Chapter 44: Who Dares to Gossip?

Mu Dewu and Mu Deqing did not fully understand what a Spiritual Pharmacist truly meant, not like Duan Kun did. But that did not stop them from hearing all sorts of rumors and stories about Spiritual Pharmacists.

What Mu Dewu and Mu Deqing heard about most was the wealth of a Spiritual Pharmacist. The fortune of a single Spiritual Pharmacist was at least comparable to that of some small families. For example, the Mu Family, Wang Family, and Li Family in Shitang Town—even if these three small families pooled all their resources, their wealth might not surpass that of a single Spiritual Pharmacist.

As for those Spiritual Pharmacists who were doing well, they were even richer than medium-sized and large families. The most outstanding among them could be described as having wealth “as vast as a country.”

Thinking about how their family had been unable to grow and strengthen all these years due to a lack of cultivation resources, Mu Dewu and Mu Deqing felt a pang of sadness. But now that the Mu Family had Mu Xian as a Spiritual Pharmacist, wouldn’t the family’s development be assured?

After Mu Xian finished applying medicine to the Blazing Flame Demon Tiger, he finally noticed that the atmosphere around him was a bit off.

Of course, Mu Xian knew why everyone was reacting this way. He smiled and then joined the rescue team.

When everyone noticed that Mu Xian was still as approachable and humble as before, their hearts swelled with excitement, and happy smiles appeared on their faces.

With Mu Xian joining, the rescue efficiency suddenly increased countless times. As long as someone still had a breath left, Mu Xian could quickly stabilize them and save their lives. Some even regained consciousness soon after.

Seeing how skilled and experienced Mu Xian was at saving people, the others, feeling clumsy and awkward, stopped trying to help in ways that might actually hinder. Instead, they stood aside and assisted Mu Xian with smaller tasks.

They were busy for about an hour before they finished rescuing all the injured inside and outside the mine.

During the process of saving lives, the casualty figures were also tallied.

From this conflict, over seventy people were injured to varying degrees, but the number of deaths was as high as over three hundred.

Among these, most of the injured were members of the Viper Mercenary Corps and the Wang Family. Only a dozen or so were from the Mu Family. As for the deaths, they were almost entirely Mu Family members and the miners recruited by the Mu Family. The combined death toll from the Viper Mercenary Corps and the Wang Family was less than fifty.

Seeing that so many family members were injured or dead, the hearts of Mu Yuanshan, Mu Xian, Mu Dewu, and Mu Deqing all felt heavy.

Even Duan Kun felt very bad. Although the casualty numbers for the Viper Mercenary Corps were low, the Corps itself was small. Basically, for every one lost, their numbers diminished, unlike the three major families which could easily add new members.

The most awkward ones here were the people from the Wang Family. After being saved, they discovered their Family Head and previous Family Head had already died in battle, and the ones who saved them were their great enemies, the Mu Family. Some with extreme personalities slit their own throats on the spot. Others lowered their heads, their expressions changing uncertainly as they pondered, no one knew what they were thinking.

Mu Yuanshan, however, had no time to care about what the surviving Wang Family members were thinking. Seeing that things here were almost settled, and worried about the safety of the manor, he called out to his group, and they set off grandly towards Mu Manor.

Duan Kun hesitated for a moment, then also led the remaining members of the Viper Mercenary Corps to follow.

In fact, among the three families of Shitang Town, now that the Wang Family and Li Family were both destroyed, Duan Kun could only go to the Mu Family.

Back at Mu Manor, Tang Qiluo, Ling Tian, and Ling Zhan were anxiously worried, but dared not leave the manor recklessly. When they saw Mu Yuanshan and the others return safely, a weight finally lifted from their hearts.

“Corps Leader Duan, are you interested in coming with me to claim the resources of the Wang and Li Families?” Noticing that the manor had faced no danger since he left, Mu Yuanshan’s eyes lit up, and he said loudly to Duan Kun.

Hearing this, Duan Kun’s face immediately flushed red. He opened his mouth, about to agree. But just as the words reached his lips, he suddenly snapped awake and stammered, “Family Head Mu, that’s not appropriate, is it? Shitang Town is the town of your three families. No matter how you three families fight among yourselves, no one will say anything. But I, Duan Kun, am an outsider. If I interfere in Shitang Town’s affairs, I’m afraid many adventurers and adventurer teams will jump out to make a fuss. The common people of Shitang Town might not accept it either.”

Seeing that Duan Kun could remain sensible even when faced with great benefits, Mu Yuanshan nodded with satisfaction and laughed heartily. “There’s nothing inappropriate about it. From now on, there will be no Wang Family or Li Family in Shitang Town, only the Mu Family. When my Mu Family does something in Shitang Town, it’s not for others to dictate. Corps Leader Duan is only helping me with a task I requested. Who dares to gossip?”

“Of course,” Mu Yuanshan added, giving Duan Kun a sidelong glance with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile, “If Corps Leader Duan feels the Viper Mercenary Corps isn’t strong enough, or if you yourself have reservations and are too timid, then just pretend I never said anything.”

Hearing Mu Yuanshan’s words, Duan Kun’s face flushed red again. “Since Family Head Mu is willing to look after our Viper Mercenary Corps, it would be insincere of me to keep refusing. Brothers, hurry up and thank Family Head Mu!”

At Duan Kun’s call, the surviving twenty-some members of the Viper Mercenary Corps thanked him in unison, their eyes showing genuine sincerity.

Noticing the uniform actions of the Viper Mercenary Corps members, Mu Yuanshan became even more satisfied with his decision.

Although Wang Yungang, Wang Xiangnan, and Li Qingyu were dead, and the family Elders and elites they had taken to the mine to deal with Mu Dewu, Mu Deqing, and the others were also dead or injured, the Wang and Li Families had, after all, developed in Shitang Town for many years. Each family possessed deep reserves and foundations.

The deaths of Wang Xiangnan and Li Qingyu did not mean these two families were completely wiped out. The Mu Family had people with sinister intentions like Mu Deyu, Mu Deguang, Mu Siping, and Mu Guitu, who plotted to seize power. The Wang and Li Families surely wouldn’t lack such people either. It was possible those people were just waiting for the main family branch to have problems so they could seize their chance.

“Kill a thousand enemies, lose eight hundred of your own.” In this conflict, while the Wang and Li Families suffered heavy losses, the Mu Family also suffered significant damage.

If the Mu Family went to claim the two families’ resources now, Mu Yuanshan was sure they would encounter fierce and intense battles. With the Mu Family’s current fighting strength, they might not have the absolute certainty to swallow up the remaining forces of the Wang and Li Families.

But speed is crucial in war. If the Mu Family didn’t strike while the iron was hot and immediately deal with the remaining forces of the Wang and Li Families, allowing those remnants to unite, it would be the Mu Family that would be in danger. At a time like this, a suitable external force became especially important, and the Viper Mercenary Corps clearly became Mu Yuanshan’s target.

“Xian’er, are you interested in taking a look at the Wang and Li Families’ warehouses?” After persuading Duan Kun, Mu Yuanshan smiled and asked Mu Xian.

Hearing this, Mu Xian’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but then his expression returned to calm. “Father, I’m a bit tired, and I need to keep an eye on Little Flame. I won’t join in the fun. If there’s really any good stuff in their warehouses, would you, Father, let it slip by?”

Mu Xian was also eager to find some good things to build up his own resources and make his title of Spiritual Pharmacist truly meaningful. But Mu Xian also knew that a place like Shitang Town basically had nothing that would catch his eye. Getting the Azure Dragon Sword was already an unexpected delight. He didn’t think there were any other surprises waiting for him in Shitang Town.

On the way home, Mu Xian began to reflect on the gains and losses from this battle. This was an excellent habit he had cultivated over many years in his past life. Only by learning to summarize could one continuously improve.

Mu Xian originally thought that with him around, dealing with the Wang and Li Families would be very easy, so he hadn’t been particularly wary of them. But the appearance of Wang Yungang and Gong Debao caught him off guard, and the involvement of the Viper Mercenary Corps also alarmed him.

Mu Xian knew that if he hadn’t accidentally met Little Flame, impulsively helped Little Flame advance, and if Little Flame hadn’t repaid the kindness, the Mu Family might not exist today. Of course, the Viper Mercenary Corps, led by Duan Kun, switching sides in the end was also a key factor in the Mu Family’s comeback.

“Wang Yungang’s appearance was completely uncontrollable. But Gong Debao made his move because of the Azure Dragon Sword in my hand. Duan Kun later also coveted my Azure Dragon Sword, until he was scared off by my strength. It seems it’s time for me to reforge the Azure Dragon Sword. Otherwise, it will bring me endless trouble.” Finally, Mu Xian’s gaze fell on the Azure Dragon Sword at his waist. “Even if I can’t reforge the Azure Dragon Sword for now, I need to find a way to disguise it so people can’t recognize it at a glance.”

Seeing that Mu Xian seemed distracted and had no intention of coming along, Mu Yuanshan didn’t force him. He left Mu Dewu, Mu Deqing, and Mu Yuanfei at the manor to hold the fort. Then, leading Ling Tian, Ling Zhan, and the members of the Viper Mercenary Corps, he grandly set off towards the direction of the Li Family residence.

“Good heavens! The Blazing Flame Demon Tiger actually grew wings? That’s just too cool! Xian’er, does this mean the Blazing Flame Demon Tiger will be our Mu Family’s battle pet from now on? If it can defeat Wang Yungang, doesn’t that mean in the future, people with Earth Emperor Realm cultivation won’t dare to bully our Mu Family?” After Mu Xian and the others returned, all of Mu Yuanfei’s attention was focused on the Blazing Flame Demon Tiger. He circled around it again and again. Only after Mu Yuanshan and the others had left did he snap back to reality.

When Mu Yuanshan and the others returned earlier, they briefly explained what happened at the mine. So now, the Blazing Flame Demon Tiger was almost the Mu Family’s greatest hero. Not only were Mu Yuanshan, Mu Dewu, and Mu Deqing very grateful to the Blazing Flame Demon Tiger, but Mu Yuanfei and Tang Qiluo also regarded it as a life-saving benefactor. Their attitude towards it was naturally exceptionally warm.

Hearing Mu Yuanfei’s words, Mu Xian smiled and shook his head. “Uncle, you are too easily satisfied. With great opportunities, Little Flame’s strength won’t stay at this level forever. He can advance to become a Fourth-Order, Fifth-Order, even Ninth-Order Demonic Beast in the future. He might even receive the inheritance of an ancient tiger and possibly reach the Divine Rank.”