245: Chapter 245 Ancient God Bloodline

After turning through a few alleys, Mu Mingfeng stopped in front of a sprawling residence.

This was the Mu Family's secondary residence in Huaiyang City; although not as grand or magnificent as the main estate, it was still a three-courtyard complex with blue bricks, grey tiles, and upturned eaves, with two stone carvings of Bi'an standing before the gate, baring their fangs and brandishing claws in a lifelike display.

The guards at the gate bowed respectfully upon seeing him return, and he gave a slight nod before walking straight through the front courtyard and central atrium to a secluded study in the back.

The candles in the study had not been lit, and only a few wisps of moonlight filtered through the lattice windows, spreading a layer of pale silver gauze across the floor.

Mu Mingfeng walked behind the desk and sat down, waving his hand to light a bronze oil lamp, its dim, yellowish glow casting flickering shadows throughout the study.

He leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes, and tapped his fingers rhythmically against the edge of the desk, producing a crisp sound as if waiting for something.

A moment later, the Void Realm in the corner of the study suddenly rippled, like the surface of a lake brushed by a gentle breeze.

A figure stepped silently out from the ripples and landed three feet in front of the desk.

It was a middle-aged man in a dark grey robe with an ordinary face and restrained aura, showing no signs of spiritual energy fluctuations, appearing like an utterly unremarkable passerby.

However, the fact that he could infiltrate the Mu Family's secondary residence so silently, bypassing numerous Restrictions and guards, spoke for itself.

"Young Master."

The middle-aged man bowed slightly, his voice hoarse and low, carrying the caution and respect of one who had long lived in the shadows.

Mu Mingfeng did not open his eyes, merely giving a faint "Mm," his fingers continuing to tap the edge of the desk unhurriedly, as if he had long expected his arrival.

The middle-aged man did not urge him, standing quietly to the side and waiting.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Mu Mingfeng finally opened his eyes, his gaze landing on the flickering lamp on the desk as he asked, "Are you wondering why I would move against the Sun Family and even mobilize Cangyan Valley for the sake of a small Zheng Family?"

The middle-aged man lowered his head slightly, his voice still hoarse and calm, "This subordinate would not dare to speculate on the Young Master's intentions, but I do indeed have this doubt."

Mu Mingfeng chuckled, leaning back in his chair and stopping his tapping to gently stroke the emerald jade pendant at his waist, his tone casual and indifferent, "What do you think of the Zheng Family?"

The middle-aged man was silent for a moment before answering truthfully, "Although the Zheng Family can be considered a local power in Huaiyang City, when looking at the entire Central Province, they are merely a second-rate family."

"There is no Mahayana Stage expert overseeing the clan, their industry focuses on Artifact Refining and Medicinal Pills, their scale is limited, and they have been unable to gain the upper hand against the Sun Family for many years; in terms of value, they are far inferior to the factions we support in the other regions."

"Well said." Mu Mingfeng nodded slightly, the smile on his face deepening.

"The Zheng Family is indeed not a significant power; in terms of strength, heritage, and value, it cannot compare to the Snow Eagle Fortress we support in the Northern Territory, nor the Sea Shark Gang we have planted in the East Sea. But the Zheng Family has one thing those factions cannot match."

Mu Mingfeng paused there and looked at the middle-aged man, "Do you still remember why my brother wanted to marry Zheng Xiyue?"

The middle-aged man was slightly taken aback, and after pondering for a moment, he replied, "Fifth Young Master marrying Zheng Xiyue was ostensibly to form an alliance with the Zheng Family, but in reality, it was to control the vital route in Huaiyang City that connects the Southern Wilderness and the Central Province."

"The Zheng Family has operated in Huaiyang City for thousands of years, possessing a deep Foundation and intricate relationships with dozens of large and small families and Sects in the surrounding area. Through this marriage, Fifth Young Master was able to firmly plant a chess piece at the junction of the Southern Wilderness and the Central Province."

"That is only one reason." Mu Mingfeng shook his head, the smile on his lips becoming meaningful.

"If it were only to control a trade route, the Mu Family has plenty of ways to do so; why sacrifice my brother's marriage? Although the Zheng Family has mediocre strength, they possess one thing that no other faction can replace: a trace of an extremely thin Ancient God Bloodline flows through the Zheng Family's Bloodline."

The middle-aged man's pupils contracted slightly, and his voice carried a hint of undisguised astonishment, "Ancient God Bloodline?"

"Correct." Mu Mingfeng stood up, walked to the window with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the osmanthus trees swaying gently in the night breeze in the courtyard, his voice calm yet filled with unquestionable certainty.

"An ancestor of my Mu Family once had an encounter with an Ancient God from the primordial era. After that Ancient God fell, their Bloodline scattered between heaven and earth, and for unknown reasons, an extremely thin branch of it ended up at the junction of the Southern Wilderness and the Central Province, becoming the ancestors of the Zheng Family."

"After countless generations, the Ancient God Bloodline within the Zheng Family has thinned to the point of being almost undetectable, and they themselves are completely unaware of it, considering themselves merely an ordinary Artifact Refining family."

He paused, turned around, and let his gaze fall on the middle-aged man, his tone becoming more playful.

"My brother marrying Zheng Xiyue certainly had the intention of controlling Huaiyang City, but more importantly, Zheng Xiyue is the one with the most concentrated Ancient God Bloodline in this generation of the Zheng Family."

"By becoming her Dao Companion, my brother can use the secret techniques passed down by the Mu Family to gradually guide that trace of Ancient God Bloodline out of her body and use it for the Mu Family."

"Ancient God Bloodline is something that even the Five Great Sacred Lands would covet, so what is a mere Huaiyang City in comparison? If not for this, do you think that trash Zheng Lingfeng would be worth me spending so much effort to win over?"

The middle-aged man was silent for a long time before slowly exhaling a breath of turbid air, the doubt in his eyes completely dissipating and being replaced by heartfelt admiration, "Young Master is far-sighted; this subordinate admires you."

"Although Zheng Lingfeng is of little use, his advantage is that he is easy to control."

Mu Mingfeng sat back in his chair, his tone as indifferent as if he were commenting on a tool that could be discarded at will.

"Give him a little sweetness, and he will be grateful to us. Sun Mingcheng has humiliated him in public time and again; if I do not intervene, he will inevitably harbor ulterior motives against the Mu Family."

"But if I back him up when he is at his most pathetic, he will be even more devoted, and as for Zheng Xiyue, she will be more cooperative with my brother's plan; after all, she surely does not want to see her own brother being trampled underfoot in Huaiyang City."

The middle-aged man bowed slightly and did not ask any more questions, knowing that the Young Master always did things meticulously, and every step that seemed casual was actually carefully considered.

"When will the people from Cangyan Valley arrive tomorrow?" Mu Mingfeng asked.

"Replying to the Young Master, Valley Master Qin's message arrived this morning, and they are expected to enter the city tomorrow afternoon; their spirit mine caravan will stop at the Laifu Inn in the east of the city to rest and resupply, staying for one night before continuing north the next morning."

The middle-aged man paused and added, "Valley Master Qin specifically mentioned in the message that it has been a long time since he has seen the Young Master, and since he is passing through Huaiyang City this time, it is a perfect opportunity to catch up in person."