"Zi Void Daoist, what are you trying to say?" Mu Yunhan asked with a cold tone, unable to hold back his curiosity.
Zi Mo and Jin Cheng were also taken aback, finding it hard to believe what Zi Qiu Daoist had just said. They thought that the curse had already been resolved since Mu Yunxuan had lived past the age of twenty.
"I will reveal the truth if the Holy Lord promises not to harm the little girl," Zi Qiu Daoist said confidently, holding his trump card and displaying a hint of arrogance.
"You dare to threaten me?" Mu Yunxuan's voice turned cold, and his piercing gaze penetrated into Zi Qiu Daoist's heart.
"I dare not. I am already at your mercy, being manipulated by others. I would never dare to threaten the Holy Lord," Zi Qiu Daoist replied with a tone of hidden sarcasm, glancing at Mu Yunxuan.
But Mu Yunxuan paid no attention to it.
"Get to the point, or I will make you regret being alive," Mu Yunxuan said, his impatience evident. He wanted to know if the curse had truly been lifted, especially concerning his daughter, Li'er.
"Thank you, Holy Lord," Zi Qiu Daoist said with relief as his hanging heart finally settled.
Ling Qiushui bit her lip, filled with hatred and resentment towards Mu Yunxuan's ruthlessness and heartlessness.
"Speak," Mu Yunxuan commanded, his words carrying great anger and pressure.
In Zi Qiu Daoist's eyes, Mu Yunxuan was like an eight-legged crab, rampant and unstoppable.
The audience fell into a deep silence, so quiet that even the sound of a falling needle could be heard. The oppressive atmosphere made Zi Void Daoist and Ling Qiushui uncomfortable.
Just as Mu Yunxuan was growing impatient, Zi Qiu Daoist finally spoke up.
"The eight characters of you and Su Zimo represent the combination of yin and yang. The curse of the Underworld Marriage requires one to die and one to live. Although both of you have survived, the curse on your bloodline remains. Your next generation will still be bound by this curse, and the Underworld Marriage will not be able to break it."
Zi Qiu Daoist provided a simple explanation.
Mu Yunxuan's figure froze, and his first thought was of Li'er.
"Will Li'er also be cursed by the Ten Thousand Evils?" Mu Yunhan murmured softly, staggering back a few steps. How could this be?
"Go," Mu Yunxuan turned around, but was suddenly stopped by Zi Qiu Daoist.
"Are you trying to go back on your word? You promised me that the little girl would be spared. Mu Yunxuan turned around abruptly, his gaze cold as he looked at Zi Qiu Daoist.
A chilling and charming smile appeared on his lips as he spoke indifferently, "I promised not to kill Ling Qiushui, but in this lifetime, I have decided that both you and your daughter will live out your lives in this dungeon. You should not have laid your hands on the woman under my protection. If you provoke me, you will naturally pay the price."
After his words, he left with a heartless back, leaving only the father and daughter in despair.
"Daddy, I'm sorry. It's because of me that you suffered," Ling Qiushui expressed her regret, realizing how wrong she was. She had hoped to use her position in Junzi Xi's heart to make Mu Yunxuan sympathize with her, but she now realized how foolish she had been and that the Mu Yunxuan she thought she knew was just the tip of the iceberg.
"Don't blame yourself, Shui'er. It's Daddy's miscalculation. As long as we survive this calamity, we will have the chance to escape. On the night of the fifteenth full moon next month, the Demon Capital will appear, and we will go to Cloud City to assassinate Mu Yunxuan. That will be our chance to escape. We just need to contact our people, and we will be safe."
Zi Qiu Daoist comforted his daughter softly. Despite his careful planning over the years, everything had unraveled so quickly. He had wanted his daughter to enjoy supreme glory and wealth in the future, but instead, he had led them both into the dungeons of the Mu family.
Outside the dungeon, Mu Yunxuan stood with his hands at his sides, squinting as he reflected on the words of Zi Qiu Daoist.
Suddenly, he spoke loudly, "Yun Han, go to the secret room and investigate. Check the historical records and see if this curse existed before the Mu family encountered the Wu clan or after. Study the information about the Wu clan thoroughly. Once we're done here, I will personally visit the Wu clan's patriarch."
"Understood! Rest assured, big brother. Yun Han will uncover even the tiniest clue," Mu Yunhan responded calmly. It was time to conduct a thorough investigation.
"By the way, big brother, Ji Yu and Ji Rui have returned to the capital. The Qingguo Ceremony is approaching, and Princess Yaoxi will also return to Haoyue Country. The ladies and young masters from the prominent families who were out for cultivation will also come back to participate in the Alchemy Conference. If Qier wants to take part in the conference, you need to be cautious of Ji Yu and Ji Rui. These two siblings are highly cunning, and Ji Rui has always had a fondness for you. Now that they're back, they might find an opportunity to target your wife," Mu Yunhan shared the latest news. His information network was extensive, and he quickly learned about any developments in the capital.
"Hmph! Their city runs deep, but my son Mu Yunxuan is not to be underestimated. Remember what happened to Jun Lintian? He ended up eating dung without even realizing who set him up. And now these two important individuals think they can be worthy opponents for my son."
After saying that, Mu Yunxuan flew away, leaving Zi Mo, Jincheng, and Mu Yunhan looking at each other.
"So, it seems Jun Lintian fell for Qi Er and Que Er's schemes. How could he be so foolish?" Mu Yunhan exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. Even he, someone as simple as dung, could see through their tricks. Or perhaps, the brothers simply couldn't come up with such cunning plans?
"Isn't it obvious? Jun Lintian has fallen into a trap. I've seen fools before, but Mu Yunxuan takes it to a whole new level. Just look at his smug expression," Zi Mo mocked, although deep down, he couldn't help but feel envious.
"Yunxuan is right. Those three princes think they're clever, but they've only brought ruin upon themselves, especially the Su family," Jincheng chimed in, agreeing with Mu Yunxuan's assessment.
"Hmm! That little fox Qi'er is quite cunning for her age. Those crafty eyes of hers, changing like the weather. She's like an August pomegranate, full of ideas," Zi Mo nodded, acknowledging her intelligence.
"I must say, you two are being too relaxed. Do you think I don't exist?" Mu Yunhan retorted, feeling like they were taunting his nephew in front of him. It was like a toad trying to puff itself up and annoy everyone.
"Huh! What's with that look? Are we taunting Qi'er? We're praising her cleverness. And who are you to put on a sour face? It's not like someone peed on your shoes," Zi Mo glared at Mu Yunhan. Did his small-minded family really have nothing better to talk about?
"Enough with the bickering. Don't stick your finger in your eye and make yourself suffer needlessly. You've seen what happened to Ling Qiushui and Jun Lintian. Don't say I didn't warn you," Mu Yunhan said, raising his eyebrows proudly. "Let's go! I'm going back to sleep. It's already past my bedtime."
Mu Yunhan yawned, feeling quite tired after the events of the past few days.
Meanwhile, Zi Mo and Jincheng looked at each other, realizing that there was nothing more to be said. They both silently pondered the direction in which Mu Yunxuan had flown.
The Qunfang Pavilion remained open despite the King's Landing incident. In fact, the number of people seeking entertainment there seemed to have increased. It was widely known that although King's Landing had withdrawn some of his power from Jun Lintian, he still retained control over his properties. Those who were observant could see that the Haoyue Emperor was merely trying to appease the public.
Inside the pavilion, the melodic sound of the piano mixed with laughter, teasing, and flirting. The scent of cosmetics filled the air.
In a secret room on the third floor, Jun Lintian sat coldly on a chair, dressed in black. After the recent incidents, he seemed much calmer.
Yafu entered the room with tea, dressed in a red gown embroidered with golden silk clouds, exuding charm and allure.
"Your Highness," Yafu greeted with a gentle bow.
Jun Lintian remained cold, not even bothering to lift his eyelids.
"Have you found Xiao Bing'er?"
"Your Highness, Yafu is incompetent. Xiao Bing'er disappeared without a trace on the second day of the incident. There were so many things happening at that time, and Yafu didn't pay much attention. Xiao Bing'er has been hidden in the Qunfang Pavilion for a year, so she must have found a way out by now."
After Yafu finished speaking, she noticed Jun Lintian's increasingly gloomy expression. Her heart skipped a beat. He seemed even more frightening than before, radiating an intense anger that made people afraid to approach.
Jun Lintian remained silent, and the room fell into an eerie stillness.
"What does Bright Moon Villa have to do with all of this?"
Yafu trembled at the sudden question.
"Your Highness, I couldn't find any evidence of their connection."
"Worthless!" Jun Lintian shouted, frustration evident in his voice. Su Zimo, I have underestimated you. Your actions were executed flawlessly.
Finally, Jun Lintian raised his eyes to look at Yafu. In the candlelight, her face adorned with a beauty mark looked alluring and captivating. Jun Lintian, who had never lacked female companions, found his throat dry.
"Tonight, it's your turn to sleep with me," he said softly, causing Yafu to look at him in disbelief. After all these years, he finally saw her, truly saw her. She had been waiting for this moment for so long, and now it had finally arrived.
"Yes, Your Highness," Yafu replied, her eyes filled with shyness, her face blushing. Jun Lintian got up, picked up Yafu, and flew out the window.
Unbeknownst to them, their actions were witnessed by hidden observers outside the Qunfang Pavilion.
<quillbot-extension-portal></quillbot-extension-portal>