CRD 10

Chapter 10

“Unni!”

Murong Shui Xiang’s face was full of urgency.

“What’s going on? A sudden summons of the Hua Sword Sect?”

“You go inside and wait at the residence.”

“Could it be that that crazy guy caused trouble again?!”

For a moment, Murong Sujing’s face took on a terrifying severity.

“Shuixiang!”

It was a scolding unlike her usual self.

Her voice was so loud that even the Hua Sword Sect members who had come down from the mountains, as well as Shi Xiong and Guo Nuo, flinched.

“Have I not told you countless times? Never speak carelessly about your brother!”

No matter how angry she was, she had never scolded her younger sister in front of everyone. One could tell just how furious Murong Sujing was.

Biting her lip, Murong Shuixiang lowered her head.

“I’m sorry. I made a mistake.”

“Never again utter a curse against your brother. Understood?”

“…Understood.”

Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Murong Sujing’s face showed unmistakable regret.

But it lasted only a moment.

“As of this moment, the Hua Sword Sect will search every street in Wuhuan! Find Bia at any cost!”

“Yes!”

“And Chief, I entrust the family to you.”

Shi Xiong was taken aback.

“Deputy Head will also be going?”

“Of course.”

She looked like someone who would not be swayed even if struck by lightning. There was no way to stop her.

“Understood. But please take the young lady with you.”

“Chief?!”

“It’s a family matter. Her martial arts skills could be of help as well.”

Looking at her sister, Murong Sujing asked calmly,

“Will you go?”

Shuixiang nodded immediately.

“If you go, unni, then I must go too.”

It wasn’t for her brother, but for her sister. Murong Sujing felt a pang of sadness, even though there was no time to debate it.

“Good. Let’s go together.”

“Okay.”

“First… cough!”

Suddenly, her cough grew violent, and Murong Sujing fell to her knees.

“Deputy Head!”

“Unni!”

Before anyone could reassure her, she coughed up blood.

Shi Xiong shouted furiously.

“Bring Dr. Yang immediately! Wake him if you have to!”

“Yes!”

At that moment, Murong Sujing raised her hand.

Taking a deep breath, she stood again, her face unusually pale. She seemed to be suppressing the cough with all her might.

“I’m fine.”

“Deputy Head!”

“What are the Hua Sword Sect members doing? Move at once!”

“Deputy Head! Leave the rest to us and return to the residence!”

“Do you refuse my order?”

She was truly being stubborn.

Shi Xiong grit his teeth and turned to the Hua Sword Sect leader.

“Lead the inspectors…”

Then—

Swish.

Someone climbed over the not-so-high wall.

Hua Sword Sect Leader Qin Guang shouted,

“Who’s there?”

Clang!

Ten sect members drew their swords, converging on the wall.

“Huh?”

In the moonlight, the intruder’s face was revealed.

Murong Sujing shouted,

“Bia!”

Murong Tian’s expression was reluctant.

“Why are you here…?”

Thud.

The sound of a bundle being set down was unusually loud.

In the process, a silver ingot slipped from the knot and rolled on the floor.

Murong Tian picked it up and placed it on the table.

“This…?”

Murong Sujing was too surprised to speak.

“I earned it.”

Murong Tian tried to act as composed as possible.

After all, this was a new start in life. And the people he would clash with most would be the descendants of the clan.

‘It feels awkward.’

Still, she was beautiful.

Though her complexion was poor, Murong Sujing had grown up well. He felt like running his hands through her hair, thinking, how did she grow up so lovely?

Not only that—

‘Shuixiang, huh?’

In a corner, a girl stared at him coldly.

No, “girl” might be too young a word, and “lady” too mature. She was perhaps sixteen or seventeen.

Her fair skin and resolute gaze were full of confidence. If Murong Sujing’s face reminded one of the family head and his wife, Shuixiang’s gaze alone evoked the family head even more.

Whatever it was, Shuixiang had grown up well, too.

But the biggest surprise was the chief.

‘Shi Xiong!’

When the guest had arrived, Murong Sujing’s presence had been too overwhelming to notice.

Now he understood. This was Shi Xiong.

He was the man appointed to lead the next Chief Division of the Murong clan.

‘That young, ambitious guy has grown this much.’

When he last visited the family, he remembered Shi Xiong to be in his mid-twenties.

Even so, he had been appointed to lead the future of the Chief Division despite not being a blood relative. That meant he was truly talented.

Shi Xiong’s loyalty was also exceptional, and it showed that Murong Sujing’s judgment in recognizing it was excellent.

‘Thank you, truly.’

Shi Xiong was inwardly flustered. His master’s gaze was too affectionate.

But he had something to say.

“Master.”

“Yes?”

Shuixiang’s outburst was a sharp reminder.

“What kind of behavior is that toward the Chief?”

It was meant to enforce manners. Though sharp, it was Murong Shuixiang restraining her anger as she disliked the brother.

Shi Xiong raised his hand.

“It’s fine, young lady.”

“But Chief…”

“Right now, there’s something more important, isn’t there?”

Shuixiang looked away, unable to meet his gaze.

Murong Tian lowered his head.

“My apologies. Please forgive my rudeness.”

To Murong Tian, lowering his head a hundred times would have been fine.

Guo Nuo and Shi Xiong had stayed even though the family was in such a state. They weren’t people to treat differently based on status or age.

‘I don’t know why the family became like this, but the fact that they stayed is a rare kind of sacrifice.’

He genuinely wanted to hug them.

Meanwhile, Murong Tian’s attitude surprised Murong Sujing and Shi Xiong. Shuixiang also flinched.

His voice was low, calm, and carried weight—nothing like the carefree young master they remembered.

Shi Xiong cleared his throat and asked,

“Anyway, may we get to the point?”

“Go ahead.”

“Where did this money come from?”

“I took it.”

Shi Xiong was stunned.

“Excuse me?”

Please, no more incidents!

“I took it from those who came earlier.”

“You mean the Black Tiger Gang?”

“Yes.”

Shuixiang’s mouth fell open.

She knew well the Black Tiger Gang, especially in Wuhuan.

Though known as the Yanwang Clan, they secretly controlled many of the slums. Few were martial artists, but their influence among civilians was significant.

“You mean you borrowed money from the Black Tiger Gang?!”

Murong Tian didn’t answer. He knew he couldn’t explain fully to Shuixiang here.

Fortunately, Murong Sujing raised her hand to stop her.

“Shuixiang, stay quiet.”

“Unni! How can I stay quiet?!”

“Please.”

If her sister said so, she couldn’t interfere.

Shuixiang glared at Murong Tian, thinking he was finally determined to ruin the family.

‘You fool,’ Murong Tian thought, cursing himself.

‘How badly must I have lived for my sister to see me this way?’

Shi Xiong sighed.

“How was that possible? And why borrow from them in the first place? Please explain from the start.”

Perhaps because of his martial training, or experience over the years, Murong Tian answered without hesitation.

“I’m sorry, but I cannot explain in detail.”

Shuixiang bristled.

“But I had my reasons. And today, you see part of the result.”

Shi Xiong observed Murong Tian carefully and asked again,

“Were you targeting the Black Tiger Gang?”

Murong Tian smiled.

“Do you think I’d overturn the family just to rob a small gang in the slums?”

It was sincere.

As long as he had returned, he wouldn’t leave the family in this state. He would fix everything, even if it meant risking himself, for those who shared his blood. That was family, kin, and heaven’s mandate.

“I cannot imagine what Master is thinking.”

“….”

“But as you know, the main family is in a difficult situation. Not just internally, but external threats are serious as well.”

“….”

“You must be cautious.”

He said caution, meaning don’t cause trouble.

Murong Tian bowed again.

“I will not cause any accidents.”

Shi Xiong closed his mouth. He had so many questions: why borrow from the Black Tiger Gang, why rob them, how he got the money…

But he could not speak easily.

‘He’s different.’

Different from the young master he remembered. His appearance had changed slightly too—still lean, but with a healthier complexion and a completely new gaze.

Seeing him hesitate, Murong Tian said,

“If I may, may I speak with you alone, sister?”

Shi Xiong looked at Murong Sujing. She nodded silently, though her expression was full of emotion.

“Very well.”

Shi Xiong greeted Murong Sujing and told Shuixiang,

“We will leave so the two of you can talk, young lady.”

Biting her lip, Shuixiang spat out,

“I will never trust you.”

She slammed the door and left.

Shi Xiong followed and closed the door, leaving only the two inside the office.

Only then did Murong Sujing’s face relax.

“Bia.”