CHAPTER 867: CHAPTER 867: THE REASON FOR BEING ABANDONED

Han Yan just realized that Mu Zexian was abandoned by the family for such reasons, and he felt a bit sympathetic towards him.

On the other hand, Han Yan was somewhat displeased with the Supreme Elder’s actions. Although it’s not bad to teach the younger generation more strictly, cutting off someone’s future prospects over such a minor issue is rather excessive. Even if it wasn’t his intention, doesn’t he realize his own standing in the Mu Family and how catastrophic his reprimand could be for the younger generation?

This Supreme Elder either has malicious intent or is simply senile! It might be a bit disrespectful to say so, but that’s indeed what Han Yan thought.

"Then let’s not go." Hearing Han Yunyun say this, Han Yan naturally wouldn’t embarrass himself by sticking his warm face onto others’ cold behinds.

As he spoke, Han Yan pushed open the courtyard door but did not see any sign of Aunt Xiu.

"Young master, you’re back. I’ll prepare dinner right away. The Supreme Elder just emerged from seclusion, and the Family Head and all the elders and tributors went to greet him. I was called to assist as well, so I was delayed in making your meal." Just then, Aunt Xiu rushed back, apologetically speaking to Han Yan while jogging.

Although Han Yan accepted Han Yunyun as his sworn sister and never treated her as a servant, she herself did not dare to lose her manners.

"It’s alright, we’ve already eaten. Aunt Xiu, you should rest." Han Yan said with a smile.

"Brother Han Yan just took us to Yingfeng Building. As expected from the Capital’s top restaurant, the food was amazing." Han Yunyun happily told her mother.

"Why make the young master spend money again, you little glutton." Aunt Xiu knew well about Yingfeng Building and figured if it weren’t for Han Yunyun’s chatter, Han Yan would probably never know of this place, she said with a bit of trepidation.

"Aunt Xiu, you’re overreacting. Yunyun is my sworn sister, what’s the big deal about having a meal, and it didn’t cost much silver tael." Han Yan said with a gentle smile.

"Yes, that’s right, it was just over a hundred taels." Han Yunyun said with a beaming smile.

"Over a hundred taels?" Aunt Xiu, who had been in the Mu Residence for years and was somewhat knowledgeable, knew how much a meal at Yingfeng Building cost, and was slightly taken aback by Han Yunyun’s words.

But after Han Yunyun explained the previous situation, even Aunt Xiu was at a loss whether to laugh or cry: This young master certainly has a formidable reputation, feared by all!

As the evening came, the group chatted for a while before heading back to their rooms.

Returning to his room, Han Yan was about to wash up and rest early when his gaze swept the room, and he suddenly let out a slight "hmm", noticing an old-fashioned short sword placed by the bedside.

Compared to a regular longsword, this blade was half the length but twice the width, appearing extraordinarily solemn, resembling more of a large token.

Han Yan casually picked up the short sword and examined it closely. The front of the sword bore the character "Mu", while the back had the character "Token", seemingly indeed a token.

How strange, how did such a token appear in his room?

Han Yan was about to ask Aunt You when he heard a loud, furious roar, followed by the urgent sound of an alarm bell.

Could something major have happened? Han Yan didn’t think much and immediately rushed out, Huayue and others also sensed the anomaly and left their rooms for the courtyard.

"What happened?" Han Yan asked Aunt Xiu in confusion.

"I don’t know either, but something serious must have happened. This is the Zong Family’s alarm bell, and it’s the first time I’ve heard it in all the years I’ve been in the Mu Family." Aunt Xiu replied nervously.

"I’ll go check it out," Han Yan said, preparing to walk outside.

"By order of the Family Head and the Supreme Elder, all disciples and servants of the Zong Family are to remain in their courtyards and not take a step outside, violators will be executed without mercy!" However, before Han Yan could leave the courtyard, two guards blocked his path.

Han Yan was stunned, what on earth happened that made his grandfather and the recently emerged Supreme Elder treat it as an enemy incursion?

The two guards in front of him were not particularly strong, they couldn’t kill Han Yan at least, but Han Yan knew the weight of the Family Head’s and Supreme Elder’s orders. Whoever defies an order is against the entire Mu Family, leading to a certain death.

"What exactly happened?" Han Yan quickly stopped and asked.

"The Supreme Elder’s Elder Token was stolen, and it’s said to still be within the residence. All the elders and tributors are conducting a thorough search now." The guard didn’t hide anything and informed Han Yan.

The theft of the Supreme Elder Token, even someone with a bit of wit would know it wasn’t likely done by any Mu Family’s disciples. The order was probably just to prevent the thief from taking advantage of the chaos to escape the residence, so there was no need to hide anything.

"The Supreme Elder Token was stolen!" A flash of realization hit Han Yan’s mind, immediately reminding him of the token that mysteriously appeared in his room, and then the two familiar silhouettes from earlier.

Betrayed! Han Yan’s heart sank. They actually framed him!

"Such audacity, to even steal the Supreme Elder Token, truly reckless." Han Yan, of course, wouldn’t show it, feigning righteous indignation and scolding.

"Yeah, stealing something else is one thing, but even daring to steal the Elder Token. What a foolish thief, isn’t that courting death?" One guard joined in the scolding.

"He might want to die, but why drag us into it? Once the Elder Token is found, who knows what kind of punishment awaits us." Another slightly older guard sighed.

Upon hearing his words, the other guard’s expression changed, as he had forgotten that allowing someone to sneak into the Mu Residence and steal the Supreme Elder’s Token made them derelict in their duties. Now everyone was busy searching for the Token, but once it was found, they’d be in trouble.

"By the way, how do you know the Token is still in the residence?" Han Yan pretended to be curious and asked. She didn’t bother with their apprehension; in fact, she was even more in turmoil.

Someone leaving the Supreme Elder Token in her room was a clear setup to frame her, but who could testify for her? Once the "stolen goods" were found, she wouldn’t be able to clear her name even if she leapt into the Longyan River.

Even if her life wasn’t taken, she’d surely be expelled from the Zong Family, and if unlucky, she might not even keep her cultivation.

This scheme was truly despicable and vicious!

"It’s said that the Supreme Elder’s Token is blood-bound, and with some effort, by expending some Divine Sense, a sense can be evoked." The older guard, although equally confused, remained relatively calm.