Chapter Eighty-Four: Father and Son

After the annihilation of the Bright Moon Blade Sect, Chen Mu set his next target on the Azure Heaven Dao Sect. After all, his eldest brother was still in their hands, and he had to rescue him. Along the way, Chen Mu not only planned how to save his brother but also inquired about his father's whereabouts. Yet, no matter how much he searched, there was not the slightest trace of news.

However, one piece of information caught Chen Mu’s attention: within the territory of Azure Heaven Dao Sect, their disciples were being frequently ambushed and killed. This phenomenon was clearly targeted at the sect. The person behind these attacks was most likely someone Chen Mu knew—perhaps Chen Haoran, seeking revenge against the sect for his own death, or Gu Xingyuan, who harbored the hatred of having his sect destroyed.

Regardless of who was slaughtering the disciples, if it was his father, that would be best; then they could reunite and reassure him that Chen Mu was safe. If it was Gu Xingyuan, then Chen Mu would gain another powerful ally. Currently, the sect leader Gu Daozhen was still suffering from soul and internal injuries left by his last battle with Rou’er, which rendered him less threatening. As for the deputy sect leader Gu Daoyan, either Chihuo or Yuan Shan could easily deal with him.

But the real problem wasn’t strength—their side was more than capable of wiping out Azure Heaven Dao Sect. The worry was that, once the battle began, the sect would use his brother Chen Feng as a hostage to threaten him. Therefore, Chen Mu’s first priority was to infiltrate the sect and rescue his brother.

Before that, however, he wanted to see who was hunting down the sect’s disciples. Since their target was the same, Chen Mu also began hunting Azure Heaven Dao Sect disciples, knowing that sooner or later, their paths would cross.

Within the sect’s territory, after several successful ambushes, Chen Mu finally drew the attention of the mysterious avenger. Both parties were on alert, each wanting to learn the other's identity and, since their goals aligned, to see if they could join forces.

At last, during an assault on one of the sect’s mining sites, Chen Mu encountered the mysterious figure. The man was dressed in black robes, his face obscured, but every move he made shimmered faintly with starlight—a telltale sign of his identity. It was none other than Gu Xingyuan, Chen Mu’s nominal master.

Gu Xingyuan, seeing Chen Mu similarly garbed and hidden beneath a hat, grew wary. This could easily be a trap set by the sect. After the two of them dispatched all the disciples at the mining site, they finally gathered together.

Unable to contain himself, Chen Mu called out, “Master! I’ve been searching for you for so long. You were friends with my father—do you know where he is?”

Gu Xingyuan snorted coldly. “Master? Are you trying to claim you’re Chen Mu? I saw my disciple Chen Mu die before my very eyes. Who are you, really? So, it is as I suspected—a ruse by Azure Heaven Dao Sect to lure me out.”

Chen Mu was momentarily stunned, then could not help but laugh and cry. He immediately removed his hat. “Master, I really am Chen Mu. You thought I died and left me behind, but my soul endured. My old body perished, but Rou’er found me and helped me forge a new one.”

Chen Mu told a half-truth; the forging of a divine body was too shocking to explain to Gu Xingyuan.

When Gu Xingyuan realized it truly was Chen Mu, he was overwhelmed with tears. “It’s really you? My beloved disciple, you’re alive?!”

Chen Mu was touched as well. “I survived by a stroke of luck, and was saved. In a way, I’ve been reborn.”

Gu Xingyuan, relieved, said, “Good, good, so long as you’re alive. These past days, I’ve been killing anyone connected to Azure Heaven Dao Sect to avenge Starwatch Valley and you. It is wonderful you survived.”

“After I re-formed my body, I traveled beyond the pass to the Bright Moon Empire. Through many hardships, I gained the strength to stand against Nascent Soul cultivators. By the way, I was the one who led the assault that destroyed the Bright Moon Blade Sect.”

“The Bright Moon Blade Sect? Hahahaha! Well done! I never thought that dog Liu Zhongdao would fall so low.”

“Master, not all Starwatch Valley disciples were wiped out. On my way to the sect, I encountered the escaping disciples of the Pill Pavilion. Elder Qu Rou led them to hide from the Blade Sect elders, but I saved them and found them a safe haven.”

“Truly? So Qu Rou managed to escape with the disciples. That is wonderful. I thought I was the only old relic left of Starwatch Valley.”

“Master, do you have any news of my father?”

“I met him. I arranged for your father to stay in a residence. He was devastated to hear of your death, and when he learned your brother Chen Feng was captured by Azure Heaven Dao Sect, his grief worsened. Now he drinks himself into oblivion every day to escape reality. But as you’re alive, come with me to see him and help him regain his strength. Then we can rescue your brother together.”

Hearing of his father’s state, Chen Mu felt both anxious and guilty. Everything had happened because of him, and now his father and brother suffered because of it.

The two of them entered the city and arrived at the house Gu Xingyuan had bought under a false name, lest he be reported to the sect or the Great Xia Empire.

Entering the courtyard, they saw Chen Haoran alone, drowning himself in liquor. Chen Mu’s heart twisted at the sight—his father had clearly endured much suffering these past months.

Seeing Chen Haoran’s thinning frame, Chen Mu hurried forward. “Father! Your unfilial son returns—sorry for not coming home sooner to put your mind at ease.”

Chen Haoran, drunk and dazed, looked at him with vacant eyes. “Am I dreaming? What do I see? Mu’er, you’re alive... But it’s only my imagination. Mu’er is dead... Mu’er is dead...”

Chen Haoran broke down in wailing sobs, then grabbed another bottle and drank it down in one go. Looking at Chen Mu, his expression softened. “So what if I’ve gone mad? If only I could see Mu’er again, my child... Madness means nothing if it brings you back. I knew one day Mu’er would leave me to seek his true parents, but not in the way I dreaded most—gone forever. His parents are beings beyond reach, true powers of this world. Unlike me, who can protect nothing. Mu’er is dead, Feng’er is captive... I am a useless father. Mu’er, I do not ask your forgiveness. If Heaven would reverse time, I would trade my life for the safety of my sons. Let all punishment fall on me!”

“Father!” Chen Mu knelt before him, his heart aching at his father’s delirious muttering.

Staring at Chen Mu, who seemed a phantom, Chen Haoran murmured, “I... am not worthy to be your father. In your hardest times, I couldn’t be there for you, only entrusted you to Brother Gu’s care. I am not worthy... I could not give you a perfect childhood... I regret that Mu’er is someone else’s child. When I first took you in, it was out of fear of that man’s power, but later, every time I saw your chubby little face, each time you called me father, I was filled with joy. Mu’er is my son. At some point, I even wished to forget you were that mighty one’s child. I thought I could raise you to be a worthy man. But that was only wishful thinking—I could not protect you. I hate my own weakness! I hate that I left you in pain! I couldn’t cure your strange illness, nor help with your cultivation, and now I can’t even keep you safe... I am a worthless father...”

“Father, stop! It’s all my fault! If I hadn’t been obsessed with concocting Rejuvenation Pills for resources, Azure Heaven Dao Sect wouldn’t have targeted us, and our family wouldn’t have been destroyed. It’s my fault. In my eyes, you are my father—you raised me, taught me how to be a person. Please, stop tormenting yourself!” Chen Mu wept bitterly. He knew the suffering and tears of these days had broken his father’s spirit, and all of it was his own fault.

Chen Mu immediately embraced him. Chen Haoran’s back was hunched, as if he had aged decades. Feeling the warmth and life in Chen Mu’s body, he trembled. How could this illusion feel so real?

The Chen Mu before him was so vivid, he hardly wished to wake from the dream. He thought it was only the result of prolonged drinking and his shattered mind that he could see his lost son.

But in truth, Chen Mu had returned, alive. This “phantom” was living flesh and blood—he simply did not dare to believe it, for fear that hope would bring only further despair.

His hair had turned white, his heart filled with a wish for death and no longing for life. Yet the strong, steady heartbeat from Chen Mu gave him a sliver of hope.

He cried out, “Heaven, grant this pitiful father a bit of hope! Don’t let Mu’er disappear again... Please, let him come back to me...”

“Father, I’m here! I’ve returned—I didn’t die! Father, look at me, I am not an illusion. I am truly your Mu’er!”

Hearing this, Chen Haoran doubted his own senses. The Chen Mu before him was answering; he was not a figment of imagination. He stared blankly. “You are really Mu’er? You’re alive? You didn’t die?”

“Father, I’m alive. Please, pull yourself together. We still have to rescue my brother Chen Feng together. You mustn’t destroy yourself like this!”