CHAPTER 854: CHAPTER 854: THE FIFTH PRINCE RETURNS TO THE CAPITAL

During the last upheaval in the Exotic Beast Valley, if it weren’t for Mu Hanyan, those deceived by him into dying might not have survived. Whether it ended in success or failure, it wouldn’t have cost him anything at all, and Zhengying Academy was left dealing with the aftermath, having nothing to do with him.

Yet, because of Mu Hanyan, hundreds managed to escape the catastrophe with their lives. Afterward, Zhengying Academy compensated with a large number of Elixirs, and only after much appeasement were the families behind those young elites calmed down.

However, most of these losses were eventually transferred to the Qu family’s shoulders. Compared to Zhengying Academy’s misjudgment, the elite swordsmen deceived by Qu Fengting loathed him to the bone. Their families seized the opportunity, levying heavy demands on the Qu family mercilessly.

Even the Mu Family in Heishi City benefited considerably from this, though these were orchestrated by Mu Rui’an and had little to do with Mu Hanyan.

According to Mu Rui’an, her current focus should be on Cultivation and not be disturbed by such sordid machinations. Yet, seeing Mu Rui’an’s self-satisfied grin, Mu Hanyan "maliciously" speculated whether the Mu Family Master was so overwhelmed by his beloved daughter’s numerous silver notes that he could scarcely lift his head, anxiously finding a path to wealth, fearing she might preempt him.

In short, the Qu family suffered heavy losses this time, and their influence in Nanxi County declined rapidly, even losing the position of the leading family in Nanxi County to the Wu Family.

Upon Qu Fengting’s return to his family, he was severely berated by the Family Head and the elders, while others took the opportunity to kick him while he was down.

To quell the anger of the various families, or more accurately, to appease the anger within their own ranks, the Family Head reluctantly sent Qu Fengting out of Anyun Country to find protection under a distant relative Cultivating abroad.

Thus, the once Young Master of the Qu family was exiled, perhaps never to return to Anyun, watching the future position of Family Head slip through his fingers like sand.

Qu Fengting’s despair and indignation, and his hatred for Mu Hanyan, were imaginable.

Yet, even he didn’t anticipate that this departure would turn into a salvation, allowing him to meet an influential figure, hence greatly improving his strength, and, under a summons from the Zong Family, escorting that noble individual back to Yunjing City.

Whether called a triumphant return or a return in splendor, after a few months, he once again boasted his way back to Anyun Country.

To his annoyance, as soon as he entered the Capital, he encountered Mu Hanyan, his old adversary, thoroughly dampening his mood.

Qu Fengting also realized that the Capital was not Nanxi County; no matter how elated he was, he couldn’t casually attack Mu Hanyan. Thus, after glaring murderously at Mu Hanyan and a few others, he averted his gaze and entered the Yingfeng Building with the young man beside him.

"Cousin, do you know that person?" No one else noticed Qu Fengting’s gaze, but the young man beside him sensed something amiss in his expression and asked coldly.

This young man appeared a few years younger than Qu Fengting, yet his face bore no trace of youthfulness. Rather, there was a hint of authority, his features stern, and his eyes exuding a chilling aura.

"Replying to Your Highness, he is an acquaintance, whom I didn’t expect to also come to the Capital," Qu Fengting replied respectfully.

This young man was the Fifth Prince of Anyun Country. His mother, Princess Rong, hailed from the Zong Family of the Qu Clan, and by lineage, Qu Fengting should call her ’aunt,’ making them cousins.

Of course, in a large family like the Qu’s, such so-called cousins were distantly related, barely connected at all. Not to mention being close; they might not even recognize each other.

However, as fate would have it, when Qu Fengting committed his blunder and was sent to Xiangling Country to rely on that distant relative, the Fifth Prince was also in Xiangling Country, following an reclusive master in training. That distant relative introduced Qu Fengting to the Prince, and they quickly hit it off.

Later, as per his master’s orders, the Fifth Prince traveled, and Qu Fengting accompanied him faithfully, sharing experiences and facing adversities together. The Fifth Prince persuaded his master to provide Qu Fengting some guidance, helping him ascend to the Sword Master Realm.

With his training completed, the Fifth Prince returned to the Capital, bringing Qu Fengting along.

Qu Fengting’s mishap posed some trouble for the Qu family, yet for the Fifth Prince, it was not a significant issue.

The families surrounding Nanxi County might trouble the Qu Branch Family in Nanxi City, but they dared not easily offend members of the Royal Family.

"Is there some enmity?" the Fifth Prince inquired.

"Indeed, there is some enmity. Speaking of which, I should thank him. If not for him, I wouldn’t have been expelled from Anyun Country, let alone had the opportunity to serve Your Highness," Qu Fengting replied with a grim expression.

"I see," the Fifth Prince’s eyes flickered, his mind pondering something, and his gaze turned even colder.

Back then, his mother sent him away from Anyun Country, claiming it was for his good, but in truth, out of necessity. To the outsiders, his mother, as an Empress, appeared infinitely noble. However, having grown up among the Royal Family, he knew the brutal competition within the Royal Family was even harsher than the intrigues among the aristocracy.

His mother sent him away from Anyun Country to keep him out of the power struggles, sparing him potential peril. In fact, many wise concubines did the same, sending their descendants abroad, opting for lifelong wealth rather than risking it for the throne.

Many Princes and Royal grandsons like him accepted their fate and dared not overstep their bounds.

But the Fifth Prince was different; he was ambitious and unwilling to submit.

Returning to the Capital this time, he resolved to establish his prestige and prove to everyone that he, the Fifth Prince, was also capable of ascending the throne.

Though stationed afar in Xiangling Country, he never severed ties with Anyun Country. The young ones behind him were descendants of various Noble Families, destined to be his formidable allies in his quest for the throne.

Having just been received by his father and mother in the palace, these aristocratic scions held a banquet to welcome his return, greatly invigorating him. Nevertheless, he also noticed that among them, quite a few seemed hesitant.

It’s understandable. After all, he ranked only fifth among the numerous Princes and had been absent from the Capital for so long; some even forgot his existence. Their lack of confidence in him is unsurprising. Convincing them to wholeheartedly follow him down this unreturnable path of vying for the throne is indeed challenging.

No, something must be done to swiftly establish his authority in the Capital, to let everyone know the Fifth Prince has returned. More so, to assure those behind him that following him is the most wise decision of their lives.