Chapter 46: Another Conflict
"We're back!" Mu Kuang's loud voice rang out as they entered their residence.
"Brother Feng is back!"
In the courtyard, a young man dressed in white practicing the Tongmai Fist immediately stopped and ran to greet them. It was Bai Ziyue, being guided by Uncle Mu Zhong.
Hearing the commotion, a young girl in a green dress emerged with a smile. "Feng Shaoye has returned!"
"Mu Lan, Uncle Zhong, we're back!" Mu Kuang hobbled off Mu Feng's back and waved.
"Brother Feng, Mu Kuang, you've been gone for so long! Oh, let me tell you some good news: I've reached the ninth level of the Tongmai realm. Mu Kuang, I'm not afraid of you anymore!" Bai Ziyue laughed proudly.
"The ninth level?" Mu Feng and Mu Kuang exchanged surprised looks.
Mu Zhong nodded, smiling. "Yes, a few days ago, he managed to break through his ninth meridian. He's indeed at Tongmai Nine."
"Impressive! What kind of monster are you? In just a few months, you've gone from an ordinary person to Tongmai Nine!" Mu Kuang exclaimed.
Mu Feng was equally astonished, but Xi Yue's calm voice resonated in his mind. "This kid has the Devouring Spirit Physique—a rare constitution that allows him to refine others' Yuan energy directly."
"What's the Devouring Spirit Physique?" Mu Feng asked mentally.
Xi Yue explained, "Normally, one's Yuan energy is uniquely compatible with its origin and cannot be absorbed by others. But someone with this physique can directly refine and use foreign Yuan energy. It's a heaven-defying ability, but it comes with risks. Yuan energy absorbed from others isn't fully compatible, which can lead to inner demonic deviations during breakthroughs. However, this can be mitigated by using special pills like the Demonic Stabilizing Pill."
Mu Feng marveled. "The world is truly full of wonders."
Bai Ziyue proudly declared, "Mu Kuang, you're not the only strong one anymore!"
But Mu Kuang simply smirked and placed a heavy hand on Bai Ziyue's shoulder. "Don't get cocky just yet. I've already broken through to the Purple Mansion realm."
"What? You're in the Purple Mansion realm?" Mu Zhong exclaimed, astonished. A fifteen-year-old reaching this level was virtually unheard of.
Mu Kuang scratched his head sheepishly. "It's all thanks to Brother Feng. Without him, I wouldn't have made it."
"Nonsense," Mu Feng said modestly. "It's your own hard work that got you here."
Bai Ziyue looked defeated. "I thought reaching Tongmai Nine would finally let me beat you. I didn't expect this."
Mu Feng chuckled, patting Bai Ziyue on the shoulder. "You've already achieved more in a few months than most do in years. Keep it up."
Mu Lan wrinkled her nose and said teasingly, "Feng Shaoye, you might want to clean up. You both reek of blood and sweat."
Mu Feng sniffed his clothes and grimaced. "You're right. Uncle Zhong, has anything happened while we were away?"
As they walked to the bathhouse, Mu Zhong's expression grew serious. "Something did happen."
"What is it?" Mu Feng's tone sharpened.
"A shipment of Yuan artifacts and pills from the family was robbed. The loss has thrown the branch family into financial turmoil," Mu Zhong explained.
"Robbed? Do we know who's responsible?" Mu Feng asked, his brows furrowed.
"Not yet. Investigations are ongoing, but the family's major shops are already running out of stock," Mu Zhong sighed.
Mu Feng narrowed his eyes. He didn't respond but made a mental note to dig deeper later.
Trouble at the Bathhouse
After their bath, the brothers dressed in clean clothes and were about to leave when they were confronted by familiar faces.
"Big Brother, as I was saying earlier… Wait, is that Mu Feng?" A group of young men approached, led by Mu Li. Standing beside him was a man in a blue robe, about twenty years old, with sharp features and a calculating gaze.
Mu Feng frowned. "Mu Li, what do you want?"
Mu Li sneered. "You think you can just waltz back in after what you did to me? This isn't over."
The blue-robed man glanced at Mu Li. "So this is the famous Mu Feng? The one you said put you in bed for half a month?"
"Yes, Brother Mu Yu. He's the one." Mu Li clenched his fists in anger.
Mu Yu turned to Mu Feng, his expression cool but condescending. "Feng Shaoye, as a member of the main family, you should set an example. Instead, you've been bullying branch disciples like Mu Li. That's unbecoming, don't you think?"
Mu Feng met his gaze calmly. "Mu Yu, I don't bully anyone. If Mu Li is still nursing old wounds, it's because he asked for it. If he doesn't respect others, he shouldn't expect respect in return."
Mu Li's face turned red with rage. "You're lying! You attacked me just to show off your main family status!"
Mu Feng took a step closer, his tone icy. "If you insult someone, don't be surprised when they retaliate. Remember that, Mu Li."
As Mu Feng's Yuan energy flared slightly, Mu Li staggered back, his face pale. "You… You've reached the Purple Mansion realm?"
Mu Feng smirked. "You'd better behave yourself, or I'll make sure you spend another half-month in bed."
Mu Yu stepped forward, raising a hand to block Mu Feng's path. His expression darkened. "Feng Shaoye, it seems you don't take us branch disciples seriously. How about a duel to settle this?"