Chapter 33: The True Identity of Mu Bai

As expected, after the two of them stepped out of the private room, they saw a large gap broken into the railing of the second-floor corridor.

At this moment, a man was groaning in pain on the ground. It was clearly he who had just fallen from the second floor.

"Mu Bai!"
"Senior Brother Mu Bai!"

Upon recognizing him, Ye Xiao and Du Mao hurried forward to help Mu Bai up.

"What happened to you?" Ye Xiao asked.

Mu Bai clutched his waist with one hand and patted his chest with the other. A very distinct footprint was visible there, suggesting he had been kicked down by someone. Seeing Mu Bai’s miserable state, Du Mao couldn't help but burn with anger.

"Who did this!"

Mu Bai quickly tugged at Du Mao’s sleeve and whispered, "Forget it... let's just go!"

Du Mao froze, and Ye Xiao looked at him with confusion. Since when had Mu Bai become so timid? Just as they were wondering, a voice echoed from the second floor.

"Have you made up your mind yet?"

Ye Xiao and Du Mao turned to see a middle-aged man standing with his hands behind his back at the spot where the railing had broken. What puzzled them even more was that this man bore a striking resemblance to Mu Bai.

"Mu Bai, who is this..."

Mu Bai said awkwardly, "He is... my uncle!"

"Your uncle?!"

Ye Xiao and Du Mao looked at Mu Bai in disbelief, then back at the man on the second floor, momentarily speechless.

"Hmph! Get up here and we'll talk!"

The middle-aged man snorted coldly, turned, and headed back into the private room. Ye Xiao and Du Mao exchanged glances and then looked at Mu Bai.

"So... what do we do?" Du Mao asked.

Mu Bai rolled his eyes irritably. "What else can we do? We go up!"

He shook off their assistance, glanced at the onlookers whispering and gossiping around them, and rubbed his forehead in frustration. He had completely lost face today.

***

Reluctantly, he strode toward the second floor, with Ye Xiao and Du Mao quickly following. On the stairs, Ye Xiao remained silent for a moment before he couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother Mu Bai, what is your uncle's background?"

The middle-aged man had an extraordinary aura; he was clearly no ordinary person.

Mu Bai remained silent for a moment as well, then said, "My uncle? He’s actually just a wealthy man—a very, very wealthy one."

Du Mao then spoke up, "Mu Bai, if he’s your uncle, that means he also carries the surname Mu. And if he's that wealthy, then..."

As Du Mao continued, his expression turned strange, and shock gradually appeared in his eyes.

"Senior Brother Du, what are you talking about?" Ye Xiao asked.

Du Mao glanced at Mu Bai and, seeing no objection, whispered, "Have you heard of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce?"

Ye Xiao was stunned. "The Baimu Chamber of Commerce? Of course I have. That’s one of the top three merchant guilds in the entire Southern Territory. It’s said that..."

Suddenly, he froze as well. "Wait, Senior Brother Mu Bai, is the Baimu Chamber of Commerce..."

Seeing that the two had mostly guessed his identity, Mu Bai stopped hiding it. "That’s right. The current head of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce is my uncle."

Upon receiving confirmation, Ye Xiao and Du Mao gasped in shock. It was rumored that the head of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce had no children of his own, so he doted heavily on his younger brother's son. That meant Mu Bai was the young master of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce?

"Well, well! You damn Mu Bai, you’re the young master of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce, yet you complain to me about being poor every day?" Du Mao’s eyebrows shot up, and he raised his hand as if to strike him.

"Hey, hey—Senior Brother Du, hold on! Let me argue my case!"
"What?"
"Uh... no, let me explain!"

Mu Bai briefly recounted the situation, leaving Ye Xiao and Du Mao stunned.

"You’re saying you left home to strike out on your own because you didn’t want to take over the Baimu Chamber of Commerce so soon?" Du Mao asked.

"Yes, exactly!" Mu Bai nodded frantically.

"And you say your uncle is here this time to make you go home and get married?" Ye Xiao asked.

"Yes, exactly!"

After listening, Ye Xiao looked at Du Mao and asked, "Senior Brother, do you believe him?"

***

Du Mao shook his head. "I believe the latter part, but the former... what kind of fool would give up the title of Young Master of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce?"

Mu Bai gave a bitter smile and said, "Believe it or not, it’s up to you. Let’s hurry up."

The three quickened their pace and arrived at the largest private room on the second floor. Two men dressed in black stood at the entrance. Upon seeing Mu Bai, they bowed deeply.

"Young Master!"

Mu Bai waved his hand and pushed the door open. Ye Xiao and Du Mao exchanged nervous glances before following him in. Inside the room, a faint, elegant fragrance permeated the air, and several stunningly beautiful attendants were kneeling beside a table.

"Well... Uncle, these two are my fellow disciples!" Mu Bai said with a sheepish grin, then introduced his friends. "This is my uncle, the head of the Baimu Chamber of Commerce—Mu Zhishan!"

Ye Xiao and Du Mao quickly bowed. "Greetings, Master Mu!"

Seeing that there were outsiders present, Mu Zhishan set aside his cold demeanor. With a smile, he said cheerfully, "No need for such formalities. Since you are Mu Bai's fellow disciples, please sit and have a drink."

He gave a signal to the attendants, who promptly guided the three to their seats and brought out platters of fruit and delicacies.

After a few rounds of drinks, Mu Zhishan finally spoke. He looked at Mu Bai and said in a deep voice, "What have you decided?"

Mu Bai answered with a pained expression, "Uncle, I'm still young. Is there really such a rush?"

"I’m not asking you to get married immediately! Just go back and settle the engagement! Your grandfather is getting old, and among our descendants, you are the only male heir left. Don't you understand?"

Hearing the mention of his grandfather, Mu Bai fell silent.

"Fine! I will go back!"

Seeing Mu Bai agree, Mu Zhishan wore a satisfied smile. He turned to Ye Xiao and Du Mao and said, "You two must come along as well. Our Mu family loves to associate with young heroes like yourselves!"

Ye Xiao hesitated for a moment, then said, "Thank you for your kindness, Senior, but I have other matters to attend to, so I won't impose."

Mu Bai suddenly interjected, "What 'matters'? You absolutely must come to my home!"

Ye Xiao was taken aback. "Why?"

"Aren't you planning to participate in the Spirit Road trials?"

Ye Xiao nodded.

"The nearest teleportation array that leads to the Spirit Road trials is located right inside my Mu family estate!"