Chapter 68: A Sudden Turn of Events

The Huang family met the same fate as the Gu family. Huang Dahai, like Gu Yiming, after enduring endless torment of the soul, was turned into a shattered corpse by a single blow from Mu Tianhen.

The other thirty or so second-rate and third-rate families were obliterated even more swiftly and thoroughly. By sunset, not a single second-rate or third-rate family remained in the entire Shunan City; only the Dai family was left with any standing.

Now came the time for order to be restored.

Mu Tianhen knew that many families were eager to curry favor with him, seeking opportunities to rise and take the places of those destroyed. Therefore, he had no concerns regarding the cleanup of the city.

With a flicker, Mu Tianhen's figure landed atop a towering artificial hill, overlooking the crowd below. In a clear, resonant voice, he announced, "Today's matters end here. The Mu family is short-handed and cannot clear the city quickly. If any are willing to help, I shall record a merit for them. Now, I must find those from the Gu and Huang families who are still in seclusion and send them to their deaths!"

"Furthermore, any wealth or resources recovered during the cleanup belong to those who do the work or their factions. There is no need to hand them over to me; consider it your reward."

Upon hearing Mu Tianhen's words, all the families—including the Dai family—moved swiftly. Every member joined in, hurrying to clean up the corpses and pools of blood scattered across the city.

To earn a merit from Mu Tianhen was a rare opportunity; not even a fool would let it slip by.

Of course, no family dared compete with the Dai family for credit. The city lord's mansion, richest in spoils, became the Dai family's domain for cleanup, and no other group dared set foot there.

No matter what, the Dai family had suffered no substantial losses; though not as powerful as the Mu family, they were still not to be challenged by the lesser clans.

The Dai family remained a formidable force.

Still, everyone understood that minor treasures could be kept, but if something truly valuable was found, it could not be kept for oneself. It had to be handed over to Mu Tianhen. Unless one wished for their entire clan to be annihilated.

Mu Tianhen, however, gave little thought to such matters. After all, to him, everything in Shunan City was mere rubbish. The treasures he possessed were beyond anyone's imagination.

Even now, sharing spirit pills with his clan posed no concern; with Xiaobai at his side, he need never worry about lacking medicinal herbs for pill-making.

Moreover, through this cleanup, the families could develop an unprecedented habit of negotiation and cooperation, ushering Shunan City into a period of peaceful development.

No matter how one looked at it, Mu Tianhen would soon leave Shunan City, as would the Mu family. Thus, he sought to instill the habit of collaborative governance ahead of time.

This was his homeland; he did not wish to see families clashing in bloodshed again, nor to witness another massacre.

Guardianship did not mean only kin or clan—it extended to all living beings.

While the families all participated in the cleanup, Mu Tianhen began patrolling the Dai and Huang family domains, his spiritual sense fully unleashed.

He sought to detect the locations of those two in seclusion, to drag them out and eliminate them, eradicating future threats.

After all, whether it was Gu Lingyun or Huang Xiaoshan, both were exceptional talents among the younger generation. If unchecked, their growth would be incalculable.

Should they rise, they would become terrifying latent dangers, capable at any moment of striking at him or the Mu family.

Mu Tianhen would allow no such thing.

He was determined to truly uproot all threats.

Meanwhile, Gu Lingyun and Huang Xiaoshan, in their secluded cultivation, were aware their families had already been destroyed by Mu Tianhen, leaving only themselves alive.

Their hearts burned with endless fury, longing to kill Mu Tianhen and annihilate the Mu family to avenge their kin.

But they knew all too well that the gap between themselves and Mu Tianhen was a chasm. If they emerged, they would be slaughtered instantly.

Not only would they fail to avenge their families, but they would ensure their clans’ utter extinction.

Thus, no matter how furious or heartbroken, they could only endure and not dare to appear.

They resolved to turn their grief into motivation, to train with utmost diligence, and to become official disciples at the upcoming Heavenly Pavilion selection in three months.

Once that time came, even if Mu Tianhen wanted to kill them, he would not dare lay a hand on them. After all, the experts from Heavenly Pavilion overseeing the selection would never allow Mu Tianhen such latitude.

Heavenly Pavilion would never permit any promising seedlings to be cut down.

Once they entered Heavenly Pavilion as official disciples, both Gu Lingyun and Huang Xiaoshan were confident they could kill Mu Tianhen and destroy the Mu family.

Sadly, their dreams were beautiful, but reality was cruel.

Their places of seclusion were detected by Mu Tianhen’s powerful spiritual search.

“It’s over!”

Both Gu Lingyun and Huang Xiaoshan felt a bitter, unwilling lament in their hearts, believing fate was determined to destroy their families.

Unyielding, truly unyielding!

But that was all; they could do nothing to change the outcome.

Having located their retreat, Mu Tianhen prepared to unleash his full power, break through by force, and drag them out for execution.

Yet, just as Mu Tianhen was about to act, something unexpected happened.

“Stop!”

In an instant, a soul-shaking voice thundered from the sky, its exact source unknown, causing Mu Tianhen to instinctively withdraw, scanning his surroundings and preparing to defend himself.

From the strength of that shout, it was clear the newcomer’s cultivation was formidable, perhaps even extraordinary.

The other members of the Mu family hurriedly searched, eager to see who dared obstruct Mu Tianhen’s actions.

A figure suddenly appeared overhead and descended gently, landing atop a tall tree’s branch, standing firmly without causing the slightest bend.

Clearly, his lightness skill and body technique were exceptional.

Though dusk had fallen, his features could still be discerned.

He appeared to be about sixty, dressed in white robes, with white beard and hair, exuding a hint of immortal aura.

Yet the crowd’s gaze was not fixed on his appearance, but on the silver badge at his waist, gleaming with white light, and the matching silver belt.

The badge was exquisitely crafted, bearing the three characters for Heavenly Pavilion, clearly visible. The belt’s head bore the same inscription.

In other words, this sudden arrival was a master from Heavenly Pavilion. Judging by his attire, he must hold considerable status within the organization.

A figure of absolute importance!

Such a person’s arrival was like the descent of a celestial being; none dared meet his gaze, and those with weaker nerves would instinctively kneel.

Mu Tianhen glanced at his garb and then spoke, “Senior, why do you bid me stop? They are enemies of the Mu family, they are—”

With a wave of his sleeve, the old man silenced Mu Tianhen and said, “I have already determined that these two possess great potential and may participate in the conference three months hence.”

“The grievances between you are insignificant before Heavenly Pavilion! Remember, from now on, all those who wish to enter Heavenly Pavilion must focus on cultivation and refrain from disturbing each other.”

“Otherwise, I will ensure violators pay an unimaginable price! As for the rest, do as you will—I will not concern myself with the affairs of ants.”

With that, not waiting for Mu Tianhen’s response, the old man soared into the fading light and quickly disappeared.