Chapter 64: Who’s the True Genius?

Chapter 64: Who's the True Genius?

"Opposing the Inscription Hall? What a joke. Not even the royal family would dare do such a thing, let alone the Mu family."

Suddenly, a cold laugh echoed through the room. A tall, upright young man with a sharp, handsome face and dressed in black entered with steady steps. His lips curled into a faint, mocking smile.

"Young Master!"

The Mu family elders immediately stood and greeted him with cupped fists.

"It's you, brat! Finally, we meet again," Wang Yue growled, his teeth clenched in fury. He would never forget the humiliation of being slapped by Mu Feng.

For a man, there are three sacred places you never touch—his head, his face, and his dignity. Nothing stings more than a slap across the face.

"Oh, it's you," Mu Feng said with a smirk. "So, you found your way here. What's wrong? Didn't get enough of a beating last time?"

"You dare!" Wang Yue's face turned purple with rage. "Today, I'll make you kneel and apologize!"

"What an arrogant brat!" Wang Bin, Wang Yue's father, rose to his feet, his tone icy. "Is this how you behave after assaulting someone?"

"If anything, I was too lenient. Why don't you ask why I hit him in the first place? That day, he tried to rob me. You should be grateful I didn't kill your son," Mu Feng said indifferently, recognizing Wang Yue's resemblance to his father.

"You insolent…" Zhou Wu, the Inscription Master, also stepped forward, his expression cold. "Do you realize Wang Yue is about to join the Inscription Hall? By hitting him, you've insulted the Hall. Kneel now, bow three times to me and Wang Yue, and I may consider letting this go. Otherwise…"

A hint of killing intent glinted in Zhou Wu's eyes as he trailed off.

Mu Feng glanced at Zhou Wu's flame-patterned robe and sneered. "You? A mere First-Rank Inscription Master dares claim to represent the Inscription Hall? Who gave you the audacity?"

As a former soldier, Mu Feng had little patience for posturing. His straightforward demeanor left no room for pleasantries.

"You…" Zhou Wu's face turned purple with rage. After a moment, he laughed coldly. "Fine! Fine! You've insulted me and the Inscription Hall. You and your entire Mu family are finished!"

"I'd love to see how you plan to 'finish' us," Mu Feng retorted, his voice laced with sarcasm. Then, he raised his voice and shouted, "Men!"

Swish! Swish! Swish!

At once, the Mu family elders stood and blocked the doors, while armed disciples entered the hall, their swords gleaming as they saluted Mu Feng. "Young Master, your orders?"

Wang Bin, Wang Yue, and Zhou Wu froze, their faces pale with shock. They hadn't expected Mu Feng's commands to hold such weight.

"Patriarch Mu, what is the meaning of this? Do you intend to declare war on the Wang family?" Wang Bin demanded coldly.

Mu Hai said nothing, stepping behind Mu Feng in a show of support.

"You dare threaten us? Opposing me is opposing the Inscription Hall! The Mu family is doomed!" Zhou Wu shouted, his voice trembling with rage.

Mu Feng smirked, about to respond when a shout came from outside.

"Report!"

A Mu family disciple entered and bowed to Mu Hai and Mu Feng. "Patriarch, Young Master, Shopkeeper Li and Elder Qian from Wanbao Pavilion have arrived."

"Wanbao Pavilion's Shopkeeper Li and Elder Qian?" Mu Hai and Mu Feng frowned. They had no significant dealings with these figures. Why were they here now?

"Haha, it's Elder Qian! You're doomed now!" Zhou Wu exclaimed, his face lighting up with glee.

In the world of Inscription Masters, rankings extended to specialized fields like sigils, artifacts, formations, and pills. Elder Qian was a Second-Rank Sigil Master, making him far more prestigious than Zhou Wu.

Shortly after, two men entered the hall. One was Shopkeeper Li, clad in a yellow robe. The other, wearing a black flame-patterned robe, was an elder exuding authority—Elder Qian.

"Elder Qian, what brings you here?" Zhou Wu rushed forward, his tone ingratiating.

"Ah, Zhou, you're here too?" Elder Qian smiled lightly. "I've come to visit a sigil genius."

"A sigil genius? Could it be Wang Yue?" Zhou Wu wondered.

Wang Yue's face lit up, his posture straightening as he adjusted his robe. Stepping forward, he bowed deeply. "Junior greets Elder Qian!"

But Elder Qian walked past him without a glance, leaving Wang Yue frozen in place, his smile fading.

Stopping before Mu Feng, Elder Qian cupped his fists and smiled warmly. "Young Friend Mu, it's been a while."

"So you're Elder Qian of Wanbao Pavilion. My apologies for not recognizing you earlier," Mu Feng replied politely, bowing slightly.

The exchange left everyone stunned—Wang Yue, Zhou Wu, and Wang Bin included.

"What is going on here?"

"Elder Qian, didn't you come to meet a sigil genius?" Zhou Wu asked hesitantly.

"Indeed, I did," Elder Qian replied. "Why, are you here for the same reason?"

"Yes, I thought the genius was Wang Yue…" Zhou Wu began, trailing off.

"Him?" Elder Qian glanced at Wang Yue and sneered. "He's nothing. I'm talking about Young Friend Mu Feng."

"What?!" Zhou Wu, Wang Yue, and Wang Bin were dumbfounded.

"You're saying this brat is the genius?" Zhou Wu stammered, his voice filled with disbelief.

Elder Qian smiled at Mu Feng. "Young Friend Mu, the sigils you sold at Wanbao Pavilion—some of them were your own work, correct?"

"Ah, you noticed," Mu Feng said, surprised but smiling. "Yes, some were mine, while others were my teacher's."

"Incredible! At your age, you can already inscribe First-Rank sigils. You're undoubtedly a sigil master," Elder Qian praised.

Zhou Wu and the others were left speechless.

"He's already a sigil master?!"

The revelation hit them like a bucket of ice water.