After Chu Li and Ding Xian left, Mu Yunjin came back to her senses and glanced at the path leading up the mountain before walking toward it.

This time, however, Mu Yunjin was blocked by an invisible barrier.

Thinking about the strange air currents she felt earlier when following Chu Li up the mountain, Mu Yunjin now understood a little better. It seemed this mountain belonged exclusively to Chu Li.

Now the mountain had been sealed with his mystic arts, and apart from him, no one else could enter.

Realizing this, Mu Yunjin glanced at the mountain and silently cursed: How domineering!

He had even claimed an entire mountain for himself!

…

Mu Yunjin returned to the market streets. It was now noon, the busiest time in River Moon City’s main streets.

Along the way, Mu Yunjin browsed the small stalls. The handcrafted hairpins and silk handkerchiefs at these stalls were much more exquisite than those in Butterfly Flower City.

Although Mu Yunjin wasn’t particularly fond of dressing up, seeing these little trinkets brought her joy, and she couldn’t help but buy several items.

It seemed that River Moon City suited her tastes better than Butterfly Flower City.

“Another victory! Another victory! Commander Qin and Young Lady Qin have captured two more cities today and will soon return triumphantly to the capital!”

On the main street, a commoner excitedly shouted the news, prompting a wave of cheers from the crowd—

“Commander Qin and Young Lady Qin have won so many battles on their first expedition. What a blessing for our Western Yuan Kingdom.”

“Indeed, the Qin family is a military household. Who would have thought that even Young Lady Qin, being a woman, could be so valiant—truly a heroine with courage matching any man’s.”

“That’s right. When Commander Qin and Young Lady Qin return, there might be a grand feast in Butterfly Flower City. If one could glimpse Young Lady Qin’s beauty, that would be satisfying enough.”

Hearing these praises from the commoners, Mu Yunjin slightly raised her eyebrows. Since her arrival here, people had frequently mentioned Qin Muyue.

Come to think of it, she was quite curious about this woman.

However, if this woman returned, her peaceful days might be disturbed.

Mu Yunjin pondered this and slightly curved her lips into a smile. From the corner of her eye, she spotted a stall selling pastries.

As she approached, the stall owner, an elderly woman with graying hair, began to smile upon seeing Mu Yunjin. Suddenly, several burly men rushed over, overturned the old woman’s stall, and trampled the scattered pastries into a mess.

“You stinking old hag! It’s just a matter of paying rent, but you’ve delayed for three whole days! Do you think Master He is easy to fool?” After speaking, the man extended his hand in a gesture demanding money.

“Gentlemen, I beg you, business has been poor these past few days, and I haven’t earned much. My granddaughter has also fallen ill recently, and I’ve spent what little money I had on medicine for her.” The old woman knelt before them, her face pleading.

Upon hearing this, Master He immediately spat and said, “Stop trying to deceive me with this act! I’m telling you, if you don’t produce ten taels of silver today, I’ll go to your home and take your little granddaughter away as payment for your debt!”

“No, no, no, that won’t do! My granddaughter is only ten years old, still so young!” The old woman began to cry anxiously.

Master He sneered, and as his gaze fell upon Mu Yunjin standing nearby, his eyes suddenly lit up. Excitedly laughing, he pointed at Mu Yunjin, “You’re an unfamiliar young woman, not from River Moon City, are you?”

Mu Yunjin maintained a stern expression, tilted her chin up, and with her arms crossed, replied, “What’s it to you?”

“Well, look at this young woman with such a stubborn temperament.” Master He smiled slyly. “Young woman, since you’re new here, you probably haven’t heard of the great name of Master He!”

“In this River Moon City, even City Lord Ling must give me face. Young woman, you’d better be sensible.” After speaking, Master He threw her a flirtatious glance.

Mu Yunjin scoffed disdainfully, picking at her nails and speaking carelessly, “Why would the City Lord give face to a dog?”

“Well…” Master He initially showed a trace of smugness, but quickly realized what she meant and looked at Mu Yunjin in furious shock. “You slut, you dare call me a dog?”

Many passing commoners, hearing that someone had gotten into a conflict with Master He, stopped to watch the scene unfold.

In all these years, no one had dared to challenge Master He!

Especially not a woman!

The old woman kneeling on the ground, seeing this situation, sighed helplessly and shook her head, knowing that this young woman would likely suffer greatly today.

“I called you what I called you, what’s there to dare or not dare about?” Mu Yunjin’s eyes were full of contempt. “You’re nothing but a local bully and hoodlum, yet you dare call yourself ‘Master’?”

“You should look in a mirror and see what you are. Calling you a dog—I feel that’s an insult to dogs.”

Mu Yunjin’s words triggered a wave of gasps from the crowd.

This woman truly wasn’t afraid of trouble, daring to belittle Master He to nothing. There would surely be quite a show soon.

“You filthy slut, if I don’t beat you to death today, I’m not worthy of the He name!” Master He rolled up his sleeves and raised his hand to slap Mu Yunjin’s face.

Before Master He’s hand could land, silver needles slipped out from between Mu Yunjin’s fingers and firmly pierced Master He’s palm as it descended, followed immediately by a howl of pain.

“Aiyo, aiyo, my hand…” Master He turned over his palm and, spotting the three silver needles embedded in it, immediately flew into a rage.

He shouted to the burly men behind him, “Whoever kills this woman today, I’ll reward handsomely!”

Hearing the promise of a reward, the men’s eyes gleamed as they approached Mu Yunjin with clubs in hand.

Seeing this, Mu Yunjin’s lips curved slightly, her gaze growing cold as she looked at Master He. “It seems you’ve been dominating River Moon City for quite some time.”

“Good that you understand! If you beg me now, perhaps I’ll be in a good mood and, seeing that you’re pretty, take you as my eighth concubine. Follow me, and you’ll enjoy the good life—I won’t mistreat you.” Master He, thinking Mu Yunjin was scared, ignored the pain in his palm and spoke to her arrogantly.

Mu Yunjin let out a cold snort. “Is a dog-man worthy of taking concubines?”

“Hmph, I usually don’t like to meddle in others’ affairs, but today, meeting someone like you, I will get involved in this business!”

As she finished speaking, before anyone could react, Mu Yunjin’s phoenix-tail whip flew from her wrist with lightning speed, wrapping around Master He’s neck. The whip seemed to have a mind of its own as it flicked in the air, lifting Master He and slamming him to the ground.

“Pu…” Unable to withstand the force, Master He immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.

The burly men nearby, seeing this, all stopped in their tracks, not daring to approach, exchanging glances with each other.

Among the crowd, someone suddenly burst into enthusiastic cheers.

“You… you… Are you… tired of living?” Master He, feeling that at least several of his bones were broken, painfully raised his head and glared at Mu Yunjin.

Mu Yunjin cockily whistled and raised an eyebrow as she looked at Master He. Her eyes contained a smile, but her gaze was icy cold. “It’s you who’s tired of living, not me.”

“This young lady always repays grudges. That whip I just gave you—I don’t think it was enough!”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin tilted her head thoughtfully. “In my opinion, cutting off your limbs and tearing out your tongue, letting you live like a useless cripple—that would be more appropriate!”

“You, you…” Master He stuttered in fear. “You wouldn’t dare!”

“Let’s find out.” Mu Yunjin curved her lips into a smile, then took out a dagger from her sleeve and played with it in her palm.

Seeing this, Master He crawled backward in fear.

“Miss, please stop! Master He has great influence in this city. Nothing good will come from offending him,” the old woman nearby urged, unable to remain silent.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin glanced at the old woman. “Grandmother, he just said he was going to beat me to death! If I let him go, I’ll be the one who dies.”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin lowered her gaze to Master He. “Master He, today, will you cut off an arm and a leg yourself, or shall I do it for you?”

Master He’s eyes flashed with fear as he shook his head.

“Then I’ll have to do it myself!” As Mu Yunjin raised the dagger in her hand, a voice came from behind—

“Stop!”

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin turned around.

She saw a sedan chair had stopped behind her.

“The City Lord has arrived!” someone in the crowd shouted.

Hearing it was the City Lord, Mu Yunjin smiled coldly. Then she saw a middle-aged man emerge from the sedan, dressed in snow-white and azure-blue robes, arriving in a palanquin carried by eight people, displaying his status in every way.

“City Lord Ling, save me!” Seeing the City Lord arrive, Master He seemed to have found his savior and had the burly men help him up from the ground.

City Lord Ling glanced at Master He, then turned his gaze to Mu Yunjin. “Young lady, you are not from our River Moon City. Why meddle in our city’s affairs?”

“Oh?” Mu Yunjin raised an eyebrow and pointed at the overturned stall nearby. “So you’re saying these are things permitted by the City Lord?”

“Whether permitted or not, it’s not for an outsider like you to interfere.” City Lord Ling spoke disdainfully, his gaze fixed on Mu Yunjin.

Hearing this, Mu Yunjin smiled faintly. “What if I insist on crippling his arm and leg today?”

“Like an egg striking a stone—presumptuous.” City Lord Ling, full of contempt, waved his hand. “Throw this woman out of the city.”

At his command, several armed guards appeared from behind him, rushing forward to surround Mu Yunjin.

The bystanders, seeing this scene, sighed collectively before dispersing. They had originally thought a hero would emerge today, but it seemed they had hoped in vain.

Mu Yunjin stood her ground, letting out a disdainful cold laugh, her eyes full of defiance as she stared directly at City Lord Ling. “What now? Now I want your life as well!”

After speaking, Mu Yunjin narrowed her eyes, killing intent flashing within them. Her sleeve swept through the air, and several silver needles flew out toward City Lord Ling.

At that moment, a guard noticed and immediately flew over to block them. The silver needles instantly pierced the guard’s brow.

The guard fell to the ground, lifeless.

Seeing this, City Lord Ling gestured for the others to stop and calmly said, “Someone, go summon the officials from the magistrate’s office. Someone has been murdered in broad daylight—this should be handled by the authorities!”

“Yes, City Lord.”

Hearing that they were going to alert the officials, Mu Yunjin pursed her lips, remembering that Chu Li had told her earlier not to reveal her identity here.

Though her actions should be considered self-defense, would Chu Li blame her?

“Strange, why do I keep worrying about what he says?” Mu Yunjin muttered to herself.

“Miss Hero, could it be that you’re afraid?”

City Lord Ling had observed the expressions on Mu Yunjin’s face and, thinking she was scared, felt even more contemptuous of her.