Chapter 12: Evildoers Will Be Punished by Their Own Evildoings

Mu Zhian sat in the tea room, sipping hot tea and exchanging a few words with Bai Ruoxi before they both left. As they walked down a relatively secluded street in Tianxuan City, Bai Ruoxi glanced around, her curiosity piqued.

"Master Mu," she asked, "may I take the liberty to inquire about the person who was eavesdropping just now? Was it from the Gongsun family or the Dawn Chamber of Commerce?"

Given the Mu family's influence in Tianxuan City, it was rare for anyone to eavesdrop on their conversations. The only likely suspects were indeed the Dawn Chamber of Commerce or the Gongsun family, especially since Bai Ruoxi had been close to the Mu family, raising concerns that they might intervene to assist the Bai family. Just two days prior, the Gongsun family had leaked information in an attempt to incite Ye Yu to disrupt the situation.

Mu Zhian shook his head. "It's neither the Gongsun family nor the Dawn Chamber of Commerce. The eavesdropper is likely from a force outside Tianxuan City, though I don't know who they are."

Bai Ruoxi frowned, contemplating, "Then why would they want to eavesdrop on our conversation?"

With a smile, Mu Zhian replied, "Perhaps they wanted to see if I harbor any feelings for you."

Bai Ruoxi blinked in confusion. "Do you have feelings for me? What difference does it make?"

She found it strange that someone would eavesdrop to uncover such personal feelings. As she reflected on her interactions with Mu Zhian, she realized he was an enigma, shrouded in mystery. She was unsure of his feelings towards her and whether they had changed over time. Despite a brief moment of intimacy in the tea room, she still felt distant from him.

"There is a difference, and a significant one," Mu Zhian continued, strolling leisurely down the street. "The more I become obsessed with you, the easier it is for others to exploit my feelings."

Bai Ruoxi tilted her head, skepticism evident in her eyes. Mu Zhian shook his head gently, smiling. "There's no need to delve deeper into this. What we should focus on now is finding a way to contact Gongsun Zan and see if we can gain anything from him. Miss Bai, you have many friends in Tianxuan City. Do you know what Gongsun Zan likes?"

Bai Ruoxi regarded him thoughtfully. "Women. If Master Mu intends to reach out to Gongsun Zan, you might consider asking him to spend the night with an oiran from the Jiaofang Department."

Mu Zhian shook his head. "I never go to that kind of place."

Bai Ruoxi rolled her eyes, bemused. Everyone in Tianxuan City knew that Mu Zhian used to frequent Jiaofang, yet he now claimed to avoid such places. She pondered this but noticed that aside from today, he hadn't been seen there in quite a while.

Just as she was about to ask him something, a young man's voice echoed from the end of the street. "Ruoxi, why are you here?"

Bai Ruoxi's expression darkened immediately. Mu Zhian turned to see a delicate-looking young man approaching—Ye Yu.

Bai Ruoxi frowned, instinctively taking Mu Zhian's wrist and suggesting, "Master Mu, let's change our route."

However, Ye Yu rushed forward, calling out, "Ruoxi, wait a minute!"

Reluctantly, Bai Ruoxi turned to face him. "Mr. Ye, what is it?"

Ye Yu smiled, albeit nervously. "The clan competition just ended today. I was out for a walk and didn't expect to run into you."

Bai Ruoxi replied coolly, "If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."

"Wait!" Ye Yu's anxiety grew as he reached for her shoulder. "Ruoxi, I won first place in the clan competition today. Trust me, give me a few months, and I'll have something useful for you."

Bai Ruoxi frowned, waving his hand away. "Congratulations, but this has nothing to do with me. Mr. Ye, please respect yourself."

Her tone was crisp and indifferent, reminiscent of how she had once treated Mu Zhian. Yet, Ye Yu seemed oblivious to her disinterest. "Ruoxi, Mu Zhian can help you, and so can I. Trust me—"

Before he could continue, Mu Zhian interjected, "Master Ye, it's pointless to pursue her like this. You should seek your true love instead."

Ignoring Ye Yu, Mu Zhian turned to leave with Bai Ruoxi. Watching them walk away, Ye Yu clenched his fists in frustration. It was Mu Zhian again—he must have threatened Ruoxi; otherwise, how could they be together?

"Mu Zhian, I want to compete with you!" Ye Yu shouted after them.

Mu Zhian paused slightly, glancing back at Ye Yu, who was visibly angry. "Why should I compete with you? I have more pressing matters to attend to."

"Are you afraid?" Ye Yu challenged.

With a calm smile, Mu Zhian replied, "Yes, I don't dare."

Ye Yu was taken aback, surprised by Mu Zhian's nonchalance. Mu Zhian continued, "Also, Miss Bai doesn't dislike you because of your lack of strength."

"What do you mean?" Ye Yu asked, confused.

Mu Zhian smiled cryptically. "I won't tell you."

He knew that pursuing someone while maintaining a low status could lead to failure, just as he had experienced in the past before awakening memories of his previous life. If he hadn't changed his approach, Bai Ruoxi might still harbor the same disdain for him as she did for Ye Yu.

As they walked, Mu Zhian glanced back; Ye Yu was following at a distance, convinced that Bai Ruoxi had been coerced by Mu Zhian.

"Ye Yu is still following us," Mu Zhian remarked softly.

Bai Ruoxi frowned. "I'll handle this. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."

She attempted to turn back toward Ye Yu, but Mu Zhian gently pressed her shoulder. "It's not a problem; you don't need to worry about him."

Bai Ruoxi nodded, understanding that confronting Ye Yu could lead to unnecessary complications. They continued walking when they noticed several attendants guarding a mansion ahead, their demeanor menacing.

"What's going on there?" Bai Ruoxi asked, her curiosity piqued.

"It seems Gongsun Zan has brought people to ransack the house," Mu Zhian replied.

Bai Ruoxi's eyes widened in realization. "But why clear out the area beforehand?"

"They might be concerned about family members causing harm during the raid," Mu Zhian speculated. It was unusual for Gongsun Zan to evacuate nearby people before such an event.

"We can wait for him to come out and test Gongsun Zan later," Mu Zhian suggested. Bai Ruoxi agreed, knowing that Gongsun Zan was reckless and greedy—extracting information from him wouldn't be difficult.

Ye Yu, realizing who was inside the mansion, stepped forward. "Ruoxi, the tension between the Gongsun family and the Bai family is high; we should leave before Gongsun Zan sees you."

Bai Ruoxi replied coldly, "I have my own plans. You don't need to worry about me, Mr. Ye."

Her frosty demeanor was a stark contrast to her earlier interaction with Mu Zhian. Ye Yu hesitated, about to protest when Mu Zhian interjected with a smile, "Master Ye seems concerned about our meeting with Gongsun Zan. Why is that?"

Startled, Ye Yu raised his voice. "I'm not worried about you; I'm worried about Ruoxi's safety!"

"Then don't worry; I will protect Ruoxi," Mu Zhian assured him.

Just then, a woman's piercing scream erupted from the mansion, filled with anguish. 

"Why does a house raid sound like that?" Mu Zhian frowned.

Ye Yu's expression shifted. "There's usually no such noise during a raid... but when Gongsun Zan is involved, it's rarely just a simple ransacking."

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Mu Zhian strode purposefully toward the mansion. An attendant blocked the entrance, brandishing a knife. "Young Master Gongsun's house is being searched today. No unauthorized persons are allowed near."

Bai Ruoxi lifted her chin defiantly. "Do you not recognize the eldest young master of the Mu family?"

The attendants hesitated, then recognized Mu Zhian and sheathed their weapons, allowing him and Bai Ruoxi to pass.

As they entered the mansion, Bai Ruoxi felt a mix of apprehension and determination. The Bai family was in peril, and following Mu Zhian could provoke the Gongsun family, yet she chose to stand by him.

Ye Yu, torn between his emotions and his limitations, clenched his fists. He couldn't act rashly; he needed to bide his time until he was stronger.

Once inside the mansion, Mu Zhian kicked open a door, revealing a chaotic scene. The yard was in disarray, with frightened maids and Gongsun Zan's men eagerly anticipating their next move.

As Mu Zhian entered, one of Gongsun Zan's men growled, "Who's causing trouble during a raid?"

Seeing Mu Zhian, the man's expression shifted to fear. "Master Mu! What brings you here?"

"Where is Gongsun Zan?" Bai Ruoxi demanded coldly.

The servant hesitated, fear evident in his eyes. Before he could respond, Mu Zhian gently touched his shoulder, asking again, "Where is Gongsun Zan?"

"I can't tell you! If I do, Master Gongsun will kill me!" the servant stammered.

"If you tell me, only you will die. If you don't, your entire family will suffer," Mu Zhian stated calmly.

The servant's face drained of color as he realized the weight of Mu Zhian's words. "He... he's in the third room after entering the yard!" he finally confessed.

Mu Zhian kicked the servant away and turned to Bai Ruoxi. "They are honest."

Bai Ruoxi nodded, her gaze shifting to the sobbing maids and the subdued servants. She felt a wave of disgust wash over her—the cycle of exploitation was sickening.

Mu Zhian moved deeper into the yard, his eyes scanning for the third room. As he approached, he heard a girl's cries within.

With a swift kick, he opened the door. Inside, a terrified girl hung helplessly, her eyes filled with tears. Gongsun Zan, surprised by Mu Zhian's arrival, smirked.

"Master Mu! What a surprise to see you here," he said, feigning innocence. 

Before Mu Zhian could respond, Gongsun Zan pointed at the girl. "So that's the case. You should go first, Master Mu."

"You know that family members won't be spared in this confiscation," Mu Zhian replied, his expression unchanging.

Gongsun Zan chuckled sarcastically. "Everyone in Tianxuan City knows the eldest master of the Mu family has committed many evils. Don't pretend to be virtuous; we're all bad people here."

He paused, then added, "Why bother with bad people?"

"Let her go," Mu Zhian insisted, his voice steady. Gongsun Zan stared at him, suppressing his irritation.

"Fine... let her go," he relented, though his tone was laced with dissatisfaction. He flicked his finger, and an invisible blade severed the rope. The girl fell, crying out in fear.

Mu Zhian's gaze hardened as he continued to watch Gongsun Zan. "You asked me to let her go; I simply complied."

Gongsun Zan shrugged, his demeanor dismissive. "Master Mu, I respect your status, but that doesn't mean I fear you. The Mu family is powerful, but they can't do as they please. If you interfere today, will you take responsibility?"

"When Gongsun Zan confiscates property and abuses women, is that part of the process?" Mu Zhian's tone was calm yet firm. "The court is aware; will it continue to support the Gongsun family?"

"We'll discuss that later," Gongsun Zan replied, a faint smile on his lips. "But first, I want to enjoy the beauty."

He leaned closer to the girl, gently caressing her face. Desperate, she looked at Mu Zhian, her eyes pleading for help.

Gongsun Zan noticed her gaze but remained unfazed, confident that he could placate any dissent with money. 

Suddenly, the sound of a sword being drawn echoed in the air. Mu Zhian stood behind Gongsun Zan, his sword aimed directly at his forehead. 

"You dare to touch me...?" Gongsun Zan sneered, reaching for the girl's clothing. 

The tension in the room escalated, setting the stage for an impending confrontation.