Chapter 32 Unease His heart was in a terrible state, filled with anxiety and fear of loss…
Mu Qingheng was surprised that Mu Meng would speak suddenly. He gently took her hand, shook his head imperceptibly, and mouthed, "Mengmeng?"
A warm touch came from his fingertips. Mu Meng paused for a moment, resisting the urge to pull away. With so many people watching, any big movement would surely arouse Mu Qingheng's suspicion.
She wanted to seize the initiative before Mu Qingheng did. With that thought in mind, Mu Meng nodded slightly to Mu Qingheng and gave him a reassuring look.
The little girl's eyes were clear and bright, and Mu Qingheng's heart softened, so he couldn't help but smile.
His handsome, refined features revealed a hint of doting and indulgence as he released Mu Meng's hand, silently acquiescing.
Mu Meng smiled in response, then turned to Zhong Li and said in a low voice, "King of the East Sea, His Highness the Crown Prince does not intend to make things difficult for you, but you have harmed others, so naturally you must pay the price. Your spiritual power originally belonged to the Princess, so returning it to her is not a punishment. Do you understand?"
Zhongli said in a low voice, "I understand."
Mu Meng stepped forward. “What His Highness meant was that no matter how sincere you are, empty words won’t get you in. How about this: you first entrust your sister’s spiritual power to me, and I will return it to her. Then she will have spiritual power with her. If she wants to see you, she will naturally see you; if she doesn’t want to, you shouldn’t stand here and force her.”
Regardless of Mu Qingheng's exact meaning, this was her intention.
This was the best idea she could come up with: transferring the spiritual power to herself. In this way, whether Mu Qingheng wanted to kill the King of the East Sea or destroy this spiritual power, he would have neither a reason nor a way to do so.
Zhong Liwei's back was slightly hunched. As soon as Mu Meng finished speaking, he slowly straightened up and looked at Mu Meng.
He blinked, and a glimmer of light appeared in his dull eyes.
It was her.
The little girl was wearing a light yellow ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), which was fresh and elegant, much more understated than a princess's attire. At first, he didn't pay much attention to her and didn't realize that this was the silly little dumpling from back then.
When he first saw her, she was barely up to his chest; now she had blossomed into a stunningly beautiful young woman. She looked to be about the same age as his lover back then.
“It’s you. You’ve grown so much.” Zhongli said softly.
He looked ashamed and forced a smile. Compared to Mu Qingheng, he felt even more embarrassed in front of this little sister.
Mu Meng nodded. "It's me." Even though she knew that the King of the East Sea had suffered a great injustice, she didn't dare to show it. Her face remained indifferent. "If you trust me, then transfer my sister's spiritual power to me. Don't worry, I will return it to her intact."
Zhong Liwei's lips trembled slightly, and she said sadly, "Of course I trust you."
Luo Luo doted on her little sister the most, and he understood her character well. Although the girl was young, her words made a lot of sense—if he didn't hand over his spiritual power first, he might never see Luo Luo again in his lifetime.
Why should the Celestial Clan allow him to see them?
Once Luo Luo regains her spiritual power, the Heavenly Emperor will no longer imprison her. At that time, even if it's just to avenge herself, she will definitely come to see him.
Zhong Liwei looked at Mu Meng for a long time, so long that Mu Qingheng couldn't help but frown.
He stepped forward without making a sound, seemingly casually standing half a step in front of Mu Meng, slightly blocking Zhong Liwei's view.
He suddenly stepped forward, and Mu Meng assumed he wanted to raise some objection. She was already prepared for this; Mu Qingheng had gone to great lengths, so he must have his reasons.
No matter what he says, we can only respond accordingly.
“Since you agree, then let’s do as His Highness wishes,” Mu Qingheng said coldly, “but there are two conditions.”
Did he agree?
So they just agreed without raising any other objections?
Caught off guard, Mu Meng's train of thought faltered, and she couldn't help but glance at Mu Qingheng with a puzzled look.
Mu Qingheng maintained the same calm and elegant demeanor, making it impossible to discern whether he was being sincere or scheming. In any case, since he had said so, let's hear what his two conditions are.
Zhongli Wei, oblivious to Mu Meng's hidden wariness, didn't sense anything amiss and hurriedly asked, "Your Highness, please speak."
"First, after returning the spiritual power, immediately return to the East Sea. You are also a ruler who governs a region. Even if you have no shame, don't bring shame upon my Celestial Clan. If Mu Luo wants to see you after obtaining the spiritual power, no one in the Celestial Clan will stop her. Whether there is a misunderstanding or harm between you, you can resolve it yourselves."
This request was not unreasonable, and Zhongliwei nodded immediately after hearing it. "Alright, I will go back. Also... please ask Your Highness to tell Luoluo that I have been waiting for her in the East Sea."
Mu Qingheng said coldly, "I will not pass on messages."
Before Zhongli Wei could react, he continued, "The second condition is more difficult. Back then, my little sister relinquished her princess title for you, willingly becoming a person without clan or roots. Today, I also trouble the King of the East Sea to resign his throne and leave the East Sea after returning. Don't blame me for being heartless; my little sister is strong-willed and cannot tolerate any injustice. It would be best if the two of you could reconcile, but if the talks break down, she might take your life in a fit of anger—and with the wrath of the East Sea, she might come to the Heavenly Clan to cause trouble."
Mu Meng frowned secretly. From what he heard, it seemed that Mu Qingheng only wanted to let Zhong Liwei go—not to kill him, and he didn't care where that spiritual energy went. As for whether he and his sister could reconcile, he didn't care, and he had no other plans.
However, he wouldn't suffer a loss either. If Zhongli Wei were to voluntarily leave the East Sea, without the support of his clan, it would be difficult to find out who was controlling him.
That's really strange.
He did these things as if he had gone in a big circle, forcibly bringing things that had gone off track back onto the right track, and then he didn't care about the rest.
But what good does this actually do him?
Before Mu Meng could figure out these questions, Zhong Liwei had already answered in a deep voice, his gaze extremely firm, "That's how it should be. I owe Luo Luo too much, even if she kills me, I have no complaints. She gave up everything for me before, and today for her, there is nothing I can't give up."
He spoke without hesitation, and the deep emotion in his words was almost unbearable to hear.
Mu Meng hesitated for a long time, but finally softened. "You don't need to be so pessimistic. Since you said there were other hidden stories about what happened back then, then explain it to your sister properly. She is tough on the outside but soft on the inside. If she knows there are other hidden stories, she will definitely not kill you easily."
"Yes, but..."
Zhong Li gave a bitter smile, and sorrow gradually appeared in his eyes. "Even if she doesn't kill me, she will never forgive me. Hurt is hurt, and no matter what excuse you use to cover it up or what method you use to make up for it, it can never be erased."
The sky was overcast and gloomy. As soon as he finished speaking, a gust of wind arose out of nowhere, chilling and cold, penetrating straight to one's bones.
He sighed again: "In any case, it is a fact that I betrayed and deceived her. Since the facts are there, even if we reconcile, things will never be the same."
Mu Qingheng's brow twitched.
He subconsciously turned his head to glance at Mu Meng.
Stray hairs were blown by the wind from his temples and fell around his eyes. His long, raven-feather-like eyelashes trembled slightly, and his fingers, which were hanging in his sleeves, curled up.
It felt as if barren grass had suddenly sprouted in my heart, swaying in the wind, making me feel extremely uneasy.
Zhong Liwei's words of despair were so powerful that they could almost make one feel the pain of being torn apart. When Mu Qingheng heard them, his heart beat faster than usual.
He took a breath and calmed himself down without making a sound.
It doesn't matter; what does the suffering of others have to do with him?
It was originally Zhongli Wei who was too useless; she couldn't protect herself and also hurt the person she loved.
He was different from him. If he hadn't been a demon and had been born with an ordinary heart like Zhongli Wei's, how could he have done so many regrettable things?
Fortunately, after a lifetime of ups and downs and countless hardships, he was finally blessed by heaven and given a second chance.
There's nothing to be afraid of.
No need to overthink it.
Mu Qingheng calmed down in an instant, and he did so without letting anyone notice his slight emotional fluctuation.
She glanced at Mu Meng discreetly, and as if remembering something, her expression softened, and she smiled contentedly.
***
The transfer of spiritual power did not take long, and Mu Meng and Mu Luo, being of the same lineage, received it even faster.
They went to the Xuanqing Terrace outside the Nine Heavens Gate. Originally, Mu Meng wanted to go alone with Zhong Liwei, but Mu Qingheng refused. After instructing Sheng Yuanting to withdraw his troops, he came with the two of them and waited by the side as a protector.
After everything was over, Mu Meng took a moment to calm his mind and couldn't help but sigh with emotion: "My sister is indeed a once-in-a-millennium genius. She wasn't much older than me back then, yet she possessed such unparalleled spiritual power."
No wonder Mu Qingheng was so wary of him.
"Thank you for your hard work, Mengmeng." After expending a huge amount of spiritual energy, Zhong Liwei's complexion was even worse than before.
The wind was strong on the Xuanqing Platform, and Zhong Liwei's clothes fluttered in the wind. The despair in his eyes gradually dissipated as he sent out his spiritual energy, and a hint of hope appeared between his brows.
Mu Meng saw it clearly and understood what he expected. She shook her head and said, "I haven't had any trouble."
"Then...then I'll take my leave." Zhong Liwei pursed her lips, seemingly wanting to say something but stopping herself, and after thanking Mu Meng and Mu Qingheng, she turned to leave.
The blood-red sunset on the horizon reflected on his back, gilding his hair with a poignant and tragic golden light.
After taking a few steps, Zhong Liwei suddenly stopped, turning around as if he had made up his mind. "I know you still have doubts about me, and no matter what promises I make, they won't be convincing. But as a man, if I don't even dare to make a promise, wouldn't that be even more cowardly? You are all Luo Luo's closest relatives. I, Zhong Liwei, hereby guarantee that I will produce evidence to give Luo Luo and myself an explanation."
Zhongli looked at them solemnly, and said each word with conviction: "I am not exaggerating. Leaving the East Sea does not mean I am at the mercy of others. I will never give up the investigation to find out who harmed me. Rest assured, I have found some clues. I swear here that within three months, I will definitely catch this villain and torture him to death to relieve my hatred."
Mu Meng's heart leaped into her throat. She almost instinctively wanted to turn and look at Mu Qingheng, but she immediately held back—she couldn't look. If she did, wouldn't that reveal that Mu Qingheng knew the truth?
Yet, a sense of unease crept into his heart. Zhong Liwei was indeed frank, but if he spoke like this, Mu Qingheng might try to silence him.
Although he let him go, he didn't allow him to find fault with him.
Mu Meng held back his movements, and the next moment he heard Mu Qingheng's voice.
He said calmly, "The ambition of the King of the East Sea is admirable. If you encounter any difficulties, please feel free to speak up, and I will be happy to lend a helping hand."
...
Upon returning, Mu Meng was unsurprisingly severely reprimanded by the Heavenly Emperor.
From childhood to adulthood, she was well-behaved and sensible, and was almost never scolded. On the occasional occasion when she was spoiled, her father would scold her, but she would listen carefully and take every word to heart.
This time, however, while her father was scolding her from above, she stood below, lost in thought.
How can one not be distracted?
She had no chance to be alone with Zhong Liwei today, and Zhong Liwei's last words as she left made her very worried.
This is practically suicide. How could Zhongli Wei possibly compare to Mu Qingheng's methods?
Even if we take a step back and assume that she returns the spiritual power to her sister and tells her the whole truth, and her sister believes her, let alone whether the newly restored spiritual power is unstable or whether she has the ability to fight Mu Qingheng, even if she really kills him, there are still thousands of demon soldiers in the Demon Nest. This rash action is no different from provoking war.
Moreover, given the extreme danger involved, she hoped even more that her sister and Zhongli Wei would remain safe and sound and not be implicated.
Wait... that's not right either. Could it be Mu Qingheng...?
"Mengmeng?! Mengmeng! I'm talking to you, and you're spacing out? What's wrong with you? Don't you have even the slightest bit of remorse?!"
Mu Meng was lost in thought, pondering how to resolve this predicament, when the Heavenly Emperor's angry tone snapped her back to reality.
Mu Meng quickly admitted her mistake: "I repent." She was actually alright. Her father was only angry because he was worried, and he would calm down after a few words of scolding.
Her eyes were clear and gentle, and her voice carried a hint of coaxing. Her earnest apology made one's heart soften.
Mu Qingheng couldn't help but speak up after just one glance. "Father, this is my fault. I saw that Zhongli Wei had no intention of provoking me, and I thought it wouldn't hurt to bring Mengmeng along. I was really not thinking things through. Father, please scold me if you want."
The Heavenly Emperor snorted coldly: "You? Would you be such a thoughtless person? Most likely, this girl was clinging to you and coaxing you, and you softened your heart and let her do whatever she wanted!"
He breathed a sigh of relief. Although Zhongli Wei truly had no treacherous intentions and the spiritual power had indeed been transferred to Mengmeng, leaving both children unharmed, he still felt a lingering fear. "As her elder brother, no matter how much you pamper her or spoil her, Father has never said a word. But in a situation like today, it's best to keep Mengmeng out of it if possible. Do you understand?"
Mu Qingheng readily agreed: "Yes, Your Majesty, I will remember this."
“Remember, remember,” the Heavenly Emperor flicked his sleeve, “This is a matter of principle, why do you need to say remember? You! Just keep indulging and spoiling me!”
It was still the same. Mu Meng lowered her head. Usually, when she did something wrong and angered her father, he would scold her and eventually blame Mu Qingheng.
Mu Qingheng was as gentle and doting as ever, accepting everything she said. But she was no longer the Mu Meng who couldn't bear to hear a single word from him, and who would tearfully plead for her brother when her father scolded her.
"You two! Go to the Heavenly Scripture Pavilion and copy the book twice! You're not allowed to come out until you've finished!"
The punishment wasn't severe, but Mu Meng was anxious, "Father, but Sister's spiritual power is still..."
"What else?" The Heavenly Emperor looked at her unhappily. "Still talking back. Luo Luo's spiritual power is in your body. Do you think it can grow legs and fly away by itself? Get down here. None of you are giving me any peace of mind."
Mu Meng said nothing more. She understood that her father was also worried about her. She had just received a huge amount of spiritual energy, and if she were to transfer it out immediately, her body might be too weak to handle it. He said he was having her copy books, but in reality, he wanted her to take it easy.
Mu Qingheng probably thought the same way, so he accepted the light punishment and left with her.
The two of them walked out of the Heavenly Palace together, and on their way to the Heavenly Scripture Pavilion, Mu Qingheng whispered with concern:
"Mengmeng, since you've just received this spiritual energy, is there any pain anywhere on your body?"
"No."
"If you feel unwell anywhere, be sure to tell your brother immediately."
Mu Meng glanced at him and said, "Okay, I understand."
Mu Qingheng smiled and stopped asking questions in a gentle voice. He just glanced at the girl beside him from time to time, as if waiting for Mengmeng to say something to him.
After a moment of silence, her bright eyes darted around, her brows furrowed slightly, as if she were deep in thought about something.
Perhaps he was thinking of his sister. Mu Qingheng blinked slowly, and his heart suddenly ached slightly. He coughed softly to cover it up, and unconsciously moved half a step away from Mu Meng.
Perhaps it was Zhong Liwei's desperate words that stirred a ripple in his heart.
Perhaps Mengmeng's behavior just now was really a bit unusual.
Even now, after his father's reprimands, Mengmeng has never been so quiet.
A hint of worry crept into Mu Qingheng's handsome brows. His heart was in a terrible state, filled with anxiety and fear of loss, and he was becoming increasingly sensitive.
Mengmeng, do you really, really love him?
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