Chapter 156: A Su

Jianshui City was not big, but its streets were paved with ancient blue stone slabs.

Walking on the ancient blue stone slabs and looking at the row of arcade buildings with the style of the previous dynasty facing the street felt like stepping into a world from a thousand years ago. Ancient characters carved on a broken wall, half of a monument buried in the soil, the unique ancient tones in the local dialect… all were fascinating.

Mu Feng walked and stopped from time to time, carefully identifying the ancient characters carved on the wall. Gradually, he walked into more and more remote areas. As the night grew darker, there were fewer and fewer pedestrians on the road. The little beggar with unusual behavior kept following behind, going wherever they went. Seeing that there were fewer and fewer people around, the little beggar seemed somewhat anxious. Despite the risk of being exposed, he gradually closed the distance.

“Young Master Mu, that person is getting closer!” Jing Wushuang nervously held Mu Feng’s large hand, looking around.

The sky grew darker, and the surroundings became more remote. It made one worry that in the next moment, a group of Devil Leaders or ruthless swordsmen might suddenly rush out from the darkness. After finally breaking through the heavy encirclement set by the Immortal Sword Sect and the Blind Master, she still felt a lingering fear when thinking back.

“This way, let’s go!”

Mu Feng pulled Jing Wushuang and suddenly turned into a dark alley. Behind them, the little beggar, who had been sneaking around, looked around and hesitated for a moment before pretending to pass by casually and continued to follow. Thinking no one had noticed, he had only taken a few steps into the alley when a figure suddenly rushed out from the darkness, grabbed him by the throat, and lifted him up.

“Young… Young Master Mu!”

With the help of the dim moonlight, the little beggar saw Mu Feng’s face and struggled slightly. He took out a dark object from his chest. It was flat and sharp, with a protruding sharp bone spike at the front. It looked somewhat like a strange bayonet or a flat blade.

“The Bat Spike of the Flying Sky Bat?”

Mu Feng was very surprised. He loosened his grip on the little beggar’s neck and coldly demanded, “Speak, what is this about? Who sent you to follow us?”

“My grandfather!”

The little beggar took a few deep breaths and looked at Mu Feng with lingering fear. Even with just a light grip from Mu Feng’s large hand, it felt like his neck was almost broken. Dressed in a green robe, Mu Feng looked calm and unhurried, like a gentle scholar. But once he took action, he was more terrifying than the most vicious thugs. His five fingers were as hard and powerful as iron bars. “My grandfather said that when you see this bone spike, Young Master Mu, you would know who he is.”

“Oh, is your grandfather the one known as the Flying Sky Bat, Yan Liren?”

Mu Feng’s gaze was sharp as he looked over the dirty little beggar, focusing on sensing the latter’s heartbeat. Although the little guy looked somewhat nervous, he did not seem to be lying.

“Exactly. Grandfather is badly injured, but as soon as he returned to Jianshui City, he immediately told me to wait outside the city gate for your arrival.” The little beggar nodded and continued, “Young Master Mu, it’s not convenient to talk here. Grandfather has been waiting for a long time. Let’s go to our home.”

“Good!”

Mu Feng nodded and quickly followed the little beggar away.

He had thought that this little beggar was an informant for the Immortal Sword Sect or the Blind Master, or perhaps a reckless thief. He never expected that he was actually the grandson of the Flying Sky Bat!

Seeing the little beggar walking faster and faster, leading them through one dark alley after another, Jing Wushuang frowned deeply. She whispered to Mu Feng, “Young Master Mu, the further we go, the more remote it gets. Could it be… a trap set by the Immortal Sword Sect or the Blind Master? They deliberately had a child bring the bone spike of Old Yan, the Flying Sky Bat, to lure us in?”

“Doesn’t seem like it!”

Mu Feng shook his head, comforting the anxious Jing Wushuang. He then said, “Even if it really is a trap, there’s nothing to be afraid of. We’ve fought through thousands of troops and broken out of heavy encirclement. Why should we fear a small trap? Shuang’er, don’t worry!”

“Yes!”

Jing Wushuang responded softly and stayed close to Mu Feng.

As long as Mu Feng was by her side, she was fearless. Even if there were great dangers ahead, she would not retreat at all. This feeling was something she had never experienced, even with her elder brother Sky Splitting Tiger.

The Great Thousand World was colorful and diverse, but as long as Mu Feng was by her side, it was enough for her. The road ahead was full of dangers, and no one knew what they would encounter next. But as long as Mu Feng was with her, she had nothing to fear. The closer they got to the Hengling Mountain Range, the more she cherished every moment with Mu Feng.

After many twists and turns, crossing countless streets and dark alleys, the little beggar finally brought them to a shabby, inconspicuous small courtyard. With a creak, he pushed open the wooden door and bowed, saying, “Young Master Mu, please come in. Grandfather is inside!”

“Who is it… Mu Feng, Young Master Mu?”

Before Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang could enter, a slightly hoarse voice came from the side room. Then, a tall figure walked out, leaning on a dark crutch. It was none other than the Flying Sky Bat, Yan Liren, whom they had been worried about since parting at Plum Blossom Manor! His forehead, chest, and thigh were wrapped in thick bandages, indicating that he was quite badly injured.

“Old Yan!”

Mu Feng rushed forward in a flash, supporting the walking-difficult Flying Sky Bat. Glancing at his injuries, Mu Feng’s eyes slightly reddened. “How could I, a mere youngster, cause you such harm, Old Yan? I am truly ashamed!”

“Hahaha, I won’t die! It’s just some superficial wounds. Young Master Mu, you’re being too polite. Come, let’s go inside. A Su, serve tea to Young Master Mu and your Shuang’er sister!”

The Flying Sky Bat laughed heartily and gave the order. After inviting Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang into the side room and seating them on high-backed chairs, the little guy named A Su soon came in with a pot of hot tea. He respectfully poured a full cup for each of the three. After washing his face and changing into clean clothes, he looked clean and handsome, with bright, spirited eyes. There was no trace left of the little beggar he had been.

“Thank you, little brother. Old Yan, I never knew you had such a smart and sensible grandson!”

Mu Feng took a sip of hot tea and looked at the neat and handsome little guy after his change of clothes. His eyes lit up, and he reached into his chest, taking out a bright red Blood Pearl. “I’m sorry, I didn’t bring much with me while traveling. Brother A Su, I frightened you earlier. Here, this pill isn’t much of a gift, but consider it my apology to you.”

“Thank you, Young Master Mu. But Grandfather has more than just me as a grandson!”

A Su smiled slyly, clapped his hands, and a group of children rushed in from outside. There were boys and girls; the oldest was only about twelve or thirteen, and the youngest seemed to have just learned to walk. What was even more surprising was that almost every one of them had various disabilities. Some were lame or missing hands, some were blind, and some were deaf, unable to hear anything. Under the direction of A Su, the oldest, they lined up in front of Mu Feng.

“These are all the orphans I have adopted. Some were born with physical defects and abandoned by their parents; others suffered sudden misfortunes and had no one to rely on.” Seeing the many children lined up, the Flying Sky Bat smiled broadly and continued, “These little ones are quite mischievous, Young Master Mu. Please don’t mind them.”

All orphans, and disabled orphans at that?

Mu Feng looked carefully at the many smiling children and felt deep respect. He held the Flying Sky Bat, who hated evil and was chivalrous, in even higher esteem. An old man, who himself had difficulty walking and had only one leg, had actually adopted so many disabled orphans. It was truly remarkable!

“Here, one for each of you. Everyone gets one!”

Mu Feng quickly took out a handful of Blood Pearls from the Breeze Ring and distributed them one by one to these disabled but smiling children.

These Blood Pearls, condensed from ordinary beasts, could not cleanse the tendons and marrow, but swallowing them still provided great benefits to the body! They could strengthen the body and even stimulate the potential of these children, helping them break through physical constraints or innate bottlenecks!