Chapter Thirteen: The City Lord's Mansion

“You want to kill me? Is the Chen family planning treason and rebellion?” The man who entered was a middle-aged figure whose very presence commanded authority without anger. He was at the late stage of the Core Formation Realm, his blue robe fluttering elegantly in the breeze, lending him an air of scholarly grace.

At that moment, all of the Chen family’s strongest members appeared together, including Chen Haoran.

Chen Mu gazed at the middle-aged man, utterly bewildered. He had never met this person before, yet the man was standing up for him. He could not make sense of it no matter how he tried.

After the Chen family’s experts revealed themselves, they did not confront the middle-aged man. Instead, they dropped to one knee in salute. “The Chen family pays respects to the City Lord.”

Only Chen Haoran bowed, as he possessed the same level of cultivation as the City Lord, whereas the rest of the family’s experts were either at the mid or early stages of the Core Formation Realm.

“Haoran, my friend, your clansmen said they wanted to kill me. What do you make of that?” The City Lord of Fancheng, Yan Jingtian, said with a hearty laugh.

“This man is audacious beyond measure, defying the City Lord and attacking my son while I was away. We will deal with him according to clan law—cripple his cultivation and expel him from the Chen family.” Enraged at anyone daring to harm his son, Chen Haoran promptly gave his answer to Yan Jingtian.

“Patriarch, I… I’m innocent, I…” The middle-aged man was immediately dragged away by his clansmen.

The Chen family’s younger generation, including Chen Wuji, watched the scene in terror, not daring to move for fear of further punishment.

“Thank you, Brother Yan, for intervening. Were it not for your help, my child would have suffered great harm.” Chen Haoran expressed his gratitude.

“No need for thanks. In fact, I should congratulate you instead. I’ve heard that young Chen Mu has become a disciple under a Core Formation alchemy master from Starwatch Valley. This master’s skills are truly divine—his Rejuvenating Pill can heal all sorts of grievous injuries. Someone with paralyzed legs, another with a damaged heart meridian, and a cripple have all been cured by his pills.”

Chen Haoran looked at Chen Mu with surprise. “Oh? Is that so?”

Yan Jingtian was also taken aback. “You didn’t know, Brother Haoran?”

“This boy didn’t mention it when he returned.”

“Haha, perhaps he wanted to surprise you after perfecting his craft.” As they spoke, the Chen family’s experts turned their thoughts in various directions, glancing at Chen Mu before finally losing interest.

“The reason I’m here today is to invite Master Mu to the City Lord’s Manor. My daughter suffered a deviation in her cultivation and damaged her core meridian. I hope Master Mu might be willing to save my precious child. Any conditions may be discussed,” Yan Jingtian said, sighing with distress.

“Chen Mu, could you do your Uncle Yan this favor?” Yan Jingtian asked kindly.

Yan Jingtian’s humility made Chen Mu somewhat ill at ease, but since he had been waiting for this opportunity, he immediately replied, “Uncle Yan, you flatter me. I will certainly convey your invitation to my master and promise a reply within three days.”

“Excellent. Take this token—show it at the gate, and the guards will let you pass.” The token floated lightly into Chen Mu’s hand. Yan Jingtian added, “Chen Mu, these are the medicinal ingredients collected for you by Hu Jiangyi and his group—please check them. And do visit the City Lord’s Manor whenever you have time; you will always be welcome here.” After chatting with Chen Haoran for a short while longer, Yan Jingtian took his leave.

Chen Wuji’s face was dark as he spat, “Chen Mu! Meet me on the dueling stage at the Festival of Martial Arts, if you have any courage. If you run, I’ll make sure you never lift your head in the Chen family again!”

“Heh, just because you say so? All the same, if some people are looking for a beating, I’ll be happy to oblige. I’m actually curious what it will look like when certain people are beaten so badly their own parents won’t recognize them.”

“How shameless!” Chen Wuji trembled with rage.

Chen Haoran frowned and was about to intervene, but Chen Mu tugged his sleeve, signaling him to let it be, and so Chen Haoran relented.

After this incident, the Elder Chen Quan and his grandson Chen Wuji’s faction were left with ugly expressions. They had thought that with Chen Wuji joining the Azurefall Sect, they had secured a powerful ally and that their branch would finally rise to prominence. Yet they hadn’t anticipated that Chen Mu had the dual support of Starwatch Valley and the City Lord’s Manor.

Chen Quan had hoped to help Chen Wuji become the next family head of the Chen clan, with the only obstacle being the eldest son, Chen Feng. But now this wild card, Chen Mu, had appeared, and a sense of crisis lingered.

Still, the influence of the Azurefall Sect was not to be underestimated. The greatest sect in Great Xia was no idle boast. As long as their emissaries came to tip the scales at the Festival of Martial Arts, victory would be his.

…

During the struggle at the martial arena, both opponents had only just stepped into the Foundation Establishment Realm. If he had faced Chen Wuji, who was already at the mid-stage of the realm, he would have stood no chance. His victory was due in large part to his opponent’s overconfidence and to the fact that he had further mastered the domineering might of the “Ancient Sun Scripture,” breaking his opponent’s arm in a flash. By reflecting on the battle, Chen Mu had also gained some combat experience.

Three days passed, during which Chen Mu devoted himself to perfecting the “Ancient Sun Scripture,” now able to unleash its power at will.

That afternoon, Chen Mu took Rou’er with him, disguised himself as Daoist Mu, and headed to the City Lord’s Manor.

“Halt! This is the City Lord’s Manor. State your business!” The two guards eyed Chen Mu’s suspicious attire with great wariness.

Chen Mu expressionlessly produced the token Yan Jingtian had given him. “Your City Lord invited me.”

“Ah, it’s Master Mu! The City Lord has been expecting you. Please, come in and rest a moment. I will inform the Lord at once.” On seeing the token, the guards became instantly respectful.

Inside, the manor resembled a grand garden—bonsai, rockeries, and lush greenery painted a landscape of rare beauty.

Chen Mu entered the main hall, sat quietly, and sipped tea. After the time it took to drink a cup, Yan Jingtian finally appeared.

“Master Mu? Your reputation precedes you, but seeing you in person surpasses all I’ve heard. Not only are your alchemical skills peerless, but your cultivation is also profound—I am truly humbled.” Yan Jingtian, sensing Rou’er’s remarkable aura on Chen Mu’s back, probed, “Master Mu, about my daughter’s injury… Of course, any terms can be discussed…”

Chen Mu interrupted, “My presence here means I will treat her. As for payment, it’s of no importance to me. If you wish to express gratitude, do so to my disciple; it was at his request that I came. He needs some alchemical ingredients, a suitable furnace, and a decent weapon. Nothing more.”

“Just some ingredients and a furnace? That’s all you require? Master, is that truly enough?” Yan Jingtian, anxious not to offend, asked carefully.

“Then let me pick one item from your treasury at will—how about that?” Chen Mu glanced at Yan Jingtian.

“This… very well!” Yan Jingtian hesitated briefly, then agreed.

“Now, let me see your daughter. As long as her condition falls within the scope of my medicine, she should be cured.”

Overjoyed, Yan Jingtian led Chen Mu to his daughter’s chamber.

As the door opened, a middle-aged woman was tending to a young girl lying unconscious in bed. The girl’s brow was tightly knit, as if she was enduring great pain.

“Husband, you’re here! Is Master Mu with you?” The woman asked anxiously as Yan Jingtian entered first.

“Don’t worry, my dear. Master Mu is here.” Yan Jingtian reassured her, then respectfully introduced, “Master Mu, this is my wife, Xiaoyun. She is anxious for our daughter’s sake—please don’t mind her.”

Chen Mu waved a hand. “It’s nothing. Let’s see your daughter.”

The girl looked to be in agony. Lady Xiaoyun helped her sit up, and Chen Mu, putting on a show, took her pulse with a solemn expression before saying, “Open her mouth and have her take this pill.”

He produced a Rejuvenation Pill, brimming with the power of life, and presented it to Yan Jingtian and his wife.

Lady Xiaoyun was startled, while Yan Jingtian’s face grew grave. “It truly does look like a Rejuvenation Pill. This must be your famed Life-Restoring Elixir, Master?”

“Indeed,” Chen Mu replied with pride.

Seeing that her husband had no objections, Lady Xiaoyun quickly composed herself, gently prying open her daughter’s mouth.

Chen Mu deftly placed the pill inside, and Yan Jingtian immediately poured water to help the girl swallow it.

At that moment, a surge of vibrant life force blossomed within the girl, restoring her damaged meridian. Her expression gradually relaxed as the pain faded away.