Mu Ningwei handed the Red Eagle Grass he had collected to Luo Mian's subordinates, then focused on taking Mu Nujiao around for fun.
Whenever a suitable opportunity arose, he let Mu Nujiao gain some practical experience.
The rest of the time, they toured the mountains and waters, kissed and cuddled, and enjoyed their sweet world for two.
Every now and then, they picked up a Spirit Seed or captured a young demon beast.
After wiping out large numbers of demon beasts, they explored the resources those creatures had left behind.
Some of the demon beast corpses were used to cultivate the Pseudo-Terror Demon.
Only when the Pseudo-Terror Demon entered its advancement phase and accumulated an enormous amount of energy did they end this outing.
Mu Ningwei brought Mu Nujiao back to the city, where they rested for the night.
The next day.
"Brother Ningwei, I'm going to challenge Hangcheng Academy."
"Good luck. Don't get hurt."
"They're the ones who should worry about getting hurt."
Mu Nujiao demanded a farewell hug, then happily set off to crush Hangcheng Academy.
Mu Ningwei pondered the situation in Hangcheng.
After entering Hangcheng, he felt large amounts of Faith Divine Power converging from all directions.
Clearly, Luo Mian's operation had already begun. While curing illnesses and saving people, he was also publicizing his achievements and cultivating faith.
"Let's ask how Luo Mian is doing."
Mu Ningwei had just taken out his phone when his expression shifted slightly and he looked outside. A few minutes later, the doorbell rang.
When he opened the door, Tang Yue was standing outside.
Compared to the first time he had met her, Tang Yue looked exhausted. Her hair was dry and lifeless, and her eyes were dull.
It was as if she had suffered a devastating blow, leaving her completely drained of spirit.
"Come in. What happened?"
After entering, Tang Yue's eyes reddened, and her voice carried a sob.
"It's all my fault. Big Guy is in Zhu Meng's hands now. Tomorrow at noon, Zhu Meng will set up a massive magic formation at West Lake and kill Big Guy!"
"Everyone thinks Big Guy's venom caused the epidemic. They're all waiting for Big Guy to be executed."
"But I know Big Guy is venomless during its molting period!"
"Mu Ningwei, you found the cure and saved all the patients. You're Hangcheng's great hero."
"Please, come forward and clear things up. If it's you, everyone will definitely be willing to believe it!"
Mu Ningwei understood.
Luo Mian had done well. The epidemic had already been resolved, and Hangcheng was now safe.
Only the rumors targeting the Totem Black Snake remained.
The public's resentment also needed an outlet.
Zhu Meng executing the Totem Black Snake would happen to ease that resentment.
"Tang Yue, the Totem Black Snake is your Tang Family's guardian deity. After Zhu Meng captured it, did your Tang Family do nothing?"
Tang Yue looked miserable. "My uncle is willing to save Big Guy, but he can't go against the wishes of the entire city. Otherwise, it would bring ruin upon the family."
"As long as the people believe Big Guy is innocent, our Tang Family has enough influence to rescue Big Guy!"
"Mu Ningwei, I need your help."
"You're the great hero who saved Hangcheng. I hope you can come forward and clear up the rumors! Please!"
Mu Ningwei spread his hands. "Sorry, I refuse."
Tang Yue's expression changed drastically. "Please, Mu Ningwei! You're our only hope!"
Tang Yue bent her knees, about to kneel and beg.
Mu Ningwei manipulated the shadows to restrain her legs, then shook his head.
"The public's resentment needs an outlet. Even if I step forward, I might not be able to clear up the rumors. I might even become a target for everyone."
"All I need to do is sit safely in the rear, and the public will naturally thank me. The Magic Association will also reward the Mu Clan behind me. I get both fame and profit. Why should I charge ahead for you?"
"Tang Yue, have you forgotten? You confidently rejected me back then. Otherwise, things would never have become this ugly."
Tang Yue's face went pale, filled with regret. She wished she could travel back in time and beat her past self to death.
"Our Tang Family will give you satisfactory compensation. Please! I'm really begging you!"
Tears streamed down Tang Yue's face.
Mu Ningwei dispersed the dark power around her legs. "Then tell me, what can the Tang Family offer?"
"A Star River Vein! A Soul Seed!"
Tang Yue immediately named the resources that had seemed incomparably precious to her.
"I don't need them."
Tang Yue fell into despair.
Even a Star River Vein and a Soul Seed could not move Mu Ningwei?
The Tang Family could not produce anything of a higher grade on such short notice!
Besides, was she really going to make the Tang Family sell everything they had to pay for her mistake?
Tang Yue blamed herself immensely. She lowered her head and sobbed softly.
"As long as you're willing to help... I'm willing to do anything. I can work for you for the rest of my life. I can be your woman!"
Mu Ningwei quickly waved his hands. "Stop, stop. I'm not interested."
"Originally, Leng Qing used a favor to ask me to come help you."
"But at the time, all I needed to do was hold Zhu Meng back until the Totem Black Snake got through its molting period. If I step out now, I'll be directly opposing Zhu Meng."
"That's very troublesome."
Tang Yue immediately cried, "I can owe you a favor too! Our Tang Family will owe you a huge favor!"
Mu Ningwei was speechless for two seconds. "I told you, I'm not interested. You should leave."
Tang Yue felt the world spin around her, and she fell into complete despair.
Did she truly have to watch her only relative die?
Tang Yue did not know how she managed to leave Mu Ningwei's residence.
Leng Qing had been waiting outside. Seeing her, she understood that things had not gone well and sighed softly.
"Tang Yue, what did Mu Ningwei say?"
"It's all my fault!"
Tang Yue burst into tears and explained what had happened.
When she finished, Tang Yue knelt on the ground, hugged Leng Qing's leg, and begged bitterly.
"Leng Qing, you have a good relationship with Mu Ningwei. He came here because you asked him to."
"You got him to agree once, so you can definitely get him to agree a second time. Please help me!"
Leng Qing looked troubled. After glancing around for a moment, she gave a bitter smile. "All right, I'll try."
Inside the room, Mu Ningwei prepared two cartons of juice and placed them on the coffee table.
The doorbell rang.
"Mu Ningwei, is this a good time?"
"Come in."
Leng Qing entered. Seeing Mu Ningwei seated on the sofa and looking at the two cartons of juice on the coffee table, she froze slightly.
Mu Ningwei smiled. "Sit. I've been waiting for you."
Leng Qing sat down and asked in surprise, "You knew I was outside?"
"I sensed your aura."
In truth, he had awakened the Sound Element and was sensitive to sounds.
Mu Ningwei had heard Leng Qing's voice.
What sharp senses.
Leng Qing marveled inwardly. She took a deep breath and said somewhat helplessly.
"Looks like you had everything planned out. How did you know Tang Yue would ask me to come?"
"Because this is her only remaining choice."
Leng Qing sighed. "All right. You really have me completely figured out."
"What do you need me to give up before you'll help clear the Totem Black Snake's name?"
"As long as it isn't anything too excessive... I'll agree to it."
Mu Ningwei smiled gently. "Don't think of me as a bad person. I'm merely dissatisfied with Tang Yue's actions. I'm using this to teach her a lesson, so she'll have more sense in the future."
"You don't need to give up anything. After all, I promised I would help the Totem Black Snake."
"I will definitely fulfill the promises I make."
"Besides, it is worth one favor from you. Such precious compensation is not something I would give up over such a minor matter."
Leng Qing's expression was complicated. She lowered her eyes, avoiding Mu Ningwei's gaze. "I-I see..."
Mu Ningwei continued in a gentle voice, "Don't worry. I'll help you."
Leng Qing pressed her lips together. "If you step forward now, your reputation might be affected, and you'll offend Zhu Meng, an Imperial Palace Court councilman..."
"This is something I promised you."
Leng Qing lowered her head and drank her juice, muttering softly, "So my favor can be worth this much. Then how am I supposed to repay the three favors I owe you in the future..."
No, you're the granddaughter of a Forbidden Mage.
If you can't repay them, your grandfather Song Qiming can repay them instead.
Mu Ningwei smiled.
"You'll definitely be able to repay them someday."
"And I have a way to resolve the Totem Black Snake's crisis without damaging my reputation."
Leng Qing suppressed her complicated emotions and asked curiously, "What way?"
Mu Ningwei smiled confidently. "Who said I would be afraid of Zhu Meng?"
"He should be the one afraid of me. For my sake, he should stop setting his sights on the Totem Black Snake."
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