Chapter 29: The Weng Family Trading Company

“Robbery! Hand everything over! Kill all the men, and tie up the women for me!” A group of men in black surrounded the carriage, poised to strike.

Weng Xue’er appeared utterly terrified, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “We are from the Weng family of Huai Xiang City. Please, for the sake of our family, spare us.”

“Weng family? You’re exactly who we’re after. To tell you the truth, we’re here on someone’s orders. Otherwise...”

“Third, enough with the chatter,” another masked man cut him off.

“Heh, yes, of course. My mouth runs too loose—my fault, my fault...” The one called Third grinned sheepishly.

Now Weng Xue’er understood: this was not a simple robbery, but a hired assassination. She had a guess as to who was behind it, though she was reluctant to believe it.

She glanced at the carriage behind hers, then turned to the masked men. “There’s a gentleman who joined our caravan along the way. Please, I beg you, spare him—if nothing else, let this be my dying wish.”

“No. All of you must die today,” the lead masked man replied coldly.

Just as despair overwhelmed Weng Xue’er, a voice sounded from within one of the carriages: “As long as I am here, I’d like to see who dares lay a hand on the Weng family caravan.”

The surroundings fell silent, then burst into mocking laughter. The masked leader sneered, “You? A mere boy who’s barely started cultivating? What are you going to do? You’re not even worth my time.”

Chen Mu glanced at the leader. “You, at the early Foundation stage, are hardly impressive yourself.”

“Then let me show you just how unimpressive I am. Brothers, stand back—let me deal with him myself.” With that, the leader strode toward Chen Mu.

Chen Mu smiled and strode forward as well. When they were less than three meters apart, the masked man swung his axe directly at Chen Mu. In the same instant, Chen Mu unleashed his Xuanjin Sword, performing the Sunset Sword technique.

“Sunset Sword!” Chen Mu shouted. The masked man’s axe snapped, and he was slain instantly—his weapon, it turned out, was nothing more than an ordinary blade.

After a moment of stunned silence, the one called Third wailed in anguish, “Second Brother!”

“You! You killed Second Brother! Brothers, get him! Avenge Second Brother!”

With a sudden burst of speed, Chen Mu vanished from sight, streaking through the masked men like a meteor. The weaker ones fell with a single, golden-glowing punch; the stronger, with a sword to the throat. When the fight ended, only Third was left alive.

“You! You bastard! I’ll fight you to the death!” Third howled.

With a flick of his sword, Chen Mu sent Third’s weapon flying and crashing to the ground. Then, with a swift kick, he broke Third’s right leg. Third collapsed, writhing on the ground in agony.

Witnessing Chen Mu’s ruthless efficiency, the members of the Weng caravan shuddered. So young, yet so merciless—this was not a man to cross.

“Speak. Who sent you?” Chen Mu demanded coldly.

“My big brother will never let you get away with this!”

Chen Mu’s expression darkened. He stabbed Third’s other leg and repeated, “Who are you? Who hired you?”

Seeing Chen Mu ready to strike again, Third finally relented. “My name is Tan Fei, the third-in-command of the Tan Clan’s stronghold. It was Young Master Weng Mengyun who sent us.”

Everyone’s heart sank at these words. Brother against sister, risking the lives of the entire caravan—so the eldest son had finally made his move.

Chen Mu asked, “What’s going on? Is there strife within your family?”

Weng Xue’er answered sorrowfully, “A month ago, my father announced I would inherit the Weng family. My brother was furious, but I never thought he would go so far as to hire assassins to kill his own sister...”

Family matters meant little to Chen Mu. He only knew his own family had never welcomed him, treating him as an outcast. In twelve years at home, he’d endured nothing but disdain and cold indifference.

“Sir... are you all right?” Weng Xue’er asked softly, seeing Chen Mu lost in thought.

Shaking off his memories, Chen Mu replied, “It’s nothing.”

“So how did Weng Mengyun get involved with the Tan Clan?” he pressed.

“Weng Mengyun brought a trove of rare treasures to my big brother about a week ago. He proposed a joint venture—to ambush your caravan. His only condition was that everyone be killed, especially Miss Weng Xue’er. All the goods and money would be ours.”

The caravan members grew more despondent. After years of loyal service to the Weng family, they had nearly become collateral in a family feud. The betrayal was chilling.

Chen Mu thought for a moment, then asked, “What’s your brother’s name? What’s his strength?”

Tan Fei fell silent. If he died, so be it, but he would not betray his brother’s information.

Seeing Tan Fei unwilling to speak, Chen Mu wasted no more words. He crippled Tan Fei’s cultivation and ordered two strong men to lock him in a carriage. This was an important witness—he would be delivered to the Weng family patriarch, who would decide how to handle the matter.

...

Within half a day, the caravan reached Huai Xiang City. As soon as they arrived at the Weng family’s trading house, Weng Xue’er rushed into the main hall.

“The young lady has returned! You must be exhausted from the journey.”

“Welcome home, Miss!”

The people inside greeted her warmly. Weng Xue’er politely acknowledged each one before throwing herself into the arms of a middle-aged man near fifty and bursting into tears.

“You’re back? Why the tears? Who bullied you? Tell your father and I’ll make it right!”

“Father, we were ambushed by the Tan Clan on the road. If not for the help of a benefactor, we would not have made it back alive.”

So this man was Weng Wanlin, the head of the Weng family.

Weng Wanlin’s heart sank at her words. “There, there, as long as you’re safe... Sweet child, what exactly happened? Tell me everything.”

At that moment, Chen Mu entered the hall with the rest of the caravan. Not recognizing him, Weng Wanlin asked in confusion, “And who might this be?”

Seeing her father’s question, Weng Xue’er introduced him, “This is Mr. Chen Mu, a disciple of Star-Gazing Valley, whom we met on the road. He’s the one who saved us from the Tan Clan’s ambush.”

“So it’s Young Master Chen. Thank you for saving my daughter and our caravan. Should you ever need anything of me, just say the word—nothing would be too great a task. If you don’t mind, please stay with us at the trading house; anything here that catches your eye is yours, free of charge,” Weng Wanlin said solemnly.

“Father, Young Master Chen is truly formidable. He single-handedly defeated all the Tan Clan’s men, slew their second-in-command with one stroke, and even captured the third, who is now in our custody.”

Weng Wanlin was taken aback. Such skill and decisiveness indeed marked Chen Mu as an extraordinary figure.

Just then, a refined young man descended the stairs. At the sight of Weng Xue’er, he looked as if he had seen a ghost. Their eyes met, and Weng Xue’er cried out, “Brother, we are of the same blood—why such cruelty? I never imagined you would stoop so low as to hire assassins from the Tan Clan to kill your own sister! Are you even human? All for the position of family head, you would kill your own flesh and blood!”

A flicker of panic crossed Weng Mengyun’s face, but he quickly composed himself. “Sister, what nonsense is this? An ambush? Have you been manipulated by outsiders?”

Weng Wanlin turned to his daughter. “Xue’er, what’s this about? No matter how wayward your brother is, he’d never harm you. Is this a misunderstanding?”

“Father, the evidence is irrefutable. The captured Tan Fei is proof enough—ask him yourself if you don’t believe me.”

At that, Weng Mengyun grew frantic. He glared venomously at Chen Mu and shouted, “It’s you! You’ve sown discord within the family, trying to use Xue’er to take control of our trading house. Guards, seize this villain and execute him on the spot!”

But before anyone could move, Chen Mu crossed the floor in a flash, murderous intent surging. He seized Weng Mengyun by the throat. “You want to kill me?”

When Weng Mengyun’s face turned purple, Chen Mu let go.

Terrified, Weng Mengyun shook his head. Chen Mu spoke coolly, “Your family’s affairs are none of my concern. You gave me a ride; I defended your caravan. Your people know the truth—I owe you nothing, and you owe me nothing.”

Weng Wanlin, finally coming to his senses, hurriedly said, “Young Master Chen, you misunderstand. We would never wish you harm.”

“Weng Mengyun! You unfilial wretch! Apologize to Young Master Chen at once! To conspire with the Tan Clan against your own sister? I disown you! I should beat you to death for your betrayal!”

Weng Xue’er bowed to Chen Mu. “Sir, you must be waiting for your sect members to arrive, and you have nowhere to stay here. Why not reside with us at the Weng household until the Star-Gazing Valley disciples come? It would give you a place to gather.”

Chen Mu thought for a moment. “You’re worried the Tan Clan chieftain, Tan Xiong, will come seeking revenge, aren’t you? The Star-Gazing Valley people will be here soon. They’ll wipe out Tan’s stronghold. You have nothing to fear.”

Weng Xue’er blushed with embarrassment, but quickly replied respectfully, “Thank you, Young Master Chen.”