Chapter 190: The Great Dao is Heartless
Chapter 190: The Great Dao is Heartless
The Family Patriarch of Mu Manor had practically vanished completely over the past decades, involving himself in nothing.
In Mu Feng’s memory, he knew this person existed since childhood, yet had never actually met him. Not just him—even older elders gradually forgot about this Family Patriarch’s existence. Over time, discipline slackened, morality decayed, and the once-strict laws of Mu Manor decayed into empty shells.
“That’s right, I am the Family Patriarch of Mu Manor!”
The blind old man nodded. Though his eyes saw nothing, his spirit clearly sensed Mu Feng’s shock. After a pause, he slowly added, “By blood, we are one family. From now on, address me like Qingzhu, as ‘Paternal Great-Grandfather’.”
“One family?”
Mu Feng smiled bitterly. With a metallic clang, he sheathed his sharp sword at his waist. The fierce killing intent vanished, yet his face remained cold. “Fine. What fine words about family. But tell me, where was this family when my widowed mother and I were bullied? When family morals decayed, and that young scoundrel Mu Qingyuan did as he pleased? When Shuang’er and I faced death on the road, ambushed by killers? And you, this so-called master cultivator ‘Mu Zhenren’—where were you then?”
Hu…
The night wind whistled bleakly. Facing Mu Feng’s questions, the Family Patriarch remained silent for a long time.
“The Great Dao is heartless!”
The Family Patriarch sighed deeply. Some things were beyond an individual’s will. To accomplish great deeds, one must be utterly ruthless in moments demanding it—no wavering!
His voice rasped, and he slowly continued, “Mu Feng… Do you… hate me?”
“No. You are mistaken again!”
Mu Feng stood tall and straight. He looked coolly at the Family Patriarch seated in the carriage. “When I was very, very young, my mother taught me: No matter how hard life gets, don’t curse fate or resent others. All you need to do is figure out how to face it. Perhaps you truly did many things for my mother and me. Yet, throughout my childhood memories, apart from Qingzhu, there were no other family members within the vast Mu Manor. I do not hate you. I am merely indifferent. My heart is cold.”
Indifferent? Heart cold?
The Family Patriarch’s lips twitched as if he wanted to say something, but nothing came out. Again, he lapsed into prolonged silence.
Whenever he appeared, from lofty descendants to lowly servants, everyone would flatter and curry favor with him. Yet Mu Feng was different. Learning his identity, Mu Feng offered no smile, no excitement—only the indifference reserved for a stranger!
“Family Patriarch, make your move. I crippled Jianning Commandant’s son Lin Zhengde. I also killed the Elder of Inheritance’s grandson, Mu Qingyuan.” Mu Feng’s face was calm. He looked at the Family Patriarch and stated flatly, “As you once said, my life was saved by you. Today, reclaim it.”
The Family Patriarch had secluded himself for years, detached from clan affairs. His sudden journey surely had important reasons. For someone of his status to follow in secrecy for so long… Mu Feng pondered but couldn’t fathom it. The sole explanation: Perhaps swayed by deceitful rumors, he came to “uphold justice” and personally punish his own kin. His delayed move likely meant hidden observation, awaiting the right moment.
“Kill? Mu Feng, why would I kill you?”
A pained smile flickered across the Family Patriarch’s face. Seeing Mu Feng’s icy expression, he heaved another soft sigh. After a pause, he spoke slowly, “Just as you said, when clansmen ran wild, morals decayed, I did nothing. This time… you did no wrong. Why should I kill you?”
“Oh? Then why follow me all this way?” Mu Feng couldn’t hide his surprise.
Instead of an immediate answer, the Family Patriarch said gravely, “Mu Feng. As a scholar, your vision surpasses ordinary Mu disciples. What do you see in the tides of the Great Thousand World?”
The tides of the world?
Mu Feng’s eyebrows arched high. He stayed silent, yet within his heart, stormy waves surged. He remembered the Metropolitan Examination day—the Tongtian Emperor’s unorthodox, talent-seeking questions. He recalled the ubiquitous Sky-Reaching Guards and the countless sects spread across the Great Thousand World. Recent events rose in his mind too—the great fire at Jianshui and the burning of Puyang Temple.
Hu…
Night deepened. The wind grew stronger, colder.
Mu Feng stayed mute. The Family Patriarch didn’t rush him. They remained immersed in quietude.
After a long silence, Mu Feng finally spoke, his tone as calm as still water: “The tides of the world? Three words: Unrest. Chaos! If the Tongtian Emperor emerges victorious, the Great Thousand World will transform into an empire of unprecedented scale—a single unified realm. Should he fail… not only will imperial power decline, but likely, the empire itself will cease to exist. The Great Thousand World would descend once more into a Warring States era!”
“Well said! ‘Chaos’ indeed—perfectly said!”
The Family Patriarch paused, his voice dropping low and serious. “Chaos is good. The greater the chaos, the better. Without upheaval, how can Mu Royal Manor rise to renewal? The Tongtian Emperor reigns supreme, his ambitions boundless, his greed unending. That is both the source of his conquests and the reason the Great Thousand World trembles. In under a century, immense chaos will erupt—the era when heroes rise! After enduring so long, much preparation has been made. What we lack is one master… a true master ascending to the Saint Realm! To cultivate such a master, no price is too high. Over the years, I have observed every Mu disciple in secret. In the end… I narrowed the choice to two. One was you. The other… Mu Tie.”
Spare no cost to foster one peerless master?
As the Family Patriarch spoke, Mu Feng understood. Everything became clear.
Hurricane Over the Ridge—Grass Alone Survives!
Clearly, this blind Patriarch was no broken man, nor a senile fool. He bore disgrace—biding his time, waiting silently.
His decision to move now, lurk so long… was clearly sparked by Mu Feng’s recent surge in strength. Had Mu Feng remained that frail, destitute scholar… seeing him would likely have been impossible.
No wonder he stood by unmoved while Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang risked death on the road! A test—pushing to gauge Mu Feng’s limits. Perhaps the pursuers themselves were drawn deliberately by his hand! Maybe even the rumors about the Great Extinction Sword Manual being in Mu Feng’s possession… started by him. The greater the peril Mu Feng faced, the clearer the Patriarch’s understanding!
The Great Dao is Heartless.
Mu Feng smiled coldly. Deep, stark understanding filled him. His expression etched deeper frostiness. Looking back now… even Zuinu, the Patriarch’s sole servant appearing at the Back Mountain life-or-death moment… could never be mere coincidence!
“So now? After such prolonged observation… made your final choice?” Mu Feng asked the Family Patriarch seated in the carriage. His voice cold, tone flat. Understanding the game, he felt neither flattered nor excited.
The Family Patriarch said nothing. Only after a long silence did he speak deliberately. “Zuinu was right. Mu Feng, you are exceptional. Rising from a frail scholar to this height in such short time… truly remarkable. Your cultivation method… exceedingly powerful. Not inferior to your Aunt Mu Wuyan’s Sky-Reaching Art. Neither your intelligence nor perseverance lacks against any Mu disciple. Yet… compared to Mu Tie, your opportunity and Fate and Fortune… though good… still fall slightly short. Building a true master requires intelligence and willpower… but also immense opportunity and grand fortune. All indispensable!”
“Indeed. I am just that destitute scholar. Father died young. No illustrious grandfather. No master like Heartless True Person. No peerless attendant like Blind Master.” A faint, humorless smile touched Mu Feng’s lips. The Family Patriarch phrased it gently… yet Mu Feng grasped it all instantly. “Family Patriarch, I thank you for your help along this journey. The road ahead… requires no further trouble from you. May you have the fortune one day… to mold the peerless master you hope for. Ha ha ha! Dao is heartless, Men have feeling! To abandon everything for cultivation, strength… even to harden some imaginary Heart of the Ruthless Dao, watching kin die unmoving… what meaning exists in such cultivation? Such a peak master… powerful as he may be… what real worth does he have to his clan?”
Mu Feng laughed—three sharp, echoing shouts. Without another word, he turned and walked away.
Left behind, alone on the carriage, the Family Patriarch sat stone-still, statue-like. A piercing gust whipped his robes, snapping and flailing fiercely around him.