Chapter Thirty-Seven: A Duel of Life and Death-Era of Pastoral Legends(The Corridor Immortal)

Xiao Heartless gave a cold snort as well. “Swearing an oath upon the Heavenly Dao? With your meager cultivation, what use would such an oath be? Do you really think a useless wretch like you could ever reach the Tribulation Crossing? Abolish your own cultivation now. If I have to do it myself, things won’t be so simple.”

“Elder Xiao, you and the Law Enforcement Squad are superior and subordinate by nature. The squad has tried again and again to kill me—surely you’ve given your tacit approval? I’ve already said, at that time I had no power whatsoever; how could I have defiled Youlan? Yet you turned a deaf ear and were bent only on crippling me. Are you blind or deaf?” Chen Mu glared at Xiao Heartless with a vicious gaze.

“You little beast, you dare insult me?” Xiao Heartless moved forward, but was stopped by Gu Xingyuan.

Gu Xingyuan stroked his beard and looked at Chen Mu. “Chen Mu, the sect has no intention of crippling your cultivation, so there is no question of making things hard for you. I will not sever your path of cultivation; you may rest easy.”

“Senior brother! Isn’t this against the rules?” Xiao Heartless frowned.

“There are still many doubts in this matter. Why do you believe only Youlan’s one-sided account but ignore Chen Mu’s appeal? Besides, Youlan’s story is full of holes—surely everyone here can see something is amiss.”

“This... but this boy attacking his fellow disciples is an undeniable fact. He cannot be let off so easily,” Xiao Heartless hesitated.

“Are you trying to interfere with my decision?” Gu Xingyuan’s brows knitted.

At these words, Xiao Heartless was briefly stunned into silence and did not speak further.

With a tap of his finger, Gu Xingyuan dispelled the shackles on Chen Mu’s body. “Since the matter remains unresolved, you may withdraw for now.”

“Wait, Master! If you still acknowledge me as your disciple, then grant me a chance to challenge He Silai to a life-and-death duel! He has tried to kill me again and again—enough is enough!” Chen Mu cried.

Xiao Heartless snorted coldly. “Insolence!”

“Old man! So your Law Enforcement Squad can hunt me relentlessly, but I am not allowed to fight your squad members to the death? If I do not kill He Silai and the others today, I swear I will not rest!”

“Elder Xiao, you must not permit this arrogant villain Chen Mu to challenge my brother to a duel!” He Lang had grown flustered at Chen Mu’s demand for a duel, for he had himself suffered at Chen Mu’s hands and knew his own brother stood even less chance.

“So that’s why you’re always targeting me—He Silai is your brother. Fine! The two of you can come at me together! Today, I swear to cut you down with my sword!”

Gu Xingyuan’s eyes flickered, and he stopped Xiao Heartless, who was about to explode. He was very curious what Chen Mu meant by “will not rest”—after all, he had witnessed this youth, hindered in cultivation, miraculously rise to slay cultivators at the Yuan Foundation stage. His intuition told him Chen Mu was hiding something, but whether it was the mysterious Wood Daoist or some other power behind him, he could not say.

Thus, Gu Xingyuan permitted the life-and-death duel.

Soon after, He Silai was brought into the great hall. After investigation and questioning, it was found He Silai had indeed followed Chen Mu out of the sect that day, but he stubbornly denied ever sending anyone to hunt Chen Mu.

Upon hearing that all grievances would be settled in the arena, He Silai first fell into despair, knowing his strength was less than Chen Mu’s. Yet when he learned he could fight alongside his elder brother, his heart gradually calmed. After all, He Lang was at the late Yuan Foundation stage—though he did not know his brother had once lost to Chen Mu.

The martial arena. Upon the stage, Chen Mu faced off against the He brothers, his sharp presence like a drawn blade, intent on cutting them down—and indeed, he meant to do just that.

Around the stage, the inner sect disciples whispered among themselves.

“I heard that when Chen Mu was still in the outer sect, he was already debauched and wanton, defiling a fellow female disciple. Shouldn’t this be the time to judge him? Why are we having a life-and-death duel?”

“I heard it wasn’t Chen Mu who defiled that outer disciple, but He Silai. And when Chen Mu stumbled upon it, he was hunted down.”

“Is that so? He Silai has always seemed so quiet—I never would have guessed...”

“Who knows what the truth is? Chen Mu doesn’t look like a good person—he repeatedly offends the elders and fights fellow disciples. How could someone like him be chosen as a personal disciple? The Valley Master really has no eye for people.” At this, several members of the Law Enforcement Squad began to slyly stir up the conversation, steering its direction.

“So Chen Mu really is the villain here? I know He Silai—he doesn’t seem the type.”

“A beast like Chen Mu deserves to die. That outer sect girl was just a young maiden, yet she was ruined. How can she go on living? She named Chen Mu herself—she must have suffered greatly. Chen Mu must die!” a female disciple declared.

“Yes! To commit such a beastly act and then try to frame He Silai—he deserves death.”

“He brothers, kill Chen Mu!”

Under the Law Enforcement Squad’s instigation, the inner sect disciples all turned their fury on Chen Mu.

He Lang spoke righteously, “Chen Mu, you see? The masses have clear eyes! Your wicked deeds have come to light. Submit to the sect’s punishment and you might yet save some face. Lay down your sword before you make any more mistakes!”

Chen Mu was deaf to the jeers below. He fixed his gaze on the He brothers. “I no longer care what others think, but you framed me and hunted me. Do you really think I’m so easy to bully? Do you think your Law Enforcement Squad can cover the sky with one hand? Today, no matter what, you will die!”

At Chen Mu’s determination, He Lang grew uneasy, but He Silai sneered coldly. “Arrogant fool! My brother is the Law Enforcement Squad’s captain! To show contempt for the squad is to show contempt for Elder Xiao! And with your paltry cultivation, you’re no match for us. Kill us? Dream on.”

He Silai still thought Chen Mu’s strength was as it had been months ago, when he could only flee from late Yuan Foundation opponents. He had no idea what Chen Mu was now capable of.

He Lang cursed inwardly. What is this fool doing, provoking Chen Mu at a time like this? Is he tired of living?

Chen Mu shifted his gaze to He Silai. “Then let me show some contempt for the Law Enforcement Squad—some contempt for Xiao Heartless!”

And with that, Chen Mu sprang into action.

He launched into Meteor Steps, charging straight for He Silai. Seeing his brother was the first target, He Lang rushed forward to protect him.

Chen Mu unleashed the Falling Sun Sword Form. He Lang countered with the Brahma Star Sword Art. The Falling Sun Sword Form was derived from the Brahma Star Sword Art, though incomplete, but it suited Chen Mu’s yang-aligned vital energy perfectly.

In an instant, searing heat clashed with starlight—identical moves, but vastly different powers. The fierce yang energy made He Lang inwardly curse his luck.

He Lang shouted, “He Silai! Help me, or we’ll both die here!”

He Silai was stunned. He never expected that in their first exchange, his elder brother would already be at a disadvantage. Was this the same boy they had chased out of Starwatching Valley months ago?

He Silai drew his long saber and slashed at Chen Mu in a rage. Chen Mu parried He Lang’s sword, then struck at He Silai’s blade. The saber met Chen Mu’s Profound Gold Sword, but its inferior quality meant it could not bear the burning heat—soon, a crack appeared and began to melt. Only a top-grade Yuan Foundation artifact could withstand Chen Mu’s attacks.

His weapon ruined, He Silai immediately retreated. Chen Mu gave chase, but He Lang desperately blocked him with a wild sword swing.

He Lang was relentlessly protective of his younger brother. When his attack was broken, Chen Mu sent a kick crashing into He Lang’s abdomen, his explosive yang energy scorching the flesh black.

He Lang howled in pain, coughing blood, but still he blocked Chen Mu’s advance.

Chen Mu knocked He Lang’s weapon flying and strode slowly toward He Silai. Frightened, He Silai tried to run, but He Lang grabbed Chen Mu’s foot. “If you have the guts, come for me! Don’t kill my brother—I beg you!”

Chen Mu kicked He Lang aside and rushed at He Silai, seizing him by the head and slamming him to the ground.

He Silai tried to speak, but Chen Mu smashed his teeth with a punch, leaving him shrieking and mumbling.

He Lang knelt on the ground, utterly spent—the kick had shaken his very foundation, leaving him with severe backlash. He pleaded bitterly for Chen Mu to have mercy, but Chen Mu remained unmoved.

At last, Chen Mu raised the Profound Gold Sword and swung it down.