Chapter Forty-Four: Submission

The Seven Stars Pavilion had two disciples at the peak of the Yuan Foundation Realm: Zhang Ge and Song Li. These two engaged and held off Mo Liang and Chen Feng, who were also at the peak of the same realm.

Chen Mu, meanwhile, was being targeted by two late-stage disciples from the Seven Stars Pavilion. Although they did not underestimate his strength, they still believed that two late-stage disciples would be enough to handle him.

“So, you’re Chen Mu? I didn’t expect someone so young to be this capable. When we broke through to the late Yuan Foundation Realm, none of us were younger than twenty, and the most gifted were seventeen or eighteen at best. Yet you, at what, fourteen? Already able to face us late-stage cultivators—truly a prodigy among prodigies. How about it? Interested in joining our Seven Stars Pavilion? I won’t hide it from you: Star-Gazing Valley is finished.”

“Finished? What do you mean by that?” Chen Mu narrowed his eyes.

“To tell you the truth, the Jadefall Dao Sect has formed an alliance with us and the Moonblade Sect. While everyone is distracted by the Grand Assembly of Heroes, the three sects are moving against Star-Gazing Valley. I’d wager your sect is already overrun.”

“What? How could this happen? I don’t believe it! Aren’t you afraid the Summer Dynasty will raise an army to destroy you for this?”

“We’ve already coordinated with the Imperial Family. It cost us dearly to keep them out of this matter. And to be frank, the reason we’re targeting your sect is partially because of you. The Jadefall Dao Sect is looking for a certain alchemist in Star-Gazing Valley—calls himself Daoist Mu, and I hear he’s your master? I don’t know the details, but apparently half the trouble started because of you,” the Seven Stars Pavilion disciple recounted their plot with a mocking tone, clearly relishing the shock and guilt that swept over Chen Mu’s face.

“How could this be… Is it all because of me? Did I bring ruin upon Star-Gazing Valley? No… That can’t be…” Chen Mu muttered, overwhelmed by the blow. It was a wound to his soul.

He believed he’d done nothing to wrong his sect, yet now, because of him, their enemies had united to destroy it—all because he’d fabricated the legend of Daoist Mu.

Seeing Chen Mu lost in despair, the Seven Stars Pavilion disciple sneered and added, “I heard your sect had a feud with the Moonblade Sect? They’ve gone mad, hunting down your disciples throughout the secret realm. You’re lucky the Azure Cloud Mountain Sect is protecting you. The others aren’t so fortunate; the Moonblade Sect is ruthlessly pursuing any Star-Gazing Valley disciples they find, and with Jadefall Dao Sect backing them, your people wouldn’t dare fight back.”

Chen Mu’s face was drained of blood. Staring at the two Seven Stars Pavilion disciples, he said through gritted teeth, “You… you’re going too far!”

“Oh, angry now? Why bother? Star-Gazing Valley is too small a place for someone like you. Join us. The Jadefall Dao Sect’s elders have said that if we find the disciple of Daoist Mu, we’re to treat you well.” Though the disciple spoke with a smile, his words cut like knives.

Rage flared in Chen Mu. In a flash, he lunged, sword in hand, unleashing the Sunset Sword Form at the pair. “You deserve to die!”

One of them sneered, “Don’t know what’s good for you. We invited you to join us out of respect. If not for Jadefall Dao Sect’s request to treat you well, we wouldn’t waste words. Let’s take him together!”

Though they managed to block Chen Mu’s attack, both disciples felt its power—he was indeed formidable.

Chen Mu fought with reckless abandon, unleashing the Sunset Sword Form, forsaking all defense in a desperate bid to kill his foes. The two disciples could only defend desperately. Chen Mu’s crazed assault left them no room to counter, and the deadly surges of energy, if not for their weapons, would’ve left them gravely wounded or dead in an instant.

Splitting left and right to flank him, they tried to trap Chen Mu. He ignored the tactic, locking onto one and launching a blazing fireball with his off-hand to disrupt the other.

One disciple formed a seal, conjuring a green flame and sending it toward Chen Mu. Chen Mu, relentless in his pursuit, brought his sword down on the flame, scattering it. The stray embers scorched his skin, leaving burns, but he paid them no mind, immediately slashing at his target.

The disciple was horrified—was Chen Mu insane, trading injury for injury?

Unable to dodge, the man’s arm was severed by Chen Mu’s blade. Shocked and in pain, he staggered back.

The other disciple, momentarily distracted by the fireball, now rushed in and stabbed Chen Mu through the abdomen. Stunned, he hadn’t expected Chen Mu to leave himself wide open. But Chen Mu’s eyes were those of a demon, locking onto him with murderous intent.

“You must die! You must die!” With a twisted motion, Chen Mu hacked at the man’s head. The disciple tried to parry, only to find his sword caught in Chen Mu’s grip. Before he could react, his head was sent flying.

The severed-arm disciple, who had thought Chen Mu was doomed, watched his comrade fall and felt terror swell within him. He fled in panic.

Chen Mu wrenched the blade from his abdomen, channeling the life force of the black pearl to stem his wounds. As soon as he stabilized, he gave chase, relentless in his pursuit.

Meanwhile, the fight between Chen Feng, Mo Liang, Zhang Ge, and Song Li raged on with equal ferocity. Chen Feng and Mo Liang worked in perfect sync, but Zhang Ge and Song Li were no less skilled. Spells and sword-shadows clashed in a true battle of fire and steel.

Even amid combat, the four kept an eye on the overall situation. When they saw Chen Mu, gravely wounded, strike down a Seven Stars Pavilion disciple, both sides momentarily paused.

“Xiao Mu!” Chen Feng shouted in alarm.

“Is he insane? We never meant to kill him—why is he fighting so desperately?” Zhang Ge cursed. Now that blood had been spilled, neither fighting nor retreating seemed like a good option.

Seeing Chen Mu pull the blade from his body and pursue the fleeing disciple, Chen Feng finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Zhang Ge spat, “Your brother’s a madman! All we wanted was half the herbs you’d gathered, but he’s slaughtered our disciples. This debt will be settled once we’re out of here!”

“Hmph! You must have said something to provoke my brother. Otherwise, he’d never lash out so frantically,” Chen Feng retorted coldly.

Zhang Ge, realizing the reason, fell silent for a moment before asking, “Are you handing over the herbs or not?”

Mo Liang answered, “No.”

Watching Chen Mu rampage through his sect’s ranks, Zhang Ge could stand it no longer. Cursing under his breath, he shouted, “Seven Stars Pavilion disciples, fall back with me!”

As the Seven Stars Pavilion disciples retreated, Chen Mu howled, “Damn you! Don’t run!”

He made to pursue them, but Chen Feng hurried over and grabbed him. “Xiao Mu, what’s going on? This isn’t like you. Did they say something?”

Chen Mu muttered, almost deranged, “It’s all my fault… Me… It’s my fault… Star-Gazing Valley is gone… The three sects united… Lü Shi, Zhang Jiudan—they’re dead… All dead… all dead…”

“Star-Gazing Valley destroyed? Was it Jadefall Dao Sect and Seven Stars Pavilion together?” Mo Liang asked, seeming to grasp the situation.

“And the Moonblade Sect… If I hadn’t provoked so many enemies, none of this would have happened… it’s all because of me…” Chen Mu said, pale as death.

Chen Feng was speechless. Not knowing the full story, he could only pat Chen Mu’s shoulder in silent comfort.

Thus, Chen Mu and the disciples of Azure Cloud Mountain Sect set off once again in silence.

...

The Star-Gazing Valley team led by Lone Wind was finally found by the combined forces of Jadefall Dao Sect and the Moonblade Sect.

“Are you really intent on wiping us out?” Lone Wind asked, his face resolute.

“Hmph, you know the answer. Back when Chen Mu led your sect to kill so many of our disciples, now we’re just here to collect a little interest from you.”

“Damn that Chen Mu! But what he did has nothing to do with the rest of us!”

“You can say whatever you want. We’re killing all Star-Gazing Valley disciples regardless.”

Just as the Moonblade Sect was about to attack, Gu Qingtao of Jadefall Dao Sect interceded.

Gu Qingtao smiled. “Luo Yan, Lone Wind is at least our peer. Ganging up on him like this is beneath you. There’s no need for us to come to blows. Why not let bygones be bygones?”

Lone Wind replied bitterly, “Gu Qingtao, spare me your hypocrisy. Since entering the secret realm, the Moonblade Sect has been hunting us down, picking off our stragglers. If you hadn’t been backing them up, would we fear a sect like the Moonblade?”

Gu Qingtao looked apologetic. “It was my mistake not to stop them. Lone Wind, to make amends, I propose a truce. What do you think?”

Lone Wind hesitated. “You’d really play the mediator?”

Gu Qingtao smiled mysteriously. “On one condition.”

“What condition?” Lone Wind asked, puzzled.

“Surrender to the Jadefall Dao Sect.”

The Star-Gazing Valley disciples erupted in outrage. Was he really trying to poach their chief disciple right in front of them?

But Gu Qingtao was relentless. Looking at the other disciples, he continued, “Not just Lone Wind—you can all join us. To be frank, we’ve already summoned the Seven Stars Pavilion and Moonblade Sect to converge on Star-Gazing Valley. Your home is likely already destroyed.”