Chapter 53: Will This Be Enough?Huang Family Estate
"Yi'er, what's the situation?" Huang Tai asked from his seat of authority.
"Haha, father, it's working perfectly. Customers are starting to riot at Mu family weapon shops over delayed orders. Even their three medicine stores have shut down due to stock shortages," Huang Yi replied with a smug grin.
"Well, this should help you vent some frustration," Huang Tai said with a cold smile. His eyes gleamed with malice as he added, "The Mu family thought they could block our influence in An Nan City? In a city this large, how could they possibly suppress us?"
"But father," Huang Yi interjected, his brow furrowed in concern, "you mentioned that the Mu family has the support of the main branch. Won't our actions provoke retaliation from their backing?"
"Hmph," Huang Tai sneered. "The Mu family's main branch is already on its last legs. They'll crumble within a few years and can't manage matters here. Besides, we have the backing of the Shangguan family and the Northern Warlord. Who's to say they'll even find out it was us? No proof, no witnesses. Once the Mu family collapses, we'll deal with the Wang family next. Then, the entire region around An Nan City will belong to the Huang family."
Huang Yi's eyes gleamed with cruel anticipation. "Brilliant, father. Mu Feng, you crippled my arm. Once your family is finished, I'll take your life as payback!"
Mu Family Hall
The Mu family hall was filled with gloom as Mu Hai, several elders, and Fu Bo, the family steward, discussed their dire situation.
"Patriarch, our weapon shops are facing unrest. Customers are demanding their orders or refunds. If we can't deliver the weapons soon, we'll be forced to pay massive penalties," lamented a middle-aged elder dressed in yellow.
"Our medicine shops have also been shut down due to shortages, and customers are flocking to the Huang and Wang family stores. If this continues, we'll lose our clientele completely," another elder in gray added.
Mu Hai sat silently with his eyes closed, his thoughts in turmoil.
"The medicine shops can take a temporary hit, but we must fulfill the weapon orders. If we don't, the compensation for breach of contract will be devastating. Patriarch, perhaps we could borrow weapons from the other two families?" Fu Bo suggested hesitantly.
Mu Hai scoffed, his eyes still closed. "Borrow? They'd rather watch us collapse than help. I'm certain one of them orchestrated this theft, but we have no proof. Asking to borrow weapons is a waste of time."
"Then what should we do? If we can't deliver these custom weapons, we'll owe ten times the deposit amount," an elder said, his voice thick with worry.
"I Have the Weapons"
A calm, confident voice interrupted the tense conversation.
Everyone turned to see a young man in a black robe stride into the hall. Despite his youthful appearance, his build was sturdy, and his sharp features carried an air of resolve.
"Mu Feng!" the group exclaimed, rising to greet him with cupped fists.
"Uncle Hai, elders, no need for formalities," Mu Feng replied with a polite smile. "I heard about the problem with the weapons. I have some here. Let's see if they're enough."
"Feng'er, your goodwill is appreciated, but we're not short a few pieces—we need an entire batch," Mu Hai said, shaking his head with a sigh.
Without another word, Mu Feng smiled and flicked his fingers. A flash of light from his spatial ring heralded a clattering noise as weapons, shimmering faintly with Yuan energy, piled onto the floor.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The hall fell silent as the group stared in shock at the pile of over twenty Yuan-imbued weapons.
"This… this many Yuan weapons..." The elders were first stunned, then overjoyed.
"Will these be enough?" Mu Feng asked. These weapons were the result of his relentless efforts over the past several days.
"More than enough!" the third elder exclaimed, his excitement barely contained. "A few don't match the specific orders, but most do. Even if we incur some minor penalties, it's manageable now."
"Feng'er, you're a lifesaver!" one elder cried, his face beaming with gratitude.
Mu Hai's initial shock subsided, and he fixed Mu Feng with a curious gaze. "Feng'er, how do you have so many Yuan weapons?"
Mu Feng chuckled but didn't elaborate. "A secret, Uncle Hai. Third Elder, if there are any remaining weapon types we still need, let me know. I'll handle it."
"We're short one spear, one warblade, and one longsword," the third elder replied. Suddenly, his expression turned incredulous. "Wait… Feng'er, are you saying you can craft these? Are you a rune craftsman?"
Mu Hai and the others froze, their expressions a mix of astonishment and disbelief.
Mu Feng hesitated briefly before nodding. "I've dabbled in rune crafting before."
"You're a rune craftsman!" Mu Hai exclaimed, his voice trembling with excitement. "And these weapons… you made them?"
Mu Feng nodded again.
"This is incredible! A rune craftsman in the Mu family!"
"A stroke of fortune! The family is saved!" The hall erupted with cheers.
Rune craftsmen were exceedingly rare, even more so in smaller cities like An Nan. Most Yuan weapons in the region were imported from larger cities.
Seeing their jubilation, Mu Feng couldn't help but reflect on how valuable rune crafting was. Even as a first-level craftsman, his skills were already proving invaluable.
A Family Secret
"Feng'er, does the main family know about this?" Mu Hai asked cautiously, referring to the Mu family's main branch.
"No, they don't," Mu Feng replied, shaking his head.
Mu Hai's expression turned serious. "Good. This must remain a family secret. Everyone, you must swear to keep Feng'er's talents confidential."
The room fell silent as everyone nodded solemnly.
Mu Hai then looked at Mu Feng, a hint of embarrassment in his voice. "Feng'er, we'll compensate you for these weapons, but it may take time. We need to sell them first to recover the funds."
"Uncle Hai, don't worry about it. We're family. I'll gift these weapons to the family. Just provide me with the weapon blanks—I've run out of funds to buy more," Mu Feng said with a grin.
"Such generosity! Feng'er, you are truly the pillar of our family," the elders said, visibly moved.
"No, this won't do," Mu Hai countered firmly. "We'll cover your costs, and from now on, we'll split the profits from weapon sales—seventy percent for you, thirty percent for the family."
Mu Feng shook his head, smiling. "Make it forty-sixty in the family's favor. That's my final offer. Now, if you'll excuse me, I haven't slept properly in days."
Before Mu Hai could protest, Mu Feng waved goodbye and left the hall.
The group watched him leave, their hearts swelling with gratitude.
"Patriarch, having someone like Feng'er in our family is truly a blessing," Fu Bo remarked.
"Yes," Mu Hai agreed. "With him, the Mu family will never fall."