Chapter 113: Triumphant Return

Under Chen Mu’s overwhelming might alongside the myriad demon clans, the army of the Mingyue Empire had been utterly routed, its numbers reduced to less than a tenth of their original strength. The followers of the Nine Nether Sacred Land shouted Chen Mu’s name with fervent excitement. After all, Chen Mu held some renown within their realm, being the deputy leader of the Nightshade Organization.

Witnessing Chen Mu’s swift and decisive defeat of the enemy forces, the unscathed devotees of the Nine Nether Sacred Land eagerly joined the fray, intent on eliminating the fleeing soldiers of the Mingyue Empire. They had long been stifled and oppressed by the Empire’s assaults; now, with the chance to retaliate, they sought to annihilate every last survivor.

At this moment, Chen Mu ceased his actions. Pursuing the scattered soldiers any further seemed futile, especially with so many of the Nine Nether followers already handling them. His intervention was no longer crucial.

Chen Mu approached Gongsun Qingyang and the elders with concern. “Are you all unharmed?”

After a violent bout of coughing, Gongsun Qingyang replied, “Chen Mu, it’s thanks to your timely arrival that we were saved. Truly, the younger generation surpasses the old. Without your charge into the enemy ranks, we old fellows would have been annihilated here by the Mingyue forces and those three old bastards.”

Seeing Gongsun Qingyang wounded from the backlash of the formation, Chen Mu hurried forward to support him. With Chen Mu’s assistance, Gongsun Qingyang steadied himself and regained his footing.

Noticing Chen Mu’s worry, Gongsun Qingyang reassured him with a wave, then retrieved a jade vial from his storage ring, pouring out several healing pills before consuming them and beginning to recuperate.

As Gongsun Qingyang settled into recovery, the elders and Chen Mu exchanged greetings, then fell into a focused silence. Chen Mu, not wishing to disturb their recuperation, stood guard nearby to shield them from external distractions.

After the time of a single incense stick, once their injuries were stabilized and they rose, Chen Mu stepped forward. “Luckily, I arrived just in time. Otherwise, the entire Nine Nether Sacred Land might have fallen under the Mingyue Empire’s assault. It was truly a moment of life and death. I’m relieved to have come at the critical hour; otherwise, I would have no face to meet my godmother and Sister Lin.”

Gongsun Qingyang patted Chen Mu’s shoulder. “No need to worry—you came when it mattered most. Without your reinforcements, we would have perished here with bitter regret. And who knows what would have become of your godmother and Sister Lin. But enough of that—weren’t you supposed to return to Daxia to seek revenge? Why have you come back now?”

Chen Mu chuckled softly at the question. “The vendetta with Daxia has been settled. Aside from the Daxia Empire reconciling with my Star-Gazing Valley, all other hostile forces have been eliminated. So that chapter is closed. I came to the Mingyue Empire mainly because I was worried about you all. As soon as I arrived, I heard you were in trouble, so I rushed to your aid.”

“Ha! You’ve got a good heart, not forgetting us here in the Nine Nether Sacred Land. Time truly is incredible—you’ve become so strong now that even I dare not underestimate you. I don’t know how you cultivated, but though your realm is only at the pinnacle of the Yuanji stage, your strength rivals that of someone at the peak Nascent Soul stage. It’s like you’ve leapt two major realms at once.” Gongsun Qingyang laughed heartily before shaking his head with a complex expression.

Chen Mu deftly avoided the topic, laughing and steering the conversation elsewhere. “Well, since everyone has stabilized, we should return to headquarters quickly. I’m sure your godmother and Sister Lin are anxiously awaiting your return. When we get back, we must celebrate this victory properly.”

Seeing Chen Mu change the subject, Gongsun Qingyang smiled wryly. It seemed Chen Mu had no intention of revealing his secrets to him, but that was fine—everyone had their secrets. So, Gongsun Qingyang did not press further.

Indeed, there was no benefit in lingering here any longer. Those Mingyue soldiers who deserved to be slain had been slain, and the devotees had finally vented their anger. There was no need to stay.

At this moment, the demons had returned to Chen Mu’s side, entering the spirit beast bracelet. The ferocity of these demon clans left everyone astounded. Though Rou’er, Zongyu, and others paid no heed to the devotees, the followers of the Nine Nether Sacred Land regarded them with the highest reverence.

After all, these beasts had saved the Nine Nether Sacred Land—they were the saviors of the realm.

Once the devotees were instructed to clear the battlefield, Gongsun Qingyang led the elders back to headquarters to proclaim their victory. Naturally, Chen Mu followed them back to the sacred land’s main base.

Along the way, Chen Mu inquired about Xu Changye, noting that although he had seen several Nightshade members leading charges on the front line, Xu Changye himself was nowhere to be found.

Silence fell. The Nightshade members wore sullen and unwilling expressions. Seeing this, Chen Mu’s heart tightened with a foreboding dread.

The Nightshade members remained silent until Gongsun Qingyang sighed deeply. “Xu Changye fell during one of Li Yuanfen’s invasions. To protect his trusted Nightshade comrades, he sacrificed himself. Knowing the enemy’s strength, he held them off single-handedly to buy time for the rest of the Nightshade forces to retreat safely. Do not blame the Nightshade members. Xu Changye was a hero who gave his life to safeguard his comrades, ensuring that most of the Nightshade’s core remained intact.”

Chen Mu’s body trembled as if struck by lightning—a crushing blow.

That uncle who had often cared for him with charm and bravery, the one who had shared life and death with him as the twin champions of Nightshade—Xu Changye was gone? He could scarcely accept it. His heart grew heavy. He had vowed never to lose another friend or loved one, yet here he was, losing a comrade once more.

Fate was cruel. Though he had gone to Daxia to eradicate old enemies, saved his father Chen Haoran and elder brother Chen Feng, and rebuilt the Star-Gazing Valley, Xu Changye—the uncle who had always looked after him in the Nine Nether Sacred Land—had perished.

He wondered what might have happened had he stayed in the Nine Nether Sacred Land instead of going to Daxia. Could he have saved Xu Changye? He did not know. But he was certain that without his intervention, the remaining members of Star-Gazing Valley, his father, and brother would have perished at the hands of the awakened Zhong Tianyao. Those connected to Chen Mu had long been thorny adversaries to the Biluo Dao Sect.

Moreover, if he had not gone to Daxia, his strength would likely never have reached its current level, nor could he have rescued Xu Changye from Li Yuanfen’s grasp. Without his journey to Daxia, he would not have recruited such powerful demon allies.

Thus, traveling to the Daxia Empire was the wisest choice. With this realization, Chen Mu banished his confusion and regret, though his heart remained heavy.

Though he could not save Xu Changye, he swore to avenge him. The Mingyue Empire must bear the brunt of Chen Mu’s wrath. Li Yuanfen must die.

Seeing Chen Mu’s overwhelming killing intent, the Nightshade members understood it was not directed at them. Instead, their shared grief resonated with his fury—an anger aimed at Li Yuanfen. United by their desire for revenge, their resolve coalesced into a singular intent: to strike back at the Mingyue Empire.

Now, Chen Mu was the unshakable pillar of Nightshade. The members accepted him wholeheartedly and would obey every command without question.

Thus, Chen Mu had firmly seized true control of the Nightshade Organization. Though Gongsun Qingyang had not formally installed him as leader, all members recognized Chen Mu as their head. Even if Gongsun Qingyang appointed another, the members would not heed that person’s orders.

Gradually, Chen Mu let go of his killing intent and, on the journey back, soothed the Nightshade members’ emotions. He promised they would exact vengeance upon Li Yuanfen. He urged them not to let anger cloud their judgment and act rashly. Since he had returned with such formidable reinforcements, Li Yuanfen would surely meet his end at their hands.

Upon their return to the main demon hall of the Nine Nether Sacred Land’s headquarters, Gongsun Lin wept tears of joy—her father had returned alive. It seemed the defensive battle had been won.

Zhao Qingqing, watching the victors return, felt a heavy burden lift from her heart, though worry lingered for her husband’s serious injuries.

In the crowd, Gongsun Lin’s eyes caught an unexpected figure—Chen Mu, who had come back with Gongsun Qingyang.

She cried out in surprise, “Chen Mu? Why are you here? Didn’t you go to the Daxia Empire? How come you’re with Father and the others?”

Chen Mu was about to answer when Gongsun Qingyang laughed heartily and spoke for him. “Surprised? It was thanks to this young man Chen Mu that we returned safely from the front lines. He brought reinforcements and crushed the Mingyue Empire’s enemy forces.”

Hearing the full account, Gongsun Lin embraced Chen Mu, her eyes shining with gratitude and joy. Her godmother, Zhao Qingqing, also looked on with warmth and unspoken thanks.

Chen Mu struggled slightly under Gongsun Lin’s enthusiasm, calming her down before stepping away. “Fortunately, I arrived in time. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have had the face to see you and godmother again. As long as everyone is safe, everything else is secondary. But I’ve heard about Uncle Xu. In a few days, I will lead the Nightshade forces to the Mingyue Imperial Capital to exact revenge for him.”

Gongsun Lin’s expression darkened. “Don’t act rashly. The Mingyue Empire is powerful. You leading Nightshade against them might be like an egg smashing against a rock.”

Chen Mu chuckled. “Not necessarily. I’ve brought strong reinforcements this time. Have you forgotten how I defeated the invading enemies?”

Recalling the demon clans Chen Mu had brought, Gongsun Lin finally felt reassured, no longer fearing that Chen Mu would act recklessly.