ALL NOVEL Chapter 173.1
Although Mu Hengtian hadn’t clearly stated his plan, Li Tianyan had lived for many years and had seen it all. He only needed a moment to grasp the situation.
Elder Yue Huo, well aware of the nature of Mu’s mother and son, quickly understood the key details. Meeting Li Tianyan’s meaningful gaze, Elder Yue Huo couldn’t help but feel a bit embarrassed.
Although he wasn’t particularly close to this nephew, he was still his eldest brother’s son. Elder Yue Huo usually turned a blind eye to Mu Hengtian’s daily behaviour, even opening up errands at Huoluan Palace for him to join the sect.
Unexpectedly, shortly after the incident involving the theft of Danluan Bird’s Feather, Mu Hengtian had gotten into trouble again. This time, he had made a mess in front of Li Tianyan, which truly embarrassed Elder Yue Huo.
“Elder Yue Huo, what do you think about this?” Li Tianyan asked with a half-smile. Even if Elder Yue Huo hadn’t known about the situation, without his indulgence, Mu Hengtian would never have dared to plot against Cheng Yu.
Wei Yang, standing aside, broke out in a cold sweat. Li Tianyan’s mere presence shook all of Hengwu Continent. Every major sect still wanted the Nascent Soul puppet in his hand, yet no one dared voice it openly.
Now, the sect elders across various regions were keeping a close eye on Li Tianyan, eagerly hoping to send this dangerous person off Hengwu Continent. At this critical juncture, no one could afford to offend him.
Elder Yue Huo understood this well. “My nephew was at fault here. I will ensure Cheng Yu receives a satisfactory resolution.”
Not only to appease Li Tianyan, but Cheng Yu was now the sect’s most valued disciple, so allowing Mu Hengtian’s actions was unthinkable.
“Uncle, I know I was wrong, but this matter isn’t entirely my fault. My mother mentioned it casually at the time, and Mrs, Nao and Cheng family agreed on their own,” Mu Hengtian admitted his mistake, then pointed at Mrs. Nao to shift the blame.
The Cheng family was shocked and furious, and Mrs. Nao took a few steps back, guilt-stricken.
When Mrs. Mu had advised her to secure the marriage first and declare it later, Mrs. Nao had felt uneasy. However, she couldn’t repay the spiritual stones she owed, and if the Mu family came to collect, it would be a disgrace.
Later, she had cautiously brought up the proposal to the Cheng family, concealing the gambling debt. Upon hearing it, the Cheng family had been overjoyed and praised her as a hero. Especially after the betrothal gift arrived, Mrs. Nao had felt reassured, believing her choice was correct.
“You still dare to make excuses,” Elder Yue Huo said angrily, his aura unintentionally radiating out. Mu Hengtian, who was closest to him, was so frightened that he fell to his knees.
Wei Yang also frowned and took several steps back. Cheng Yi and the others, however, felt safe with Li Tianyan’s protection, but the Cheng family wasn’t as fortunate.
Though it was an unintentional release of power by Elder Yue Huo, the Cheng family’s cultivation was shallow, and they could not withstand the force of a core formation cultivator. They felt as though a massive stone was pressing on their chests, and their minds burned like blazing fire. This was precisely why core formation masters rarely ventured out.
“Bring out the marriage document,” Elder Yue Huo demanded coldly.
“Yes, the marriage document, the marriage document is here.” Mu Hengtian, no longer daring to hesitate, obediently produced the marriage document and handed it to Elder Yue Huo.
After Elder Yue Huo examined it closely, he restrained his aura and looked at the Cheng family. “Where is the betrothal gift?”
“Please wait a moment, sir. I’ll go retrieve it,” Cheng Hui said, suppressing his turbulent blood and looking fearful.
Though the Cheng family was reluctant to return the betrothal gift, they dared not protest and could only go to gather the items in despair.
Other things had been fine, but their family had spent part of the spiritual stones in the betrothal gift. They couldn’t gather it all at that moment, so they had to add a bit more to make up for it.
The last exquisite little treasure box for storage was brought forward. When the old madam saw the item being handed back to Elder Yue Huo, she still felt heartbroken.
Mu Hengtian was overjoyed, and just as he reached out to take it, he heard Elder Yue Huo say, “Cheng Yu, I’ll leave this marriage certificate with you personally, as well as this box and a wisp of Danluan flame, as compensation. I apologize; this time, it was my nephew who acted recklessly. It’s up to you whether to beat or punish him.”
It took thirty years for a Danluan bird to produce a single ray of flame. This flame was the sect’s most precious treasure. Elder Yue Huo had only been able to obtain three rays in the sect in nearly two hundred years. If it hadn’t been for Li Tianyan’s sake, he would never have offered something so precious.
“The elder’s words are too serious,” Cheng Yu replied. As a mere direct disciple of the sect, with the Supreme Elder lowering his stance so significantly, Cheng Yu naturally saw no need to be aggressive.
After taking the items, Cheng Yu immediately burned the marriage certificate.
“Uncle.” Mu Hengtian felt unwilling as he watched his uncle give away the magic weapon box.
In order to prepare this betrothal gift, nearly all of his and his mother’s savings had been consumed. And the flame, which his uncle had previously been unwilling to give him, was actually being given to Cheng Yu this time.
“Silence!” Elder Yue Huo swung his sleeve and scolded, “When we return, you can go to the Mu family ancestral hall and reflect.”
Seeing Elder Yue Huo’s apology to Cheng Yu, Cheng Qi’s expression softened slightly. Cheng Qi might have looked down on the other items, but the flame of the Danluan Bird was highly suitable for Cheng Yu at that moment.
Cheng Qi couldn’t help himself and communicated quietly with Li Tianyan, “Those betrothal gifts aren’t anything valuable. But the Cheng family is treating Cheng Yu like a treasure to sell off.”
Most of Mu Hengtian’s betrothal gifts to the Cheng family were merely flashy items. Apart from a few spiritual weapons and a handful of spiritual herbs, they were mainly storage treasures and jewellery, of little practical use.
“Most of what Cheng Yu gave them were cultivation-related items. Although the Cheng family us now well-established in Yuelian City, they didn’t own much property. Naturally, they couldn’t afford such luxury items,” Li Tianyan responded.