Chapter 103: An Explanation

After agreeing on how to deal with Zhong Tianyao, the Nascent Soul cultivator of the Azure Void Tao Sect, Chen Mu began discussing another matter with Xiahou Longchen—namely, which members of the Great Xia royal family had colluded to allow the three branches of the Azure Void Tao Sect to annihilate Starwatch Valley.

Xiahou Longchen had written down the names of all those involved on a sheet of paper, not only listing the conspirators but also those closely associated with the Azure Void Tao Sect. In the end, he confessed that he had tacitly approved the matter as well.

“Although I gave my consent after Starwatch Valley had already been destroyed, effectively acting before reporting it, the fact remains that my endorsement broke the previously established rules. My inaction has caused Starwatch Valley to suffer injustice until now, for which I offer my deepest apologies. I come now with sincerity to reconcile with your sect, and so I have revealed the truth. Even if you demand my abdication, it would be understandable, but once this matter is resolved, I ask that you cease any further actions against the Great Xia royal family.”

Chen Mu remained silent. He had not expected Xiahou Longchen to implicate himself, though he understood that the emperor must have given tacit approval; after all, Xiahou Longchen would never admit involvement if it meant risking his throne. Yet, to prevent Chen Mu from continuing hostilities against the royal house, Xiahou Longchen not only named everyone involved but included himself as well. Indeed, the emperor of Great Xia was no mere figurehead—if he could not bear such responsibility, then his reign would be meaningless.

Moreover, Chen Mu noticed several princes’ names on the list—Xiahou Longchen’s favored sons—whom the emperor did not hesitate to expose. This demonstrated the weight of Xiahou Longchen’s resolve in drafting the list, all to preserve the royal family from future overthrow by Chen Mu.

Tapping his index finger on the table, Chen Mu pondered how to handle Xiahou Longchen. Finally, he sighed and said, “To be honest, given your attitude now, much of my hatred for your royal house has dissipated. Since you only learned of this after Starwatch Valley’s destruction, I shall not hold you accountable. However, I require you to publicly declare before the people all those named on this list, expose the full plot by the Azure Void Tao Sect to annihilate Starwatch Valley, and have them executed by beheading to restore justice to Starwatch Valley.”

At last, Xiahou Longchen heard Chen Mu’s response. Though saddened for his sons, he felt a great burden lift—the royal family would be spared from future devastation.

“Very well. I shall arrange everything properly. If Starwatch Valley wishes to attend the ceremony, I will honor you as esteemed guests to witness this moment.” Xiahou Longchen exhaled deeply, relieved to finally cast aside this heavy weight on his heart.

“Hmm, I will leave the arrangements to you. As for whether Starwatch Valley will attend, I must consult with my master first.”

Thus, the Great Xia royal family and Chen Mu reconciled. Chen Mu’s prior exploits had been so awe-inspiring—five Nascent Soul cultivators slain with ease—that Xiahou Longchen was left shaken to his core. Great Xia could no longer endure Chen Mu’s relentless assaults.

As for the Azure Void Tao Sect, they were the common enemy of both Chen Mu and the Great Xia Empire, and thus had to be eradicated. Their ambition to dominate Great Xia was intolerable to the imperial house; there was no choice but to eliminate them.

Fortunately, the Nascent Soul cultivator was still recovering, granting ample time to prepare. Upon returning to the capital, Xiahou Longchen publicly exposed the Azure Void Tao Sect’s crimes and pledged to restore justice to Starwatch Valley and Chen Mu.

The realm was stunned. What was the empire playing at? They had just formed a Taoist alliance with the Azure Void Tao Sect to attack Starwatch Valley, and now they were reopening the case of the massacre? Were they seeking to ally with Starwatch Valley after all?

Regarding Starwatch Valley’s destruction, many had superficially repeated the assertion that Chen Mu was monstrously evil, though they privately suspected a conspiracy.

However, due to Chen Mu’s fierce retaliation, many had come to believe those earlier accusations, given the vast bloodshed he unleashed.

Now, with the empire clearing Chen Mu and Starwatch Valley’s names, the populace felt conflicted. How could the empire’s credibility be salvaged after so thoroughly slandering them?

Still, it was clear to all that Chen Mu’s prowess had forced the emperor to submit. Starwatch Valley’s reestablishment was now firmly secured.

Seven days later, all involved in the Starwatch Valley incident were arrested and imprisoned in the celestial dungeon, awaiting public execution in the capital square three days hence. The royal family wailed in despair—this was a thorough purge.

No one expected the emperor to be so ruthless in reconciling with Chen Mu, executing so many royal bloodlines and imperial relatives. They now grasped the immense power Chen Mu wielded, as all this was done merely to quell his wrath.

Three days later, Gu Xingyuan, heavy-hearted, accompanied Chen Mu to the capital. Starwatch Valley’s members were honored guests at the execution.

Many stared curiously at Chen Mu and his entourage seated above. Rumors had painted Chen Mu as a fearsome villain, but seeing him in person was surprising.

After all, Chen Mu was but a boy of fifteen or sixteen, yet already a decisive killer who had stirred great upheaval in Great Xia—destroying the Bright Moon Saber Sect and Seven Star Pavilion; breaking through the Azure Void Tao Sect despite pursuit by their Nascent Soul cultivator into the Star Range Mountains, severely wounding him; and annihilating five of the Taoist alliance’s seven Nascent Soul cultivators during an ambush. His deeds were truly legendary.

Chen Mu looked coldly at the fifty-plus people on the execution platform, one step closer to completing his revenge. He hoped his former outer disciples at Starwatch Valley could finally rest in peace.

At noon, the execution commenced. The sound of the executioner’s blade echoed across the square as heads rolled, blood flooding the ground in a grisly spectacle.

Chen Mu felt no joy—only the conviction that these men deserved death.

Moreover, these royal kin were secondary; the true culprits were the Azure Void Tao Sect. Only by utterly destroying them could the matter be settled.

With the royal bloodlines beheaded, Xiahou Longchen had given Chen Mu his due. Thereafter, there were no further grievances between Chen Mu and the Great Xia Empire, and the warrants for Chen Mu and Gu Xingyuan were rescinded.

Just as Chen Mu, Bloodsky, and Xiahou Longchen planned to strike the Azure Void Tao Sect, imperial intelligence received news that the Yellow Sand Empire was preparing to invade.

Xiahou Longchen sighed, “What must come, will come.”

He had long anticipated that the Yellow Sand Empire would attack when Great Xia was weakest.

Chen Mu had remained in the capital, consulting with Xiahou Longchen over the Azure Void Tao Sect. Upon hearing of the impending invasion, he furrowed his brow. Indeed, their massacre of so many Nascent Soul cultivators in Great Xia had drawn the attention of wolves—the Yellow Sand Empire sought to swallow Great Xia in its moment of vulnerability.

Since this was partly Chen Mu’s doing, he proposed to Xiahou Longchen that they join the battle, as a way to repay Great Xia.

Xiahou Longchen was eager to accept, but this time it was not merely the Yellow Sand Empire’s army that approached. The empire had reached a consensus with various factions within its borders to jointly invade and divide Great Xia’s resources.

This meant Great Xia might face an alliance of power comparable to or exceeding the Taoist alliance. Given Great Xia’s current strongest forces, even with Chen Mu’s aid, victory was uncertain.

Chen Mu smiled wryly. “Have you forgotten how we dealt with the Taoist alliance? If we set up the same ensnaring and killing formation at the border as we did with Starwatch Valley, these scoundrels will be picked off one by one. Don’t forget—the ensnaring formation can kill Nascent Soul cultivators.”

Hearing this, Xiahou Longchen was overjoyed. Reconciliation with Chen Mu had proven wise—now, with Chen Mu’s support against the Yellow Sand Empire, the ensnaring formation would be invaluable.

Soon, Chen Mu asked Xiahou Longchen to prepare the materials for the formation. The emperor promptly ordered his ministers to ready everything, then accompanied Chen Mu to the border.

There, the soldiers stood ready, the atmosphere tense. The emperor’s presence comforted them greatly, and they bowed deeply to Xiahou Longchen.

General Li Huai was also present. Previously troubled, he was overjoyed to see Chen Mu arrive, confirming that Chen Mu had not gone back on his word to defend Great Xia.

Though Li Huai had expected Chen Mu’s sincerity, seeing him at the frontier facing the Yellow Sand Empire’s invasion alongside the emperor was a great relief. This signified that Chen Mu and the empire were truly reconciled—a very favorable outcome.

Without hesitation, Chen Mu summoned Rou’er and began deploying the ensnaring and killing formation, spending a full day completing it.

The soldiers knew Chen Mu was setting a formation, but could sense nothing, causing some anxiety and doubt. After all, the fate of Great Xia hung in the balance; there was no room for mistakes.

Chen Mu scoffed at their unease. If the formation’s presence could be detected, it would no longer be an ensnaring and killing formation. Who would venture inside then? It would be nothing but a useless decoration.

Li Huai retained confidence in Chen Mu, having witnessed the formation’s power before—just grazing its energy could severely wound a Nascent Soul cultivator. Such might made it the greatest formation on the Yuan Yao continent.

Though Xiahou Longchen trusted Chen Mu, lacking firsthand experience left him uncertain. After hearing Li Huai’s account of the formation’s capabilities, he felt considerably reassured.

Chen Mu released a group of beasts to roam, attracting the soldiers’ curiosity about how he tamed them. Following Chen Mu’s orders, the beasts showed no hostility toward humans, allowing the soldiers to observe them up close. The beasts, indifferent to their presence, busied themselves resting and recuperating.