Chapter Thirty: The Hostage

“It’s been so long already—why haven’t Second and Third Brother returned?” A burly man with a tiger’s back and a bear’s waist paced anxiously in the main hall; this was none other than Tan Xiong, the head of Tan Family Fortress.

“Boss, bad news! A scout from Locust Fragrance City just sent word—Second Chief and Third Chief, along with all the brothers they led out, have been wiped out! Second Chief fell in battle, and Third Chief was captured!”

Tan Xiong’s massive frame trembled at the news. Grief and fury blazed in his roar: “Waaaah—Second Brother! Third Brother! Who? Who did this? Who dares kill my brothers? I’ll see them dead and buried! Speak! Who was it? Who did this?”

The messenger brother, pale and sweating, stammered, “It was… an expert brought in by the Weng family, a young man named Chen Mu. It’s said he’s a disciple of Stargazing Valley. He first destroyed Second Chief and the others, then crippled Third Chief and escorted him all the way back to Locust Fragrance City. Also, the Weng family’s young master, Weng Mengyun, was exposed and imprisoned.”

“What? A disciple from Stargazing Valley? We’re finished… I never thought this would provoke Stargazing Valley to intervene…” Tan Xiong’s face turned ashen. The old saying echoed in his mind: ‘He who does evil shall perish by his own hand.’

At that moment, another brother hurried into the hall to report, “Boss, disciples of the Bright Moon Blade Sect request an audience.”

“Disciples of Bright Moon Blade Sect? I have never interfered with them—what are they doing here? Let them in.”

Soon, the disciples of the Bright Moon Blade Sect arrived at Tan Family Fortress, escorting a disheveled young man—none other than Lü Shi.

The leading disciple, Liu Yang, addressed Tan Xiong, “Master Tan, we’d like to borrow your men to help us find someone; would that be convenient?”

“Ah, so it’s the esteemed disciples of the Bright Moon Blade Sect! No need for such formality—just tell me what you require.”

“Then we won’t stand on ceremony. We’re looking for a disciple of Stargazing Valley—this young man’s senior, named Chen Mu.” As he spoke, Liu Yang pointed to Lü Shi.

“Let me go! My senior is surely already back at the sect—release me at once!” Lü Shi struggled fiercely, but could not break free.

“You’re a disciple of Stargazing Valley? Your senior is Chen Mu?”

“I am Lü Shi, an inner disciple of Stargazing Valley, and Chen Mu is indeed my senior!”

At the mention of that name, Tan Xiong’s rage exploded—he smashed the nearby table with a palm strike. “It’s him again—Chen Mu! Since you’re his junior, I’ll send you to meet your ancestors!” He raised his hand to strike Lü Shi’s crown, but Liu Yang blocked his blow.

“You know Chen Mu?”

With a pained expression, Tan Xiong replied, “I won’t hide it—my second brother was just killed by Chen Mu, and my third brother is imprisoned in Locust Fragrance City.”

“Oh? Is that so?” Liu Yang’s eyes narrowed with calculation. “This boy is still useful. You can exchange him for your third brother, who’s held in Locust Fragrance City. We, too, have a score to settle with Chen Mu. Lure him out, but don’t expose our presence just yet. Here’s what you should do…”

Thus, Tan Xiong ordered his men to send word to the Weng family in Locust Fragrance City: Lü Shi, Chen Mu’s junior, was being held at Tan Family Fortress. If they wanted him unharmed, they’d have to come to the fortress and release Tan Fei, Tan Xiong’s third brother.

News soon reached the Weng family and Chen Mu. Chen Mu was alarmed—how had Lü Shi fallen into the hands of Tan Family Fortress? The fact that they knew Lü Shi’s name meant the report was likely true; he would have to proceed with caution. Chen Mu had the Tan Family messenger return to Tan Xiong with the message: in three days, he would come in person.

The messenger returned. Tan Xiong fell silent—Stargazing Valley was a major force; provoking them further could mean the end of his entire fortress. Yet, with the Bright Moon Blade Sect involved, it seemed there was no turning back. Still, as long as his last brother was safe, nothing else mattered.

Chen Mu requested a large batch of materials for refining the Sha Pill from the Weng family—sixty sets in all. Once alone in his quarters and sure no one was watching, he summoned Rou’er.

“Well? What is it this time?” Rou’er yawned, looking barely awake.

“Rou’er, my junior has been taken hostage. During the confrontation, I want you to secretly ensure his safety. Also, I’ve gathered some Sha Pill ingredients—can you refine them now?”

“We’ll see. I won’t reveal myself, that’s certain. As for the Sha Pill… hand over the materials.”

After setting up a barrier, Chen Mu began his preparations.

The next day, disciples from Stargazing Valley arrived at the Weng residence to meet Chen Mu. Led by Wang Qianxun, several late-stage Yuan Foundation disciples took seats in the main hall.

“Junior Brother Chen Mu, what exactly is going on? The Bright Moon Blade Sect has never meddled with us before—why provoke conflict now? The sect didn’t explain, just sent us out here.” Wang Qianxun was clearly puzzled.

Chen Mu explained, “Lü Shi and I went to rendezvous with Senior Liu Qing and his seven new outer disciples. The Bright Moon Blade Sect tried to intercept them, so conflict broke out…” He recounted the events in detail. Upon hearing that the Bright Moon Blade Sect later tried to kill Chen Mu and his comrades, everyone was furious.

“Hmph! The Bright Moon Blade Sect has gone too far. Not only did they abduct our disciples, they even tried to murder them! To behave so brazenly on our territory—they must think nothing of us. It’s time we teach them a lesson!”

“Indeed—this time they must be shown the consequences of their arrogance!”

Chen Mu continued, “To find me, Lü Shi was captured by Tan Xiong of Tan Family Fortress. When I arrived in Locust Fragrance City, I disrupted their plot to assassinate Miss Weng, so now Lü Shi is their hostage, while their third chief is our prisoner. I hope you can help rescue Lü Shi.”

“That’s no problem,” Wang Qianxun replied. “During the hostage exchange, we’ll be nearby and adapt as needed. We’re all brothers—this is the least we can do.”

“No,” Chen Mu said seriously. “I hope you’ll keep the Tan Family’s people occupied. I have a secret art for concealing my presence; I want to infiltrate their fortress alone and rescue Lü Shi myself. As long as you conduct the exchange openly, I’ll act in secret.”

“Isn’t that too risky? Don’t push yourself.”

“I trust my own skills.”

With the plan settled, the Stargazing Valley brothers stayed at the Weng residence. Afterward, Chen Mu secretly made his way to Tan Family Fortress and lay in wait.

On the day of the hostage exchange—

At the fortress gate, two groups faced each other, swords drawn and tension simmering. On one side were Wang Qianxun, Chen Mu, and the disciples of Stargazing Valley; on the other, the disciples of the Bright Moon Blade Sect and Tan Xiong.

“So this is what it’s come to—Bright Moon Blade Sect consorting with riffraff like Tan Family Fortress. You’ve attacked our disciples more than once—do you want war between our sects?” Wang Qianxun taunted.

Liu Yang retorted, “Enough talk! Since your Chen Mu killed our men, he must pay the price. Hand him over, and we’ll let the matter drop!”

“It was you who ambushed our disciples! And your dead—who do you think they are? Do you know Chen Mu is the personally chosen disciple of our Valley Master? If you want him, you’ll have to step over my corpse first!” Wang Qianxun’s voice was cold.

Truth be told, Wang Qianxun did not care much for Chen Mu, but for the sake of the sect’s unity, he had to say so.

“A personal disciple? That boy is the Valley Master’s personal disciple? Impossible!” The Bright Moon Blade Sect disciples began to stir uneasily.

Wang Qianxun pressed on, “Most of us may have our doubts, but this is a fact. Sect Master Gu announced it himself. For the unity and reputation of Stargazing Valley, we will never hand over Junior Brother Chen Mu. Besides, you were in the wrong! You attacked our people first—this is a declaration of war. If you insist, we’ll see it through to the end!”

One of the Bright Moon Blade Sect disciples turned pale and whispered to his leader, “Senior Brother, should we just fight it out with them? What ‘personal disciple’? I think they’re bluffing.”

Liu Yang’s expression darkened. “Fight! I don’t care if he’s a personal disciple, but with Chen Mu’s potential, he’s a menace. A cultivator at the Yuan Vessel stage killing two Yuan Foundation experts working together—have you ever seen such a thing? Someone like him cannot be allowed to live.”