Chapter 137

'Pfft~ Can't take a loss, huh!'

'No wonder you're stuck beneath others—such a narrow mind...'

'Break it up, break it up.'

'...'

The onlookers regarded Tang Yiming's escape with contempt, then dispersed.

Across from Yuelai Inn, Qin Liangjing hosted a feast to welcome Chen Mu, Shen Ge, and Pang Yunrui.

After three rounds of wine and five flavors of dishes, the four conversed merrily, all filled with anticipation for the ancient ruin they would soon explore.

Yet the news that Chen Mu had defeated Tang Yiming, ranked 108th on the Dragon Subjugation List, spread like wildfire, racing through Lu County with astonishing speed—and even extending toward Jing'an Wulong Fucheng.

'Did you hear? That new guy Chen Mu beat Tang Yiming with just one sword!'

'Really? Their ranks were only one apart!'

'Absolutely true! I was there—the blade was faster than anything imaginable!'

Could the 107th on the Dragon Subjugation List really be that strong?

'Heh, Chen Mu just defeated Pei Renguang, who practiced demonic arts, in Tai'an Fucheng—what chance did Tang Yiming stand against him?'

'...'

For a time, Chen Mu's name was repeatedly spoken by martial artists in Lu County, causing a major stir.

Many wanted to see this young prodigy who had defeated his opponent in a single strike.

Unaware of the outside commotion, Chen Mu remained calm and centered, sitting in meditation in his room, refining his Qi—as if the day's dazzling duel had never occurred.

The next morning.

As dawn barely broke, a shocking rumor exploded across Lu County like a thunderclap.

'Disaster! Big trouble! Tang Yiming is dead!!'

'Who? Which Tang Yiming?'

'The one beaten by Chen Mu yesterday—the Tang family prodigy! Found dead in his room at Fushun Inn in Chengxi!'

The news sent the entire Lu County Wu Lin into shock!

Inside Yuelai Inn, Chen Mu and the others were startled by the news.

They exchanged glances, each seeing disbelief in the others' eyes.

'Let's go see,' Qin Liangjing said grimly.

When the four arrived at Fushun Inn, it was already packed with martial artists who had rushed there.

The county constables had sealed the scene, but could not stop the crowd's curiosity and murmurs.

【Body discovered. Retrieve?】

'Yes!'

Card obtained; check it immediately.

A six-month Qi card!

Without showing emotion, Chen Mu peered through gaps in the crowd and saw the room where Tang Yiming had stayed.

Tang Yiming lay sprawled beside his bed, face pale, eyes wide open, frozen in shock and resentment.

His clothes were intact; no signs of a fierce struggle nearby.

Experienced Qin Liangjing persuaded the constables to allow them a closer look at the corpse.

'Heart meridians shattered—powerful, brutal technique,' Shen Ge murmured, frowning.

Pang Yunrui examined the surroundings: 'Looks like he was killed from behind by an extremely strong palm or finger strike. The attacker's cultivation far surpassed his, and it was a surprise ambush.'

Chen Mu looked at Tang Yiming—the lively, arrogant youth from yesterday, now a cold corpse—and sighed inwardly.

Though he disliked Tang Yiming's arrogance, he had never wished him such an end.

Yet he allowed himself only that brief sigh.

This matter had nothing to do with him; after viewing the body, he returned with Qin Liangjing and the others to the inn.

But he hadn't realized the trouble had not left.

Two days later.

As Chen Mu and the others ate and laughed in the inn's first-floor hall, a terrifying pressure descended like a dark cloud over Yuelai Inn!

'Chen Mu, you little scoundrel! Come out, you coward!'

His voice roared like thunder, shaking the inn's windows and doors, turning every diner's face pale—those with weaker cultivation trembled violently.

At the inn's entrance stood an old man in black brocade robes, his face grim, eyes sharp as a hawk's.

His hair and beard were white, yet his posture stood straight as a pine; the aura radiating from him was like a vast mountain, crushing the breath from all around!

Earth Altar Realm expert!

'It's Tang Zhenke of the Tang family!'

A well-informed martial artist whispered in terror: 'He's Tang Yiming's third great-uncle—a Earth Altar Realm expert! Why is he here? Could it be...'

Tang Zhenke's icy gaze locked instantly onto Chen Mu in the hall, unrestrained killing intent: 'You little beast! Jealous of my great-nephew's talent, you humiliated him in combat—and still weren't satisfied! You dared sneak in and murder him! Today, I'll drag you back to the Tang family to kneel before Yiming's spirit tablet—and bow your head three days and three nights!'

Kneel before Tang Yiming?

Chen Mu put down his chopsticks, rose slowly, face calm: 'Elder, you are mistaken. On the night Tang Yiming died, I never left Yuelai Inn. The Shopkeeper, the staff, and my three companions can all testify. This has nothing to do with me.'

'Hmph! Smooth talk! Your witnesses mean nothing! You must have used some secret trick to slip away and commit the murder! Stop lying—surrender now, or you'll suffer more pain!'

Tang Zhenke refused to believe him.

Or, before finding the true culprit, he needed an outlet for his rage—and Chen Mu, who had publicly defeated Tang Yiming, was the perfect target!

As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Zhenke struck.

A massive palm formed from true qi appeared out of thin air, radiating the terrifying pressure of a Earth Altar cultivator, snatching directly for Chen Mu, ready to seize him on the spot.

"Too much!"

Chen Mu's eyes turned icy. If the other side was going to arrest him without cause, how could he just sit and wait to be captured?

The Zhan Sha Dao flashed from its sheath, its sharp blade-light slicing upward in defiance.

Boom~

The blade-light clashed with the true qi palm; Chen Mu's body trembled slightly, stepping back two paces to dissipate the force, the floor beneath his feet cracking in every direction.

A Earth Altar cultivator's casual strike carried astonishing power!

"You dare resist? Die!"

Tang Zhenke roared, his body darting forward, bursting into the inn's main hall, and slapping his palm toward Chen Mu.

Thud~

A muffled crash echoed—the palm wind was ferocious, meant to strike with lethal force!

"Senior Tang, the matter hasn't been clarified—why rush to act?" Shen Ge coldly shouted, drawing his longsword; sword qi surged outward, striking Tang Zhenke from the side.

"Bullying the young—isn't that shameful!" Pang Yunrui growled, his twin halberds crashing through the air like a storm, slamming toward Tang Zhenke's back.

"Senior Tang, this matter is suspicious—please calm down!" Qin Liangjing spoke gravely, his spear like a coiling dragon, piercing toward Tang Zhenke's wrist.

Though all three were merely Primordial, they were all prodigies, their combat prowess far exceeding their peers; seeing Tang Zhenke act without reason, they immediately moved to aid Chen Mu!

Tang Zhenke hadn't expected these three Primordial youths to dare attack him—and with such ferocious assaults—that he was forced to divert attention to defend himself.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The explosions of qi surged without end; the tables and chairs in the inn's main hall shattered instantly.

Though each of the four was vastly weaker than Tang Zhenke's Earth Altar realm, their coordination was flawless.

Chen Mu's blade technique was sharp, striking head-on with brute force.

Shen Ge's swordplay was cunning, tasked with harassment and distraction.

Pang Yunrui's strength was fierce and overwhelming, launching brutal assaults from the flank.

Qin Liangjing's spear technique was seasoned, spreading out to seal off escape routes.

For a moment, Tang Zhenke was thrown into disarray by their combined assault—shocked and furious!