"Today is the grand council meeting in Qianshi. All citizens are expected to wear traditional garments. If you belong to a clan, wear your official clan robes," the announcer's voice rang through the street.
The market was chaotic filled to bursting. People pushed past each other, all heading toward the Emperor's palace.
"Sis, today's our lucky day! We're going to make a fortune."
"Hehe, with the whole city crowding here, we're bound to rake in money!"
"Don't get ahead of yourself. We're not the only vendors, you know."
"Ugh, true..."
Drums thundered, flutes whistled through the air, and dozens of local instruments added to the rising tension in the atmosphere.
From the treetops, six figures descended silently and landed behind a stall, careful to avoid being seen. They weren't from Qianshi. These six were Lord Wú Xún's allies.
Without drawing attention, they slipped into a nearby clothing stall. One of them covered the merchant's nose until he collapsed. They stole traditional Qianshi robes and walked out like ordinary citizens, blending into the crowd effortlessly.
---
"Where's Master Wei? Where is he?" a breathless messenger rushed in.
"Check his room."
He sprinted down the corridor and barged in without knocking.
"Sir, the city lords are already on their way to the palace!"
Wei turned quickly, startled by the intrusion then his eyes widened.
"Alright. Tell my father to go on ahead. I'll join them shortly."
"Understood."
The messenger dashed off to find Wei's father but couldn't spot him.
"Hey, slow down! Who're you looking for?" Xueyin called out, catching him mid-sprint.
"Madam, I'm searching for Grandmaster Lu."
"Oh, I just saw him outside Mu's room. Try there."
"Thank you, Miss."
He took off again, leaving Xueyin blinking.
Inside Mu's room, Grandmaster Lu sat calmly on the bed, waiting. When Mu stepped out from the bathroom, he stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes darted toward the bed where Lu was seated, scanning the room like he owned it.
"Grandpa...? What are you doing here?" Mu asked, eyes narrowing in confusion.
Lu smiled softly.
"Oh, don't worry, Mu. Since this is an official meeting, you're expected to wear the ceremonial attire. I brought you the newest version."
Mu's eyes lit up the second he heard that. He'd imagined this moment countless times and finally wearing the clan uniform. His face flushed red.
"Really, Grandpa? Is this for me?"
Lu nodded with a grin and stood up just as a messenger arrived.
"Haaah… Grand Lu…" The messenger stopped to catch his breath. "Master Wei said you should stand in for him until he arrives. The city lords are already on their way."
"I'll be there shortly."
The messenger left the room.
"Mu, put it on and meet your father. I need to take care of something," Lu said, already heading out.
Mu nodded.
"I swear… today's been insane," he muttered. "I finally get the clan attire, and now Dad wants me to go with Mom instead. He probably thinks I'm still some clueless kid, like Qiao always says. I'll just follow him. Grandpa told me to anyway."
He quickly changed, smoothing out his long, wild white hair. After getting dressed, he picked up a mirror to admire himself but what he saw wasn't his reflection. It was the Manhuman.
"What the hell?"
The mirror slipped from his hands and shattered. He leaned in closer.
"What's your problem? First, you copy how I look. Then you steal my name. Now you're even replacing my damn reflection?" He scoffed. "What's next? You going to copy how I eat too?"
He clenched his fists, kicked the door open, and stepped out.
Outside, the crowd was shifting. One by one, clan members were moving into formation.
Mu stood quietly, arms crossed. His eyes fixed on his father.
"I'm following that man," he muttered, calling Wei "that man" with a hardened tone.
Wei walked alongside Tianyang, speaking casually. Mu rushed toward them and grabbed his father's hand tightly.
Wei glanced down.
"Mu? What are you doing here? Your mom's probably looking for you. Go find her."
Mu looked up, his face cold and serious.
"Mr. Wei, I want to go with you. Not her. Let's go."
"What? Since when do you call me that? You've never said my name like that before."
"Let's just go, Dad."
"…Alright, alright."
They walked quietly toward the marketplace.
---
Bai Xiao arrived first with his elders and family. Not long after, the Long family followed. Both patriarchs walked toward the palace, greeted by cheers from the crowd.
Moments later, the Mo and Li clans arrived. Their two leaders exchanged sharp looks as they passed one another.
The crowd clapped, musicians played.
Just as the city lords began approaching, the Feng clan made their entrance followed closely by the Chen family.
But the cheers that welcomed the Fengs died instantly the moment the Chens stepped in. The crowd fell silent, then murmurs spread like poison.
"You lowlifes don't belong here," sneered a young man from the Feng clan.
Master Wei and the Chen members ignored the insults, but Mu didn't.
He raised two fingers to his eyes, then pointed at the man, a silent threat.
The man, clearly shaken, tried to keep his face calm, but it was obvious he was unsettled by Mu's presence.
They moved past the crowd and entered the Emperor's Palace, where traditional bells chimed faintly in the air. The hall was already packed, people standing everywhere. But the six clans and the elders of Qianshi had designated places at the front.
The six cultivators had arrived early, dressed in ceremonial robes, already seated in the elders' section.
Most of the clans were present, all seated except the Feng and Chen clans, who hadn't yet arrived. Lu was already there, waiting.
Not long after, the Feng and Chen clans entered the hall.
As soon as the Chens stepped in, every gaze turned to them.
"Look at the Chens," someone whispered. "What a joke. They're nothing now."
"Honestly, they should be banished from Qianshi altogether."
The insults started spreading through the crowd, but the Chens kept walking, ignoring the murmurs. Mu clenched his fists, wanting to speak up but his father had warned him to stay quiet. So, he held it in.
Then, out of nowhere, a woman placed her hand on Mu's shoulder, leaning in with a sly smile.
"Are you Wei's son?" she asked, voice soft but mocking. "You're quite handsome. A face like yours doesn't belong to a clan this pathetic."
That was it.
Mu had heard enough. All the sneers, the disrespect toward his clan, he was tired of swallowing it.
He turned to her, voice sharp.
"That's enough," he said, loud and firm.
The hall fell silent. Even the music stopped.
"You, calling yourself what exactly? Do you even look in the mirror before speaking? If anyone's staining the reputation of this city, it's gutter trash like you, running your mouth like you're worth something."
The entire hall stared at him in stunned silence. Mouths hung open.
"Mu, enough!" Wei barked from behind but Mu didn't even look back.
"Dad, let me speak."
His eyes locked back on the woman.
"The next time you dare insult the Chen clan again, I'll make sure you leave here crawling."
"Mu!" Wei snapped but the damage was done.
The room wasn't just quiet, it was frozen.