Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 436 - 394 Wedding Invitation

Chapter 436: Chapter 394 Wedding Invitation

Changle’s room.

Liu Muye’s hand swept across the incense burner, and the flame within extinguished instantly.

Her every movement was like the drifting clouds in the heavens, carrying an ethereal grace untouched by the mortal world.

Si Snake considered himself well-versed in reading people, possessing eyes capable of seeing through anyone’s façade. Yet, as Liu Muye stood before him without the slightest disguise, he found her an enigma, utterly inscrutable.

Liu Muye pushed open the lattice window, and a fragrance of birdsong and blossoms wafted in.

Si Snake had never felt such tranquility and harmony near anyone’s presence before.

"Goddess, may I ask why you sought me out?"

He could clearly tell the Miaojiang Goddess deliberately dismissed the others, leaving only him behind.

Liu Muye asked him, "Are your parents well?"

As soon as she finished speaking, she sighed softly, "I misspoke. For you to be here, they must have met with hardship."

Si Snake asked suspiciously, "Goddess, do you know my parents?"

Liu Muyan was drawn into distant memories, "They once carried you to Witch Mountain seeking a cure."

Si Snake grew even more puzzled, "I... have been to Witch Mountain? I’ve never heard them mention this before."

The matter of his illness had never been brought up to him either.

And if they had sought aid from Witch Mountain, it meant he had been afflicted with a grave and rare condition.

Liu Muyan said, "You were born with severed meridians, doomed not to live beyond a hundred days. Your parents traveled a thousand miles without rest, racing to Witch Mountain, willing to trade their lives for yours."

A flicker of intense shock flashed through Si Snake’s eyes.

His path in martial arts had always been smooth; he’d never imagined he was born with severed meridians.

Those with severed meridians could never practice martial arts in their lifetime.

"Was it you who healed me?"

Si Snake was even more stunned.

To cure severed meridians would require unparalleled medical skill.

It was said the Miaojiang Goddess could revive the dead; it seemed the legends were not unfounded.

However, Si Snake thought of something, "A life for a life—why not go to Medicine King Valley? Forgive me as a junior for questioning your medical prowess, but Witch Mountain has rules against treating outsiders. If trading lives was involved, Medicine King Valley would naturally be the first choice."

"A good question," Liu Muyan chuckled, "I asked your parents the same question, but they didn’t say anything. I’m afraid that’s an answer you’ll have to seek on your own."

Si Snake sank into silence and contemplation.

Could there be some connection between his parents and Medicine King Valley?

Si Snake thought of Mao Tu.

Mao Tu was the daughter of Medicine King Valley’s Valley Master. The next time he saw her, he might be able to ask.

"Goddess."

From outside the door came Za Muduo’s voice.

"Come in."

Liu Muye said.

Za Muduo entered carrying a long box.

Liu Muye said to Si Snake, "This was left for you by your parents before they departed Witch Mountain."

Si Snake asked suspiciously, "Did they predict I would return to Witch Mountain after many years?"

Liu Muye smiled silently.

Si Snake gazed steadily at her, his eyes flickering with realization, "It was you who foresaw my return even back then."

Liu Muye did not deny it, gently stroking the dustless box, "I have never opened it. See if there’s anything missing within."

Si Snake could tell Liu Muye had meticulously safeguarded this item over the years.

He stepped forward and opened the box—a long sword and a family letter.

His parents’ hopes for him were neither about reclaiming all that was taken nor becoming anyone’s savior.

It was simply to let him roam the world with a sword, living a life free of burdens.

Si Snake gripped the family letter tightly, so much so that his hand trembled uncontrollably.

Liu Muye said, "You have your own path; you don’t need to live under anyone’s expectations."

Si Snake’s inner demons were suddenly shattered, his spiritual mind cleared. It was as if he had awoken from a long dream: "Thank you for your guidance, Goddess."

Za Muduo placed the box on the table and respectfully withdrew.

Si Snake placed the family letter back in the box, then looked at Liu Muye solemnly and said, "May I ask what you need me to do for you?"

Liu Muye shook her head, "I don’t need you to do anything for me, child."

...

"Snake! Why did you take so long to come back? What did the Goddess say to you? Did she secretly teach you martial arts? Huh? Where did that box come from?"

As soon as Si Snake entered the room, Ji Li began chirping incessantly.

Everyone sighed and facepalmed.

No reasonable person would doubt why he was nicknamed "chicken"; his name truly suited him.

"Just some personal matters."

Si Snake answered.

He had no intention of recounting his conversation with Liu Muye to the others, nor did he wish to disclose his connections to Witch Mountain.

Lu Yuan and Meng Qianqian were content, one sipping tea and the other enjoying flower pastries, while Luo Shan was sprawled on the ground studying the Purple Dream Grass.

Everyone showed sensible restraint.

Everyone except... the ever-inquisitive Ji Li.

"Snake! You actually have personal matters with the Goddess? Could you be her secret illegitimate child? No, wait—illegitimate grandson? Speaking of which, how old are you this year?"

Si Snake silently walked over to sit beside Chen Long.

Chen Long glanced at him with admiration.

Truly resilient; if it were him, this noisy chicken would have met its demise countless times by now.

"If you want to go home, walk your path with conviction."

"Do I even have a path left to walk?"

"If you resolutely move forward, there will always be a way."

Si Snake’s gaze fell into a daze.

Chu Grand Marshal had passed away. Did he truly have a path left to tread?

Za Muduo brought a spade to excavate the Purple Dream Grass.

As the successor of the Luo Family, Luo Shan considered it an extraordinary honor to personally unearth it.

"Worth it, worth it. Even though I didn’t discover it myself, nor can I take it away, just to unearth it with my own hands feels like receiving a divine blessing."

Luo Shan was thoroughly satisfied.

Lu Yuan cast him a sidelong glance, "Were you always this superstitious?"

Luo Shan responded reverently, "It’s not your fault; ignorance breeds fearlessness. Once you understand the significance of Witch Mountain, you’ll appreciate my reverence for the divine."

Lu Yuan snorted softly.

Meng Qianqian fed him a bite, "Husband, here’s some fried dough to calm your irritation."

Chen Long interjected, "Fried dough makes you irritable."

Lu Yuan retorted, "I like it."

Chen Long remarked, "Oh, that one fell on the ground; she picked it up to avoid wasting it."

Meng Qianqian trembled visibly.

Her brother’s a traitor!

After Za Muduo carried off the Purple Dream Grass, Luo Shan reluctantly redirected his gaze and began discussing serious matters with the group: "Actually, I have some news to share."

"Speak."

Lu Yuan urged.

Luo Shan scoffed, "You look like you’re begging for trouble. Makes me want to stay silent."

Chen Long said, "Your discernment is commendable."

Meng Qianqian whispered hesitantly, "Brother, I want to hear it though."

Chen Long placed the Sword Box on the table, threatening Luo Shan, "Spit it out."

Luo Shan: ... Switching gears so quickly?

"Fine, fine. I’ll tell you."

His attempt to keep people guessing had failed.

Oh well, even his Prime Minister father had been defeated by Lu Yuan; losing face in front of him wasn’t worth worrying about.

"The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion has moved from Lingshan."

Ji Li exclaimed in shock, "Moved again?"

Chen Long asked, "When did this happen?"

Luo Shan replied, "Shortly after you and Yu Zichuan brought the twins back from the pavilion. However, this time they didn’t escape to another secluded paradise; instead, they’ve made a grand reappearance."

Ji Li was confused, "What do you mean? Did they return to the Western Regions?"

"No," Luo Shan said, "Southwest King Qin declared himself emperor, established the nation of Liang, and appointed the Pavilion Master of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion as State Preceptor, putting him in charge of the Great Liang Astronomical Bureau. The Pavilion Master’s daughter is about to marry the Crown Prince of Great Liang; the wedding invitation has even been sent to Miaojiang."

Lu Yuan asked, "What surname does King Qin bear?"

Luo Shan smiled, "What a coincidence, the same as yours, Lu."