Chapter 166
Chapter 166: Never Leaving His Side
Just as Hu Rui An and his two companions returned, they spotted Shen An Ran sitting in the courtyard pavilion, asking Li Mu Sheng for guidance in martial arts.
The four-cornered wooden pavilion had plain silk palace lanterns hanging at each corner, casting a gentle, yellow glow over the lotus pond and flowered walls. Under the quiet night, Shen An Ran and Li Mu Sheng sat facing each other. A gentle evening breeze brushed past, making the bronze bells at the pavilion’s eaves softly chime. It was a scene of serenity and beauty.
Standing quietly at the courtyard entrance, Hu Rui An and his companions hesitated, unwilling to disturb the peaceful atmosphere.
However, after faintly overhearing their conversation, Hu Rui An’s expression quickly shifted to surprise.
It wasn’t strange to seek martial guidance, but to Hu Rui An’s shock, the technique Shen An Ran was asking about turned out to be the Deer Slaying Blade Art.
[Who would seek guidance from someone else using their own family’s secret blade art? Isn’t that basically handing over your family’s legacy?]
Feeling deeply uncomfortable about overhearing, Hu Rui An immediately wanted to leave with Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong. Secretly listening to martial arts lessons was shameful and taboo; he feared angering Shen Lian Cheng’s household.
But just then, Li Mu Sheng glanced their way and unexpectedly called out, “Lord Hu, did your task go smoothly?”
Hu Rui An stopped mid-step. Just as he was about to answer, Li Mu Sheng casually waved him off. “If you haven’t completed it, there’s no need to explain. Just a friendly reminder—the time you have left isn’t much.”
Choked by Li Mu Sheng’s blunt words, Hu Rui An felt embarrassed and said nothing further. Exchanging glances with Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong, they quickly retreated to their rooms.
Yet rest was impossible tonight. All three knew clearly that from now until tomorrow, they must remain vigilant, never straying far from Li Mu Sheng.
Meanwhile, Shen An Ran sat poised and graceful in her emerald gown, her raven-black hair elegantly pinned with a jade hairpin. Her brows were gentle as distant mountains, and her skin like pure white jade. Beneath the pavilion’s lamplight, her deep eyes shimmered softly, reflecting an amber glow. The evening breeze carried a faint floral fragrance around her, fresh from her bath.
“Miss Shen, the technique you’re asking about is barely passable,” Li Mu Sheng said honestly. “For example, the move you just demonstrated, ‘Mountain Gazing at the Moon,’ has dozens of flaws…”
Despite his critique, Li Mu Sheng taught Shen An Ran seriously without hiding anything.
It was like being the smartest student in class when the school beauty approached with study questions. Unless one had a heart of stone, there was no reason to refuse, especially given her lovely appearance.
Yet Li Mu Sheng clearly knew that this young lady’s true intentions weren’t solely focused on martial arts.
For instance, while he thoroughly analyzed each blade technique, her eyes never left him. This wasn’t asking for martial guidance—she was clearly captivated by his handsome appearance!
Li Mu Sheng rubbed his chin thoughtfully, casting her a quiet glance.
[Many young ladies desire my good looks. Though Shen An Ran is indeed charming, she still can’t skip ahead in line.]
When Li Mu Sheng looked up again, Shen An Ran quickly blinked and lowered her eyes, softly standing up to bow respectfully.
“Thank you for your guidance, Your Highness. An Ran has learned much tonight. Since the hour grows late, An Ran shall not disturb your rest further.”
With that, she gracefully excused herself and left the pavilion.
Watching her retreating figure, Li Mu Sheng frowned slightly.
[Learned much? She was distracted the entire time. Did she really absorb anything I taught?]
Meanwhile, Shen An Ran walked lightly back to her room, feeling delighted.
[Slow and steady. Tonight he was willing to teach me martial arts, so clearly he doesn’t dislike me. I still have a chance!]
Recalling Li Mu Sheng’s careful explanations, Shen An Ran furrowed her brows slightly.
[Could the Deer Slaying Blade Art truly be that flawed? Grandfather once dominated the Martial World with it, even defeating the Sect Lord of the Heavenly River Blade Sect.]
After returning to her room, Shen An Ran lit the oil lamp and sat down at the table, carefully recalling every word Li Mu Sheng had spoken. Following his instructions, she began to practice parts of the Deer Slaying Blade Art.
Soon, she immersed herself in training. Unknowingly, the entire night passed by quickly.
At dawn, when the roosters crowed and the sky turned pale, Shen An Ran opened her eyes. A sharp, blade-like aura flashed from her gaze, slicing through the air with a faint, sharp hiss.
“How powerful!”
Shen An Ran murmured in astonishment.
By merely correcting a few flaws as Li Mu Sheng instructed and practicing these moves overnight, she could clearly feel her strength had multiplied significantly.
Her comprehension of the blade dao had also deepened dramatically.
[I had thought he was merely profound in martial cultivation and powerful in fist techniques, but who could have known he would be this skilled in blade techniques as well?]
[Grandfather practiced Deer Slaying Blade Art for decades without ever finding a flaw. Yet Li Mu Sheng spotted dozens at a mere glance. It’s truly unbelievable…]
Shen An Ran sat stunned and speechless, lost in thought.
After a long while, she slowly stood, determination filling her eyes.
[I, Shen An Ran, must win his heart.]
…
At the same time, Li Mu Sheng, who had been resting, suddenly opened his eyes, brows slightly furrowed. Rising swiftly, he strode to the door and pushed it open.
Outside, dawn had painted the courtyard with soft mist and dew, greeting him with refreshing coolness.
But Li Mu Sheng paid it no mind, instead focusing on the steps before his door.
There, sitting quietly with their hair and clothes dampened by the morning dew, were Hu Rui An, Wu Shang, and Cheng Zhong.
“What exactly are you doing?” Li Mu Sheng asked suspiciously, eyes narrowed slightly. “I’ve been observing you three since midnight, sitting here on my doorstep, not moving an inch until now.”
Hearing this, the trio quickly straightened their stiffened bodies, turning nervously to Li Mu Sheng. After exchanging awkward glances, they began stammering uncertainly.
The haunting of the Heavenly Brocade Guard sub-bureau wasn’t Li Mu Sheng’s responsibility but their own mess. Honestly, if it weren’t for Li Mu Sheng’s extraordinary martial prowess, they’d rather risk destruction alone than involve him.
But by staying so close, they were clearly hoping to cling to his strength. After all, Li Mu Sheng was currently their superior. In this Sheng Province Prefecture City, faced with unsolvable trouble, who else could they seek if not their powerful boss?
Thus, Hu Rui An’s face turned deeply conflicted, unsure how to explain himself.
Still, he coughed softly a few times, mustered his courage, and glanced timidly at Li Mu Sheng. He said hesitantly, “Your Highness, you mentioned before that if we encountered a problem we couldn’t handle, we could come to you…”
But before Hu Rui An could finish speaking, Li Mu Sheng raised a hand to silence him. Raising an eyebrow, he asked, “Did you three cause trouble outside?”
Hearing these words, Hu Rui An immediately blushed deeply. Although he was clearly several times older than Li Mu Sheng, at this moment, facing him, Hu Rui An suddenly felt like a child who had made mischief outside and was now nervously awaiting punishment at home.
Even so, he thickened his skin and gave a shy nod, murmuring softly in agreement.
Seeing this, Li Mu Sheng swept his eyes over the three of them. Narrowing his eyes slightly, he remarked with sudden understanding, “It looks like you’re truly scared this time—so frightened you waited quietly at my door all night.”
Upon hearing this, before Hu Rui An could speak, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong both immediately nodded vigorously without hesitation.
After all, even Deputy Commander Mei Yan from Sheng Province had fallen victim to trouble in the Heavenly Brocade Guard branch, despite having help from a Martial Saint’s daughter. Compared to Mei Yan, they lacked both his formidable martial skills and powerful allies. Without Hu Rui An and His Highness the Eighth Prince, they’d undoubtedly share the fate of those other Heavenly Brocade Guard officers—certain doom.
But now even Hu Rui An seemed unreliable and barely able to protect himself. At this moment, they had no choice but to cling tightly to Li Mu Sheng’s protection to survive this looming crisis.
Just then, Li Mu Sheng shook his head slightly, glancing sideways at Hu Rui An, his eye twitching faintly. “I did indeed say something like that, but honestly, I never imagined you’d stir up trouble so quickly—barely a few hours later!”
[Lord Hu certainly moves swiftly when it comes to troublemaking!] Li Mu Sheng thought with mild annoyance. Although he wasn’t afraid of trouble, he had no desire to constantly court disaster either.
Yet he wouldn’t abandon them in need. After a moment’s thought, he said calmly, “First, tell me what exactly happened. But let me make this clear first: if it’s something solvable with martial strength, it’s nothing at all. I have no issue helping you.”
“As for other kinds of problems, I’d need to carefully consider.”
Hearing these words, the eyes of Hu Rui An and the others immediately lit up with hope.
Without further hesitation, Hu Rui An quickly recounted everything—the haunting at the Heavenly Brocade Guard branch, and the eerie ghostly figure and laughter he had encountered last night.
After hearing Hu Rui An’s full story, Wu Shang and Cheng Zhong suddenly exchanged uneasy glances. Hu Rui An had never mentioned his terrifying experience last night in the Sheng Province’s Heavenly Brocade Guard estate. Now that the truth emerged—that he had actually fled in panic from a ghostly figure and laughter—they both felt chills run down their backs. Feeling innocent victims caught in someone else’s trouble, they looked toward Hu Rui An with a faint bitterness in their eyes.
At this moment, Li Mu Sheng’s expression grew thoughtful as he pondered deeply.
“Martial artists like us shouldn’t believe in ghosts and superstitions,” he began. However, as soon as these words left his lips, he shook his head again. Given even something like transmigration was possible, perhaps a ghostly encounter wasn’t entirely out of the question.
Still, according to Li Mu Sheng’s understanding, this world didn’t actually contain real ghosts. Therefore, the haunting incidents at Sheng Province’s branch were most likely orchestrated by someone playing tricks. The shadowy figure, eerie laughter, and even the mysterious strangulation murders probably involved special martial arts or some unknown method.
Meanwhile, Hu Rui An and the others were staring anxiously at Li Mu Sheng. Seeing him shake his head repeatedly without speaking further, Hu Rui An cautiously asked, “Your Highness, then… what should we do next?”
At this, Li Mu Sheng refocused, glancing calmly at the three worried men before him and waving a dismissive hand. “I have no time to play ghost-hunter for the Heavenly Brocade Guard. Stay close to me today. If that ‘evil ghost’ dares to come, I’d quite like to see what it truly is.”
With that, Li Mu Sheng turned away, ready to return to his room.
Hu Rui An and the others exhaled deeply in relief. With Li Mu Sheng’s promise of protection—his formidable martial strength now their shield—the looming shadow of death vanished like morning mist.
Just at this moment, footsteps suddenly sounded from beyond the courtyard.
Shortly thereafter, a servant from the Murong family arrived respectfully at the courtyard gate, bowing slightly before announcing, “My master invites the esteemed lords to join him in the main hall for breakfast.”
Hu Rui An narrowed his eyes slightly, whispering softly, “It seems the patriarch of the Murong family is finally ready to see us.”
Soon afterward, Hu Rui An and his companions closely followed Li Mu Sheng to the dining hall, guided by the servant. Cao Gao Shan and Shen An Ran trailed behind, though Shen An Ran’s expression was somewhat troubled.
She had wanted to walk beside Li Mu Sheng earlier but was swiftly overtaken by Hu Rui An and the other two. Even trying to squeeze in proved futile. Shen An Ran had even privately asked Hu Rui An to switch places, but he inexplicably sighed and said gently, “Little An Ran, it’s not that your uncle wants to compete with you. Just endure a bit longer; after today, everything will be better.”
Hearing this, Shen An Ran could only reluctantly accept the situation.
Upon arriving at the Murong Manor’s dining hall, Li Mu Sheng seated himself at a long table crafted from precious yellow pear wood, with Hu Rui An and the others closely beside him.
Inside the hall, when Hu Rui An and his companions arrived, three generations of the Murong family had already filled two tables. Li Mu Sheng and his group sat at the head table, directly opposite a middle-aged man whose hair was streaked with white.
This middle-aged man was in his early fifties, his face stern like tempered iron, cheekbones sharp as sword ridges. He sat upright and dignified, his presence like a solitary mountain peak. From the moment Li Mu Sheng and his group entered, he had been silently observing them.
“Murong Hong greets the Eighth Your Highness.”
At this moment, the middle-aged man stood and respectfully bowed, offering his greeting.
Li Mu Sheng glanced at him, then waved lightly, indicating he could rise.
Murong Hong straightened, turned his gaze toward Hu Rui An, and greeted him politely, “Lord Hu, thank you for taking care of my daughter along the way. I am deeply grateful.”
Hearing this, Hu Rui An returned the gesture politely and replied respectfully, “Commander Mei entrusted her to my care—it was simply my duty.”