I Refuse

In the end, Zhou Sining had to remind everyone how late it was before the gathering finally broke up.

Shen Yi watched unwillingly as Zhou Sining got into the Mu Clan's private car. He was already wondering whether to try a honey trap.

Mu Ning, meanwhile, had no intention of giving anyone else a chance.

The moment he got into the car, he eagerly picked up where he had left off.

"Since you're studying at Ancient Capital Academy, Zhou Sining, have you decided to build your career there too?"

"Not necessarily. It depends on how things go. I might decide to try somewhere else one day," Zhou Sining said.

He wasn't deliberately stringing Mu Ning along. That was genuinely how he saw it.

He had gone to the Ancient Capital because killing Undead there made it easy to earn life points and exchange them for resources.

But once he grew strong enough and was no longer constrained by his lifespan or resources, he would go wherever he pleased.

Besides, after a year in the Ancient Capital, Zhou Sining knew very well that he didn't particularly like the city.

After all, from magic high schools to magic academies, the Ancient Capital's dropout and leave-of-absence rates had consistently topped the national rankings. That said plenty about how oppressive and miserable life there could be.

Mu Ning sensed an opening. "Then what do you think of Magic City? Would you be interested in developing your career here?"

"I'll consider it." Zhou Sining laughed.

To Mu Ning and Mu Nujiao, that sounded almost like an agreement to come to Magic City.

Sitting beside them, Mu Nujiao frowned slightly. Zhou Sining could see through the recruitment pitch, and of course she could too.

But she understood better than he did that Mu Ning's offer was nowhere near as friendly or straightforward as it sounded.

Buried beneath it was an almost tyrannical contract that would bind him to the clan.

Despite his humble background, Zhou Sining had reached his current strength through talent and hard work. He even owned high-quality Boot Magic Equipment and Armor Magic Equipment. Even without a powerful backer, his future was bound to be bright.

Dean Xiao had even extended an invitation to him. That alone showed Zhou Sining was a rising star.

A rising star with limitless potential.

Someone like that should not be constrained.

It wasn't that Mu Nujiao didn't want her clan to recruit more talented people. She simply knew that if Zhou Sining signed a Retainer Contract, there was no guarantee the Mu Clan would remain attractive enough to keep him once he grew stronger.

With gifted young men like Zhou Sining, who came from poor families, the best approach was to coax them into signing a binding contract as soon as possible.

Only then could the clan ensure that, once they rose to prominence, they would neither leave nor dare to leave so easily.

But once the contract was signed, how many resources they received and how high they could rise depended in part on how well they navigated social politics.

Zhou Sining's talent should not be held back by such things.

Torn by these thoughts, Mu Nujiao said nothing the entire way. She sat quietly and listened as Zhou Sining and Mu Ning traded compliments.

It was already two in the morning when they reached the Mu Clan's ancestral residence. After a whole ride of polite back-and-forth with Mu Ning, Zhou Sining was genuinely exhausted.

He couldn't be bothered to admire the residence's grand, classical decor. He followed a housekeeper to the guest room and fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow.

Zhou Sining slept soundly and woke only when the sun was high in the sky.

He got up and washed. The Mu Clan truly lived up to its reputation as the foremost of Magic City's four great clans. Even its guest rooms met five-star hotel standards.

His suite had a bedroom, living room, and bathroom with separate wet and dry areas. It was fully furnished and highly automated, with a thoughtful selection of premium snacks, fruit, and drinks. There were even teas and coffees that sold for steep prices.

It was quite an eye-opener for Zhou Sining.

He picked up his phone to check his messages and saw that Mu Nujiao had been awake for an hour.

She had told him that if he wanted lunch, he could call instead of going to the dining hall, and someone would deliver it to his room.

If he wasn't comfortable with that, she could show him around herself.

How could Zhou Sining turn down an invitation from a beautiful woman?

Before long, Mu Nujiao knocked on his door.

They went out together, and Mu Nujiao led Zhou Sining on a leisurely walk through the grounds.

The Mu Clan's ancestral residence stood in the suburbs and covered an enormous area. Built in the style of a Jiangnan waterside garden, it was steeped in an atmosphere of classical elegance.

"Anything you'd like to eat? I'll have the kitchen make it," Mu Nujiao asked as she led the way.

"I like spicy food... Can they make Sichuan Cuisine?" Zhou Sining asked.

Mu Nujiao paused, unable to understand why someone from Bo City, in southern Fujian, was so fond of chili peppers.

But since Zhou Sining had asked, she had no reason to refuse.

"They can."

"Thanks."

"No need to thank me. If anything, I should be thanking you. Without you, I might not have lasted until help arrived." Mu Nujiao smiled.

She was talking about what had happened with Shen Feng.

"Let's not talk about that. You officially start classes the day after tomorrow, right?" Zhou Sining asked.

"Right. What about you?"

"Ancient Capital Academy starts a few days later, on the tenth. I saw online that Pearl Academy holds a welcome competition for its freshmen. The new students fight the Summoning System freshmen's Summoned Beasts, and it sounded interesting. Do you think I could get in to watch?"

"I also want to see a friend of mine. He said he's going to get in there and show everyone what he can do."

Zhou Sining had been thinking about the Beast Fighting Competition since the night before.

It was an iconic early scene from the original story, where Mo Fan got to show off and silence his doubters. How could Zhou Sining miss seeing it in person?

He could also use the opportunity to keep Mu Nujiao from coming into contact with Mo Fan. Later, he would find a chance to make Mo Fan understand that a friend's woman was off-limits and that he should stay away from her.

Mo Fan was determined to marry only two women anyway. He would be better off not getting too close to Mu Nujiao.

Mu Nujiao thought for a moment. "In principle, outsiders aren't allowed in. But if you pretend to be a freshman, no one will notice. You just won't be able to compete."

"I definitely won't compete. I'll just watch my friend sweep the field." Zhou Sining smiled.

"Then come with me when the time comes."

"Sure."

Mu Nujiao didn't ask why Zhou Sining wasn't having his friend take him. If he didn't bring it up, she knew better than to pry.

Besides, her clan had already told her to spend more time with Zhou Sining, learn what he wanted, and try to bring him into the fold within the next two days.

She didn't mind spending time with Zhou Sining, but she hated being put forward as a bargaining chip to recruit talent.

To her, liking someone meant liking them, and not liking someone meant not liking them.

She simply couldn't be like her younger sister, Mu Nuxin, whose smile carried an ulterior motive for everyone she met.

But in a clan this powerful, many people had little say over their own lives.

At that thought, bitterness rose in Mu Nujiao's heart. How strong would I have to become before I had a say?

Zhou Sining noticed something was wrong. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing." Mu Nujiao hid her troubled expression.

After a moment, she looked at Zhou Sining and asked, "Last night, you said you didn't have any powerful backing... The Mu Clan has always welcomed talented people. Would you be interested in becoming one of our retainers?"

A retainer, not someone bound by a contract.

It was the best offer Mu Nujiao could secure within the limits of her authority.

"No," Zhou Sining said without hesitation.

Surprise flashed across Mu Nujiao's face.

After all, Zhou Sining had accepted an invitation to stay at the Mu Clan's ancestral residence and told Mu Ning he might build his career in Magic City. He had seemed thoroughly pleased with the Mu Clan.

That was why the clan elders had told her to bring him on board within the next two days.

As they saw it, all that remained before Zhou Sining signed a binding contract was a little incentive. They had sent Mu Nujiao, someone his own age, to feel him out.

Yet now Zhou Sining had flatly said he wasn't interested?

Zhou Sining lowered his gaze to Mu Nujiao, his voice firm.

"I don't like having my freedom restricted. I cultivate to make my life better. If I give up control over my own life for the sake of greater power, wouldn't that defeat the whole purpose?"

"But last night you..."

"I meant it when I said I wanted to build my career in Magic City. That doesn't mean I'll sign a binding contract with your clan."

Mu Ning had smiled the entire time, but Zhou Sining knew exactly what he had been thinking.

Still, Zhou Sining swore every word he had said was true. He hadn't been deliberately stringing Mu Ning along.

They were the ones who had jumped to conclusions.

"I see." Mu Nujiao nodded in understanding.

"You don't think I deceived you, do you?" Zhou Sining asked.

"No. Joining us has always been voluntary."

Mu Nujiao smiled, and this time there was more sincerity in it.

"Besides, I think relying on a powerful faction would only hold you back. A life of freedom really is something you have to win with your own hands."

That smile set Zhou Sining's heart fluttering.

They barely knew each other, yet this beautiful woman was already looking out for him. Who wouldn't feel something?

But he also knew how much Mu Nujiao longed for freedom, so he said sincerely, "Thank you. I hope your wish comes true."

"Here's hoping."

"Oh, right." Zhou Sining changed the subject, leaning close to Mu Nujiao's ear to whisper, "If I turn your clan down, you won't kick me out to sleep on the street, will you?"

He sounded so timid that anyone overhearing might have thought the Mu Clan was some ruthless monster.

Mu Nujiao gave him a strained smile. "The Mu Clan isn't a criminal gang, thank you very much."