Chapter 11: I Give You Full Marks

After hearing Mu Qingxi's words, Zhou Xingchen nodded and didn't ask any further questions.

The three of them spent a few days on the road, deliberately taking detours to prevent their presence from being detected. This strategy was suggested by Zhou Xingchen. After all, the strength of the previous enemy was terrifying; if anything unexpected happened, it'd be too late for regrets.

After thinking about it, the other two agreed, though they hadn't expected Zhou Xingchen would be so thoughtful.

When they arrived at the Purple Cloud Holy Land, the three entered a grand hall. There, a middle-aged man was already standing, dressed in a purple brocade robe. His face was stern and commanding, exuding an aura of authority. Beside him stood a woman who appeared to be in her thirties, her expression anxious. Upon seeing Mu Qingxi, her eyes softened.

"My dear daughter, you've finally returned! I've missed you so much. Look at how thin you've become."

Mu Huatian, relieved to see his daughter safe, nodded to the people behind her, and Mu Qingxi's protector bowed and left.

Mu Huatian looked at Zhou Xingchen. "You must be Brother Zhou's son? You look just like he did when he was young."

Only then did Zhou Xingchen realize that Mu Qingxi was from the Purple Cloud Holy Land and was even their Saintess.

Looking at the people before him, Zhou Xingchen finally understood. "Senior, you knew my father?"

Before Mu Huatian could respond, the woman beside him spoke first.

"You must be Xiao Chen, right? May I call you that?" Yuexin approached Zhou Xingchen and took his hand.

Zhou Xingchen resisted a bit, but Yuexin's strength was greater, and he couldn't pull away.

"We not only knew your father but were very close to him. Otherwise, we wouldn't have arranged your betrothal with our daughter."

"By the way, how is Brother Zhou?"

Zhou Xingchen fell silent at Mu Huatian's question.

Seeing his reaction, Mu Huatian's heart sank, and the smile on Yuexin's face slowly faded.

"Has something happened?"

"My father… he should be dead."

"What do you mean by 'should'?"

Zhou Xingchen then recounted the events.

"I see. I will investigate this matter. Qingxi, take Xiao Chen to familiarize him with the place."

Mu Qingxi nodded and led Zhou Xingchen away.

After the two left, Mu Huatian and Yuexin exchanged glances.

"Could it have been the Lin family from the Lindao Domain?"

"I'm not sure. When Brother Zhou returned severely injured, he didn't say much."

"Brother Zhou was a half-step Saint King. Even injured, his foundation should have been strong, yet he was easily defeated. It's such a tragedy. If only we had insisted on keeping him here."

"Perhaps Brother Zhou didn't want to drag us into his troubles. Even if we had insisted, he wouldn't have agreed. If it weren't for needing certain medicinal materials, we might never have known that Brother Zhou had a child."

"By the way, didn't you receive a letter from Xiao Chen when he left?"

Mu Huatian hurriedly opened the letter.

"Huatian, Yuexin,

If you're reading this, I'm likely no longer alive. The enemy this time is too powerful, and I can only buy some time. Even if I were at my peak strength, I wouldn't be able to prevail.

I initially ignored the familiar aura of the person I killed, but by the time I remembered, it was too late. Do not investigate my affairs—do not, or the Purple Cloud Holy Land will face destruction. I'm gone now, but I'm still worried about Xiao Chen. Please don't tell him about his mother. The grudges of the previous generation are over, and I don't want Chen'er to live with hatred.

I've always lied to Chen'er, telling him that his mother is dead. He doesn't know who his enemy is. If he asks, just tell him she's gone.

Please take care of Xiao Chen."

After reading the letter, the two sighed.

"It seems Brother Zhou had prepared for this. But who is the enemy so terrifying that even Brother Zhou dared not speak of them?"

"Since Brother Zhou doesn't want us to investigate, we won't for now. But we must eventually find out. Brother Zhou was so good to us; we can't let him down."

"Let's have Xiao Chen live here at the Purple Cloud Holy Land. We'll treat him as our own child. After all, once Qingxi marries him, we'll be one family."

Yuexin thought for a moment before speaking.

Mu Huatian nodded in agreement, feeling sorrowful that the brother who had always looked after them was now gone. Though there was little they could do for Zhou Yunmo, they decided to take good care of Zhou Xingchen as a way to honor their friend.

Mu Qingxi then took Zhou Xingchen on a tour of the Purple Cloud Holy Land.

It was Zhou Xingchen's first time seeing such a grand place, and he couldn't help but take a few more glances. Many disciples, upon seeing him, looked at him with disdain.

However, since he was with the Saintess, they didn't say anything.

"Saintess, aren't you going to introduce this disciple to us?"

At that moment, a figure approached, his eyes filled with greed as he looked at Mu Qingxi. Although his family was not much weaker than the Purple Cloud Holy Land, he had joined the Holy Land with the sole purpose of pursuing Mu Qingxi.

Mu Qingxi had been missing for two years, and upon hearing of her return, he had quickly ended his seclusion.

Now, seeing an unfamiliar man beside her, Qi Jiang's eyes flashed with killing intent.

Zhou Xingchen glanced at Qi Jiang, then at Mu Qingxi, immediately understanding Qi Jiang's intentions.

"Who is he? He's my fiancé," Mu Qingxi said, blushing as she clung to Zhou Xingchen's arm.

Zhou Xingchen was stunned for a moment before looking at Qi Jiang.

"You heard her. Stay away from my fiancé."

"How amusing. Do you know who she is? I don't care who you are. Get lost," Qi Jiang sneered.

Zhou Xingchen's eyes also flashed with anger upon hearing this.

"I challenge you. If I win, you leave Qingxi. If I lose, I'll leave."

"Qingxi is not an object. I won't accept your terms."

Mu Qingxi glanced at Zhou Xingchen, surprised that he would say such a thing.

"You're asking for death," Qi Jiang growled, clenching his fist and launching a punch at Zhou Xingchen. The powerful force made their clothes ripple.

Just as Mu Qingxi was about to step in, Zhou Xingchen moved first, meeting the punch with one of his own.

With a loud *bang*, their fists collided, and Qi Jiang was sent flying, his arm twisted, his eyes filled with shock and disbelief.

Zhou Xingchen withdrew his fist, standing calmly.

"You're no match for me," he said, his calm words cutting into Qi Jiang's heart like a blade.

A round of applause suddenly rang out.

"That was a flawless performance. I give you full marks," a mocking voice echoed.