"Mu!!" Xueyin's voice tore through the chaos as she sprinted toward him, panic and desperation in her steps. The Chen clan members and the city lords followed close behind.
Ruoxue had just regained consciousness. Blinking against the sunlight, she noticed the crowd gathered around Mu. Instinct took over and she ran forward. But before she could reach him, her father's hand clamped down on her wrist. His face was dark with anger as he yanked her back.
Without a word, Bai Xiao dragged her away from the palace and toward home, his grip unyielding.
Qi Yue knelt beside Mu, her expression grave.
"Your son's condition is critical. If the heavens turn a deaf ear to your prayers… he won't survive."
Wei Chen's face paled. "Oh, my son…"
One of the elders spoke quietly, still shaken.
"That boy… his strength is terrifying. The way he fought that man, it wasn't normal."
Another voice chimed in, almost certain.
"The Chen clan now has a monster in its ranks. At the upcoming tournament, victory will be theirs without question."
Wei Chen didn't waste another second. He rushed over to where Lu lay. The old man was barely conscious, his breath shallow, his clothes soaked in blood.
They carried both Mu and Lu back to the Chen estate for treatment.
---
Bai Clan
Bai Xiao stormed into the house, dragging Ruoxue behind him. He shoved her inside and slammed the door shut.
"You broke the rules, Ruoxue."
Her head hung low, shame clouding her features.
"Dad… Mu isn't the kind of person you think he is. He's… he's a good man."
"Enough!" Bai Xiao's voice was sharp, cutting. "The Chens are all the same. There's no difference between them. Stay away from him."
"Dad, he understands me. Even though today was the first time I really spoke to him… I was happy. In this clan, no one even looks at me. It's like I don't exist especially to Sister Ruihua."
"That's enough, Ruoxue." His tone was final, but his eyes flickered. "The Bai and the Chen clans are enemies. If they catch you with that boy, they'll kill you."
"I don't even understand it," she muttered bitterly. "How did the two clans even become rivals?"
Her father's body stiffened. For a moment, his gaze grew distant. He knew the truth, knew that the Bai clan were the ones in the wrong.
But he turned away, masking it with coldness.
"Just remember this, the Chens are dangerous. Stay away from them. Now, go to your room."
Frustration twisted in Ruoxue's chest. Her brows knit together, and she let out a sharp sigh before walking away.
Once she was gone, Bai Xiao paced the room, the weight of old memories pressing against his mind.
---
Years ago, in Qianshi…
The Bai and Chen clans were the two strongest powers in town. Lord Chen Liang and Lord Bai Shuren were inseparable—brothers in all but blood. They trained together, drank together, and faced enemies side by side.
But while Lord Liang used his strength to help the weak, protect the innocent, and stand against injustice, Lord Bai Shuren did not. The people loved Lord Liang for his kindness. His name spread far beyond Qianshi, and with every praise, Lord Shuren's jealousy festered.
Soon, the Chen clan surpassed the Bai in both strength and reputation. Envy twisted into hatred. Lord Shuren decided to ruin Lord Liang.
On the day before Lord Liang's birthday, Lord Shuren invited him to the market. There, Lord Shuren spotted an Earth-grade scroll. He bought nothing but his mind was already weaving a trap. Quietly, he slipped the scroll into Lord Liang's pocket, then went to the stall owner, feigning outrage.
"That man stole your scroll," he said, pointing to his friend.
The stall owner frowned. He knew Lord Liang's character and doubted it, but Lord Shuren pressed harder, convincing him to check.
When the scroll was found in Lord Liang's pocket, the crowd turned. The city lords at the time were strict and swift in judgment. Without a trial, without hearing his defense, they declared him guilty.
Lord Liang understood immediately what had happened, but by then, it was too late. Before his banishment from Qianshi and even the entire Northland Continent, he wrote a letter to his people, revealing the truth.
Lord Shuren ruled for years after… until death claimed him.
As for Lord Liang—no one knew where he went. Wetland, Eastland, Southland… his fate became a mystery.
And from that day, the two clans became mortal enemies.
---
Xiao gave a faint smile before leaving the room.
Chen Clan:
"What happened to young master Mu?" Chen Ronghai asked, his brows furrowed in concern.
"It's a long story," Xueyin replied, her tone heavy. "I'll explain everything later."
Before another word could be spoken, Mu's body began to burn with an intense heat, as if flames were raging beneath his skin. His breathing halted, and violent tremors shook him, his entire frame quivering as though it might burst apart at any moment.
The gathered clan members froze, their faces pale, fear rippling through the hall.
And then just as suddenly, the shaking stopped. His chest stilled, and the sound of his breath vanished entirely.