Chapter 57: A father’s love is as grand as a mountain

When Mu Hanyan returned to the City Lord’s Mansion, several disciples from the Mu Family at the entrance saw him and immediately revealed mocking smiles on their faces. As Mu Hanyan entered the gates of the City Lord’s Mansion, those people’s whispers followed him. Without thinking, he knew exactly what they were saying; they were ridiculing him for overestimating himself and attempting to compete with Mu Feng.

"I’ve found him irksome for a while now. Always misbehaving just because his father is the City Lord, but this time, brother Mu Feng will finally teach him a harsh lesson."

"Exactly! Who can he blame for seeking his own death? He agreed to spar with brother Mu Feng himself. It serves him right if he ends up riddled with holes this time."

"He brought it upon himself, and not even his City Lord father can blame anyone else for it, haha!"

Hearing the unrestrained laughter behind him, Mu Hanyan’s lips curved into a cold smirk. It remained to be seen who would end up riddled with holes.

After returning to his room, Mu Hanyan discovered someone was already waiting there.

It was his father, Mu Rui’an.

Seeing Mu Hanyan return, Mu Rui’an’s expression was icy as he said indifferently, "I heard you accepted Mu Feng’s challenge?"

"Yes," Mu Hanyan replied, looking at his father, whom he hadn’t seen in a long time, with mixed emotions. Why hadn’t he noticed in his previous life the fleeting concern in his father’s eyes?

"Here, take this." Mu Rui’an’s face was expressionless, his tone detached and the coldness in his voice extreme.

Mu Hanyan was startled. He took it and, recognizing the item in his hand, felt warm inside. His nose tingled and he nearly cried. It was the Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill! To be more precise, it should be called the Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill. Although it was nothing compared to the legendary Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill, its effects were also extraordinary. The primary difference was that the effect was much less powerful. Hence, people referred to it as the Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill or, sometimes, the Lesser Vessel Cutting Marrow Cleansing Pill.

"Father, this item, it’s too precious. I..." Mu Hanyan was well aware of its value to the family. His generation of disciples, including Mu Feng and Mu Cheng, all coveted this elixir! And yet, now Mu Rui’an was giving this invaluable elixir to him, whom everyone considered worthless, a playboy. It was predictable that everyone would see it as a waste and that it would inevitably cause great trouble for his father.

"I just don’t want you to lose too embarrassingly and disgrace me!" Mu Rui’an brutally cut off Mu Hanyan’s words, stood up quickly, and without giving Mu Hanyan another look, walked straight out.

Watching his father’s retreating back, tears silently fell from Mu Hanyan’s eyes.

Why, why had he not seen in his previous life the deep paternal love hidden beneath his father’s indifference? He had always resented and been annoyed with him. Mu Hanyan was overwhelmed by guilt and self-reproach, and he couldn’t stop the tears from flowing.

Unknown to her, her behavior was noticed by Mu Rui’an, who had hidden outside and hadn’t left yet. Naturally, Mu Rui’an assumed she was crying over his cold behavior toward her.

Seeing his daughter cry like that, Mu Rui’an’s heart felt as if it were being clawed at. He almost wanted to slap himself. Why had he spoken so harshly just now? He should have been more gentle.

Just then, a slender jade hand reached over, tugged on his ear, and dragged him away from the courtyard.

Once outside, Mu Rui’an grimaced, "Madam, let go, please. It’s not proper for others to see this! I am the City Lord after all. Can you leave me at least a shred of dignity?"

"Hmph!" The owner of that slender hand, naturally, was Yue Fanling. She withdrew her hand, shooting Mu Rui’an a glare that was full of allure, making Mu Rui’an’s heart itch.