Cultivation: Starting from a Fighting Cock

Chapter 28 Zhou Mu
This wolf demon was exceptionally tall and robust, with a blue face, fangs, fierce eyes, and claws like steel knives. Just looking at it from afar was enough to make one's legs go weak.

It made no attempt to conceal its presence; the demonic aura it exuded was filled with bloodlust and brutality, leaving no doubt that it had devoured people, and quite a few at that.

"Ow—"

The wolf demon howled at the Zhao father and daughter, its cold and fierce eyes turning excited, as if it might launch a surprise attack at any moment.

"You beast, how dare you be so rude!"

At that moment, a voice from inside the Zhao residence stopped the wolf demon.

The wolf demon left several deep claw marks on the ground with its two front paws. The crisp sound of its claws tearing through the bluestone slabs demonstrated its power and the sharpness of its claws.

The wolf demon dared not disobey the speaker's order, so it obediently took a few steps back and made way for the path.

[You witnessed the wolf demon's ferocity and absorbed a wisp of its demonic energy!]

Ji Cheng was overjoyed. He hadn't guessed wrong; this wolf demon was at the same level as Da Huang, both being first-tier demon beasts.

The only difference is their bloodline; one is a wolf, and the other is a dog. In terms of fighting power, Da Huang is far from being a match for this wolf demon.

The Zhao father and daughter were terrified, but Zhao Yan, having practiced martial arts, possessed extraordinary courage and forcibly dragged her father into the Zhao residence. Throughout the entire process, the two were actually extremely frightened; at this distance, if the demon wolf were to suddenly attack, they would have no chance of survival.

Upon entering the front yard, the two saw Zhao Qian and a strange man beside him.

The man was imposing and elegant. When he saw Zhao Yan for the first time, his expression lit up. He hadn't expected the Zhao family to have such a beautiful young woman.

According to Zhao Qian's introduction, this person was Zhou Mu, the young master of the Zhou family in Zishui City, and the wolf demon outside the door was young master Zhou's mount.

Could the Zhou family be the Zhou family that is the head of the four major families in Zishui City?

Zhao Yan and Second Master Zhao exchanged glances. No wonder he could ride a wolf demon; Young Master Zhou's trip was quite impressive.

At this moment, Master Zhao invited Zhou Mu to sit in the main hall.

Master Zhao first went to the backyard, put down the fighting rooster, and then returned to the main hall to sit next to Master Zhao and entertain the guests.

Zhou Mu got straight to the point, saying that he and Zhao Qian hit it off immediately and that he was willing to sponsor Zhao Qian's blood transfusion.

At the same time, the Zhou family is willing to cooperate with the Zhao family in the future in the business of medicinal herbs, as well as in the production and sale of longevity pills, without fear of any force robbing or suppressing them.

These were all good news, and Madam Zhao was overjoyed to hear them, thinking that her son had made some important connections outside.

Then, Zhou Mu changed the subject and said, "I have only one small request, which is to ask Master Zhao to sell me one of his family's heirloom pills."

Everyone was stunned and taken aback.

Especially Master Zhao, who looked completely bewildered, said, "Young Master Zhou, what ancestral elixir does my Zhao family have?"

The Zhao family members looked at each other, wondering where Zhou Mu had heard this news from.

“Master Zhao, since I have come to visit you in person, please stop hiding your secrets and speak frankly. I know that your Zhao family of Wuzhen had a Foundation Establishment stage alchemist in your ancestor. The original formula for your Zhao family’s unique Longevity Pill should be Longevity Pill. You don’t seem like people who forget their ancestors. Could it be that by your generation, the alchemist’s legacy has been completely forgotten?”

Zhou Mu tapped his fingers lightly on the table. He had a strong aura and gave the impression of looking down on the Zhao family.

The Zhao family members were surprised, confused, and shocked, as it was the first time they had heard that their ancestor was a Foundation Establishment stage alchemist.

"Young Master Zhou, this...you must be mistaken. How could we possibly be descendants of an immortal master?"

Master Zhao looked at Zhou Mu, then at Zhao Qian. Was there some misunderstanding?
Zhou Mu, however, was convinced that he was faking it. He stood up and said, "Master Zhao, you may be getting old and your memory is failing. It's alright, take your time to think. I will stay in Wuzhen for a while. If you remember, just ask Zhao Qian to come find me."

After saying this, he strode out of the Zhao residence, mounted the demon wolf, and turned back to smile at Zhao Yan. Once Zhou Mu was gone, the Zhao residence erupted in chaos. Madam Zhao, Zhao Kun, and Second Master Zhao were all asking what had happened—was their ancestor a Foundation Establishment Immortal?

"Qian'er, what exactly happened to your Brother Zhou?"

Master Zhao was also completely bewildered, his brows furrowed, and he asked Zhao Qian to explain.

"Father, cough cough..." Zhao Qian just opened his mouth when he started coughing, his chest heaving with blood and qi.

"Brother, are you injured?" Zhao Kun asked.

Zhao Qian waved his hand to indicate that he was alright. He slowly sat down and said, "Father, I was injured while investigating the case of the robbery of medicinal herbs and silver. It was Young Master Zhou who saved me..."

“However, I suspect that the people who robbed my Zhao family were actually instigated by the Zhou family of Zishui City. As you just heard, the Zhou family’s goal is to obtain the ancestral elixir of my Zhao family.”

Zhao Qian wasn't stupid; he wasn't so easily fooled by Zhou Mu's feigned affection.

However, he couldn't refuse to bring Zhou Mu home.

After hearing Zhao Qian's words, everyone fell silent. Zhou Mu's words were undoubtedly a combination of coercion and enticement.

"Father, in my opinion, you should sell the pills to the Zhou family. We can't compete with the Zhou family!"

Zhao Qian said that the Zhou family has an old ancestor who is at the ninth level of Qi Refining. The Zhou family will do anything for a Foundation Establishment Pill.

Our Zhao family is simply not capable of protecting the elixir passed down from our ancestor. If we do not hand it over, it will surely bring about our demise.

"Gan'er, you're going to drive your father to his death!" Master Zhao slammed his fist on the table several times in anger. "What ancestral elixirs do we have in our family!"

Master Zhao also said, "Yes, this is utterly absurd. I've never heard of any immortal master among our ancestors since I was a child. Where did this young master Zhou get this information from?"

Today's events are too absurd; Master Zhao is completely baffled.

Zhao Yan and Zhao Kun listened silently, their brows furrowing slightly. They glanced at Master Zhao and Zhao Qian, trying to make sense of things.

Zhao Qian gave a look, indicating that he wanted to talk to Master Zhao alone.

Master Zhao waved for everyone else to leave, leaving only him and Zhao Qian in the hall. Zhao Qian leaned closer, took his hand, and said:
"Father, you don't need to hide it from me. Now that the Zhou family has received this news, they can't be wrong. Our Zhao family must have had immortal ancestors!"

"Father, now that the Zhou family knows this secret, pretending to be crazy won't work. The best way is to give the pills to the Zhou family in exchange for their protection and cooperation with our Zhao family!"

You can't fight city hall. Zhao Qian believes that those who know when to yield are the heroes, and that possessing a treasure is a crime. How could you not understand that, Father?
"Oh dear, what are you saying, my son? I've never heard of any immortals in our ancestors. As for any treasures passed down from our ancestors, there's only that prescription for a longevity pill. There's no such thing as an elixir!"

Mr. Zhao stomped his foot in anger, causing his blood pressure to spike.

He felt that Zhao Qian was truly bewitched. How could he believe that his ancestors were immortals and that a bunch of elixirs had been passed down to him?
"Father, is it really not true?"

Now, Zhao Qian looked bewildered. How could this be? Could it be that Young Master Zhou had made a mistake?

"Qian'er, you... sigh! What have you been through out there!"

Master Zhao was very disappointed. He couldn't understand how his eldest son had become like this, as if he had lost his mind.

Zhao Qian sat in the chair, his eyes vacant, seemingly lost in thought.

Suddenly, Zhao Qian started coughing violently, which startled Master Zhao, who rushed over to check on him.

(End of this chapter)