Chapter 74: Help in Need
Chapter 74: Help in Need
After crossing mountains and valleys and running nonstop for over two hours, Mu Feng once again arrived at Jing Family Village in Hundred Thousand Mountains.
“Brother Mu Feng?”
When she saw him, Jing Wushuang, who was washing clothes by the clear stream, quickly stood up. Though she wore a plain long dress, her natural beauty surpassed many adorned ladies. Seeing Mu Feng in a hurry with beads of sweat like beans dripping down his face, as if something urgent had happened, she was startled and quickly thought of his seriously ill mother. “Did something happen to your mother?”
“No, ah… it’s a long story! Shuang’er, has Big Brother not returned yet?”
Mu Feng originally intended to state his purpose directly, but looking at Jing Wushuang’s delicate frame, he swallowed his words.
Jing Family Village was quite a distance from Mu Manor at the foot of the mountain, and the entire path was mountainous, requiring crossing peaks and valleys. Having a young girl run up and down the mountain was not only something he felt bad about but also very dangerous. If Big Brother Sky Splitting Tiger were home, it would be more appropriate to have him escort her along the way.
“No, Big Brother has been away for several days already. I don’t know why, but he still hasn’t returned this time.”
Mentioning Big Brother Sky Splitting Tiger, Jing Wushuang looked worried. As she spoke, she picked up her laundry basin and led the way. “Brother Mu Feng, come, let’s have some mountain tea at home. Although few people pass by outside, it’s still not convenient to talk here. Shuang’er lost her mother when she was young, but for some reason, whenever I see your mother, I feel a deep sense of familiarity, as if seeing a long-lost relative. Brother Mu Feng, if you have anything to say, you must tell Shuang’er directly.”
“Mhmm!”
Mu Feng nodded, watching the understanding Jing Wushuang’s slender back, feeling warmth in his heart. The anger and fury he carried along the way gradually subsided.
“Brother Mu Feng, this is fresh mountain tea, please!”
Not long after sitting down in the living room, the quick-handed Jing Wushuang brought a cup of steaming mountain tea. Though Mu Feng remained silent, by observing his expression, she naturally understood that he must have come to the mountains for a reason today. After a pause, waiting for Mu Feng to take a few sips of the fragrant tea, she looked into his eyes and sincerely continued, “Brother Mu Feng, since we are like family, you shouldn’t hide anything from Shuang’er. Quickly, tell me, has your mother’s condition worsened? Do you need money for medicine?”
As she spoke, Jing Wushuang took out a small, clean handkerchief from her bosom. Unfolding it layer by layer, inside was about one liang of broken silver. She gently pushed it toward Mu Feng, asking him to accept it. It wasn’t much money, but it was neatly folded, clearly all the savings she and her brother had.
“Shuang’er…”
Mu Feng suddenly felt his nose sting. At this moment, he realized how beautiful the kind and sincere Jing Wushuang sitting across from him was!
Her beauty was striking, but her heart was even more beautiful!
Mu Manor had many people; countless relatives could be counted among them. However, apart from that playful girl Mu Qingzhu, the others were almost like indifferent strangers to him. Now, with the beautiful and kind Jing Wushuang, he instead felt a sense of family.
True family, like a once-in-a-lifetime friend, didn’t fuss over small matters but only offered help in need.
“Shuang’er, put this silver away. Ever since I broke through to the Early Mortal Realm and registered at Chuangong Hall, according to Mu Manor’s rules, I receive a monthly allowance. Though it’s not much, it’s enough for my mother and me to live on.”
Mu Feng paused, then without further hesitation, directly stated the purpose of his visit. “Yesterday, Jiangling Prefecture suddenly sent an urgent notice, asking me to report early to Xiangshan Academy. My mother’s illness hasn’t improved; she’s been lying in bed. How can I rest assured traveling far away? I came to the mountains this time to ask if you and Big Brother could occasionally go down the mountain to look after my mother after I leave?”
Though he stated his purpose, Mu Feng didn’t tell the whole truth to avoid making Jing Wushuang worry for him.
“No problem, of course, no problem!”
Jing Wushuang agreed without a moment’s hesitation. She turned and brought out a small basket. Lifting the cover, it was full of fresh wild fruits. “Brother Mu Feng, look, these are the wild fruits I picked in the mountains this morning, still with sweet dew on them. I was just planning to go down the mountain after washing the clothes to bring them to your mother, so she can taste our mountain specialties.”
“Shuang’er, I’ll trouble you from now on then!”
Mu Feng didn’t say thank you, but he remembered Jing Wushuang’s kindness in his heart.
Jing Wushuang smiled, revealing two shallow dimples, her delicate face radiant with a spring-like brilliance. “It’s no trouble. The mountains are too quiet and not fun at all. I was just planning to move down the mountain and stay with your mother for a while. At that time, I hope you won’t find me bothersome.”
As she spoke, Jing Wushuang stretched out her fair, slender fingers, picked up a wild fruit, gently peeled off the thin skin, and handed it to Mu Feng. She moved her lips, about to say something, when suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded outside. Following that, the main door was pounded loudly. Going out to check, they saw a young hunter standing at the door, dressed in animal skins and barefoot, covered in blood stains and panting heavily. All ten of his toes were bruised and bleeding, as if he had run back through mountain paths for days and nights.
“Dashan, you… what happened to you?”
Seeing the deep, bone-visible wounds on the young hunter’s body that were still bleeding, Jing Wushuang was greatly alarmed and turned to fetch the medical kit.
“There’s no time, Shuang’er! Quick, find someone to go to Pingyuan Ancient Town to save your brother! Hurry, if we don’t go now, it’ll be too late…”
The young hunter named Dashan seemed to be at his limit. Before he could finish speaking, his body swayed and he collapsed. His lips were chapped, clearly having forgone even drinking water to rush back, utterly exhausted and barely holding on. After returning to Jing Family Village, he could hold on no longer!
“Dashan, what happened to my brother? Dashan?”
Looking at the severely wounded, collapsed Dashan, Jing Wushuang was flustered and shouted loudly. She wanted to quickly treat his wounds but also urgently wanted to know what had happened, momentarily unsure what to do.
These past few days, her left eyelid had been twitching nonstop. Seeing that her brother hadn’t returned for so long, she had felt uneasy. Who would have thought something really did happen!
“Shuang’er, I’ll stop his bleeding. You quickly find me a hunter who knows the way to lead me. I’ll go save Big Brother, hurry!” Mu Feng decisively began to stop Dashan’s bleeding on the ground.
Hearing this, Jing Wushuang looked up. “Brother Mu Feng, aren’t you supposed to report to Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling Prefecture soon? Then…”
“Saving people is urgent, hurry!”
Mu Feng’s expression was grave, sensing the critical nature of the situation.
Big Brother Sky Splitting Tiger was exceptionally brave, his Overlord Spear skills superb; even several fierce tigers together couldn’t get close to him. Ordinary matters couldn’t trouble him. Now, for a young hunter to rush back in such panic seeking help, clearly he had encountered great danger. If they didn’t set off immediately, it might truly be too late.
“Alright!”
At this critical moment, Jing Wushuang said no more and turned to leave quickly.
She had long heard from her brother about Mu Feng’s strength, which was no less, if not greater, than her own mighty brother. Now, only he going personally might save her brother. Though Ghost Mother’s power was unfathomable, by the time she crossed the mountains to ask for her help, everything might be too late!