"Patriarch Mu, these two are both my honored guests. I must ask that you show them the proper respect."
Xue Zhong's voice grew much colder as he gave Mu Huang's arm a shake.
"Elder Xue's… honored guests?" Mu Huang faltered.
'She had assud the two were just Xue Zhong's attendants. She never imagined they were his honored guests!'
HISS…
Even a powerful woman like Mu Huang, who had run the Mu Family for many years and established a foothold for them in Central State, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.
After all, Xue Zhong was one of the ten Saint Hands of the National dical Hall!
'For soone to be called an honored guest by Xue Zhong, their background had to be extraordinary.'
"Allow to make a formal introduction. This is Mr. Jiang Xinghai." Xue Zhong released Mu Huang's arm, bowing slightly as he gestured toward Jiang Xinghai.
When Mu Huang saw Xue Zhong's posture, she was even more shocked.
'This man could actually make Elder Xue bow his head!'
She imdiately dropped her arrogant air and forced a smile. "So you are Mr. Jiang. I was quite rude earlier. Please forgive this old woman's impudence."
Jiang Xinghai gave a slight nod.
Xue Zhong then gestured to Ma Long. "And this is Ma."
"A pleasure, Mr. Ma." Mu Huang looked at Ma Long, her expression now friendly.
It was obvious that between the two n, Jiang Xinghai held the higher status.
Ma Long naturally returned the gesture with a smile.
Afterward, under Mu Huang's warm reception, the group entered the Mu Family's main courtyard.
As they walked, they noticed that most of the people they saw were won; n were few and far between.
According to what Xue Zhong had ntioned earlier, the ratio of n to won in the Mu Family was severely imbalanced. Otherwise, a woman like Mu Huang would never have beco the head of the family.
"Patriarch Mu, let's just sit out here."
The group had walked to a pavilion in the courtyard, and Xue Zhong pointed toward it.
"Elder Xue has graced us with his presence today, and with two honored guests in tow. How could this old woman possibly receive you out here?" Mu Huang said, her face a mask of apology, insisting on leading everyone into the main hall.
"Forget it. We can talk right here."
Jiang Xinghai clasped his hands behind his back and looked at Mu Huang. "Patriarch Mu, we ca here with only one question."
"Please speak freely, Mr. Jiang. What is it that you wish to know?" Mu Huang asked, confused.
Jiang Xinghai was direct. "I want to know the current relationship between your Central State Mu Family and the Jizhou Mu Family."
Mu Huang's eyebrows twitched. "Mr. Jiang, is that the purpose of your visit?"
"What else? Did you think we ca to pay you a social call?" Jiang Xinghai said flatly.
Anger flashed across Mu Huang's face. She opened her mouth to retort but stopped, glancing over at Xue Zhong.
'For Jiang Xinghai to be so disrespectful to her in her own ho… it was infuriating.'
'If he weren't Elder Xue's honored guest, she would have already fired back a retort.'
"Patriarch Mu, is Mr. Jiang's question that difficult for you to answer?"
Xue Zhong shot Mu Huang a displeased look, then flicked his wide sleeve. "Fine, then."
He turned and bowed to Jiang Xinghai. "Mr. Jiang, we have fulfilled the required courtesies. This old man has no other options."
A chill went down Mu Huang's spine at the sight.
'What did Elder Xue an by that?'
'Are they planning to resort to force now that diplomacy has failed?'
Her gaze fell upon Jiang Xinghai.
'Just who is this man?'
'Why would he cause Elder Xue to humble himself ti and ti again?'
"Elder Xue, may I say sothing first?"
Suddenly, the woman in the white, form-fitting dress who had been supporting Mu Huang stepped forward elegantly.
The white dress clung tightly to the graceful lines of her body, accentuating her hourglass figure and showcasing her youthful, feminine charm.
The Mu Family had always followed a matrilineal naming tradition. The young woman's na was Mu Jianni, and she was Mu Huang's most beloved granddaughter.
"Jianni, get back." Mu Huang abruptly pulled Mu Jianni behind her.
"Grandmother, I think Elder Xue is being coerced by that Mr. Jiang," Mu Jianni said, her brilliant eyes flashing with a strange light as she stared at Jiang Xinghai. "Otherwise, why would a man of his stature dean himself by catering to a young man's whims? Speak! You forced Elder Xue to co here, so what are your intentions for the Mu Family?"
"Coerced? What are you talking about? You foolish girl, that's absolute nonsense!" Elder Xue's face darkened.
Mu Huang had initially wanted to stop Mu Jianni, but her granddaughter's words made a certain amount of sense, so she held her tongue.
"Elder Xue, if I've said anything out of line, please don't be angry."
Mu Jianni offered a dazzling smile, then turned to glare at Jiang Xinghai once more. "I'm right, aren't I, Mr. Jiang? Otherwise, why haven't you tried to refute ?"
"Refute you?" A corner of Jiang Xinghai's mouth lifted. "Heh. It's nothing but a woman's shortsighted opinion. Why would I bother arguing with you? Are you even worthy?"
"You…"
Mu Jianni had been pampered since birth. When had she ever been so openly humiliated?
Her lovely face flushed, her embarrassnt instantly turning into fury. She clenched her delicate fists. "I am the proud prodigy of this generation of the Mu Family! How can I allow you to act so insolently here? If you're a man, co and fight ! I'll teach you a lesson!"
When she was angry, her natural beauty wasn't awe-inspiring but was instead filled with a unique kind of allure.
It was a primal, pure, and even dangerous kind of beauty.
Like a rose with thorns, she was eye-catching yet warned others not to get too close.
"Teach you a lesson? Why would we need to trouble Mr. Jiang for that?"
Ma Long, who had been itching for a fight, took a step forward and released the aura of a Ninth-Order Martial Artist.
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