Chapter 280: Forget It (First Update)

“Oh? Then that is quite a coincidence!”

Emperor Jiawen had just breathed a sigh of relief in his heart, only to see that there was no smile on Mu Qinghe's face. His gaze toward Chu Liuyue carried a hint of scrutiny.

Only then did he realize that this fact did not seem to make Mu Qinghe happy.

“You are a triple-cultivator? Which discipline is your most outstanding?” Mu Qinghe asked indifferently.

The great hall was very quiet, with eyes shifting back and forth between Mu Qinghe and Chu Liuyue.

Yesterday, Mu Qinghe had already treated Chu Liuyue quite unusually, and today, upon his arrival, he had specifically chosen to speak to her. To say he felt nothing toward Chu Liuyue would be a blatant lie.

They just didn't know whether this omen was good or bad.

Before Chu Liuyue could speak, Sun Zhongyan, who was beside her, spoke up first

“During the Qingjiao Assembly, Liuyue took first place in Martial Arts and first place in Mystic Arts. As for Heavenly Physician... she is also extremely outstanding.”

Yesterday, he had heard this man mention her a few times to Emperor Jiawen. This time, it seemed he had come with the intention of selecting some outstanding talents. Even if he truly disliked Chu Liuyue, given her talent, he likely wouldn't go too far.

Mu Qinghe's expression remained unchanged.

“Oh? So it seems she is a polymath?”

Chu Liuyue heard the mockery within his words.

Having stayed by his side for many years, she was intimately familiar with his every word and action. Although his face was perpetually paralyzed and expressionless, Chu Liuyue could always guess what he was thinking.

Looking at him now, he clearly looked down upon her so-called "polymath" status.

“Rong Xiao said you are fourteen this year. What level are you in Martial Arts?”

“Replying to Vice General Mu, Second Rank.”

“What level in Mystic Arts?”

“Second Rank.”

“How many grades of pills can you refine?”

“Fourth Grade.”

Mu Qinghe let out a sneer.

“It seems you only have a bit of talent in Heavenly Physician, but even that is nothing special.”

Chu Liuyue knelt and bowed

“His Majesty and Elder Sun overpraise me. Liuyue's meager talent naturally cannot catch the eye of Vice General Mu.”

Seeing her calm expression and lack of resentment, the inexplicable sense of being offended in Mu Qinghe's heart dissipated significantly.

“You at least have some self-awareness.”

Thinking back to when *that person* was fourteen...

Unsure of what had suddenly crossed his mind, Mu Qinghe's expression suddenly grew colder.

Why was he thinking of that person again?

There were others in this world who were triple-cultivator polymaths, but how many could actually be compared to her?

He said no more and walked toward his seat with a cold face.

Beside him, Emperor Jiawen keenly sensed that the aura surrounding him had suddenly turned much colder, making him even more confused.

What was going on?

Weren't they chatting just fine a moment ago?

Every word Chu Liuyue spoke was perfectly appropriate and without issue, so why did Mu Qinghe always seem to find her disagreeable? Even if Chu Liuyue's talent couldn't compare to those in the Tianling Empire, she was definitely among the elite of the Yaochen Kingdom!

If Emperor Jiawen was puzzled, the others were even more so.

Someone like Chu Liuyue was actually considered "nothing special" in Mu Qinghe's eyes?! Then wouldn't the rest of them be even more inferior?

But upon closer thought, this Vice General Mu looked to be only in his twenties, yet his strength was beyond their reach, so they could somewhat understand.

The Tianling Empire truly seemed to be even stronger than they had imagined...

Only after Mu Qinghe and Emperor Jiawen were seated did the crowd cautiously sit down.

Both sat at the head of the hall. Emperor Jiawen sat in the center, but Mu Qinghe, sitting beside him, possessed a stronger presence; just by sitting there, the surrounding air seemed to freeze.

Everyone in the hall became much more restrained.

Although many wanted to perform well to gain the Vice General's favor, under the intimidation of a top-tier powerhouse, they all remained obediently in their places.

Mu Qinghe felt somewhat irritable.

After returning yesterday, he felt he had truly lost his composure.

Who was Chu Liuyue? She was merely an ordinary girl from this tiny Yaochen Kingdom.

He had come here for important matters, but upon seeing Chu Liuyue, he was reminded of many messy things, causing even his mood to become chaotic.

He cared far too much about Chu Liuyue. Or rather, Chu Liuyue made it too easy for him to remember that person. Even though they shared nothing in common except for a pair of eyes, yet...

Mu Qinghe poured a cup of wine, slowly groping for it.

When Chu Liuyue looked up, she saw that Mu Qinghe seemed to have fallen into deep thought, lost in whatever he was contemplating.

Her gaze fell upon his wine cup, and she gave a self-deprecating smile.

The old Mu Qinghe never touched a drop of alcohol. Only a little over a year had passed, yet so many changes had occurred.

As if sensing her gaze, Mu Qinghe looked up again.

“What are you looking at?”

Chu Liuyue stood up and smiled

“Vice General Mu has traveled a long distance and worked hard. Regarding yesterday's matter, Liuyue was too impulsive. I offer you this cup in respect, hoping for your forgiveness.”

Having said that, she raised the cup before her and drained it in one gulp.

“Seductress!” Rong Zhen cursed inwardly in anger.

From the moment Mu Qinghe entered, Chu Liuyue had been using various means to attract his attention, and now she was openly flirting! Among so many people present, who was less qualified than her to offer a toast?!

Only then did Mu Qinghe look at the cup in his hand. A rich aroma of wine wafted to his nose.

He frowned in disgust and set the cup down.

*Clack.*

The green jade cup hit the table with a crisp sound.

The hall fell silent.

Everyone looked at one another—was he angry again?

“This General never drinks,” Mu Qinghe said coldly.

Every word was hard and icy.

A flash of astonishment crossed Chu Liuyue's face.

He still didn't drink? Then was he pouring the wine just now because he was thinking about something else? When he fell into deep thought, he often grabbed the wrong thing due to distraction. It seemed that one thing remained the same as before.

Emperor Jiawen realized something and immediately scolded the palace attendant beside him

“How are you serving?! Who brought this wine up?!”

“Forgive me, Your Majesty!” A palace maid knelt in panic, pleading for mercy.

But she felt wronged in her heart—who knew this distinguished guest didn't drink? Weren't they saying he was a general from the military? How could he not drink?

Chu Liuyue quickly lowered her eyes, a hint of panic seemingly flashing across her face.

“Liuyue was reckless. It is all my fault. I beg Vice General Mu and Your Majesty not to implicate others.”

Rong Zhen let out a triumphant snort.

“See how she dares to be so insolent!”

Mu Qinghe already disliked her, and now that this scene had played out, let's see if she still dares to be arrogant! So what if she took first place at the Qingjiao Assembly? What was there to be proud of? Didn't she see that the man didn't care for her at all?

Rong Zhen, however, failed to realize that if Mu Qinghe looked down on Chu Liuyue, then there was almost no one in this hall whom he would ever take notice of.

Mu Qinghe's face remained dark for a while. Just as everyone was wondering how he would punish Chu Liuyue, they heard him say

“Forget it.”