It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

The next morning, Mu Zhi’an went to Bai Ruoxi’s room, knocking gently on the door.

“Come in,” a weak voice called out from inside.

He entered to find Bai Ruoxi sitting on her bed, her long black hair cascading down her back, her lips pursed thoughtfully. She looked pale and tired, but as he sat down across from her, she raised her head, her voice clear and melodious despite her fatigue. “Young Master Mu, have you heard anything from my father?”

Since returning to the Mu Manor yesterday, she’d been worried about her father. Although she knew Gongsun Xiong had been severely weakened during their encounter at the Dragon Head Forest, she couldn’t shake her anxiety.

“Gongsun Xiong was ambushed and gravely injured. He’s still bedridden. What do you think your father is doing right now?” Mu Zhi’an asked with a smile.

Bai Ruoxi sighed in relief.

Then, her eyes hardened. “It’s a shame he let him escape.”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head. “Your father let him go.”

“If he’d wanted to kill him, Gongsun Xiong would already be dead.”

Bai Ruoxi frowned. “So Father… let him escape?”

“Why?”

“It means your father is smarter than he appears. He’s a rough man, but he’s not stupid.” Mu Zhi’an poured himself a cup of tea. “Even if Gongsun Xiong died, another would take his place. And another after that. Killing him wouldn’t solve anything.”

A powerful family like the Gongsun wouldn’t crumble simply because their leader was gone.

Someone else would step up, perhaps even surpassing Gongsun Xiong.

The current situation… it was the best outcome.

Gongsun Xiong was obsessed with power. Even injured, he wouldn’t relinquish control to others. This would, at the very least, hinder the Gongsun family’s progress.

A wounded Gongsun Xiong was more useful than a dead one, or one at full strength.

“How are you feeling?” Mu Zhi’an asked, turning his attention back to Bai Ruoxi.

She smiled faintly. “I’m fine. The Heavenly Dao Aura purged the venom from my wound last night.”

She raised her hand, and a milky white sphere, the size of a teacup, appeared in her palm.

It was the Heavenly Dao Aura.

Mu Zhi’an reached out to touch it, a wave of warmth spreading through his fingers. He sighed contentedly.

“Truly a wondrous artifact. With this, even a pig could reach Nascent Soul.”

Bai Ruoxi frowned, feeling slightly insulted.

She looked at him, then nodded.

After a moment of hesitation, she said, “Please, take it, Young Master Mu. You need it more than I do.”

He had wasted years of cultivation, but with the aura’s assistance, he might be able to catch up to his peers.

Mu Zhi’an hesitated. He couldn’t deny his interest in the aura.

It was a treasure that could transform even an ordinary person into a genius.

He reached for it, but his hand passed through empty air.

The aura had vanished from her palm, then reappeared within her body.

They stared at each other, bewildered.

“It seems the Heavenly Dao Aura only chooses those with great destiny. It must think I’m a walking disaster,” Mu Zhi’an said, chuckling. He wasn’t truly disappointed.

While he was intrigued by the aura, he knew his luck wasn’t exactly stellar. He was still a “Supporting Character,” after all.

A “Supporting Character,” destined to be a stepping stone… how could he possibly attract the Heavenly Dao Aura?

But then, if the aura was drawn to those with great destiny, did that mean Bai Ruoxi’s destiny was greater than Ye Yu’s, the so-called “protagonist”?

No… based on his previous deduction, it was simply drawn to the bronze sword.

He felt a surge of relief. His luck might be terrible, but at least he was a whale.

Preventing Ye Yu from acquiring the bronze shard at the auction… it had been the right decision.

“What’s your next move, Young Master Mu?” Bai Ruoxi asked softly.

After spending these past few days with him, she had grown accustomed to relying on him, to trusting his judgment implicitly.

Mu Zhi’an snapped out of his thoughts. “Senior Sister Lan helped us tremendously. I’d like to invite her to the Mu Manor for a few days. We can depart for the Two Polarities Sect together when it’s time for the exams.”

Lan Mulian had arrived in Tianxuan City yesterday and was currently staying at an inn. All four factions were vying for the honor of hosting her… and the Mu family was no exception.

However, Mu Zhi’an wasn’t interested in gaining any favors. He simply wanted to extend his hospitality. As for receiving any special treatment during the exams… it didn’t matter to him. He already had a guaranteed spot.

That Core Formation cultivator… Bai Ruoxi’s smile faded.

She lowered her eyes, her long lashes casting shadows on her cheeks.

She felt a strange unease, a sense of foreboding.

After a long silence, she asked softly, “What about Mother?”

Since discovering her mother’s secret, she’d wanted to ask Mu Zhi’an about his intentions, but she hadn’t been able to muster the courage.

Attempting to seize control of the three great families… the Mu family, with their ruthless efficiency, would normally eradicate such a threat without hesitation.

She didn’t know if he was already planning to act or if he had other motives.

Mu Zhi’an, sensing her worry, shook his head. “Don’t worry. We need evidence before we can act. What if we’re wrong? We can’t simply punish someone based on suspicions.”

“Besides, there are still many unanswered questions.”

How could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator orchestrate such a daring scheme?

Bai Yuanfeng must have other allies, stronger allies.

Unless… she was simply foolish.

But when dealing with an enemy, it was unwise to assume incompetence.

Bai Ruoxi stared at him, her lips parting slightly. She wanted to say: Mother already slept with Gongsun Xiong! What more evidence do you need?! But she held her tongue.

After chatting for a while longer, Bai Ruoxi, worried about her parents, decided to return home.

Mu Zhi’an didn’t stop her, instructing a servant to prepare a carriage.

He was curious about her father’s reaction to his wife’s betrayal. As an outsider, it wasn’t appropriate for him to pry, but Bai Ruoxi could observe the situation firsthand.

He watched as the carriage departed, then turned and walked back into the manor.

“Are you sure it’s wise to let her go? What if she gets caught in the crossfire? What if Gongsun Xiong seeks revenge?” a clear voice asked from behind him.

It was Wei Mengrou. She had been following them, her presence undetected.

Mu Zhi’an looked at her, shaking his head with a smile. “Gongsun Xiong won’t do anything, at least, not for now.”

Seeing her confused expression, he asked, “Let’s say you and I had a romantic encounter. Would you run through the streets of Tianxuan City, waving your sword and screaming about my betrayal?”

Wei Mengrou’s lips twitched slightly. “If you did such a thing, you wouldn’t even make it out of the Mu Manor.”

She paused, then added, “But… you’re right.”

“If it were me. I wouldn’t want anyone to know.”

“This morning, someone from the Gongsun family came by. And someone from the Ye family was lurking outside, hoping to speak with you,” she said, changing the subject.

“Gongsun Xiong still suspects you have the Heavenly Dao Aura.”

“Ignore them,” Mu Zhi’an said, waving a hand dismissively. “The aura isn’t with me. And even if it was… what could they do? Force me to hand it over?”

Even if he agreed, the Mu family elders would never allow it.

“And besides, you’ll protect me, won’t you, Mengrou?” he added, his tone teasing.

She rolled her eyes. “I’m only doing this because Madam instructed me to. Don’t think I’m doing this for you.”

I know, I know. Tsundere… Mu Zhi’an nodded, deciding not to call her out. “No one from the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce?”

“They came, but they didn’t ask about the aura. They simply delivered two bottles of healing medicine.”

She frowned, confused. “They should want the aura. Why didn’t they even ask about it? It’s strange.”

“Not at all,” Mu Zhi’an replied as they walked through the courtyard.

She walked beside him, her yellow gown swaying gently, her curves impossible to ignore.

He admired her figure, then quickly averted his gaze, clearing his throat. “They targeted the Bai family because they knew the family head was injured and the Gongsun family was applying pressure. Now that they know he’s recovered, they’re trying to mend fences, to secure their position.”

A shrewd businessman like Chairman Huang wasn’t afraid of cunning opponents. He was afraid of brute force.

He could tolerate a simple attack on his business.

But if the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce threatened his family… Bai Heng, with his fiery temper, might decide to burn everything down, taking them with him.

Merchants valued their lives, and they feared reckless, unpredictable men like Bai Heng.

“They’re hedging their bets. They’ll side with whoever’s stronger.”

“Opportunists,” Wei Mengrou said flatly.

“Are you going to accept their goodwill?”

Mu Zhi’an smiled, nodding. “They’ve come to us, offering a gesture of friendship without even mentioning the aura. It would be rude to refuse.”

“So… we’re going to cooperate with the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce?”

Mu Zhi’an looked at her. “Mengrou, haven’t you heard? Triangles are the most stable structure.”

He paused, his smile widening.

“But squares… not so much.”