Chapter 204: Heavy Sword, Unsharpened

The news that Mu Feng was leaving Mu Manor to study at Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling Prefecture quickly spread, and people sent all kinds of gifts.

Some wealthy and influential families sent precious silks and famous wines to build connections in advance. Almost everyone who passed the Metropolitan Examination and could study at Xiangshan Academy would become important people in the future. Either they would become famous talents renowned in their regions, or they would receive official posts and titles. Some might even reach the highest rank and become favorites beside the Tongtian Emperor.

Compared to ordinary Xiucai, a Jianning First Scholar naturally attracted more attention and had a brighter future. Any official or merchant with vision would not miss the chance to befriend Mu Feng early. Otherwise, by the time Mu Feng leaped over the dragon gate and became a favorite of the Tongtian Emperor, perhaps even the opportunity to flatter him would be gone.

When poor, no one visits in the busy city; when rich, kin flock even to remote mountains.

In this world, everyone was practical. Before, when Mu Feng was a weak and failed scholar, no one cared even if he was hungry and cold, let alone helped. Most clansmen would not kick him when he was down or take the chance to humiliate him—that was already good enough. After he stunned everyone with his brilliance, rapidly improved his strength, and was named Jianning First Scholar, many clansmen began to approach him intentionally. Before Mu Feng left, they also sent many gifts.

Mu Feng understood people’s intentions very well. He rejected gifts whenever possible, unwilling to owe others favors lightly. Those he absolutely could not refuse, he mostly sold off, exchanging them for travel expenses. He only kept the carriage given by Mu Qingzhu and hired an experienced carriage driver.

After everything was ready, Mu Feng planned to leave early the next morning. But that night, he suddenly heard unexpected news. His mother, who had originally agreed to go with him to Jiangling Prefecture, for some reason suddenly changed her mind and decided to stay alone in Mu Manor. Using the excuse that the journey was too long and her health could not handle it, she refused to go with him no matter how Mu Feng tried to persuade her.

“Mother, didn’t you say you would climb Wangjiang Tower in Jiangling City with me? Why did you suddenly change your mind?”

Late at night, looking at his mother lying in bed with a pale and weary face, Mu Feng felt very sad.

His mother was so ill—how could he feel at ease leaving her alone at home? How could he embark on a long journey with peace of mind?

“Wangjiang Tower is nice, and the view from the top floor is like a painting. But your father is no longer here. If I revisit that place alone, wouldn’t it make me even sadder?”

Situ Qing caught her breath, paused for a moment, then continued slowly, “Feng’er, seeing you grown up already makes me very happy. I’m already this old and really don’t want to travel around anymore. After you leave, Qing Zhu will still be here. Don’t worry, nothing will happen to me. When you’re alone in Jiangling Prefecture, you can focus on your studies. In your free time, you can travel around, visit famous folk doctors, and ask about my illness. Although Mu Manor has been declining over the years and people’s hearts have grown cold, it is still your father’s family and the place where you grew up. If I ever have real difficulties, even if Qing Zhu isn’t here, other clansmen won’t stand by and do nothing. Please set your mind at ease!”

Situ Qing understood Mu Feng’s worries and comforted him softly.

“Alright, Mother, please take good care of yourself from now on. It’s late, rest early!”

Seeing his mother’s firm tone, Mu Feng did not press further. After pulling the quilt over her, he turned and walked out, gently closing the door.

Though he worried about leaving her for such a long journey, as his mother said, Qing Zhu was here. The quirky little girl was extremely kind and filial. With her accompanying his mother, he felt somewhat reassured. His mother’s illness had not improved for a long time; he had consulted almost all the doctors in Jianning City. Perhaps only in populous, prosperous Jiangling Prefecture could he find a true renowned physician.

After leaving his mother’s room, Mu Feng, preoccupied with thoughts, was about to return to his own room to rest. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a tall figure in black standing in the outer courtyard. The person wore a large bamboo hat and seemed as cold as a sharp sword, with a faint, barely detectable power fluctuation within. Startled, Mu Feng’s right hand instinctively reached for the sword hilt at his waist as he leaped out.

“Brother Mu Feng, what’s this? Has it been so long—over a month—that you don’t even recognize me?”

Seeing Mu Feng on high alert, the man in black laughed and took off his large bamboo hat. He was tall with sharp eyebrows, a broad forehead, and piercing eyes. It was none other than the long-unseen Xing Jiu!

“Brother Xing Jiu?”

Mu Feng was overjoyed, not expecting the latter to visit so late at night. After looking him up and down, Mu Feng quickly realized that Xing Jiu, already outstanding in strength, had improved even further during this time. “Come on in! I’m leaving Jianning early tomorrow morning. Let’s drink tonight until we’re drunk!”

“No, Brother Mu Feng, let’s talk here. I have to leave soon.” Xing Jiu smiled, declining the invitation. “I heard you encountered many difficulties on your way to Jianshui recently. Everything alright?”

“None, it’s all in the past. Brother Xing Jiu, what about you? I heard you haven’t been at the manor lately. Did something happen? If you need any help, just say the word.” Seeing Xing Jiu in a hurry, Mu Feng felt concerned. He would never forget the latter’s kindness.

“During this time, I went out to train with my master. I heard you were leaving Jianning, so I rushed back day and night. Being outside made me realize there’s always a higher mountain; I used to be like a frog in a well.”

Xing Jiu kept it brief. The experience of being captured alive at Mu Manor’s Back Mountain had hit him hard, but instead of giving up, he devoted himself to pursuing greater power. After a pause, he continued, “Brother Mu Feng, to be honest, Mu Manor is no longer what it used to be; it’s declining more and more. My eight senior brothers have all left Mu Manor to seek better opportunities. I will also leave here soon. I came back this time just to see you once more. It was rushed, so I didn’t prepare a gift. This unsharpened heavy sword is something my master and I accidentally found in an ancient ruin. Consider it a token of my friendship.”

In a hurry, Xing Jiu took a heavy sword from his storage ring and handed it to Mu Feng.

When Mu Feng took it, his right hand sank, and the dark sword nearly fell to the ground. The seemingly plain sword had no sharp edge but was incredibly heavy, weighing at least seven or eight thousand pounds. It was unclear what material it was made from. One slash could probably smash even a dragon into pulp.

Though shockingly heavy, Mu Feng swung it a few times effortlessly; it felt just right, allowing him to fully utilize his immense strength! On the blade were engraved the characters ‘Black Inscription,’ though it was unknown who left them.

“Good, as expected, this heavy sword suits you perfectly. Brother Mu Feng, I must go. It’s a long journey to Jiangling Prefecture—have a safe trip.”

Xing Jiu put his large bamboo hat back on, lightly tapped his toes on the ground, leaped over the wall, and quickly vanished into the darkness, his voice carrying from afar.

“Take care, brother!”

Mu Feng jumped onto the wall, watching Xing Jiu’s retreating figure, and called out, “Take care!”

What is a brother?

This is it!

No unnecessary words, just genuine concern. Traveling far day and night just for a brief meeting, to give a suitable treasure.

True friends and brothers—you don’t need many. Brothers like Xing Jiu and Sky Splitting Tiger, two are enough!