Chapter 8: Turbulence Stirs and Hearts Are Thrown into Chaos

“If this were another time and place, seeing as we are both emperors in our own right, there would be no need for us to cross swords. But now, we are occupied with matters that cannot be divulged to outsiders. I’m afraid you all will have to remain at Lu’an Manor for a good while. Fortunately, this place is full of birdsong and flowers; even three or five years here would not grow dull. We’ll see to it that you’re well fed and cared for—what do you say? Once our business here is concluded, you’ll be released unharmed. But try to resist again, and you can’t blame me for being merciless. By then, these little ones might lose their heads, and that would be quite unpleasant.”

Master Du spoke calmly, unhurried in his persuasion. He was not afraid of Mu Zhenshan himself, but he did worry that Mu Zhenshan might try to escape, disregarding the safety of the children. Judging from his abilities, Mu’s speed was not something he could match. If word got out, it would surely ruin his grand plans.

Mu Zhenshan found himself in a quandary after hearing Du’s words. Judging by Du’s composure, he clearly possessed formidable skills—at the very least, equal to his own. If he were alone, he might be able to escape even if he couldn’t win. But with these children in tow, he feared a fierce battle would be inevitable. Not knowing the opponent’s full capabilities, he resolved to first probe Du’s intentions and proceed cautiously.

With this in mind, Mu Zhenshan replied coldly, “I have lived in seclusion in this town for many years. Whatever shadowy business you’re conducting here is none of my concern. These young ones are kin of my household; I must take them back. Once home, I will keep them under strict watch. Should a single word leak out, I, Mu Zhenshan, will submit myself to your mercy without resistance.”

Du Feiyang threw back his head and laughed. “I won’t hide it from you—we’re of Dragonpeace Fortress. My name is Du Feiyang. I wonder if you’ve heard of our ways?”

“I’ve heard a little,” Mu Zhenshan replied evenly, though his heart clenched. He cursed silently—so they were from Dragonpeace Fortress. He’d heard before that those men were notorious for holding grudges, ruthless in their actions, caring little for right or wrong. Their reputation was far from good, and now he’d run straight into them.

“Good. So, friend, have you made your choice? You have but one chance to answer.”

Mu Zhenshan gritted his teeth, preparing to advance—he could not let the children fall into their hands. Suddenly, he felt a finger tracing words on his back. Feigning deliberation, he focused on deciphering the message: “Agree. Get close.”

A faint smile flickered at his lips as Mu Zhenshan pretended to hesitate, then clasped his fists and said, “I can only hope you will keep your word. We shall trouble you for a while longer.”

Susu was startled, crying out, “Uncle Mu, don’t!” But beside him, Anrui caught his hand and shook her head. Susu, long accustomed to heeding Anrui, fell silent despite his confusion, only casting anxious glances at Mu Zhenshan.

Du Feiyang clapped his hands and laughed. “A wise man knows when to yield. You have a sense of propriety, friend. But I must ask you to seal your own meridians and wear these shackles—only then can we be at ease.”

Mu Zhenshan frowned. “And then we’d be at your mercy. Whether you kill or spare us would be entirely up to you.”

Du Feiyang replied indifferently, “At this point, the choice is yours to make.”

Mu Zhenshan feigned reluctance, stamped his foot, and said, “Fine. I cannot risk these children coming to harm. I can only hope Master Du keeps his word and does not disgrace the name of Dragonpeace Fortress.”

With a sigh, he extended his hands. “Please, place the shackles on me. I have already drawn my energy inward and sealed my meridians. You may check for yourself.”

Du Feiyang nodded in satisfaction and stepped toward Mu Zhenshan.

Mu Zhenshan silently counted his footsteps—he was confident that within ten paces, he could strike, no matter what skills the opponent possessed.

When Du Feiyang was just over ten steps away, Mu Zhenshan tensed his energy, outwardly calm but inwardly growing anxious—why did this scoundrel walk so slowly?

Suddenly, Du Feiyang stopped, tilting his head as if listening to something. Then, with a peculiar smile, he bared his teeth at Mu Zhenshan. “Heh, let’s drop the pretense. You’re not foolish, and neither am I. A moment ago, I wasn’t sure I could restrain you, but now you’re as good as caught.”

Mu Zhenshan’s eyes widened in anger. “What do you mean by this? I was willing to submit, yet you trust me not. Fine—let’s see if this wretched manor can truly hold me!”

Wei Wenzheng, who had been silent, sighed inwardly. Though he had wished to let the group go, things had now gone too far. Awkwardly, he interjected, “Friend, Lu’an Manor is home to two great figures.”

“What?!” Mu Zhenshan and the four youths cried out in unison.

Du Feiyang burst into peals of laughter. “Zhou, oh Zhou! I thought you’d still be lying with some maiden, leaving me to waste my breath with this old man waiting for you to show up.”

As Du Feiyang spoke, several flashes of silver appeared before Susu’s eyes. Without warning, several hiltless swords hovered in midair before their chests, like silver serpents poised to strike. The children trembled, not daring to move a muscle.

Mu Zhenshan’s heart sank. Now, his only option was to seize Du Feiyang and use him as leverage.

Without further hesitation, Mu Zhenshan summoned the power of three stars in his chest and abdomen. His energy surged, flooding his limbs. Flicking his fingers, he sent the hovering swords flying, then, moving like a shadow, lunged at Du Feiyang.

But Du Feiyang was prepared. Twin stars lit up in his chest, their position different from Mu Zhenshan’s. In an instant, invisible power suffused his body, making him appear as if he were fused with the land itself, as though he had stood there for a thousand years.

With power surging through him, Du Feiyang curled his thumbs and brought his palms together, thrusting them toward Mu Zhenshan. Mu felt his body lurch, his forward momentum abruptly halted, as if he were mired in a swamp—unable to move. The sensation vanished just as quickly, but in that pause, Du Feiyang leapt several steps back.

Before he could regain his footing, Mu Zhenyun found himself free again and charged once more. Du Feiyang formed a mountain-seal with his left hand, while his right traced mysterious signs in the air, intoning, “Soldiers!”

Immediately, the earth and sand around Du Feiyang rose up, whirling toward Mu Zhenyun like ravenous beasts. The stones posed little threat to his body but seriously hindered his advance. Forced to rely on his speed, Mu Zhenyun darted left and right, searching for an opening.

Du Feiyang, seeing that he had stalled Mu Zhenshan, dared not relent. His hands flew through a series of seals as he chanted under his breath. After only a few breaths, sweat beaded on his brow—the spell was clearly taxing.

Agitated, Mu Zhenshan suddenly shot upward, as nimble as a swallow, escaping the hail of earth and stone. From above, he scanned for Du Feiyang, then dove toward the spellcaster like lightning.

“Damn it, so close!” Seeing Mu Zhenshan in midair, Du Feiyang knew things had gone awry. Though he hated to abandon a spell so near completion, the intense sense of danger forced him to give up.

As Mu Zhenshan descended, Du Feiyang’s body flickered and vanished into the sand. Mu landed with a roar, launching himself into the swirling earth after him, gouging a shallow pit with the force of his leap.

Du Feiyang, already hidden within the sand, pressed his palms together and swiftly performed several incantations. With a shout of “All!”, the whirling sand and stone compressed tightly around him, spinning faster and faster until he was sealed within.

Mu Zhenshan, seeing the sand converge, dashed toward Du Feiyang—his fingertips nearly brushing his foe—only to be struck aside by a flying pebble.

He spat out a mouthful of sand, eyes burning with fury as he glared at the pale-faced Du Feiyang within the sand. That last, desperate attack had nearly scattered all of Du’s energy, but Mu himself had been struck in the head by a stone and was now bleeding profusely.

Undeterred, Mu Zhenshan made several more attempts, but each time the sand and stones drove him back, leaving him with fresh cuts. Frustrated, he circled rapidly, searching for a weakness.

Having broken his spell prematurely, Du Feiyang suffered severe backlash. His spiritual energy was nearly depleted; trying to focus, he found only weakness.

For those who cultivate the spirit, unity with nature is paramount. Casting spells requires attunement with heaven and earth, and any distraction or forced interruption can be dangerous—at best, accelerating the loss of power; at worst, causing unconsciousness or worse.

Now, Du Feiyang found his energy out of sync with the land, the power roiling within him. He gritted his teeth, vowing silently, “Once my strength returns, I’ll make you pay dearly.”

This brief clash left Susu and the others utterly dumbfounded, overturning everything Susu thought he knew.

With a gesture, sand and stone filled the air, figures moved with the swiftness of thunder, and swords floated in midair—all feats of myth and legend playing out before their eyes. Susu wondered if this was still the mortal world; all those present seemed almost unreal.