Chapter 147: Outmatched

Chapter 147: Outmatched

"You brat, trying to play tricks with me? You're still too inexperienced. Grab him!"

Chu Mang sneered, signaling his men to take Mu Kuang.

Two members of the Mang Gang immediately hoisted Mu Kuang off the ground, forcing his hand onto a nearby table. Chu Mang drew a sharp dagger, his cold gaze locked on Mu Feng. "Drop the fire talismans, or I'll cripple his hand right now."

"Brother Feng, don't listen to him…" Mu Kuang groaned weakly, his voice strained.

"Kuang…" Mu Feng gritted his teeth, his gaze ice-cold as he stared down Chu Mang.

"Drop the talismans!" Chu Mang roared, his dagger stabbing down into Mu Kuang's hand.

Thud!

"Argh!" Mu Kuang screamed in pain, his palm pinned to the table by the blade.

"Kuang!" Mu Feng's eyes turned bloodshot, his heart wrenching in agony.

Even Bai Ziyue's fury flared as his hands clenched tightly around his sword, his knuckles white with tension.

With a sickening sound, Chu Mang yanked the dagger from Mu Kuang's hand, blood spurting from the wound. He pressed the blade against Mu Kuang's other hand. "Drop them now, or this one goes too!"

Mu Feng's body trembled with suppressed rage, his voice icy as he spat, "You will regret this."

The crimson hue in Mu Feng's eyes deepened, and the dormant bloodline power within him began to stir. His heart pounded furiously, but his logic won out over his anger.

"I'll drop them," Mu Feng said, his voice hoarse yet firm.

He raised the stack of fire talismans and scattered them into the air. The glowing papers fluttered down like falling leaves, landing harmlessly on the floor.

"Good boy," Chu Mang sneered, motioning for his men. "Grab these two and bring them here!"

The Mang Gang members rushed forward, pinning Mu Feng and Bai Ziyue before dragging them to Chu Mang and Chu Fei'er. Their movements were forceful, their smirks brimming with mockery.

"Well, well," Chu Fei'er said, stepping forward to grab a handful of Mu Feng's hair. She yanked his head back and delivered a hard punch to his face. "You're finally at my mercy, brat."

Mu Feng's eyes remained cold and unyielding as blood dripped from the corner of his mouth. He said nothing, his expression steely.

"You filthy wench, how dare you hit Brother Feng!" Mu Kuang bellowed, his voice raw. Despite his injuries, he thrashed against his captors, only to be met with a fresh wave of punches and kicks.

"Slut, I'll kill you!" Bai Ziyue roared, his voice cracking with fury, but his words earned him a vicious blow to the stomach. He collapsed to the ground, gasping for air as his captors pinned him down.

"Hmph. Does it hurt to watch? Keep hitting him!" Chu Fei'er commanded, and the Mang Gang members began pummeling Mu Feng without mercy.

Blows rained down on Mu Feng's body as he gritted his teeth, refusing to make a sound. Blood trickled from his lips as he was beaten to the ground, their kicks landing on him like a storm.

"Brother Feng! Brother Feng!" Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue's anguished cries filled the air as they watched helplessly.

"Fei'er, that's enough," Chu Mang finally said after what felt like an eternity. He crouched down next to Mu Feng's battered form, grabbing a handful of his hair to lift his head.

"You think you're something special, don't you?" Chu Mang sneered. "Listen here, brat. You're just a nobody. In this academy, strength is everything. Today was a warning. If you know what's good for you, stay in your place."

He patted Mu Feng's swollen cheek mockingly, rising to his feet with a smug grin.

But before he could take a step back, Mu Feng's body erupted with a sudden burst of energy. With a feral snarl, Mu Feng sprang up, his hand locking around Chu Mang's throat while his other hand drove a hidden dagger into Chu Mang's chest.

Thud!

"Argh!" Chu Mang screamed in pain, his face twisted with shock as blood spurted from the wound.

"Back off!" Mu Feng growled, tightening his grip on Chu Mang's neck. His voice was low and menacing, his eyes burning with rage.

The Mang Gang members froze, their leader's life hanging in the balance.

"Brother!" Chu Fei'er shrieked, her face pale with fear.

"Take Kuang and Ziyue to the healer's hall!" Mu Feng ordered the Mu Family disciples who had been standing nearby, watching the scene unfold.

"Y-Yes, Brother Feng!" They snapped into action, rushing to carry Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue out of the cafeteria. None of the Mang Gang dared to stop them.

"Let's talk this out, Brother Mu. It's a misunderstanding," Chu Mang stammered, his voice shaky as he felt the blade pressing against his chest.

Only when Mu Kuang and Bai Ziyue were safely escorted out did Mu Feng loosen his grip slightly, his breathing ragged. But in that moment of hesitation, Chu Mang threw his head back, smashing it into Mu Feng's face. The blow sent stars dancing across Mu Feng's vision as Chu Mang rammed his elbow into Mu Feng's ribs.

Bang!

Mu Feng staggered back, blood dripping from his nose and mouth. Chu Mang yanked the dagger from his chest with a guttural roar, kicking Mu Feng square in the chest. The force of the blow sent Mu Feng flying backward, crashing into a table.

"Kill him!" Chu Mang roared, his eyes blazing with fury.

Before the Mang Gang could act, a commanding voice echoed through the cafeteria.

"Stand down!"

Everyone turned to see Mu Ling'er stride in, her black dress flowing like shadows behind her. Her fiery gaze swept over the scene as she was flanked by a group of Mu Family elites and Yuan Hao.

The Mang Gang hesitated, their weapons half-drawn.

Mu Ling'er's eyes locked onto Mu Feng's bloodied form. She rushed to his side, cradling him in her arms. "Feng… Feng, are you okay?" she whispered, her voice trembling.

Mu Feng's swollen eyes flickered open briefly. "Sister…" he murmured before losing consciousness.

Mu Ling'er's face darkened, her eyes glinting with a murderous red hue as she rose to her feet, her grip on her sword tightening.

"Chu Mang," she said, her voice cold and cutting, "you've crossed the line. This isn't over."

"Think I'm afraid of you?" Chu Mang sneered, trying to mask his fear. But the arrival of Mu Ling'er, Yuan Hao, and their forces left the balance of power teetering.

Tensions boiled over as both sides prepared for a bloody clash.