Mu Qingyang sprinted along the path while pulling out a Yellow Talisman from his robe. Clutching it between two fingers, he flicked it sharply, and the talisman shot into the air with a flash of flame.
Standing atop the Spider Web, Su Muyu looked up at the fiery streak in the sky, his expression shifting. He then placed two fingers to his lips and let out a sharp whistle.
"Don't let them make contact! Stop that Mu Family member!" Tang Lingkui barked.
Several dark figures lunged forward, but at the same moment, Su Muyu leaped into action. His sword flashed, knocking down all who tried to advance, while his left hand swept out, sending Flying Blades soaring. A Sword Net unfurled, barring everyone in place.
In that instant, every Tang Sect disciple realized one thing:
It wasn't that they had formed a formation to trap Su Muyu.
Rather, they had become the prey, and Su Muyu was the one who had laid the trap in these mountains.
"Though I hate to admit it, it's the truth," Tang Lingkui sighed softly. "We can't stop this Su Family head from doing whatever he pleases right before our eyes."
Meanwhile, Mu Qingyang stumbled his way nearby. Spotting Su Muyu, he shouted loudly, "Family Head Su! Family Head Su!"
Had Mu Zi Zhe witnessed this scene, he would have been furious enough to spit blood. Back when Mu Zi Zhe led the Mu Family and Su Jinhui headed the Su Family, every meeting between them had been a clash of wills, neither yielding an inch. Never would they have acted like Mu Qingyang now—treating Su Muyu as a lifeline, practically ready to throw himself at the other's feet. Centuries of Mu Family dignity had been utterly discarded by Mu Qingyang.
"Mu Family Head!" Su Muyu flicked out a strand of Puppet Silk, which Mu Qingyang caught and yanked hard, launching himself straight to Su Muyu's side. Gasping for breath, he said, "Thank you for saving me, Family Head Su. Had you not come, the Mu Family might need a new leader."
"Stay alert," Su Muyu said gravely. "We still need to escape first."
"With you here, Family Head Su, what in this world could possibly trap us?" Mu Qingyang laughed.
"Ah." Su Muyu sighed softly. "Someone like Mu Zi Zhe... had his merits too."
"Huh?" Mu Qingyang blinked in confusion.
Su Muyu tossed another strand of Puppet Silk, binding both their waists. "Hold tight, Mu Family Head!"
Mu Qingyang nodded. "Right!"
With a fierce sweep of his left hand, Su Muyu sent Flying Blades shooting forward, embedding them into tree trunks ahead. He stepped onto the blades one after another, darting forward dozens of yards before sending another seventeen blades flying ahead with a wave of his palm. The Tang Sect disciples could only watch as Su Muyu brazenly escorted Mu Qingyang away. A few attempted to intercept, but each was swiftly struck down by Su Muyu's Drizzle Sword.
"Follow him," Tang Lingkui ordered darkly. "He's heading back to Jincheng. Track his movements and locate their stronghold there."
"Yes." Tang Lingluo leaped into pursuit.
Soon, Su Muyu and Mu Qingyang broke free from the forest, racing toward Jincheng. Behind them, the Tang Sect disciples maintained close pursuit—neither closing in to intercept nor retreating."They want to follow us. Since they can't stop us for now, why not locate Dark River's stronghold in Jincheng directly, then gather forces to wipe us out in one fell swoop?" Mu Qingyang said solemnly.
Su Muyu raised his hand and flung a sleeve arrow into the air. The arrow exploded mid-flight, a streak of red light flashing across the sky.
In the courtyard of Quiet Contemplation Teahouse.
Su Changhe, who had been leisurely sipping tea in the courtyard, lifted his head at the red light in the sky and said indifferently, "Go."
"As you command." A charming voice answered from behind Su Changhe.
Su Changhe smiled and took another sip of tea.
On the bustling streets of Jincheng, Su Muyu continued leading Mu Qingyang through the crowd. A flower vendor failed to dodge in time and accidentally bumped into them. Su Muyu quickly reached out to steady her, but the woman grasped his hand and smiled. Su Muyu froze as the woman's appearance transformed into an exact replica of his own. "He" tossed aside the flowers and strolled leisurely forward while the real Su Muyu turned with Mu Qingyang into a side alley.
The Tang Sect disciples pursuing them suddenly found Mu Qingyang's figure had vanished, leaving only Su Muyu behind. Yet this "Su Muyu" seemed like a different person—instead of fleeing, he wandered the streets, watching street performances and buying osmanthus cake to eat as he walked.
"Boss, what should we do?" whispered a Tang Sect disciple.
Tang Lingluo frowned. "Keep watching."
Suddenly, "Su Muyu" leaped before the Tang Sect disciples and smiled coyly. "What are you looking at?"
Tang Lingluo was stunned—this person's demeanor was completely different from before. He growled, "You're not Su Muyu!"
"Hahahaha." "Su Muyu" swung his arm, striking toward Tang Lingluo.
Back at Quiet Contemplation Teahouse, Su Muyu landed with Mu Qingyang. Finally reaching safety, Mu Qingyang's tense nerves relaxed completely. His legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground.
"What happened?" Mu Yumo rushed out to support him.
"It's nothing, just exhaustion," Mu Qingyang waved weakly. "I'm still the family head after all—not so easily defeated."
"Where's Xuewei? Why isn't she with you?" Mu Yumo asked.
"Xuewei... she was captured!" Mu Qingyang looked at Su Muyu. "The one who took her was that physician you once mentioned—the one who creates Medicine Puppets!"
"Ghost Doctor Night Crow?" Su Muyu exclaimed. "He's in Jincheng too?"
"How intriguing," Su Changhe mused, rotating his teacup. "Even Ghost Doctor Night Crow has come to Jincheng. What exactly is the Tang Sect planning?"
Su Muyu lowered his head in thought. "Ghost Doctor Night Crow, Tang Lingyue in seclusion, Old Master Tang recuperating from injuries, and Tang Linghuang who's lost contact..."
Mu Yumo frowned. "Regardless, we must find a way to rescue Xuewei first.""That Ye Ya took Xuewei must be because of the Deadly Poison on her. With his methods, she will surely suffer endless torment..." Su Muyu murmured. "Where would Ye Ya hide Xuewei after capturing her? The safest place in Jincheng—could it be that he's within the Tang Sect itself!"
Su Changhe smiled faintly: "It seems our marriage proposal will have to be postponed for now. After all, we must first attend... a funeral!"
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