212: Fifth Incarnation: The Heavenly Physician (Part 4)

Although these exchanges of Divine Thought were secretive, there was no lack of profound cultivators present, and they could somewhat sense the atmosphere of undercurrents surging.

Everyone tacitly understood, all believing that with Xu Yuan coming here, the matter of breaking off the engagement was likely nine times out of ten.

Mu Tianzheng personally stepped forward precisely to properly handle this thorny matter that could affect the relationship between the two families in a private setting.

At this moment, the two protagonists being secretly speculated about by the crowd had already walked side by side toward a quiet and elegant side hall in the inner residence of the Mu Family.

Mu Tianzheng waved his hand to dismiss the attendants on either side and personally set up a sound-isolating Restriction, leaving only himself and Su Yuan in the hall.

The enthusiastic smile on his face faded slightly, replaced by a trace of complex gravity.

He personally poured Su Yuan a cup of fragrant tea swirling with Spiritual Qi, pondered for a moment, then looked up at Xu Yuan. His gaze was deep as he spoke slowly, his tone no longer as courteous as before, but instead carrying a touch of an elder's concern and directness:

"Yuan'er, there are no outsiders here."

"Speak to me directly, regarding your visit this time... what exactly are your intentions toward that child, Qingying?"

He asked directly, his gaze locked tightly onto Su Yuan, not missing any subtle change on his face.

As the head of a clan and a Golden Core True Person, he naturally understood that avoiding certain topics was worse; it was better to be straightforward and ascertain the other party's true intentions to find a countermeasure.

He had already prepared for the worst in his heart, only hoping that Xu Yuan would consider their families' long-standing friendship and handle it tactfully, so as not to make his daughter too embarrassed.

Xu Yuan was already prepared. Facing Mu Tianzheng's scrutinizing gaze, he did not dodge but instead met it, his face appropriately revealing a touch of sincere concern and a hint of well-timed helplessness.

He did not answer immediately, but sighed softly and asked in return:

"Uncle Mu, how is Sister Qingying... doing lately? Is her situation truly... something even you, Uncle, are helpless against?"

Upon hearing this, a flash of pain and helplessness crossed Mu Tianzheng's eyes. He shook his head and sighed: "Sigh... it is hard to put into words. That child Qingying has no major issues with her body, but her cultivation... is like a bottomless pit. No matter how many Spirit Pills and Spirit Medicines she consumes, there is no improvement; instead, it is gradually dissipating day by day."

"I... have already done everything in my power. I invited several Fellow Daoists I am on good terms with, and even disturbed the Old Ancestor to personally examine her, yet... we could not find any clues. It is as if... as if this is simply destiny."

His tone was filled with the powerlessness and guilt of a father, his expression dim.

The hall fell into a brief silence, and a heavy atmosphere permeated the air.

Mu Tianzheng took a deep breath, as if having made a certain decision.

He looked up, gazing at Xu Yuan with a complex look, forcing a bitter smile onto his face. His voice was slightly hoarse as he took the initiative to bring up the most sensitive topic:

"Yuan'er, Uncle knows that you came today, besides offering birthday wishes, it must also be for the matter of the engagement between you and Qingying."

He waved his hand, stopping any polite remarks Xu Yuan might have made, and continued, "Regarding this matter, you need not be troubled. Uncle is not an unreasonable person."

"Now that Qingying is in this state... she is merely a Mortal, with a lifespan not exceeding a hundred years. And you, my nephew... possess peerless talent and a bright future. You have even been accepted as a disciple by a Fruit Position True Person, like a Dragon emerging from the abyss; your future is limitless."

Mu Tianzheng's voice was low, carrying a hint of bitterness that was hard to conceal.

"The difference between you two is like clouds and mud. If you are forcibly bound together because of a piece of paper from a childhood engagement, it will not only hinder your path of Dao, but it will also certainly not be a blessing for Qingying. I fear... in the end, it will only increase resentment and turn you into enemies."

He paused, looking straight at Su Yuan, his tone becoming exceptionally sincere: "Uncle will state his position here today. That engagement was merely a drunken jest between your father and me back then; it cannot be taken seriously."

"Today, let Uncle make the decision to annul it right here!"

"My Mu Family will have absolutely no complaints; I only hope that this matter does not damage the friendship that has spanned generations between our Su and Mu families."

"I only hope... I only hope that in the future, out of consideration for past ties, if possible, you could look after that poor child Qingying... just a little bit."

After speaking, Mu Tianzheng exhaled a long breath, as if he had unloaded a heavy burden, but deep in his eyes, he could not hide his loneliness.

For his daughter's final dignity, to avoid delaying his good friend's son's future, and to maintain the crucial alliance with the Su Family, he chose the most decent yet most helpless way—to take the initiative to break off the engagement.

He completely handed the choice over to Xu Yuan.

At this moment, he was no longer a Golden Core True Person or the head of a family, but more like a father acting for his daughter.

Xu Yuan listened quietly, his heart also slightly moved.

Just as Mu Tianzheng thought Xu Yuan would go with the flow and agree after a few polite words, he saw Xu Yuan slowly lift his head. On his face, instead of the joy of relief, his brows were slightly furrowed, and his eyes revealed a gravity and... disapproval that did not match his age.

"Uncle Mu," Xu Yuan began, his voice clear but carrying an unquestionable firmness, "forgive this Junior... but I cannot agree with your words!"

"Hmm?"

Mu Tianzheng was stunned, completely not expecting this reaction from Xu Yuan.

Xu Yuan stood up and bowed solemnly to Mu Tianzheng, his tone sincere and powerful: "Uncle, the matter of the engagement, although it started as a jest between our fathers, since it has been established, it is a promise. How can it be lightly discarded because circumstances have changed?"

"This is not the conduct of a gentleman, nor is it the way of the Su Family!"

Xu Yuan looked at Mu Tianzheng with burning eyes: "Sister Qingying has suffered such a calamity; in my heart, I feel only pain and pity, absolutely not a shred of disdain!"

"If, because she is temporarily in distress, I am eager to distance myself, then what kind of person does that make me, Su Yuan? In the future, what face would I have to stand between heaven and earth, and what qualification would I have to seek the Dao?"

"This Junior's Dao lies in courageous advancement, but also in having a clear conscience!"

"If I betray my trust out of fear of public opinion, my heart will already have obstacles; how can I talk about reaching enlightenment?"

Xu Yuan took a step forward, his tone even more sincere: "Uncle, please withdraw your decision! This engagement does not need to be annulled! At the very least, before Sister Qingying's situation becomes clear, it will absolutely not be annulled! This Junior will not only avoid shunning her but will do everything in my power, seeking famous doctors and Spirit Medicines, and asking my Revered Master to intervene, to ensure I find a glimmer of hope for her!"

Mu Tianzheng was completely dumbfounded, staring blankly at the twelve-year-old youth before him, who possessed such an imposing bearing and a firm gaze. A stormy sea was stirred up in his heart!

He had anticipated various reactions from Xu Yuan, perhaps a tactful agreement or a proposal for compensation, but he never expected that the other party would... flatly refuse, and the reasons were so high-sounding, so... impossible to refute!

For a moment, this Golden Core family head, who had experienced many storms, did not know how to respond, only feeling a complex warm current surging in his heart.

"Good... good! Good indeed!" Mu Tianzheng said the word "good" three times in a row. He patted Xu Yuan's shoulder heavily, his eyes full of gratification and emotion, "Brother Su... has truly raised a good son! A Qilin! A true Qilin!"

"I, Mu Tianzheng, only today know what it means to be a young hero, what it means to value relationships and righteousness!"