Chapter 37: Sudden Outburst, Deadly Strike

"Patriarch Mu!"
Suddenly, Xiong Zhan spoke out in a booming voice, "Chu Feng is a traitor of my Dread Gate. He set fire to our stronghold, defected, and caused countless deaths and injuries among our spirit beasts. That alone is a crime punishable by death. Later, he tortured and killed my two sons. The Xiong Clan and he are mortal enemies! Surely Patriarch Mu can understand my thirst for vengeance?"

"Master Xiong, your desire to avenge your sons is only natural," Mu Zhentong nodded, then shifted his tone. "However, regardless of whether Chu Feng is Lin Shan or Chu Feng, he has rendered great kindness to my Mu family. He is an honored benefactor recorded in our family's book of gratitude. Should anyone seek to harm him, the Mu family will never stand idly by! Master Xiong, you must also understand my intention to repay kindness?"

"You—!"
At these words, Xiong Zhan flared with anger, his voice thunderous, "So you mean to openly stop me from dealing with Chu Feng?"

"Exactly so!"
Seeing Xiong Zhan enraged, Mu Zhentong rose abruptly and declared loudly, "Master Xiong, let me make this clear: not only will you not touch one hair on Chu Feng now, but you must never do so in the future! If your Xiong Clan wishes him harm, my Mu family will protect him!"

"You—!"
Confronted by Mu Zhentong’s unyielding stance, Xiong Zhan was momentarily lost for words. Suddenly, he turned to Han Mo, saying, "Brother Han, what is your opinion on this matter?"

Though Xiong Zhan had come to the Mu family with Han Mo, he only knew that the Storm Thunder Martial Pavilion was also searching for Chu Feng. As for their true intentions, he remained uncertain, but it did not seem to bode well. At this moment, inspiration struck—if the Martial Pavilion would stand with the Dread Gate, there would be nothing to fear from the Mu family.

Among the four great powers of the Eighteen Ranges of Nine Mountains, it was widely acknowledged that the Mystic Sect stood supreme, with the Mu family second, the Storm Thunder Pavilion following closely, and the Dread Gate last. Yet, should any two unite against a third, their victory would be all but assured.

Mu Zhentong also turned his gaze to Han Mo. If the Martial Pavilion also meant ill toward Chu Feng, the Mu family would not fear them alone, but resisting both powers at once would be daunting indeed.

"Brothers Mu and Xiong, you mustn't misunderstand!"
To their surprise, Han Mo shook his head immediately. "The Storm Thunder Pavilion seeks Chu Feng only regarding the Golden Battle Python incident. There are no personal grudges involved. Therefore, whatever grievances exist between you and Chu Feng, forgive us for not intervening!"

With that, Han Mo lowered his head and sipped his tea, making his neutrality plain.

"Brother Han, you—"
Seeing Han Mo so detached, Xiong Zhan grew anxious. He hadn’t expected that, regarding Chu Feng, the Martial Pavilion would refuse to take sides, and so his own momentum faltered.

"Chu Feng, don’t think that the Mu family’s protection means you can rest easy! You killed the Third and Fourth Young Masters. The Xiong Clan of the Dread Gate will never share the same sky with you. Sooner or later, you’ll be torn to pieces!"

Suddenly, the Dread Gate stronghold leader Pan Ba, standing beside Xiong Zhan, jabbed a finger at Chu Feng and shouted.

Chu Feng slowly turned his gaze on Pan Ba, his voice icy, "And what are you? A lackey who barks behind his master, daring to make such a fuss here? Put down your filthy hand—don’t point at me!"

Pan Ba’s face darkened; he had not expected Chu Feng’s aura to be so overwhelming. Yet, as the foremost among the Eight Dread Lords, Pan Ba had stepped forward to bolster Xiong Zhan’s momentum. To be cowed by a single retort would be not only a loss of face but a complete humiliation.

"Chu Feng, it’s only been a month, but you’ve grown arrogant!" Pan Ba sneered, his tone ominous. "Look, I’ll keep pointing at you like this—what can you possibly do about it—"

Bang!

A deafening explosion cut him off before he could finish. In an instant, it was as if a fountain of blood had erupted—crimson rain spattered through the air, filling the space with the stench of gore. Mixed with the blood were fragments of Pan Ba’s brain matter.

In that split second, Pan Ba had not even time to react before his head was blown apart, red and white matter spraying everywhere. His death was horrific beyond words.

Clutched in Chu Feng’s hand was a bamboo-like hidden weapon, his little finger pressing the end. This device was truly formidable; a single pearl-shaped projectile shot forth and killed Pan Ba—a martial artist at the sixth level of Body Tempering—shattering his skull entirely.

The change was so sudden.

Though everyone had witnessed the confrontation between Chu Feng and Pan Ba, none had expected Chu Feng to kill without hesitation, slaying Xiong Zhan’s trusted subordinate on the spot, blood pooling at their feet.

"Ah!"
Suddenly, a scream rang out. One of the Dread Gate fortress leaders standing behind Xiong Zhan discovered that one of Pan Ba’s eyeballs had splattered onto his own face. Already trembling, he now shrieked in terror, barely able to stand.

Though the Mu family and Martial Pavilion members were startled by Chu Feng’s sudden violence, none cried out. The Dread Gate leader’s shrieks only further undermined Xiong Zhan’s authority.

Chu Feng’s ferocious strike, not only dealt with Pan Ba—an insufferable minion who deserved to die—but also served to suppress Xiong Zhan’s momentum. The spatter of blood and brain matter on Xiong Zhan’s face was a stinging slap, far more damaging to his prestige than any words from Mu Zhentong.

"Moon-Piercing Pearl!" Han Mo murmured, recognizing the weapon in Chu Feng’s hand.

"Chu Feng! You killed my two sons and now my stronghold leader. The blood debt you owe can only be repaid with blood!"

At last, after a long stunned silence, Xiong Zhan erupted, roaring at Chu Feng.

"Xiong Zhan! Enough of your bluster! Back when I was with the Dread Gate, your clan oppressed me and drove my sister and me to desperation. Now that I have power and strike back, you can’t stand it? Two dead sons and a slain stronghold lord—this is only the beginning. Sooner or later, your other two sons will die by my hand as well!"

Chu Feng matched Xiong Zhan blow for blow, showing not a trace of fear. His aura even surpassed Xiong Zhan’s.

"Well said, Nephew Chu!"
Mu Zhentong nodded and declared loudly, "Master Xiong, as the proverb says, ‘Every debt has its debtor—’ I know something of the grudge between your clan and Chu Feng. Once, you bullied the weak and forced Chu Feng and his sister to the brink. Now, you must not fear his vengeance and retribution!"