Chapter 23: A Scheme by the Clan?
The crowd stared, wide-eyed, at the young man standing calmly in the arena, his fist still raised from the strike.
One punch. Just one punch had been enough to decisively defeat his opponent.
The Astonishment of the Crowd
"That sound earlier… Was that the Ninefold Explosion? He's actually mastered the Meridian Punch to perfection!"
A middle-aged man in the crowd exclaimed in disbelief.
The Ninefold Explosion was the pinnacle of the Meridian Punch technique, an unranked martial skill ideal for cultivators in the Meridian Unblocking Realm. Few would devote the time and energy required to master such a technique, as advancing to the Purple Mansion Realm and learning ranked skills was typically seen as more worthwhile.
The Ninefold Explosion worked by layering nine explosive bursts of energy, each increasing the force of the punch. When fully mastered, it could deliver a blow several times stronger than the practitioner's baseline strength.
Normally, with Mu Feng's six unblocked meridians, his strength should be capped at around 1,000 pounds of force. However, his bloodline and the purity of his Yuan energy elevated his power to rival that of a cultivator in the ninth stage of the Meridian Unblocking Realm. With the layered bursts of energy from the Ninefold Explosion, his punch reached nearly 3,000 pounds—enough to shatter stone or obliterate a bull.
Aftermath of the Duel
The audience remained silent, eyes fixed on Mu Li, who lay bleeding and incapacitated on the ground.
"Why are you all standing around? Help him!" Mu Hai, the head of the branch family, barked.
"Yes, sir!" Two disciples rushed forward, lifting the groaning Mu Li, whose ribs had been shattered.
Even in his battered state, Mu Li's bloodshot eyes remained fixed on Mu Feng.
"You... That punch—there was Yuan energy. Your meridians aren't shattered!" Mu Li rasped, his voice hoarse.
Mu Feng approached, leaning down to speak softly into Mu Li's ear. "You're right, cousin. My meridians were shattered. But who said they couldn't be restored? I am the heir of the main family, after all…"
His voice turned icy as he added, "I call you cousin out of respect for the family. But remember, we are all Mu clan members—no one is inherently superior. Insult me, and I can endure it. Insult my brothers, and you'll regret it. Mark my words."
Straightening, Mu Feng watched as Mu Li was carried away, leaving the latter pale and trembling.
"It was the main family," Mu Li thought bitterly, realization dawning on him. "They must have healed his meridians… Damn it—Mu Feng!"
Overwhelmed with anger and humiliation, Mu Li coughed up another mouthful of blood before losing consciousness.
Reactions Among the Clan
The onlookers erupted in hushed whispers.
"What a punch! To defeat Mu Li like that, he must have the strength of a ninth-stage Meridian Unblocking cultivator. But wasn't his meridian network destroyed?"
"Terrifying. He's even mastered the Ninefold Explosion. That's a technique most people don't bother perfecting, let alone to this degree. His meridians must have been restored!"
"It must've been the main family. Think about it—Mu Feng is their prized heir. They probably used some rare elixir to heal him. It's the only explanation."
The Support of Allies
Mu Zhong, standing nearby, felt a swell of pride. "So the rumors about his shattered meridians were just a ruse by the main family, a ploy to protect him!"
Meanwhile, Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue rushed toward Mu Feng, their faces lit with excitement.
"That was amazing, Feng-ge! You taught him a lesson he'll never forget!"
The youths who had sided with Mu Li moments earlier shrank back, their faces pale. Mu Feng's icy gaze swept over them, and they averted their eyes in fear.
Even Mu Cang, another branch family member, clenched his fists in frustration. "So, he's not a cripple after all… Damn it!"
In contrast, Mu Lan's eyes sparkled with admiration. Her lips curled into a faint smile as she regarded Mu Feng's confident figure.
Mu Hai's Assessment
Mu Hai, observing Mu Feng's approach, narrowed his eyes thoughtfully. Beside him, the family steward, Fu Bo, leaned in to whisper.
"It seems the rumors about Feng's shattered meridians were a fabrication by the main family," Fu Bo murmured.
"Indeed," Mu Hai replied, his tone low. "Given the political turmoil facing the Mu clan, it would make sense for them to conceal a talent like him, shielding him from unwanted attention."
Fu Bo nodded. "I've also heard that during the Bone Testing Ceremony, Feng was revealed to be a once-in-a-century Ling Bone talent. The main family likely orchestrated this ruse to allow him to grow without drawing the attention of rivals."
"If that's true," Mu Hai said, his gaze sharpening, "then we must support him. If he grows into his full potential, he could be the branch family's greatest ally."
A Calculated Response
As Mu Feng reached them, he bowed slightly. "Uncle Hai, my apologies for causing a disturbance."
"Haha, no need to apologize, Feng. If you hadn't put that boy in his place, I would've done it myself!" Mu Hai laughed heartily, his earlier displeasure at Mu Li's defeat replaced with approval.
"Your strength is remarkable, Feng," Mu Hai continued, probing gently. "The main family must be pleased with your progress."
Mu Feng smiled faintly. "It's true that my meridians were shattered, but the family spared no effort in finding the means to restore them."
The explanation was a half-truth, but it satisfied Mu Hai. He laughed again, clapping Mu Feng on the shoulder. "Well said, my boy. Come, let's return to the banquet!"
Establishing Authority
The banquet resumed, but the atmosphere had shifted. Mu Feng's display of power silenced any doubts about his abilities. Even those who had viewed him with disdain now regarded him with newfound respect—or fear.
For Mu Feng, the confrontation had served its purpose. He had solidified his position within the branch family and sent a clear message: he was not to be underestimated.
A New Chapter Begins
After the banquet, the branch family assigned Mu Feng a quiet, secluded courtyard, with Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue housed nearby. Mu Zhong, ever-loyal, remained by his side as a guardian.
Standing under the moonlit sky in his new residence, Mu Feng clenched his fists. His journey was just beginning.
"The road to vengeance is paved with blood," he murmured. "But I will walk it to the end."