Chapter 146: Mu Kuang Captured

Chapter 146: Mu Kuang Captured

The fall of the Mu Family Army at Nine Springs was orchestrated by Nan Hao's treachery, and among the enemy forces, the Wei Family Army played a critical role.

The overwhelming presence of Wei Yiyun, ranked first on the Tianyun Leaderboard, loomed over Mu Feng like a suffocating shadow.

Though the pressure was immense, Mu Feng remained clear-headed—he understood that cultivating with haste could lead to ruin. A solid foundation was paramount.

Returning to his quarters, Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue resumed their training while Mu Feng focused on studying the scroll he had received.

The scroll detailed the Ma Mountain Bandits, a group of vicious outlaws operating along the southern border of the Ling Nation, approximately 800 miles from Tianyun Academy.

This notorious bandit group, consisting of 300 ruthless men, was infamous for their plundering and violence, leaving local villagers in constant suffering. The wealthier residents of the region had pooled their resources to offer a reward and petitioned Tianyun Academy to deal with the menace.

The leader of the bandits, Ma Li, was a second-stage Condensed Qi cultivator. His two lieutenants, the second and third in command, were in the Peak Purple Mansion Realm. The rest of the bandits were primarily at the Conduit Realm, with intelligence estimating over twenty members in the Purple Mansion Realm, though the true numbers might be even higher.

Mu Feng's brows furrowed as he reviewed the information. The mission wasn't impossible, but Ma Li's Condensed Qi power posed a significant challenge.

"It looks like I'll need more talismans," Mu Feng murmured to himself. His current strength wasn't enough to rely on alone, so external tools and strategy were necessary.

A small snake, Xiao Tian, peeked out from its coiled position, hissing softly. Mu Feng fed it a Blood Essence Pill, earning a contented growl in return.

Examining his dwindling supply of pills, Mu Feng sighed. "I'll need to replenish these soon," he muttered, before redirecting his focus to crafting talismans.

Taking out a stack of Tier-Two Low-Grade Rune Papers, he dipped his finely crafted rune-pen into Spirit Ink and began inscribing. His movements were steady and precise, each stroke radiating confidence and mastery. Over time, Mu Feng's skill in crafting Tier-Two talismans had improved, with failures becoming increasingly rare.

The completed talismans, particularly Fire Talismans, were potent weapons capable of unleashing explosive force equivalent to a Condensed Qi cultivator's full-power attack. If used strategically, they could even take down stronger enemies. However, their activation delay left a critical window for opponents to evade.

While Mu Feng focused on talisman crafting, Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue alternated between training and familiarizing themselves with the academy's layout.

Two days passed without incident.

Early one morning, an urgent knock resounded at Mu Feng's door.

"Brother Feng! Brother Feng, something's happened!" Bai Ziyue's panicked voice rang out from outside.

Mu Feng stood immediately, opening the door to find Bai Ziyue and Mu Fan. Bai Ziyue's face was bruised, and blood stained the corner of his mouth.

"What happened?" Mu Feng asked, his tone sharp.

"Brother Feng, Mu Kuang's been captured!" Bai Ziyue blurted out, his voice trembling.

"Captured? How?" Mu Feng's expression darkened.

"This morning, Mu Kuang and I were heading to the Gambling Hall when we ran into those people from the cafeteria—Chu Fei'er and her group. They stopped us, and things escalated. They took Mu Kuang and said they'd only release him if you showed up!" Bai Ziyue explained quickly.

"Where are they holding him?" Mu Feng demanded.

"The cafeteria," Bai Ziyue replied.

Without another word, Mu Feng grabbed his talismans and headed out, his expression colder than ice. Bai Ziyue and Mu Fan followed closely behind.

The cafeteria was crowded, the atmosphere tense. A group of black-clad youths stood at the center, led by a burly man with a scarred face—Chu Mo.

Beside him sat Chu Fei'er, her eyes filled with malice. She pointed to a figure kneeling on the ground—Mu Kuang, his face battered and bloodied.

"Hit him harder!" Chu Fei'er ordered coldly.

One of the gang members hauled Mu Kuang up by his collar, delivering a vicious punch to his face. Blood sprayed as Mu Kuang slumped forward, his swollen eyes struggling to open.

"You were so cocky last time. Where's your confidence now?" the gang member sneered.

Mu Kuang coughed, spitting blood onto the man's face. "You can kill me, but I'll make sure I haunt you till your last breath."

The gang member, enraged, kicked Mu Kuang to the ground. Others joined in, their boots raining down on the defenseless youth.

Nearby, Chu Fei'er whispered to Chu Mo, "Brother, they're from the Mu Family."

Chu Mo's eyes narrowed. "The Mu Family? Nothing to worry about. Their strongest here is that girl, Mu Ling'er. Today, I'll teach these brats a lesson."

Just then, a voice cut through the chaos.

"Stop this, now."

Heads turned to see Mu Feng standing at the entrance, flanked by a group of Mu Family disciples. His eyes locked onto Mu Kuang's battered form, and his expression grew darker.

"So, you came," Chu Fei'er said, standing. Her eyes gleamed with venomous satisfaction.

Chu Mo looked Mu Feng up and down. "You must be the one who hit my sister. You've got some nerve."

Mu Feng's lips curled into a cold smile. "Your sister could use some lessons in manners. I was just helping her learn."

Chu Mo's face twisted with rage. "Tie him up and break his hands!"

The gang surged toward Mu Feng, but his hand flashed, revealing a stack of Fire Talismans glowing with potent energy.

"Take one more step, and I'll blow this place to pieces," Mu Feng growled.

The gang froze. Even Chu Mo's expression faltered as he realized the destructive potential of the talismans.

"Release my brother," Mu Feng demanded coldly.

Chu Mo's eyes narrowed, a sinister smile playing on his lips. "You think you've won?"

Chu Mo gestured subtly, and two of his men grabbed Mu Kuang, dragging him upright. Blood dripped from Mu Kuang's lips, but his eyes remained defiant. Chu Mo picked up a dagger from the table and pressed its blade against Mu Kuang's hand.

"Drop the talismans," Chu Mo demanded, his voice low and menacing. "Or his hand is mine."

"Brother Feng… don't… listen to him…" Mu Kuang's voice was barely audible, but the determination in his tone was unmistakable.

Mu Feng's hand trembled slightly, his fiery gaze fixed on Chu Mo. "If you harm him, I swear your life won't be enough to atone."

Chu Mo chuckled, the dagger pressing deeper against Mu Kuang's skin. "Last chance. Drop them now."

Mu Feng's heart burned with rage, but his rationality held firm. Slowly, he let the stack of talismans fall from his hand. The glowing papers scattered across the floor, dimming as they touched the ground.

Satisfied, Chu Mo nodded. "Good choice. Now, boys, grab him."

The gang closed in on Mu Feng, stripping him of his weapons and pinning his arms behind his back. They dragged him forward to stand before Chu Mo and Chu Fei'er.

"You think you're so tough, huh?" Chu Fei'er snarled, stepping forward. Without hesitation, she slapped Mu Feng across the face. His head snapped to the side, but he said nothing, his gaze locked on her with an intensity that made her pause.

"You're nothing but a brute," she hissed. "Teach him a lesson."

The gang began to rain blows upon Mu Feng. Punches and kicks landed with brutal force, but he refused to cry out. Each hit only fueled the fire in his eyes.

"Stop!" Chu Mo finally commanded after several minutes. He walked over to the battered Mu Feng, crouching down to meet his eyes. "Do you understand now? This academy is ruled by strength and influence. The Mu Family? They're nothing here. If you want to survive, learn your place."

Chu Mo stood, smirking. But as he turned away, a sudden surge of energy erupted from Mu Feng. With a roar, he broke free of his captors, lunging forward and grabbing Chu Mo by the throat. A dagger, pulled from nowhere, pressed against Chu Mo's neck.

"You're wrong about one thing," Mu Feng growled, his voice hoarse but filled with unyielding resolve. "The Mu Family doesn't bow to anyone."

The room froze. Even Chu Fei'er stood stunned as Mu Feng tightened his grip.

"Tell your men to back off," Mu Feng demanded. "Or I swear I'll end you."

Chu Mo, struggling for air, raised his hand to signal retreat. The gang hesitated but eventually stepped back.

"Take Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue out of here," Mu Feng ordered his fellow Mu Family disciples.

The disciples quickly moved to carry Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue out of the cafeteria. With his comrades safe, Mu Feng finally released Chu Mo, shoving him backward.

"You'll regret this!" Chu Mo roared, pulling a concealed blade from his sleeve and slashing at Mu Feng. But Mu Feng, though weakened, dodged the strike and retaliated with a swift kick to Chu Mo's chest, sending him crashing into a table.

Before the fight could escalate further, a commanding voice cut through the air.

"Enough!"

Everyone turned as Mu Ling'er entered, her presence commanding respect and fear. Behind her, a group of Mu Family elites and other academy students followed, their weapons at the ready.

"Ling'er!" Mu Feng called weakly, relief washing over his bloodied face.

Mu Ling'er rushed to her brother's side, her eyes scanning his injuries. "You've gone too far this time, Chu Mo," she said coldly, her gaze locking onto him.

Chu Mo, still catching his breath, spat blood onto the floor. "So what if I did? This is the academy. Strength decides everything."

"Then let strength settle this," Mu Ling'er replied, her voice steady and unwavering. She turned to her group. "Prepare for a reckoning."

Both sides began drawing their weapons, the tension in the room reaching its peak. The cafeteria was on the verge of an all-out brawl.

But as Mu Ling'er's icy glare met Chu Mo's, the balance of power in the room shifted. She wasn't just another academy student—she was a force to be reckoned with, and everyone present knew it.