After the examination ended, Mu Feng returned to the Mu Manor.
Inside his room, he received a notification from the Hunter's Union.
Mission: Cancelled.
Mu Feng raised an eyebrow.
Curious, he inquired further and soon learned that the bounty had been withdrawn by the Eastern District Meat Warehouse itself. The mission had been quietly taken down, as if it had never existed.
Mu Feng chuckled softly.
"So that's how it is…"
This only confirmed his suspicion.
If it truly had been the work of demon beasts, the warehouse would never have withdrawn the bounty so hastily. No—this was almost certainly an inside job. Someone didn't want the investigation to continue.
The more he thought about it, the more interesting it became.
"Well then," Mu Feng murmured, eyes glinting,
"let's see what you're hiding."
Night soon fell over Bo City.
Under the cover of darkness, Mu Feng changed into a set of black clothes and fastened a mask over his face, concealing his features completely. He stepped out onto his balcony, the cool night wind brushing past him.
Without hesitation, he activated his magic boots.
In a flicker of spatial distortion, Mu Feng teleported out of the manor.
Midair, he activated his Magic Wing Ring. Translucent wings formed behind him, shimmering faintly as he silently took to the skies.
Like a shadow slipping through the night, Mu Feng flew toward the Eastern District—
Toward the warehouse that didn't want to be investigated.
After reaching the fifth warehouse, Mu Feng concealed himself atop a nearby tree, completely suppressing his presence.
Not long after, he saw Shi Ming, the warehouse manager, hurrying toward the fifth warehouse, his steps rushed and uneven.
The night was quiet—too quiet.
Thanks to that, Mu Feng was able to catch fragments of their conversation clearly.
Shi Ming stopped in front of the warehouse gate and spoke in a low, respectful tone.
"Mr. Gray, the allotment is ready. You can take it now."
A man standing beside him stepped forward.
He was dressed in a gray robe, his face hidden beneath a hood. His presence was cold and unsettling.
"Was there any problem?" the gray-robed man asked.
Shi Ming hesitated for a brief moment before replying.
"There was… a small issue," he said cautiously.
"But it's already been resolved."
The gray-robed man stopped mid-step.
Slowly, he turned to face Shi Ming.
The temperature around them seemed to drop.
"Didn't I tell you," the man said coldly,
"to report everything to me?"
His voice was calm—but laced with danger.
"How dare you hide something from me."
Shi Ming's face turned pale instantly.
"N–No, Mr. Gray," he hurriedly said.
"It was nothing serious—just a Hunter who accepted the mission and came to investigate."
He swallowed nervously.
"But just like the City Demon Hunting Team, he didn't find any clues. I've already withdrawn the mission as well."
The gray-robed man stared at him in silence for several seconds.
Then he turned away.
"Hmph," he said dismissively.
"Very well. Then it's fine."
He took a step forward, then paused.
"But remember this," the gray-robed man continued, his voice turning icy.
"If you ever dare to hide something from me again—"
Shi Ming felt a chill crawl up his spine.
"You will learn what the consequences are."
Shi Ming bowed deeply.
"Yes… yes, Mr. Gray."
Hidden among the branches above, Mu Feng watched everything unfold, his eyes gleaming beneath his mask.
"So that's how it is…" he thought.
An insider.
A mysterious gray-robed man.
And a secret operation happening right under Bo City's nose.
Mu Feng already knew what was happening.
More importantly—
he knew where to get his answers.
After the two men entered the warehouse, Mu Feng quietly withdrew. He returned to the Mu Manor without alerting anyone and headed straight for Mu He's room.
Knock. Knock.
The door opened.
"Master Feng," Mu He said respectfully.
"Please come in."
Mu Feng stepped inside.
Mu He closed the door carefully before turning back.
"Master Feng," he asked cautiously,
"what brings you here so late?"
"I have a few things to ask you," Mu Feng said calmly.
Mu He straightened immediately.
"Please ask."
Mu Feng's gaze sharpened.
"The disappearance of meat from the Eastern District warehouse," he said slowly.
"Is it related to the Black Vatican?"
Mu He did not hesitate.
"Yes," he replied.
"The food stolen from that warehouse is being supplied to the demon rats digging tunnels beneath Bo City."
Mu Feng's eyes narrowed.
"You're feeding demon rats?"
"How did you control them?"
Mu He explained quickly.
"There is a Mid-Level Summoning Mage among us," he said.
"His contracted beast is a mutated General-Level Demon Rat."
Mu Feng's expression stiffened slightly.
"That rat acts as a leader," Mu He continued.
"Other demon rats obey it. Using this method, we've been directing them to dig tunnels throughout the city."
Mu Feng let the information sink in.
"And the warehouse manager?" he asked.
"How did you convince him to cooperate?"
Mu He lowered his head.
"We blackmailed him," he said plainly.
Mu Feng's eyes darkened.
"How?"
Mu He answered without emotion.
"We obtained CCTV footage," he said.
"Footage of him raping a woman."
A heavy silence filled the room.
"We used that recording to force him into cooperation," Mu He continued.
"He supplies the food and ensures no suspicion falls on the warehouse."
Mu Feng stood still, his expression unreadable.
So that was it.
Tunnels beneath the city.
A summoner controlling demon rats.
And a human collaborator bound by crime.
Bo City truly was already rotting from within.
Mu Feng turned his gaze back to Mu He.
"Very well," he said calmly.
"If anything changes—inform me immediately."
"Yes, Master Feng," Mu He replied.
Mu Feng turned and left the room, his footsteps silent.
Behind his calm exterior, a single thought echoed in his mind:
'So Salan's web has already spread this far…'
The next morning, after breakfast, Mu Feng went for a quiet stroll through the garden.
The air was calm, the sunlight gentle—but his steps slowed when he noticed a familiar figure sitting alone on a bench.
Mu Ningxue.
She sat there motionless, her shoulders slumped, her gaze empty. The once-proud coldness she carried was gone, replaced by exhaustion and despair.
Mu Feng walked toward her.
Sensing someone approaching, Mu Ningxue lifted her head.
The moment she saw him—
Her eyes ignited with fury.
Her body trembled as rage surged through her.
"Why are you here?" she demanded, her voice shaking.
Mu Feng stopped a short distance away, his expression calm.
"I live here," he replied indifferently."That's reason enough."
He glanced at her briefly.
"But tell me," he added,"why are you so angry?"
That single question shattered what little restraint she had left.
"You still dare ask?!" Mu Ningxue shouted, standing abruptly."You took everything from me!"
Her voice cracked.
"You took away my bow, my cultivation, my future—all the hard work I poured into my life!"
Mu Feng sighed softly, clearly uninterested in arguing.
"I'm not in the mood to debate this with you," he said coldly."And let's be clear—the bow was never yours."
He met her gaze directly.
"I only reclaimed what already belonged to me."
Mu Ningxue's lips trembled.
"If you want someone to blame," Mu Feng continued flatly,"blame your mother for her greed."
His voice hardened.
"And blame Mu Feiluan for abandoning you."
Each word struck like a blade.
Mu Ningxue froze, her breath caught in her throat.
Mu Feng turned away slightly, his tone calm but merciless.
"So listen carefully," he said."Find a man. Get married. Settle down."
He glanced back at her once.
"That's the best future you can hope for now."
Without waiting for a response, Mu Feng walked past her, his footsteps steady and unhurried—leaving Mu Ningxue standing alone in the garden, her anger slowly sinking into something far worse.
Hopelessness.
After that brief encounter, Mu Feng returned to his room and resumed cultivation.
Time slipped by unnoticed.
It was only when a knock echoed against his door that he was pulled back to reality. He opened his eyes and glanced at the clock.
Five hours had passed.
"Who is it?" Mu Feng asked calmly.
"It's me—Mu Bai," a familiar voice replied.
Mu Feng rose, walked to the door, and opened it.
Standing outside were Mu Bai… and Zhang Xiaohuo.
Mu Feng stepped aside.
"Come in."
They entered and took their seats.
Mu Feng's gaze shifted directly to Zhang Xiaohuo. He didn't waste time on pleasantries.
"So," Mu Feng said evenly,"what's your decision?"
Zhang Xiaohuo met his eyes without hesitation.
"I'm ready to join you," he said firmly.
No doubt.No wavering.
Mu Feng's lips curved slightly.
"Good," he said.
"For now, you should focus solely on cultivation," Mu Feng said calmly."I'll arrange for you to get additional time with the Stardust Cultivation Tool provided by the school."
Zhang Xiaohuo straightened unconsciously.
"Your goal," Mu Feng continued,"is to reach Novice Level 3 before you graduate from high school. If you can accomplish that, I'll tell you your next mission."
Zhang Xiaohuo's eyes lit up.
"Thank you, Mister Feng."
Mu Feng waved his hand dismissively.
"Just call me Feng," he said."If all goes well, we'll be partners in the future."
Zhang Xiaohuo nodded firmly.
After that, the three of them talked for a while—mostly about cultivation methods, training schedules, and the academy. When Zhang Xiaohuo and Mu Bai stood up to leave, Mu Feng suddenly spoke again.
"Don't go to school tomorrow," Mu Feng said casually.
Zhang Xiaohuo froze.
"…What?"
"Sleep during the day," Mu Feng continued evenly."At night, I'll take you demon hunting."
Mu Bai frowned slightly.
"Feng… isn't that dangerous?"
Mu Feng looked at him calmly.
"Don't worry. I'll be there."
Zhang Xiaohuo hesitated for only a moment before nodding.
"…Alright."
They left shortly afterward.
That night, after dinner, Mu Feng called Mu He to his room.
Mu He arrived promptly and bowed slightly.
"Is there anything you need, Master Feng?"
"Yes," Mu Feng said directly."Tomorrow night, I'll be taking Mu Bai and Zhang Xiaohuo demon hunting."
Mu He's expression remained composed.
"I understand."
"Tell your Summoning Mage," Mu Feng continued,"to send a Demon Rat to the abandoned factory district tomorrow night."
Mu He nodded immediately.
"Understood."
He paused for a moment, then asked carefully,
"Master Feng… would you like me to accompany you?"
Mu Feng shook his head.
"No need. I'll handle it."
He added calmly,
"Also—arrange for Zhang Xiaohuo to receive additional time with the Stardust Cultivation Tool. I want him to reach Novice Level 3 before graduation."
Mu He's eyes flickered with surprise—but he didn't question it.
"Yes, Master Feng. I'll make the arrangements."
Mu Feng nodded once.
"That's all."
Mu He bowed and left the room, already setting the gears in motion.