Chapter 236: Creekside Elder, Cave Fish (Part 1)

Mùlín County.

Mùlín County has flat terrain and fertile land. Its population reaches 560,000, which is remarkably large for a county established less than twenty years ago.

The Yu family is the largest and sole landlord in Mùlín County. All the land, along with the tenant farmers who work on it, is privately owned by their secular descendants. Even a common illegitimate son of the Yu family can possess vast tracts of land and a multitude of wives and concubines.

The few prosperous areas include Mùlín City itself, which, despite being located beneath the Yu family's main peak in Mùlín, remains a bloody place, like a man-eating beast quietly lying in wait on the land.

Yu Mugao sat silently in the luxurious grand hall at the highest point. Below him, a group of cultivators waited quietly for him to speak, but Yu Mugao remained silent, simply observing them.

Yu Xiaogui had already gone to Xianyou Peak to attend Xiao Chuting's dharma assembly. Meanwhile, the families to the east were becoming restless. Yu Mugao, whose cultivation had been interrupted again, looked at the subservient brothers, nephews, and other relatives below him. His anger threatened to erupt from his chest, but he could only suppress it.

The common people were displaced, resorting to cannibalism. Yet, his own family's descendants drank wine, played pitching games, sang joyfully, whipped tenant farmers, and laughed incessantly. Butchers displayed dog heads, beneath which lay human flesh.

Yu Mugao slowly stood up and walked out of the hall. Looking at Mùlín County under the night sky, a thought, one that had surfaced countless times before, arose in his mind. A chill ran down his spine as he silently asked himself:

Was this an immortal family clan, or a demon's hell?

A profound sense of powerlessness swirled in his mind. Yu Mugao was a ruthless and sinister character, yet he had never harbored thoughts of tormenting the common people or indulging his clansmen. Now, however, he had to watch all of this unfold before his very eyes.

Yu Mugao was not the root cause of the problem; the Yu family was already like this when it came into his hands. Even if he only wanted to change a small part of it, the forces of resistance involved an entire interest group, led by his own father, and even the old ancestor meditating in the cave dwelling.

He silently raised his head, looking towards the cave dwelling at the highest point. His sharp gaze seemed to penetrate the wooden walls and stone cliffs, seeing the old man sitting cross-legged within.

Last year, human flesh was three *qian* per *jin*; now it's only two *qian*...

Grandfather, what exactly do you want to do?

Inside the gloomy stone cave, drops of blood-water trickled down. Yu Yufeng extended his ruddy palms, immersing them in the small pool formed by the blood-water, then silently raised them.

After completing his routine tempering, Yu Yufeng attempted to re-enter meditation, but he struggled to calm his mind and became increasingly agitated. He ran his hands along the wall, causing a shower of limestone dust to fall. His eyes were slightly red, and his voice was harsh as he muttered:

Xiao Chuting... how is that possible! How could he have achieved the Purple Mansion realm?

He was a contemporary of Xiao Chuting. In their younger days, they had sparred numerous times, with each having their victories and defeats. At the time, Yu Yufeng had even been slightly superior in cultivation. He never expected that after years of diligent cultivation, Xiao Chuting would surpass him.

Yu Yufeng raised his hands and observed them closely. There were still faint sword marks on each of his palms, which instantly made him more agitated. Tears streamed from his eyes as he muttered:

Fine, fine, you're a genius, so arrogant. One sword strike was enough to cut off someone's cultivation path... Why! Why!

After a period of roaring in the cave, Yu Yufeng vented his emotions and sat cross-legged again. Unexpectedly, the outburst cleared his mind and made him feel more peaceful. For a moment, ethereal immortal music resonated in his ears, as if tiny figures were beating gongs and drums, creating beautiful melodies.

What a great opportunity.

Unconsciously, Yu Yufeng became more absorbed. Feeling refreshed and delighted, a series of epiphanies arose in his mind. Before his eyes, traversing many forests and roads, a small hill appeared.

This is... the opportunity for a breakthrough!!

Two fleeting iridescent lights appeared behind Yu Yufeng's white-haired head, but he was completely unaware. His eyes slightly clouded, he was momentarily overjoyed. He kicked open the stone door, rose on the wind, and landed in the grand hall.

Yu Mugao was staring blankly at the night sky when, unexpectedly, a gaunt old man with disheveled white hair suddenly appeared before him. Greatly startled, he quickly lowered his head to conceal the surprise in his eyes and respectfully bowed, saying:

Greetings, Old Ancestor!

Behind him, the uncles, nephews, and brothers exchanged glances, then, after a brief moment of panic, all knelt and respectfully echoed:

Greetings, Old Ancestor!!

Mmm.

Yu Yufeng slowly narrowed his eyes, giving Yu Mugao, who was kneeling at his feet, an odd look. He then spoke in a low voice:

Has Yu Xiaogui not returned yet?

No, Old Ancestor, not yet.

Yu Mugao replied respectfully. The uncles, nephews, and brothers below were exchanging knowing glances, believing that Yu Yufeng's emergence from seclusion surely indicated a major breakthrough. However, Yu Mugao felt uneasy and, hesitantly, raised his head and spoke meekly:

Old Ancestor, has your emergence from seclusion perhaps brought about a breakthrough?

Yes and no.

Yu Yufeng immediately became excited discussing the matter, bursting into hearty laughter as he replied:

During this seclusion, I unexpectedly gained an epiphany! I feel completely refreshed and have understood where my opportunity for a breakthrough lies! Oh, the joy!

Congratulations, Old Ancestor, on comprehending the opportunity; the Purple Mansion realm is within reach.

Yu Mugao's uncles, nephews, and brothers immediately began kowtowing, shouting and congratulating him loudly. Their cheers made Yu Yufeng's expression grow increasingly smug, and he slowly nodded.

However, the more Yu Mugao watched Yu Yufeng's exaggerated expression, the more he felt something was wrong. Suspicion secretly arose in his heart, and he respectfully said:

Congratulations, Old Ancestor, on comprehending the heavenly mysteries, with the Purple Mansion realm within reach... Comprehending heavenly mysteries is something only found in ancient legends, achieved by top-tier Daoist and immortal physiques. It hasn't been heard of for centuries. For you, Old Ancestor, to have achieved such an epiphany this time is truly earth-shattering!

Yu Mugao deliberately phrased his words strangely, subtly hinting to Yu Yufeng. To his surprise, Yu Yufeng didn't catch on at all, believing he was merely being flattered. He burst into laughter and proudly declared:

Of course it is!

This was certainly not something an old ancestor at the Foundation Establishment realm should say. The words instantly exploded in Yu Mugao's mind like thunder. He had met Yu Yufeng before, and he was definitely not this arrogant and agitated person before him. Alarm bells rang loudly in his heart as he cried out:

Old Ancestor, do not fall prey to another's spell!!

These words exploded beside Yu Yufeng's ear. Yu Yufeng paused slightly, his eyes brightening for just a fleeting moment. But as a white jade fishing rod gently lifted from a thousand miles away, Yu Yufeng's eyes immediately clouded over again, and he roared furiously:

You timid junior, so afraid and apprehensive, daring to obstruct my path to Dao!

With a sweep of his gray sleeve, he struck Yu Mugao, who saw stars, vomited blood, rolled three times on the ground, and spit out two teeth, his spiritual power weakening. Yu Yufeng coldly said:

A small punishment for a big warning; remember this well!

He then rose on the wind and headed east. On the ground, Yu Mugao, covered in dust and blood, still shouted loudly. Crying, yelling, running, and stumbling, he wailed:

Don't go, Old Ancestor! You mustn't go! Old Ancestor! Old Ancestor! You mustn't—