Chapter 202: Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth

Early in the morning when the sky was just getting light, Mu Feng returned to Mu Manor at the foot of the mountain.

He quietly pushed open the courtyard gate and was about to tiptoe toward his own side room when, unexpectedly, he looked up and saw his mother standing in the living room. She did not look sickly as usual. Instead, her face was filled with joy, and she wore a woolen vest that in previous years she would only put on during celebrations like his birthday or New Year’s Eve.

Though her hair had turned gray early and her clothing was simple, with a little grooming, she still looked much prettier than the noble ladies of Mu Manor even without makeup. Her every move carried a natural grace and composure.

“Mother, the morning wind is chilly. Why are you up so early?” Mu Feng asked with concern, quickly stepping forward.

“Not cold. Sleeping too much is actually bad for the health!”

Situ Qing smiled. For the first time, she did not scold Mu Feng for staying out all night. Then she said, “Feng’er, bathe and change into this blue robe I personally sewed for you. Come with me to a place.”

Where could they be going this early in the morning?

And requiring a bath and change of clothes—what was going on with Mother today? What had happened?

Mu Feng was puzzled, but after thinking for a moment, he did not ask further. He took the robe from his mother’s hands and quickly left. After bathing and changing, he washed his long hair, then used a basin of clear water to tie it up on his head. Finally, he hung a long sword at his waist before stepping out.

The blue robe was not made of fine fabric, but it fit him perfectly. The wide sleeves and the clean, unwrinkled robe… made him look scholarly and elegant, with a strong air of a refined scholar. The long sword hanging at his waist added a heroic aura, making him stand out.

“Good, it’s almost time. Feng’er, let’s go!”

Situ Qing looked her son up and down and nodded with satisfaction.

Leaning on Mu Feng for support, she slowly walked outward, passing numerous rockeries and forests, heading inward through more than half of Mu Manor. Though confused, Mu Feng did not ask questions along the way, composedly waiting to see what would unfold.

Reading ten thousand books is not as good as traveling ten thousand miles!

Since returning from the Poison Sect, though he was still stubborn and would not easily change his mind once set on something, his impulsive nature had unconsciously faded. He had truly learned to be calm and low-key.

“Feng’er, don’t you want to know where Mother is taking you, why we are up so early?” Situ Qing asked as she walked, turning to Mu Feng beside her.

“If Mother wishes to say, I will listen. If not, there is no need to ask further.”

Mu Feng supported his mother as they walked forward. “Although I grew up in Mu Manor, over the years, I have never really accompanied Mother on a thorough walk around the manor. Today, let us consider it a mother-son stroll!”

“Good, good!”

Looking at the clearly much more mature Mu Feng, Situ Qing nodded. After walking a few more steps, she slowly continued, “Today, Mother is taking you to a place—the Heavenward Platform in Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth—to meet someone there. When we arrive, be careful; don’t be as impulsive as before.”

Heavenward Platform?

Mu Feng was inwardly startled. After responding softly, his steps paused slightly before he continued forward.

The Heavenward Platform, towering into the clouds with a single step, had always been a sacred presence among the disciples of Mu Manor. Though he did not know why his mother was taking him there so early, judging by her expression, it likely wasn’t anything bad.

“By the way, some time ago, Zuinü sent word that he took Chu San out for training. They may not return for a long time. He told you not to worry about Chu San.” Catching sight of the guards of Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth from afar, Situ Qing suddenly stopped and remembered Zuinü’s words.

“Alright, I understand.”

Mu Feng nodded and said nothing more.

After suffering a heavy blow and losing both arms, Chu San had been utterly disheartened. Then he suddenly requested to become a disciple and learn skills, pursuing great power. Zuinü’s strength was unfathomable; being able to become his disciple was fortunate for Chu San. If nothing else, as long as Chu San could step out from the shadow of the massacre, Mu Feng would feel relieved.

“By the order of the Family Patriarch, you two, please come this way!”

From a distance, seeing their figures, the guards of Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth bowed respectfully. On one hand, it was due to the Family Patriarch’s command; on the other, it was out of respect for Mu Feng as the Jianning First Scholar.

The Family Patriarch?

Mu Feng frowned, recalling the Family Patriarch who had posed as a carriage driver and was blind, and remembering their conversation. Looking at his mother’s happy expression beside him, his confusion grew stronger. He did not understand what was going on.

The Great Way is heartless!

Based on his understanding of someone like the Family Patriarch—ruthless, steadfast, willing to sacrifice anything for the family’s benefit—since he had clearly stated that Mu Tie was the most suitable candidate, he would never change his mind. He would certainly not waver in the slightest because of anyone’s suggestion or plea.

Since they intended to focus on nurturing Mu Tie, that favored son of heaven, why summon him and his mother today? What was the old man plotting?

Mu Feng secretly speculated, glancing at his mother beside him, then at the approaching guards. His lips moved, but he swallowed his words and did not ask further.

“At ease, rise!”

Situ Qing nodded. Under the guards’ gaze, she led the puzzled Mu Feng past the mountain gate and stepped into Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth, hidden behind layers of restrictions. Immediately, pure Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy washed over them. Compared to outside, the concentration was many times stronger. The air was fresh; a single breath lifted the spirits.

“Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth—beyond one mountain lies another higher one. This is the true Mu Manor!”

Situ Qing looked up at the majestic mountains and rivers within Mu Manor’s Heaven and Earth and murmured to herself, as if sighing in admiration or cautioning Mu Feng beside her.

The Heavenward Platform towered into the clouds and was rugged and hard to climb. Later on, Mu Feng simply bent down and carried his physically weak mother on his back. He moved swiftly like an agile leopard, skimming over the ground. After more than an hour, they finally arrived at the cloud-shrouded Heavenward Platform, where a group had been waiting for a long time.

Aside from the Family Patriarch, the white-clad Mu Wuyan and her disciple were present, and the peculiar and spirited Mu Qingzhu sat beside Mu Qingling.

At the edge of the cloud-veiled cliff sat cross-legged an old man with a gray beard. He had a high nose, a broad mouth, and piercing eyes that were authoritative even without anger. Compared to the Family Patriarch, his imposing presence was no less, giving off a pressure as heavy as a mountain. Seeing Mu Feng appear, he did not speak but cast a faint glance over. In an instant, Mu Feng felt his limbs stiffen and go numb, his body icy cold to the bone, as if he had no secrets left.

A master!

Mu Feng vigorously stirred the blood energy within his body, forcing himself to continue lifting his legs and walking forward. On the surface, he maintained composure, but inwardly, he was shaken. The old man with the gray beard possessed unfathomable strength. Even compared to the terrifying Ghost Mother, he seemed evenly matched, or perhaps even superior!

A surprised “Huh?” sounded in his ears, prickling his back like needles. Deep within the clouds, it seemed there were many figures, all turning their gazes toward him.