It Turns Out, They Are the Protagonists

Chapter 191: All for the Fairy in Green!

“Who meets their father-in-law right after arriving? Shouldn’t I get to grind some ‘experience’ first?” Mu Zhi’an grumbled inwardly, hearing the elder’s words.

He could sense the hostility from several of the young disciples who had been chatting with Ye Lingxuan.

He understood their feelings. They were likely his age, their pride wounded by his relationship with their Holy Maiden. It was natural for them to resent him, perhaps even wanting to challenge him.

“Why is Father summoning Brother Mu so soon…?” Ye Lingxuan was also surprised. She glanced at him, then quickly entered the palace.

Most of the disciples didn’t notice her departure, their attention focused on Mu Zhi’an.

They stared at him with a mixture of curiosity and schadenfreude.

Even these proud and arrogant disciples feared the master of the Forbidden Zone, a figure they rarely saw.

And Mu Zhi’an was being summoned… right after arriving… it had to be because of the Holy Maiden.

Their hostility towards him softened, replaced by a hint of pity.

He quickly composed himself, turning to Wei Mengrou. “Mengrou, accompany Lingxuan inside. I’ll join you later.”

She nodded, her eyes filled with worry.

This was different from their usual encounters. The master of the Forbidden Zone was a Dao Integration expert who had been in seclusion for a long time. His sudden summons… it was unsettling.

He followed the elder into the palace, and Wei Mengrou, guided by another disciple, also entered.

The disciples of the Forbidden Zone had heard tales of her talent, and her beauty was undeniable. Unlike their treatment of Mu Zhi’an, they were friendly towards her, engaging her in conversation.

…

The elder led him through a series of corridors, finally arriving at the Celestial Immortal Hall, the master’s residence.

Two maids stood waiting by the red wooden doors.

They bowed to him and the elder, then, once the elder had departed, they escorted him inside.

He was led to an elegant room.

A man in a black robe, his demeanor calm and imposing, sat at a desk, reading a book and sipping tea leisurely.

“Master, Mu Zhi’an has arrived,” one of the maids said, bowing respectfully before leaving the room.

Having met several Dao Integration experts before, he wasn’t particularly nervous. He bowed, his voice clear and strong. “Mu Zhi’an, disciple of the Two Polarities Sect, greets Senior.”

He had considered saying, “Disciple Mu Zhi’an greets Father-in-law,” but seeing the master’s displeased expression, he decided against it.

The master glanced at him, his eyes filled with disdain. “Have a seat.”

It was understandable. When he had sent Ye Lingxuan to the Ye Family, he hadn’t anticipated her falling for someone.

Though polite and well-mannered, she possessed an inherent pride as the Holy Maiden of the Forbidden Zone. She had even “warned” Mu Zhi’an to stay away from her sister.

Who would have thought that the proud daughter of the Forbidden Zone would fall for someone in Tianxuan City…

He’s definitely not happy with me… He wasn’t surprised, quickly composing himself. “What did you summon me for, Senior?”

The master set down his book. “What brings you here?”

He can’t answer a question with a question… After a moment of hesitation, he decided to be direct.

The master likely knew his purpose anyway.

“I’d like to borrow some Rebirth Water,” he said.

The master studied him. “What do you need it for?”

His voice and his gaze were so calm that Mu Zhi’an wondered if this was truly the master of the Forbidden Zone.

He had anticipated various reactions: questions about Ye Lingxuan, tests of his character, perhaps even threats…

But it seemed the master, as a powerful figure, possessed a certain… detachment.

That was reassuring.

“Senior, are you aware of the former Demon Emperor of the Demon Realm?”

The master raised an eyebrow. “The former Demon Emperor? Why do you ask?”

“To be honest, Senior, I’m trying to rebuild Senior Jade Empress’s body,” he replied respectfully.

“And I need the Rebirth Water for that.”

The master studied him curiously.

“Why should I help you?”

“You wouldn’t be helping me, Senior. You would be helping Senior Jade Empress.”

“The former Demon Emperor was sealed by her, but he’s still alive. If he revives, the Eastern Realm will face a great calamity,” he explained.

A flicker of interest appeared in the master’s eyes. “Why should I believe a mere junior like you?” he asked, his voice laced with amusement.

He had indeed sensed the battle between the Jade Empress and the former Demon Emperor.

However, it had been too quick. Before he could even pinpoint the location, the former Demon Emperor’s aura had vanished.

Whether he was still alive was a mystery. And now, a Core Formation cultivator was claiming he was about to revive… it was difficult to believe.

He stared at Mu Zhi’an, his eyes narrowed. “Even if the Jade Empress herself told me this, it wouldn’t be enough to prove his survival, would it?”

“Her words alone wouldn’t be enough,” Mu Zhi’an agreed.

He retrieved a jade bottle from his storage ring and placed it on the table. “But what about the former Demon Emperor’s own… evidence?”

“The Soul Nourishing Pill?” The master’s eyes widened in surprise.

The Soul Nourishing Pill was an Eighth-Grade pill, practically a Heaven-Grade pill. Even Dao Integration experts possessed few such treasures, and one of its ingredients could only be found in the Demon Realm of the Northern Realm.

Only a peak Nascent Soul cultivator could refine it.

“It does carry his aura… but why would he give it to you?”

“Senior, I promised to find the Rebirth Water and the Heavenly Phoenix Fruit for him. In return, he gifted me the Soul Nourishing Pill,” Mu Zhi’an replied respectfully.

Even the master couldn’t help but stare at him, his expression a mixture of amusement and disbelief. “You promised the Jade Empress, then turned around and made a deal with the former Demon Emperor?”

“I was worried that you wouldn’t believe me, Senior, so I took a risk and met with him, swearing an oath to find those two treasures for him,” he explained.

He had only promised to find them, not to give them to him… it was a subtle manipulation.

The master’s expression turned thoughtful. “Why do you want to help the Jade Empress?”

“She sacrificed so much for the Eastern Realm. I couldn’t stand idly by and watch her perish,” he replied, his voice sincere and earnest.

The master studied him, his gaze unwavering, then stood up and walked to the entrance, his hands clasped behind his back.

“The Demon Realm of the Northern Realm is currently peaceful. The Thunder Sound Temple of the Western Regions is divided, its monks lost in endless debates about Buddhist scriptures. The evil god of the Southern Wilderness has fallen. Though chaos reigns in the Nine Realms, it doesn’t threaten the Eastern Realm.”

“I have no reason to help you.”

He paused, then continued, “However, I owe you a favor, and I owe Shang Yanfei a favor. And Ling Long, the Spirit Dragon, also requested it half a month ago… You may take the Rebirth Water yourself.”

He knew that the Dragon Soaring Tendon fused within Ye Lingxuan had been a gift from Mu Zhi’an.

And though Ling Long had bestowed the opportunity upon her, it was likely due to Mu Zhi’an’s influence.

As for Shang Yanfei… he had visited the Two Polarities Sect after Ye Lingxuan’s birth, requesting a protective formation from her, a formation that would draw upon the blessings of heaven and earth, paving the way for his daughter’s future.

Mu Zhi’an’s arrival at the Forbidden Zone was, in a way, orchestrated by Shang Yanfei.

With their combined requests, he couldn’t refuse.

It seems he doesn’t care about the Eastern Realm’s situation, but he’s very concerned about Lingxuan… “Thank you, Senior!” Mu Zhi’an said, bowing gratefully.

“Don’t celebrate just yet,” he said coldly.

“I won’t interfere in Lingxuan’s matters. However…”

He turned to Mu Zhi’an. “Whether you can reach the Rebirth Pool… that depends on you.”

So obtaining the Rebirth Water won’t be easy…? He understood the master’s meaning.

Before he could ask, the master, his patience seemingly exhausted, waved his hand dismissively. “Go.”

He hesitated. “I have one more question, Senior.”

The master didn’t speak, but he didn’t refuse either.

“Can the curse of the Forbidden Zone directly affect someone’s destiny?”

“I don’t have time for idle chatter,” he replied calmly.

“That ancient text on the table might have some information. You may borrow it for a few days, for Lingxuan’s sake.”

The book he was just reading…? He picked up the book.

His gaze swept over the pages, then his eyes widened as he spotted a specific sentence: “The Calamity Body can directly influence the rise and fall of a dynasty. The appearance of each Calamity Body heralds the end of an era.”

And the Calamity Body… it had existed for ten thousand years?!

Mengrou is a Calamity Body…? He suppressed his shock, putting the book away, then bowed deeply. “Thank you, Senior!”

“Don’t thank me. This is for Ling Long, for the Sect Master, and for my daughter. Thank them,” he replied coldly.

“I’ll treat Lingxuan well, Senior. You have my word,” Mu Zhi’an said.

The air in the hall suddenly stilled.

The master looked up at him, then pointed towards the door.

“What do you mean, Senior…?” he asked, trying to decipher his gesture.

“Get out,” he said simply.

Mu Zhi’an grinned.

It seems Lingxuan’s father isn’t as unreasonable as I thought. He’s quite… direct…

He thanked him again, then left the hall.

…

Once he was gone, the master sighed softly.

“Are you satisfied now?”

A girl in a purple dress emerged from the shadows, a bright smile on her face. “Thank you, Father!”

He shook his head, his eyes filled with a mixture of exasperation and affection.

She was already siding with him before even getting married. What would happen once they were truly together?

What did this Mu Zhi’an possess that had captivated his daughter, apart from Ling Long’s favor?

If he had known sending her to the Ye Family would result in this… he wouldn’t have done it.

But regret was pointless now… besides, he wasn’t entirely opposed to her relationship.

However, it didn’t mean he approved of Mu Zhi’an.

He had agreed to grant him the Rebirth Water.

But whether he could obtain it, whether he could rebuild the Jade Empress’s body…

That depended on his own abilities.