Chapter 315 - 306: With Your Backing, What’s There to Fear?

Chapter 315: Chapter 306: With Your Backing, What’s There to Fear?

A two-horse carriage pulled to a stop outside the towering gates of the Cyan Banner Ning Mansion.

The carriage curtain was lifted, and a tall, slender young man jumped down.

He wore his hair in a braid and was dressed in a dark teal long-robe of subtly patterned jacquard silk, over which he wore a black vest with a coiled dragon medallion pattern. His cuffs were slightly rolled up, giving him a look that was both dashing and sharp.

The young man strode toward the mansion. The servants waiting by the gate hurried forward to greet him, calling out, "Young Master."

"Did the Young Master get into another fight today?"

"Not a fight. A beating."

The young man was blessed with handsome features.

But his brow bone was slightly prominent, and his eyes were long, narrow, and angled slightly upward at the corners.

When he spoke, his eyes held a hint of innate reserve and coldness, making his gaze feel like a scrutinizing, authoritative assessment.

"That dog from the Mu Family, Mu Tingzhou, was barking so loudly he was disturbing me while I was trying to enjoy the opera. Tell me, did he deserve a beating or not?"

"He did, he absolutely did!"

The servant at his side agreed, then scurried off into the mansion, as if in a hurry to report to someone.

As the young man walked through the mansion, servants continuously approached him to report on various matters.

Some asked about miscellaneous chores, others reported on business dealings. The young man handled them all with an air of casual authority, already showing the demeanor of a man in charge.

His strides weren’t large, but he walked so quickly that the servants beside him had to jog to keep up.

"Young Master. That Shen Yijun from the Jiangnan Shen Family sent people with another invitation and gifts. This is the third time this month!"

A servant suddenly ran up to report.

The young man stopped in his tracks. He slowly rolled his sleeves back down, a scornful smile playing on his lips. "Accept the gifts, send back the invitation.

They want to do business with my Ning Family? They should take a good look at themselves and see if they’re worthy.

Let them stew for another three months!"

"Yes, sir."

With that matter settled, the young man swept his gaze to either side, and the surrounding servants tactfully withdrew.

He had now arrived before a main hall.

He straightened his robes slightly, smoothing out any visible wrinkles, and adjusted the foreign-made silver pocket watch hanging on his vest.

Wiping the smile from his face, the young man strode into the hall with a solemn expression.

"Father!"

Inside the hall, Ning Yuan, Patriarch of the Ning Family, was over seventy but looked to be in his forties or fifties. His complexion was ruddy, his braided hair was jet-black, and his physique was quite robust.

Ning Yuan was currently enjoying tea and idle conversation with several people. Seated on either side of the hall were five or six men and women of distinguished bearing—all of them were the Ning Family’s Martial Tributors.

"Ning Yu, you’re back."

A smile immediately spread across Ning Yuan’s face as he saw the young man enter.

Ning Yu, ever astute, first greeted Ning Yuan before paying his respects to the Martial Tributors on both sides one by one.

Within the Nine Banners, there were few in the younger generation as knowledgeable and capable as Ning Yu. Most were useless dandies who spent their days walking birds, teasing dogs, smoking opium, and chasing women.

After Ning Yu had greeted the last Martial Tributor, Ning Yuan spoke slowly. "I hear you beat up the Mu Family’s boy today?"

"Yes."

Ning Yu nodded, his expression unchanged, showing no sense of wrongdoing. "I was just about to report this to you, Father.

Weren’t you planning to join forces with the Chaha Clan to swallow up the Mu Family? I just found a pretext to give Mu Tingzhou a thorough beating.

If Mu Feng dares to stand up for his son, it will save us a lot of trouble..."

"You acted too hastily, and too crudely."

Ning Yuan shook his head, then changed his tone. "But since it’s already done, I won’t say any more about it."

But Ning Yu said, "Father, there is one thing I don’t understand.

If we swallow the Mu Family, will the Top Four Banners truly not intervene?"

"Why would they care about a mere branch of the Blue Banner? As long as it doesn’t affect the Grand Sacrifice and the annual tribute of Human Pills from below doesn’t decrease, it’s fine."

Ning Yuan said dismissively, "Without the Mu Family, another clan will naturally rise to take their place in the Blue Banner. There are plenty of people who want the Mu Family’s position."

"What about the Demon the Mu Family serves?"

Ning Yu frowned. "Surely we can’t be expected to support two Demon Lords? I’m afraid the family’s resources wouldn’t be enough, and I don’t see any benefit in it..."

"That’s where you’re wrong."

Ning Yuan couldn’t help but laugh. "Did you think we’re targeting the Mu Family for their meager share of Human Pills? The Raven Lord they serve is the real prize!"

Ning Yu was taken aback. "Please enlighten me, Father."

Ning Yuan said softly, "If we could obtain the Raven Lord served by the Mu Family and feed it to our Ning Family’s Scorpion Lord, we could save at least three years’ worth of Magic Sacrifices.

The Scorpion Lord’s power would also surge dramatically. Advancing to the Fourth Grade would be a certainty, and we might even have a chance at the Third Grade.

Did you really think the First and Second Grade Great Demons served by the Upper Three Banners are all raised by feeding them humans?"

Ning Yuan shook his head. "Too naive. Feeding on humans is nowhere near as fast as feeding on other Demons."

Hearing Ning Yuan’s explanation, a fiery excitement surged within Ning Yu.

"Father..."

A bright light shone in his eyes, but just as he was about to step forward and speak, Ning Yuan dashed his hopes.

"Unfortunately, this crow of the Mu Family... neither we nor the White Banner Chaha Clan can have it..."

"Why?"

Ning Yu grew anxious, asking in surprise.

Ning Yuan lowered his head to blow the froth from his teacup, simultaneously raising a finger and pointing upward.

"The Profound Banner Helers have already claimed it."

"The Profound Banner?!"

Ning Yu froze. He was confused at first, but then he recalled his earlier question to Ning Yuan about whether the powers above would intervene if they swallowed the Mu Family. A sudden realization dawned on him.

"So that’s how it is."

Ning Yu nodded, his expression complicated.

So, the Profound Banner had its eye on the Demon Fiend nurtured by the Mu Family and wanted to use his Ning Family and the Chaha Clan to do their dirty work. No wonder the higher-ups weren’t going to intervene.

"We’re not doing it for free..."

Ning Yuan took a sip of tea, cleared his throat, and continued, "The Helers have made a promise. If this is successful, they will pass the Secret Technique of the Second Implantation to our Ninggu Clan.

At that time, whether we work with the Chaha Clan or ally with other Banner Races, our Ning Family’s Martial Tributors will all be able to undergo this Second Implantation.

Our overall strength will see a massive increase..."

A glint flashed in Ning Yu’s eyes. He suddenly said, "From what you’re saying, Father, it seems the Profound Banner Helers didn’t just approach our Ninggu Clan and the Chaha Clan.

They approached others as well?

Exactly how many Demon Fiends nurtured by the Lower Five Banners has the Profound Banner set its sights on?

What is the Profound Banner trying to do?

Don’t tell me they’re trying to..."

"Silence!"

Ning Yuan, who had been perfectly composed, heard the dangerous conclusion Ning Yu was about to voice. His expression changed drastically, and he cut him off with a sharp rebuke.

"What the Profound Banner plans to do is not your concern! We only need to worry about what’s in front of us. If there’s a benefit to be had, we take it..."

Ning Yuan’s face grew cold. He scanned the people below him and said in a low voice, "All of you, remember: not a word of today’s conversation leaves this room."

"Yes, Patriarch."

Ning Yu and the Martial Tributors replied in unison.

After this exchange, the originally relaxed atmosphere in the hall became somewhat stifling.

Just then, a servant rushed in to report.

"Master, the Patriarch of the Blue Banner Mu Family, Mu Feng, is here with his son to pay a visit."

Hearing this report, Ning Yu, who was standing in the hall below, looked startled for a moment before a mocking smile bloomed on his face.

’They actually dare to show their faces here?’

Ning Yu waved his hand dismissively and laughed. "Let them in. I’ll be waiting for them right here."

"Yes, sir."

....

「Meanwhile, at the entrance to the Ning Mansion.」

Hong Huan and Xu Chu, their faces expressionless, cleared a path, one on the left and one on the right.

The servants of the Ning Mansion all looked as if they were facing a great enemy.

Surrounded by the Mu Family’s attendants and guards, Fu Juemin walked along, casually reminding Mu Tingzhou, who was beside him, "Did you remember everything I just told you?"

Mu Tingzhou’s bandages had been removed from his head and feet, revealing a bruised and swollen face.

Although he still walked with a limp, his expression was animated and full of spirit.

"I remember, I remember everything."

He nodded repeatedly, his eyes gleaming, completely ignoring his father, Mu Feng, who stood to the side with a stiff expression, looking like he wanted to speak but couldn’t.

Seeing his eager expression, Fu Juemin couldn’t help but ask, "Aren’t you afraid?"

Mu Tingzhou said nonchalantly, "What’s there to be afraid of?

Ning Yu’s father and my father are from the same generation, their statuses are roughly equal.

You are a great Noble. My father is completely deferential to you, so when Ning Yu’s father sees you, he’ll act like a grandson.

With you backing me up, why the hell would I be scared of him!

Just you wait and see..."

With that, Mu Tingzhou vigorously rolled up his sleeves and rushed forward to lead the way, his face a mask of impatience.

"I like this son of yours."

Fu Juemin turned to Mu Feng with a satisfied look. "He’s got more guts than you."

"Spirit Lord... you flatter me."

Mu Feng forced a smile. Then, watching Mu Tingzhou’s swaggering, triumphant back as he led the way, Mu Feng ground out through clenched teeth, "He... he’s just a... complete idiot!"