3431 Feigned Loyalty

Two Purple Forest Guards shoved a scraggly-bearded, decrepit old man forward, pushing him to the ground and holding him down with their feet as he struggled.

"Your Highness, this person was lurking here, peeping. We don't know who he is."

"Speak, who are you?" Mo Lian stared at him coldly, a chilling glint in his eyes. This man lurking around suspiciously was likely some household servant of the Jing family's direct lineage. Was he looking for an opportunity for revenge? He needed to see if he was even capable.

"The Divine Continent's Crown Prince and Crown Princess are truly imposing, aren't they?"

"Slap!" Before the old servant could finish his sentence, a Purple Forest Guard smacked him with a resounding slap, turning his face to the side, his hair falling messily. A twisted look of hatred immediately contorted his wrinkled old face.

"You bandits! Stealing our clan's treasure, the Soul Gathering Bell, wasn't enough. You even incited those spineless, weak-kneed clan members to surrender to you! And now, you've even murdered the Patriarch and Madam!"

"Oh?" Qiao Mu scrutinized the old servant from head to toe, then calmly asked, "Who are you to Patriarch Jing?"

"You don't need to know!"

"Slap!" Seeing his arrogant attitude, the Purple Forest Guard angrily slapped him again. "How dare you speak like that?" The Purple Forest Guard glared at him, then turned to the little Crown Princess. "Crown Princess, should your subordinate deal with this person?"

Qiao Mu glanced at him, nodded, and said, "Since you're so loyal, then go down and accompany your Patriarch and Madam."

A Craven Attempt at a Deal

Fear quickly flickered in the old man's eyes, then he blustered, "Wait!"

Qiao Mu turned her head, a half-smile on her face, and looked at him. "If you were truly a loyal old servant, where were you when your Patriarch was being killed just now?"

"Why didn't you jump out to protect your master?"

"You're very afraid of death, old man."

"Since you're just a sneaky villain, don't try to glorify yourself, alright?"

The Purple Forest Guard scornfully eyed the old man, grabbed his arm, twisted it behind his back, and pushed him forcefully. "Move." He was an eyesore, truly disgusting their little Crown Princess.

"Crown Princess, this old servant wants to make a deal with you." The old servant suddenly grew anxious, squirming and shouting.

"If you want to make a deal, then show some sincerity. Why this feigned loyalty?" Qiao Mu looked at him coldly. This old man had been secretly hiding here, furtively looking around, originally waiting for her and the Crown Prince, yet he put on this disgusting facade of loyalty to his master. Who was he trying to fool?

The old man's eyes flickered, and he quickly said, "This old servant's name is Jing Gu. I am... I am Patriarch Jing's personal house servant."

Qiao Mu didn't speak, waiting for him to continue.

"Not long ago, the Patriarch ordered me to send people to the lower star domain to investigate the Crown Princess's background."

"That was when Second Miss was tragically slaughtered by the Crown Princess and brought back for soul gathering with the Soul Gathering Bell. Patriarch Jing then instructed this old servant to send people to inquire."

Qiao Mu stared at the man expressionlessly, a subtle, burning flame flickering in her eyes. The old man, seeing her silence, could only continue.

"After that, this old servant dispatched a group of people to the lower star domain."

"The previous few times they went, they were blocked by a shielding defensive array." The old man cautiously glanced at Qiao Mu's expression.