Chapter 90: The King’s Return

“Lord Xing Jiu, are you also here to kill me?”

Just as Jing Wushuang was extremely tense, Mu Feng stepped forward. He held the Overlord Spear and stood in front of her, his expression grim.

The man in white blocking their way was none other than the powerful Xing Jiu.

Although they had long known that once the news spread, Mu Feng would definitely send experts after them, they just did not expect them to arrive even faster than anticipated!

The people from the Punishment Hall were already here, would the experts from the Chuangong Hall be far behind?

“I’m not here to kill you, but to save you!”

Xing Jiu sat on the stone slab without moving. He looked at the bloodstained Mu Feng who had fought his way out and sighed. “Mu Feng, put down your spear and come back with me. You cannot escape, Mu Tie has returned. Come back with me. Under the protection of the Punishment Hall, even if you committed a sky-high crime, you won’t die for now. But if you fall into the hands of the Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie or the experts of the Chuangong Hall, I’m afraid a fate worse than death awaits you, and no one can save you then!”

Mu Tie was back!

Mu Feng’s heart sank. An invisible pressure made it almost hard to breathe.

Among the four of them, only he had any combat strength. Taking the other three with him meant they couldn’t move fast. Dealing with the pursuit of the two Devil Leaders, the North Flow Twin Ghosts, was already difficult enough. Once the Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie led the experts of the Chuangong Hall to catch up, who would stop them?

“My Lord, the one who should be killed, the one who should be captured is him, it’s this evil young master!”

Jing Wushuang was clever. She quickly understood that the white-clad swordsman blocking their path was not a mortal enemy. Remembering the innocent villagers, tears streamed down like a fountain. She pointed viciously at Mu Qingyuan, who was held by Mu Feng, and continued, “It was him! He commanded many guards to slaughter our Jing Family Village. Over a hundred people, young and old, were all killed by this evil young master, not even sparing the elderly and children. The underage boy on my back not only had his arms severed at the roots, but his mother was also burned alive right before his eyes…”

Recalling that cruel scene, Jing Wushuang choked with sobs.

Elder Brother Sky Splitting Tiger was hanging by a thread, Chu San was in a daze, leaving only Mu Feng to fight alone. All the elders and folks of Jing Family Village had become ghosts under the blade. This day could be said to be the darkest, heaviest day since she could remember!

“I know everything you said. That evil young master Mu Qingyuan deserves to die. But right now, what’s the use of saying all this? Mu Feng, come, come back with me, leave immediately!”

Xing Jiu’s face was calm, but beneath his deep gaze, a deep anger was suppressed.

After learning the truth, he was also extremely furious and wanted to go on a killing spree. But some things cannot be solved by sheer anger and slaughter alone. The most important thing now was how to protect Mu Feng and safely bring him back to the Mu Manor at the mountain’s foot. Otherwise, once the Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie arrived, it would be too late for anything.

Return to Mu Manor?

Mu Feng gave a bitter smile. His killing intent surged greatly. The moment he decided to kill Mu Qingyuan, he never planned to return safely to Mu Manor again.

He had come out this time to reassure his mother, specifically going to report early at the Xiangshan Academy in Jiangling Prefecture. In the end, not only did he not reach Jiangling Prefecture, he instead caused an even greater disaster. In his current state, how could he have the face to go back and see his mother? How could he bear to make his mother worry and grieve for him again?

Seeing that Mu Feng remained unmoved and unwilling to leave with him, Xing Jiu sighed and changed the subject. “Mu Feng, how do you see my strength?”

“Strong, very strong!”

Although somewhat puzzled and not understanding Xing Jiu’s intention, Mu Feng told the truth.

After comprehending the Millennium Tree Demon’s innate supernatural abilities and plundering its power, his strength had greatly advanced. He was unafraid even when facing the two Devil Leaders, the North Flow Twin Ghosts. But when it came to defeating the restrained yet sharp Xing Jiu before him, he had no confidence at all.

“In the eyes of ordinary disciples, it is very strong, but in the eyes of true experts, it is not worth mentioning. One year ago, I had a secret clash with the Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie. As a result, I was severely injured by a single move from him!”

Speaking of the Chief Transmission Disciple, Xing Jiu’s expression turned grave. He slowly continued, “After awakening his bloodline power within the Blood Pool, Mu Tie’s strength became even greater. He could break through to the Elite Realm at any time. It is said he also gained a tremendous fortuitous encounter this time at Beiliu Mountain. Looking across the entire Mu Manor, among the younger generation, apart from Mu Qingling from the Smokeless Grotto-Heaven, probably no one is his match. Mu Feng, come with me. You are far from being Mu Tie’s opponent right now. No matter where you run, you cannot hide from his pursuit!”

After circling around the topic, Xing Jiu spoke gravely, strongly urging Mu Feng to leave with him immediately.

The Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie had returned as the king. Although the world was vast, for Mu Feng, only the imposing Punishment Hall could offer a place to hide.

Otherwise, never mind sneaking into the Hundred Thousand Mountains, even if he traveled a thousand miles in a day, he would probably be captured and brought back, tortured to death in public! Although the Mu Manor had strict laws, it was no longer the Mu Manor of old. Now, whoever had the greater strength was the strong one. If the Chief Transmission Disciple was determined to kill Mu Feng, probably no one could stop him!

“Mu… Feng…, come… out…”

As soon as Xing Jiu’s words fell, a cold shout suddenly came from afar. The sound was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone’s ears.

The first character ‘Mu’ sounded as if it came from the distant horizon. By the second character ‘Feng’, it was already ten miles away, frighteningly fast. At the same time, a soaring murderous aura swept over, enveloping the entire Hundred Thousand Mountains.

Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie?

Mu Feng and Xing Jiu looked at each other, their expressions changing simultaneously. They never expected the other party to arrive so quickly! Only Mu Qingyuan, who thought he was doomed for sure, had a glimmer of hope in his eyes, seeing a chance to escape. He opened his mouth wide, originally planning to shout for help. Unexpectedly, Mu Feng’s finger pressed down lightly, and a fierce hidden force surged into his body. He spat out a mouthful of blood.

“Mu Feng, go! If we don’t leave now, it will be too late!” Xing Jiu suddenly stood up.

Perhaps sensing the overwhelming murderous intent and heavy pressure from the approaching Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie, the long sword in his hand buzzed.

“Lord Xing Jiu, may I ask a favor of you?” Mu Feng’s body remained completely still as he looked at the aloof Xing Jiu.

“Speak!”

Xing Jiu took a deep breath and slowly drew his sharp long sword.

He didn’t need to look, or even consciously sense it. Just based on the increasingly dense murderous aura in the air, he knew the Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie had already reached the foot of the mountain and was getting closer and closer.

Thud…

Mu Feng did not speak. He knelt on one knee. “Lord Xing Jiu, in this life of mine, though I have been poor, I have never done anything dishonorable, nor have I ever asked anyone for a favor. Today is perhaps my last day in this world. I do not ask you to guarantee my safety. I only ask you to help me with one thing. Take my brother Sky Splitting Tiger, Shuang’er, and Chu San to the Yinfeng Cave over ten miles away. Escort them to find the Ghost Mother.”

A man’s knee carries gold; one should not kneel easily. But at this moment, Mu Feng felt the burden on his shoulders was heavier than gold!

The Chief Transmission Disciple Mu Tie had returned as the king. At this time, the foot of the mountain was filled with Mu Qingyuan’s guards and underlings. Asking him to abandon the elder brother Sky Splitting Tiger on his back, the delicate Jing Wushuang, and the severely injured Chu San to leave alone was absolutely impossible!

“Mu Feng, aren’t you afraid of death?” Xing Jiu’s expression was stern as he looked at Mu Feng kneeling before him, feeling somewhat hesitant and also surprised.

“Afraid? Life is colorful and diverse. Who isn’t afraid of death?”

Mu Feng gave a bitter smile and continued, “But I am even more afraid of seeing my loved ones die before my eyes while I’m still alive. So, even if I must die, let me die first!”

“Good! Well said, ‘die first’! This is the true bearing worthy of a Mu Manor disciple!”

Xing Jiu laughed heartily. He reached out and helped Mu Feng, who was kneeling on the ground, to stand up. “Mu Feng, I promise you. Remember, no matter what, you must survive. After I take them to the Yinfeng Cave, I will immediately go down the mountain and beg my master to take action to save you. You must wait until I return. When the time comes, I want to become sworn brothers with you before our master!”

“Good! Thank you, brother!”

Mu Feng extended his right hand and firmly grasped Xing Jiu’s large hand. Then he put down the Overlord Spear and the unconscious Sky Splitting Tiger on his back. Empty-handed, he dragged Mu Qingyuan and turned to leave. When great calamity struck, he did not retreat into the vast Forest Sea. Instead, he proactively walked toward the enemies at the foot of the mountain, striving to buy time for Xing Jiu and the others to escape.

“Brother Mu Feng…”

Looking at Mu Feng’s lonely, receding figure, Jing Wushuang cried, tears streaming down her face. She wished she could recklessly chase after him.

Mu Feng’s departure was undoubtedly fraught with danger. Once they parted in the mountains, there might never be another chance to meet again.

Recalling his charismatic demeanor when he inscribed words on the horizontal plaque, the scene of him carrying her on his back, enduring countless hardships to climb the Stone Mountain… her heart felt as if cut by a knife!

Heaven’s way was unjust. It had already taken the lives of many elders and villagers. Elder Brother Sky Splitting Tiger’s fate hung in the balance. Now, did it even want to take away Mu Feng, the only one she could rely on?

“Let’s go! If we don’t leave now, it will be too late!”

Xing Jiu carried the unconscious Sky Splitting Tiger on his back. He grabbed hold of Jing Wushuang, who was about to charge out recklessly. Taking her with him, he swiftly went far away, plunging headlong into the dense forest that stretched for thousands of miles.

Behind them, thousands of guards fanned out, gradually surrounding Mu Feng. At the foot of the mountain stood a tall man in black, coldly gazing at the vast Hundred Thousand Mountains. The once arrogant North Flow Twin Ghosts stood nervously behind him, extremely reverent.