Chapter 246: Chapter 241: Leaving Again
Mu Bingling’s expression grew thoughtful. "You’re planning to leave the Xuanling Empire, aren’t you?"
This time, a look of genuine surprise appeared on Mu Chen’s face. He stared at Mu Bingling in disbelief. "You... how did you know?"
Mo Qing pressed her lips together, a flicker of sadness in her eyes, but she quickly composed herself. In a gentle voice, she said, "Because Sister Bingling told me that your stage was never meant to be confined to the Xuanling Empire. In the days to come, you are destined to see a more spectacular, vibrant, and magnificent world. As your partners, it’s our duty to support you and believe in you. We can’t let our own selfish desires make you give up on your ambitions. We also want our partner to be a pillar of strength, a man with aspirations and goals. So, we will stand firmly behind you and be the safe harbor you can always return to."
Deep gratification filled Mu Chen as he kept his eyes closed. ’Aren’t women like them the partners every man dreams of?’ He wondered what he had done to deserve two such incredible women.
Looking at the two of them with a hint of shame, Mu Chen said, "I’m not a good partner. But Mo Qing, Bing’Er, you’re wrong about something. The reason I want to become stronger isn’t to see a bigger, more vibrant world. It’s to protect you... If a man can’t even protect the women he loves, how can he call himself a man? I don’t want what happened to Mo Qing to ever happen again. That’s why I have to get stronger—so strong that no one can ever harm you again, so strong that I can give you a peaceful and happy life."
Mo Qing and Mu Bingling were both stunned for a moment, then their eyes filled with immense happiness. ’What could be more heartwarming than being the most important person in the heart of the man you love?’ Mu Chen continued, "I’ve been agonizing over how to tell you. After all, of our three-year agreement, I was only back for three months. I’ve only been reunited with Bing’Er for one month, and you’ve spent most of that time taking care of me and worrying about me. Now that I’ve just recovered, I have to leave again... It feels awful."
Mu Bingling slowly shifted closer, resting her cheek gently on Mu Chen’s shoulder. "Don’t agonize over it. No matter where you go, we won’t stand in your way. Even if the path ahead is filled with thorns, we will follow slowly behind you. I don’t know how long you’ll be gone this time, but I’m guessing you won’t miss the Empire’s tournament, right?"
Mo Qing sat obediently to the side, watching Mu Bingling nestled against Mu Chen’s shoulder. Her admiration for this woman grew deeper. This woman, as beautiful as a celestial fairy, was like a true wife in front of Mu Chen—so gentle and virtuous.
Mu Chen gently squeezed Mu Bingling’s hand, then looked at Mo Qing and pulled her into his other side. "Of course," he said softly. "I definitely won’t miss the Empire’s tournament. So I’ll be gone for at least a year and a half, but no more than two years at most. No matter how things go, even if I fail, I will be back in two years. And when I return, we’ll never be apart again."
"Never be apart again..." A dreamy look flickered in Mu Bingling’s eyes, but she quickly composed herself. "Yes, never apart again!"
"Never apart again."
Mo Qing tightly squeezed Mu Bingling’s hand and buried her head in Mu Chen’s embrace. The three of them sat like that for a long time. It wasn’t until the afternoon classes began that Mu Bingling and Mo Qing reluctantly left Mu Chen’s dormitory. Watching their somber silhouettes retreat, Mu Chen knew that even though they didn’t say it, their hearts were aching.
’Parting is for the sake of a better reunion. Mo Qing, Bing’Er, the next time we meet, a perfect Chen’Er will be standing before you...’
With that, Mu Chen quickly changed into a fresh set of clothes—the same familiar, snow-white robe. He picked up the Profound Jade Box next to him. It had been a long time since he’d trained his Basic Attack Techniques, so he decided to go work up a sweat. Soon, the sound of Mu Chen repeatedly brandishing his Profound Jade Fan as a Combat Skill, slicing through the air, echoed from the training room...
Over the next few days, Mu Bingling and Mo Qing took a three-day leave from the academy. Aside from sleeping, the two of them were by Mu Chen’s side almost constantly. Because they had always been so busy, they had only ever seen a tiny fraction of the vast Imperial Academy. Looking at the different scenery and the expressions of the other students, Mu Chen was filled with emotion. ’No matter where I go, the Xuanling Empire will always be my home.’
Time flew by, and soon the three-day break was over. Mu Chen and the others finally had to face their parting. Before he left, Mu Chen summoned Qiu He, who was in the middle of his Cultivation, and took out the forty thousand Gathering Essence Pills he had already refined and stored in his ring. He smiled. "It’s been two months, so everyone’s Gathering Essence Pills should be used up by now. I refined these forty thousand pills in my spare time. It should be enough for the Demon Castle students for the next three years."
Qiu He looked at the mountain of bottles and jars on the table and suddenly asked, "Brother Mu Chen, are you leaving the Imperial Academy?"
Mu Chen smiled slightly and nodded. "You’re very perceptive. That’s why I chose you as the vice-monitor. I do have some business that requires me to leave the Xuanling Empire for a while—a year and a half at least, two years at most. While I’m gone, as the monitor of the Demon Castle, you must diligently supervise everyone’s training. I hope that when I return, I’ll see a completely new Demon Castle, one that has supplanted the Holy Hall."
Qiu He pondered for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Brother Mu Chen, I won’t let you down! But I have one request! You must promise me!"
Mu Chen said, "Go on. As long as I can do it."
Qiu He said seriously, "When you come back, fight me. Even if I get crushed, I want to fight you myself, Brother Mu Chen."
Hearing this, Mu Chen clapped Qiu He on the shoulder and said softly, "I was wondering what it would be. It’s such a simple request. Alright! When I come back, I’ll definitely fight you. So, for the next two years, you have to train hard. Otherwise, I won’t go easy on you."
The fire of battle ignited in Qiu He’s eyes. He stood ramrod straight and said in a deep voice, "Yes!"
With that, Qiu He put away the forty thousand Gathering Essence Pills and quickly left Mu Chen’s dormitory. Watching the young man’s retreating figure, Mu Chen sighed. ’It’s time to go. But before I do, I should pay a visit to the Library Tower.’
Even though it had been a month, Mu Chen was still very familiar with the path to the Library Pavilion. Three minutes later, with a SWOOSH, his figure appeared at the student’s Library Tower. Seeing the familiar carved plaque and Elder Mu sleeping inside, Mu Chen smiled faintly. "Still the same as ever."
Mu Chen had many questions he wanted to ask this Saint standing before him, but he also knew that many of those questions were about things beyond his current level of understanding. At this time, all the students were in class, so the Library Pavilion was incredibly quiet. Hearing footsteps approach, Elder Mu’s eyes cracked open slightly. When he saw it was Mu Chen, his eyes flew wide open, with not a trace of cloudiness in them.
"Well, kid, you’re a rare sight. What made you think of coming to see me today?" Elder Mu said, his words muffled as he propped his chin on one hand.
"What? Not happy to see me, Elder Mu?" Mu Chen didn’t go anywhere else. He used his Primordial Power to pull over a chair and sat down right in front of Elder Mu’s counter.
Elder Mu pursed his lips. "Of course I’m happy to see you. It’s not like I can kick you out, can I? But with that sad look on your face, it seems you have something on your mind."
Mu Chen said, "I do."
"Heh heh, I like talking with straightforward people like you. Spit it out. What favor do you need? I’m not doing anything too troublesome," Elder Mu chuckled, sitting up straight and giving Mu Chen a very punchable look.
Mu Chen sighed. "Due to certain matters, I need to leave the Xuanling Empire for two years. During that time, I was hoping Elder Mu could help me look after Mu Bingling and Mo Qing’s safety."
Elder Mu frowned. "You’re saying you want to leave the Xuanling Empire for a couple of years? But the Empire’s tournament starts in two years. With your ability, you’re certain to be the final, show-stopping participant. Will you make it back in time?"
Mu Chen shook his head. "I won’t be late for the Empire’s tournament. I’ve already calculated the time for this trip. Even if I fail and have to return empty-handed, I won’t miss it. So you don’t have to worry, Elder Mu."
Elder Mu nodded. "Since you’ve put it that way, this matter must be very important to you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to leave those two little lasses behind and go off on your own. Fine, I promise you. You can rest easy about their safety. As long as they’re within the Imperial Academy, they won’t be in any danger."
Hearing Elder Mu’s promise, the weight on Mu Chen’s heart was finally lifted. The only thing that struck him as odd was how agreeable Elder Mu was being.
"In that case, I thank you, Elder Mu."
"However... I need you to make me a promise," Elder Mu said suddenly, just after Mu Chen had finished speaking.
Mu Chen’s heart skipped a beat. ’I knew it wouldn’t be that simple,’ he thought.
Elder Mu laughed. "Why are you so nervous? It’s not like I’m asking you to go kill someone."
Mu Chen rubbed his nose in embarrassment. "Please, just say it plainly, Elder Mu."
"In the Empire’s tournament two years from now, I want you to push the Xuanling Empire’s ranking into the top one hundred. Don’t sell yourself short. I’ve always been a good judge of character, and I know you can definitely do it," Elder Mu said with a serious expression.
Mu Chen thought for a moment. There were no guarantees with something like this, but he was looking forward to competing against the so-called geniuses from the High-class Empires. So, he nodded. "I promise."
"Excellent. A pleasure doing business with you." Elder Mu flashed a grin, revealing teeth that were unnaturally white for his age. The gleam was so bright it momentarily blinded Mu Chen.
"A pleasure... doing business with you," Mu Chen said, the corner of his mouth twitching twice. "In that case, I’ll be going now..."
"Wait a moment." Just as Mu Chen took a step out, Elder Mu suddenly called out to him.
