Chapter Seven: Homecoming, the Three-Tailed Dragon Fox

Upon arriving in Fancheng, it had already been two years. In these two years, he had never once returned home, though he still vaguely remembered how his father had been wracked with worry over his peculiar cold-heat malady.

Although many said he was not his father’s biological son, his father had always treated him with more care and affection than any birth parent could.

Fancheng was the third most prosperous city in the Great Xia Empire. Though still a distance from the imperial capital, its splendor was nearly comparable. The Chen family was among the city’s most renowned households, and the strongest among them was the clan leader, Chen Haoran—Chen Mu’s father—a veritable powerhouse at the late Origin Core stage.

Within a certain Chen family residence, a middle-aged man was perusing ancient tomes in the main hall when an elderly steward hurried in to report, “Master, Young Master Chen Mu has returned from Star-Gazing Valley!”

This man was none other than Chen Haoran himself.

At first, joy lit up Chen Haoran’s face; it had been over two years since he last saw his son. But soon, a shadow of uncertainty tempered his happiness—had something happened to his son in Star-Gazing Valley? Had the sect expelled him?

With anxious heart, Chen Haoran left the hall and hurried straight to the main courtyard.

Seeing his son safe and sound, having grown taller and more mature over these years, Chen Haoran closed the distance in a few strides and swept his son into a tight embrace. “Mu’er!”

“Father!”

The courtyard brimmed with the boundless joy and melancholy of their reunion. Drawing a deep breath, Chen Haoran inquired, “You’ve suffered much, haven’t you? Have you been well these years? What of Star-Gazing Valley...”

“Father, I’m fine. I took leave to come home. I’ve already reached the late Meridian Opening stage. After not seeing you for two years, I wanted to come back for a time.”

“You’ve reached the late stage already? That’s wonderful. As long as you’re making progress. And your cold-heat ailment...?”

“The symptoms come and go, but elders at the sect help me manage it. An hour’s treatment and I’m right as rain. After this visit, I plan to attempt the inner sect examination.”

There was so much to say between father and son that the conversation stretched on till sunset.

“Mu’er,” Chen Haoran said at last, his gaze complicated as he looked at the now-grown Chen Mu, his voice calm, “I think it’s time you learned the truth about your origins.”

“Years ago, fleeing from enemies, I unwittingly entered a primeval secret realm. There, I encountered your father and you, then just an infant. He was holding you when he saw me being pursued and stepped in to help. I couldn’t see clearly what means he used, but in an instant, the villains were reduced to dust. In that moment, I knew he was an extraordinary cultivator.”

Chen Haoran paused before continuing, “I was terrified, but fortunately, he meant me no harm. I was deeply grateful for his help. Later, he asked me a favor—to take you in and raise you as my own. I could see the sorrow and reluctance in his eyes; he must have had no other choice. When I asked his name, by coincidence, he was also surnamed Chen—Chen Yuanzhou. That is your birth father’s name, and he gave you your name as well.”

“Apart from entrusting you to me, he left me with this.” Chen Haoran produced a metallic cube from his storage ring and handed it to Chen Mu. “I don’t know what this is. Your father said only you could open it, and that I should give it to you someday.”

Staring at the metal cube, Chen Mu fell into thought. He had never imagined his origins would be so mysterious. He asked, “Father, where exactly is that ancient secret realm? What kind of place is it? And where did my father go afterwards?”

“That secret realm isn’t within Great Xia, but beyond its borders. Even if I told you where, it wouldn’t help you now. However, your father did tell me its name: the Path of Immortals and Mortals. After entrusting you to me, he used a supreme technique to send me out of the realm. As for where he went, I do not know.”

“Path of Immortals and Mortals...” Chen Mu silently committed the name to memory.

After dining with Chen Haoran, Chen Mu returned to the courtyard where he had lived as a child. The place had been swept clean, but with no one residing there, the flowers and potted plants had been moved away, leaving the courtyard notably desolate.

Inside the bedroom, the bed and furniture were spotless, the bedding often changed—no doubt at Chen Haoran’s instruction. It was clear how much his father missed him.

Chen Mu’s eyes grew misty. He rubbed them, then sat cross-legged on the bed.

He took out the metallic cube that Chen Haoran had handed down from Chen Yuanzhou and began to examine it carefully. No matter whether he tried sending his spirit sense into it or forced it open, the cube did not react.

After a moment’s thought, he surmised that if only he could open it, it must be sealed by a bloodline restriction, something he had read about in sect books.

With that, Chen Mu bit his finger and let a drop of blood fall onto the cube. Instantly, a series of metallic clicks rang out, and the cube disassembled itself.

“At last, I’m free... That old rascal Chen Yuanzhou actually dared treat me this way. Next time I see him, I’ll be sure to teach him a lesson... Wait, what’s this? Why do I sense a binding contract? Chen Yuanzhou! You conned me!”

A series of indignant, youthful cries filled Chen Mu’s room, rendering him momentarily dumbfounded. In front of him stood a small fox with snow-white fur, three tails, a dragon’s horn crowning its head. Judging from its words, it seemed to know his father—and had even been tricked by him. This made Chen Mu wonder just what kind of person his father truly was.

As man and beast stared at each other, an awkward silence settled between them. At last, Chen Mu ventured a greeting: “Hello?”

“Hello? What do you mean, hello! What do you intend to do with me? That old scoundrel Chen Yuanzhou bound me to you, which means you’re his son. My luck surely has run dry, to run into the two of you...”

As the little fox’s complaints poured forth, Chen Mu suddenly seized one of her tails, lifting her before his eyes for closer inspection.

“What are you doing? Let go of my tail... Don’t you know it’s improper for men and women to touch? How am I ever to find a husband after this?” the little fox protested, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

Chen Mu’s mouth twitched. “You’re a girl?”

“How rude! I am a young lady, do you understand? A young lady!” she retorted indignantly.

With a sigh, Chen Mu composed himself. “What exactly are you? You may be a fox, but you have a dragon’s horn. Why did my father entrust you to me? Who is my father, really? Why did he abandon me?”

The little fox glanced at him and replied, “My name is Rou’er. I’m a True Spirit Dragon Fox, and a three-tailed one at that. Your father hails from the Immortal Domain. He captured me to guide you in your cultivation. He was forced to leave you in this barren place because he was being hunted. As for his background, I know little more than that.”

Chen Mu’s expression grew complex; it seemed his father truly had no choice but to entrust him to Chen Haoran. He pushed aside his doubts and continued to chat with the little dragon fox, Rou’er.

“Rou’er, are you really qualified to guide my cultivation? You seem a bit... weak.”

Rou’er shot him a glare. “That’s all thanks to your father’s handiwork. He sealed my powers, so now I’m only at your human late Origin Core stage. But don’t worry—my cultivation experience and inherited memories are more than enough to guide you.”

Chen Mu was startled. He hadn’t expected the seemingly adorable Rou’er to possess such strength—even if currently sealed. He immediately resolved not to underestimate her.

Rou’er sized him up. “Your cultivation is shockingly poor for your age. Either your talent is lacking, or something has gone awry in your training. Let me examine your body.”

With that, Rou’er placed her fluffy paw on Chen Mu’s hand.

A formless power swept through every corner of his being, leaving no secrets hidden. He shivered, but couldn’t withdraw his hand.

“Oh? You possess both Solar and Lunar bloodlines? Such a promising seedling, yet you’ve been afflicted with Chaotic Origin Gu?”