Two fists can’t fend off four hands. Shi Tian knew he couldn’t protect all the students.
The men in suits around him were weaker than he was, but they had the advantage in numbers.
Shi Tian quickly made his choice:
“No matter who you want to take, not this one.”
Shi Tian pointed at me.
To put it coldly, the Qilin was more important than everyone else combined— Shi Tian understood this well.
“No matter who you want to take, not this one.” I mimicked Shi Tian’s tone, pointing at Cluru.
“……”
Cluru felt she ought to say something too, or she’d seem out of place.
So she pointed at a stalk of foxtail grass by the roadside:
“No matter who you want to take, not this one.”
“……”
The men in suits were speechless.
“There’s no need to be so nervous. My master is simply inviting you all as guests.”
“You need this many bodyguards just to invite us?” Shi Tian retorted.
“That’s to ensure our guests’ safety. After all, one of you is the Qilins Master—the Mu Family wouldn’t dare be careless.” The suited man’s words were quite persuasive. “Please rest assured, Teacher Shi Tian. She’s a figure the whole world is watching. The Mu Family would be eager to befriend her, not harm her.”
“That’s not for sure. What if you secretly try some hypnosis tricks, or summon some random deity…” Shi Tian muttered.
“Teacher.”
I patted Shi Tian’s arm and stepped out from behind him.
“Don’t worry. They just want to have a chat with me.”
Shi Tian didn’t know why these people had shown up, but I’d already guessed most of it.
The Lion King knew Cluru’s identity, which meant the Mu Family already knew Cluru was hiding at Kangcheng No. 2 High School.
Their main purpose in coming this time was to silence her.
But because Cluru seemed to have a good relationship with the Qilins Master, they didn’t dare act openly.
Otherwise, if the Qilins Master’s favorability toward the Mu Family took a sharp dive, that would be a loss the Mu Family couldn’t bear.
So, they needed to sound me out first.
To test the Qilins Master’s attitude.
“They’re up to no good. I’m afraid you won’t come back,” Shi Tian frowned.
“We’ll be fine. The Sian Office won’t just stand by and do nothing.”
I held Cluru’s hand.
This trip was no different from walking into a dragon’s lair—and just now, both Cluru and I had exhausted our spiritual power and hadn’t recovered much.
But as long as I clearly analyzed the pros and cons, with my status as the Qilins Master, there was still hope.
“Please separate for now,” the suited man said to me with feigned respect. “Qilins Master, please get in this car.”
He pointed at a long, pitch-black luxury car.
“Miss, please get in the other one.” He pointed at the battered van next to it—the kind they use in movies to dump bodies in the wilderness.
“No way.”
Before Cluru could answer, I gripped her small hand tightly, cold as ice.
“Sir, please don’t make things difficult for us…” The suited man’s face darkened, trying to intimidate me.
“Oh? I’ll make things difficult for you, then—what can you do?” I didn’t back down. “If you have the guts, chop off my hand and force us apart. Go ahead and try. I guarantee that within three years, not a single dog or chicken will be left of your Mu Family.”
“……”
Is this really the Qilins Master? First thing out of her mouth is to wipe out someone’s whole family?!
What happened to being gentle, refined, and sage-like??
Such a fierce declaration instantly shattered the suited man’s plan.
He’d thought I was just a child—easy to coax and fool.
But now…
Are kids these days all this aggressive?!
“Well… fine.”
The suited man thought: You can’t possibly hold hands forever—sooner or later you’ll have to let go. When you do… heh heh…
Then he saw Cluru’s tentacles wrapping tightly around my arm.
Damn.
“Let’s go. Take me to meet your big shot.”
I got in the car with Cluru.
Pressed close together.
.
The arrival of these people wasn’t entirely a bad thing.
At least, we didn’t have to walk from the outskirts into the city.
We had a car—and a luxury stretch at that. Naturally, it was comfortable~
Even my spiritual energy recovered faster.
“This… Miss Luo Xian,” on the way, the man in black was still trying to persuade me, “why are you associating with her? She’s a notorious Evil Spirit… and you’re the holy Qilins Master. Aren’t you afraid of being corrupted by her?”
“Oh,” I leaned nonchalantly against Cluru’s tentacles, “falling to the dark side can be kind of thrilling.”
“……”
How to shut down your opponent in one sentence.
As long as I play it my way, your attempts at sowing discord are meaningless.
The rest of the ride was quiet.
I was so completely uncooperative, the man in black couldn’t find any excuse to sow discord. Saying more would only make things worse.
He could only shut up.
“This way, please.”
The car pulled up at the most luxurious resort in Chang’an City.
And this resort belonged to the Mu Family.
“Wow, your family is loaded.” I exclaimed to Cluru in amazement.
I’d never been to such a fancy place—at least, not on Earth.
It was practically like the imperial gardens of old—just a few villas nestled in a vast landscape, with a swimming pool and a few pavilions and walkways.
A faint aroma of wine hung over the estate. I tiptoed to look and saw rows of grape trellises and a castle-like winery.
“There’s even a private winery?”
“Yeah,” Cluru shrugged. “My dad used to like this stuff…”
It’s a pity—he’s gone now, and this place isn’t hers anymore.
“Your home is like a dream garden. No, the kind you don’t even dare to dream about.” I commented, pouting with a hint of envy. “Damn filthy rich people.”
“You like it?”
“Yeah.”
“If you like it, take it back. I’ll give it to you one day.”
“Haha, forget it. That’s way too expensive a gift…”
“The Mu Family has at least dozens of estates like this around the world.”
Sorry, I was thinking too small.
.
Cluru and I were led to the center of the estate.
The person meeting us didn’t seem to have arrived yet.
“Please enjoy some tea.” A maid brought us a tea set and began a tea ceremony performance in front of us.
Of course, I wouldn’t drink it—and I definitely wouldn’t let Cluru drink either.
What if there’s sleeping powder in it?
If I fall asleep, Cluru’s doomed. If Cluru falls asleep, I’m doomed.
“When will your master arrive? If he doesn’t, I’m leaving.”
“The master will be here soon. Please be patient.”
.
Before the estate master arrived, the maid tried several times to persuade us to drink tea.
She sang the tea’s praises to the skies, even claiming it had beautifying and spirit-enhancing effects.
So enthusiastic— there had to be a catch.
“Welcome, welcome~”
The estate master finally arrived.
The maid leaned in and whispered softly in his ear.
Just by reading her lips, I could tell what she said.
She said: Didn’t drink.
The man nodded.
“I am Mu Tianzhou. On behalf of the Mu Family, I welcome the Qilins Master’s gracious visit.”
“Oh?” I leaned back on the sofa with interest, crossing my legs. “On behalf of the Mu Family?”
“Naturally.”
“Who gave you the right to represent the Mu Family?”
“The Head of the Family.”
“And who is the Head of the Family?”
“Of course, the renowned Mu Shenwu.”
“Then here’s the question— who gave Mu Shenwu the right to be Head of the Family?”
“What do you mean?” Mu Tianzhou’s face suddenly brimmed with murderous intent.
I picked up the teacup and, without warning, flung the tea straight into Mu Tianzhou’s face.
Then spoke slowly:
“What do you mean?”