gradually sobered up. He wasn't just a father—he was also the head of a clan.

He had to be responsible for the entire Bocheng Mu Family. At that moment, he realized how ridiculous his title of "Local Emperor" of Bocheng truly was.

After a moment of silence, Mu Zhuoyun looked at Mu Ningxue and asked, "Ningxue, what do you think?"

If his daughter didn't want this, he would risk everything!

That was what a father should do.

"I want to agree to him..."

His earlier actions had moved her. But at the same time, the helplessness her father had just shown made her uncomfortable.

This man who always sheltered her rarely showed such an expression. In that moment, Mu Ningxue felt a burning desire for strength!

Indeed, in this world, only the strong had the right to say "I don't want to."

Besides, she felt Chen Lang was trustworthy.

Though they hadn't known each other long, and he never hid his possessiveness toward her, he had never actually crossed any line.

That made Mu Ningxue believe he wasn't deceiving her.

Hearing this, Mu Zhuoyun felt another pang of bitterness. It was like knowing his precious daughter was being tricked but being unable to warn her.

Mu Ningxue continued, "Father, don't worry. Before he fulfills his promise, I won't let myself get hurt."

"Alright... alright."

"Ningxue, if he really does deceive you, you must tell your father."

"Mm."

The evening banquet was held in a large courtyard of the Mu residence.

When Chen Lang was invited out, he saw many people his age there.

Among them were the outstanding younger generation, Yu Ang, and Mu Bai, who had grown rapidly in recent years.

But Chen Lang wasn't sure if it was his imagination—Mu Zhuoyun's attitude toward him at the banquet seemed to have shifted slightly.

Not on the surface, of course. So he didn't think much of it.

He thought he understood Mu Zhuoyun well, but he never expected Mu Zhuoyun to reject this match.

At the same time, Chen Lang also met Mu He.

"Big brother, who is this?" Mu He looked at Chen Lang and asked curiously.

Mu Zhuoyun introduced him with a forced smile. "This is Ningxue's classmate, also a student at the Imperial Capital Academy."

Hearing this, Mu Bai and Yu Ang were both slightly stunned.

They had been curious about Chen Lang's identity earlier.

Because even Mu Zhuoyun had to be polite to him.

Now they finally understood—this must be a young master from one of the Great Clans.

Watching Chen Lang standing beside Mu Ningxue, many of their peers felt a bitter twinge in their hearts.

"So you're a top student from the Imperial Capital Academy. Welcome, welcome." Mu He's fawning was even more blatant.

Come to think of it, it wasn't surprising.

Mu Zhuoyun was Mu Ningxue's father, so naturally he couldn't lower his pride as easily as her uncle could.

"Thanks."

Chen Lang had no interest in chatting with him.

Mu He didn't mind at all, instead continuing to introduce: "This is Yu Ang, our Mu Clan's second-best genius."

Chen Lang merely glanced at him, showing no intention of saying a word.

Yu Ang's face instantly turned cold. But the moment he met Mu He's gaze, he snapped back to normal.

In fact, a flicker of panic even crossed his face.

But it was all over in an instant, so naturally no one noticed.

"Yu Ang's been stuck at a bottleneck in his training lately. Could Young Master Chen offer some guidance?" Mu He asked with a genial smile.

"Not interested."

"..."

Faced with Chen Lang's blunt refusal, everyone was taken aback.

Yet even with such rude behavior, not a single person dared to make a snide remark.

Chen Lang had refused, but he still gave Mu Zhuoyun an out: "Uncle Mu, my apologies. This adopted son of yours really doesn't catch my eye."

"Virtuous Nephew speaks truly. He's naturally no match for you."

With that, Mu Zhuoyun shot a cold glance at Mu He and Yu Ang, then said to Yu Ang, "Your duel is tomorrow. Go rest early."

"Yes..."

Yu Ang's face was twisted with fury. Even though he feared Mu He, being treated with such contempt by Chen Lang filled him with seething hatred!

In his eyes, Chen Lang was just lucky to be born well.

If not for a good family background, how could he compare?

If he had that kind of birth, a Second Generation Ancestor like Chen Lang would be trampled under his feet!

As he turned to leave, Yu Ang bitterly etched Chen Lang into his memory, as if waiting for an opportunity.

Though there was a slight hiccup, it quickly faded under Mu Zhuoyun and Mu He's deliberate flattery...

After the banquet, Mu Ningxue led Chen Lang away.

Once they were alone, Chen Lang spoke first: "I'm not one to gossip, but your father's adopted son is off."

Hearing this, Mu Ningxue stopped in her tracks.

She couldn't say she felt nothing about what happened at the banquet.

After all, this was her home, yet Chen Lang had acted more like the master—a feeling she didn't appreciate.

But now, hearing his explanation, she grew curious: "What's off about him?"

Chen Lang continued: "My Black Annihilation gave me a special sense—his cultivation isn't pure."

He made that up, of course. He just plain didn't like Yu Ang.

If he could, he'd have dealt with the guy himself.

But no matter what, his behavior at the banquet had been a bit over the top, so he needed an explanation...