Chapter 27: An Ambush on the Road

After leaving the Sima Residence, Chen Mu and Lü Shi took the children and departed from Xucheng. Once outside the city, Chen Mu tried contacting his sect and Senior Brother Liu Qing using the communication jade slip, relaying all the details of their situation.

Upon reaching Senior Brother Liu, Liu said he would meet them soon at the edge of the woods near Xucheng, having just finished his business and already making his way over. When he heard Chen Mu had defeated Hu Fang, he offered high praise, commending him for handling the matter well. He also apologized, explaining that he had left out of necessity, having discovered traces of suspected Demonic Sect disciples in the area, which had required him to conduct a covert investigation.

Thus, Chen Mu and the group hurried to the meeting point near the woods, waiting for Senior Brother Liu’s arrival.

On the way, Chen Mu realized they were being followed. His heart sank, and he whispered to Lü Shi, “Lü Shi, don’t panic, but we’re being tailed. There are five of them, and if I’m not mistaken, they’re reinforcements brought by Hu Fang. If anything goes wrong, take the new disciples and leave. You must wait for Senior Brother Liu; he’s our only chance to escape.”

“We’re being followed? What should we do? You can’t handle them alone, and I won’t abandon you,” Lü Shi replied, shaking his head.

“I’m not asking you to abandon me, but to find Senior Brother Liu and then come back. That way, we have a chance,” Chen Mu continued.

“Alright then, I’ll take the newcomers and wait for Senior Brother Liu.”

“Go ahead, I’ll hold off the five of them.” With that, Chen Mu raised his voice and shouted, “Since you’re already here, why keep hiding? Are you really just a pack of rats afraid to show yourselves?”

A chuckle sounded. “You’re quite sharp-tongued. You may have defeated my junior brother Hu Fang, but I’d like to see how you handle the five of us.”

Suddenly, five figures emerged from the forest—it was Hu Fang and his companions. Hu Fang, battered and trailing behind one of them, glared venomously at Chen Mu but dared not speak, clearly deferring to the man before him.

The man leading the group, clad in purple, was strikingly handsome and refined. Were it not for the long saber on his back, none would have taken him for a warrior.

The young man in purple spoke, “I am Luo Chen of the Bright Moon Saber Sect. I’ve heard much of the swordsmanship of the Starwatch Valley’s disciples, especially you, Brother Chen. You bested my wayward junior brother Hu Fang, and I am most impressed. So I’d like to exchange pointers with you myself.”

“You want to spar with me? How shameless. I’m in the Yuan Pulse stage, and you’re at the mid-to-late Yuan Foundation stage. How is that a fair match? Lü Shi, take the disciples and go!” Chen Mu retorted mockingly.

“Today, whether you want to spar or not, you have no choice. And it’ll be all of us together. Brothers, attack!”

Three disciples from the Bright Moon Saber Sect attempted to bypass Chen Mu and chase after Lü Shi. Chen Mu’s expression darkened, and he immediately unleashed the “Starlit Ember Control” technique, shouting, “If you want to pass, you’ll have to get through me first!”

With Meteor Steps, Chen Mu flashed in front of the three pursuers. In two swift attacks, he severely wounded two Bright Moon disciples at the early Yuan Foundation stage; the third was Hu Fang. Dealing with the now weaponless Hu Fang was a breeze—using the “Falling Sun Form,” Chen Mu struck him with a powerful blow, slamming him into a tree. Hu Fang coughed up blood and fainted like a dead dog.

Luo Chen narrowed his eyes. “Very good. Now let me see what you’re truly capable of, Starwatch Valley’s high disciple, Brother Chen!”

Like Chen Mu, Luo Chen was a saber wielder. He drew a gleaming saber artifact and slashed downward. Chen Mu wasted no time, swiftly summoning his Xuanjin Sword and executing the Falling Sun Sword Form.

Seeing the sword form, Luo Chen’s heart leapt. “Not good!” He quickly unleashed his own saber technique, clashing head-on with Chen Mu’s burning attack.

As before, waves of heat erupted, and a shockwave rippled outwards. Luo Chen’s arm trembled, forcing him three or four steps back before he could steady himself.

“What a strange sword strike! Su Tong, together!” Luo Chen, sensing danger, no longer held back and called for aid.

The young man beside him, Su Tong, was equally surprised—he hadn’t expected Chen Mu to gain the upper hand against Luo Chen’s full-force attack. The two of them regrouped and pressed Chen Mu together.

“Two Yuan Foundation cultivators ganging up on a Yuan Pulse cultivator? Aren’t you afraid of being laughed at? Is this the Bright Moon Saber Sect’s way?” Chen Mu said with a cold chuckle.

Both Luo Chen and Su Tong flushed with embarrassment, but it no longer mattered. Capturing Chen Mu was imperative. Such a prodigy, able to challenge them from a lower cultivation realm, would be a threat if left alive, especially if he belonged to a rival sect.

Outwardly, Chen Mu remained calm, but inwardly, he felt exhausted. It was already taxing to face one of them, let alone two. Thankfully, he still had a trump card left—the “Noonday Eclipse” technique of the Falling Sun Form, though he would not use it unless absolutely necessary.

Luo Chen and Su Tong coordinated their attacks, one leading, the other supporting. Saber light and spells forced Chen Mu onto the defensive; even his Falling Sun Sword could barely hold back their assault.

Chen Mu repeated his signature sword form, which gave Luo Chen some reassurance—it seemed this was Chen Mu’s ultimate move, his last trump card.

Just then, Chen Mu’s movements faltered. Luo Chen seized the moment, pinning down the Xuanjin Sword and shouted, “Su Tong, now!”

Su Tong took the opportunity, unleashing a heavy saber shadow that slashed towards Chen Mu.

Startled, Chen Mu had no choice but to unleash his “Shattered Sun Strike.” Though it lacked the integrated sword forms, the surge of energy was enough to blast Luo Chen away.

“You still had a move left?” Luo Chen exclaimed in disbelief.

Chen Mu spat blood, the wounds on his body raw and clear. Had he not forced Luo Chen back and dodged Su Tong’s attack, he would have died on the spot. Now truly enraged, he had no time for the “Phantom Veil Technique” he usually employed. Instead, he gathered all his strength, preparing to unleash the devastating “Noonday Eclipse.”

A terrifying, blazing aura radiated from Chen Mu, filling Luo Chen and Su Tong with dread. They both regretted following Chen Mu for this ambush, but it was too late—regret would not save their lives now.

Gritting his teeth, Luo Chen said, “Su Tong, running won’t help. Only by joining forces do we stand a chance. If we fight together, we might survive. What do you say?”

Su Tong nodded silently. The odds of escape seemed slim—if Chen Mu closed the distance, they’d be slain instantly, as they had seen with his Meteor Steps.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, Chen Mu said coldly, “Enough stalling. Now it’s my turn.”

The Xuanjin Sword swept out, Yuan energy raging with the power to melt all before it. Luo Chen and Su Tong fought desperately, their sabers raised in defense, but the pressure forced them to their knees, unable to move an inch.

Under this overwhelming might, despair filled their hearts as their blades began to melt. Chen Mu poured every ounce of energy into the Xuanjin Sword.

With a crack, both their sabers shattered. In the next instant, the two were cut down—one could see their desperate, contorted forms, but not hear a single scream; the “Noonday Eclipse” was utterly terrifying.

After killing Luo Chen and Su Tong, Chen Mu suddenly remembered the other three. He grew wary and quickly realized they had fled during the battle.

Chen Mu’s expression darkened. Their escape meant they would report to the Bright Moon Saber Sect, making conflict between Starwatch Valley and the Bright Moon Saber Sect inevitable.

Pale-faced, Chen Mu coughed up blood, his wounds worsening from overusing his energy. Blood soaked his clothing. Forcing himself upright, he decided it was best to leave at once, and staggered away from the scene.

He did not know how much time had passed, but after he had put a great distance between himself and the battlefield, his strength finally gave out. He collapsed in a thicket near a small river, the aftereffects of his exertion growing heavier. Weakness and drowsiness overwhelmed him, and despite his reluctance, Chen Mu finally slipped into unconsciousness.