Son, Put Your Father To The Test (FF)

After Qin Zi and Mu Qianyun left, Mu Yuncang dismissed the maids, servants, and guards nearby.

Finally, only he and Qin Chuan remained on the rooftop terrace.

He glanced at the gradually darkening sunset and asked, "Brother Qin, would you be interested in serving the royal family?"

"What do you mean by that?"

Qin Chuan looked surprised.

Mu Yuncang explained, "Three thousand miles east of here lies Sishui City. Recently, the city lord passed away suddenly, and the city is now leaderless."

"Would you be interested in becoming the city lord of Sishui City? If you are, I can recommend you to the City Lord's Mansion of the main city."

Qin Chuan paused for a moment.

Then he looked at Mu Yuncang and asked, "Brother Mu, you must have many close friends and family members. Why choose me?"

Could it be that they didn't offer enough money?? Mu Yuncang laughed heartily and said, "I understand your concerns, but I assure you, my intentions are sincere."

"I've been in Xunyang City for many years and am quite familiar with your abilities, Brother Qin. I believe you are well-suited for this position."

"If you become the city lord of Sishui, our two cities would be neighbors, and with our existing friendship, we could support each other."

He was straightforward.

He wanted to form an alliance!

"Well…"

Qin Chuan pretended to ponder.

And ponder he did, for quite some time.

His main goal was to buy time—after all, he needed to give his son time to cause trouble!

Finally, after a long pause, he frowned and said, "Becoming a city lord is tempting, but I'm not sure if my current cultivation level is sufficient."

The Jiuyang Kingdom had thirty-six main cities.

Each main city governed several second-tier cities, like Xunyang City.

To be a city lord of a main city, one needed to be at least at the seventh level of the Pure Yang stage.

For a second-tier city lord, like in Xunyang City, the minimum requirement was half-step Pure Yang!

Qin Chuan was currently at the ninth level of the Yuan Dan stage, still half a step away from reaching half-step Pure Yang.

Although he suspected that his "Perfect Yuan Dan" might be strong enough to take on a half-step Pure Yang cultivator, it was still wise to remain humble.

"Hahaha, Brother Qin, if it's cultivation you're worried about, you needn't be. Once you become a city lord, the royal family will grant you a Pure Yang Pill, making it easy to break through to the half-step Pure Yang stage."

Mu Yuncang waved his hand dismissively, laughing.

"Pure Yang Pill? Then doesn't that mean anyone can become a city lord?" Qin Chuan asked, frowning.

"Not exactly."

Mu Yuncang shook his head and explained, "There are certain criteria to meet before becoming a city lord."

"First, you must be a loner who has left their family."

"Second, you must have previously served as the head of a family or as a great elder, and have proven your abilities."

"Third, your cultivation must be at the peak of the Yuan Dan stage, with a solid foundation and potential for further breakthroughs."

Qin Chuan nodded in understanding.

By these standards, he indeed met the requirements. However... he had no intention of becoming a city lord.

He had no interest in serving under someone else.

Mainly because… he had just bragged to his son about being an invincible powerhouse. Turning around and serving the royal family would be like slapping himself in the face!

He had to maintain his persona.

Even if things weren't going so well now, he needed to keep up the appearance of being a free-spirited individual, always calm and untroubled…

Being a carefree wanderer was the mark of a true expert.

But becoming an official, even one of great power and authority, would make him just another ordinary person! However.

Even though he had decided not to become a city lord.

He still needed to buy time.

So he continued, "Could you tell me more about the situation in Sishui City?"

Mu Yuncang hesitated for a moment, then frowned, saying, "To be honest, the situation there isn't very good right now."

"Sishui City is even more prosperous than Xunyang City, but the families there are difficult to deal with."

There was something he didn't mention.

The previous city lord of Sishui City had likely been assassinated by one of these powerful families.

He didn't dare reveal that just yet.

If he did, the promising candidate in front of him might back out.

After all, recommending a suitable candidate would earn him a reward, and if the person he recommended rose through the ranks, he would also benefit!

"I see…"

Qin Chuan once again adopted a thoughtful expression, taking even longer this time.

Mu Yuncang understood that this was a tough decision to make, so he patiently waited for Qin Chuan to think it over.

Finally, a sharp cry rang out.

"Young Master Qin, what are you doing?!"

The voice was filled with shock and anger, tinged with confusion.

"Qianyun!!"

In an instant, Mu Yuncang's face changed dramatically. Without any hesitation, he leaped off the terrace and sprinted towards the sound.

"What's happening?!"

Qin Chuan also pretended to be clueless and followed.

...

In the garden.

Mu Qianyun clutched her left shoulder with her right hand, gritting her teeth, her eyes full of caution as she stared at the rampaging Qin Zi.

She was both shocked and furious!

The boy who had been so polite just moments ago had suddenly gone mad.

That punch to her shoulder had hurt badly. If she hadn't dodged in time, it could have hit her chest.

"Kill!"

Qin Zi's face was flushed red, like a drunkard in a fit of rage, as he raised his fist to strike Mu Qianyun again.

He was like a berserk lion, extremely aggressive.

"Stop!!"

At that moment, a furious and commanding shout echoed, followed by a red flash that sent Qin Zi flying several meters, crashing to the ground.

Whoosh! Mu Yuncang appeared in front of Mu Qianyun, shielding her, his eyes cold as he glared at Qin Zi. "Who sent you to assassinate my daughter? Speak!"

"Kill!"

Qin Zi, having lost all reason, scrambled to his feet and charged at Mu Yuncang with his fist raised.

"Hmph!"

Mu Yuncang snorted coldly, releasing a powerful force that slammed into Qin Zi.

"Pfft—"

Qin Zi spat blood as he was flung back. The intense shock brought him somewhat back to his senses, but it also fueled his aggression. He charged at Mu Yuncang again.

"Stubborn fool!"

Mu Yuncang's expression darkened as he gathered energy in his right hand and struck out.

"Whoosh!"

A massive red palm formed, hurtling towards Qin Zi, with lightning crackling within it!

This was the power of a half-step Pure Yang cultivator. If it hit, Qin Zi would either die or be severely crippled!

At this moment, Mu Yuncang had no intention of holding back.

So what if Qin Zi was Qin Chuan's son?

He and Qin Chuan weren't particularly close. The only reason he had invited Qin Chuan was to discuss Sishui City—ultimately, it was all about benefits.

This boy had nearly harmed his daughter, and he had to be severely punished! "Ah! What's happening?!"

Under the threat of imminent death, the drunkenness and the effects of the pill dissipated, and Qin Zi fully regained his senses. The dagger fell from his hand, and he froze in place, his face pale.

"It's over."

Seeing the red palm closing in, blocking his view, he shut his eyes in despair.

"Boom—"

The next moment, a wave of intense heat washed over him, causing his clothes to flap wildly and his hair to whip in the wind.

But…

"I'm not dead?!"

He opened his eyes in surprise and saw a familiar figure standing in front of him.

That figure stood calmly, clad in white, clothes billowing in the shockwave, tall and unwavering, like a mountain!

As he gazed at the figure's back, Qin Zi felt a surge of emotion.

Father!!!