Chapter 262: No One is Born to be Superior
Chapter 262: No One is Born to be Superior
Just as the news spread throughout Yu Prefecture, causing a stir, Chen Mu, who was believed to be in seclusion to suppress demonic energy, was leisurely strolling towards the eastern courtyard of the Yu Family residence.
This ancient courtyard was spacious, and in the center of the courtyard, an elderly man with white hair and beard lay on a reclining chair, soaking in the sun. Suddenly, several kingfishers flew onto his shoulder, chirping noisily.
The old man casually extended his hand, grabbed a handful of millet from the side, and spread it out in his palm. The kingfishers fluttered over and pecked at the millet beside his hand, one by one, creating a harmonious scene.
"Old man, you're certainly enjoying your retirement," Chen Mu said with a smile as he strolled into the courtyard, addressing Yu Jiujiang, who was lying on the reclining chair.
The kingfishers seemed completely unaware of Chen Mu's presence, and even when he approached, not a single bird flew away. They continued pecking at the millet, and one of them, after pecking a few times, looked at Chen Mu curiously, flapped its wings, and flew to his shoulder. It then looked up and down at Chen Mu with confusion.
In the eyes of the kingfisher, Chen Mu seemed like a small tree, but it was strange how this tree had suddenly appeared.
"I wonder who it is, coming to see this old man on the brink of death..." Yu Jiujiang mused, "Your skill in concealing your aura is far beyond what I could achieve in my youth. Even when you entered this courtyard, I couldn't sense your presence."
Yu Jiujiang smiled warmly at Chen Mu, his eyes filled with emotion.
Although he was in his nineties and had cultivated the Five Viscera Realm, focusing on the Kan Water lineage, he had entered his twilight years. Ever since Chen Mu left for the Seven Mysteries Sect, his condition had deteriorated. By last year, he could no longer maintain the inner breath circulation of the Five Viscera Realm, and his Essence Aura had dissipated. He was no longer capable of protecting the Yu Family and had become an ordinary elderly man with slightly stronger physical strength.
However, the Yu Family no longer needed his protection. After Chen Mu's wedding, he moved out of the Yu Family residence, unlike Xu Yichuan, who had settled there permanently. Everyone knew of Chen Mu's close relationship with the Yu Family, especially after he rose to the Martial Hero Rankings. The Yu Family's status in Yu Prefecture had also risen significantly, and although their overall power was still inferior to the Xue Family, the Xues had to show respect to the Yus.
Of course, Yu Jiujiang still possessed some strength. The second step of the Kan Water Concept would never decline, but after the dissipation of his Essence Aura, his mobility decreased significantly. Even though he could still manipulate some Primordial Power, an ordinary Bone Forging Realm cultivator could handle him as long as they maintained a certain distance and didn't get too close.
However, precisely because the Concept wouldn't decline, when Yu Jiujiang saw Chen Mu again after nearly three years, sensing the aura on Chen Mu's body, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions. Despite Chen Mu standing right in front of him, with his Kan Water Concept fully open, he couldn't sense Chen Mu's presence, as if there was nothing there at all.
He could see Chen Mu, but he couldn't sense him.
This level of control over Primordial Power alone had already far surpassed his own abilities.
Thinking back to just a few years ago when Chen Mu was still a junior member of the Yu Family, who had only shown some promise, and now he was the top rising talent in the Cold North and a Martial Hero on the verge of reaching the Grandmaster Realm, made Yu Jiujiang feel like he was living in a dream.
"I've learned some humble skills, and I'm afraid they'll make you laugh," Chen Mu said with a smile, addressing Yu Jiujiang.
Chen Mu could also sense Yu Jiujiang's condition. At this moment, he could feel that the elderly man before him, although his blood and energy were still relatively thick, had indeed severed his connection with the external Primordial Energy. Chen Mu couldn't help but sigh lightly.
After so many years of being the pillar of stability for the Yu Family, he had secretly protected Yu Jiujiang numerous times in the past. Now, he had finally aged and become an ordinary elderly man, enjoying his retirement and planning to spend his remaining years in peace.
Yu Jiujiang looked at Chen Mu with a kind expression, then suddenly scanned the surroundings, his demeanor becoming more serious. He sighed and said, "I heard about the previous incident. It's a pity that my Essence Aura has dissipated, and my inner breath has weakened. Otherwise, I would have gone to deal with that demonic energy myself and spared you the trouble."
Chen Mu shook his head slightly and said, "They chose their timing well. They wanted me to take action, and there wasn't enough time for anything else. But don't worry, I'm fine."
Yu Jiujiang sighed, "You've already entered the Six Bowels Realm, and you can easily suppress demonic energy. It's just that..."
If it weren't for the demonic energy, perhaps Chen Mu, who cultivated the Heaven-Earth Path, might have had a chance to break through the Mystic Gateway. This delay could make his path to becoming a Grandmaster more challenging. Although Chen Mu's current status and position were already more than enough for him and the Yu Family, how could he not wish for Chen Mu to reach even greater heights?
Yu Jiujiang paused and then changed the subject, "You must have some suspicions about who's responsible, right? Have you found anything out yet?"
"Not yet, but soon."
"Chen Mu spoke calmly.
'Mm.'
Yu Jiujiang nodded, then smiled reassuringly. 'You came here specifically, and it's not just to visit an old man like me. Is there something else? If it's about killing someone, I'm a bit strained at my age, but I still have some strength left.'
Chen Mu chuckled. 'Old man, your body is still robust. But I can't be bothered with trivial matters. I came to inform you that I'm planning to arrange for a branch of the Yu Family to settle in the capital of Yuzhou.'
'The Yu Prefecture is remote, and the situation is chaotic with all sorts of people mixed together. It's no longer suitable for development. I plan to bring Hong Yu and the others to the capital in a few days. I also want to ask if you'd like to come along.'
After listening to Chen Mu, Yu Jiujiang sighed. 'The capital is great. If we can go to the capital, we should definitely go. You can discuss this with Zu Yi. As for me... I've been to the seven counties of Yuzhou in my younger days, but now that I'm old, I'd rather stay rooted here in Yu Prefecture. Whether it's chaos or peace, I'm content.'
In reality, Yu Prefecture had gradually become chaotic due to the presence of the four major sects. The Yu Family had long considered dispersing its branches, but their power wasn't strong enough, and the capital of Yuzhou was far more influential than the remote Yu Prefecture. At least a master of the Five Viscera Realm was needed to establish a foothold, and Yu Jiujiang, at his age, was already stretched thin.
Now that Chen Mu had become a top expert on the Gale Wind Rankings, he naturally had the ability to do this, and his reputation alone was enough to secure a place for a branch of the Yu Family in the capital. But such matters should be discussed with Chen Mu first.
Unexpectedly, Chen Mu had just returned and proactively mentioned this matter.
'Mm, that's good.'
Chen Mu wasn't surprised by Yu Jiujiang's reaction. Yu Jiujiang had once been an official of the Seven Mysteries Sect, and he had been to various places in Yuzhou. At his age, it was normal for him to not want to move to the capital. After all, he was born and raised in Yu Prefecture.
Yu Jiujiang had provided Chen Mu with numerous conveniences and benefits during his martial arts cultivation. Now that Chen Mu had achieved his current status and capabilities, it was only natural for him to lend a helping hand and pull the Yu Family up, securing a place for a branch of their lineage in the capital.
Chen Mu picked up a handful of rice and fed the kingfisher perched on his shoulder. He chatted with Yu Jiujiang for a while before a crisp sound came from outside.
'Grandpa Zu.'
'Grandpa Zu.'
Various voices called out from outside the door.
Ever since Yu Jiujiang dispersed his Primordial Energy and no longer needed to maintain his realm through quiet cultivation, he no longer spent all his time in the ancient courtyard. He allowed the many direct descendants of the Yu Family to visit him frequently.
'Come in.'
Yu Jiujiang spoke amicably towards the courtyard.
A group of teenagers, both boys and girls, entered the courtyard. They greeted Yu Jiujiang enthusiastically before someone noticed Chen Mu standing to the side, looking as if he didn't exist.
Most of the visitors were young fourth-generation members of the Yu Family, some much younger than Yu Ru. But after a brief moment of surprise, they all recognized Chen Mu.
Although the Yu Family was large and influential, from the direct descendants to the various branches, Chen Mu's reputation was like thunder in their ears. Even those who had only met Chen Mu once at a wedding years ago wouldn't forget him.
'Brother Chen.'
'Brother-in-law.'
Various calls echoed, and their eyes shone with excitement, all filled with admiration.
Chen Mu's gaze swept over the teenagers and paused on a girl at the front.
'Sis... Brother-in-law...'
Yu Yun felt Chen Mu's gaze, and her voice stumbled. She was at a loss for a moment, her face turning red. She couldn't help but recall her arrogant words in front of Chen Mu, and her heart felt hollow.
Times had changed, and those past thoughts had long been forgotten. Whenever she heard about Chen Mu, she remembered her audacious words in front of him, and her face would flush. Even during Chen Mu's wedding, she had hidden with the elders in a corner. She never expected to encounter him here again.
Moreover, Chen Mu's status now was even more prominent than before. He was a renowned figure in the Cold North, surpassing Yan Jingqing.
Chen Mu still remembered Yu Yun, but back then, she was just a young girl of ten or so, and he didn't pay much attention to her. Now, he certainly wouldn't mind her past arrogance, a few audacious words from years ago wouldn't bother him. After all, she was born into an aristocratic family and was just a girl who had been a bit too reckless and arrogant.
Times had changed, and the arrogance she once had before him was gone. She felt awkward and conflicted, as if she admired him as a brother-in-law but also felt embarrassed and didn't dare face him.
"The He family, the Yu family... even the Seven Mysteries Sect and the Sky Sword Sect, they all started from humble beginnings. No one is born destined to be above others, and no one can remain immortal forever. Only by respecting strength and having a sense of reverence, being cautious and humble, and passing down these values from generation to generation, can a family endure for a long time."
Chen Mu looked at Yu Yun, his tone light as he spoke, and then glanced at the other young men and women.
Upon hearing Chen Mu's words, whether it was Yu Yun or the other young members of the Yu family, they all stood before Chen Mu with their heads bowed and ears perked up, listening attentively and behaving properly.
"Well said."
Yu Jiujiang sighed and said, "Strength should be respected, but not used to oppress the weak. No one is born to be above others, and nothing can last forever. Only by having a sense of reverence and being cautious and humble, and passing down these values from generation to generation, can a family endure for a long time."
Chen Mu's words struck at the heart of the matter.
No matter how powerful the He family was, standing at the pinnacle of Yu Prefecture and ruling over thousands of miles for over a hundred years, they were reduced to dust overnight. It wasn't because they had provoked some powerful and influential figure; at that time, Chen Mu was far from being considered a significant figure himself. The He family's downfall was due to their lack of reverence and their failure to respect Chen Mu from the beginning to the end.
The deceased members of the He family, He Mingxuan, He Mingzhen, and He Guangzong... They probably never imagined that their family's ultimate fate would not be destruction at the hands of the Yu family, but rather at the hands of Chen Mu alone.
"I will obey my brother-in-law's teachings."
"I will obey my grandfather's teachings."
The young members of the Yu family bowed one after another and spoke softly.
Yu Yun, her face flushed, followed the others in bowing and then looked at Chen Mu, stammering, "Brother-in-law, I... I..."
"Just remember what I said."
Chen Mu spoke to her calmly.
"Yes, yes."
Yu Yun nodded vigorously, knowing that Chen Mu was referring to her, but not mentioning the past. Her uneasiness finally eased a little, and as she looked at Chen Mu, her gaze was filled with reverence and a hint of admiration.
This was Chen Mu, the leader of the younger generation in the eleven provinces of the Cold North, who had entered the Gale Wind Rankings before the age of thirty and was revered as an extraordinary individual. In the Yu family, no one else could match his demeanor, and even now, she still felt like it was a dream.
Even more so.
At this moment, she felt fortunate that Chen Mu was Xu Hongyu's husband, her brother-in-law, and a member of the Yu family. Otherwise, if she thought about how she had been arrogant and rude to Chen Mu back then, she might have ended up like the He family, bringing trouble to the entire Yu family.
"Good, just remember that."
Chen Mu looked at Yu Yun and nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to the others. His tone was calm as he said, "Don't let my presence as your brother-in-law make you act recklessly outside."
The group of young men and women responded in unison.
Chen Mu then withdrew his gaze and turned to Yu Jiujiang, his expression becoming more relaxed. "I've overstepped a little with my advice. Please forgive me, sir."
Yu Jiujiang chuckled, "These unaccomplished young ones from the Yu family, you can teach them as you see fit. Their elders also wish you could guide them."
"Cultivation and mindfulness are personal journeys, and I can only offer some guidance." Chen Mu smiled and said, "I'll go speak to your grandfather again. I won't disturb you further."
"Yes."
Yu Jiujiang nodded slightly.
Chen Mu turned and left the courtyard, his figure quickly disappearing from sight.
The tense atmosphere in the courtyard finally eased after Chen Mu's departure. The group of direct descendants from the Yu family, who had been holding their breath, finally exhaled in relief and looked at each other.
"Grandfather, when did Brother-in-law return to Yu Prefecture... He's already on the Gale Wind Rankings, and his aura is much more intimidating than three years ago."
"Not long ago."
Yu Jiujiang gently patted a young girl's head.
Some of them secretly observed Yu Yun, and someone whispered beside her, "Sister Yu, how does Brother-in-law treat you... He seems so strange, did something happen between you two..."
"No, nothing happened."
Yu Yun responded without hesitation, but her mind suddenly wandered to Yu Ru. She felt a twinge of envy, as Xu Hongyu had always been closer to Yu Ru, and now Chen Mu was even closer to Yu Ru than to her.
When she was younger, she used to be jealous that her brother received more attention from Yu Ru, but as she grew older, she understood more. She couldn't bring herself to be jealous of Yu Ru anymore. In the end, the distance between her and Chen Mu was her own doing, and she felt ashamed and regretful.
(End of Chapter)
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