Chapter 28 Injury He pretended to be injured again to deceive her.
When Mu Qingheng went to find Yun Qing, Yun Qing had just gotten up. He waited outside for a while, and then Yun Qing hurriedly came out after getting ready.
"Heng'er, I didn't expect you to come to see me so early. Please have a seat."
Yun Qing pointed to the chair next to him, "Sorry to keep you waiting. Is there something important that you need to come so early?"
“Yes, this matter has been on my mind for a long time,” Mu Qingheng nodded slightly, “It is of great importance, please forgive me for getting straight to the point.”
"Of course, there's no need for formalities between us. Just tell me what you need."
“Uncle Yun, the Azure Phoenix Feather has been in the possession of the Yunze Realm for generations. This matter wouldn’t normally be a problem, but as you know, the Azure Phoenix Feather is the only nemesis of the Crimson Heart Pill, a sharp weapon that poses a threat to Mengmeng, so…”
"Your Highness, why are you suddenly bringing this up? Is...is there some rumor going around?" Yun Qing, having only listened halfway through, grew increasingly anxious and stood up uneasily to ask.
Mu Qingheng pursed his lips, closed his eyes, and rubbed his forehead.
Yun Qing hurriedly came around from behind the table: "It is true that Yun Ze is in charge of the Azure Phoenix Feather, but it has been passed down from generation to generation. No one expected that Mengmeng would be born with a Crimson Heart Pill. Even so, my loyalty will never change... We would never harm Mengmeng in the slightest!"
Mu Qingheng glanced at him: "I haven't finished speaking yet."
"Oh... then you, you continue."
Mu Qingheng said in a deep voice, "I understand Yunze's loyalty and have no doubts about you. I just feel that there is such a thing in the world that I would not trust anyone to have it in their hands. I came here today to discuss with you whether you would agree to let me destroy the Azure Phoenix Feather."
"Destroy?"
Yun Qing hadn't expected him to mean that, and was somewhat puzzled: "This... the Azure Phoenix Feather is placed in the Peach Blossom Formation in Yunze Realm. The Peach Blossom Formation is a rare killing formation in the Six Realms, and no one can break through it. Since the Heavenly Clan trusts Yunze, there's nothing wrong with leaving it there, right?"
"No one can break through? Not necessarily."
Mu Qingheng stood up and slowly paced around: "There are always people more powerful than us in the Six Realms. Who can guarantee that everything will be foolproof? The Peach Blossom Formation is only difficult to pass, not an invincible formation. What better way than to destroy it?"
That's true, but Yun Qing still hesitated. After all, it was a family heirloom, and there was no other one like it in the Six Realms. He was reluctant to destroy it for no reason. "Heng'er, it's just that the Azure Phoenix Feather is an ancient treasure. It would be a pity to destroy it. But your uncle understands your concerns. How about I give the Azure Phoenix Feather to you to keep? That would be better than destroying it."
"What did you say?"
Mu Qingheng turned his head, his gaze intense, and asked again, "What did you say?"
Yun Qing scratched his head: "I said... I can give you the Azure Phoenix Feather."
"Mengmeng is your lifeline. With the Azure Phoenix Feather in your hands, it's definitely safer than it was in the Peach Blossom Formation. That way, you don't have to destroy it, isn't that... great..."
Mu Qingheng did not answer. His dark eyes were unreadable. After a long while, he suddenly smiled.
His smile was desolate, almost self-mocking. It froze on his lips for a moment, then slowly faded.
Yun Qing thought he had said something wrong: "What's wrong? Is there something amiss?"
“There’s nothing wrong with it,” Mu Qingheng shook his head, his voice low. “I just didn’t expect you to hand over the Azure Phoenix Feather to me like this.”
"It's nothing. What do I worry about? Mengmeng will refine the Crimson Heart Pill one day, and the Azure Phoenix Feather will no longer be a threat to her." Yun Qing said, adding jokingly, "You won't refuse to return it to me then, will you?"
Mu Qingheng paused for a moment, then sighed softly, "For Mengmeng's physique to refine the Crimson Heart Pill would take too long, and who knows how many variables might arise along the way. Uncle Yun, I don't want to lie to you, but even if you hand over the Azure Phoenix Feather to me, I will still destroy it."
Yun Qing paused, his expression grave: "Heng'er, I understand your feelings, but aren't you being too anxious? Destroying the Azure Phoenix Feather just because of worry... this..."
"You disagree?"
"I'm sorry... I can't agree."
Mu Qingheng remained unfazed: "Uncle Yun, please forgive my rudeness. If you agree, hand over the Azure Phoenix Feather to me; if you do not agree, I will personally go to the Peach Blossom Formation."
His patience was almost exhausted; if it weren't for this matter, he wouldn't have wanted to come to Yunze Realm at all.
I really don't want Mengmeng to come.
Yun Qing had better not agree. If he didn't, he could easily break off all ties and never have to come to Yunze Realm again, and Mengmeng would stop thinking about Yun Jiuyan.
Yun Qing stared intently at him, and finally sighed.
The outcome of this multiple-choice question is the same: either he gives it to himself, or she takes it. Mu Qingheng definitely has the ability to break through the Peach Blossom Formation.
It's clear that there's no room for compromise; continuing the standoff would only benefit no one.
"Alright, alright." After a long silence, he said, "Since that's the case, I'll hand it over to you peacefully, so as not to hurt the relationship between the Celestial Clan and Yunze."
...
They've arrived.
Mu Meng pretended not to notice, but gritted his teeth and prepared to withstand the blow.
This time she was fully prepared; no matter how severe the attack, she would not faint.
In the blink of an eye, the person had already darted behind her, and just like in her previous life, she didn't even have a chance to turn around.
However, the intense pain she had imagined did not come; the man stopped a few inches behind her.
Mu Meng was both surprised and suspicious, and turned around: "...Brother Jiu Yan?"
“It’s me,” Yun Jiuyan smiled, tilting his head, and lightly flicked her forehead. “You little dummy, have you been slacking off lately? Your vigilance is so poor.”
He turned around and gestured: "I rushed over from there—from there, and you didn't even resist when I was behind you." He looked her up and down, shaking his head disapprovingly, "How come you reacted so slowly?"
He smiled, and the morning sunlight filtering through the dense flower branches made his smile even brighter.
"Brother Jiu Yan?" Mu Meng paused for a moment, then murmured the name again.
This was the first time she had seen Yun Jiuyan since her rebirth.
Yun Jiuyan leaned closer, a little puzzled: "Mengmeng, what's wrong?"
He was tall, and he had to bend slightly over, resting his hands on his knees, to look her in the eye: "What are you doing? Don't make me angry, I just... my cultivation has improved a little recently, I was just joking with you. I was wrong, really wrong, I won't tease you like that again."
The more he spoke, the less confident he became, and Yun Jiuyan felt that there were glistening tears in Mengmeng's eyes.
Something's not right. Mengmeng's eyes are really red. Yun Jiuyan's heart jumped: "Mengmeng, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"
He stammered as he explained, "No, I know how to use my strength, I definitely wouldn't hurt you. You're scared, aren't you? Actually... I just..."
Before he could finish speaking, Mu Meng hugged him tightly.
She didn't want to cry, but the tears just wouldn't stop: "Brother Jiuyan, I'm sorry... I'm so sorry..."
Who can understand what a nightmare it was for her when Yun Jiuyan died in her previous life—watching him being kicked off the endless cliff by Mu Qingheng. She always thought that was the last time they saw each other, and he became a scar on her heart.
"Hey... Mengmeng?" Yun Jiuyan panicked a little, patting her thin back helplessly. "Don't cry, why are you apologizing to me? You—sigh, it's all my fault, don't cry, don't cry..."
Mu Meng's emotions were in turmoil, and she couldn't help but sob, "I'm sorry..."
She truly felt sorry for him, not only because of what happened in her past life, but also because for a fleeting moment last night, she had the thought that if she couldn't bring down Mu Qingheng today, she should simply marry Brother Jiu Yan.
If her falling in love is a weakness of Mu Qingheng, then becoming someone else's wife, with her heart and soul devoted to her husband, wouldn't that be an even greater blow to him?
But Mu Meng immediately rejected the idea. This was a matter between her and Mu Qingheng. How could she be so despicable as to drag innocent people into it?
She wanted to get rid of Mu Qingheng, but she couldn't become as disgusting as him; otherwise, she would despise herself.
"Look at you, why are you apologizing again?" Yun Jiuyan apologized several times, but Mengmeng wouldn't listen, so now it was the two of them apologizing to each other.
Finally, Yun Jiuyan sighed, "Alright, alright, stop crying. I've never seen you cry before. Fine, you were wrong, okay? You were wrong, but I'm not angry with you."
With tears welling up in her eyes, Mu Meng couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this: "Oh... okay."
She whispered her accusation, "It's good that you're not angry. When you get angry, you hit people, which is especially scary."
"How could that be? You're talking nonsense, how could I bear to?"
Yun Jiuyan thought Mu Meng was referring to his earlier pretense of hitting her. "I was just joking, trying to test your skills... Besides, have you ever seen me angry? Hitting you? You heartless little thing, I wouldn't even lay a finger on you, let alone knock a single hair off your head."
His hands were still stiff; he hadn't dared to touch her at all except to gently pat her and coax her.
His heart softened more and more as he looked at the thin, frail little girl in front of him. His heart pounded, and his arms slowly closed around her, as if possessed.
"What are you doing?" Before he could even hug Mengmeng, Yun Jiuyan was suddenly pulled away by a strong force, staggering a few steps before barely regaining his footing.
He looked over in a daze, only to meet Mu Qingheng's icy gaze: "Are you crazy to dare touch Mengmeng?"
"Why did you hit him?" Mu Meng was startled, her face turning pale. The sight of Mu Qingheng and Yun Jiuyan standing in front of her still made her feel uneasy, so she quickly ran forward and grabbed Yun Jiuyan's arm.
"Brother Jiuyan, are you alright? Where are you hurt?" She looked him up and down anxiously.
Mu Qingheng stared blankly at Mu Meng, moved his lips, and said in a much lower voice, "I didn't hit him."
"No, no, really nothing," Yun Jiuyan said, waving his hand to explain, "Mengmeng, why are you so nervous? Brother Mu didn't do anything to me."
Although I hit him a bit too hard and my arm is still throbbing with pain, it was all because I was out of my mind and didn't know any manners when I hugged someone else's sister, so it's no wonder Mu Qingheng was angry.
Yun Jiuyan's attitude in admitting his mistake was excellent: "Brother Mu, I was abrupt and confused. If you are angry, please punish me as you wish. I will have no complaints."
"No!" Mu Meng spread her arms to block Yun Jiuyan, her expression tense. "You can't..."
Mu Qingheng's gaze was terrifying, indifferent, cold, and devoid of warmth. In an instant, she felt as if she had returned to the small house on the desolate edge of the tomb—the same scene, the same gaze.
Mu Qingheng suddenly frowned, turned to the side, and braced himself against the tree trunk, coughing uncontrollably.
He was breathing rapidly, as if he were in great pain, and his face gradually turned pale until the last trace of color disappeared.
Mu Meng looked at him with suspicion and uncertainty, unsure of what he was up to this time.
Yun Jiuyan was startled and spoke quickly: "Brother Mu, what's wrong? You were fine just now. Don't worry, don't worry, Mengmeng, don't be afraid. I'll go find my father right away."
He ran off as soon as he finished speaking, so fast that Mu Meng didn't even have time to react.
Mu Meng glanced at Yun Jiuyan's retreating figure, then turned to look at Mu Qingheng, taking a few steps closer: "You... what's wrong with you?"
Mu Qingheng frowned deeply, his long, clean hands pressing against the tree trunk with such force that several places were already cut and bleeding.
"It's okay, I'm fine." He tried to calm his breathing and turned to give a reassuring smile.
He had just heard Yun Jiuyan say that Mengmeng was frightened.
Mu Qingheng straightened his back slowly and calmly, trying not to feel the intense pain of his heart being torn to pieces: "Mengmeng, don't be afraid. I just aggravated an old injury, but it's fine now."
Mu Meng stared at his pale face, sensing something was wrong: "What kind of injury would hurt so much if it were agitated?"
In her memory, Mu Qingheng was not someone who couldn't endure pain.
She had seen his horrific battle wounds, but if he didn't say anything, and instead concealed the smell of blood on his body, acting nonchalant and laughing, no one would have noticed that he was injured.
Mu Qingheng regained some color in his face and smiled slightly: "It's just an old injury. It doesn't really hurt that much. I just didn't react in time. It doesn't hurt anymore now."
"Really...all right?"
Mu Qingheng's eyes softened: "Mm."
He wasn't lying; Mengmeng's two words of concern did indeed lessen his heart-wrenching pain.
But... his heart is too fragile and sensitive; he can't bear even the slightest grievance, so the situation is really not optimistic.
"Mengmeng, can you come and help me? I'm a little afraid to put any weight on me." He had no choice; he was hurt because of love, and could only pray for a little more love to ease the pain.
Mu Meng hesitated for a moment, unsure of Mu Qingheng's thoughts—he didn't seem to be faking it, would he really hit her?
If he didn't seriously injure her like he did in his previous life, what reason could he use to frame Yun Zejing and seize the Azure Phoenix Feather?
No, no, the demons are masters of acting; there's nothing they can't fake. A sneak attack won't work now. He wants me to go over and help him up so it'll be easier to succeed.
"Okay, don't move." Mu Meng understood the situation and pretended not to know anything, stepping forward to support Mu Qingheng's arm.
Fortunately, there was a layer of clothing between us, so the resistance wasn't too strong.
Mu Qingheng's expression softened further as he slowly moved forward with Mu Meng's help. In just a moment, his lips were no longer as pale as before.
As expected, it was all an act. Mu Meng secretly became wary, held her breath, and waited for Mu Qingheng to suddenly launch a heavy attack.
“Mengmeng, I just said goodbye to Uncle Yun,” Mu Qingheng suddenly said. “Let’s go this way and go home.”
Mu Meng glanced ahead, a suspicion rising in his heart, and was about to speak when he suddenly heard Yun Qing calling them from behind:
"What happened?" He approached in the blink of an eye, followed by a number of people. "Mengmeng, what happened to Heng'er? Jiuyan came to me and told me something had happened, and I was shocked. Where did he get hurt?"
"It's nothing," Mu Qingheng glanced at Yun Jiuyan. "Jiuyan is young and a little flustered when things happen. I just aggravated an old injury, but I've troubled Uncle Yun and all the other uncles to come all this way."
"Ah..." Yun Qing nodded, looked Mu Qingheng up and down. His expression was alright, and he couldn't see anything wrong with him.
He turned his head: "It's alright, everyone go back." His gaze swept over Yun Jiuyan, and Yun Qing patted him lightly. "You're all grown up now, be more mature in the future."
Mu Meng was initially terrified by the large number of people approaching, but felt better after everyone dispersed. She was constantly on edge, unsure when Mu Qingheng would make his move.
As the realm lord, Yun Qing dismissed everyone and then stepped forward a few paces, saying, "Since Heng'er has matters to attend to, you should all go back first and come back when you have time. Mengmeng, take good care of your brother."
Mu Meng responded, secretly wondering why Mu Qingheng had actually said goodbye to Uncle Yun in such a hurry. Had he changed his plans...?
"Mengmeng, you look so serious. Are you worried about your brother? You must keep a close eye on him when you get back. Don't let him take such care of himself. After all, he's been fighting for many years, and the wounds he sustained on the battlefield are the most important things to take seriously."
"By the way, Heng'er," Yun Qing said, looking around since there were only the three of them and no outsiders present, "I'm entrusting the Azure Phoenix Feather to you... Don't let anyone else know about what to do with it, lest it cause any complications."
Mu Meng suddenly looked up at him.
A slight tremor ran through the depths of his pupils as he stared unblinkingly at Yun Qing's opening and closing mouth.
"While I understand you to some extent, I feel mostly helpless. I hope you can go back and think about it carefully."
Mu Qingheng simply said, "I understand, thank you for your understanding."
"Then I won't see you off. Take care on your journey."
Yun Qing took a few steps back, and his figure disappeared in a flash. Mu Qingheng didn't look much and was about to walk forward when Mu Meng stopped in place.
Her hand slowly loosened its grip on his arm and fell limply to the ground.
If it were just a full-force attack, the Nine Poison Pearls could still be effective, but now—
Mu Qingheng has already obtained the Azure Phoenix Feather.
This time he changed his approach.
She didn't know what he and Uncle Yun had talked about, but he obtained the Azure Phoenix Feather without bloodshed or difficulty.
Now that he possesses the Azure Phoenix Feather and the ability to refine the Crimson Heart Pill, the entire journey to the Returning Heaven Clan could become her death trap at any moment.
There seemed to be no reason for him to stop.
Mu Meng bit her lower lip hard, the grievances and resentment in her heart almost bursting out: She had clearly been reborn! She clearly had a chance to start over! Yet she still couldn't compare to Mu Qingheng!
She thought she had made all the necessary preparations, but the enemy chose a different path, catching her off guard.
She was unwilling... She had not yet avenged herself, had not yet sought justice for her sister, had not yet cleared the name of the King of Donghai, and she was unwilling to die hastily and hastily at the hands of Mu Qingheng once again!
"Mengmeng? Mengmeng?"
A slightly anxious voice called out in his ear, and Mu Qingheng's face paled even more than before: "What's wrong? What happened?"
"Why are you..." he seemed to be choosing his words carefully, "Why are you unhappy?"
It's fake, it's fake.
He's putting on this act to fool her again.
The wind whistles through the forest; this is the border of Yunze, a truly excellent place for burial.
Alarm bells rang in Mu Meng's mind, and he suddenly looked up to stare at Mu Qingheng.
He reached into his coat.
He's taking something out.
He's going to kill her.
But she has no power to fight him now.
The suffocating feeling of impending death was like a splash of ice and snow hitting him head-on. His survival instinct kicked in, and in a flash, Mu Meng's eyes lit up, a resolute determination surging within them—
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