Unbeknownst to him, tears fell as he remembered that dark past. As he wept, a hand gently patted Mu Qingye's shoulder.
"You're back?"
Qingye turned to see his third elder brother approaching him. Xin Jinlei, the Third Prince (Prince Zhenwu).
"Just finishing an overdue task," Qingye said softly.
"If you want to come back, I can fetch you. Don't forget, this is your birthplace."
Xin Jinlei immediately embraced Qingye. Among the four princes, they were the closest.
Xin Jinlei was a pillar of the kingdom; at 17, he led a war on the northern border, bringing victory to Tianxia.
"Prince Xin J-"
"What do you want to say? I'm still your brother," Xin Jinlei said softly.
"Third Brother, I can't stay here," Qingye said softly.
"Then let's go to my residence. You can stay there for a few days."
Meanwhile, in Tianxia market.
Zhao Mingxuan was annoyed; he had lost track of Mu Qingye again.
"Even though I helped him solve the case, he should have mentioned my name so I could get famous too," Zhao Mingxuan grumbled.
"MU QINGYE! I WANT TO BE FAMOUS!!!" he shouted.
"Sir, please don't cause a disturbance here."
"Heh, get me a bottle of wine," he retorted.
"Forgive me, sir!"
Hearing the voice, Zhao Mingxuan looked towards the window. He saw several martial artists capturing someone, perhaps a villain?
Zhao Mingxuan gaped at the sight; truly impressive young men.
"Sir, here's your wine."
"Just put it there. Eh, who are they?"
"That's Master Yu Jing, the seventh-ranked martial artist guarding Tianxia, and the other is Ling Moyung."
Zhao Mingxuan was amazed, speechless. Two men, one with a silver sword, and the other a man with two heavy, large swords on his back, like a turtle warrior.
"They're really cool," he admired.
The seventh-ranked martial artists were part of Tianxia's guard, consisting of four individuals. However, two had chosen freedom in the outside world. So, now only two remained in the seventh rank.
The servant was about to leave but was quickly stopped by Zhao Mingxuan.
"You, do you know Young Master Mu?"
"Young Master Mu? Sir, I am just a servant, so I don't know. The Mu surname doesn't seem to be from here. But what's his full name? If I happen to meet him, I can inform you."
"Oh, he never mentioned his name," Zhao Mingxuan thought to himself.
"If you do, inform me, and remember the person with the surname Mu."
"Alright, alright," the servant said, then quickly left.
Zhao Mingxuan enjoyed his meal and drink. It turned out that leaving Yongki wasn't as bad as he had imagined. Life is only once, so don't be a bird always in a cage, he thought.
"Anyway, before I return to Yongki, I must become famous. Young Master Zhao Mingxuan of Yongki, the number one greatest martial artist," he said with a small smile, playing with his sword.
On the other side...
"Why did he have to come back?" he growled.
The sound of a vase crashing and shattering into hundreds of pieces. His eyes closed for a moment, contemplating what he was about to face.
"Hang," he called.
"Yes, Master."
"Stay vigilant and guard. Make sure he leaves within this month."
"Yes, Prince!" Hang said, immediately walking away.
He was Xin Yufeng, the Second Prince - Prince Qinghe. His eyes sharpened; someone he had just met managed to disturb his peace.
In Xin Jinlei's residence, Mu Qingye could only reflect. Honestly, there were many reasons he couldn't express. This place was hell for him.
"Fourth younger brother," someone called, making him turn.
"Prince Xin Haoran," Mu Qingye greeted respectfully.
"Yu'er, don't you consider me your elder brother anymore?"
Xin Haoran, the First Prince. Dressed in the white robes typical of Tianyan Academy, depicting him as a scholarly and ambitious noble.
Mu Qingye smiled faintly. "When I chose to leave, did you still consider me your younger brother?"
"No matter what, we grew up together. So, you will always be my younger brother."
Xin Haoran smiled faintly, then recounted something...
At that time...
Several months earlier, Tianxia's defenses began to weaken due to the information about selecting the best candidate for emperor.
Due to the competition among the princes, many powerful martial artists and officials fiercely competed, choosing their princes.
Tianxia's defenses became lax. The Emperor couldn't resist announcing the chosen candidate. Until the Minister of Military suggested Xin Jinlei, the Third Prince, to become emperor because he was one of the pillars of the country and had won several wars.
However, the Grand Eunuch knew that the candidate chosen by the emperor was Xin Weiyu. His demeanor was firm, not indecisive, and he had rendered meritorious service to the people.
The day before the selection, Xin Weiyu wanted to leave, making the emperor very angry.
"Tomorrow is an important day for the imperial family," the Emperor said, looking at Xin Weiyu with anger.
"Please release the Grand Minister," those were the only words Xin Weiyu uttered.
This made the emperor even angrier and disliked the Grand Minister even more.
"Within half a year, I will obtain proof of the Grand Minister's innocence," Xin Weiyu continued.
"He killed the people; if you act like this, is it worth it?" the Emperor asked.
"The people need justice; that's clear, and the Grand Minister is just like them!" Xin Weiyu stepped out, making the emperor even angrier.
A week after Xin Weiyu left, the Emperor fell ill. None of the important officials could meet the Emperor.
The Emperor asked the eunuch to read a decree and make announcement papers throughout the city.
"Whoever successfully brings back Xin Weiyu - the Fourth Prince. He will receive a great reward and a noble title."
However, when the announcement was spread and read, it was truly different from what the emperor had written.
"Xin Weiyu - the Fourth Prince of Tianxia. Has committed great sins against the empire, his status as a prince is revoked, and he is not allowed to return!"
After two days, the emperor only realized that what was read was a fake decree. The Emperor asked his supervisors to find the culprit.
Because of this, Prince Xin Yufeng received a heavy punishment for swapping the decree and deceiving the emperor: 100 lashes performed in the Ti'an Hall, witnessed by all the people.
However, because of that fake decree, Xin Weiyu left with anger and disappointment.