Chapter 86 Removing the Horse [Second Update] "I am Mu Qingheng."...

Throughout the entire process, Zhe Qing's face did not show any confusion, but rather grew increasingly solemn.

Once all the sounds had faded away, he focused his mind slightly, about to speak again, but missed the best opportunity.

The moment the imperial decree ended, the courtyard lost its previous tranquility, as if boiling water had been poured into a pot of oil, shattering all peace in an instant.

Lu Zhaoxin was the first to come out of the room. After coming out, he walked quickly towards the direction where the two of them were standing. Yue Liutian followed closely behind. In less than half an incense stick's time, Feng Xixue and even Yu Sheng came over.

After a moment, Mu Meng calmed down and began to have some ideas. Looking at the expressions on everyone's faces, he chuckled slightly and waved his hand, "Everyone, there's no need to be so nervous. It's nothing. I understand the situation. However, I need to return to the Celestial Clan immediately to deal with it."

Lu Zhaoxin frowned, his once spirited face now devoid of a smile, replaced by a somber expression: "This is no small matter, Mengmeng. Do you need my help? I can go to the Celestial Clan with you."

Yue Liutian immediately expressed his willingness to help.

Mu Meng understood their good intentions and knew that even if they knew many secrets, they would never reveal them. However, she still shook her head, "Let it go. These are matters of the Celestial Clan. It's not that I don't trust you, but if you find out, there are many members of the Celestial Clan, and some people might be suspicious. I'm afraid it will cause trouble for you. If that happens, how can I face you two in the future?"

Mu Meng said solemnly, "Zhao Xin, Brother Yue, you don't need to worry too much. Go back to your own homes for now. If there is any news, I will send you a message immediately."

After she finished speaking, she exchanged a glance with Feng Xixue from afar. Feng Xixue did not say anything, but simply nodded slightly at her.

Mu Meng walked to Yu Sheng's side and smiled gently: "Sheng Sheng, your sister has to go home to take care of some things. You just stay here and rest well. I'll come back to see you after I've dealt with those troubles at home, okay?"

Yu Sheng nodded understandingly. She took out a withered leaf from her bosom and said softly, "Sister Mengmeng, this is the withered leaf that I asked Brother Feng to take out from my soul yesterday. I hid it in my soul as evidence back then, and now I'm giving it to you."

Mu Meng took the gift with both hands, her gentle eyes glancing at Yu Sheng. She noticed a hint of worry in Yu Sheng's large, clear eyes. "Sister Mengmeng, you don't need to worry about me. I want to know if there's anything else I can do for you. Just tell me, and I'll definitely do it."

"No need, there's nothing I need you to do," Mu Meng gently stroked Yu Sheng's long, smooth, black hair and whispered, "Sheng Sheng, I originally wanted to take care of you until you recovered before leaving, but now something has suddenly happened, and I have to leave earlier. From now on, I will temporarily entrust you to Feng Xixue. Remember, whatever you want or whatever you want to do, don't worry about anything, big or small, just tell him directly, okay?"

Feng Xixue looked at Mu Meng with gentle eyes and gratitude, then turned her gaze back to Yu Sheng.

Yu Sheng nodded slightly, and Mu Meng smiled with relief, took her hand and whispered a promise, "Sheng Sheng, don't worry, Feng Xixue will treat you well, he will treat you very, very well."

Yu Sheng said softly, "I know, Sister Mengmeng, you don't need to worry about this place."

She glanced at Feng Xixue, then turned back to him, her expression earnest and solemn. "I know that Brother Feng is very weak. But I am different now. I have spiritual power with me. I will take care of him and protect him."

Even in this distressing moment, Mu Meng couldn't help but chuckle. She didn't explain much, but simply nodded to Yu Sheng and praised her with a smile, "So good."

She looked up and met Feng Xixue's gaze, noticing the bloodshot eyes and his lost, tender expression. She knew in her heart that he must have been moved by Sheng Sheng's soft and silly words earlier.

Mu Meng didn't say much to him, only saying, "Take good care of Sheng Sheng."

Feng Xixue nodded first, then his long, dark eyebrows furrowed slightly. He said in a low voice, "Even if I go to the Celestial Clan to help, I am capable of protecting Sheng Sheng. I am a guest of the Celestial Clan. If you don't mind..."

“No need, I know what you mean,” Mu Meng shook his head, “but firstly, it’s dangerous, and I don’t want Sheng Sheng to get involved. Secondly, your true identity is awkward, and it would be bad if it were exposed and caused you trouble.”

After explaining everything, Mu Meng finally turned around, his gaze sweeping through the crowd and landing on the blue figure at the far end.

Zhe Qing strode forward. He heard Mu Meng refuse everyone's offers of help, and the worry in his heart tightened like a binding rope. He quickly stepped forward and said in a deep voice, "Mengmeng, you..."

"Zheqing, I know you will listen to me. You are not allowed to interfere in this matter, nor are you allowed to come with me to the Celestial Clan. You will wait for me here, and wait for me to come back to you."

After Mu Meng finished speaking without any room for argument, she made a forward-moving hand gesture with her left hand, and in an instant, her graceful figure flickered and disappeared from everyone's sight.

They didn't even give Zheqing a chance to say another word.

...

At this time, the Celestial Tribe was in complete chaos.

Almost all the members of the Celestial Clan had gathered in the main hall, standing on both sides arguing fiercely:

"Mu Gechuan? You are actually Mu Gechuan? You've been missing for so many years and you're still alive? You even went to the Demon Clan and became the Demon Lord? You've been living under our noses for so many years, disguised as Mu Ciyue?"

"You are not the Heavenly Emperor, but a remnant of the demon race who willingly fell into demonic ways? Then where is our true Heavenly Emperor? Where is his corpse? Could it be that he spent thousands of years alone in the desolate tomb? You are a wolfish and ruthless villain, how can you sit peacefully on the throne and receive our worship?"

"Fortunately, Heaven had mercy and spared the true son of the Heavenly Emperor from dying at Endless Cliff. Fortunately, his spirit protected his child, and the truth was finally revealed to the world!"

"But... Mu Qingheng isn't without faults. Isn't he also a demon? Although he once had outstanding political achievements, he's still inferior to the Heavenly Emperor. Does that mean that if he comes back and says these things, he can erase all of the Heavenly Emperor's merits?"

"Moreover, the current Heavenly Emperor is not entirely a bad person. He has done good deeds throughout his many years on the throne, and he also once made Mu Qingheng the Crown Prince..."

In the chaos, a few dissenting voices were immediately met with even more frenzied attacks and insults:

"Crown Prince? He never truly intended to make Mu Qingheng the Crown Prince. He's been scheming for years, just trying to lull everyone into a false sense of security. Did you see His Highness's ultimate fate? Wasn't it tragic?"

"That's right. Besides, he was once a member of the Celestial Clan, but because he did not receive the imperial throne, he personally abandoned his clan and joined the Demon Clan. No matter how many good deeds he did, the Heavenly Emperor of our Celestial Clan cannot be a member of the Demon Clan. It's simply the most ridiculous thing in the world!"

"He should be killed! It would be a great relief!"

"Indeed, this scoundrel of the demon race should be executed immediately!"

"Let's see who dares."

Suddenly, a delicate shout rang out amidst the clamor, instantly silencing everyone who turned to look in that direction—there stood Mu Meng, her brows furrowed, her face grim as she strode into the main hall.

She wore a light-colored flowing fairy dress, pure and beautiful like an uncarved natural jade, yet her aura was as cold as ice, like a drawn sword that could cut through iron like mud, and no one could look directly at her.

Mu Meng first glanced around at the people in the hall, then slowed her pace and walked forward. The crowd parted slightly to make way for her, and she glanced to the left and right as she walked.

He paused briefly in front of the person who had just shouted the loudest.

"Lord Xu, I remember five hundred years ago, your beloved son shattered the Heavenly Clan's most treasured artifact. The clan rules clearly state that anyone who damages this treasure, whether intentionally or unintentionally, will be executed without mercy. Yet you knelt before my father's palace for less than three hours before he relented and spared your son's life. At that time, you loudly proclaimed your loyalty, declaring that you would serve the Heavenly Emperor faithfully and without any disloyalty. How come your words still resonate so deeply, yet Lord Xu has already forgotten them?"

"The volume at which you are talking about exorcising demons today is even louder than it was the other day."

Xu Jingzhu seemed to have been choked, unable to utter a single word. Mu Meng cast a cold glance at him and ignored him, walking straight ahead.

As they passed a middle-aged man, Mu Meng sneered again, "Oh, Lord An, you seem to have a short memory. I remember something from when I was young. Your mother was poisoned by a spiritual flower she stole from the Heavenly Pool Forest of the Celestial Clan. Stealing was a capital offense, so the poisoning wasn't unjust. You tearfully begged my father, the Emperor, and he ultimately sacrificed three hundred years of his cultivation to save your mother's life and even pardon her crime. I still vividly remember your weeping face that day. Is Lord An's memory worse than that of a child like me?"

Mu Meng coldly tossed out a remark and continued walking forward. He stopped at the front, clapped his hands, and laughed, "Lord Cheng, as expected of the Lord who governs the most prosperous land of the Heavenly Clan, your words carry more weight than others. How come you were the one who once called Mu Qingheng a remnant of the Demon Clan and wished you could torture him to death in a thousand ways, yet you are the one who speaks up for him today? I think no one is as good as you, Lord Cheng, for the throne. Life and death are just a thought away for you. You can kill whomever you want."

Lord Cheng gave a slight sneer: "Your Highness... oh, no, your current situation is awkward, and I don't know how to address you. After all, your father has just abdicated the position of Heavenly Emperor to someone else."

"Mu Meng, you don't need to be so arrogant. All you're relying on is the Red Heart Pill in your body. But justice will prevail. Mu Qingheng was killed by you and your father and daughters. Now that he has returned, you are naturally the first to be dissatisfied and want to kill him again, right?"

Mu Meng remained noncommittal to his words, then turned her gaze forward: her father stood below the throne, his face weathered and haggard, his hair even whiter than the last time she saw him, his whole being filled with grief and despondency.

His appearance had changed drastically. It seemed that he had removed his disguise of many years before I arrived. At this moment, he looked exactly like Mu Gechuan in the portrait.

His sister and brother-in-law stood beside him, both silent. His sister turned her head and looked at him, giving him a reassuring look.

Mu Meng nodded slightly.

Finally, her gaze, sharp as a blade, fell upon the peerless man on the imperial throne.

How many years has it been since I last saw this face?

The man was tall and slender, with his black hair piled high, his face handsome and beautiful, his skin as white as fine jade porcelain, his long eyebrows dark and sharp, and his thin lips slightly parted and red. He was like a painting in rich and vibrant colors, encompassing all the beauty in the world.

He truly had the most beautiful face she had ever seen in her life.

Mu Meng scrutinized him carefully, but before she could speak, the man smiled and said, "Mengmeng, it's been a long time."

His voice was as clear and pure as ever, deep and pleasant to listen to.

Mu Meng gently raised her hand to tuck a stray hair behind her ear and smiled faintly, "You seem to have a bad memory. We've only been apart for a little over a month, how can it feel like a long time?"

No wonder this guy has been hiding in the shadows, sneaking around without making a move. It turns out he wasn't planning to attack directly like before, but instead resorted to this underhanded tactic.

He has indeed improved.

Mu Meng sneered inwardly, crossed his arms, raised his chin, and scanned the crowd. "My Celestial Clan wouldn't just listen to someone else's story without any verification, would he? Although this person has the exact same face as Mu Qingheng, how can you be sure that he is indeed Mu Qingheng?"

As soon as she finished speaking, someone suddenly walked up to her and whispered in her ear, "Your Highness, he is indeed him."

Mu Meng turned to look at Sheng Yuanting, whose expression was both confused and solemn. He corrected him in a low voice, "Or rather, he has a way to prove that he is. This person suddenly appeared in the Celestial Clan, so of course we wouldn't easily confirm his identity. But his blood can be absorbed into the golden tablet bestowed by the Holy Ancestor when Mu Qingheng was born, so he is indeed Mu Qingheng without a doubt... Moreover, the shocking things he said were exactly the same as what we heard in the Heavenly Granary Realm that day. His Majesty accepted those things in an instant, so that's why..."

What? This thing's blood—can actually be mixed into Mu Qingheng's Holy Ancestor's Golden Token?

Mu Meng was stunned for a moment, then his hand in his sleeve gradually clenched.

Impossible, he couldn't possibly be Mu Qingheng's. Even if he dispelled the black aura covering his body and appeared before people in a human form, she would never forget his aura and his presence—he was that monster, the monster she had personally pushed off the endless cliff.

Just then, Mu Qingheng smiled slightly and walked towards her step by step.

Mu Meng said in a low voice, in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Brother Sheng, please step aside."

Sheng Yuanting hesitated for a moment, then called her name softly. But Mu Meng persisted, and he had no choice but to yield and take a few steps back.

Mu Luo also saw this scene. Her brows furrowed and she was about to walk over when Mu Meng noticed first. She gently raised her hand in Mu Luo's direction, signaling her to calm down.

She calmed them down and watched helplessly as Mu Qingheng approached her step by step.

He stopped in front of her, very close, his tall figure casting a shadow that completely enveloped her.

Mu Qingheng leaned forward slightly, his lips just inches away from her ear.

"Mengmeng, I don't understand what you're saying. I'm sure Sheng Yuanting has already told you that my blood is fused with the golden tablet bestowed by the Holy Ancestor. I am Mu Qingheng, your brother. Why won't you acknowledge me?"

Mu Meng neither dodged nor avoided him, but turned his head slightly to imitate him, and whispered in his ear, "Save your energy with me. You've already fooled my father and sister, and the members of the Heavenly Clan. Let's not put on an act between us. Brother? I don't remember having a brother with a red bloodstain in the center of his pupils."

Mu Qingheng didn't move, and chuckled softly, "It's my problem. This is something that can't be hidden no matter how hard I try. It's my fault. I told you this little secret before, but you saw through it at a glance."

Mu Meng's eyes turned cold. He said he had once told himself...

Mu Meng was startled and surprised. She looked him over with a sharp gaze, her long, curled eyelashes fluttering slightly. She said coldly, "You also remember your past life."

"Of course. Mengmeng, you know I'm a monster. What's so strange about my past life? I know that the high and mighty Celestial Princess would never look at a lowly monster like me. But Mengmeng, I know much more than you do."

He lowered his voice and said softly with a hint of smugness and pleasure, "Mengmeng, do you know that the person who insulted you, slapped you, cut out your heart, and threw you off the endless cliff in your past life was not your brother—but me."

Mu Meng's face showed no reaction, but his hands were clenched tightly in his sleeves. He then chuckled, "Hmm... seeing how smart you are now, you probably guessed this and aren't surprised to hear it. Alright, considering I killed you before, I'll tell you one more thing."

His voice was so low it was almost a whisper, "Actually, the person who slaughtered your people on the battlefield in my past life wasn't him—it was... me... hahahaha..."

Mu Meng's gaze instantly turned icy cold, her eyes flashing like poisoned daggers as she shot towards the man beside her.

She spoke slowly and deliberately: "It's you?"

"How about that? Isn't that surprising? Don't tell me you didn't know, even that idiot Mu Qingheng didn't know. At that time, his heart was still heavy with emotion, and he only cared about being by your side every day. Even when he went to the battlefield a few times, he was just hesitant and weak, and he didn't even dare to kill prisoners of war. His heart was completely devoted to you, how could he think of anything else? His subordinates were all idiots too, they didn't realize that I was secretly switching things under their noses every day. How pitiful—he didn't kill a single member of the Celestial Clan, but he took the blame for all the crimes for me. Don't you think he's ridiculous?"

Mu Meng fell silent for a moment. She couldn't describe the feelings churning in her heart at that moment. She only felt a bone-chilling coldness in the world, as if all the coldness was seeping into her body.

After a moment, she sneered, "You're nothing to laugh at. You're wearing someone else's skin and using someone else's name, trying to seize the throne of the Heavenly Emperor. Do you think your despicable plan can go the distance?"

"Mu Qingheng" chuckled softly, saying with a playful provocation, "Then we'll see. My blood can be used on the gold medal, and the real Mu Qingheng is dead. Mengmeng, I'd also like to know, with everyone believing in me, what means will you use to prove—that I am not Mu Qingheng?"

He suddenly stepped back, an overwhelming chill emanating from him. After taking a few steps back, he laughed loudly, "Mengmeng, I know you still hate me, but I've also endured too much suffering and grievance. I've died once, and even if I have wronged you in any way, I've paid it off with my life. Now, of course, it's time to settle the score I have."

"Wait a minute."

As soon as Mu Qingheng finished speaking, a deep and slightly hoarse voice suddenly came from behind the crowd.

Mu Meng turned around to look.

Everyone turned to look.

At the end of the crowd, Zhe Qing, dressed in a simple and elegant blue robe, stood there calmly and upright, leaning on a bamboo stick, like a pure and refined bamboo.

His snow-white gaze slowly swept across the faces of the crowd, finally settling on the person he had been longing for.

Meeting those clear, innocent eyes, he gently closed his own, suppressing all his emotions deep inside.

There's nothing we can do.

He had already missed too many opportunities. Back when Mengmeng confessed her feelings for him time and time again, he should have overcome his fear, frankly shed his disguise, and clearly told her who he really was.

And to reveal everything now, in this setting, is truly the worst possible situation.

Everything that happened before now looks like a deliberate deception.

After today, Mengmeng probably won't forgive him.

Zhe Qing thought desperately, then slightly curled the corners of her lips, revealing a seemingly calm smile.

His movements were calm and elegant as he slowly removed the silver mask from half of his face, and then gradually peeled away the thin, gossamer-thin human skin disguise from his temples.

"Mu Qingheng is indeed not dead, but it's not him, it's me."