Cultivating in Different Professions

Chapter 174: Chapter 126: A Show of Force

Captain Luo is the daughter of our Wuling City Lord, and also the foremost talent of our city’s younger generation.

Captain Su is even more incredible. Though he came from humble origins as a refugee, his aptitude and comprehension are second to none. In just a few short years, he reached his current position.

Oh, and Captain Su has even comprehended the Kan Water Realm. He’s a renowned prodigy in our Wuling City.”

”A prodigy? Do you even know what that word means?”

Feng Zhengqian sized up Su Mu, a faint smile on his lips. ”You were born in a backwater place, so it’s only natural that your horizons are limited. The word ’prodigy’ is not something you can just throw around.

When I look upon a true prodigy, I feel like a frog at the bottom of a well gazing up at the moon.

The two of you may have some talent, but compared to a true prodigy, the gap is still immense.

I’m a blunt person. I hope you two Capital Captains don’t take offense.”

”You make a fair point. How could we possibly compare ourselves to a true prodigy?”

Su Mu smiled faintly and said, ”We’re just two humble Taiping Capital Captains, after all.

But there’s no need for you to worry, Envoy Feng. The two of us are just the advance party. Once we’re out of the city, our brothers from the Taiping Bureau will be waiting in the mountains. We won’t let this delay the important matter of searching for the medicine.”

”In that case, excellent.”

Feng Zhengqian waved his hand dismissively. ”Time is of the essence. Go and prepare. We will leave the city after I’ve had my meal.”

......

”Young Master Feng, those two have always been insufferably arrogant here in Wuling City, thinking themselves special because of their talent. Only you, Young Master Feng, could make them so utterly obedient.”

Hu Gongxiu ordered the servants to bring out a lavish spread of food and wine, speaking in a fawning tone as he poured a drink for Feng Zhengqian.

”They’re just a couple of minor Taiping Capital Captains. Back at the sect, the people I deign to associate with are Taiping Captains at the very least.”

Feng Zhengqian said lightly, ”A genius? Being a genius is merely the minimum requirement to gain an audience with me.”

”Indeed.”

Hu Gongxiu said hastily, ”It’s their good fortune to be able to work under you, Young Master Feng. It will teach them a thing or two about their place in the world.”

Feng Zhengqian shot a cool glance at Hu Gongxiu. ”I don’t care what grievances you have with those two. Don’t get any clever ideas. If you jeopardize the medicine search, you won’t be able to bear the consequences.”

Feng Zhengqian’s words sent a chill down Hu Gongxiu’s spine, instantly sobering him up.

He froze on the spot, the wine pot in his hand hovering, unsure whether to continue pouring or retreat.

”Young Master Feng’s business is the Hu Family’s business. I would never dare to jeopardize your important affairs,”

Hu Gongxiu said cautiously.

Feng Zhengqian’s expression softened. He smiled faintly again and said, ”Old Hu, don’t limit your sights to this little plot of yours. Handle this matter well, and the sect won’t treat the Hu Family unfairly. By then, never mind this tiny Wuling City, your Hu Family will have a place even in the great Da Xuan Dynasty.

Your son’s injuries have healed, haven’t they? Have him come along with us.”

”Thank you for your guidance, Young Master Feng!”

Hu Gongxiu exclaimed, overjoyed.

Hu Guangshao had been injured by Su Mu, and the wound had refused to heal properly. But when Feng Zhengqian arrived, he had bestowed an elixir upon him just yesterday.

Upon taking it, the elixir worked its magic, and he was instantly cured.

Now, not only had his injuries fully healed, but his cultivation had also faintly improved, to the point where he could step into the Blood Transformation Realm at any moment.

Feng Zhengqian ate and drank with an air of indifference. He couldn’t care less about the feud between the Hu Family and those two Taiping Capital Captains.

He had deliberately put those two Taiping Capital Captains in their place and verbally browbeaten them simply to ensure the medicine search proceeded more smoothly.

He needed the people from the Wuling City Taiping Bureau to understand who was calling the shots on this mission.

As for the feud between the Hu Family and the two Taiping Capital Captains, in his eyes, it was nothing more than a scrap between mongrels.

If Hu Gongxiu allowed his personal vendetta to interfere with the mission, Feng Zhengqian wouldn’t mind making the Hu Family disappear from the face of the earth.

However, the Hu Family was proving sensible for the time being, so he didn’t mind giving them a slight leg up. They were, after all, lapdogs for the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect.

And you had to consider the master before you beat the dog.

As long as it didn’t affect the mission, he didn’t mind helping the Hu Family let off some steam.

......

「Outside the Hu Mansion gate.」

Su Mu handed a warm meat bun to Luo Anning.

Miss Luo lacked the delicate airs of a pampered young lady. She accepted the bun and began eating, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Su Mu at the gate of the Hu Mansion.

”Junior Sister Luo, any regrets?”

Su Mu asked with a smile as he ate.

”Regret what?”

Luo Anning asked, her large eyes filled with confusion.

”If you hadn’t become a Taiping Capital Captain and had just remained Miss Luo the Elder, you wouldn’t have to put up with this kind of treatment,”

Su Mu said with a laugh.

”This is nothing special. Isn’t this just part of the job?”

Luo Anning said, puzzled. ”Our mission is to protect Feng Zhengqian and his retinue. The Inner City is generally safe, but there’s nothing wrong with being cautious.”

Su Mu was speechless.

’Miss Luo really thinks differently from me in some ways,’ Su Mu mused. ’She never lets personal feelings get involved in her work.’

Su Mu was different. He’d be the first to admit he was the type to hold a grudge.

He gazed at the gates of the Hu Mansion, a cold sneer playing on his lips.

”Taiping Capital Captain... Heh!”

Suddenly, a voice dripping with resentment drifted out from the gateway, and a figure emerged from behind the doors.

”So what if you’re Taiping Capital Captains? You’re still just watchdogs.”

Hu Guangshao stood in the doorway of the Hu Mansion, looking down on Su Mu and Luo Anning with a venomous expression.

”Hu Guangshao?”

Su Mu glanced at him. ”The Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect certainly has some skill, healing you this quickly.

Or was the last beating I gave you not painful enough? Do you want another go?”

His tone turned frigid, and the air instantly seemed to drop several degrees. Within a ten-foot radius, a palpable gloom descended, as if storm clouds were gathering.

Hu Guangshao subconsciously took a step back as the painful memory of their last encounter flashed through his mind. His expression twisted into a ferocious scowl.

”You dare attack me?”

Hu Guangshao blustered, ”I’m also under orders to protect Young Master Feng now. If you dare to touch me, neither the Taiping Bureau nor the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect will let you off!”

”Under orders? Whose orders?”

Su Mu asked.

”Under my orders. Do you have a problem with that?”

Just then, Feng Zhengqian’s voice rang out as he emerged with a group of people in tow.

”Even if you do have a problem, you can save it and ask your Governor when you get back. For now, your mission is to cooperate with me. I call the shots.

Understand?”

he said coolly, a look of utter contempt on his face.

”Cooperating with the mission is no problem, but a Taiping Bureau White Clothes is not qualified to participate in this operation. I was not aware, Envoy Feng, that you were qualified to interfere in the internal affairs of the Taiping Bureau,”

Luo Anning retorted, stepping forward to press the point.

”Taiping Bureau White Clothes? No, no.”

Feng Zhengqian wagged his finger. ”Hu Guangshao is no longer a Taiping Bureau White Clothes. He is now a disciple of the Shennong Hundred Herbs Sect. He is my junior brother.

I can’t control how you operate in the Taiping Bureau, but on my team, you listen to me. If anyone jeopardizes my mission, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

Luo Anning looked like she wanted to argue further, but Su Mu shook his head at her.

”Envoy Feng is right. Since we’ll be working together for a while, what do you say, Brother Hu? Shall we call a temporary truce?”

Su Mu said with a smile.

Hu Guangshao’s eyes flickered as he glared at Su Mu, saying nothing.

”Let’s move out,”

Feng Zhengqian said with a light wave of his hand.

A lavishly decorated carriage immediately rounded the corner and came to a precise stop before him.

Feng Zhengqian lifted a foot and boarded.

Hu Guangshao and the others quickly took up positions on either side of the carriage, their movements crisp, uniform, and exceptionally well-rehearsed.

Su Mu watched, dumbfounded. ’Tsk, tsk,’ he couldn’t help but marvel internally.

’With all this pomp and circumstance... anyone who knew what was going on would say we’re heading out of the city to find medicine. Anyone who didn’t would think some young master is off on a country excursion.’

”Junior Sister Luo, completing this mission is going to be difficult,”

Su Mu said casually, strolling behind the carriage as they headed out of the city.

”Why?”

Luo Anning asked, confused.

”It’s not the god-like opponent you should fear,” Su Mu said grimly, ”it’s the pig-like teammate.”