Martial God Asura Chapters 26-30: Chu Feng's Return and the Chu Family Gathering
The crisp sound of two slaps echoed across the Spiritual Medicine Mountain plaza, leaving a stunned silence in their wake. Su Mei, her adorable face now a mask of icy fury, had just struck the Dragon and Tiger brothers who moments before had been attacking Chu Feng on her behalf. The crowd of inner court disciples watched, utterly bewildered. The narrative had twisted completely—wasn’t Su Mei supposed to be apprehending Chu Feng?
“What are you looking at? What’s there to look? If you keep on looking I’ll scoop your eyes out!” Su Mei spun, her gaze sweeping the onlookers with such chilling intensity that they all flinched and quickly averted their eyes, murmuring amongst themselves.
Once the crowd was cowed, Su Mei turned back to Chu Feng, who was picking himself up from the ground. “Oi, are you fine?” she asked, her tone shifting.
Chu Feng stood, using his fingers to casually wipe the blood from his lips, revealing a small, self-inflicted bite wound. “I’m fine, this is nothing.”
The realization dawned on Su Mei. The blood wasn’t from the brothers’ attacks; it was a performance. He had been acting, and he’d fooled her completely. A surge of irritation made her want to scratch his smug face, but she swallowed her anger. She still needed to recruit him. Without another word to Chu Feng, she turned to the confused and humiliated brothers. “Follow me,” she commanded, striding away from the gawking crowd.
The Dragon and Tiger brothers, their faces burning with shame, could only glare and follow. Their reputation had been publicly slapped down, but against Su Mei’s status and power, they were helpless.
In a secluded spot, Su Mei let out a sigh, her expression turning apologetic. “Sorry for just now. It’s just that Chu Feng has his special areas. I also just found out about it so we can’t offend him.” She hinted at his secrets—the Spirit Power, the potential mastery of Mysterious Techniques—without revealing them fully, leaving the brothers to wonder what made this new disciple so exceptional in Su Mei’s eyes.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng, bored with the drama, simply tidied his robes and melted away from the crowd, wanting no further trouble. His departure did not go unnoticed. From the throng, Chu Wei, Chu Zhen, and their group emerged, their bags heavy with low-quality Ground Spirit Grass. They had witnessed the entire bizarre scene.
“You’ve also heard that in this year’s inner court disciple exam, there was a fierce person that killed 40 Fierce Beasts by themself, right?” Chu Wei asked the group thoughtfully.
“Of course we’ve heard of it. That guy was really strong… But he hid himself too well so no one knows who he is,” someone replied with admiration.
“Then if the Wings Alliance was choosing a new member within the new disciples, who do you think would become their target of invitation?” Chu Wei pressed.
“Of course it would be that fierce person,” they all agreed.
The unspoken connection hung in the air. The only new disciple the Wings Alliance had publicly invited was Chu Feng. Yet, reconciling the Chu Feng they knew—the ostracized, supposedly weak outsider—with that legendary figure seemed impossible.
“Do you truly understand Chu Feng?” Chu Wei’s question was a quiet indictment. “Ever since entering the Azure Dragon School, you’ve only teased Chu Feng because he couldn’t enter the inner court. Who would know his true strength?”
His words left them mute. Their lifelong disdain had blinded them. Chu Zhen, who had been silent, finally spoke. “We all underestimated Chu Feng and because of that, my brother Chu Cheng paid the price. I hope that you guys don’t offend Chu Feng anymore or else you will certainly regret it.” With that sobering warning, he walked away, leaving the others to grapple with a new, unsettling reality.
Chu Feng soon arrived at the entrance plaza, now bustling with returning disciples boasting of their hauls. A familiar voice called his name. It was Chu Yue, standing with a group of ten, mostly members of the Chu Alliance who had always been polite to him.
As Chu Feng approached, two Chu family members in Chu Yue’s group couldn’t resist sneering at his two full bags. “Oh? Chu Feng’s harvest is not bad, you actually got two full bags.” Their tone was dripping with sarcasm, unable to believe one person could outperform their entire group.
Before Chu Yue could rebuke them, Chu Feng spoke first, a gentle smile on his face. “Chu Yue, you will almost break through to the 5th level of the Spirit realm, right? Take these as a younger brother’s respect.” He plunged his hand into his bag and pulled out not a handful, but an armful of spiritual medicine, which he unceremoniously dumped into Chu Yue’s arms. The herbs glowed with a richer, redder hue than the common Ground Spirit Grass.
“I have things to do so I’ll leave first,” he said, and before a stunned Chu Yue could respond, he was already walking away.
She looked down. In her arms were thirteen medium-quality Sky Spirit Grasses. A collective gasp went through her group and the nearby onlookers. The value was staggering. Their minds reeled at the thought of what else filled Chu Feng’s bags. If they had known one bag contained top-quality Saint Spirit Grasses, the shock would have been unimaginable.
Chu Wei’s group arrived moments later, their eyes widening at Chu Yue’s bounty. “You guys went and hunted Sky Spirit Grasses, and you even got so many!”
“No,” Chu Yue said, carefully storing the precious herbs. “These weren’t hunted by us. They were given to me by Chu Feng.”
The two who had mocked Chu Feng earlier felt their faces burn with shame. Their provocation now seemed like the pitiful boasting of paupers before an emperor.
The atmosphere shifted again as a panicked Chu Xue and her group ran over, her face pale, Chu Gao limping from a leg injury. The Chu Alliance members immediately assumed Chu Feng was to blame.
But as Chu Xue haltingly recounted her story—of being saved by Chu Feng from the clutches of the Liu Alliance, of Chu Feng facing three level 5 Spirit realm experts alone to cover their escape—a profound silence fell. According to her, Chu Feng should have been severely injured or worse. Yet they had just seen him, utterly unharmed and vibrant.
“Chu Feng is fine. We just saw him,” Chu Yue confirmed softly.
Relief and remorse overwhelmed Chu Xue. Sobbing, she threw herself into Chu Yue’s arms. “I was wrong, we were wrong… Chu Feng isn’t our enemy, he is the bravest one in our Chu family…”
Chu Yue felt a deep sense of gratification. The change she had hoped for was beginning. Chu Wei sighed, shame coloring his features. “It seems we’ve really looked at Chu Feng wrongly.” The shared experience forged a new, respectful understanding of the cousin they had once universally despised.
Strange Marks and a Sinister Discovery
Deep within the Spiritual Medicine Mountain, a somber group of elders stood over three disciple corpses. Su Rou, Master of the Martial Skill Building, and others watched as a figure in an oversized white robe covered in strange, shifting patterns examined the bodies. This was Elder Zhuge, a person of immense and mysterious significance within the Azure Dragon School.
“After all these years, he has reappeared at last,” an aged voice emanated from the robe.
“Elder Zhuge, you’re saying… it’s the Thousand Bone Graveyard?” Su Rou ventured to ask.
“What else could it be?” The old man’s voice turned sharp with anger. “You inner court elders really neglect your duties too much! Simply a bunch of rice buckets. All of you are garbage!” His scolding was a physical weight in the air. With a final dismissive wave of his sleeve, he vanished, leaving the elders to exhale in nervous relief.
Su Rou fumed. “This old guy. Is he not a bit too excessive? This Thousand Bone Graveyard was already like an illusion… How should we know when it would appear!”
“Be a bit quieter,” Elder Ouyang counseled. “We really can’t offend this person.” Changing the subject, he asked, “Did the Wings Alliance invite that boy?”
Su Rou’s frustration found a new target. “Ahh, that boy really makes my head hurt. I heard Su Mei say that he refused the invitation.”
A smile touched Ouyang’s lips. “This boy is quite interesting.”
The “boy” in question, Chu Feng, was currently in his residence, about to enjoy a well-earned bath. As he removed his robe, his reflection in the water basin made him freeze, his face draining of color.
On his chest, a bizarre, living pattern had appeared. It was composed of countless tiny, squirming symbols that moved beneath his skin like a nest of serpents. He scrubbed at his flesh frantically, but the symbols were embedded deep, impossible to remove. A cold dread settled in his stomach—this was a souvenir from the Thousand Bone Graveyard, a curse he could not shake.
After a moment of despair, a resigned smile touched his lips. “It seems like I haven’t gotten rid of the curse.” Since he was powerless against it, he chose to ignore it. He stepped into the bath, deciding to focus on the present. Over the next few days, he immersed himself in cultivation, refining his massive haul of spiritual medicine. His resources dwindled rapidly, but his dantian swelled with power. He estimated one more Spiritual Bead would push him to the next breakthrough.
The Change in Attitude
When the day of the Chu family gathering arrived, Chu Feng was surprised by his visitors: not just Chu Yue, but also Chu Xue and Chu Wei.
“Chu Feng, the gathering is almost here. Come with us and we can return together,” Chu Yue offered with a warm smile.
Chu Feng’s eyes flicked to the other two, his hesitation plain.
“Chu Feng, let’s go back together. Everyone’s waiting for you!” Chu Xue said, her eyes sincere and regretful.
Chu Wei chuckled awkwardly. “We may have misunderstood some things, but in the end, we are still family. I hope that you don’t put the past in your heart.”
After a moment’s thought, Chu Feng nodded. “That’s fine.” He was not one to hold grudges, especially when reconciliation was offered. At the school gate, the rest of the Chu Alliance awaited. Their gazes, once full of enmity, now held respect, embarrassment, and shame. Chu Feng understood. In this world, even within a family, respect was often dictated by strength. He accepted the change without comment.
The journey to Leaning Mountain Town was uneventful. As they rode through the town gates in their distinctive Azure Dragon School purple robes, they were met with the admiring gazes of the citizens. Whispers followed them, some praising the Chu family’s talent, others, inevitably, mentioning the “disgrace” of the outer court disciple Chu Feng, the foundling.
Within the Chu family courtyard, they were swarmed by servants and other young family members who studied at different schools. Among them was Chu Xun, an 18-year-old disciple of the Thousand Wind School at the 5th level of the Spirit realm. A familiar sneer curled his lip as he spotted Chu Feng.
“Oh? Isn’t this Chu Feng? You’ve finally entered the inner court?” His tone was dripping with mockery.
“If I remember correctly, you also entered the Thousand Wind School inner court at the age of 15, right?” Chu Feng replied lightly.
“Hmph, you are correct, but after entering the inner court for a short 3 years I reached the 5th level of the Spirit realm. Do you think you can even compare to me?”
A disdainful smile touched Chu Feng’s lips. “Entered the Thousand Wind School at the age of 10, but only stepped into the 5th level of the Spirit realm at the age of 18. Such slow improvement, yet displaying such arrogance. Can’t you be any better?”
Chu Xun’s face flushed with anger. “You’re looking down on me? Do you want to spar a bit?”
“You aren’t even fit to spar with me.” With a final glance of utter contempt, Chu Feng walked past him, heading deeper into the residence.
“Damn! Who gave him that confidence?” Chu Xun spat, grinding his teeth. “He better not participate in the family’s competition or else I would beat him to death.”
He was soon approached by Chu Cheng and Chu Zhen. “Chu Xun, I advise that you don’t go and anger Chu Feng,” Chu Zhen said calmly.
“What is your meaning? You think that I can’t beat him?” Chu Xun’s anger flared anew. Dismissing the brothers as “spiritless garbage,” he was then met by Chu Wei, who patted his shoulder with a warning. Chu Yue, Chu Xue, and others followed, their words vague but their message clear: Leave Chu Feng alone.
Bewildered and irritated, Chu Xun watched them go. “These people. Have they gone stupid in the Azure Dragon School?” The unanimous shift in attitude from Chu Feng’s greatest detractors was a mystery he couldn’t solve.
Meeting of Father and Son
In a quiet residence hall, Chu Yuan was enjoying a rare and happy conversation with his eldest son, Chu Guyu. Having returned from the prestigious Lingyun School, Chu Guyu’s handsome features and refined aura filled his father with pride. Their reunion was interrupted by the creak of an opening door.
“Who said that you could enter without knocking? Leave!” Chu Yuan roared, slamming the table. But his anger vanished the instant he saw the slender figure in the doorway.
“Heh, father, brother.”
“It’s you, brother?” Chu Guyu’s face lit up with joy. In three strides, he was across the room, enveloping Chu Feng in a powerful embrace. “I’ve missed you so much!”
“I’ve also missed you, brother,” Chu Feng replied, his voice thick with emotion.
Chu Yuan walked over, his stern face now beaming. “Why didn’t you even greet me when you came back?” His eyes fell on Chu Feng’s purple robe. “You’ve entered the inner court?”
“Mm.” Chu Feng nodded with a smile.
“Good! I was saying that my son Chu Feng wasn’t that bad!” Chu Yuan’s laughter boomed through the hall, pure and unbridled in its happiness. For a blissful half-day, the three talked, the five years of separation melting away.
The familial warmth was shattered by a call from outside. Chief Zhao, a high-ranking minister of the family, had arrived. “Mr. Chu Yuan, the master has asked for you and for young master Guyu to go over. It’s about the family gathering.”
As the three moved to leave together, Chief Zhao politely but firmly blocked Chu Feng’s path. “Mr. Chu Yuan, the master only told you and young master Guyu to go.”
Anger flashed in Chu Guyu’s eyes. Chu Yuan’s face darkened. A “family” meeting that excluded one of his sons was a blatant insult.
Before they could protest, Chu Feng spoke, his smile calm and untroubled. “Father, brother, you two go quickly. Don’t make grandfather unhappy.” He was long accustomed to such slights.
The acceptance in Chu Feng’s eyes twisted Chu Yuan’s heart. He placed a hand on his younger son’s shoulder, his voice thick with promise. “Feng’er, I will guarantee that the next family meeting will include you.”
As they left, Chu Feng’s spirits lifted. In that brief contact, he had discreetly sensed his father’s aura. 9th level, Spirit realm. He was on the very cusp of the Origin realm, a hair’s breadth from the family’s current patriarch, Chu Yuanba. The discovery filled Chu Feng with fierce pride and excitement for his father’s prospects.
His thoughts were interrupted by the panicked arrival of a servant, Uncle Zhang. “Young master Chu Feng! Fierce Beasts appeared in the ore mine behind the mountain!”
Without a second’s hesitation, Chu Feng shot toward the back mountain like an arrow. The miners were ordinary people; facing Fierce Beasts meant certain slaughter.
The moment Chu Feng was gone, Zhang’s fearful expression melted into a sly smile. Chu Xun emerged from the shadows and handed him a pouch of silver. “Uncle Zhang, thanks for your work.”
“Hehe, just doing what I should,” Zhang said, pocketing the reward. “Young master Chu Xun… those Fierce Beasts seemed to gather more and more. We should quickly go over.”
“What is there to be afraid of?” Chu Xun snorted. “If Chu Feng can’t even take care of a few Fierce Beasts then he’s better off dead.” His scheme was simple: let the beasts teach Chu Feng a brutal lesson. Only after Zhang expressed fear of Chu Yuan’s investigation did Chu Xun reluctantly agree to go and observe.
When they arrived near the mines, they were met with an unexpected scene. Chu Feng was walking back, surrounded by a crowd of grateful miners who were carrying the carcasses of nine massive Fierce Beasts—five rank 1, three rank 2, and one rank 3.
“Young master Chu Xun, you’ve come as well!” a miner exclaimed. “Ahh, those Fierce Beasts were too scary, but luckily, young master Chu Feng arrived just in time!”
Chu Xun stood dumbfounded. How could Chu Feng have dispatched so many beasts so quickly? Even a 4th level cultivator would struggle.
Chu Feng approached, a strangely knowing smile on his face. “Chu Xun, thanks.”
The words, laced with an irony Chu Xun didn’t yet understand, sent a chill down his spine. An uneasy feeling gripped him, and he hurried past the group toward the mine.
Monster
Left with Zhang, Chu Feng’s grateful demeanor vanished, replaced by a cold stare. “Uncle Zhang, you’ve been in the Chu family for so long. Why are you getting more muddled as you get older?” His voice was low and dangerous. “Remember, as a servant, the things that you should ask, you should. The things that you shouldn’t do… It is better not to do.”
Zhang turned deathly pale, his body trembling. Chu Feng’s implication was clear: he knew about the conspiracy. The cold smile on Chu Feng’s face confirmed his guilt.
Chu Feng then addressed the miners. “No need to trouble the people in the residence with merely a few Fierce Beasts. Just bring them back home and eat them.” The miners erupted in joyful thanks, praising the generous young master who had not only saved them but gifted them incredibly valuable beast meat.
Meanwhile, Chu Xun reached the trap site. He leaped into a tree and retrieved a wooden box riddled with small holes—a beast-luring device given to him by his teacher. “Teacher was indeed correct. This thing can attract Fierce Beasts…” He opened the box, expecting to see the precious Spiritual Bead his father had procured at great cost. The box was empty.
His face lost all color. “How did this happen? Where’s the Spiritual Bead?” He collapsed to his knees. The loss of the Spiritual Bead meant not just a failed plot, but catastrophic punishment from his father. Suddenly, Chu Feng’s cryptic “thanks” echoed in his mind. Understanding dawned, and with it, raging hatred. Clutching the empty box, he gritted his teeth. “Chu Feng, I’m not done with you.”
Back in his room, Chu Feng closed the door and took out a radiant, spirit-energy-infused bead from his pocket. A wicked grin spread across his face. “Chu Xun, thank you very much. After walking in such a huge circle, after wasting so much effort, you did all that just to give me this treasure and to help me break into the 6th level. Hehe, you are quite generous as an elder brother.”
His Spirit Power had easily pinpointed the hidden box and its precious contents. While Chu Xun’s trap was meant to harm, it had only delivered the final key to Chu Feng’s breakthrough.
He swallowed the Spiritual Bead. A torrent of immense spiritual energy erupted in his stomach, only to be instantly and violently sucked into his dantian. From within, he heard a sound like ravenous chewing. The nine Lightning Beasts within roared, their forms shifting and growing. When the transformation settled, a wave of power several times stronger than before erupted, flooding every vein and muscle in his body.
Chu Feng opened his eyes, a brilliant light shining within them. 6th level, Spirit realm. A 15-year-old at the 6th level was a genius. To rise from the 2nd to the 6th level in under two months defied such labels. It was monstrous.
The Gathering Begins
Time flowed swiftly to the day of the Chu family gathering. The event was far more than a family meeting; it was a public display of the Chu family’s strength and vitality to the entire region. The Leaning Mountain Town’s martial arts training ground was packed to overflowing with townsfolk, wealthy merchants, and representatives from nearby powers, all buzzing with anticipation.
The atmosphere reached a fever pitch when the main members of the Chu family made their entrance. At the forefront was the family patriarch, Chu Yuanba. Though advanced in years, he walked with the powerful, deliberate gait of a tiger, his back straight, his snow-white eyebrows like swords. An imposing aura, the unique pressure of the Origin realm, radiated from him, commanding fear and respect.
“Behind Chu Yuanba are the 6 sons of the Chu family right? All of them really do have out of the ordinary imposing and impressive presence. I wonder who the new master of the family will be.”
Whispers rippled through the crowd. “What’s the rush? I hear that in today’s Chu family gathering, he will officially announce his retirement and the new master will also be selected.”
“Which means it’s going to be quite interesting today.”
The stage was set. The patriarch was ready to step down. The sons, including Chu Yuan, would vie for succession. And amidst this high-stakes family drama, a young man who had just reached the 6th level of the Spirit realm stood ready, no longer the ignored outsider, but a hidden force whose sudden emergence was poised to shock them all. The gathering had begun, and with it, the next tumultuous chapter in Chu Feng’s ascent.