It turns out, they are the protagonists chapter 12

Chapter 12: A Villain Has His Own Nemesis

Mu Zhi’an took a sip of hot tea in the private room and chatted with Bai Ruoxi for a bit more before leaving the room together.

Walking on a relatively secluded street in Tianxuan City, Bai Ruoxi swept a glance around and then spoke, “Young Master Mu, may I presume to ask who that person eavesdropping outside just now was?”

“The Gongsun family… Or the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce?” Bai Ruoxi asked.

With the Mu family’s power in Tianxuan City, not many people had the guts to secretly eavesdrop on Mu Zhi’an’s conversation with others. The only possibilities were the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce or the Gongsun family.

After all, these past few days, Bai Ruoxi had gotten quite close to the Mu family. Those two families probably also feared that the Mu family would step in midway and save the Bai family.

Two days ago, the Gongsun family had also leaked news, intending to have Ye Yu come stir up trouble.

Mu Zhi’an shook his head, “It’s not the Gongsun family, nor the Morning Glory Chamber of Commerce. He should be from a force outside Tianxuan City. As for who exactly he is, I’m not sure now either.”

Bai Ruoxi’s brows unknowingly furrowed as she said softly, “Since that’s the case, why did the other party eavesdrop on our conversation…?”

Mu Zhi’an smiled and said, “Probably wanting to see if I really have that kind of thoughts towards you.”

Bai Ruoxi was stunned for a moment and asked in confusion, “What difference does it make whether you have thoughts about me or not?”

Theoretically, whether Mu Zhi’an liked her or not shouldn’t bother others… How could someone specially eavesdrop on their conversation to understand this kind of thing?

Thinking of this, Bai Ruoxi looked at Mu Zhi’an with complex emotions again.

From the day she had contact with him in the carriage, she felt that this youth seemed to be shrouded in a layer of fog, making him hard to fathom.

She didn’t know how Mu Zhi’an truly viewed her… whether he still liked her as he had before.

The more she thought about it, the more she wanted to know. But Mu Zhi’an always maintained a certain distance from her. Just now in the private room, there was a bit of intimate contact… but that was all. She still couldn’t see through Mu Zhi’an.

“There’s a difference, a big difference.”

Mu Zhi’an leisurely strolled on this secluded street and said, “The deeper my obsession with you, the easier it shows that I can be used.”

Bai Ruoxi tilted her head slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion.

Mu Zhi’an lightly shook his head and smiled, “This matter doesn’t need to be asked about further. In any case, it doesn’t have much to do with you.”

“Rather than this, what needs to be done now is to find a way to make contact with Gongsun Zan and see if we can get some words out of his mouth.”

“Miss Bai has many friends in Tianxuan City. Do you know if Gongsun Zan has anything he particularly likes?” Mu Zhi’an asked.

Bai Ruoxi inadvertently glanced at Mu Zhi’an and said softly, “Women.”

“If Young Master Mu plans to make contact with Gongsun Zan, just invite him to sleep with the courtesans in the brothel.”

Mu Zhi’an shook his head, “I never go to such places.”

For a moment, even this noble and elegant number one beauty couldn’t help but roll her eyes.

Everyone in Tianxuan City knew that Mu Zhi’an used to go to the brothel every few days in the past. Now he was telling her that he never went to such places… Did he take others for fools?

Bai Ruoxi’s thoughts turned: But come to think of it, besides today, she really hadn’t seen Mu Zhi’an go to the brothel or hooker alley recently…

Thinking of this, her small mouth slightly opened, about to ask something.

At this moment, a youth’s shout suddenly came from the end of the street, “Ruoxi, why are you here?”

Bai Ruoxi’s expression immediately sank. Mu Zhi’an turned his head to look. A rather refined-looking youth was walking towards them.

Ye Yu.

Bai Ruoxi’s brows unknowingly furrowed. She pulled Mu Zhi’an’s wrist and turned to leave, “Young Master Mu, let’s take another path.”

However, as soon as she turned around, Ye Yu had already approached and hurriedly said, “Ruoxi, wait a moment!”

Bai Ruoxi had no choice but to turn her head to look. She calmly said, “Young Master Ye, is there something?”

Ye Yu was stunned for a moment, then smiled and said, “The clan competition just ended today. I came out for a walk and didn’t expect to run into you.”

Bai Ruoxi lightly “mm”ed and said, “If there’s nothing else, we’ll be going first.”

“Wait!”

Seeing Bai Ruoxi about to turn and leave, Ye Yu’s heart anxiously raised his hand, wanting to grab Bai Ruoxi’s shoulder, “Ruoxi, I won first place in today’s clan competition. Believe me, give me a few more months and I will definitely be able to help—”

Bai Ruoxi’s brows unknowingly furrowed. She immediately raised her hand to swat away his hand and said indifferently, “Congratulations then. But this has nothing to do with me. Young Master Ye, please have some self-respect.”

That crisp tone carried undisguised indifference, just like how Bai Ruoxi initially treated Mu Zhi’an.

However, Ye Yu seemed to not have realized any problem and said again, “Ruoxi, Mu Zhi’an can help you, and I can help you too. Believe me—”

Ye Yu was about to continue speaking, but at this moment, Mu Zhi’an had already spoken in a timely manner, “Young Master Ye, persistently pestering someone like this is meaningless. It’s better for you to go find your true love.”

After saying that, he no longer paid attention to Ye Yu and turned to leave with Bai Ruoxi.

Ye Yu watched the girl’s graceful back view disappear together with Mu Zhi’an, his fists silently clenching.

It was Mu Zhi’an again. Two days ago it was also him… He must have threatened Ruoxi, otherwise how could they be out for a walk together today?

“Mu Zhi’an, I want to have a competition with you!” Ye Yu suddenly shouted from behind.

Mu Zhi’an’s footsteps paused slightly. He turned his head to look and saw the undisguised anger in Ye Yu’s eyes. He smiled and said, “Why should I compete with you? I still have important matters to attend to and don’t have that much time.”

“You don’t dare?” Ye Yu provoked.

Mu Zhi’an nodded with a smile, “Right, I don’t dare.”

Ye Yu was suddenly stunned for a moment, seemingly not expecting Mu Zhi’an to be so frank.

Mu Zhi’an paused and continued, “Also, Miss Bai dislikes you not because your strength is lacking.”

“Then why?” Ye Yu subconsciously asked.

Mu Zhi’an smiled, “Not telling you.”

Clingy dogs never have a good ending, no matter which world it is.

Just like the Mu Zhi’an of the past, if he hadn’t awakened the memories of his past life and had always kept his attitude very low, Bai Ruoxi might not have a good impression of Mu Zhi’an now and might still dislike Mu Zhi’an the way she disliked Ye Yu.

The so-called clingy dog doesn’t refer to agreeing with the girl when pursuing her. It’s when one keeps their attitude very, very low during the pursuit, the status between the two is unequal, and the woman simply doesn’t pay much attention to you, yet you still persistently pester her… That’s called a clingy dog.

Just like Ye Yu now.

Even if his talent had returned and he had won first place in the Ye family’s clan competition, so what? In terms of feelings, he still suffered a crushing defeat.

If one had to say, appropriate “clinging” was harmless.

The two walked along the street. Mu Zhi’an inadvertently glanced behind him. Ye Yu was still following them not far behind, maintaining a certain distance from the two.

He always believed that Bai Ruoxi must have been threatened by Mu Zhi’an and had ulterior motives. As long as he waited until Bai Ruoxi encountered danger and rescued her, Bai Ruoxi would naturally understand.

“Ye Yu is still following us.” Mu Zhi’an said softly.

Bai Ruoxi’s brows slightly furrowed as she said softly, “I will handle this matter. I’m very sorry for causing you trouble.”

As she spoke, she was about to turn around and walk towards Ye Yu.

At this moment, Mu Zhi’an suddenly gently pressed on her shoulder and smiled, shaking his head, “It’s fine, no need to pay attention to him.”

Generally speaking, if Bai Ruoxi went back to find Ye Yu now, she might scold Ye Yu at first, but after being annoyed by his pestering, she might give Ye Yu a chance.

A chance to save the Bai family.

As a “chosen one”, with Ye Yu’s great luck, he might really be able to save the Bai family.

The best method now was naturally to avoid too much contact between the two.

Hearing this, Bai Ruoxi silently nodded and no longer paid attention to Ye Yu.

The two hadn’t walked for long when they suddenly discovered that at the end of the street ahead, they seemed to vaguely see several servants. They were guarding the entrance of a residence, looking extremely murderous.

“That is…?” Bai Ruoxi turned her head to look, her eyes revealing a hint of confusion.

“It should be Gongsun Zan leading people to confiscate a family’s property.” Mu Zhi’an explained.

Only then did Bai Ruoxi understand.

“But why do they need to clear the area to confiscate a family’s property?” Bai Ruoxi muttered to herself.

“Perhaps they’re worried that the family members in the residence might desperately hurt people in a fit of hopelessness.” Mu Zhi’an guessed.

Generally speaking, not every confiscation required specially clearing the area. It was not common for Gongsun Zan to specially disperse the nearby crowd before confiscating a family’s property.

“Taking this opportunity, we might as well wait at the door for him to come out and probe Gongsun Zan in a bit.” Mu Zhi’an said.

Bai Ruoxi lightly “mm”ed.

Gongsun Zan was an ignorant and wicked young master. His brain also wasn’t very sharp. Getting some words out of his mouth was not a difficult matter.

Not far away, Ye Yu also seemed to have realized that the person in the residence was Gongsun Zan who was leading the confiscation today. His eyes flashed slightly as he stepped forward and said,

“Ruoxi, the Gongsun family and the Bai family are now at odds with each other. Let’s leave this place? If Gongsun Zan sees you later, it might cause a conflict.”

Bai Ruoxi answered coldly, “I have my own plans. Young Master Ye doesn’t need to worry.”

As cold as rejecting someone a thousand miles away, completely different from the attitude she had when casually chatting with Mu Zhi’an just now.

Ye Yu’s mouth slightly opened, about to continue saying something.

At this moment, Mu Zhi’an suddenly smiled and interrupted, “Young Master Ye seems to be worried about us making contact with Gongsun Zan… Why?”

Ye Yu was stunned. His voice subconsciously rose a few degrees as he said, “It’s not that I’m afraid of you making contact with him. In the end, what do I have to be afraid of? I’m just worried about Ruoxi’s safety—”

“Then there’s no need to worry. I will protect Ruoxi well.” Mu Zhi’an said.

Ye Yu slightly frowned, about to continue speaking.

At this moment, a woman’s miserable cry suddenly came from the residence. That voice was filled with tragedy and clearly reached Mu Zhi’an and the others’ ears.

“Why would there be this kind of sound during a confiscation…?” Mu Zhi’an’s brows tightly knitted.

Ye Yu’s eyes flashed. He glanced at Mu Zhi’an and said, “There wouldn’t be this kind of sound during a confiscation… But when Gongsun Zan confiscates a family’s property, it’s usually not as simple as just confiscating…”

Hearing Ye Yu’s words, then thinking of the miserable screams and pleas heard from the residence just now, Mu Zhi’an’s eyes changed. He strode into the residence.

The servants at the door immediately blocked the residence’s main gate with their swords and said, “Today, Young Master Gongsun is confiscating this family’s property. Irrelevant personnel, please do not approach this place.”

Bai Ruoxi raised her eyes to look at the servants and said coldly, “You don’t even recognize the eldest young master of the Mu family?”

The servants were slightly stunned. They subconsciously looked at Mu Zhi’an. After recognizing his appearance, they sheathed their swords and stepped back, no longer obstructing.

Bai Ruoxi looked at Mu Zhi’an who was striding into the residence, her eyes revealing complex emotions.

The current Bai family was already in a precarious state. Following Mu Zhi’an to offend the Gongsun family together was not a sensible thing to do.

However…

She slightly raised her head and looked at Mu Zhi’an who had already put some distance between them. As if she had made up her mind, she closely followed.

Ye Yu, who was also struggling, had an even more complex expression. He tightly clenched his fists but remained still.

With his current strength, even if he followed them into the residence, he couldn’t do anything… and he would also be resented by Gongsun Zan afterwards.

Before reaching the Spirit Refinement realm, he had to endure. Even if he took action now, he couldn’t save anyone…

Ye Yu’s fists slowly loosened. He stood at the door, his gaze looking into the residence.

If Bai Ruoxi was in danger later, he could take action to save her… That way, she would understand his intentions.

Thinking of this, he looked at Mu Zhi’an who had walked into the residence, and Ye Yu’s eyes flashed. For some reason, he felt a bit jealous in his heart.

If he was in the Mu family, he naturally wouldn’t have so many worries… If he was in the Mu family, he could also go in and stop Gongsun Zan now.

However, Gongsun Zan was different from the other people of the Gongsun family. If he lost his mind, even if it was the eldest young master of the Mu family, he wouldn’t show mercy…

It would be best if Mu Zhi’an and Gongsun Zan could have a conflict, with one dead and one injured… Ye Yu secretly thought in his heart.

Mu Zhi’an kicked open the main gate with one foot. What appeared before his eyes was a rather spacious courtyard.

The flowers and plants in the courtyard were all trampled into a mess, and equally in a mess were the maidservants of this residence.

A few of Gongsun Zan’s trusted subordinates were currently looking at the maidservants in the residence with excited gazes, seemingly anticipating what was to come next.

And at this moment, the main gate was suddenly pushed open with a “bang”. The servants of the Gongsun family all turned their heads to look.

One of them, who was already at the point of no return, was startled by this and naturally became furious. He abruptly turned his head and said,

“The Gongsun family is confiscating property today. Who dares to make a scene?!”

Turning his head and seeing Mu Zhi’an with a cold expression, his heart jumped. He lowered his head and said, “Yo-Young Master Mu… Why are you here?”

“Where is Gongsun Zan?” Bai Ruoxi asked coldly.

The servant’s eyes flashed, but he remained silent.

Bai Ruoxi’s brows slightly furrowed, about to speak.

At this moment, Mu Zhi’an lightly patted the servant’s shoulder and asked gently, “Where is Gongsun Zan?”

The servant mustered up courage and raised his head, saying, “Young Master Mu, I can’t say ah! If I say it, I will definitely be executed by Young Master Gongsun when I return later!”

“If you say it, perhaps only you alone will die. If you don’t say it, your whole family will die.” Mu Zhi’an said calmly.

The servant’s face instantly turned deathly pale.

He very much believed Mu Zhi’an’s words.

Because the other party was the wicked young master of Tianxuan City. With the Mu family’s power, wiping out an ordinary family was too simple.

“He- he’s in the third room on the right after entering the courtyard!” The servant stammered.

Mu Zhi’an kicked the servant away and turned his head to look at Bai Ruoxi, saying, “Make them all behave.”

Bai Ruoxi nodded, glancing at those maidservants crying with covered faces, and then at those servants lowering their heads, seeming to realize their wrongdoing.

She frowned slightly, feeling inexplicably disgusted.

Big fish eat small fish, small fish eat shrimp. One layer exploiting another layer. Such conduct was truly nauseating.

On the other side, Mu Zhi’an walked towards the depths of the courtyard. His gaze swept around and found the third room. He vaguely heard the crying voice of a girl coming from the room.

Mu Zhi’an kicked open the door with one foot.

The girl in the room had tears at the corners of her eyes, filled with helplessness, looking at Gongsun Zan in terror.

And when Mu Zhi’an kicked open the door, she seemed to see a glimmer of hope, looking at him with teary eyes.

Gongsun Zan seemed a bit surprised. He turned his head to look, then laughed and said, “It’s Young Master Mu ah. Why do you have the leisure to specially come to this residence?”

Before Mu Zhi’an could speak, he seemed to understand something. Pointing at the girl hanging in mid-air, filled with helplessness, he laughed and said, “So that’s how it is… Then Young Master Mu, you go first?”

“Confiscation doesn’t involve family members. You should be clear about this.” Mu Zhi’an said calmly, his expression not seeming to change at all.

Gongsun Zan mockingly chuckled and casually wiped his palms, saying, “Forget it, Young Master Mu. In this Tianxuan City, who doesn’t know that the eldest young master of the Mu family commits all kinds of evil? You don’t need to pretend to be a good person. We are the same kind of scum.”

After a pause, he continued, “Scum, why make things difficult for scum?”

“Let her go.” Mu Zhi’an said calmly.

Gongsun Zan fell silent and stared at Mu Zhi’an.

Then, as if suppressing his emotions, he nodded, “Alright… Let her go, right?”

His voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction and trembling. Gongsun Zan flicked his finger. An invisible air blade cut the thin rope. The girl, who was in the prime of her youth, fell from mid-air, letting out a small miserable cry.

Mu Zhi’an silently raised his head and stared at Gongsun Zan.

“Didn’t you tell me to let her go? I’m just following your words.” Gongsun Zan spread his hands.

Then he clicked his tongue and shook his head, sighing, “Young Master Mu, I respect you as the eldest young master of the Mu family, so I’m talking to you politely. But this doesn’t mean I’m really afraid of you.”

“The Mu family is strong in Tianxuan City, but they can’t do whatever they want either.”

“Also, today the imperial court ordered the Gongsun family to confiscate this family’s property. If you obstruct me, can you bear the responsibility for this matter?”

“Gongsun Zan oppresses common people and embezzles a large amount of treasures when confiscating property… Is this also part of the confiscation process?” Mu Zhi’an’s tone was filled with calmness. “If the imperial court learns of this matter, could it be that they will still side with the Gongsun family?”

“Let’s talk about this kind of thing later.”

Gongsun Zan retracted his gaze and smiled faintly, “But before that, I want to enjoy the beauty first!”

He turned around and half-squatted in front of that girl, gently stroking that fair and tender little face.

That girl had tears at the corners of her eyes. As if wanting to grasp the final straw of survival, she desperately raised her head and looked at Mu Zhi’an with pleading eyes.

Gongsun Zan noticed the girl’s gaze but didn’t mind. He only revealed a mocking smile.

This wasn’t the first time he had done this kind of thing, and he had never seen any problems arise.

In the end, as long as these people were appeased and given some silver to shut their mouths, it would be fine.

As for reporting it to the higher-ups?

That still depends on whether the Gongsun family agrees or not.

Clang.

The sound of a sword being unsheathed came from behind. Gongsun Zan slightly turned his head to look. Mu Zhi’an stood behind him with a sword, the tip of the sword pointing at his forehead.

You dare to make a move…?

Gongsun Zan’s mouth curved into a mocking arc. He coldly laughed and reached out to grab the fabric on the girl’s body.

This young miss, who once had glory and was born with a silver spoon, looked at Gongsun Zan in despair and closed her eyes in resignation.

However, at this moment, Gongsun Zan suddenly felt a piercing pain in his chest. His eyes slowly widened as he lowered his head to look at his chest.

Mu Zhi’an’s sword had pierced through his heart.

Gongsun Zan struggled to turn his head, staring fixedly at Mu Zhi’an.

“If you kill me, the Gongsun family won’t let you go—”

His voice abruptly stopped.

Until his death, this young master of the Gongsun family couldn’t believe that Mu Zhi’an actually dared to make a move against him.

Behind him, the servants of the Gongsun family who had been secretly peeping because they were worried shouted in horror, “Quick- quickly go invite a doctor—”

Thud.

A muffled sound. Bai Ruoxi knocked the back of the servant’s neck from behind. That servant’s eyes rolled back and he fell to the ground.

She glanced at the girl in the room who was trembling because of this scene, then at Gongsun Zan who no longer had any signs of life. After remaining silent for a moment, she handed over a handkerchief and said, “This way, your original plan has been disrupted.”

The original plan was to make contact with Gongsun Zan and get some words out of his mouth.

But now, he was dead. Although it was satisfying, it would inevitably bring about huge trouble. The Mu family could bear this kind of trouble, but they would still suffer some losses.

“There’s no other way. After all, plans are dead, but ……..”

Mu Zhi’an wiped the blood stains from his forehead and silently looked at the trembling girl. He softly said,

“But people are alive.”