Chapter 45: Robbed!
Mu Kuang exclaimed in awe, "Brother Feng, your Yuan energy is incredibly powerful!"
Mu Feng smiled modestly. "It's likely due to my cultivation technique."
Just then, the familiar, soothing voice of Xi Yue echoed in his mind. "You've finally reached the Purple Mansion realm, kid. That means you can now utilize some of the simpler functions of the Shura Divine Jade."
Mu Feng's eyes lit up with excitement. "Oh? Yue'er, what can I use now?"
Xi Yue explained patiently, "Once you channel Yuan energy into the Shura Divine Jade, it can absorb and store blood energy directly from your kills. When you're ready to cultivate, you can draw the energy back without the need to sit down and refine it each time. The jade itself can also transform into powerful weapons—a Shura Blood Blade for combat and a Divine Engraving Pen for inscriptions."
Mu Feng was thrilled. "This will save me so much trouble! What exactly are the Shura Blood Blade and the Engraving Pen?"
"The Shura Blood Blade is the jade's battle form, manifesting as a powerful weapon. However, it requires a massive reserve of blood energy, which the jade currently lacks. As for the Engraving Pen, do you know about Inscription Masters?" Xi Yue asked.
"Of course! Inscription Masters—those who etch Dao Patterns onto weapons, pills, formations, and seals. Their techniques are invaluable in forging artifacts and are held in high regard. Even in my family, we have a Grade Two Yuan Pattern Master."
"Exactly. Dao Patterns are ranked from the lowest Yuan Patterns to Divine Patterns, which are almost mythical. The Shura Divine Jade's Engraving Pen can etch up to Divine Patterns, making it a rare treasure," Xi Yue explained proudly.
Mu Feng was astonished. "You're saying you can inscribe patterns?"
"Obviously! In my prime, I was a Seventh-Rank Divine Pattern Master. Plus, the Shura Divine Jade contains a complete repository of patterns: eight Divine-level, twenty-four Treasure-level, sixty-four Spirit-level, and one hundred and eight Yuan-level patterns. Together, they encompass techniques for crafting artifacts, formations, seals, and more."
Mu Feng was speechless. The significance of such a treasure was beyond words. If this knowledge spread, the entire world would hunt him down for it.
"Yue'er… Can you teach me how to inscribe patterns?" Mu Feng asked eagerly.
Xi Yue chuckled. "We'll see. First, I need to test whether your spiritual strength meets the criteria."
"Thank you! I'm looking forward to it."
Mu Kuang, observing Mu Feng's ever-changing expressions of joy, shock, and excitement, reached out to feel his brother's forehead. "Brother Feng, are you feeling okay?"
Mu Feng snapped back to reality and laughed. "I'm fine. Let's hunt a couple more beasts before heading back. We've been in the mountains for two months now."
"Two months… Yeah, it's about time we head home." Mu Kuang nodded.
Returning Home
With their enhanced strength, the two brothers hunted three more ferocious beasts. Mu Feng demonstrated the Shura Divine Jade's new ability, absorbing blood energy from the corpses in mere seconds. Mu Kuang watched in amazement but quickly shrugged it off. To him, his brother had always been exceptional—nothing seemed impossible for him.
Satisfied with their gains, the duo set off for the outskirts of An Nan Ridge. However, upon reaching their resting spot, they were met with an unpleasant surprise.
"Where are the horses?" Mu Kuang shouted, staring at the empty post.
Mu Feng frowned. "Gone. They've probably been taken while we were in the mountains. We'll have to run back."
"Damn it! If I find the thief…" Mu Kuang cursed but quickly resigned himself. "Three hundred miles back to An Nan City on foot? This is going to be exhausting."
Mu Feng chuckled. "Think of it as training. Come on, let's see who gets there first!"
With that, he dashed forward, moving like an arrow released from a bowstring, leaving Mu Kuang in the dust.
"Brother Feng, wait for me!" Mu Kuang shouted, sprinting after him.
Arrival at An Nan City
The two brothers ran tirelessly for three hours, covering the entire three-hundred-mile journey. By the time they reached the city gates, Mu Kuang collapsed, his legs trembling and his Yuan energy completely drained. Mu Feng sighed, hoisting his brother onto his back and carrying him the rest of the way.
Back at the Mu Family Estate, a tense meeting was underway in the main hall. Patriarch Mu Hai sat at the head of the table, his expression grim. Beside him stood the loyal steward Fu Bo, while nine elders of the family, all in the Condensed Qi realm, looked equally troubled.
"Fu Bo, how much did we lose?" Mu Hai asked coldly.
"Fifteen low-grade Yuan weapons, dozens of regular weapons, a hundred first-tier Yuan pills. Altogether, the loss amounts to over seventy thousand gold coins," Fu Bo replied solemnly.
"Damn it!" The second elder slammed the table in fury. "Whoever dared rob the Mu Family is courting death! If I find them, I'll tear them apart!"
The hall seethed with anger. A shipment of goods meant for the family's weapon and pill shops had been intercepted en route, causing a significant financial blow.
"Fourth and Fifth Elders, I'm assigning this matter to you. Investigate thoroughly and find out who's behind this," Mu Hai commanded.
"Yes, Patriarch," the two elders replied in unison.
Fu Bo added gravely, "If we don't recover those goods, the family's shops will face shortages. Worse, we owe debts to the Hundred Weapons Pavilion and the Hundred Herbs Pavilion. If we can't repay them within the month, the consequences will be dire."
Mu Hai's face darkened further. "I understand. We need to retrieve those goods at all costs."
As the meeting continued, a sinister thought crossed Mu Hai's mind. "Wait… Could this be related to that matter?"