Chapter 23: Ruins
Ling Fan stood dumbfounded. After several breaths, Wang Chunhua spoke. "Little Sister, if my ears heard correctly, Senior Psycho Empyrean asked you a favor."
Several voices erupted.
"She's the Psycho Empyrean!"
"My hubby still cries in the night...not the death eyes..not the death eyes."*1
"She looks just as crazy as they described!"
Mu Huizhong's Empyrean might filled the store. "Ladies, don't you have some other shops to visit? Huh!?"
The shop owner's face blackened full of dejection.
"Shop Owner, why don't you point out who this Mo Lai is, the one's that spreading all the lies about me?"
Unconsciously, Mo Lai mysteriously scuttled backwards.
Catching the movement, Mu Huizhong said, "There you are little rat!" Pulling out her golden ruler, she was about to teach Mo Lai the finer points of being meat paste when Ling Fan coughed.
Peering off into the distance, Ling Fan clasped her hands behind her back. Too any onlookers, when they glimpsed her sword-like eyebrows, the dainty little girl appeared like a peerless master.
"Humph, is this how you ask a favor? By attacking my peoples? Presumptuous!!"
Mo Lai's eyes moistened.
Leader!!
Huffing, Mu Huizhong asked, "She's one of yours?"
Grumbling loudly, Ling Fan nodded.
Mu Huizhong's face distorted into all kinds of popping veins, "You asked her to purposely spread lies about this seat. You know very well, the one that's betrothed to Noble Brother-in-law is my Elder Sister. Mu Huizhong was the one that was tricked. She's the one that was banned from Ninth Heaven."
Why is my older self causing me so much trouble? Interfere's with my love life. Even rumors about her refer to me? Wait till I end you!!!
"Eh! There's two Mu Empyreans?" asked Mo Lai.
Ling Fan turned about. "No matter. In the end, are you not attacking my person?"
Hiding away the ruler, Mu Huizhong withdrew her Empyrean aura.
Ling Fan continued, "Sister Mo, why don't you apologize. Senior Mu, is quite sensitive to things."
Trembling, Mo Lai could barely manage a bow. "Senior, Mo Lai mistook you for your Elder Sister and deeply regrets her mis-statements."
"This seat can forgive such an error, but with conditions."
Mo Lai's eyes sparked with hope.
"You continue to spread rumors, correcting your previous misunderstandings. Then spread new ones suggesting this seat is many times better than her older sister. For example, on the lines of more beautiful...cooks better...cleans better and so on."
Everyone threw strange looks at Mu Huizhong.
The younger sister is after the older sister's man??
Eyes still wide in disbelief, Mo Lai looked at Ling Fan.
The Fierce Leader nodded with understanding. Shrugging, she waved her hand to give her consent.
With such a person chasing Brother Zhao, wasn't his life difficult? Brother Zhao Ding, how fortunate that you aren't your cousin.
Zhu Shensheng strutted out wearing see-thru under clothing. "Disciple, how does Master look? Aren't these clothes cool and refreshing" she asked.
Junjie came out in huff, squealing.
"Hush Junjie. You can't try this on as your Queen has taken a liking first."
Mo Lai exclaimed, "Oh My! Young Miss, it's seems your pig has found our collection of under garments used by cough..cough those establishments men tend to visit."
Mu Huizhong, turned about, shoulder shaking violently as she chortled silently.
Ling Fan quickly ran over and whispered into Shensheng's ears.
"Why can't this Queen wear such clothes?...Eh!!"
Shensheng visibly shook. After taking a few breaths to settle down, she turned to Junjie. "You, no more looking around and suggesting things to your Queen."
Junjie snorted disappointingly.
Scampering away, she snorted, "You stay while Progenitor changes her robes."
Clearing her throat, Mu Huizhong said, "How about we speak privately?"
Reluctantly, Ling Fan nodded her agreement.
A few breaths later, in a private room, Ling Fan said, "Well, let's hear it."
"This seat was a tad late to the prison and Noble Brother-in-law was nearly killed by Empyrean Zhang An. Naturally, upon my arrival I saved his life. However, Matriarch Zhao and Noble Brother are both angry at my tardiness. If this seat doesn't have a valid excuse."
"They're throwing you out, aren't they? Impossible if you're thinking of residing at our Ling Clan."
Twiddling her fingers, Mu Huizhong said, "You misunderstand....this seat said she was late because she sensed you were in danger and needed saving."
"Eh!! You used me as an excuse!?"
Ling Fan rubbed her glabella.
Wasn't this too shameless.
"Noble Brother-in-law intends to ask you the truth of the matter himself. Therefore..."
"You-You want me to corroborate your story? This?"
Grimacing, Mu Huizhong replied, "Correct. Should you do so, this seat is willing to fulfill any of your conditions."
Suddenly, Tang Xifeng burst into the room.
"Senior Mu, Leader....things are bad."
Ling Fan motioned her over. Leaning over, Tang Xifeng whispered, "The men, they were investigating the secret tunnels and found ruins. However, before they could proceed, they were stopped by a killing formation. T-Two of the men died."
Two of the men died?
"Damn!!" roared Ling Fan. "Let's go!!"
Quickly, the two disappeared. In the other room, she barked, "Fierce Fairies Roll Out!!"
Mu Huizhong stood stunned.
Did she just walk out on me?
As Mu Huizhong walked out, she found Shensheng and Junjie looking about. Sighing, she said, "They just left. Some of her people died and she's gone to investigate."
Shensheng sniffed, "Little Junjie you're correct. Someone is making heavenly food nearby. Quickly, investigate!"
Grabbing Junjie, the pair disappeared into the void.
Mu Huizhong's face blackened.
Ling Fan, followed by Tang Xifeng, the Wang Sisters and Mo Lai stood out side the hideout. Before her were multiple hand painted warning signs.
'Enter if you wanna die!'
'Gang Members Only!'
'Scram!'
'You come in, walk out without your feet!'
Looking about, Ling Fan asked, "What's this?"
Tang Xifeng groaned, "It's Sister Qin, she thought if we put up the signs, people wouldn't come in."
"Why not just lock the door?"
Shrugging, she said, "Sister Qin might've been knocked around too much during her training last night. All day long, she's been a little loony."
Just what kind of training is going at the Zhao Clan?
"This is your hideout?" asked a voice. Everyone turned and gasped simultaneously.
Ling Fan's face blackened. Pointing erratically she said, "Are you stalking me?"
"Mhm," admitted Mu Huizhong.
The door opened and Qin Rong strode out. "Fierce Leader, its good that you're here,"
Mu Huizhong nodded contently. "It's good that you view this seat as fierce. You should know back in the day, many feared my power."
Ling Fan rolled her eyes.
They mean me fool! Many fear your psycho self today and now.
Seeing Mu Huizhong, Qin Rong cupped her hands, "Senior Mu. Is Little Brother here with you?"
Mu Huizhong shook her head in negative.
Qin Rong sighed in relief. Recalling last night, wasn't Super Punk a monster?
"Sister Qin, you seem distracted?" asked Ling Fan.
"Our Zhao Clan started a new training program and it requires mandatory participation," replied Qin Rong.
"Sister Qin, how about we remove these signs? Upon reading these signs, many would directly believe this is our hideout. If that's the case, where's the secret in that?" asked Ling Fan.
Qin Rong stared blankly without responding.
Eyes twitching, Ling Fan said, "If the Duchess finds her Wine Storage ransacked, I wonder what will happen to us?"
Duchess?
Suddenly, Qin Rong moved like her butt sparked fire.
"Metal Rain!" She roared. A torrential flurry of fists pounded the signs into pulp.
Just now, she had imagined Zhao Jia flicking her finger and melting her. Qin Rong shuddered at the thought.
Looking at Ling Fan, she cupped her hands. "Leader, you-you saved this Qin."
Ling Fan nodded. Waving everyone forward, she said , "Show me these ruins."
Mu Huizhong's ears twinkled. "Ruins?"
Creak.
The men quickly opened the secret trap door.
Without thinking, Ling Fan jumped. She hung in the a bit before dropping into the hole like a stone.
She landed in crouch very much like a crouching cat.
Several men were already in the tunnel. They clapped and were quite excellent at throwing praises.
"Fierce Leader, is nimble and intrepid!"
"Leader you inspire us all to jump better!"
One man was actually sobbing. "Your grace greatly moves your subordinate's heart!"
With a swoosh, Mu Huizhong appeared behind Ling Fan.
"Ha! You're men sure know a fierce Empyrean when they see one. This seat will continue to inspire."
A breath later, all the Fierce Fairies except Elder Bing joined Ling Fan. Tang Xifeng pointed down a tunnel. "Little Sister, two miles down there is a another tunnel. It slopes down and at the end is where the men found collapsed rubble and the ruins."
"Fairies Roll Out!"
Spreading her arms out like wings, she shot forward. Unbeknownst to anyone, Tian Cai ran in the exact same way.
"Humph! Don't think you can leave this Fierce Empyrean behind!"
Swoosh!
Mu Huizhong, streamed out with her golden ruler lighting the way like a glow stick.
"Follow!" roared Qin Rong.
"MHM!!!"
Martial auras erupted and the fairies zoomed out.
The men looked about in astonishment.
Didn't those fairies move fast!
"Go!"
Within an hour Ling Fan found the entrance. Two men were guarding. Upon seeing Ling Fan, they quickly ran forward and bowed.
"Leader!"
Both were greatly relieved with her appearance.
"So this is how it begins," said Mu Huizhong.
Ling Fan looked up with arched eyebrows. "What did you say?"
Mu Huizhong eyes slightly moistened as she stared down at the little 6 year old. Already at this age, her charisma soared like the brightest flame. Wasn't it written like this in the records.
'Fierce Martial King even at the earliest of ages inspired all. Her presence and decisiveness in battle often turned loss into victory. Her followers were anything but fanatical in their loyalty...this woman I love...'
Is this how you won my Master's heart?
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Daoist631688
Daoist631688 1 - Mu Huizhong assumes her alias as the Psycho Empyrean in CZTC: Chapter 27.
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