Chapter 17: Revealing Strength
The journey to An Nan City was long, spanning over 1,400 miles. Riding their sturdy unicorn horses, Mu Feng, Mu Kuang, and Mu Zhong traveled for three days. These beasts, bred with the bloodline of savage creatures, were famed for their endurance, capable of covering 300 to 400 miles a day without rest.
In this world, aside from humans, powerful non-human species like savage beasts, feral beasts, and demon beasts roamed freely.
Savage Beasts: Creatures with physical strength comparable to cultivators in the Tongmai (Meridian Opening) realm. They ranged from first to ninth level, with ninth-level beasts matching the might of a Tongmai Ninth-Level cultivator.Feral Beasts: Far more fearsome, these ancient beasts possessed unmatched savagery, with even their weakest rivaling the strength of a Zifu (Purple Mansion) realm cultivator.Demon Beasts: These were unique creatures born with innate demon energy. They could transform into humanoid forms and were often stronger than human cultivators of the same level. Their natural abilities and divine powers made them formidable adversaries.
After three days of relentless travel, the group finally reached a small town. Resting here meant they would reach An Nan City by noon the next day.
The setting sun bathed the town in a golden glow, lending it a serene ambiance. The three dismounted outside an inn named Fortune Inn.
"Welcome, sirs! Dining or staying for the night?" asked a gray-clad servant, rushing to tie up their horses.
"Feed our mounts with your best feed. Prepare three rooms, six pounds of beef, and three jars of your finest Apricot Blossom wine," Mu Zhong ordered, tossing the servant a silver coin.
The servant's eyes lit up at the generous tip. "Right away, sirs! Please, come in."
A single silver coin equaled a full day's wages for a commoner. Most people earned only thirty silver coins, equivalent to three gold coins, in a month.
Settling at an empty table, the three ordered their meal. Mu Kuang stretched, groaning, "Three days of travel has left me exhausted! Uncle Zhong, how much longer to An Nan City?"
"Just a bit further. By midday tomorrow, we'll be there," Mu Zhong replied with a smile.
Mu Feng chuckled, recalling his last visit to An Nan City with his father as a child. That memory now felt like a lifetime ago.
Soon, plates of braised beef and jars of wine were brought to their table. Mu Zhong opened a jar, inhaling the aroma. "Ah, genuine Apricot Blossom wine!" He poured for the trio, raising his bowl in a toast.
Mu Feng, though not a frequent drinker, raised his bowl and took a sip. The wine was smooth, its fragrance warming him from within.
After a few bites and sips, Mu Feng broke the comfortable silence. "Uncle Zhong, what's the current situation of the Mu family's military influence?"
Mu Zhong sighed heavily. "After your father's death, the family has been under constant suppression. Our generals have been reassigned to remote borderlands, far from the capital."
Mu Feng's eyes narrowed. "Perhaps that's a blessing in disguise. Far from the capital, they might avoid entanglement in political struggles and retain some autonomy."
"True, but it also means our forces are fragmented. If the family faces danger, coordinating support will be nearly impossible. Perhaps that's why the family head sent you to the ancestral home—to protect our lineage."
Mu Feng nodded thoughtfully. "Uncle Zhong, once we reach An Nan City, can you help me contact the uncles stationed at the borders?"
Mu Zhong looked at him, surprised. "What are you planning, Young Master Feng?"
Mu Feng's expression hardened. "We must prepare for the worst. The Mu family cannot afford complacency."
Mu Zhong's gaze lingered on Mu Feng before he nodded. Despite his young age, Mu Feng carried himself with the maturity of a seasoned leader—unsurprising for someone who had earned a hundred-man slayer's medal in battle.
Meanwhile, Mu Kuang, oblivious to their conversation, busied himself with drinking. His face soon flushed, and he began mumbling nonsense as the wine's delayed potency took hold.
Suddenly, a commotion broke out on the street outside.
"Stop, thief!" an angry voice roared.
A young boy dressed in black darted through the crowd, clutching a coin pouch. He was lean, quick, and surprisingly agile, his mischievous grin taunting his pursuers.
Behind him, a group of gray-clad men armed with clubs gave chase.
"Think you can catch me, you oafs?" the boy teased, sticking out his tongue.
However, one burly man surged forward, the ground cracking beneath his feet. In a few strides, he caught up with the boy and delivered a powerful kick to his back.
The boy spat blood as he was sent flying, crashing to the ground. He looked up, trembling as the men surrounded him.
"You dared to steal from my master?" the burly man sneered. "Break his legs!"
The men pounced, kicking and punching the boy as he curled into a ball, shielding his head. Though battered, he refused to cry out in pain.
"Hold him still. I'll break his legs myself," the burly man growled, raising an iron rod.
As the rod came crashing down, the boy shut his eyes in despair. But instead of the expected agony, he felt... nothing. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
A young man dressed in black stood before him, gripping the iron rod with one hand.
"Who the hell are you? Stay out of this!" the burly man snarled, yanking at the rod. But no matter how hard he pulled, it wouldn't budge.
"Stealing is wrong, but breaking someone's legs is excessive. Turn him over to the authorities if you must, but don't ruin his life," Mu Feng said coldly.
The man's face twisted in rage. "You're courting death!" He swung his fist, white energy swirling around it.
Mu Feng's eyes flashed. "Your words reek of filth." He stepped forward, meeting the punch with his own.
Boom!
The two fists collided with a resounding crack. The burly man stumbled back two steps, his face contorting with pain.
Enraged, the man charged again, throwing a flurry of punches. Mu Feng ducked and weaved, evading each blow before countering with a sharp elbow strike to the man's chin.
Crack!
Blood sprayed as the man was sent sprawling.
Inside the inn, Mu Zhong stood abruptly, his eyes gleaming with pride as he watched Mu Feng's prowess on full display.