Chapter 207: The Yu Familys Reaction

Chapter 207: The Yu Family's Reaction

Yu Mugao sat in a high position in the hall, with two peak Qi Cultivation Realm guests standing respectfully beside him. The vast hall was silent, with not a single person daring to speak. Yu Mugao's expression was slightly weary, clearly having suffered greatly during this period. His deep voice reverberated through the hall when he spoke.

"Muyuan... is there still no news from Mujian?"

The person seated below him was tall and thin. His features bore a resemblance to Yu Mugao, albeit lacking his dark and venomous demeanor. It was one of the two men who used to follow him, and they nodded and replied respectfully, "Fourth brother said he went north to seek a place to sharpen his sword's edge.... It's been several months, and there's still no sign of his return."

"Damn fool!" Yu Mugao hissed as he cursed under his breath. As annoyed as he was, he felt powerless regarding his brother's situation, who was wholly devoted to the path of the sword. He sighed softly.

"Muyuan, it's fortunate I have you to watch over things... Otherwise, with so many troubles at home, I would be driven to my grave."

"I dare not... I'm merely alleviating my big brother's worries," Yu Muyuan responded.

Just then, a person hurried up from below, holding a letter in his hands. He handed it to Yu Mugao, whispering, "Family Head, we've received a secret letter from Ma Haiji of Mount Huaqian!"

Yu Mugao raised an eyebrow, his expression darkening. He took the letter, broke the wax seal, and read the letter twice over.

His face contorted angrily at once as he gritted his teeth and exclaimed, "An Jingming... that cunning fox! I've overlooked him these days, only to find that he has reached such a level..."

He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment before handing the letter to Yu Muyuan, who took it with both hands.

After glancing at it, he was unable to contain his shock and exclaimed, "H-...How is this possible?! It's only been a few years! An Jingming has reached such a realm of cultivation..?!"

The eighth heavenly layer of the Qi Cultivation Realm... How can this be possible? What's with that monstrous cultivation speed? Is this information from the Li Family reliable? Our family is currently on good terms with the An Family... could this be a divisive strategy to make us turn against the An Family?

Yu Mugao closed his eyes and thought deeply for a while, then shook his head. He spoke gravely. "It doesn't seem possible... The Li Family has always been reserved, and Li Tongya is not one to stir up trouble. According to the spy, acquiring this information was a near-death experience. This likely isn't a ploy by the Li Family."

Neither Li Yuanxiu nor Yu Mugao could have anticipated that Ma Haiji, in his desire to highlight his own contributions, had embellished the letter, describing the process of obtaining the information as fraught with deadly peril. Unfortunately for him, this had influenced Yu Mugao's judgment, making him more certain and decisive of the news's authenticity.

"If Tian Zhongqing returns to the courtyard and sees the paper on the ground and inquires from his servants, they will surely know I was the only visitor... Wouldn't that expose me?!"

Ma Haiji was greatly shaken and extremely distressed, his expression darkening the more he thought about his predicament.

"There's no turning back now! I can never return to the Li Family... they've probably laid a trap by now, and going back would be walking into certain death."

With his bag on his back, Ma Haiji was overwhelmed with panic as he mumbled, "I can't wait for a reply from home... I need to leave now! I need to escape here and return home!"

Ma Haiji still had some sense in him left. He quickly pieced together the sequence of events, picked up his bag, and dashed into the woods. Heading north for the duration of the time it took to burn an incense stick, his body was thoroughly scratched by branches and thorns.

Unexpectedly, a figure suddenly landed before him, interrupting his escape.

The man, dressed in a plain gray robe with a sword at his waist, exuded a dignified demeanor. His eyes fixed on Ma Haiji as he smiled and asked, "Where do you intend to go?"

Ma Haiji was terrified, his legs beginning to shake uncontrollably.

"Who are you..?!" he cried out.

"I am Chen Donghe!"

Chen Donghe smiled slightly, glancing at Ma Haiji and saying softly, "You're quite perceptive... Had we not been waiting here already, you might have indeed escaped."

"Chen Donghe... a Qi Cultivator!"

Having been with the Li Family for many years, though only as an ordinary official, Ma Haiji knew well of Chen Donghe's reputation. He drew a dagger from his waist and slashed his own throat.

However, Ma Haiji was merely a mortal. With a flick of his finger, Chen Donghe effortlessly knocked the dagger in Ma Haiji's hand with a forceful blow, sending it flying out of his grasp and landing by the riverbank. Then, with a wave of his hand, Ma Haiji collapsed to the ground, completely limp.

Chen Donghe looked at Ma Haiji with a slight pang of pity for the helpless man before picking him up. He took to the winds right away, heading toward Mount Lijing in the west.