Chapter 173 – Mu Lin Pursued by Eight or Nine Noble Ladies

Not only did she spend spirit stones to add to her own narrative, Yan Yunyu also actively expanded the rumor.

Faced with the order, the maid Xiao Xue immediately nodded and said, “Yes.”

After saying this, she did not leave immediately but cautiously suggested, “Miss, should we mention in the rumor that Chu Lingluo has no relationship with Lord Mu Lin… Chu Lingluo’s mother will cooperate with our actions.”

This made Yan Yunyu glance at Xiao Xue, but she quickly shook her head and said, “Don’t be clever. If we act, even if that aunt doesn’t realize it at first, she’ll figure it out later. I don’t want to become mortal enemies with Chu Lingluo.”

“Besides, it’s unnecessary.”

“???”

“Yes.”

Though she didn’t understand, the maid Xiao Xue still carried out her mistress’s orders.

…

Yan Yunyu didn’t do anything extra, but after seeing Yan Yunyu’s actions, Chu Lingluo’s mother “cleverly” realized something.

“That hateful rumor outside is very popular among those common-born disciples. Merely debunking it won’t work at all, but if debunking doesn’t work, we can muddy the waters.”

“Someone, go out and spread the word that it’s not just Lingluo and Yan Yunyu who like Mu Lin, but also Ji Xue, Xue Ying, Wei Man, Yu Rushuang… I remember the Merfolk, Demon Fox, and Feather Clan have also arrived. Add the young women from their clans to the list.”

Without being taught, Chu Lingluo’s mother learned one of the crisis management techniques: muddying the waters.

It must be said, this method is truly effective.

Spreading rumors takes only a mouth, but debunking them requires endless effort. If she had only tried to debunk the rumor factually, she would never have been able to stop the spread of this sensational story, especially since Chu Lingluo genuinely likes Mu Lin.

But while debunking didn’t work, the current method was absolutely feasible.

When one noble young lady likes Mu Lin, others will envy and be jealous upon hearing it.

Two, others will grit their teeth in jealousy and think Mu Lin’s ancestors must have struck gold.

Three, others will start to doubt.

“Is Mu Lin really that good, to earn the favor of so many noble young ladies?”

“Could this be fake?”

If three only made others suspicious, when rumors spread that five, six, eight, or nine noble young ladies all like Mu Lin, they would be one hundred percent disbelieving.

“Eight or nine noble young ladies chasing after him? Who does that guy think he is, a True Lord?”

“The rumor I heard is even more exaggerated. It’s said that someone has cut ties with their family to be with Mu Lin.”

“No, no, yours isn’t that exaggerated. Mine is even more so: someone has killed their own brothers and parents to be with Mu Lin!”

“??? What on earth?”

Chu Lingluo’s mother’s intervention caused rumors to fly everywhere. Soon, someone couldn’t bear it and spoke up to debunk them.

Seeing this, Chu Lingluo’s mother immediately followed suit—she hadn’t debunked the rumors earlier because many common-born disciples firmly believed the story was true. Debunking it then would only have been seen as guilt or trying to break up a couple.

Now, most people didn’t believe the story, and since she wasn’t the first to act, debunking had a chance of success.

“I’ve said all along that this must be false. Two noble young ladies liking a common-born disciple and refusing to marry anyone else? Anyone who believes this must have something wrong with their head!”

Everyone joined forces to clarify the situation, leading most people to believe it was just a rumor.

In the end, most of the young women managed to extricate themselves from this muddy affair by publicly refuting the rumors.

The only one who did not issue any denial was Yan Yunyu.

“How could there be such a good thing!”

…

Once the chaotic rumors settled, only Yan Yunyu remained deeply entangled in them.

Upon realizing this, the noblewomen who had orchestrated the entire affair were furious over their failed scheme.

Chu Lingluo’s mother, however, felt a sense of smug satisfaction.

Her intervention also had an impact on Mu Lin.

  At the very least, the young women who had been inexplicably dragged into the rumors, along with their suitors, now harbored resentment toward Mu Lin.

It was foreseeable that once he entered the Tower of Illusory Heavens, he would be relentlessly pursued by many.

“???”

Such an unwarranted disaster left Mu Lin bewildered.

Without delay, he summoned Yan Yunyu to inquire about what had truly happened.

“The initial rumor was likely an attempt to tarnish Lingluo’s reputation. The subsequent spread of the story was Chu Lingluo’s mother’s counterattack—she aimed to rescue her daughter from the slander. It seems she succeeded.”

“…You’re right, she did succeed.”

Seeing Mu Lin’s cold, unreadable expression, Yan Yunyu did not stand idly by or take advantage of his predicament. Instead, she spoke up in defense of Chu Lingluo.

“Everything that followed was orchestrated by Chu Lingluo’s mother and had nothing to do with Lingluo herself.”

“I understand.”

…

Amidst the simmering resentment and ongoing investigations, time continued to pass, and soon, the day of the Southern Eastern Region Joint Examination arrived.

“Whoosh…”

That day, thousands upon thousands of people flooded into the Jade Lake Academy Plaza.

Among the crowd were the wealthy, the powerful, prodigies, and even members of foreign races.

The gathering of so many people made Jade Lake Academy exceptionally lively.

However, the liveliness belonged to others and had nothing to do with Mu Lin.

The area where he stood felt as if it had been struck by a plague, exuding an aura that repelled others.

Most people not only avoided approaching him but also glared at him with fiery eyes.

“Is that the guy who tarnished Lady Rushuang’s reputation?”

“And they say Wei Man pursued him? As if he’s worthy!”

“Brother, I heard you’re also taking the exam. Once inside, make sure to give him a good beating for me.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it.”

Some were furious, while others found the situation both amusing and exasperating.

Among the latter were the participants from Dragon Roam Crane Mountain Academy.

They had devised numerous schemes to provoke Jade Lake Academy into action.

But now, seeing Mu Lin as an enemy to all, they felt their efforts had been unnecessary.

“That guy’s ability to stir up trouble is truly remarkable. We didn’t even need to lift a finger—everyone is already targeting him.”

“Forget about him. With so many people despising and targeting him, he’s already failed this examination.”

The members of Dragon Roam Crane Mountain Academy were speechless and certain of Mu Lin’s defeat—a sentiment shared by most of the participating disciples.

At the same time, the Merfolk and Demon Fox Clan delegations had come to align themselves with the Human Race, but this made it all the more crucial for them to uphold the purity of their young women.

To this end, the Elders of the Merfolk and Demon Fox Clan specifically warned their top candidates to stay away from Mu Lin. If avoiding him proved impossible, they were to strike first and drive him out immediately.

“All powerful individuals possess a desire for possession. To earn their favor, you must be wholeheartedly devoted.”

“Elder, we understand.”

Surveying the surroundings, Yan Yunyu found nothing but hostility, a sight that made her raise an eyebrow in surprise.

After a moment of hesitation, she suggested to Mu Lin, “Brother Mu, perhaps you could reveal your true form, that of an eleven or twelve-year-old?”

PS: The weather here is quite hot today. I turned on the air conditioner and ended up catching a cold… I’ve been dizzy all day, so the word count is a bit shorter. Hopefully, I’ll feel better tomorrow and can make up for it if I recover.

(End of Chapter)