After Mu Chen parted ways with Zhao Feng, he made his way back to the Mu Clan residence. As usual, there were two men guarding the entrance. The guards in the residence were all actually branch family members who had been sent here from other places to the main family, just like Mu Mantian, the unfortunate guy who got beaten down by Mu Chen after he had just transmigrated.

Before reaching the Mu residence, Mu Chen had once again hidden his true cultivation at the peak of seventh level Mortal realm, suppressing it back down to the fifth level. Along the way, had also gotten rid of his rugged clothes and changed back into his usual fine robes. It was best not to alert the enemy and hiding his true strength was a very useful tactic.

Mu Chen nonchalantly stepped into the Mu residence and strode directly toward his father’s mansion. The moment he entered the residence, a gray robed servant in the corner who was sweeping the floor inconspicuously stopped what he was doing and walked off. The servant made a beeline straight toward another large mansion.

This mansion had a beautiful courtyard with several decorative ornaments. Although it did not have a big and beautiful garden outside like Mu Chen’s own residence, it still looked just as lavish.

The servant knocked on the door lightly. The door slid open by a crack and someone’s face could be seen peering through. It was one of the youths from the branch family.

“Oh, it's just you. What is it?” The youth asked.

“This servant has something to report to the young master.” The servant bowed his head respectfully.

“Alright, go on in. The young master is in his study. Follow me.” The youth gestured for the servant to enter, then closed the door behind them.

The youth brought the servant through the long hallway toward a room at the back and knocked on the door three times.

“Enter.” A voice came from the inside.

The youth slid the door open and the servant gingerly stepped into the room.

The room was large, much larger than the small house the servants lived in. There was a rack at the side prominently displaying several ornate weapons, bookshelves lining the sides of the room and several exquisite paintings hanging on the walls.

In the center was a large wooden desk and behind it sat a youth around Mu Chen’s age. The youth was holding an ink brush in his hand. He had a graceful bearing and an air of superiority around him. There was a light smile on his handsome face as he skillfully and elegantly swept the brush across a piece of calligraphy paper on the desk.

The servant watched on in silence, not daring to interrupt. The room was completely silent except for the sound of the brush swishing across the paper. After the youth was finished, he held up the piece of paper for the servant to see.

“What do you think?” The youth asked.

On the paper, the four words ‘No Rival Under Heaven’ (天下無敵) were written. The strokes were bold and daring and the four words inspired a sense of awe and reverence in the servant’s heart.

“Young Master Mu Heng is indeed skilled in both the pen and sword. Truly a one in a million talent!” The servant praised.

This youth was none other than Mu Heng, Mu Chen’s cousin.

“I was asking what you thought about my calligraphy, not what you think about me.” Mu Heng smiled.

“This…” The servant was flustered for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. “This is indeed a brilliant piece of work! Although this humble servant does not know much about calligraphy, he can tell that these four words ‘No Rival Under Heaven’ is what the young master believes in!”

Mu Heng did not say anything in response but merely chuckled.

“Anyway, I understand you have something to report?” Mu Heng asked as he set the calligraphy paper down on the desk.

“Yes, the First Young Master has just returned. I’ve been keeping watch constantly. He’s been going out for long periods of time and has only returned once or twice in between during the past few weeks.”

“Any idea where he’s been going?” Mu Heng frowned.

“This humble servant does not know.” The servant replied apologetically.

“What is his current cultivation level?”

“Young master, I’ve asked the guards, who have informed me that the First Young Master’s cultivation is currently at the fifth level of the Mortal realm.”

“That explains how he defeated Mantian…but how did his cultivation suddenly increase by two levels? Did something go wrong with the poison?” Mu Heng thought to himself.

“Alright, take this.” Mu Heng retrieved a small white stone from his pocket and tossed it to the servant, who caught it with both hands.

This was a spirit stone. It was a naturally occuring crystallized form of spiritual qi. Cultivators often used it as currency, as well as a resource to increase their cultivation. It could be considered very precious, especially to a servant.

“Thank you Second Young Master!” The servant bowed repeatedly.

“Just a small reward. You may take your leave.” Mu Heng waved his hand dismissively. The servant thanked him once more and left happily with his spirit stone, closing the door behind him.

The study fell into silence once more, barring the sound of Mu Heng tapping his finger on the surface of the wooden desk as he furrowed his brows.

“Senior Brother, what do you think?” Mu Heng suddenly asked seemingly no one.

At an unknown time, a black robed hooded figure had appeared from out of nowhere, standing in the shadows at the corner of the room.

“Junior Brother Mu, with your status, why do you worry about such small matters? Elder Xu thinks highly of you and wants to take you as his personal disciple. You will soon become a disciple of our Nine Demon Gate. Compared to us, what is your Mu Clan? The Mu Clan is not even fit to carry our shoes!” The figure spoke in a raspy voice.

“Senior Brother Feng is correct.” Mu Heng’s expression relaxed as he let out a deep breath.

“After we settle our matters here, we will return to the sect. You will not need to stay here much longer.”

“I understand, but before that I need to ensure my father becomes patriarch! The only way is to kill both father and son!” Mu Heng's gaze burned with killing intent.

“Junior brother, if you want to kill them so badly, then just go ahead and do it. Don’t worry about the repercussions, the Nine Demon Gate will protect you! I’m sure you can handle a mere brat at the fifth level of the Mortal realm right?” Senior Brother Feng walked over and bent down, coming face to face with Mu Heng.

The upper part of Senior Brother Feng’s face was obscured by the hood, but Mu Heng could make out countless hideous scars crisscrossing his skin, as well as sense his bloodthirsty gaze from under his hood. It made his skin crawl.

“In fact, if you want, I could even help you kill them…” Senior Brother Feng licked his lips as a thick murderous aura started to overflow from his body.

“Thank you Senior Brother Feng, but that will not be necessary. If the City Lord finds out that there are devil cultivators in Skywind City, it will be troublesome. We must kill discreetly.” Although Mu Heng was affected by the murderous aura, he managed to maintain his composure.

"Hehehe, I can see why my master likes you so much. You are indeed one of a kind." Senior Brother Feng chuckled.

"Senior Brother need not worry, I will deal with Mu Chen myself...as for Mu Lin, I may need your help with him."

Mu Lin was the patriarch of the Mu Clan, as well as an expert in the Sea Forming realm. The reason he was even the patriarch in the first place was thanks to his strength. Even within the Sea Forming realm, he was definitely not weak.

Mu Heng, who was only in the Mortal realm, would not be able to defeat him. The difference between the two levels was akin to heaven and earth. Once a cultivator reached the Sea Forming realm, he was no longer considered 'Mortal'. His body would become like steel, impervious to mortal blades and spears, and his lifespan would increase to 150 years, far beyond any normal person. Only Sea Forming realm cultivators were considered true cultivators!

"Of course, of course. Master has instructed me to take good care of you. If anything happens to you, he will punish me." Senior Brother Feng said with a wide grin on his face. "Though, that old man Mu Lin is quite strong. To kill him quietly could be slightly troublesome."

"I'll deal with Mu Chen first. Then it will be that old man's turn." Mu Heng muttered.