Chapter 74: Brother, are you okay? Please don't die!!
At the Nalan family estate, on a high platform, several elderly figures were engaged in casual conversation. Among them were Nalan Jie of the Nalan family, Mu Chen of the Mu family, and Mittel Tengshan of the Mittel family, all high ranking Dou Wang, along with two of the Ten Strongest of the Jia Ma Empire.
"Tengshan, it seems someone from your family is running into some trouble down there. Aren't you going to check on them?" Nalan Jie chuckled as he glanced at the bustling crowd of juniors below.
Having narrowly escaped death recently, his perspective had shifted. He was now more carefree, unconcerned with trivial matters, saying what he wanted and keeping silent when he didn't.
"Oh, they're fighting with my Mu Zhan?" Mu Chen's eyes lit up, and he laughed, his voice brimming with excitement. "Old friends, what do you think? Who's going to win?"
"Hmph," Mittel Tengshan scoffed, rolling his eyes. "A six tier alchemist like Lü Bu could crush you old fools, let alone a brat like Mu Zhan who hasn't even reached the level of a Dou Shi yet."
"Don't underestimate Mu Zhan. That boy's combat talent is exceptional. Fighting opponents above his level isn't a problem," Nalan Jie remarked as he stroked his beard. A military veteran, he could see the bloodlust in Mu Zhan's aura a quality forged on the battlefield.
As for Lü Bu… not so much. A pale, polished alchemist, good for little more than charming women.
"Hahaha! Nalan, you've got a good eye," Mu Chen said, stroking his beard and laughing. "My Mu Zhan has a track record of escaping a three Dou Shi siege from the Falling Goose Empire and even managed to kill one of them in retaliation. Among the young generation of the Jia Ma Empire, he's a standout hardly anyone can match him!"
Mu Chen glanced at Mittel Tengshan with a smirk, his words clearly meant to jab at the Mittel family's lackluster younger generation.
Mittel Tengshan remained silent, but his expression darkened.
The other elders chuckled, enjoying the show. The Mittel family, focused on commerce, naturally didn't emphasize cultivating strong fighters. But that didn't stop others from using it to mock them.
"Hey, the fight's started. Are you watching?"
"Hahaha, my Mu Zhan is throwing punches already?" Mu Chen pushed Mittel Tengshan aside and plopped down in his spot, irritating the latter to no end.
At their level of power and influence, there was little left to excite them besides watching the juniors make fools of themselves.
Boom!
With a thunderous stomp, Mu Zhan launched himself forward, turning into a green blur.
"Kid, that was a good hit earlier! Let's see what else you've got!" Mu Zhan snarled, his grin feral as his fist, sharp and deadly like a spear, shot toward Lü Bu with a piercing whistle.
"What an idiot, provoking and angering Mu Zhan," Liu Ling smirked, his tone dripping with scorn. "A country bumpkin's friend is bound to be just as clueless. That Lü Bu is no better than Xiao Yan completely out of his depth."
"Indeed, what a fool. Once Mu Zhan starts fighting, he doesn't stop until his opponent is finished," remarked a young woman in an alchemist's robe adorned with a three tier badge.
This was the princess of the Jia Ma Empire, a prodigy in alchemy whose talent rivaled that of Gu He's disciple, Liu Ling. She was heavily nurtured by the royal family in the hopes that she would one day become a six tier alchemist or higher.
Success was yet to be determined, but for now, the royal family didn't mind investing in her potential.
"Teacher, should I intervene?" Nalan Yanran hesitated, clenching her fists. She had seen Lü Bu casually refine the poison from her grandfather and overpower Xiao Yan with a single hand.
But…
The poison wasn't that impressive Xiao Yan could have dealt with it too. Furthermore, Xiao Yan's strength as a five or six star Dou Shi wasn't extraordinary. Beating him didn't necessarily mean Lü Bu could beat Mu Zhan. Unlike others, Mu Zhan fought ruthlessly, aiming to cripple or kill.
"There's no need. Why concern yourself with others' business?" Yun Yun said indifferently.
"??" Nalan Yanran froze in disbelief. This was her family estate. Of course, she had to step in! Why was her teacher in such a bad mood today?
In the center of the courtyard, Mu Zhan roared, his arm turning a shade of dry wood as it hardened to an unyielding texture.
"Greenwood Thorn!"
His booming voice resonated like thunder as he struck. His extended fist seemed almost like a spear, the sound of it tearing through the air sharp and terrifying.
His attack targeted Lü Bu's throat, prompting many onlookers to pale. If that landed, survival would be impossible!
Smack!
A pale hand reached out and effortlessly caught Mu Zhan's attack.
"What?!" Mu Zhan's eyes widened, his face etched with disbelief. "How is this possible?!"
On the platform above, the four elders also stared, their eyes bulging in shock.
"This can't be! Absolutely impossible!" Mu Chen shouted, his voice tinged with desperation. "My Mu Zhan is undefeated in the capital!"
Crack!
"Young man, you're out of your league," Lü Bu said with a calm smile as his fingers clenched, snapping Mu Zhan's wrist.
"Ahhh!" Mu Zhan howled in pain, his bloodshot eyes burning with rage.
"You bastard!" Mu Zhan growled, his killing intent surging. Pain didn't scare him in fact, it fueled his fighting spirit. With a sharp glare, he raised his leg, aiming a powerful kick at Lü Bu's shin to disrupt his balance.
Crack!
Another sickening snap echoed as Mu Zhan's leg twisted unnaturally. His face turned pale, his jaw slack as cold sweat poured from his body.
"Cough, cough… Uh, everyone saw that, right?" Lü Bu said quickly, feigning innocence. "His broken leg is his own doing. Nothing to do with me!"
"Brother, are you okay? Please don't die on me!"
"…"
The courtyard fell silent, the previously lively atmosphere frozen in stunned disbelief. Only Mu Zhan's labored breathing broke the stillness.
"Haha, my Mu Zhan is undefeated in the capital?" Mittel Tengshan chuckled, stroking his beard as he glanced at Mu Chen.
Mu Chen's face turned beet red, his jaw dropping in shock as if his false teeth were about to fall out.
"Haha, who was it earlier that said their Mu Zhan was going to crush everyone?"
"Right? He even bragged about Mu Zhan being peerless among the younger generation. What a joke."
"Mu Chen, aren't you going to check on him? Your Mu Zhan is being begged not to die!"
"…!"
Listening to the elders' taunts, Mu Chen's face turned purple with rage.
"That brat! When I get home tonight, I'm doubling his training!" Mu Chen fumed. He wasn't angry at Lü Bu but at Mu Zhan for picking a fight and losing, dragging their family's name through the mud.
In a corner, Nalan Yanran's eyes widened in disbelief. She knew how strong Mu Zhan was she wouldn't be able to defeat him easily herself.
But this man… Who was he?
Clouded in uncertainty, Nalan Yanran's previous disdain for Lü Bu vanished entirely.
Meanwhile, Yun Yun's eyes flickered as she observed Lü Bu. This scoundrel… When did he grow so strong? She could tell at a glance that his body was incredibly sturdy, his physical strength surpassing ordinary limits.
Sipping his wine, Xiao Yan chuckled softly. He was now curious about Yun Yun's reaction this was where the real show began.
(End of Chapter)
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