Chapter 34: Who do you think you are, that I should give you any face?
“Your Highness, the Princess!”
In the next moment, everyone bowed in unison, their expressions respectful, not daring to show the slightest negligence. Mu Feng lowered his head deeply, not daring to look up, fearing that his affairs would be exposed and bring trouble to the Mu family.
That scoundrel Jiang Wuying—he could handle him somehow; after all, the Sword Sect was remote and isolated. At worst, he could take the Mu family to hide in the Snow Moon Mountain Range.
But the Snow Moon Royal Family was different.
Their power extended across the nine great cities. With a single order, in less than half an instant, the entire Mu family could be surrounded without escape.
Clad in splendid robes, Qiu Shuiwu swept the crowd with a cold gaze and slowly spoke, “Everyone stand up.”
Her cool voice echoed, and only then did the crowd slowly rise. Mu Feng had already been bowing his head, quietly hiding behind Mu Qingcheng’s large frame, using him as a shield.
The others wore different expressions.
Mu Qingcheng’s face was grave. Judging by Mu Feng’s behavior, he must have offended the princess in some way, which explained why she had come with such a formidable entourage.
Xiao Jue, on the other hand, was extremely pleased. Even the Autumn family’s royal house was backing him now; it would be nearly impossible for the Mu family to survive this.
“I didn’t expect the Princess herself to visit today. I apologize for not being able to receive you properly. Please forgive me, Your Highness,” Jiang Wuying smiled as he stepped forward.
Though he was the Sword Sect’s top outer disciple, he still had to show some courtesy toward Qiu Shuiwu.
The Sword Sect was strong, even surpassing the Snow Moon Dynasty, but the two were not in a subordinate relationship—more like partners. If they fought, the Sword Sect could win, but it would come at a heavy cost.
Yet, Qiu Shuiwu only gave Jiang Wuying a cold nod in return, without uttering a word.
Seeing her indifference, Jiang Wuying's face stiffened slightly, but he forced a smile, suppressing his displeasure.
“May I ask, Princess, what brings you here? If there is anything you need, please speak freely. If I can help, I will not refuse.”
Hearing his words, Qiu Shuiwu looked at him with some surprise. “Oh? Do you know Jia Zhuangxian, Master Jia?”
Jia Zhuangxian?
Jiang Wuying was taken aback upon hearing the name, and Mu Feng trembled violently inside.
“This is bad. She really came looking for you, you rotten brat! You’re finished!”
The fairy was still gloating, prompting Mu Feng to roll his eyes, secretly thinking that with wolves in front and tigers behind, if things got worse, he truly would have to have Mu Qingcheng lead the family to hide in the Snow Moon Mountain Range.
“Since you don’t know him, then step aside.”
Seeing Jiang Wuying’s demeanor, Qiu Shuiwu expressionlessly stepped past him to Mu Qingcheng.
“May I ask, are you the head of the Mu family?”
“Do you know if there is a man named Jia Zhuangxian in the Mu family?”
Mu Qingcheng nodded slightly.
“Your Highness, I confirm there is such a person in the Mu Mansion, but he is currently not here.”
Though he did not know why the princess knew Jia Zhuangxian, Mu Qingcheng could only deflect the question.
He knew this matter was undoubtedly related to Mu Feng.
“Not here?”
Qiu Shuiwu frowned.
Witnessing this scene, Xiao Jue nearly burst into laughter—this time, the Mu family was truly doomed.
At that moment, Qiu Shuiwu changed her tone and looked at Mu Qingcheng.
“Please inform Master Jia that my master’s corpse toxin has relapsed. I request him to concoct a few more pills for my master.”
“As compensation, Master Jia will be exempt from the Taichu Martial Academy’s examination and granted direct admission. Furthermore, the Mu family’s herbal medicines will be exclusively contracted by the Taichu Martial Academy.”
What? Exemption from the exam? Exclusive contract for herbal medicines?
Mu Qingcheng’s mind reeled, and even Xiao Jue grew anxious.
Jiang Wuying stepped forward, “Princess, the Mu family has some entanglements with my Sword Sect. I humbly ask for your grace to allow me—”
“What do you think you are, demanding the princess’ grace?” Qiu Shuiwu cut him off sharply.
No matter how talented Jiang Wuying was, he was only an outer disciple. It was too much to expect the princess to show him favor.
Jiang Wuying’s pride was wounded, and he found it difficult to swallow her reprimand.
“Princess, regardless of the Sword Sect’s strength, you are merely at the Spirit Realm. Such arrogance is excessive!”
“What? Do you want to lecture the princess on behalf of the royal family?”
Before Jiang Wuying could lose his temper, an elderly figure quietly appeared.
His aura was terrifying—Jiang Wuying could not even see through it clearly.
He was at the Heavenly Realm!
Sensing the spiritual fluctuations from the elder, Jiang Wuying was certain beyond doubt.
“Though the Sword Sect is strong, they should not be so presumptuous on Snow Moon territory.”
“If you are dissatisfied, report to the Sword Sect and have your elders come negotiate.”
The elder’s voice suppressed Jiang Wuying completely.
His greatest fear was the scandal of the arranged marriage spreading throughout the Sword Sect, sullying their reputation.
Seeing this, Jiang Wuying could only scowl and leave with Xiao Jue and the others.
With the troublesome ones gone, Qiu Shuiwu took out a token from her storage ring and handed it to Mu Qingcheng.
“Head of the Mu family, please deliver this token to Master Jia, and tell him to deliver the pills to the Taichu Martial Academy within three days. I entrust this to you.”
“By the princess’s order, the Mu family will comply.”
“Thank you.”
Without further words, Qiu Shuiwu nodded and left.
After everyone dispersed from the hall, those who survived the ordeal finally relaxed completely.
Mu Qingcheng turned stiffly to Mu Feng.
“You brat, what exactly have you been doing all this time?”
Faced with the interrogation, Mu Feng could only awkwardly explain.
He revealed the secret of the Seven Absolute Yin Corpses but shifted most of the blame onto his absent master.
If he told everything in detail, it would surely cause an uproar in the Mu family, and he would have no peaceful days ahead.
“I see. I didn’t expect your few months of opportunity to be so extraordinary.”
“You heard what she said. Hurry and contact your senior to concoct the pills. If you delay, the princess will be here again, and you’ll be finished!”
“As for this token, keep it. Whether you want to use the exemption or not, it’s up to you.”
Mu Feng accepted the token and nodded lightly.
“I understand.”
From afar, Mu Kuang watched this scene with waves of shame. He hadn’t even had the nerve to contend with Mu Feng for the position of young master; now he realized how ridiculous that was.
No matter when, Mu Feng’s footsteps always overshadowed theirs...
Leaving the hall, Mu Feng asked in puzzlement, “Fairy, didn’t you say last time the pills were fine? How could the corpse toxin relapse?”
“The pills must be fine. Maybe the old man accidentally caused some problem, but the previous formula definitely didn’t work. This time, we need something stronger!”
“Stronger?”
“A special pill for dispelling yin-cold energy—the Mystic Fire Xuanyang Pill!”
“Is it difficult to make?”
“It shouldn’t be. I heard from that pill master it’s only a first-grade pill. You can do it.”
“Really?”
Mu Feng was skeptical but opened the alchemy furnace and began concocting according to the fairy’s formula.
Meanwhile, at the Xiao family manor, Xiao Jue, still dissatisfied, asked, “Wuying, such a great opportunity—are you really going to let them go just like that?”
Already annoyed, Jiang Wuying cursed, “Do you want to charge back? Everyone in the Snow Moon Dynasty knows the princess is Emperor Ying’s treasured daughter. Dare to offend her, and tomorrow your Xiao family will say goodbye to this world!”
He took a deep breath.
“Fortunately, the exemption isn’t for that brat Mu Feng. When the Taichu Martial Academy’s test comes, we still have a chance to kill him!”