Blood River

Su Muyu was taken aback and asked in confusion, "The Head, isn't he from the Su Family? Why did Uncle Zhe say he's from the Mu Family?"

Bai Hehuai was also startled. Earlier, The Head had told him his surname was Mu, and Su Zhe had also said it was Mu. So why did Su Muyu claim it was Su? Could it be that even those within Dark River were unclear about The Head's true name?

Su Zhe shrugged and said faintly, "That's another story altogether."

"Muyu, come inside. I have something to discuss with you," The Head said solemnly.

Su Zhe stood up, picked up his Buddhist staff, and leisurely led Bai Hehuai out. "What happens next has nothing to do with us. The Head should write a letter to Soul Extraction Hall. I'm leaving, so tell them not to send anyone after me."

"No one is allowed to leave Dark River," The Head replied. "No matter the reason or past merits, it's not permitted."

"Oh?" Su Zhe halted and glanced slightly over his shoulder. "So you're saying this isn't over yet?"

Su Muyu stepped forward, positioning himself between Su Zhe and The Head. "Allow me to speak with The Head first before any decisions are made."

"Hahahaha. You're right." After days of speaking in formal tones, Su Zhe seemed tired and reverted to his usual nonchalant demeanor. "You talk first. If it doesn't go well, I'll clean up the mess for you."

"Then I hope Uncle Zhe won't have to clean up any mess for me," Su Muyu said as he entered the room.

The Head glanced at Su Zhe's Buddhist staff and waved his hand, closing the wooden door.

Su Zhe immediately leaned in close to Bai Hehuai's ear and whispered, "Daughter, should we just run away?"

"Run away?" Bai Hehuai raised an eyebrow. "This Spider Nest is my residence now, Dad. Get this straight—this place belongs to us! Why don't we just kick them out? Even if they stay, they should at least pay rent!"

Su Zhe paused for a moment, then clapped his hands. "Brilliant!"

Bai Hehuai grinned. "Exactly."

Inside the room, The Head sat cross-legged and placed the Sleeping Dragon Sword horizontally in front of him. "They want to kill me for no other reason than to take this sword."

"Soul Extraction Hall only recognizes the Sleeping Dragon Sword. Only its wielder can command Dark River," Su Muyu nodded.

"True. Soul Extraction Hall stands above the three families, overseeing rewards, punishments, and the assignment of assassins' tasks. They also control all of Dark River's wealth. Their principles have always been the most ruthless—without the Sleeping Dragon Sword, even if the three families support you, you cannot become the leader of Dark River." The Head looked down at the sword. "They all want this blade. What about you?"

Su Muyu shook his head. "The Head already knows I have no such ambition. I have no interest in the position."

"Indeed. Why would you want this sword? Your greatest wish is to sever all ties with Dark River, leave this place, and never return." The Head chuckled. "So do you think the three family heads will simply back down once I recover?"

"Once the sword is drawn, it cannot be sheathed. This time, the elites of the three families have shown themselves. The attempt on your life is already set in stone and cannot be undone. Therefore, this matter must reach a conclusion—and that conclusion is the selection of a new Head. After all, the root of the three families' dissatisfaction lies in their belief that you've held this position for far too long."The Head sneered, "In all of Dark River, you're the only one who dares speak to me like this."

Su Muyu sighed softly, "You've held this position for over thirty years, Head. From what I've seen in past records, the usual tenure is around twenty years before stepping down for a worthy successor. Previously, the Puppet was tacitly acknowledged as the next Head, ensuring smooth transitions. But the last Puppet, Uncle Zhe, suffered irreversible injuries and couldn't assume the role. Now, I—the current Puppet—am one of the Nameless Ones. The three families would never accept a Nameless One as Head. Given time, it's understandable that the family heads might harbor other intentions."

The Head abruptly drew the Sleeping Dragon Sword before him, its blade flashing a streak of sword light past Su Muyu's face. "What were the final words of the Surname Conferral Ceremony?"

"From this day forth, we are bound by blood. Three surnames share one lineage, and through all lifetimes, we remain family." Su Muyu answered without hesitation.

The Head gazed at the sword. "A blood oath, yet still no match for generations of prejudice. What if today, I pass this Sleeping Dragon Sword to you? With the approval of the three officials from Soul Extraction Hall, no one could stop you from becoming Head."

"No." Su Muyu shook his head. "I suggest you choose one of the three family heads to inherit the sword. That would resolve the current crisis."

"Oh? Which of the three family heads do you think is fit?" The Head sneered.

"Xie Ba of the Xie Family possesses peerless blade skills and a bold, heroic nature, but his impulsiveness makes him unfit for leadership. Mu Zi Zhe of the Mu Family has unfathomable martial prowess and cunning, capable of commanding Dark River, yet his temperament is too shadowy. Su Jinhui of the Su Family is the most beloved Su head in generations—steady, fair in rewards and punishments. In my view, he's the most suitable to inherit the Sleeping Dragon Sword."

"Su Jinhui." The Head ran a finger lightly along the blade. "By recommending him, aren't you afraid I'll suspect you still side with the Su Family, acting as their advocate to seize the Head's position?"

Su Muyu shook his head. "You understand the temperaments of the three family heads better than I do."

"Good!" The Head swung the Sleeping Dragon Sword, its arc flawless as it landed before Su Muyu. "Take the sword to Su Jinhui. Tell him the position of Head is his. With the approval of Soul Extraction Hall's three officials, he shall lead all three families of Dark River."

Su Muyu stood and lifted the sword. "After this matter, I will escort you northward."

"To Homeland." The Head smiled.

A thousand miles away.

At the end of Dark River's flow.

Soul Extraction Hall.

In the pitch-black hall, a single candle flickered to life.

Three towering men sat upon golden thrones, all with snow-white hair yet youthful, handsome faces. They resembled triplets, but their expressions differed—one brimming with joy, another simmering with anger, the last steeped in sorrow.

"Who shall go?" asked the leftmost figure.

"Either of us but you. This journey may resolve calamity and absolve sin, but it cannot bestow blessings," replied the center one.

"Then I'll go," spoke the rightmost man."Then you go," the person on the far left said with a laugh.

"Don't kill too many," the one in the middle said gravely.