Chapter 138 - 99: Bai Xiang’s Kill

Chapter 138: Chapter 99: Bai Xiang’s Kill

Jiang Mu sighed. "I understand."

Loneliness is the hardest wound in the world to endure.

Chu Lingzhu thought of Jiang Mu’s own past as well. She turned to look at him, her pink lips parting slightly, but ultimately, she couldn’t find any words of comfort to say.

Words felt empty at a time like this.

However, Jiang Mu then remembered that Chu Lingzhu had once said Madam Han was the Prefect’s sister.

’Then doesn’t Lan Rou’Er still have family?’

Jiang Mu voiced his confusion.

After Lan Rou’Er explained, Jiang Mu finally understood. Chu Lingzhu had been mistaken; Madam Han wasn’t the Prefect’s biological sister at all, just a sworn sister he’d acknowledged at a banquet.

The two of them rarely interacted; it was little more than a title.

Considering Madam Han’s flirtatious reputation, it was clear the "sworn sister" title was a cover for something else.

Those who get it, get it.

After they finished the laundry, Jiang Mu helped hang the clothes to dry.

As she shook out a piece of clothing, Chu Lingzhu asked curiously, "Boss, is it always this dangerous when you fight Demon Fiends?"

"Not always."

Jiang Mu chuckled. "Your Boss is pretty capable, you know. As long as I don’t run into some freakishly powerful master, there’s basically no danger."

Chu Lingzhu bit her lower lip, her eyes glinting as if she had made a decision.

"Boss, how about... I teach you how to use poison?"

"COUGH, COUGH, COUGH..."

Jiang Mu nearly choked on his own spit.

He gave the ethereally beautiful young woman a strange look. "Aren’t you a doctor? How did we get onto the subject of poison?"

"A doctor who can save lives can naturally take them, too."

Chu Lingzhu said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "So, do you want to learn? It would save you some effort in your fights, wouldn’t it?"

"It wouldn’t."

Jiang Mu tapped her smooth forehead, amused. "Do you really think Demon Fiends are made of paper? That they’ll just fall over if I sprinkle a little Poisonous Powder on them?"

"I’m very good at using poison, you know!" Chu Lingzhu puffed out her cheeks, unconvinced.

Jiang Mu didn’t press the issue. Waving a hand, he turned to leave.

"I’m off. Please look after Rou’Er. The Han Mansion case is closed, and the family estate will be awarded to her. If she wants to move in there, let her do as she pleases."

...

「Back in his own courtyard.」

Yuan Ahqing, who was training in the courtyard, saw Jiang Mu’s pale face and asked with concern, "Master, are you sick?"

Jiang Mu reflexively ruffled the top of the young woman’s head.

"It’s nothing. I just ate something that disagreed with me."

Perhaps due to her breakthrough, the young woman’s physique had grown stronger. She’d shot up in height, and her skin was even more supple and radiant.

Even her once-slender frame had begun to develop gentle curves.

’This girl is really blossoming.’

Jiang Mu mused to himself.

’Not just a Sword Dao prodigy, but a budding beauty, too.’

After sending the young girl on her way, Jiang Mu walked toward the vegetable garden.

By the fence, a graceful figure stood with her back to him.

Her simple dress clung to the alluring curves of her waist and hips, exuding a unique charm.

"Xiang’Er..."

Jiang Mu walked over and let out a long sigh. "I almost died today. Do you know what I was thinking about in my final moments?"

Bai Xiang straightened up and turned around.

She glanced at Jiang Mu’s abdomen, her delicate brows knitting together slightly.

With her keen perception, she could naturally tell he was injured.

Although the man often came home reeking of blood, he was usually full of life.

This time, however, his aura was clearly much weaker.

It was the first time she had ever seen him like this.

In that instant, a strange, nameless anger surged within her.

She couldn’t pinpoint the source of this fury, but she felt stifled and deeply displeased.

Jiang Mu didn’t wait for her to respond, continuing on his own.

"I was thinking, if I die, what’s to become of this vast estate of mine? You’re not my wife, so you can’t inherit it. Wouldn’t it all just go to some outsider for nothing?"

"Then you and little Ah Qing would be all alone, and who knows, you might even get bullied by wicked people."

Jiang Mu walked up to Bai Xiang and placed his hands on her soft shoulders, his expression more serious than she had ever seen it.

"So, I’ve had an idea, and this time, you can’t refuse me again."

"That way, even if something were to happen to me, you could legitimately inherit my estate and wouldn’t have to wander from place to place anymore."

Hearing his words, Bai Xiang’s heart lurched with a strange panic.

’Don’t tell me...’

’Is this guy really going to use this as an excuse to propose again?’

’What do I do?’

’Should I refuse him again?’

’I already rejected him once—I even bit him. Would it be too cruel to turn him down again?’

’But if I agree...’

’That’s even more impossible! How could I, the dignified... marry a mere...?’

Her heart was in turmoil, her thoughts a jumbled mess, and a rare look of helplessness flickered across her face.

"So, I’ve decided—"

Jiang Mu stared into her eyes, his expression brimming with deep emotion.

"To adopt you as my goddaughter. Come on, call me ’Dad.’ Just call me Dad, and the entire inheritance will be yours!"

"?"

Bai Xiang was dumbfounded.

The tangled mess of emotions in her heart instantly froze, replaced by sheer, utter shock.

She stared blankly at the man’s teasing, wicked grin and instantly realized he was messing with her again.

The next moment, rage shot straight to the crown of her head.

Her delicate fists clenched, knuckles cracking.

’Call him "Dad"?’

’That bastard!!’

’I knew nothing good could ever come out of that filthy mouth!’

’If he weren’t injured, she’d punch him so hard he’d end up as a painting on the wall.’

’Why don’t you call me "Mom"?!’

"Mom."

Jiang Mu suddenly said, calling out the word without hesitation.

"..."

Bai Xiang was, once again, speechless.

Jiang Mu grinned, looking immensely pleased with himself.

"How about that? Are we on the same wavelength or what? You were definitely thinking, ’Why don’t you call me "Mom"?!’ right?"

Staring at his shameless, grinning face, Bai Xiang was so angry she actually laughed.

’Fine.’

’You want to play, do you?’

’Then don’t blame me when I put you in a position you can’t get out of!’

She suddenly narrowed her slender, phoenix-like eyes and stroked Jiang Mu’s head with a look of pure maternal affection. Then, she gently began to sign: