Chapter 113: Response
Chapter 113: Response
In the depths of the forest, a ray of morning light rose from the east, illuminating the serene wilderness once more. Chen Mu, Xu Hongyu, and their companions had reached the outskirts of the Autumn Forest Range, stepping out of the last patch of dense forest to behold a vast expanse of rolling hills in the distance.
Between the hills, patches of farmland were faintly visible, and in the far-off direction, some rural villages could be seen.
"So, the rubbing of the Thunderbolt Map ended up in your hands after all."
Xu Hongyu turned her head to look at Chen Mu, a hint of surprise in her voice as she said, "Perhaps it was fate?"
Ever since they left the Autumn Forest Range, she had many questions, but the biggest mystery was how Chen Mu had comprehended the Thunder Intent. Chen Mu didn't hide anything from her and directly told her the origin of the Thunderbolt Map.
With his current strength and cultivation realm, a rubbing of the Thunderbolt Map was something he could easily possess. Even if he had obtained it publicly, there wouldn't have been any consequences, unlike comprehending the Thunder Intent out of thin air. Having the Thunderbolt Map to study made much more sense.
"What do you mean?" Chen Mu asked, looking at Xu Hongyu.
At that moment, the morning light at the edge of the sky illuminated her face, casting a golden-red hue on her cheek and adding a touch of adorableness to her willow-leaf eyes, diminishing the usual coolness in her gaze.
"In the past, Tang Quan disguised himself as a servant and infiltrated the Yu Clan. After hiding for several years, he stole the Thunderbolt Map from the Yu Clan one day and fled to the outer city. I received the news and went to capture him... Later, he died at your hands, but the Thunderbolt Map was not found on his body, nor did my men discover it at his hiding place."
"Tang Quan used to be from the West City and seemed to have connections with the Outlaws, but I had no evidence, and I couldn't interfere in the affairs of the West City. Eventually, the map ended up in the hands of Zhang Lang from the Outlaws, and after many twists and turns, it found its way to you."
Xu Hongyu shook her head. If the map had been on Tang Quan's person, Chen Mu would never have gotten his hands on it. With Chen Mu's abilities at the time, he wouldn't have been able to keep the map, and even if she had seen it, she would have taken it back and not handed it over to Chen Mu, who was just a constable back then.
However, after a year had passed, Chen Mu infiltrated the West City and killed Zhang Lang, obtaining the Thunderbolt Map from him. By then, Chen Mu had the capability to possess the map, but what surprised Xu Hongyu the most was that within less than a year of obtaining the map, Chen Mu had comprehended the Thunder Intent.
Xu Hongyu, who often contemplated the Water Conduit Diagram at the Yu Clan, had only mastered two sword forms so far, and the third one was still incomplete.
Even with Chen Mu's foundation in the Whistling Wind Intent, the Thunder Intent was fundamentally different, and to comprehend it within a year was a testament to his extraordinary comprehension ability, leaving Xu Hongyu in awe.
If it weren't for Chen Mu's impoverished background, he would have likely had the opportunity to test his comprehension talent and probably would have already joined the Seven Mysteries Sect, becoming an inner disciple and receiving their true teachings. He wouldn't be gradually growing step by step in Yu City.
Xu Hongyu couldn't help but imagine this scenario.
If that were the case, perhaps when Chen Mu returned to Yu City, it would be as a true disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect, and the four prominent families of the inner city would have to welcome him respectfully. She might only be able to catch a glimpse from afar, unlike now, where she could participate in his journey.
After all, the status of a true disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect was equivalent to that of a sect elder, comparable to a figure like Schuai Huai Kong.
Currently, Chen Mu, due to his humble background, only had his first exposure to sword techniques at the age of twenty, wasting a lot of time. Even with his talent, which seemed like a monster's, it would be challenging to catch up with a true disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect.
Those true disciples, who Xu Hongyu had only heard rumors about, were the creme de la creme of the entire Yuzhou region. They either possessed monstrous talent or had risen through the ranks from the inner disciples, leaving a trail of victories.
With this thought, Xu Hongyu's gaze towards Chen Mu couldn't help but carry a hint of regret.
However, even so, with Chen Mu's extraordinary talent, even if he couldn't reach the heights of the entire state, he would undoubtedly dominate this county in the future, ruling over the four directions with ease.
"I see," Chen Mu said, understanding dawning on his face.
Xu Hongyu hadn't explained much about the incident with Tang Quan, but now it made sense; it involved the Intent Map, which was not something he should have come into contact with at the time. Yet, after many twists and turns, the map ended up in his hands, aiding him in cultivating the Thunder Intent.
Without this map, Chen Mu would likely have only mastered the Whistling Wind Intent, and his actions would not have been as smooth as they are now.
Xiao He giggled beside them, "So, your current realm is indeed inseparable from Miss Xu's influence."
However, Xu Hongyu, who was looking down and lost in thought, shook her head upon hearing Xiao He's words, "With such talent, once he embarked on the path of martial arts, reaching this stage was only a matter of time. Whether or not I influenced him, it wouldn't have made a significant difference. His comprehension of the Whistling Wind Intent and breakthrough in the Sinew Transformation Realm were all due to his own abilities."
Listening to the conversation between the maidservant and the young miss, Chen Mu found it amusing. Xiao He, the clever one, was already trying to take credit for his progress in front of him, while Xu Hongyu maintained her usual cool demeanor, only occasionally glancing at him with a gaze that was no longer as clear as before, carrying a hint of something else.
Chen Mu did not respond to this, but instead looked into the distance and said, "We've already left the Autumn Forest Range. What do you think we should do next, Hongyu?"
Xiao He, standing beside them, stuck her tongue out at the familiarity of Chen Mu's address towards Xu Hongyu. However, Xu Hongyu didn't find it strange at all. In her eyes, Chen Mu's strength had far surpassed her own, and although he was still only a Green Robe Guard, in this world, strength was revered. Chen Mu walking ahead of her no longer meant he was her subordinate.
After a brief moment of contemplation, Xu Hongyu said, "I think it's best not to cause a big commotion. We can go directly to the nearest Yu Clan outpost and send the news about the Heavenly Corpse Sect back. As for your situation... it's best to keep it from spreading to more people, including the Yu Clan for now. What do you think?"
She looked at Chen Mu, and in her cold, slender eyes, a hint of strangeness flashed. If her father had been as low-key and discreet as Chen Mu all these years, perhaps the tragedy that befell him could have been avoided.
Currently, Chen Mu, with his mastery of two intents and his cross-training body, had reached the pinnacle of Sinew Transformation Perfection in the entire county. However, he was still a significant distance away from the Organ Proficiency Realm.
Between the Bone Forging Realm and the Organ Proficiency Realm lay a vast chasm.
Just as there was a gap between Sinew Transformation and Body Tempering.
Skin Hardening and Sinew Transformation were one level, and Bone Forging was another. The Five Organs and Six Bowels were yet another level of height.
In the Bone Forging Realm, there were many who hadn't grasped the intent, and a very small number with poor comprehension who, even upon reaching the pinnacle of Bone Forging, hadn't grasped any intent... But to enter the Five Organs Realm, intent was the foundation.
Even ten Bone Forging masters who had grasped intent would still be far from a match for a Five Organs Realm cultivator who had condensed their Inner Breath Primordial Essence.
The only possibility for a Bone Forging cultivator to rival a Five Organs Realm cultivator was to take the second step in intent, but that was incredibly difficult. The difficulty was no less than that of Organ Refinement and Return to Origin, and often, only those who had entered the Five Organs Realm had the opportunity to touch upon the second step of intent.
In the 1619 book, there is no mistake!
Although Chen Mu had innate comprehension and cultivated two intents, the second step of intent was likely another heavenly barrier, not something that could be crossed in a short time. So, before that, it was best to remain low-key and not attract attention, just as he had done in the past.
"..."
Xiao He stood beside them, blinking in curiosity as she looked at Xu Hongyu.
Xu Hongyu's words were completely from Chen Mu's perspective, even temporarily setting aside the Yu Clan. In all these years, Xiao He had never seen Xu Hongyu think this way.
Could Miss Xu be trying to show goodwill towards Chen Mu? But it seemed too natural, without any flaws. Miss Xu's demeanor and conduct should not have reached such heights yet.
"Mmm, that's good too."
Chen Mu nodded slightly towards Xu Hongyu.
After revealing his strength, he had a clear plan in mind. First, the remaining members of the Heavenly Corpse Sect must die; he couldn't let himself fall into their sights.
Next was Xu Hongyu and Xiao He's situation. Whether or not they informed the Yu Clan about him, it wouldn't cause him much trouble. From the Yu Clan's perspective, knowing his situation would only make them want to recruit him more aggressively.
The only concern was the Yu Clan's diverse eyes and ears. If they chose to disclose some information, Xu Hongyu the task of directly informing the Yu Clan's family head, keeping the matter within a small group. This way, they were more likely to obtain more cultivation resources from the Yu Clan.
As for worse-case scenarios, he didn't worry about them.
With his current strength, he could easily leave the county or find a remote valley to stay in for a year or two, advancing his Thunderbolt Intent to the second step before returning. It would only mean a temporary pause in his Body Tempering Art.
"You probably need Bone Forging Pills now, right?"
Xu Hongyu looked at Chen Mu and said softly, "The control over Bone Forging Pills is very strict. Aside from the annual quota, only White Guard and above in the Demon Slayer Division can exchange them, and each person has a limited number they can obtain. I've just entered Sinew Transformation Perfection this year, and I still need to accumulate Vital Energy for a year before attempting Bone Forging. You can use my quota first."
Chen Mu did need Bone Forging Pills, but using Xu Hongyu's quota... upon thinking about it, it didn't seem like a bad idea. Xu Hongyu had just entered Sinew Transformation Perfection and needed time to consolidate, while he was at the Sinew Transformation Limit, already at the peak of his training and didn't need consolidation. Moreover, once he entered the Bone Forging Realm, obtaining Bone Forging Pills wouldn't be an issue.
Besides, Xu Hongyu had already spoken so frankly.
Chen Mu glanced at Xu Hongyu and suddenly chuckled, "I remember you once said you wanted to arrange a marriage for me in the Yu Clan. Now that I think about it, who do you think would be suitable?"
Xu Hongyu was slightly startled by the abrupt change in topic and didn't respond immediately. When she looked back at Chen Mu, she saw that he had already turned and walked towards the distance.
Suddenly, she felt a slight itch at her waist.
Xiao He was standing beside her, gently poking her with her finger, her eyes seemingly sparkling, and whispered, "The sky is already bright. Hurry up and catch up, Miss. Don't space out!"
(End of Chapter)
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