Chapter 19: Conflict in the Streets
The group had only three horses, so Bai Ziyue rode with Mu Kuang on a single mount.
"Master Feng, that boy seems... unusual," Mu Zhong remarked, riding alongside Mu Feng at the front.
"Oh? What's so unusual about him?" Mu Feng asked curiously.
"When I used my Yuan Power to examine his Yuan Bone yesterday, I noticed he could absorb my energy—very faintly, but it was undeniable," Mu Zhong replied, his expression serious.
"He can absorb Yuan Power?" Mu Feng turned to glance at the boy riding behind them with Mu Kuang, his brows furrowing in thought.
Such phenomena were exceedingly rare. During his time among the seasoned warriors of the military, he'd heard whispers of unique physiques—individuals with extraordinary abilities. Some could control fire, others wield lightning, and a few could even communicate with beasts. These rare talents were prized in the cultivation world and considered natural prodigies.
"Could Bai Ziyue possess some sort of special constitution?" Mu Feng mused. He had never encountered anyone who could absorb external Yuan Power, even faintly.
He shook his head. "We'll find out when we reach An Nan City," he concluded, focusing again on the road ahead.
Around noon, the distant outline of a walled city came into view, its blue-gray stone walls still bearing the scars of old battles.
"Feng-ge, is that An Nan City?" Mu Kuang called out, a grin lighting up his face.
"That's it," Mu Feng confirmed, smiling faintly. The sight of the city was a relief after days of hard riding.
"An Nan City! I've heard people talk about it, but this is my first time seeing it," Bai Ziyue added excitedly.
The group reached the gates before long. Guards clad in armor stood watch, but there were no stringent inspections.
A welcoming party of about a dozen people waited near the gate. At their head stood an elderly man in a black robe, his hair streaked with white but his demeanor spirited.
The elder smiled warmly as Mu Feng approached. "Young Master Feng, it's been too long."
"Uncle Fu, you're as spry as ever," Mu Feng greeted, dismounting quickly.
The old man, Mu Fu, was part of the An Nan City branch of the Mu family. Mu Feng had met him years ago during a childhood visit.
"Still remember this old face, eh? That does me good," Mu Fu chuckled. "But these bones aren't what they used to be. Come, Young Master, let me introduce you to our branch family leaders."
Mu Fu gestured to the others in the group. Among them were two youths—a robust, dark-skinned boy dressed in a black martial robe, and a delicate, fair-skinned girl in a green dress.
"These two must be Mu Cang and Mu Lan," Mu Feng said, smiling as he extended his hand.
"You remember us!" Mu Lan replied, her voice soft and tinged with shyness as she shook his hand.
"Mu Feng, I heard you became a cripple. Is it true?" Mu Cang interjected bluntly, his tone laced with hostility.
The question struck a nerve, and Mu Feng's smile faltered.
"Mu Cang!" a middle-aged man barked angrily. "How dare you speak to Young Master Feng that way!"
"What? Everyone knows about it—it's no secret. I'm just saying what everyone's thinking," Mu Cang retorted, folding his arms defiantly.
"You little—" The man raised a hand to strike Mu Cang, but Mu Feng stepped forward, stopping him.
"It's fine, Uncle Jiang. Mu Cang's not wrong; my Yuan Meridians are broken," Mu Feng said calmly.
"Apologies, Young Master Feng. This boy doesn't know his place," Mu Jiang said, his tone regretful, though his eyes betrayed a tinge of pity.
"We're all family here—no harm done," Mu Feng replied with a faint smile, steering the conversation toward other topics.
As they entered the bustling city, Mu Fu shared updates on the local branch family, sighing heavily when speaking of Mu Feng's father.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted ahead. A group of riders was tearing through the crowded street, led by a young man clad in a golden robe atop a black-scaled steed—a Lin Horse, a rare eighth-tier beast.
Pedestrians scattered in panic, but a seven-year-old boy tripped and fell in the middle of the road. The Lin Horse, charging at full speed, bore down on the child.
"Look out!" Mu Feng shouted.
A gleam of light flashed in his hand as he hurled a war blade toward the horse's legs.
Whoosh!
The blade struck true, slicing deep into the Lin Horse's limb. With a pained shriek, the beast collapsed just meters away from the terrified boy, throwing its rider into a nearby fruit stand in a tangle of broken wood and spilled produce.
"Are you okay, little one?" Mu Feng asked, lifting the boy to his feet.
"Thank you, big brother!" the boy sobbed, wiping his tears before scurrying away.
The golden-robed youth staggered to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes. "You bastard! How dare you harm my horse!"
"You almost trampled that child to death!" Mu Feng shot back, his tone icy.
"So what?" the youth sneered. "That brat's life isn't worth a single scale on my Lin Horse. And you—how dare you? I'll break your legs for this!"
With a wave of his hand, five guards surrounded Mu Feng, their weapons drawn.
"You've got guts, kid, but you're dead now!" one of the guards growled, swinging a fist at Mu Feng's face.
Mu Feng didn't flinch, staring coldly at the oncoming attack.
Before the blow could land, a burly figure stepped in front of him. Mu Zhong caught the punch with one hand, crushing the attacker's fist with an audible crunch.
Rip!
Thud!
With a brutal yank, Mu Zhong tore the man's arm clean off and kicked him in the chest, sending him flying over ten meters. Blood splattered across the cobblestones as the guard's screams echoed in the street.
"Who dares lay a hand on my young master? Do you think you'll leave here alive?" Mu Zhong growled, his voice as cold as the grave.