Ms. Diviner: The Prodigal Daughter's Return Chapter 1425: He Has Changed

Luo Pengcheng suddenly grasped the truth: this situation stemmed not from any conflict between the Eight Great Families, nor a personal vendetta against Mu Hanyan. Instead, Dan Tai Xuan's group had recently endured a fierce battle with significant casualties.

Recalling their courageous charge onto the battlefield to turn the tide, not only Luo Pengcheng but also the surviving citizens and soldiers nearby gazed upon them with profound admiration.

"However, though our team is battle-weary and our combat effectiveness is diminished, our numbers remain substantial. Should Young Master Mu find himself short of personnel, we are still prepared to lend some of our people to assist you," Dan Tai Xuan continued, his voice filled with a facade of righteous conviction.

Shameless, how could anyone possess such a brazen lack of integrity! Mu Hanyan regarded Dan Tai Xuan with a look steeped in utter disdain.

It was true that Dan Tai Xuan's contingent had suffered losses, two hundred men in total, a number easily accounted for. However, to claim every single one was wounded was a gross exaggeration. Mu Hanyan had observed closely; no more than fifty or sixty individuals sustained injuries, most of them minor, hardly impacting their fighting capability. Only Mo Yanhong and the one with the fractured rib had suffered more serious harm. Yet, Mo Yanhong, a fool from the outset, despite being the Mo Family's young master and the current Patriarch's sole beloved son, benefiting from nearly all the family's cultivation resources, was merely a Third Stage Sword Master. His lack of experience meant his actual combat power didn't even reach the level of a Third Stage Sword Master. The man with the broken rib was even less significant, a mere Great Sword Master.

With such limited strength, even if they had perished, it would have scarcely affected the overall combat power, let alone being gravely injured.

By making such an offer, Dan Tai Xuan was clearly attempting to renegotiate terms with Mu Hanyan. Unfortunately for him, he had misjudged; Mu Hanyan was in no position to bargain with someone of his character.

"There is no need. Since you are all injured, focus on your own recovery. We can manage on our own," Mu Hanyan responded coldly.

"Are you quite certain you do not require our aid, Mu Hanyan? My offer is made in good faith. Once we are on the actual battlefield, it may prove too late to request our assistance," Dan Tai Xuan persisted, unwilling to relinquish his ploy.

"Rest assured, that time will never arrive," Mu Hanyan stated flatly, not even granting Dan Tai Xuan a passing glance.

At such a crucial juncture, acting as a steward of the Holy Court, he had disregarded the greater good. Even more reprehensible was his sole focus on personal advantage. Such individuals were truly contemptible.

"Hmph, let us depart. I am exceedingly curious to witness how long you can hold your own," Dan Tai Xuan declared, his efforts yielding no satisfaction. He departed angrily, leading the contingent of young noble family members.

This time, not a single individual trailing behind Mu Hanyan voiced any dissent, not even Mu Chengqi. As they watched Dan Tai Xuan's retreating figure, their eyes were no longer filled with anything but disdain, mingled with a touch of mockery.

"The absolute idiot! Does he truly believe that sheer numbers would make any difference? He’s utterly oblivious to the principle of quality over quantity when it comes to soldiers. Even if they doubled their ranks, they’d merely be marching towards their own demise," Mu Chengqi remarked with scorn.

"Precisely! Attempting to intimidate Young Master Mu, he completely overestimated his own standing," He Qingzong added swiftly, regretting his missed opportunity for initial flattery.

"Young Master Mu, let us proceed to Beining Pass and demonstrate to that despicable wretch, Dan Tai Xuan, the true might of Young Master Mu," Yan Yi echoed the sentiment.

Confronted by the sycophantic words of He Qingzong and Yan Yi, Mu Hanyan felt a sense of bewilderment. The Yan and He families were prominent among the elite Eight Great Families of the Capital, yet how could the younger generation from both households exhibit such pettiness? However, upon further reflection, she found a measure of relief; after all, excessive rigidity could lead to one's downfall, and their brand of adaptable flexibility was far more suited for assuming leadership of a family.

An individual with a resolute nature like Yan Yuchu, combined with a countenance as striking as Huayue’s, might indeed bestow honor upon their lineage. Yet, a single misstep could equally plunge the entire family into utter ruin. The profound wisdom demonstrated by the He Family Ancestor and the venerable Zhang Family Head was not a common trait.

While the other noble family members did not engage in overt flattery, they too expressed palpable disdain for Dan Tai Xuan.

Luo Pengcheng now perceived what was evident: his prior suspicions were indeed accurate. A clear animosity existed between Dan Tai Xuan and Mu Hanyan, and his preceding words were a thinly veiled threat. Yet, she had decisively rejected his offer.

Curiously, despite her group’s significantly smaller numbers compared to the opposing faction, none of her followers exhibited any sign of worry. Instead, they brazenly dismissed the danger posed by the Exotic Beasts.

"Young Master Mu, esteemed gentlemen, do not underestimate those Exotic Beasts. While Beining Pass may not boast a large garrison, every soldier is an elite; the weakest among them are Sword Masters. If my assessment is correct, the Exotic Beasts assaulting Beining Pass this time likely include some potentates comparable to Eighth or Ninth Rank Sword Masters, or else their skills and the advantageous terrain wouldn't render the situation so dire," Luo Pengcheng cautioned, anxious they might be underestimating the threat.

"What is a Ninth Rank Sword Master? With Young Master Mu's presence, Lord City Master need not fret," He Qingzong declared with unwavering confidence. His assurance, however, stemmed not from his own abilities but from his absolute faith in Mu Hanyan.

"Indeed, let alone a Ninth Rank Sword Master, even a Great Sword Master poses no threat," chimed in other sons of noble families, their spirits soaring as if they had already subjugated Exotic Beasts equivalent to Great Sword Masters.

Observing the turn of events, Luo Pengcheng remained perplexed but found himself unable to voice further objections.

"Very well, let us depart then," Mu Hanyan, not inclined for further discussion, mounted the Red Charcoal Cloud Smoke Beast, prepared to set off. She then noticed the previously eager young general staring at her, lost in thought.

"Why have you not departed yet?" Mu Hanyan inquired, a hint of impatience in her tone.

"Mu... Young Master Mu, will you truly go to the rescue of the Fifth Prince?" the young general asked, wiping his face.

"Qu Fengting, is that truly you?" Mu Hanyan expressed mild surprise, recognizing the young general before her as Qu Fengting.

Recall that when the Fifth Prince brought Qu Fengting back to the Capital, intending to leverage Mu Hanyan for his own prestige, he suffered a string of failures, his reputation crumbling and becoming a subject of mockery among the capital's populace. Qu Fengting endured multiple setbacks, not only facing the disapproval of the high-and-mighty Zong Family but also being largely forgotten and abandoned by his own Qu Branch Family in Heishi City.

Later, both of them departed the Capital, and Mu Hanyan lost track of their whereabouts. It turned out they had been stationed in Lu’an City, defending the frontier, a place where they could escape the ridicule and live with their dignity intact.

"Young Master Mu, concerning the Exotic Beast Valley incident, I, Qu Fengting, admit fault. I offer my apologies to you and to the innocent family elites who perished. However, the Fifth Prince bears no direct responsibility for it. While he may harbor ambitions, his heart is not wicked, nor has he committed any heinous acts. If you are genuinely willing to save him, I, Qu Fengting, shall be eternally grateful, even unto death. If you are unwilling, I implore you to spare him and allow another team to undertake this mission," Qu Fengting declared, kneeling on one knee before Mu Hanyan.

It was evident that he feared Mu Hanyan might reconsider upon arriving at Beining Pass and seeing the Fifth Prince, potentially missing the crucial opportunity and leading to the Fifth Prince's demise.