Chapter 81: Exposure and Control

“So that’s how it is. No wonder you want to join the Yan Family’s guard. These days, the Bright Moon Blade Sect is thriving with the support of the Azure Way Gate. It may not compare with the topmost sects, but it’s certainly a good destination.” The burly man spoke at length.

Chen Mu inwardly scoffed. The Bright Moon Blade Sect was nothing more than a lapdog to the Azure Way Gate. It had only risen to prominence by currying favor during the destruction of Starwatch Valley. But in the face of true powers like the Green Heights Mountain Sect, it wasn’t worth even a fart. How could anyone consider it a good place?

The two chatted for a long while, until a figure who seemed to be the captain of the guard called them to assemble in the Yan Family’s grand courtyard.

Chen Mu lined up with the others in the courtyard. The swaggering captain began his address: “My name is Yan Bing, your leader. From now on, you do as I say. If I tell you to go east, you go east. If I tell you west, you go west. Your mission is to safeguard the Yan Family—its people, its property. Is that clear?”

The crowd replied, “Understood.”

Yan Bing nodded with satisfaction and continued, “You freelance cultivators passed the Yan Family’s hiring test, so you’re not entirely useless. In a few days, we’ll be ferrying tribute supplies to the Bright Moon Blade Sect. Those whose skills are merely passable won’t cut it for this task. You’ve got to be excellent—like me! Of course, it’s understandable if you can’t manage it. After all, I’m just too excellent.”

As Yan Bing boasted shamelessly, everyone except Chen Mu feigned awe and admiration.

Finally, Yan Bing got to the point: “For this guard mission, anyone who can withstand ten moves from me can participate. I am late-stage Foundation Realm. If you can endure ten moves against me, you’re considered outstanding among mid-stage Foundation cultivators. So go all out—one by one. Don’t worry, I’ll hold back; it wouldn’t do to eliminate everyone. Ah, the troubles of being too excellent.”

One by one, the guards faced off with Yan Bing; some passed, others were eliminated. Zhang Dali was among those who succeeded.

When Chen Mu’s turn came, he feigned weakness, barely scraping through the ten-move trial, and joined Zhang Dali.

Zhang Dali was quite surprised to see Chen Mu pass. He had thought Chen Mu was a shaky, unstable cultivator, but now he regarded him with a bit more respect.

Zhang Dali resolved to befriend Chen Mu. Since Chen Mu aimed to enter the Bright Moon Blade Sect, should he become an inner disciple, Zhang Dali would have a powerful ally.

But he didn’t know that Chen Mu’s true purpose was not to become a disciple, but to destroy the Bright Moon Blade Sect entirely.

If he knew the truth, he’d surely think Chen Mu was mad.

Thus, the guard members for the tribute caravan were set, and Chen Mu became one almost miraculously.

A few days later, the Yan Family's tribute caravan set off toward the Bright Moon Blade Sect.

On a mountain path, the sound of hooves and wheels echoed as the Yan Family’s procession passed through. The journey was smooth, with no bandits encountered, and boredom soon settled over the guards, who yawned idly.

Just as the group trudged along the path, feeling listless and uninspired, suddenly, more than twenty mountain bandits sprang from the woods on either side, blocking the caravan’s way ahead and behind.

The horses neighed in alarm; everyone grew tense. Seeing the road blocked, the guards raised their weapons to protect the tribute wagons.

The bandits grinned wickedly. One lackey flattered a burly leader, “Boss, looks like we’ve got a fat sheep this time. So much cargo—it must be a merchant convoy passing through our territory.”

“Hmph, do I need you to tell me? The convoy’s right before my eyes; I can see for myself. Don’t backtalk.” The burly leader snapped, then addressed the Yan Family caravan, “Hand over your convoy, and I’ll spare your lives. We only want goods, not blood. Cooperate, and you’ll go home unharmed.”

Yan Bing, leading the guards, nervously replied, “Good sir, these supplies are tribute for the Bright Moon Blade Sect. If you rob them, and the sect pursues the matter, we’ll all lose our heads.”

Hearing this, the burly bandit grew somber. He hadn’t expected to intercept goods meant for the Bright Moon Blade Sect. If the sect found out, they’d be doomed.

He increasingly felt they could not leave witnesses. Fortunately, his side was stronger, with some late-stage Foundation cultivators and others at mid-stage; taking down this convoy would be easy.

The burly bandit sneered, “If the sect finds out, we’ll all lose our heads. But if the sect doesn’t know, only you will. I want these goods, and I don’t want the sect to hear of it. Looks like you’ll have to meet the King of Hell first.”

Everyone knew the bandits intended to kill them all. The Yan Family’s people were shocked and enraged, while Chen Mu felt a headache coming on. He only wanted to slip quietly into the Bright Moon Blade Sect, and now trouble had found him, forcing him to reveal his strength.

His own side was full of incompetents—how could they fight the bandits? Some guards were already trembling, not knowing what to do.

If he did nothing, these cowards would be slaughtered, and he’d never enter the sect. If he acted, his power would be exposed and the others would suspect his motives.

There was no choice: he would have to act, then take control of the whole convoy and use them for his purpose.

Chen Mu stepped forward, snorting coldly, “I give you three breaths to get lost, or I’ll slaughter every last one of you!”

Everyone stared at him as if he were insane. The Yan Family people cursed him for making trouble at such a time. Slaughter them all? They didn’t have that kind of strength.

The bandits were stunned, then burst out laughing. A youth whose Foundation Realm aura flickered weakly dared threaten to slaughter them all? It was the most ridiculous joke in the world.

The burly bandit mocked, “Kid, have you trained yourself stupid? You think reaching Foundation Realm at your age makes you invincible? Dream on!”

Chen Mu ignored the taunt, raised his hand, and unleashed a sphere of Killing Essence—instantly, the bandit’s head was gone, clean and swift.

The crowd froze; before they could react, Chen Mu began a one-sided massacre, spheres of Killing Essence flying out, killing and maiming without mercy. None who tried to flee escaped.

The Yan Family’s people were dumbstruck, never having witnessed such bloody domination. One person screamed, “Run!”

But as soon as the words left his mouth, a sphere of Killing Essence ended his life. Chen Mu’s murderous aura surged, “Anyone who tries to run ends up like him!”

The crowd trembled. The bandits were gone, but now among them lurked a fiend.

Especially Zhang Dali, whose heart chilled. How foolish he’d been, treating Chen Mu as a junior to mentor and protect. Did such a fiend need his protection? It was a miracle he hadn’t been killed himself.

The swaggering Yan Bing now knelt before Chen Mu, legs shaking, “Master, I was blind and ignorant. Please spare us. Take anything you wish, only let us live!”

Chen Mu smiled, half mocking, “No more calling yourself ‘boss’? Heh. Your goods may be valuable, but they don’t concern me. We are friends, not foes; why fear me so?”

“Master… I dare not… dare not…” Yan Bing stammered.

“Relax. As long as you cooperate, I won’t kill you. The condition is that you obey me.” Chen Mu spoke quietly.

Hearing this, Yan Bing breathed a sigh of relief, “Master, whatever you command, I’ll do it, even at risk of life and limb.”

“Simple. Continue on to the Bright Moon Blade Sect and present the goods as tribute. That’s all. One thing: do not speak of what happened here or my strength. If you comply, I guarantee your survival.”

Yan Bing sensed trouble, but forced himself to ask, “Master, do you wish to enter the Bright Moon Blade Sect?”

“Exactly. I fear when I arrive they’ll activate their defensive array, which would hinder my plans. Ask no more. Didn’t you say you’d risk anything? Or do you want to die here?” Chen Mu’s voice was calm.

“That… That…”

“It seems you want to die here after all,” Chen Mu said coldly.

“I’ll cooperate, Master, as long as you guarantee my safety,” Yan Bing hurriedly replied, then turned to the others, “You all agree, don’t you? You don’t want to die? Promise the master and he’ll protect us.”

Who dared not nod? Refuse and die now; agree and at least live to reach the sect. How to escape this fate—they’d think about that later.

Chen Mu grinned, “Excellent. As he said, I’ll ensure your safety. As long as you deliver me inside the sect’s defensive array, I’ll grant you your freedom.”

None knew why Chen Mu wanted to enter, but it couldn’t be for anything good. Bringing him inside would surely drag them into trouble, but their lives were now in his hands. They had no choice but to obey.