Chapter 278: Eyes (Fourth Update)

"How do you deserve to use that character?"

This single sentence fell clearly into Chu Liuyue's ears.

She almost couldn't help but laugh.

She didn't deserve it?

This was her name; how could she not deserve it!?

The way Mu Qinghe spoke made her almost believe he was speaking on "her" behalf.

But—was that possible?

If Mu Qinghe had always been loyal to her and never betrayed her, then how could she have died so miserably a year ago?

And how could he have remained completely unaffected after her death?

As the Deputy General of the Black Cavalry, his position was of immense importance. Jiang Yucheng was an ambitious man; how could he possibly allow her remaining followers to continue occupying these positions?

She was almost certain that Mu Qinghe had joined Jiang Yucheng long ago without her knowledge!

Otherwise, there was simply no way to explain everything that had happened since.

Seeing his reaction now, beyond her astonishment, Chu Liuyue only felt that it was absurd and ridiculous.

Where was he when she was pleading for reinforcements?

What did he do when she was forced to self-immolate?

After her death, he even killed the Snow Deer and turned it into boots, stepping on them every single day!

And now, he comes to say these things—doesn't he find it contradictory?

Chu Liuyue had too many questions and too much resentment, all piled up in her heart, making it almost impossible to breathe.

But in the end, she took a deep breath and lowered her head.

"A name is bestowed by one's parents. Even if you feel it is unworthy, you have no right to change it."

"Liuyue! What are you saying!"

Emperor Jiawen was startled and immediately scolded her.

"Quickly, apologize to Deputy General Mu!"

As he spoke, he looked at Mu Qinghe nervously

"Deputy General Mu, this child is still young and truly had no intention of being defiant. Please, do not take it to heart. How about... how about letting Liuyue change the character?"

It was just a name; was it necessary to make such a scene?

Never mind a mere Chu Liuyue; even he wouldn't dare to go against Mu Qinghe!

Chu Liuyue had always been very clever; what was wrong with her today?!

Mu Qinghe stared fixedly at Chu Liuyue.

"There is no need."

Having said that, he turned and left.

His pace seemed steady, but his speed was quite fast.

Emperor Jiawen gave Chu Liuyue a warning look

"You girl! You're lucky today! There shall not be a second time, do you understand!"

Chu Liuyue's tense heart relaxed slightly.

Although she knew Emperor Jiawen was worried about being implicated because of her, she still noted his kindness in speaking up for her.

She smiled, her eyes curving beautifully

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Emperor Jiawen huffed, turned, and quickly followed Mu Qinghe.

The figures of the group soon disappeared from everyone's sight.

After a long while, the quiet plaza became noisy once again.

Chu Liuyue heard many people discussing her.

"That Deputy General Mu, I wonder what his background is... What did he mean by what he said to Chu Liuyue just now?"

"I thought he had taken a fancy to Chu Liuyue, since her face is quite something, but now it looks like Chu Liuyue has offended this man!"

"There are so many people here, yet he spoke only to Chu Liuyue. I think it's not simple... That man looks like a god of slaughter; how could he be moved by female beauty? I bet Chu Liuyue is doomed after this... Hmph!"

Clearly, most people were not optimistic about what had transpired today.

Mu Hongyu ran over and asked nervously

"Liuyue!? What on earth just happened?"

Chu Liuyue said indifferently

"What else could it be? He was just questioning my name. And it seems he was quite dissatisfied with it."

"How can you be so calm! That was—"

Mu Hongyu lowered her voice.

"That was someone from the Tianling Empire!"

Chu Liuyue nodded, not particularly caring.

"I know."

She used to be a person of the Tianling Empire, and she was even this man's master!

"You—ugh!"

Seeing that Chu Liuyue remained indifferent, Mu Hongyu felt that saying anything more was useless.

Did she even realize that if she truly made that man unhappy, her little life would be in danger!

Didn't she see how even the Emperor was being respectful toward him!?

Truly, the eunuch is more anxious than the emperor!

"Since the competition is over, it's time to head back. Shall we?"

As Chu Liuyue spoke, she walked forward with composure.

Mu Hongyu hurriedly followed. She wanted to try persuading her one more time, but seeing Chu Liuyue's somewhat exhausted expression, she swallowed her words out of heartache.

Chu Liuyue had been competing for several days and hadn't rested properly.

Since things had already turned out this way, she might as well let it be!

Thinking this way, Mu Hongyu felt much more at ease, and she walked away arm-in-arm with Chu Liuyue.

"Hey, Liuyue, I saw your previous matches..."

Gu Mingfeng and Cen Hu also caught up.

The group acted as if nothing had happened, which prevented others from saying much more.

After these people left, the remaining crowd found it boring and dispersed on their own.

The people from Taiyan Academy and Nanfeng Academy also prepared to leave.

"Xingchen? Xingchen?"

Seeing that Situ Xingchen was still staring at a certain spot, Mo Cang raised her voice.

Situ Xingchen snapped out of it.

"We should go!"

Mo Cang walked to her side and followed her gaze.

"Are you looking at that Deputy General Mu?"

Situ Xingchen nodded, somewhat regretfully.

"I didn't expect to encounter such a figure here..."

The Xingluo Kingdom was not inferior to the Yaochen Kingdom; why did they not have such opportunities?

"Such a powerful existence, it is naturally difficult for us to guess..."

Mo Cang murmured, recalling Cheng Han's appearance just now with a sense of lingering fear.

That man's strength... was truly unfathomable!

Situ Xingchen did not speak.

In truth, besides being shocked by the appearance of that Deputy General Mu, what she cared about more was...

Why did he single out Chu Liuyue?

There were tens of thousands of people in this plaza, and Chu Liuyue had been standing quite far away; why did that man specifically choose her?

If it were about looks, she was not inferior to Chu Liuyue.

And—what did those words he said actually mean?

To others, it might seem that Chu Liuyue was unlucky, or even that she might be punished because of it.

But...

She had not sensed any killing intent toward Chu Liuyue from that man.

She always felt that something was not quite right.

***

Mu Qinghe was somewhat distracted throughout the journey.

In reality, it had been a long time since he had thought of that person.

He didn't know what was wrong with him today; seeing that young girl had subconsciously caused him to associate many things from the past.

He wanted to shake the images from his mind, but he found that the more he tried, the more clearly he remembered.

Those things surfaced before his eyes time and time again.

Her smiling, her sorrowful, her nervous, her cunning, her majestic...

And her face of despair.

Finally, somehow, those images became chaotic... overlapping and gradually fading, until only a pair of eyes remained.

Clear as water, yet as calm and bright as obsidian.

His heart suddenly jolted!

That's it!

That Chu Liuyue possessed the same eyes as her!