Chapter Thirty: The Wu Family of East Lodge City

On the Continent of Oblivion, Wu Shu had begun practicing the Xuan Arts. However, because that continent was better suited for cultivating spiritual consciousness, even after one hundred thousand years of practice, Wu Shu had only managed to condense Xuan Qi within his body.

Upon returning to the Thick Earth Continent, Wu Shu had originally assumed that with its abundant spiritual energy and the aid of his Xuan Arts, he would surely be able to cultivate a formidable amount of Xuan Force.

Yet, now that he had indeed manifested Xuan Force, when compared, the sesame-sized bead of energy in his dantian was pitifully small. Being in a hurry to travel, Wu Shu had not yet had the chance to test his skills or gauge the true extent of the strength his newfound Xuan Force provided.

When he had departed for the Giant Elephant Mountain Range, he had promised Zhao Fenxing that he would return in just three days. Ten days had now passed. He feared that if he did not return soon, people might begin to suspect he had perished in the mountains. His younger brother, Wu Zhen, possessed a volatile temper; without any word from Wu Shu for so long, the boy would surely be worried about his safety.

After several hours of rest, the Night-Stalker beast had regained most of its stamina, and they set off directly toward Giant Earth Town.

Upon entering the town, the Night-Stalker drew the eyes of everyone they passed. Before long, Wu Shu arrived at the Wu family’s ironworks shop. In contrast to the bustling streets, the shop was eerily quiet.

As soon as the old steward, Uncle Niu, learned of Wu Shu’s return, he hurried over, his face filled with sorrow. "Young Master, you have finally returned."

Wu Shu was perplexed. "Uncle Niu, what is the matter? What has happened?"

Thinking of how Wu Zhen lay severely injured in bed, the old steward disregarded formalities. "Young Master Wu Zhen is once again bedridden with grave injuries."

Hearing that Wu Zhen was injured again, Wu Shu could hardly believe his ears. When he had left for the Giant Elephant Mountain Range, Wu Zhen had been bedridden, and to help him recover, Wu Shu had personally set up a Flesh-and-Blood Rotation Array. How could he be back in bed again, before Wu Shu had even caught his breath?

Despite his inner anxiety, Wu Shu asked in a deep voice, "What exactly happened?"

Uncle Niu replied anxiously, "Young Master, let us head to East Hostel City at once. I fear that if we are late, Young Master Wu Zhen will lose his life."

If his brother was currently injured, was he wounded in East Hostel City? If so, why was he there? Wu Shu thought of Zhao Fenxing; he had repeatedly urged her to look after Wu Zhen while he was away. He did not press the steward for answers, choosing instead to ride his Night-Stalker toward East Hostel City.

Although the Wu family had declined in status, they were still considered a first-rate family within East Hostel City. Upon entering the city, Wu Shu began inquiring about the location of the Wu estate. Having fallen into a deep slumber at the age of six and waking only after ten years of cultivation on the Continent of Oblivion, East Hostel City felt both familiar and alien to him. At the very least, he had no clear grasp of how the various factions were currently distributed.

If not for the fact that he was riding a Night-Stalker, passersby might have fled at the mere mention of the Wu family. After asking a dozen people, one finally pointed him toward Wu Family Avenue, though the man warned, "Young man, East Hostel City is a mix of dragons and snakes right now, and the Wu family has provoked people they shouldn't have. If you have no connection to them, I advise you to stay far away."

Having received this well-meaning warning from a stranger, Wu Shu sensed that the Wu family’s situation was dire.

Confirming the location, Wu Shu soon arrived before the gates of the Wu estate. Looking at the familiar plaque above the entrance and the overgrown weeds on both sides, he felt a profound sense of how things had changed.

As he ascended the steps, one of the two emaciated gate guards shouted angrily, "Who goes there? This is the Wu estate; outsiders are not permitted!"

Too impatient to trade words with the guards, Wu Shu said coldly, "The young master of the Wu family, Wu Shu."

Even though they heard him clearly, the guards stepped forward to block his path. "Kid, back off! Don't be ungrateful and insist on suffering."

Glaring at them coldly, Wu Shu said, "If you don't want to die, keep your mouths shut."

The guards refused to relent, so Wu Shu released the Stele Spirit from his consciousness. The Spirit, understanding his intent, promptly struck each guard with a brick. Before they could even see how he had moved, they were left bloodied and reeling.

Realizing Wu Shu’s strength, the guards retreated while hurling threats. "Just you wait! Daring to impersonate a Wu family member and attacking our people—the experts of the Wu family will make you pay!"

Ignoring them, Wu Shu led his mount into the estate.

The guard captain was already overwhelmed; it felt as though their luck had been terrible lately, with experts breaking into the estate every few days. His men were all nursing injuries. Upon hearing that only one person had entered and appeared to be of average strength, the guard squad’s spirits lifted. After being beaten for days on end, they felt the heavens had finally granted them a chance to bully someone else.

The squad soon confronted Wu Shu. The leader immediately recognized the Night-Stalker. It was a rare mount, and any educated person in the Kun Kingdom knew its appearance—the cover of the "Ten Thousand Beasts" manual in the academies featured a drawing of one. Anyone in the Kun Kingdom capable of riding a Night-Stalker was likely someone who could wipe out the entire city with a single word.

The guard captain, Er Gouzi, quickly changed his demeanor, bowing and scraping before Wu Shu. "I beg your pardon, sir. Where do you hail from? If our men have offended you in any way, I hope you will be magnanimous."

The guards, who had come in a huff, were stunned to see their leader acting like a sycophant. Sensing the strange atmosphere, Er Gouzi shouted, "What are you staring at? Apologize to the gentleman!"

Even as the guards glared with resentment, Er Gouzi could no longer contain himself. "You uneducated fools! Do you even know what his mount is? Have you never heard of a Night-Stalker?"

The crowd suddenly realized they had kicked a true iron plate. Anyone who knew the status of a Night-Stalker rider in the Kun Kingdom knew that such a person possessed terrifying power.

In truth, Wu Shu cared little for the mount. His only concerns were how to rapidly improve his strength and how to protect his brother.

Observing the guards preparing to kneel, Wu Shu said, "I am your young master, Wu Shu. Stand down."

Er Gouzi studied Wu Shu’s face and exclaimed, "You truly look like the family head, Wu Xing! Are you really the young master, Wu Shu?"

"Indeed," Wu Shu replied coldly.

Knowing it was truly him, even if the leadership of the family had changed, Er Gouzi knew that any conflict between Wu Shu and those currently in power was a matter for the family’s direct descendants. Furthermore, with the Night-Stalker as his mount, few in the Wu family would dare to challenge him.

Er Gouzi bowed low. "It is our dereliction of duty for failing to recognize you, Young Master. Please wait here a moment; I shall report your return to the clan."

Wu Shu was in no mood for such formalities. "There is no need for you to involve yourselves in my affairs. If you still recognize me as your young master, simply lead me to where Wu Zhen is staying."

The men exchanged uneasy glances. They all knew the truth: Wu Zhen’s injuries had been inflicted by Wu Wen.

"You really are... unreliable," Wu Shu said coldly.

Feeling the heat of his gaze, Er Gouzi forced a smile. "Young Master, don't say that. We have been blessed by this family for years; how could we forget that? I, Wu Ergou, will lead the way."

The Wu estate was vast; after walking for nearly half an hour, they reached the courtyard where Wu Zhen was kept. Entering, Wu Shu found Zhao Fenxing sitting in a pavilion brewing tea, as if she had been waiting for his return.

After dismissing Er Gouzi, Wu Shu walked into the pavilion. Zhao Fenxing did not stand, merely saying calmly, "You've returned."

Wu Shu sat down, took a sip of the tea she had poured, and asked, "How is Wu Zhen?"

Zhao Fenxing looked apologetic. "Many things have happened in East Hostel City recently. Even I have been severely constrained in my actions."

Wu Shu knew well that there were almost no threats to Zhao Fenxing within the Kun Kingdom. If there was an opponent here that she feared, it must be an outside force—most likely the Demon Clan.