Chapter 33: The Eldest Princess of the Snow Moon Dynasty

The sudden display of terrifying power caused Mu Jie’s expression to change drastically. Even the surrounding elders wore grave looks. To reach the tenth stage of the Spirit Entrance Realm at such an age was to be considered among the elite in the entire Yuanzhou City. For Mu Kuang to have achieved this at only twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old—his path in martial arts was truly boundless.

"Do you see? This is the gap between us, and it is the foundation of my confidence in seizing the position of Young Master." Mu Kuang sneered. "You are not worthy of standing in my way."

Boom!

The force of his aura sent Mu Jie stumbling backward, unable to maintain his footing. Just as he was about to collapse, a firm hand caught him.

"Brother Feng, I..." Looking at Mu Feng appearing behind him, Mu Jie felt a wave of shame. He had wanted to stand up for Mu Feng, only to realize he was no match for Mu Kuang at all.

"It’s fine. This position of Young Master is useless to me anyway; don't take it to heart," Mu Feng said with a smile, then turned his gaze toward Mu Qingcheng. "Uncle, Mu Kuang is right. Over the past year, I have brought too much trouble to the family. I no longer wish to hold this title."

Mu Feng did not value such superficial fame. In the past, he might have fought Mu Kuang to the death, but after everything he had experienced, he believed that only his own strength truly mattered. Whoever wanted the position could have it. With fewer responsibilities, he could focus more on his cultivation.

Mu Qingcheng watched this scene, wanting to speak but holding back. The Great Elder could not help but sigh. Conversely, the Second Elder and Mu Kuang wore triumphant smiles. Mu Kuang stepped forward, looking at Mu Feng with a mocking expression.

"That’s more like it. A piece of trash should have the self-awareness of trash." Mu Kuang sneered. "Especially that blind woman you married—keep her locked up at home. I don’t want any rumors affecting the family."

As these words fell, Mu Feng’s expression shifted instantly. A chilling sword intent rose from the ground, and a terrifying, unprecedented pressure erupted from his body, instantly enveloping Mu Kuang.

"What did you just call Yu Tong?" Mu Feng asked, his voice deathly cold as he turned, his eyes filled with a terrifying, murderous glare.

"I... I..." Mu Kuang began to stammer.

Before he could finish, a sharp blade streaked through the air, stopping right at his throat. The Void Purple Flame erupted, encircling Mu Kuang, and the entire hall felt as though it had plummeted into an ice cellar. The speed was so great that even Mu Qingcheng, an expert of the Profound Yellow Realm, had not been able to react in time.

Seeing the blade against his throat, Mu Kuang finally realized: Mu Feng had not been incapable of fighting for the position; he had simply disdained to do so. In the face of Mu Feng, who was only at the eighth stage of the Spirit Entrance Realm, Mu Kuang suddenly found himself without the slightest courage to resist.

Mu Feng stood over him, pressing a foot onto Mu Kuang’s chest as he slowly moved the sword’s tip to point at Mu Kuang’s eyes. "I didn't hold it against you when you called me Mu Feng earlier. Now, what should you call me?"

Mu Kuang trembled violently, stuttering, "You... Young Master."

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned. Even the Second Elder was so intimidated by Mu Feng that he dared not speak.

*Clap, clap, clap.*

Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed through the hall. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. I never expected to see such a spectacular scene today. It was well worth the trip."

Looking up, three figures were seen walking slowly into the Mu family hall. Xiao Jue looked at Mu Feng with a mocking smirk, flanked by Jiang Wuying and Xiao Ruoxin. To Mu Feng’s surprise, Xiao Ruoxin had already stepped into the Profound Yellow Realm.

"Patriarch Xiao, to what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" Mu Qingcheng asked, his expression stern as he sensed Xiao Jue’s ill intent.

Xiao Jue looked Mu Feng up and down, grinning. "Nothing much. I just wanted to see how the Mu family’s annual meeting was going. I didn't expect the dignified Mu family to be in such a sorry state—not a single guest arrived, and the family has even resorted to internal infighting."

His biting, sarcastic words stirred anger throughout the Mu family. The Great Elder could no longer sit still and slammed his hand onto the table, but before he could speak, Xiao Jue interrupted.

"Everyone, don't be angry. My arrival today is not to make enemies, but to offer you a solution."

A solution? The crowd looked at him with suspicion. Why would Xiao Jue help the Mu family? It was like a cat crying for a dead mouse—pure hypocrisy. Mu Qingcheng immediately rejected him. "The affairs of the Mu family require no input from you, Patriarch Xiao. Please, leave."

"Don't be so quick to send me away. I came today to strike a deal," Xiao Jue said with a cold, mirthless smile. "Today, as long as you hand over Mu Feng, we will lift the trade embargo, and you can resume business. Mu Qingcheng, we both know the pressure of maintaining a great family. You know how to do the math. Your family won't last more than half a year."

Half a year was an optimistic estimate. If they didn't strip their disciples of cultivation resources, they probably wouldn't last three months.

*Bang!*

"Bullshit! Even if we starve to death, we will never commit such a treacherous act of selling out our own kin!" Mu Qingcheng roared. "Patriarch Xiao, you are not welcome here. Leave!"

Seeing Mu Qingcheng’s firm stance, Xiao Jue was not angered; it was as if everything were going according to plan. Sure enough, a moment later, a servant rushed into the hall.

"Patriarch! Young Master! Terrible news! The marketplaces have sent word—they are planning to raise rents by ten times!"

Ten times!

This time, the Mu family could no longer remain calm. Although the Mu family held extensive property, many of their storefronts were leased. They were already barely making ends meet; if rent increased tenfold, the family would go bankrupt instantly.

"Xiao Jue! Jiang Wuying! You!" Mu Qingcheng was so enraged he couldn't speak. Despite the despicable nature of the tactic, it was devastatingly effective.

"Shameless!" the Great Elder shouted. In an instant, the seven elders of the Mu family moved in unison, surrounding the three intruders. Even the Second Elder, who had previously tried to depose Mu Feng, stood up. Internal conflict was one thing, but in the face of such a grave threat, he would not allow the Xiao family to trample over them.

*Hum—*

With a slight vibration of sword intent, Jiang Wuying stepped forward. A terrifying aura surged through the hall—an unprecedented pressure that made everyone tremble.

Profound Yellow Realm, Fifth Stage!

*Boom!*

In the next instant, the seven elders groaned in pain, as if an entire mountain were pressing down on them, leaving them gasping for breath. The sheer force of his presence alone rendered them unable to move.

He truly lived up to his reputation as the top genius of the Sword Sect’s outer sect! Jiang Wuying walked forward, expressionless. "I think you have all misunderstood. This is not a negotiation; it is a command."

"If your Mu family wants the protection of the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, then I want you, Mu Feng, to step forward and die. If you are not dead by today, I will ensure that the Mu family is completely destroyed within three months."

Everyone knew Jiang Wuying was not making empty threats. The reputation of the Sword Sect was far too formidable; no one in Yuanzhou City dared to offend them. Just as the atmosphere turned heavy, Mu Feng took a deep breath, preparing to step forward.

Suddenly, a high, clear voice echoed throughout the entire Mu estate.

"Her Imperial Highness the Princess has arrived! Pay your respects at once!"

Everyone froze. The Princess? The Princess of the Xueyue Empire?

A moment later, a young girl, surrounded by a multitude of guards, walked into the Mu family hall. Seeing her, Mu Feng’s expression shifted abruptly. He had been about to step forward, but he immediately lowered his head.

The person who had arrived was none other than the young girl who had been by the old man's side that day!

*Misfortune never comes singly. Could it be that this girl has discovered the secret of the Seven Absolute Yin Corpses and has come to settle the score with me?*