Chapter 40: The Bai Family is Here to Apologize?

At this moment, only Mu Bai remained silent throughout, simply watching Ye Xiao.

He knew that Ye Xiao was not inherently a cruel person. Under normal circumstances, he would at most kill an opponent outright rather than subject them to such lingering torment.

However, heavily weighed down by the intelligence gathered from Xu Beichen over this period, Ye Xiao's inner state had already been extremely oppressive. Furthermore, Bai Feng had been the first to bare murderous intent just moments ago.

Therefore, it was entirely within reason that Ye Xiao would act in such a manner now.

After a brief moment, Mu Bai stepped forward, patted Ye Xiao on the shoulder, and asked softly, "How is it? Feeling a bit better?"

The originally red-eyed Ye Xiao slowly returned to calmness.

He put away his broken sword, smiled bitterly, and shook his head.

"Sorry for putting you in a difficult position."

Mu Bai waved his hand dismissively and said, "It's nothing. Like I said, I'll handle the rest."

With that, he raised a hand and beckoned toward the distance. Soon, two guards hurried over.

"Escort Young Master Bai back to the Bai family estate and tell them he offended me today. Consider that his punishment."

The two guards nodded respectfully, picked up the groaning Bai Feng, and hurried away.

"Senior Brother Mu Bai, do you have any wine?"

Ye Xiao asked abruptly.

"Hahaha, of course I do! I was only worried you wouldn't drink!"

Without another word, he threw an arm around Ye Xiao's shoulders and led him straight away from the martial arts training ground. Han Qi hesitated slightly before following behind them.

Inside a pavilion, Ye Xiao sat alone on one side, with Mu Bai seated directly opposite him, while Han Qi sat obediently by Mu Bai's side.

"Come on! Let's drink!"

Mu Bai made to stand up and pour wine for Ye Xiao, but Han Qi stopped him with a gentle gesture. She picked up the wine flagon with a bright smile, poured a cup for Ye Xiao, and then filled one for Mu Bai as well.

"Thank you, Sister-in-law!"

Ye Xiao smiled slightly. That single address of "Sister-in-law" caused Han Qi's cheeks to flush. She sat there, occasionally stealing shy glances at Mu Bai.

Mu Bai's face also turned somewhat red, and he complained with feigned dissatisfaction, "Good grief, I kindly keep you company for drinks, and you turn around and make fun of me?"

Raising his cup with a smile, Ye Xiao said, "I think Sister-in-law is wonderful. Senior Brother, you've struck gold!"

Mu Bai glanced at Han Qi beside him, raised his own cup, and laughed, "Come, come, let's drink!"

The two of them chatted casually as they drank.

"Right, will the Bai family really be fine?"

Mu Bai picked up a few peanuts with his fingers, chewed them slowly, and replied nonchalantly, "Ah, don't you worry. If I can't even handle a tiny little Bai family, what right do I have to be the young master of the Mu family?"

Han Qi chimed in from the side, "Indeed. The Bai family cannot stir up any major waves."

Mu Bai nodded. "Exactly. For all we know, their patriarch might even have to come over tomorrow to offer me a formal apology."

Hearing this, Ye Xiao finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had been terribly afraid of bringing unnecessary trouble to Mu Bai.

At that moment, a voice rang out from nearby.

"Well, well! You two rascals are drinking without inviting me?"

The three of them turned their heads to see Zhuge Lingyun and Du Mao walking over slowly. Upon seeing Ye Xiao and Mu Bai drinking, Du Mao quickened his pace and seated himself right beside them.

"Why would I invite you? You drink like an ox drinking water—it would be a complete waste of my Mu family's fine wine!"

Mu Bai retorted playfully, though he still signaled for Han Qi to pour a cup for Du Mao as well.

"Sir!"

As Zhuge Lingyun stepped into the pavilion, the others all stood up to offer their greetings.

"Alright, sit down. After all, this is Mu Bai's territory; there's no need to stand on ceremony."

Zhuge Lingyun smiled and waved his hand.

"Brother!"

Suddenly, Mu Xue's voice echoed through the air. Mu Bai's expression shifted instantly, and he subconsciously glanced at Ye Xiao.

"Brother, and Brother Ye Xiao is here too! Why are you all drinking here?"

A bright smile graced Mu Xue's face as she walked right up and sat down directly beside Ye Xiao.

Seeing this, Mu Bai's face darkened once again!

Observing Mu Bai's expression, Han Qi could not help but be amused. She looked at Mu Xue and said, "Mu Xue, is it possible that your eyes only see your Brother Ye Xiao?"

"Ah?!"

Mu Xue was startled, a faint blush immediately rising to her cheeks. She hurriedly stood up and went to sit beside Han Qi.

"Oh, Sister Han Qi! It's just... I didn't see you there!"

Han Qi smiled faintly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "You didn't see me, or were you simply not paying attention to anyone else?"

Faced with the teasing from her future sister-in-law, Mu Xue's ears turned red. She stole a stealthy glance at Ye Xiao and, seeing that he was deep in conversation with Du Mao, finally let out a silent breath of relief.

"Sister Han Qi! Oh, Sister-in-law, stop teasing me!"

Han Qi's own face flushed slightly, and she relented, pulling Mu Xue's hand and asking in a low voice, "So, do you like him?"

Mu Xue glanced at Ye Xiao once more and replied in an equally quiet tone, "I... I don't know either. Sister-in-law, do you believe in love at first sight?"

Han Qi shook her head, smiling in silence.

Meanwhile, while the two women whispered amongst themselves, Ye Xiao and the others were engaged in a lively discussion.

"Say, Sir, what on earth is the great fortune within this Spirit Road Trial? Why do so many people demand to participate?"

Du Mao asked directly. Although he had participated in the past, he had not made it to the end and thus remained unaware of the ultimate reward.

In truth, the vast majority of people in the Southern Frontier were entirely in the dark about this; they only knew that successfully reaching the end would yield unimaginable fortune!

Zhuge Lingyun fell silent for a moment before answering, "Everyone who reaches the very end of any Spirit Road is granted a chance at sudden enlightenment!"

"What?!"

The group was utterly stunned!

Sudden enlightenment?

That was a supreme opportunity that could only be encountered by chance and never sought! Legend had it that a single moment of sudden enlightenment could allow one to ascend directly to the upper realms!

Though slightly exaggerated, this rumor fully demonstrated the formidable power of enlightenment!

"No wonder so many people want to participate. This makes even me want to go."

Mu Bai raised his cup and gulped down a mouthful of wine.

Du Mao looked at him without speaking. In truth, he could sense that if Mu Bai stopped concealing his true strength and unleashed his full potential, he would be far more powerful than Du Mao himself.

Thus, Du Mao had no grounds to comment further!

"Then... Sir, what did you mean when you said that as long as I pass the Spirit Road Trial, someone will come forward to take me as their disciple?"

Ye Xiao asked.

Actually, he had little interest in finding a master. At present, he had Zhuge Lingyun's guidance, as well as companions like Mu Bai, Du Mao, and even Feng Buxing, who was still at the Yin-Yang Academy.

Therefore, having a master or not was of little consequence to him. Moreover, if that master turned out to be of dubious character and discovered the existence of the Blood Scripture, it might even spell danger for him!

The true reason he was interested in the Spirit Road Trial was that it offered limitless slaughter!
Once he possessed the Stone of Vast Qi, he intended to rely on frenzied combat and bloodshed to rapidly elevate his strength!

It was a pity that such a thing was simply impossible to achieve anywhere else!

Zhuge Lingyun smiled faintly and said somewhat mysteriously, "I cannot tell you that just yet. Furthermore, despite what is said, whether you ultimately succeed still depends entirely on whether you can manage to capture the interest of that particular individual!"

Seeing that Zhuge Lingyun was unwilling to elaborate, Ye Xiao pressed no further, though his curiosity and inner doubts only deepened.

Just as everyone was enjoying their lively chat, a servant came running over in a flurried panic.

"Young Master! The Patriarch of the Bai family has brought Bai Feng here on a stretcher! He says he has come to offer a formal apology to the Young Master."

Ye Xiao paused and looked at Mu Bai.

Mu Bai was slightly surprised as well, but then a smile broke out on his face. "They certainly move fast! Let them in!"