abnabooks Chapter 688 - 123: Submit or Perish!
Chapter 688 - 123: Submit or Perish!
A month has passed in the blink of an eye, with half of it already gone by.
Over the past half month, Mu Qingge finally started to resemble a City Lord, beginning to oversee all the work.
The city’s renovations are complete. From a few days ago, the newly recruited servants and slaves in the city have become busy, preparing to welcome guests.
Mu Qingge observed for a while and found that Xuan Ya and Xie Ya cooperated well, not only training the attendants in etiquette but also organizing everything meticulously.
You He and Hua Yue, on the other hand, arranged her quarters well and also compiled the latest intelligence from the Middle Ancient Realm daily to present before her.
Yin Chen completed the tasks of the city’s renovation and moved on to the construction of "First Floor."
The First Floor is the auction house unique to Luoxing City, which Jiang Li had once suggested. The main items auctioned are the Sang Clan’s top-grade weapons and elixirs!
Why is it called "First Floor"?
That is because when Yin Chen asked Mu Qingge to name it, she, in her laziness, casually said "First Floor," thus giving birth to its name. Its meaning is, if you want to do it, be the first.
During the dual gatherings, the First Floor will host its initial auction, so there is much to prepare.
...
"Young Master, all those queuing below are solitary Floating Guests. The Dragon Hidden Army has now recruited seven thousand people, but there’s still a gap of three thousand." In the tower of the city wall, Mo Yang accompanied Mu Qingge, watching the long queue outside.
Mu Qingge stood in front of the window with her hands behind her back, observing silently.
After a while, she finally spoke slowly, "The recruitment must not be rushed. I need elite soldiers, not a motley crew. Hence, you must strictly uphold the standards of morality, better to have fewer than lower quality."
"Understood, Young Master," Mo Yang said solemnly.
Mu Qingge’s gaze gradually shifted to him and she asked, "Do you have something to say to me?"
Mo Yang pressed his lips together and mustered the courage to say, "I wish to stay by the Young Master’s side."
"Are you planning to abandon the affairs of the Dragon Tooth Guards?" Mu Qingge raised an eyebrow and asked.
Mo Yang’s expression darkened, "There are others who can handle the Dragon Tooth Guards’ matters. Mo Yang only wishes to be by the master’s side, to follow your orders."
"Staying here is also following my orders." Mu Qingge’s eyes softly shifted as she looked out the window.
"But..."
"Mo Yang, I know your intention." Mo Yang still wanted to say something, but Mu Qingge interrupted him. She said calmly, "I indeed lost badly this time, almost losing my life. However, I did not let the opponent have an easy time either. You want to follow me, to become another Yuanyuan? Because you think so, I won’t let you stay by my side. You are not my shield, and your mission is not to die for me."
"..." Mo Yang felt a sour and stifling sensation in his heart, wishing to say something, yet the wordplay learned during years at the Purple Sun Academy was of no use now.
Mu Qingge continued, "Completing the tasks I entrust to you well is your allegiance to me. In the future, there will be plenty of opportunities to conquer the four corners with me."
"Understood, Young Master." Mo Yang took a deep breath, finally giving up on his earlier intentions.
He stepped aside, and at this moment, Mu Qingge’s gaze caught sight of a group of figures coming from afar.
Her eyes narrowed, and a determined smile curved from the corner of her lips, "The ones who should come have finally arrived."
...
When Luoxing City came into view for Mu Yuan, the shock in his eyes was hard to conceal.
Who would have thought that a candidate coming from the Linchuan Realm could, within just two short years, amidst the jostling powers of the Middle Ancient Realm, build such a vast city?
Without sufficient ambition and ability, even he would be afraid to, incapable of doing so!
He also did not expect Mu Chen and Mu Peng, after wandering around with half of the Mu Family’s resources, would ultimately submit here.
Not only Mu Yuan was stunned by Luoxing City’s grandeur, but even other members of the Mu Family who followed him were also taken aback on the spot.
"Young Master, this opponent of yours is no simple character!"
Behind Mu Yuan was a handsome man with a strong and resolute appearance, filled with determination between his eyebrows.
A servant at his side whispered in his ear.
He was Mu Feng!
The Young Master of the Mu Family spoken of by Mu Chen and Mu Peng, who, though of average talent, possessed great perseverance.
At this moment, his cultivation was only at the Sixth Layer of the Gray Realm, with a significant gap from Mu Qingge.
This time, the Mu Family came with ten people in total, all of whom were significant figures within the family.
"Elder Brother Mu Yuan, this is the Young Master’s city. Moreover, the Young Master also owns a Heavenly Level Floating Guest team, which he personally trained. The Young Master is also an Artifact Refiner, an offspring by surname of the Sang Clan. The Holy Artifact, now causing a sensation throughout the Middle Ancient Realm, was crafted by him. And I can tell you, the Young Master has been learning Artifact Refining Technique with the Sang Family for less than half a year." Mu Chen said to Mu Yuan.
He did not know that Mu Qingge had started learning Artifact Refining Technique in Linchuan.
However, this did not prevent him from building momentum for Mu Qingge in front of Mu Yuan.
Mu Yuan sighed and said to Mu Chen, "It seems this meeting, appearing calm on the surface, has hidden sharpness."
Mu Chen curled his lips and said to Mu Yuan: "Brother Mu Yuan, actually, thinking about it, isn’t this the best outcome? I have already met the one from the Divine Demon Continent, and not to exaggerate, if Xiao Feng faced them, I’m afraid he wouldn’t withstand even one move. Since that’s the case, why continue to deplete our resources in vain?"
Mu Yuan’s gaze flickered, and he said to Mu Chen: "Let’s wait until we meet this Young Master Qingge you keep praising."
As soon as he finished speaking, a group of people arrived from the direction of Luoxing City.
The people who came were Mu Chen’s men.
They said to Mu Chen and Mu Yuan: "The Young Master invites all of you to the City Lord Mansion for a chat and has arranged drinks to welcome you."
Mu Yuan looked at Mu Chen and said to him, "Your Young Master Qingge is quite clever. Instead of sending their own people to greet us, they’ve sent your people."
"Brother Mu Yuan, what’s yours and mine? Now, we all belong to the Young Master." Mu Chen smiled.
The group proceeded slowly, following the welcoming party into Luoxing City.
As they drew near, they could better appreciate the grandeur and vastness of Luoxing City.
Mu Yuan and his entourage were deeply struck with awe as they made their way to the entrance of the castle-like City Lord Mansion.
The massive ten-zhang tall mansion gates slowly opened, with Xie Ya and Xuan Ya standing on either side, bowing slightly to Mu Yuan’s party.
"Are these two the servants from the Bitter Sea and Wandering Soul Desert?" Mu Yuan asked quietly upon seeing them.
Mu Chen, next to him, nodded lightly.
"Truly, they are exquisite beauties," Mu Yuan remarked offhandedly.
Mu Chen understood the implication of his words and whispered beside him, "However, to my knowledge, the Young Master has never touched them, nor has she shown them excessive favor."
This statement made Mu Yuan’s gaze deepen.
A young man who can resist the lure of beauty clearly demonstrates exceptional qualities.
They followed the two attendants, Xie Ya and Xuan Ya, into the mansion, entering the grand hall.
Indeed, on either side of the hall, exquisite dishes and delicacies, along with drinks, had already been laid out. And on the high stage above, in the seat symbolizing the City Lord’s status, stood Mu Qingge, wearing a red robe, with a poised posture, looking at them.
Her appearance was like the brilliance of the sun, moon, and stars, dazzlingly beautiful, making her gender indistinct.
Yet, the steadiness and assertiveness in her brow showed no trace of femininity, leaving none to think of her as a woman.
"Young Master, Mu Chen has fulfilled his mission, bringing the Mu Family Head, the Young Master, and various elders to Luoxing City as guests," Mu Chen said, bowing to Mu Qingge.
Mu Qingge nodded at him and said, "You and Mu Peng have worked hard."
After speaking, she looked at Mu Yuan, and finally her gaze settled on Mu Feng. As she looked at Mu Feng, Mu Feng also looked at her.
’Indeed, he is very dazzling, standing before him makes one feel ashamed in comparison,’ Mu Feng forced himself not to shy away from Mu Qingge’s gaze, thinking to himself.
Mu Qingge, on the other hand, appreciated the resolve in Mu Feng’s brow.
She withdrew her gaze and said to everyone, "You’ve all come a long way and worked hard. Today, fine wine and food are ready, please be seated."
From the start, Mu Qingge controlled the pace, which made Mu Yuan somewhat anxious.
He hinted to his followers to quietly take their seats.
Mu Qingge also returned to the main seat and sat down. Accompanying her were a few people like Mei Zizhong, Yin Chen, and Mo Yang.
Mu Qingge raised her wine cup and said to Mu Yuan, "Family Head Mu, you are the Family Head of the Mu Family, and so am I. Let’s not treat this as elder etiquette. This cup of wine is to welcome you all. Please!" After speaking, she tilted her head back and drank the wine from her cup.
"Much obliged." Mu Yuan saw no reason to hesitate, and joined the others in raising his wine cup, drinking it down as well.
After three rounds of drinks, Mu Qingge only chatted about some trivial matters.
Her demeanor was such that it made the people from the Mu Family even less able to figure out her intentions.
Suddenly, Mu Qingge placed down the chopsticks in her hand.
This subtle gesture brought a quietness to the hall.
"Now that we’ve all eaten and drunk enough, it’s about time to discuss serious matters," Mu Qingge said slowly.
Finally, it had come!
Mu Yuan glanced at Mu Feng, and the father and son exchanged a look.
The others from the Mu Family were also waiting for Mu Qingge’s next words.
Mu Qingge stood up from the main seat, hands behind her back, slowly walked out, descended the steps, and stood in the middle of the hall. Her clear gaze fell on Mu Yuan and Mu Feng as she spoke nonchalantly, "I asked the Mu Family Head and Mu Young Master to come here primarily because I wish to ask a question."
Mu Yuan and Mu Feng stood up simultaneously. As the two moved, the other Mu Family members also stood up, silently looking at Mu Qingge.
Remaining calm as ever, Mu Qingge seemed oblivious to their watchfulness and said slowly, "This question is very simple, only a choice. Family Head Mu, I want to ask you..." Mu Qingge’s clear gaze fell on Mu Yuan, "Do you choose submission or annihilation?"
As soon as these words were spoken, Mu Yuan and the others immediately drew their weapons.