Chapter 82: Qin Mu's Decision

Early the next morning, Ling Yuxiu came to the inn to bid farewell to Qin Mu. She still looked the same as before, with her beautiful hair framing her face, making her appear slightly thinner. She sat opposite Qin Mu and ordered a pot of clear tea. Her eyes were bright as she spoke, "Da Xu is a place of poverty, not a place to stay for long. The world you see here is just a remote and desolate corner. Only by leaving Da Xu can you witness the vastness of the outside world. Outside, there are ever-changing magical techniques and profound knowledge. The Imperial Tutor Yan Kang and the Emperor have the ambition and ability to forge a new era. The magical techniques and knowledge of Yan Kang's kingdom are currently undergoing a great transformation! You have the courage and potential, and I don't want you to be delayed in this remote village forever. Even though I am a woman, I also want to achieve something. If you are willing to leave with me, we can set off today."

Qin Mu was taken aback for a moment. Should he follow this girl to Yan Kang's kingdom?

He did indeed desire to leave Da Xu and gain experience outside. Da Xu was too dangerous, and he currently didn't have the strength to explore it. Even the Village Chief, a figure like him, hadn't fully traversed Da Xu.

He needed to go through trials and adventures.

While people from outside came to Da Xu to gain experience, he wanted to venture out and gain experience beyond Da Xu. Ling Yuxiu's invitation stirred his heart.

Although Yan Kang, the Imperial Tutor, wanted to dominate Da Xu and occupy it, Qin Mu didn't feel any resentment towards him. On the contrary, he admired Yan Kang.

Yan Kang was able to bring about such great changes, incorporating other sects and creating extraordinary techniques, promoting the advancement of magical techniques and knowledge. Such broad-mindedness and talent were truly admirable.

He wanted to go outside and witness the new era and incredible techniques created by such an exceptional person.

"Where do you live?" Qin Mu asked.

"In the capital city," Ling Yuxiu replied.

After some thought, the young man smiled and said, "Yan Kang's capital city, I will definitely go there. You go back to the capital city first, and I will find you once I arrive."

Ling Yuxiu frowned and asked, "Aren't you coming with me?"

Qin Mu felt a headache. "The rules in my family are strict, and I must pass their tests in order to leave home. There are nine elders in my family, and I must pass all nine trials before they allow me to go out and gain experience."

Ling Yuxiu exclaimed in surprise, "With your abilities, you still can't pass their tests?"

She found it hard to believe. Qin Mu had beheaded Fu Tingyue with a single sword, which was truly impressive. Fu Tingyue was the number one martial artist in Xianglong City. Although being the number one in Xianglong City was not considered remarkable in Yan Kang's kingdom, Qin Mu's strength was already outstanding in the Spirit Fetus Realm. In her opinion, he would have no problem ranking among the top ten.

But even with such abilities, he couldn't pass his family's tests?

"The rules in my family are quite strict," Qin Mu said with embarrassment. "I have to pass all nine trials to be considered an adult, but so far, I haven't passed a single one."

"In that case, I'll wait for you in the capital city. By the way, there are surveillance mirrors in Yanbian. Be careful if you pass through Yanbian," Ling Yuxiu said as she got up and was about to leave. Suddenly, she stopped and smiled ambiguously. "I gave you a scented handkerchief, won't you give me something in return?"

Qin Mu quickly searched through his belongings but couldn't find anything worth giving. After thinking for a moment, he took off the large iron hammer from his back and handed it over.

Ling Yuxiu couldn't help but laugh and cry. She bit her red lips and said, "You're giving a girl a big iron hammer?"

Qin Mu scratched his head, took off the pig-slaughtering knife, and also took out a bamboo staff, writing brush, and a bag of dragon coins. He hesitated and said, "You can choose something you like..."

"Forget it, let's stick with the big iron hammer," Ling Yuxiu said, exasperated.

With the big iron hammer in her hand, Ling Yuxiu walked out of the inn. Outside the inn, many practitioners with extraordinary abilities stood on both sides of the gate. Qin Feiyue held a spirited horse and stood there. When she saw Ling Yuxiu coming out and noticed the iron hammer in her hand, she felt surprised and puzzled. However, she didn't ask further and quickly said, "The boat is ready. Princess Qi, please mount the horse!"

Ling Yuxiu mounted the horse, blinked at the stunned Qin Mu inside the inn, and stuck out her tongue.

Qin Mu was taken aback and stuttered, "You, you..."

"I am the chubby and fat Seventh Young Master you mentioned! The cowherd. See you again in the capital city!" Ling Yuxiu giggled, her voice as clear as a bell. With one hand holding the big iron hammer and the other swinging the horse whip, she rode off.

Qin Mu was dumbfounded, holding the scented handkerchief in his hand, unable to speak. Qin Feiyue waved her hand, urging the practitioners from Yan Kang to quickly catch up with Ling Yuxiu. She herself glanced at the inn and then walked inside, sitting down in front of Qin Mu. She stared directly at him, her eyes shining brightly, and said, "Your surname is Qin?"

Qin Mu regained his composure and suppressed the shock brought by the revelation that Ling Yuxiu was the "chubby and fat Seventh Young Master." He nodded and said, "General, your surname is also Qin. I've heard others call you Little General Qin."

"In this vast world, there are many people surnamed Qin."

Qin Feiyue poured herself a cup of tea and said calmly, "Some people are born with low status, destined to be poor and humble. Some people are born with high status, destined to be rich and noble. Having the surname Qin doesn't mean anything. Although you have the surname Qin, you are an abandoned commoner in the Great Market. Little brother, don't have too many delusions. You cannot reach for what is beyond your reach." With that, she finished her tea in one gulp, leaving behind a gold ingot and turning to walk out of the inn.

"Little General Qin, I don't understand what you're saying."

Qin Mu stood up and walked out of the inn as well. The innkeeper quickly came out and bowed, "Young master, are you leaving?"

Qin Feiyue was slightly surprised, thinking that the innkeeper was addressing her, but it turned out that he was showing respect to Qin Mu.

"No need for excessive courtesy in front of outsiders."

Qin Mu waved his hand, looked around, and beheld the magnificent Xianglong City, with its grand buildings and bustling prosperity.

This place was his city!

He walked towards the City Lord's Mansion, and as he passed by the gambling house, a group of men bowed and said, "Young master!"

He passed by the brothel, and the madam and her daughters all bowed, saying in unison, "Young master!"

He passed by the bookstore, flower market, vegetable market, butcher shop, tavern, antique shop, utensil shop, pharmacy, blacksmith shop, and weapons shop. Figures emerged one by one, bowing to him.

"Young master!"

"Young master!"

"Young master!"

...

Qin Feiyue frowned as she watched Qin Mu make his way to the City Lord's Mansion in Xianglong City. The mansion's gates opened, and the City Lord, Fu Yundi, walked out with a hearty laugh. He stepped forward and instructed those around him, "Those without vision, quickly address him as young master!"

The gatekeepers of the mansion all bowed and shouted loudly, "Young master!"

"From now on, this entire city belongs to our family!" Fu Yundi laughed heartily and walked into the City Lord's Mansion with Qin Mu.

Qin Feiyue furrowed her brow, unsure of what had happened here. She couldn't understand why Fu Yundi was so jovial with the enemy who had killed his son, as if Qin Mu was his true son instead of Fu Tingyue.

She had no idea how Qin Mu managed to align himself with Fu Yundi.

"A rustic country bumpkin who is only fit to be a king in the market square and can never ascend to the court."

She turned and left. As she approached the city gate, her body trembled slightly as she realized the key to the situation. She turned back in disbelief, looking towards the City Lord's Mansion at the end of the main street.

"The Heavenly Demon Cult's Heavenly Demon Technique! The Cult Leader's wife!"

She collected herself and turned away. "Fu Yundi is already dead, his skin has been peeled off. The Fu Yundi in this city is actually the Cult Leader's wife of the Heavenly Demon Cult! Xianglong City has changed hands. I'm afraid all the practitioners under Fu Yundi's command have been replaced by the Heavenly Demon Cult's practitioners. The entire city is filled with the Cult's people! Fortunately, the National Teacher was stopped by that large ship, otherwise..."

She couldn't help but shudder. If the National Teacher, along with the entire Yan Kang army, entered the city, and the Cult Leader's wife and her accomplices caused trouble, all they needed to do was destroy the dragon pillars in Xianglong City. They could wipe out the Yan Kang army, severely weaken the country, and even bring it to its downfall!

He turned around and looked at Xianglong City. It had already changed ownership, no longer a place where he or Yan Kang could dominate.

This city now bore the surname Qin, but it was Qin Mu's Qin, not his. Though they shared the same surname, it belonged to Qin Mu, not him.