Fighting a Dou Master

Guo'er's eyes were red, clearly from crying.

She followed closely behind Nalan Chaoge, her face full of reluctance.

The Nalan Family's younger generation also came forward one after another to greet Nalan Chaoge.

The commotion at the Nalan Family immediately drew the attention of Jia Ma Holy City. Before long, the area outside the gates was packed with onlookers.

Nalan Chaoge casually glanced around. It was only a pity that he never saw the figure who had once made him yearn so desperately.

The Jia Ma Imperial Family truly was an indecisive chess piece. It seemed his strength was still beneath their notice. In that case, he would raise it until they could do nothing but marvel at him.

Pushing aside his thoughts, Nalan Chaoge patted Guo'er's hand. No longer hesitating, he turned and walked down the distant road.

Facing the rising sun, his shadow stretched long behind him.

When this monstrous genius returned to Holy City once more, what kind of storm would he stir up?

Jia Ma Holy City, Mu Family.

"Good news, good news!" A bearded youth came running over.

With a bang, he kicked open the door.

The Mu Family's council hall was already full.

Seeing Mu Tong rush in, everyone could not help frowning.

"Mu Tong, why are you making such a fuss?"

"Good news! That little trash from the Nalan Family has finally come out! I heard he's leaving for training this time. Heh heh, he couldn't even wait for his coming-of-age ceremony before coming out to die!" Mu Tong's face was filled with delight.

He had been waiting for this day for a long time.

"Nalan Chaoge is leaving for training at a time like this? Something feels off. Is he alone?"

"Of course not. The Nalan Family's Lion Army guards are accompanying him, but there are only four Da Dou Shi. This is the perfect chance to kill that little trash, Nalan Chaoge!" Mu Tong was so excited that he was nearly incoherent.

The Mu Family Elders in the hall looked at one another.

"It feels like there's a trap hidden in all this. We shouldn't act rashly. Killing that little trash would be easy, but if we alarm that old bastard Nalan Jie, the Mu Family will be in trouble. After all, we can't bear the retaliation of a Six-star Dou Wang!"

"The Patriarch is right. Besides, the Nalan Family's Lion Army is no pushover. We've only just taken over the Silver Armored Army, and morale is unstable. We shouldn't stir up more trouble!"

"Then is Mu Lu supposed to die for nothing? They only have four Da Dou Shi, so we'll bring four Da Dou Shi as well. As long as we restrain their guards, I'll personally slaughter that little beast!"

"No. Even if we do this, it must be done without anyone noticing. We can't give that old bastard Nalan Jie any excuse at all!"

"Patriarch, I have an idea."

"Oh? Let's hear it."

"Brother Mu Lu was killed by Nalan Chaoge. The Jia Ma Imperial Family is clearly leaning toward the Nalan Family, and our best marriage alliance with Yaoye no longer exists. Why not do this? We still have Mu Tong. Although he is a few years older than Yaoye, he has talent. As long as we create evidence that Mu Tong wasn't present, then secretly kill Nalan Chaoge, the Jia Ma Imperial Family may still agree to a marriage alliance with us!"

"As long as we tie Yaoye down, won't the imperial family sooner or later belong to our Mu Family?"

"How do we create an alibi?"

"It's simple. Mu Tong will go flirt with Yaoye. If it works, even better. If it doesn't, we'll act in advance and put Mu Tong in confinement, claiming he can't come out for a year. That way, Mu Tong will have an alibi. If Nalan Chaoge dies while Mu Tong is confined, how could the blame possibly fall on us?"

"Good idea. We'll do it that way. Come, Mu Tong. This is a Grade 2 Pill, the Joyful Union Pill. Take it. Tomorrow, I'll bring you into the palace to see Yaoye. As long as you find a way to make Yaoye take this pill, heh heh, I guarantee that even a Dou Huang powerhouse will lose their senses and be consumed by desire!"

A round of snickering suddenly rose throughout the hall, carrying meanings that only men could understand.

Though he claimed to be out training, Nalan Chaoge did not hurry on his journey after leaving Jia Ma Holy City. Whenever he found an inn, he stopped for food; whenever he saw beautiful scenery, he enjoyed it. When he encountered something interesting, he was even in the mood to stop and watch.

Rather than training, it was more like he had come out sightseeing.

Two days passed like this, filled only with eating, drinking, and having fun.

Even at such a slow pace, they had unknowingly entered the outer region of the Magical Beast Mountain Range.

In the pitch-black night sky, a crescent moon hung alone overhead. Faint, chilly moonlight spilled across the earth like a layer of silver sand, gently covering the group.

Outside a small grove closest to the Magical Beast Forest, a bonfire flickered with a faint glow.

Several people sat around the fire: Nalan Chaoge and his group.

"Young Master, are you... waiting for someone?" Second Brother, one of the four personal guards, asked in confusion.

"On a dark and windy night, it's the perfect time for murder and arson. Ever since we set out to train, there's been a tail following us. That won't do. I'm waiting for an old friend. If I'm not mistaken, he should catch up to us tonight." Nalan Chaoge picked up a slice of stir-fried First-order Magical Beast Wind-walking Duck and slowly chewed it.

"You mean Mu Tong?" Hearing Nalan Chaoge's words, Second Brother sprang to his feet and looked around before sitting back down. "Young Master, you're not joking, are you? I heard Mu Tong is a Two-star Dou Shi. His cultivation might not be very high, but I also heard that several of his brothers are Dou Ling-level powerhouses..."

"That's right. Several of my brothers are Dou Ling. You offended our Mu Family—did you really think nothing would happen?"

The sudden voice made everyone around the bonfire leap to their feet.

Someone had approached them, yet none of them had noticed. Could the newcomer be a Dou Ling powerhouse?

They looked toward the voice. It was indeed Mu Tong.

Following behind Mu Tong was a middle-aged man in a white robe. He was elegant and refined, with long handsome hair and his hands clasped behind his back. He looked at the people before him as though they were prey.

A Dou Ling?

Damn it, the Mu Family really thought highly of him. They had actually sent a Dou Ling?

The moment Nalan Chaoge saw everyone's reaction, he knew things had gone badly.

His original plan had been to lure Mu Tong out and fight him one-on-one. His guards only needed to hold off Mu Tong's guards.

But now, even though A'da was a Seven-star Great Dou Shi, he was still nothing before a Dou Ling.

Nalan Chaoge gave them a signal with his eyes. His lips moved as he softly said one word: "Run."

A'da gently shook his head and whispered back, "You protect Young Master and leave first. I'll hold them back!"

"No. You leave first, quickly. Don't worry about me!" Nalan Chaoge had barely finished speaking when Mu Tong arrived before them. Nalan Chaoge smiled faintly and rose from the ground.

"Well, if it isn't Eldest Brother Mu Tong. I truly didn't expect us to meet here. What a coincidence!"

"Not a coincidence. I came here for you, Nalan Chaoge. A life for a life, a debt must be repaid. Are you still going to run today?" Mu Tong sneered, looking at Nalan Chaoge as though he were already his possession.

He was a Two-star Dou Shi. If he still could not kill Nalan Chaoge, then he might as well die.