Chapter 63: The Authority of the Inscription Hall
Chapter 63: The Authority of the Inscription Hall
"If you truly want to know, then focus on increasing your strength," Xiyue finally said after a long silence.
"You really know about my mother?" Mu Feng asked with excitement.
"She loves you deeply, and you're right—she had her reasons. But some things won't benefit you to know now. When your strength allows you to leave a small place like Nan Ling Kingdom, I'll tell you," Xiyue replied before retreating into the Asura Divine Jade, refusing to answer further.
Mu Feng held the jade tightly, his gaze resolute. "Mother, no matter where you are or what burden you bear, I will find you one day. I swear it… I will."
He made a silent vow, recalling the sorrow and longing his father had shown when drunkenly calling out his mother's name. Finding his mother was not only his lifelong dream but also his father's. No matter how challenging the path, he would see it through.
Absorbing the Asura Divine Jade into his body, Mu Feng swallowed a Second-Rank Blood Pill to refine its energy. His current cultivation level wasn't suited for Third-Rank Blood Pills.
As he consumed the pill, a surge of pure energy flooded his Purple Palace dantian, far superior to the energy from standard Foundation Pills.
"Rrraaawr…"
The small white flood dragon, Xiao Tian, nestled in Mu Feng's arms, let out low growls as its dark golden eyes glimmered with desire.
"You want one too?" Mu Feng asked, surprised. He took out another Second-Rank Blood Pill and tossed it to Xiao Tian.
The little dragon devoured the pill, satisfied, and soon drifted off to sleep in Mu Feng's embrace. Stroking Xiao Tian's scales, Mu Feng smiled and began his meditation.
At the Mu Family Estate
A group of uninvited guests arrived at the Mu family gates—Wang Bin, his son Wang Yue, and Inscription Master Zhou Wu among them.
"Brother Wang, what brings you here today?" Mu Hai greeted them warmly.
"Haha, some major events occurred yesterday, and I thought I'd discuss them with Brother Mu. By the way, this is Zhou Wu, a First-Rank Inscription Master from the Inscription Hall," Wang Bin introduced.
"A First-Rank Inscription Master!" Mu Hai exclaimed with mild surprise, bowing slightly. "Master Zhou, it's an honor."
"Patriarch Mu, you're too kind. I'm here for a minor matter as well," Zhou Wu said indifferently, his tone laced with arrogance.
"Please, this way," Mu Hai said, motioning for the group to follow him to the reception hall.
After everyone was seated and tea was served, Mu Hai asked, "Brother Wang, what business brings you here today?"
"Brother Mu, I'm sure you've heard about the Huang family," Wang Bin said, sipping his tea and watching Mu Hai's reaction closely.
Mu Hai's expression tightened briefly. "Yes, I heard they were wiped out last night. Why, are you here about that?"
"Indeed. Let's set aside who destroyed the Huang family for now. Their assets—spanning weapons, pills, and hospitality—are significant. Without their martial strength, the Huang family can no longer protect them. What are your thoughts on these industries, Brother Mu?" Wang Bin asked.
The Huang family's assets were vast and lucrative, and with their downfall, those assets became a tempting prize.
"Haha, Brother Wang, those assets still belong to the Huang family. But of course, acquiring them depends on one's resources and strength," Mu Hai replied, understanding Wang Bin's intentions.
"Well said. Among us, no one else dares compete for them. How about this—our Wang family takes sixty percent, and your Mu family gets forty percent?" Wang Bin suggested.
The proposal immediately sparked outrage among the Mu family elders.
"Sixty percent? Wang Patriarch, don't you think your family's appetite is a bit large? Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew," Elder Fu said coldly, standing up.
Wang Bin chuckled. "I know your Mu family likely paid a heavy price to eliminate the Huang family, but let me remind you of something. My son, Wang Yue, has been selected by the Inscription Hall and will soon begin studying inscriptions there. Offending the Wang family now could mean offending the Inscription Hall in the future."
His words caused a visible shift in the expressions of Mu Hai and the others. They turned their eyes to Wang Yue, who wore a smug grin. If Wang Yue entered the Inscription Hall, it meant the Wang family might produce an Inscription Master—a significant boost in status.
"Indeed, Wang Yue is quite talented, with a soul power level of seven. With proper training at the Inscription Hall, he could very well become a Second-Rank or even Third-Rank Inscription Master," Zhou Wu added.
Mu Hai's expression darkened further.
"By the way," Wang Bin continued, "one of your younger generation seems to have offended my son. Patriarch Mu, could you summon that individual to apologize to my son? That should settle the matter."
"Oh? Which young member of our Mu family has wronged your esteemed son?" Mu Hai asked, his face calm but his tone cold.
"His name is Mu Feng. He cut off one of my guards' hands and even dared to hit me!" Wang Yue snapped.
"What?! Did you say Mu Feng?" Mu Hai stood abruptly, his expression icy.
"Yes, that's him. Call him out to kneel and apologize, and I'll let this matter slide," Wang Yue demanded, emboldened by his connection to the Inscription Hall.
"You're playing with fire, boy," Mu Hai said darkly, his aura flaring and pressing down on Wang Yue.
Wang Yue turned pale, collapsing back into his seat under the oppressive energy.
Wang Bin snorted coldly, releasing his own aura to counter Mu Hai's. "Brother Mu, what's the meaning of this?"
"Anyone else in the Mu family might kneel to apologize, but not Mu Feng," Mu Hai declared firmly.
All the Mu family elders stood, their stance resolute, shocking Wang Bin. Why were they so protective of a mere youth?
Bang!
Zhou Wu slammed his hand on the table and stood up. "What? Does the Mu family intend to oppose the Inscription Hall?"
The weight of that statement silenced the room.