Where did the ball come from?

“Stop!” Gongsun Ziyan barred Mo Xiangqing’s path.

Mo Xiangqing’s eyelids lifted slightly, his long lashes fluttering just enough to veil his gaze. He hesitated only for the briefest moment before striding forward, utterly ignoring Gongsun Ziyan, who stood in his way.

Yet as he drew closer, Gongsun Ziyan faltered, retreating step by step until she nearly tripped over the door sill. Her guards, alarmed, hurried to steady her.

“I said stop!” Gongsun Ziyan shook off the guard’s supporting hand and, with a hoarse, furious shout, drew her sword and leveled it at Mo Xiangqing. “If you value your life, hand over that little rascal you’re holding!”

But Mo Xiangqing seemed not to hear her words or see her sword; he walked on as if oblivious. Nestled in his arms, Little Mumu clung to his robe, feeling thoroughly at ease.

Yet suddenly, the sharp aura of a sword sliced through the tranquil atmosphere.

“Gentle brother, watch out for the sword behind you!”

Mo Xiangqing nodded slightly and with a mere flick of his sleeve, a tremendous force surged forth, forming an invisible wall that rebounded Gongsun Ziyan’s attack.

The recoil from her own power sent Gongsun Ziyan sprawling to the ground. Her guards rushed to help her up.

At that moment, the owner of Treasure Gathering Pavilion hurried over to mediate. “Miss Gongsun, are you all right? I think it’s best not to dwell on the matter of the Buddha’s Butterfly today. Next time, if I come across a finer sword, I’ll make sure to send it to you first. It’s not worth harming good relations over a single blade!”

Both parties were formidable, and the shopkeeper was clearly at a loss, but as a businessman, peace was paramount; he could offend neither side.

By this time, Mo Xiangqing had reached the carriage and handed Little Mumu to Yun Feiyue.

“Young master is safe and sound.” Mo Xiangqing uttered no more, and after handing over Little Mumu, turned to leave.

“Wait,” Yun Feiyue called out, casually grabbing a handful of coins. “I, Yun Feiyue, never accept favors without repaying them. Since you’ve helped me, consider this your reward.”

Mo Xiangqing turned to look at her, and only then did he see her face clearly—so stunning, he was momentarily taken aback. Nowhere in the Chu Domain had he ever encountered a woman so alluring yet devoid of vulgarity. Like a fiery red lotus, she dazzled the eye in an instant.

But the enchantment lasted only a heartbeat before he recovered his usual composure. “Mo Xiangqing never accepts money from others. Instead… may I have that?” He pointed to the bell at Yun Feiyue’s waist.

Yun Feiyue grinned—this rascal had quite the discerning eye! That bell was her master’s treasured gift, the Soul Capturing Bell. How could she simply give it away?

“Ahem… That, I can’t give you. But you may name another condition.”

At that moment, Little Mumu tugged gently at the hem of Mo Xiangqing’s long robe. “Big brother, you seem so gentle and kind—why not marry my sister? My sister is beautiful, gentle, has a great figure, and most importantly, she’s loaded!”

Yun Feiyue’s mouth twitched involuntarily, and even Yun Dao, who had been silent all along, was stupefied. Mo Xiangqing was struck dumb…

Though the Golden Spear Continent was liberal, this was still a bit much.

Time seemed to freeze for a split second. In the next moment, Little Mumu was scooped up by Yun Feiyue, who shot him a fierce glare and bellowed, “Carriage, home!”

The carriage rolled forward, its wheels rattling over the flagstone street.

The man in black and white stood rooted, only to find a red lotus ornament had somehow appeared in his hand.

“If you need help, bring this red lotus to the Yun family and find me, Yun Feiyue.”

“Yun… Fei… Yue.” He mouthed her name slowly. So she was from the Yun family.

The Yun family? The child… He narrowed his eyes, as if recalling something, yet uncertain. “I will certainly visit the Yun family again.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he had already vanished without a trace.

Gongsun Ziyan glared hatefully at the distant carriage. “Heh, consider yourself lucky today! I don’t believe you always have someone at your side, Yun Feiyue. I won’t let you off so easily.”

The carriage swaggered down street after street. Only then did Little Mumu wriggle free from Yun Feiyue’s grasp. “Feiyue, Mother, don’t be upset! Didn’t you teach me? Cast a wide net and focus on cultivating prospects. I think that gentle brother was wonderful—he felt so warm when he held me. I want him to be my daddy.”

Yun Feiyue frowned. “Didn’t you always have your eye on Senior Brother while you were at Zhan Yun Sect?”

“But you always said that in stories, senior brothers are doomed to be cannon fodder. Besides, he’s just the primary candidate. That gentle brother is my second choice for cultivation…”

Yun Feiyue felt her lips tremble. When had she ever said such things?

She had lived at Zhan Yun Sect for three years—three years since she’d crossed over to this world. The body’s original owner had died from grievous wounds, and when she next opened her eyes, she was Yun Feiyue, the queen of urban casinos. What’s more, when she arrived, she was already pregnant with Little Mumu, but she had no memory of the child’s father.

Perhaps the body’s original soul had hated those memories so much she’d wiped them away, leaving Yun Feiyue unable to recall who Little Mumu’s real father was. But that was just as well; she had no desire to dig into what wasn’t truly hers.

“Ahem, next time, could you at least inform your mother before you start cultivating someone?” Yun Feiyue hugged the little dumpling, kneading his chubby cheeks.

Little Mumu nodded earnestly. “Whatever Mother says!”

“Miss, we’ve arrived!” the coachman announced with delight.

“Ah, we’re here!” Laughter erupted at the gates of the Yun estate.

As Yun Feiyue stepped down from the carriage with Little Mumu in her arms, the words “Yun Residence” greeted her eyes, crafted in pure gold and set into rosewood, radiating the unmistakable aura of the nouveau riche. The massive copper lion-guarded doors swung open. On either side stood rows of servants, and a carpet of fresh flowers was laid out, stretching out of sight.

Led by the old master himself, the entire Yun family stood at the entrance to welcome her home. The spectacle was grand enough to rival a presidential state visit.

The moment Yun Feiyue alighted, the old master rushed over. “Ah, my dear Yun’er, I’ve missed you so! At last, you’re back! I thought I’d never see you again in this lifetime! Boo-hoo…”

The usually stern and dignified old master was instantly transformed into a doting lamb, wiping his tears as he fussed. “Did you suffer at Zhan Yun Sect? Is your master well? Is the food to your liking? Do your meals have at least three hundred dishes?”

Yun Feiyue opened her mouth to answer, but the old master’s mind shifted faster than lightning. No sooner had he finished fussing than his eyes landed on Little Mumu, his face growing ever darker. “Where did this little dumpling come from?”