Unrivaled Miracle Doctor: The God-Defying Demonic Consort

"How should I repay you, Your Majesty?"

Mu Qingge’s voice, cold as ice, descended from the heavens.

Qin Jinyang felt as though he was in an ice cave, his blood freezing entirely.

"No... don’t kill me... don’t..." At this moment, Qin Jinyang cried helplessly like a child, pleading bitterly.

He lay at Mu Qingge’s feet, reaching out with both hands, clutching tightly at her boots, weeping bitterly.

"I beg you, don’t kill me. Whatever you want, I will give it to you!" Qin Jinyang raised his tear-streaked face. He was truly afraid; he had witnessed three peerless experts of the Purple Realm die at Mu Qingge’s hands, witnessed her coldness, witnessed her madness.

"What do you have to trade with me?" Mu Qingge lowered her eyes, her cold gaze falling upon him. Her words were full of biting sarcasm.

Qin Jinyang was stunned, speechless as he looked at her.

The eyes, once veiled by madness and jealousy, now reflected only pleading and fear.

Mu Qingge sneered, "You said something very true. This throne was a gift from me. Even the throne depends on my charity; what else can you exchange with me for?"

Qin Jinyang’s lips trembled, the color drained swiftly from his skin.

Mu Qingge’s words left him without a retort.

He was the ruler of a nation, yet he had nothing!

Footsteps resounded from the city tower.

Mu Qingge did not look, but Qin Jinyang turned to see.

He saw Mu Xiong in prisoner’s garb, saw the people of the Shao Family, and also saw his imperial brother who helped him ascend to the throne—Qin Jinchen.

Upon seeing Qin Jinchen, hope rekindled in his eyes, and he rushed over desperately, shouting hoarsely: "Imperial Brother, save me—! Save me, Imperial Brother!"

Mu Qingge watched him calmly, not stopping him, allowing him to crawl and stumble over to Qin Jinchen, clutching his legs.

Qin Jinchen staggered slightly from the impact, causing the Hidden Guards behind him to tense up, weapons pointed at Qin Jinyang.

But Qin Jinyang seemed oblivious, only hugging Qin Jinchen’s legs tightly and crying loudly. "Imperial Brother, Yang’er is still young. Yang’er has just come of age! Yang’er was foolish and made mistakes. Please forgive me, Imperial Brother. I won’t be the Emperor anymore; let me just be an ordinary person, alright? Imperial Brother, please help me."

By then, those related to Mu Qingge had mostly ascended the city tower.

Below the Imperial City, only the Dragon Tooth Guards maintained order.

Among the three Le’s, two were dead and one injured. The injured one was barely hanging on, all thanks to Zhu Ling administering low-rank elixirs under Mu Qingge’s orders.

Why use only low-rank elixirs?

Sorry, but Mu Qingge was not generous enough to use good elixirs on enemies. Feeding low-rank elixirs bit by bit sufficed to keep them alive temporarily.

Han Caicai leaned against the city tower’s pillar, arms crossed, fox-like eyes half-closed watching the drama unfold. Occasionally, his gaze lingered on the figure of Gu Ya, who stood low-key and reclusive behind Mu Xiong.

Seemingly, he was trying to guess his identity.

Throughout the city tower, the only sound was Qin Jinyang’s pleas to Qin Jinchen.

Shao Fatty squeezed next to Mu Qingge, resentfully saying, "Boss, this kid is nothing but ungrateful; he’s a treacherous snake. You can’t go soft!"

Mu Qingge glanced at him, saying nothing. She used her peripheral vision to glance at the whip marks behind Fatty and found that, besides the residual bloodstains, the wounds had already scabbed over and started healing.

This was a side effect of taking the Genetic Transformation Agent, which accelerated wound healing with telomerase in the body.

"I can’t save you," Qin Jinchen said calmly. His voice carried no discernible emotion.

Qin Jinyang looked up at him in disbelief, loudly saying, "Imperial Brother, I am your only brother left! Are you truly willing to watch me die? To see the Imperial Family’s bloodline wither?"

Qin Jinchen slowly raised his eyes to look at Mu Qingge.

In those clear, deep-pool-like eyes, Mu Qingge saw, as if for the first time, a faint frown.

She was not the only one frowning; Han Caicai was too. He disliked the look the sickly prince gave Mu Qingge, and he disliked the near-imperceptible rapport and trust between them even more.

’Could it be that this sickly prince intends to plead with Mu Qingge?’ Han Caicai thought while eyeing Qin Jinchen.

After guessing his intentions, Han Caicai smiled instead.

From what he understood about Mu Qingge, if the Regent King of Qin Country truly pleaded, their friendship would likely end.

With a malicious grin, Han Caicai decided to continue watching the show.

"He’s at your disposal."

What!

Han Caicai’s fox-like eyes widened in disbelief, staring at Qin Jinchen. ’How is this different from what I expected?’

Having said this, Qin Jinchen’s words left Qin Jinyang shocked, causing him to release the grip on his leg.

His imperial brother had abandoned him...

After speaking, Qin Jinchen turned away, prepared to leave.

Hua Yue glanced at her master and, seeing Mu Qingge’s cold face, silent and unspeaking, quickly asked, "Where is the Regent King going?"

Qin Jinchen stopped, his tone cold as he replied, "There are many affairs in the palace that need attending to."

"Imperial Brother! Are you truly so cold and heartless?" Qin Jinyang shouted intensely.

It seemed to be his dying struggle.

Yet, Qin Jinchen remained unmoved. Qin Jinyang’s words made him take a deep breath and say softly, "Yang’er, you are of age; when you err, you must take responsibility."

Qin Jinyang’s eyes widened with panic, and he crawled a few paces, crying out, "Yang’er knows, Yang’er knows my mistake. I am willing to admit my wrongs, willing to be responsible, but I do not want to die!"

Qin Jinchen pressed his lips together, turning away to leave the city tower.

He was like a cloud; his departure stripped Qin Jinyang of any remaining hope.

"Hmph, when you killed, did you ever think such a day would come?" Shao Fatty sneered, flexing his hands eagerly.

Qin Jinyang sat despondently on the ground, his Dragon Robe filthy beyond recognition. The Dragon Crown atop his head was askew. Hearing Shao Fatty’s words, he suddenly shouted, "No! They forced me! Those people forced me! They are so powerful, I had to obey!"

He pointed to the severed head of the effeminate man, screaming uncontrollably.

"Bah!" Shao Fatty spat disdainfully onto the floor, "Young Master looks down on you!"

Qin Jinyang trembled, his gaze lowered, his hands clenched fiercely against the floor, enduring the humiliation in his heart. He may look down on himself, but to save his life... if he survived this disgrace today, he would repay it a thousandfold in the future!

"Qin Jinyang," Mu Qingge suddenly called out softly.

Qin Jinyang immediately raised his head, crawling towards Mu Qingge like a dog, looking up pleadingly, "Yang’er is here."

Mu Qingge gazed down at him, her clear eyes serene and unperturbed. At this moment, Qin Jinyang seemed as he did when he first saw him at the Mu Family, humble and obedient.

But alas, it was all just a clumsy facade.

"Your acting is really terrible," Mu Qingge said.

Qin Jinyang paused, the ingratiating expression on his face stiffening slightly, "Yang’er doesn’t understand."

Mu Qingge laughed coldly, indifferent, saying, "Whether you understand or not, it no longer matters." She looked towards the high execution platform below the city tower, her eyes glinting with cold light. "Since it’s already set up, wouldn’t it be a waste not to use it?"

Qin Jinyang didn’t grasp the meaning of her words until he heard her suddenly say, "Take him to the platform."

At her command, Dragon Tooth Guards immediately stepped forward, dragging the dazed Qin Jinyang down.

It was only halfway through being dragged that Qin Jinyang snapped out of his daze, struggling desperately, shouting, "No! You can’t kill me! This is regicide! A crime of the utmost treason!"

"Regicide? Treason?" Mu Qingge’s lips curled into a sardonic smile, her eyes icy as the frost of mid-winter.

"Kill him!"

"Kill this dog emperor!"

"Kill him! Our Qin Country wants no such emperor!"

"Kill him—!"

"Kill him—!"

"Kill him—!"

Under the Imperial City, the citizens who were reluctant to leave, upon seeing Qin Jinyang being dragged onto the execution platform, immediately began to shout excitedly.

Qin Jinyang was utterly flustered. Upon seeing the gleaming guillotine on the execution platform, he felt completely weak and cold all over. "No, you cannot kill me! I am the Emperor! The monarch of this country!"

However, his voice was drowned out by the ever-growing voices of the people, like a tidal wave.

The cries of the people spread from the Imperial City, rapidly expanding like ripples to every corner of Luodu.

Even the Thousand Fierce Army, ordered to seize Luodu City gate, heard this thunderous roar.

The leader of the Thousand Fierce Army suddenly raised his long halberd and shouted, "The Monarch is unjust, regards the people as pigs and dogs, harms the loyal ministers, deserves death!"

The deputy at his side immediately responded—

"The Monarch is unjust, regards the people as pigs and dogs, harms the loyal ministers, deserves death!"

"The Monarch is unjust, regards the people as pigs and dogs, harms the loyal ministers, deserves death!"

"The Monarch is unjust, regards the people as pigs and dogs, harms the loyal ministers, deserves death!"

The voice spread, and all the soldiers of the hundred thousand Thousand Fierce Army brandished their weapons, shouting in unison, "Deserves death!"

"Deserves death!"

"Deserves death!"

"Deserves death!"

The captured city gate guards gathered together, squatting on the ground, listening to these accusations, silently looking at each other.

Gradually, they were also infected, slowly standing up, raising their fists high, and shouting, "Deserves death!"

At this time, the hundred thousand Mu Family Army camped outside the city hurried over, just in time to hear this shocking sound. Many of the steeds of the officers were terrified, neighing incessantly.

"What happened? Who are they going to execute?" Deputy Xiong reined in his horse and asked in surprise.

The scouts immediately reported back, quickly recounting the events happening in the Imperial City, making Deputy Xiong and others’ blood boil.

"Damn it! We still arrived a step too late!" a deputy said regretfully.

Another snorted coldly, "That damn Emperor! He deliberately maneuvered us away with drills and sealed the information, trapping us to prevent us from rescuing the old general. It’s audacious! Truly deserves death!"

Someone sneered, "He probably didn’t expect that instead of trapping us, he ended up losing twenty-odd legions of his own."

Deputy Xiong listened in silence, his eyes suddenly narrowing, and also shouted loudly, "The Monarch is unjust, regards the people as pigs and dogs, harms the loyal ministers, deserves death!"

With him leading, the Mu Family Army that had arrived also began chanting the slogan ’The Monarch deserves death’.

These voices converged into a single line, making the whole of Luodu’s sky echo like thunder, as if Heaven’s wrath, with the sound of regicide reverberating everywhere.

Qin Jinyang collapsed on the ground, surrounded by these sound waves.

Perhaps he never thought that today would end like this. He thought he would be today’s victor and even prepared a victory feast in the palace ahead of time!

But to his surprise, the banquet in the palace that had not even started would become his death feast.

Gazing at the people’s anger under the city, Mu Xiong asked Mu Qingge, "Ge’er, how do you plan to deal with him?"

Mu Qingge calmly looked outside the city wall and replied, "Grandfather, since he wants your life, I can only take his life first. It’s always the Qin Imperial Family that owes our Mu Family, our Mu Family owes nothing to the Qin Imperial Family."

Mu Xiong nodded in admiration.

Suddenly, he let out a wistful smile, looking up at the clear sky. He felt he was really old, no longer suited for the bloody battles of the battlefield.

These days, he yearns for a peaceful and gentle life.

The future of the Mu Family relies not on him, but on his precious granddaughter.

Mu Xiong withdrew his gaze, with a silent resolution in his heart, as he looked at Mu Qingge’s tall and resolute back once more.

Mu Qingge raised her hand, and the citizens, who were emotionally charged under the Imperial City, suddenly fell silent.

The deafening sound halted completely because of a single gesture from Mu Qingge. This reminded Zhu Ling of when she was in the Medicine Tower... It seemed Mu Qingge naturally had this kind of charisma, easily becoming a leader among the people, effortlessly influencing everyone’s emotions.

In the silent Imperial City, Qin Jinyang sat limply on the high execution platform, his face ashen.

Mu Qingge looked at him and suddenly shouted coldly, "Qin Jinyang, do you see? This is called ’the people’s will.’ Now, it is not I who wants you dead, but your subjects, your citizens, who want you dead."

Qin Jinyang raised his head numbly, his eyes slowly sweeping over the angry expressions of the citizens.

In the eyes of those citizens, he saw disdain, anger, hatred... Suddenly, he felt he had failed terribly and was grievously wrong.

He thought that by eliminating the Mu Family, he would become a wise ruler, able to unite the world.

However, now he couldn’t even rule his own country, let alone have his own citizens wishing for his death.

Mu Qingge asked Shao Fatty, "How did he previously plan to deal with you?"

Shao Fatty thought for a moment, then said dully, "He didn’t say much else. Only that he was going to use us as bait to draw you out. However, he did say he would scrape the fat from my body layer by layer."

"Yuezhe," Shao’s father reminded.

Shao Fatty hurriedly closed his mouth, saying no more.

Mu Qingge’s eyes narrowed slightly, a faint, unreadable smile on her lips, "Very well. Likes to watch lingering deaths, hmm?"

After a moment, someone walked onto the execution platform with something.

The citizens curiously craned their necks, and when the soldier unfolded what he had, they realized it was a fishing net.

Qin Jinyang was lifted and tied to a pillar.

Through the entire process, he didn’t resist, seeming resigned to his fate.

But when his Dragon Robe was pulled off, exposing his skin, terror began to fill his eyes. When the fishing net was wrapped around him, he started to struggle, fearfully asking, "What are you going to do? What are you doing?"

The lines of the fishing net sank into his skin, leaving crisscrossed red marks.

The more he struggled, the tighter it became.

"Sister Zhu, do you have any elixirs that can severely injure a person without killing them?" Mu Qingge suddenly asked.

Zhu Ling laughed, "I don’t have such a powerful elixir, but I do have one that can maintain a breath of life, keeping the mind clear."

Mu Qingge nodded with a smile, "It’s sufficient."

Zhu Ling took out an elixir from her bosom and handed it to You He.

You He glanced at Mu Qingge, understanding her intention from her expression, and then personally walked down and went onto the execution platform, stuffing the elixir into Qin Jinyang’s mouth.

"What did you make me eat?" Qin Jinyang struggled to spit it out.

But the elixir dissolved instantly, not giving him the chance.

You He sneered, "An elixir to keep you alive for a while longer."

What does it mean!

Before Qin Jinyang could react, he saw You He retreat, and someone came towards him with a knife so sharp it was terrifying.

His pupils shrank rapidly, instantly understanding what Mu Qingge intended to do.

He frantically shouted to the people on the watchtower, "Kill me! Kill me! End my life quickly! No... don’t do this to me..."

Meanwhile, baskets upon baskets of white steamed buns were placed in front of the citizens.

The citizens looked at the white buns in confusion, and it wasn’t until Qin Jinyang let out a cry of pain and a piece of flesh as thin as paper fell to the ground did they understand and frantically scramble for the buns.

The citizens who snatched the steamed buns all used them to absorb the blood and flesh on the ground, the ones that belonged to Qin Jinyang, taken away by the people of Luodu.

No one sympathized with him, and no one pitied him.

Moreover, no one stepped forward to condemn Mu Qingge’s ruthlessness or accuse her of being cold-hearted.

Qin Jinyang could only remain conscious as he watched his own flesh being sliced off piece by piece, observing his body slowly turn into a skeleton.

At this moment, his only wish was that the person wielding the knife would slip and kill him.

But ironically, the heavens wouldn’t even grant him such a simple wish...

"Tsk, tsk," Han Caicai watched for a while, her mocking phoenix eyes turning to Mu Qingge, "You really are ruthless."

Mu Qingge’s expression remained unchanged; she blandly responded to Han Caicai’s words, "You’re too kind."

Han Caicai sneered, "You think I’m praising you?"

Mu Qingge’s gaze shifted lightly, landing on him as she sarcastically remarked, "When did the Young Master of Wanxiang Building learn to be so compassionate? If you can’t stand it, you might as well go and save him."

Han Caicai disdainfully replied, "Bah, why would I save him? Am I that familiar with him?"

"Since you’re not familiar, spare the nonsense." Mu Qingge warned, then ignored him.

Gu Ya coldly watched Han Caicai, and when Mu Qingge paid him no more attention, his gaze slowly moved away.

The execution of Qin Jinyang continued until the sun set.

One has to admit, Zhu Ling’s elixir indeed had an excellent effect. Qin Jinyang could be said to have watched his body turn into a skeleton before breathing his last.

The remaining matters no longer needed Mu Qingge’s involvement.

She returned to the Mu Family with her grandfather, aunt, and the Mu Family servants who had been implicated.

While Mu Xiong and Mu Lianrong went to wash up and rest, Mu Qingge visited the Mu Family’s dungeon. Inside an iron cage lay the barely breathing Le Tian.

He was lying on the dirty dungeon floor, gazing up at the damp, dark ceiling.

Perhaps he never imagined he would have all his spiritual power stripped away, barely surviving like a dead dog, lying there.

The iron gate of the dungeon was opened.

A team of Dragon Tooth Guards moved items inside.

Le Tian’s eyes slightly moved, observing their actions.

He watched as they quickly cleaned the open area outside the iron cage, laid down a carpet, placed seats, lit incense burners, and burned incense. Soon after, tea and pastries were served.

The world outside the iron cage and the one he was in were worlds apart!

Le Tian’s eyes were full of hatred, staring outside the cage, flames nearly spewing from his eyes.

Once everything was arranged, twenty Dragon Tooth Guards stood behind in a fan shape, stern and serious, saying nothing.

At this time, footsteps sounded again, the person walking extremely slowly, yet inexplicably, each step seemed to coincide with Le Tian’s heartbeat.

This feeling made it seem like every step of the comer was treading on his heart, so heavy he could hardly breathe.

When a shadow fell into the cell and a hem of bewitching red appeared in his sight, his pupils shrank sharply, revealing a hint of fear.

Mu Qingge stepped to the chair, lifted her robe, and sat down with crossed legs.

She leaned lazily against the chair back, her elbows on the armrests, fingers lightly stroking the finger cover on her index finger. Her clear eyes devoid of any emotion as she looked toward Le Tian in the cage.

"Le Family of the Middle Ancient Realm," Mu Qingge spoke playfully.

Le Tian’s gaze slightly contracted, his lips tightly shut.

Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow, looking at him with amusement, "For the sake of an outer steward, the Le Family is willing to go to such lengths to send you three down. I’m really curious as to why."

Back in the depths of Qinling, after confronting that Le Family outer steward, she had Ling Guya kill him. They had searched his belongings and found nothing particularly valuable, so why did it attract others to seek?

Recalling carefully, she remembered the Le Family man at that time seemed to have come to Linchuan also looking for someone.

And the person he wanted to find was the duo who, in Qinling, incited a beast tide attack on Yi City and were ultimately smashed to pieces by Si Mo’s Divine Sense.

If the purpose of these three wasn’t to avenge that previous person, could it be they were also here for those first two killed?

Le Tian was uncooperative, ignoring Mu Qingge’s inquiry.

After waiting a while, Mu Qingge curved her lips into a smile and said, "Don’t want to talk? No problem, I have plenty of time, but I’m afraid your time won’t be so pleasant."

As she finished speaking, she beckoned with a finger, and someone immediately stepped forward, entered the iron cage, and stuffed a pill into Le Tian’s mouth.

Deprived of all spiritual power, he had no strength to resist.

As soon as the pill was swallowed, Le Tian felt as if ants were crawling all over his body, a torturous itch and pain.

The feeling made him want to tear off his own skin and flesh, to dig out all the ants inside his body.

That’s what he thought, and that’s what he did.

Mu Qingge hadn’t ordered him bound, so he could still curl into a ball, frantically scratching his own skin, sparing neither face nor body.

After a while, it seemed the medicinal power waned, and he loosened his grip, collapsing helplessly.

In the dungeon’s candlelight that fell upon him, one could see not a patch of intact skin on his face and body, all dug up and tattered, his ten fingers stained red with his own blood.

He panted heavily, his voice hoarse as if he had narrowly escaped death.

Suddenly, the iron cell door was opened again.

This time two people entered and fastened his limbs with chains to the floor.

Le Tian didn’t understand their intent but sensed that the agonizing itch returned soon after they left the cage.

"Aah —! Aah —! Kill me —!"

This time, unable to freely move, he was firmly bound, unable to ease the tormenting itch through scratching. His body continued to struggle, deeply grasping the sensation of neither being able to live nor die.

"I’ll talk... I’ll tell everything... I beg you, I beg you to spare me..." Unable to endure, Le Tian pleaded hoarsely with Mu Qingge, his voice full of fear.

Mu Qingge admired his pained expression, a smile remained at the corners of her lips, ignoring his pleas completely.

It wasn’t until Le Tian could barely hold on that she tossed a pill, which rolled to his side.

The black pill was practically Le Tian’s lifeline; he nipped it off the filthy ground without hesitation and swallowed it.

As expected, Mu Qingge’s elixir was extremely effective.

After taking the pill, the torturous itching sensation in Le Tian’s body gradually subsided, ceasing to torment him.

Le Tian breathed greedily for a few moments, then coldly asked, "What do you want to know?"

"The real purpose of your presence here," Mu Qingge stated directly.

Le Tian was silent for a moment, then said, "We’re here to find someone. He possesses a superpower capable of discerning the precise location of certain Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. But about two years ago, after arriving in Linchuan, he and a companion disappeared. Afterward, we sent an outer steward to search, but he never returned either. Now, our family urgently needs that person, so we sent the three of us down to find him."

As expected!

The depths of Mu Qingge’s clear eyes flickered subtly. These three came for the first group.

"How did you trace it back to me?" Mu Qingge asked again.

This time, Le Tian hesitated even longer before answering, "It’s a secret technique of our family, placed on assigned individuals. If something unexpected occurs, the technique activates automatically, choosing an environmental burial method and retaining the image of the killer in the eyes of the deceased."

Mu Qingge’s eyes shone brightly upon hearing this.

An intelligent secret technique like that exists?

But... the killing was done by Gu Ya, not her, so why would her image be retained?

Mu Qingge was puzzled about this, but she couldn’t openly question it. All she could say was, "If a group kills him, will it preserve the image of that group?"

"No," Le Tian replied straightforwardly this time. "This secret technique only captures the first person who gets close at the moment of death. Generally, that person is the killer, even if not, they’re related and know who the killer is."

The words of Le Tian made Mu Qingge understand.

On that day, Gu Ya killed the man without ever coming into contact with him; instead, it was I who made contact, leaving behind my appearance.

The events that followed were easy to deduce: these three obtained my likeness, painted it, and asked around in Qin Country. It was easy to discover my identity.

It’s likely that after learning I was not in the country and my whereabouts were unknown, they cooperated with Qin Jinyang, using despicable means to force me out.

Their purpose in forcing me out was probably not only to avenge their companion but also to find out about the whereabouts of the first two who disappeared.

Mu Qingge narrowed her eyes and asked, "If you can’t find that person, will your Le Family keep sending people here?"

Le Tian sneered, "If it were that easy, do you think I would still be here suffering your humiliation?" He glared at Mu Qingge with hatred, "You know about the Middle Ancient Realm, so you mustn’t be an ordinary figure. Coming from the Middle Ancient Realm to the Linchuan Realm is quite challenging. Sending the three of us here has already consumed a lot of the family’s resources. The time to return is running out. If the three of us don’t return, even if the family suspects something, it will be difficult to send more down in the short term."

"What do you mean by short term?" Mu Qingge asked.

Le Tian fell silent, seeming reluctant to answer. However, recalling the feeling of being worse than dead earlier, he had to say, "At least within five years, no one will come down."

Five years.

Mu Qingge lowered her eyes, estimating in her mind.

Five years is enough!

She was confident that within five years, she could leave Linchuan, enter the Middle Ancient Realm, find the Le Family, and solve this problem before they sent more people down!

Having obtained the information she wanted, Mu Qingge stood up and left the dungeon.

Once she stepped out of the dungeon, the pain and itchiness on Le Tian’s body returned, seemingly more severe this time. He writhed on the ground in agony, screaming hoarsely, "You lied to me—!"

Outside the dark dungeon, Mu Qingge bathed in the moonlight.

Shortly, she instructed the Dragon Tooth Guards who followed her out, "Once the person inside is dead, burn him with one fire. Also, burn the other two corpses together."

Knowing the Le Family possessed such a secret technique, she had to act cautiously.

By reducing the three corpses to ashes, no matter how great the powers of the Le Family, they wouldn’t be able to find any clues from ashes that had long been scattered by the wind.

The Dragon Tooth Guards departed on their orders, leaving Mu Qingge standing alone under the moonlight.

The wailing and cursing from the dungeon seemed to reach her ears. She delightfully tilted her head back and looked at the cold moon, saying softly, "You harbored ill intentions toward my family. How could I let you die so easily? My goal is to torment you to the point where even in your next life, you would fear me."

"Qingge." Suddenly, Mu Lianrong’s voice came from the corridor behind her.

Mu Qingge turned around and saw Mu Lianrong, who had changed into fresh clothes, standing under the corridor.

Mu Lianrong smiled at her slightly, "Your grandfather called for you. He’s waiting for us in the ancestral hall."

"Alright." Mu Qingge nodded and walked over to join Mu Lianrong in heading towards the Mu Family’s ancestral hall.

On the way, the Mu Mansion had already returned to its former state, showing no signs of the recent calamity it faced.

"Qingge, was it hard for you outside during this time?" Mu Lianrong asked.

Mu Qingge shook her head with a smile, "I’ve been fine; it was I who ended up dragging Grandpa and Aunt into this."

"It’s not your fault; you shouldn’t feel guilty," Mu Lianrong said with a smile.

When the two reached the ancestral hall, Mu Xiong was already waiting there.

As they entered, Mu Xiong stood with his back to them.

"Grandfather." Mu Qingge called out from behind Mu Xiong.

Mu Xiong slowly turned around and looked at Mu Qingge with eyes full of reassurance, smiling, "Ge’er, you’ve grown up."

Mu Qingge’s eyes flickered, and she lowered her gaze, "Grandfather doesn’t blame me for dealing with Qin Jinyang in such a manner?"

"Why blame you?" Mu Xiong said with amusement.

When Mu Qingge lifted her head, he pretended to be angry, "In your heart, am I just an old stubborn fool? When they want the lives of our entire family, what? Should I sympathize with the enemy?"

Mu Xiong’s words caused relief to flood through Mu Qingge’s heart, and she broke into a smile.

"However, I have something to ask you." Mu Xiong suddenly said, "Did you really deploy all the Mu Family Army from Yi City?"

Mu Qingge grinned, "I only had the Mu Family Army from Yi City do a little drill. They should be on their way back to Yi City now."

"Good. I knew you wouldn’t be so reckless." Realizing that everything had been part of Mu Qingge’s plan, Mu Xiong breathed a sigh of relief.

Mobilizing such a large military force within the country could have unimaginable consequences, not only inviting foreign invasions but also potentially causing some areas within the country to declare independence.

If the Qin Country fell into chaos, wouldn’t the two of them have to clean up the mess?

After chatting for a while, Mu Xiong asked gravely, "What do you plan to do now? There isn’t much left of the Imperial Family."

But Mu Lianrong said, "Isn’t there still the Regent King? Qingge can’t become Emperor, forever locked in the Imperial Palace handling national affairs, living amidst plots and schemes."

Mu Qingge nodded in agreement, "Aunt is right; I only care about ensuring the safety of our Mu Family. Matters of the Imperial Family will be handled by someone else. Don’t worry, Grandpa, there are plenty of people who want to become Emperor."

"Hmm, in that case, Grandpa understands your intentions." Mu Xiong nodded slightly.

Suddenly, he sharply ordered Mu Qingge, "Mu Qingge, kneel!"

Mu Qingge was taken aback, blinking at the old man, unable to fathom why he had suddenly changed his demeanor.

"Father, what are you doing?" Mu Lianrong immediately moved to protect Mu Qingge.

"Be quiet." Mu Xiong glared at her. Helpless, Mu Lianrong could only step aside, giving Mu Qingge a comforting look.

Mu Qingge was bewildered, but she didn’t defy her grandfather, and knelt down firmly.

The ground was cold stone slabs.

Yet, as Mu Qingge’s knees touched the floor, it was surprisingly soft.

Looking down, she saw that Mu Xiong had kicked a cushion right under her as she knelt.

She looked at Mu Xiong in confusion.

But Mu Xiong paid her no mind; instead, he turned to face the memorial tablets of the valiant ancestors of the Mu Family, offering incense and speaking solemnly, "Ancestors above, my Mu Family has long upheld chivalry and justice, but now we’ve been wronged by traitors, leaving only one daughter remaining. This daughter is exceptionally talented, not one for ordinary paths. As the 32nd Family Head of the Mu Family, I humbly ask that you grant my request to amend the family rules and pass the position of Family Head to my granddaughter, Mu Qingge!"

Suddenly—

Mu Qingge’s eyes widened sharply.

Mu Lianrong, upon seeing this proposal, quickly came to terms with her father’s suggestion.

Mu Qingge had saved the family from disaster time and again, and now only the three of them remained. It was only fitting that she become the Family Head.

"From this day forth, in the Mu Family, let the position of Family Head be held by those with virtue and ability, regardless of gender!" With that, Mu Xiong placed the three burning incense sticks into the incense burner.

Then, smiling, he turned to the stunned Mu Qingge and said, "Are you not going to pay your respects to our ancestors?"

"Grandpa, I..." Mu Qingge hesitated, unsure of how to refuse.

Mu Xiong interrupted her, saying, "I’ve made up my mind about this, and I’ll be handing you the Mu Family Head Command soon, along with some old stories you need to know. From now on, you’re the Family Head."

Mu Qingge remained silent for a moment.

She couldn’t refuse when faced with Mu Xiong’s hopeful gaze.

She nodded and accepted the position of the Mu Family Head.

She kowtowed and offered incense.

She also watched Mu Xiong inscribe her name among the list of Family Heads. Simple yet solemn.

Feeling emotional, Mu Lianrong said, "Light Song, since you’re grown now, you should go out and see the world. You don’t have to stay with your old grandfather or be bound to the Mu Family here in Qin Country."

Mu Xiong waved his hand, signaling to Mu Qingge, "Ge’er, come with me. There are some ancestral matters you need to know. From now on, the position of the Mu Family Head will belong to those capable, regardless of male or female."

Mu Qingge hesitated for a moment before she nodded, accepting the position of Mu Family Head.

She bowed three times to their ancestors and offered incense.

Then she watched as Mu Xiong wrote her name into the Family Head register. It was a simple but solemn act.

After standing up, Mu Xiong turned to Mu Lianrong, "Lianrong, you have stood by me for so long, staying with the Mu Family. Now that Qingge is all grown up, it’s time for you to see the world. You don’t have to remain in Qin Country forever."

"Father..." Mu Lianrong said, moved.