"Father, you wanted to see me?" Mu Hong entered the room and asked.

"Yes," Mu Yuanhang nodded, a gentle smile appearing on his face as he looked at Mu Hong.

"What's the matter?" Mu Hong inquired.

"I'm a bit concerned about Mu Chen. He's changed a lot recently," Mu Yuanhang said, furrowing his brow.

Upon hearing Mu Chen's name, a flash of disdain crossed Mu Hong's eyes.

"Father, what are you worried about? Mu Chen has been nothing but a deadbeat for the past decade, barely making it to a seven-star martial apprentice. Do you really think he's suddenly going to strive for excellence?" Mu Hong said dismissively.

Mu Yuanhang shook his head, "Don't underestimate him. Mu Chen originally had excellent potential; it's just that he squandered it. If he had put in the effort like you, he might have surpassed you by now."

A sinister look flickered in Mu Hong's eyes, "I understand, Father."

...

Mu Chen remained in the cultivation room, meticulously working through his meridians.

He realized how much he had neglected his potential, squandering the excellent talent he was born with.

After seven days of diligently practicing the Tongmai Art, Mu Chen cleared all blockages in his meridians. Although his strength remained at the seven-star martial apprentice level, he emerged with a revitalized appearance.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

"Little cousin, I've been waiting for you!" Mu Hong appeared as soon as Mu Chen emerged from seclusion.

Mu Chen, wary of Mu Hong, knew too well the undercurrents between Mu Yuanhang and Mu Yuanfeng, as well as between himself and his cousin. Despite being relatives, Mu Hong always regarded Mu Chen as an adversary, jealous of Mu Chen's talent yet disdainful of his lack of ambition.

"Cousin, did you need something?" Mu Chen asked.

"It's nothing major. There's a new gambling house in town. Want to try your luck with me?" Mu Hong clapped Mu Chen on the shoulder.

Mu Chen shook his head, "No, thanks."

Mu Hong frowned, "What's the matter? Strapped for cash? That can't be."

He knew about Mu Chen returning the sword and getting over four hundred yuan stones. Knowing how Mu Yuanfeng doted on his son, Mu Chen should have plenty of yuan stones after coming out of seclusion.

Mu Chen simply smiled, "I am indeed a bit short on money."

Mu Hong sized up Mu Chen, "Short on money? Are you saving up to buy Zhuang Yu a gift, planning to surprise him?"

"Cousin, where did your thoughts go? I'm genuinely short on money," Mu Chen replied coolly.

Mu Hong waved off the concern, "Come on, I know you. A young man without a bit of romance is wasting his youth. Zhuang Yu is indeed a catch."

Mu Chen sneered inwardly: A catch? More like a death sentence.

"By the way, the annual auction at Jiyue Auction House is about to start. I heard there's a bottle of Ice Lotus Water going up for sale. If you give that to Zhuang Yu, he's sure to love it. Maybe he'll be so happy he'll throw himself into your arms," Mu Hong suggested with a knowing smile.

Mu Chen felt a chill in his heart. Ice Lotus Water, derived from the essence of a thousand-year snow lotus, was exceedingly rare and expensive. In the story, Mu Chen spared no expense for Zhuang Yu's favor but still failed to win his heart.

Mu Chen blinked, "Cousin, you jest. The starting price for Ice Lotus Water is around two thousand yuan stones. How could I afford that?"

Mu Hong smirked, "If you can't afford it, there are ways."

"Ways? What ways?" Mu Chen pretended to be curious.

"I heard Father recently produced a quality elixir. You could steal that and sell it. You'd have enough yuan stones then," Mu Hong said proudly.

Mu Chen smiled, "So Father has made a quality elixir recently? I really didn't know."