Chapter 23: First Arrival at the Mu Residence

Li Xingyu had already spent three days wandering this city, gaining a fair understanding of its vast central district and, in the process, deepening his knowledge of the Mu family. The Mu family enjoyed a good reputation not only in the city but throughout the empire. They were trusted by the imperial rulers, largely because they refrained from interfering in imperial matters outside the Heavenly Gifted Grasslands. Strong yet neutral, the family had naturally become the balancing force among the competing powers of the empire, which in turn granted them considerable influence.

That day, Li Xingyu did not go out; instead, he stayed in his room, reading some books he had collected from Mu Jianai and the Border Grass City, using his MVP5 device. Suddenly, he sensed a profound and powerful aura within the building. After a moment’s assessment, he estimated the aura belonged to someone at the late stage of Qi Cultivation—a level of strength he knew, from his recent research, only the head of the Mu family in this city and surrounding regions could possess.

After a brief consideration, Li Xingyu put away his MVP5, sat down by the table, took out two teacups, poured hot tea into both, and picked up one to sip at leisure. Before long, a voice sounded from outside the room—aged but resonant, brimming with vitality: “Forgive my unannounced visit, young friend. I hope you do not mind.”

“No matter. I do not care for such formalities. Since you are already here, please come in and share some tea,” Li Xingyu replied calmly, showing no intention to rise and greet the guest.

The old man was not bothered by this; instead, he was quietly surprised by Li Xingyu’s composure and the confidence that lay beneath it. He entered with a smile. Following behind, Mu Bat appeared visibly astonished, for he knew his own father to be proud and attentive to etiquette. Yet, faced with Li Xingyu’s casual manner, his father showed not the slightest displeasure. This, in itself, suggested that perhaps his father recognized the young man as his equal, or even his superior, in strength. Mu Bat suddenly felt a chill down his spine—a delayed fear at having once crossed swords with such a formidable figure. Thankfully, the other party harbored no ill intent, or he might not have survived the encounter.

By now, the family had learned from messages sent across the grasslands that this young man was named Li Xingyu, and his initial statements had been verified—he was not involved in the recent theft. Another piece of news sparked hope in the patriarch’s heart: Li Xingyu had easily cured Mu Zhake after a venomous bite from the Seven-Star Serpent. The patriarch knew well the lethality of this snake’s venom; throughout the empire, fewer than five doctors could treat it successfully. This indicated Li Xingyu's remarkable medical skills. If he were willing to help, perhaps the patriarch’s daughter could be saved.

When he returned to himself upon entering the room, he saw his father and Li Xingyu smiling at each other across the table, yet neither spoke. As Mu Bat moved closer, he was suddenly overwhelmed by a tremendous pressure, nearly unable to withstand it, and hurriedly stepped back. He realized this was his father and Li Xingyu testing each other’s cultivation through the projection of their inner energies. Although his father seemed to smile, the slight tremor in his hand holding the teacup betrayed his effort, which startled Mu Bat. Looking over at Li Xingyu, he was even more shocked—Li Xingyu appeared perfectly at ease, relaxed in his chair as if untouched by the contest.

His father soon regained composure, and the oppressive force dissipated. Mu Bat quickly approached, wanting to ask if he was alright, yet uncertain how to begin.

The old man gave him a reassuring look, then turned to Li Xingyu. “I did not expect, young friend, that you would possess such profound cultivation at such a tender age. Clearly, I must accept the passage of time.”

“You flatter me, Elder. I have merely been fortunate, encountering some unique opportunities.”

He smiled. “At our level, any progress depends on fate. You, young friend, are a man greatly favored by fortune. I suppose you have already guessed my identity?”

“If I am not mistaken, you must be the current patriarch of the Mu family. Please forgive my earlier lack of courtesy.” With that, Li Xingyu respectfully cupped his hands. He could tell the old man’s cultivation was deep—just a step further and he would reach the pinnacle of the late Qi Cultivation stage. All beings of higher wisdom respected strength, and Li Xingyu was no exception.

“You are too kind, young friend. I am indeed Mu Chenhua, head of the Mu family. Meeting you is fate. I deeply apologize for my son and his men’s earlier rudeness.”

“It is nothing. I know the young master acted out of concern for his beloved sister. I take no offense,” Li Xingyu replied, waving his hand.

“Thank you for your magnanimity. I imagine you are already aware of my daughter’s condition. I wonder if you would…” Before the patriarch could finish, his son interjected eagerly, now addressing Li Xingyu with the honorific ‘Your Excellency’ out of respect and necessity.

“Bat, do not be hasty. Since young friend Li acted to save another on the grasslands, it shows he is not one to ignore those in peril. He has only just arrived here and must need some rest.”

“You overestimate me, Patriarch. If I encounter a situation beyond my ability, I would not be able to help no matter how willing I am.” Mu Bat, fearing Li Xingyu was about to refuse, was about to speak when Li Xingyu glanced at him and continued, “I do not yet know the specifics of Miss Mu’s condition. Why don’t we go and see her now? I have been here for three days and need no rest.”

Li Xingyu agreed for two reasons: first, since Miss Mu was the victim of a plot, he surmised poison was involved—poison so subtle that local physicians could not detect it, but he possessed the latest antidotes from Earth. If he managed to save her, it would establish a strong relationship with the Mu family. Second, having already demonstrated extraordinary medical skill on the grasslands, to refuse now would be to risk offending the Mu family entirely. Even if they did not seek retribution, any hope of their assistance would be lost.

“Thank you so much, Your Excellency. Watching my daughter grow weaker day by day has been unbearable. With your help, I believe she will recover,” Mu Bat said, visibly moved. The patriarch glanced at his son, sighing inwardly—how easily concern could cloud judgment. His usually calm and clever son had failed to notice that Li Xingyu had not finished speaking before interrupting, and now appeared overly emotional and hopeful. He could only hope Li Xingyu would not disappoint them.

Li Xingyu took only his backpack and followed them outside, boarding a luxurious carriage. As soon as they were inside, the driver set off toward the Mu residence.

“Didn’t you say you had already found the spiritual medicine needed to save Miss Mu? Even though it was stolen, with the resources of the Mu family, it shouldn’t be difficult to recover it or find another. Yet the young master seemed terribly anxious at the time,” Li Xingyu asked as the carriage rolled on.

The patriarch chuckled, “You are sharp and perceptive, young friend. In truth, we never found such a medicine. We spread that rumor because Snowqing’s illness is very strange—she has always been healthy and even possesses a solid martial foundation. For her to suddenly fall ill is suspicious, so we suspected foul play.”

“So you purposely circulated the rumor, hoping to draw out the culprit behind her illness by enticing them to steal the so-called medicine, and then trace them back to uncover the cause and gather evidence.”

“Your wisdom commands respect, Your Excellency. I am confident my daughter will be saved.” Their conversation ended as the carriage stopped—evidently, they had arrived at the Mu residence.