It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Ye Manor.

Ye Yu returned home with the herbs he’d acquired. After placing them carefully in a corner of his room, he sat down on his bed and closed his eyes, his usually gentle face now clouded with a brooding expression.

It was understandable. The bronze shard that should have been his was now in Mu Zhi’an’s possession.

And that wasn’t all. Even the chief auctioneer of the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce seemed to favor Mu Zhi’an.

The memory of Feiying’s alluring beauty and her praises for the wastrel, the way she had allowed herself to be embraced by him, ignited a jealous fire in Ye Yu’s heart. He had always believed that cultivation was paramount, but witnessing Mu Zhi’an’s easy intimacy with Feiying stirred something dark and possessive within him.

Mu Zhi’an had beguiled his fiancée, stolen his thunder, deliberately provoked him, and snatched away the bronze shard that rightfully belonged to him.

The events at the auction replayed in his mind, each scene fueling his anger. He clenched his fists, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

He took a deep breath, struggling to regain his composure.

Calm down… Don’t lose control.

Right now, he needed to focus on cultivating… He had to train harder than ever.

Then, he would defeat Mu Zhi’an in their duel, rise above him, and claim everything he held dear!

…

Meanwhile, at the Mu Manor.

Mu Zhi’an led Bai Ruoxi along a corridor, arriving at an open courtyard. Several cauldrons of different colors were arranged there. While Mu Zhi’an didn’t know their specific functions, he knew that alchemists typically possessed multiple cauldrons.

It was said that a cauldron was an alchemist’s lifeline.

Knowing that Elder Ren disliked being disturbed during alchemy, Mu Zhi’an didn’t greet him directly. Instead, he found a spot nearby and sat down with Bai Ruoxi, waiting for the old man to finish.

Even from a distance, Mu Zhi’an could feel the intense heat emanating from the cauldron. It was a testament to the demanding nature of alchemy.

After nearly half an hour, the heat gradually subsided.

Elder Ren slowly opened his cloudy eyes and made a gesture with his hand toward the cauldron. Six gleaming pills flew out, each faintly adorned with the illusion of a roaring beast.

A rich medicinal fragrance filled the air. Elder Ren took out two jade bottles, placing one pill in the first and the remaining five in the second. He then turned to Mu Zhi’an and handed him the bottles. “Six pills from this batch. Not bad, I’d say.”

Mu Zhi’an nodded. “Thank you for your hard work, Elder Ren.”

The old man chuckled, a rare smile gracing his face. “Some might find alchemy tedious, but I find it rather enjoyable.”

Seeing Mu Zhi’an’s puzzled expression, he elaborated, “It’s like Young Master’s frequent visits to the pleasure quarters. For an old man like me, it’d be quite a feat to maintain such consistency. But for Young Master, it seems as effortless as eating and drinking. Because for Young Master, it’s a source of pleasure.”

Bai Ruoxi glanced at Mu Zhi’an, her lips twitching slightly.

His recent behavior had almost made her forget that the young master of the Mu family was a well-known patron of those establishments. He had only recently started to exercise restraint.

Let’s not dwell on the past, Elder Ren… Mu Zhi’an thought, his smile a little strained. He handed one of the bottles to Bai Ruoxi. “Give this to your father tonight, Miss Bai.”

He then took two pills from the other bottle and offered them to Elder Ren.

“Take these, Elder Ren. They might come in handy.”

The old man accepted the pills with a kind smile. “Thank you, Young Master.”

These were Revitalizing Pills, extremely effective in treating injuries. They could quickly restore one’s vitality.

They would be invaluable during the “bandit suppression” operation.

“You’re quite cautious, Young Master,” Elder Ren remarked.

Although the black-robed man was a Core Formation expert, he wasn’t as strong as he was. With Wei Mengrou, the Bai family head, and the Core Formation experts from the Gongsun family and the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce, the black-robed man wouldn’t stand a chance, even if he had wings.

However, Mu Zhi’an sighed. “I still don’t feel comfortable.”

Elder Ren frowned. “You think we’re not enough to deal with him?”

“If it was just the black-robed man, we’d be more than enough,” Mu Zhi’an replied, looking at the old man. “But the main course is just the beginning. We have side dishes to worry about.”

They could cooperate because they shared a common enemy.

But what about after the black-robed man was dealt with?

Without a common enemy, would they remain allies?

And then there was Bai Ruoxi’s mother… She was only at the Foundation Establishment realm.

How could she possibly orchestrate the downfall of three great families?

Bai Yuanfeng must have other allies, stronger allies…

Elder Ren understood Mu Zhi’an’s concerns. “What are you suggesting, Young Master? That we involve… those old monsters?”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “That’s a last resort.”

The Mu family had several elders who were Core Formation experts, but they were all eccentric and unpredictable. They were aware of the “bandit suppression” operation, and if he asked for their help directly, he might be rejected. Moreover, it would reflect poorly on him, making him appear weak and indecisive.

“I have someone else in mind,” Mu Zhi’an said.

“Who?” Elder Ren asked, his curiosity piqued.

Mu Zhi’an looked at him. “Someone who’s always dreamed of leaving home but never had the chance.”

“I’m going to give her a reason to leave… But whether she takes it… depends on her.”

“And if she does, I’ll finally have a chance to thank her for the King Beast Vine.”