Chapter 503: Where the Heart Desires, There the Soul Goes

Zhou Xian's body stiffened, and he spun around abruptly.

Chen Mu had already stood at the doorway of the study, hands behind his back, gazing at him calmly.

"You… how did you get in?!"

Zhou Xian's face turned ashen.

Chen Mu did not answer, only glanced at the still-smoldering ashes on the floor and said softly, "It seems my lord has something to hide."

Zhou Xian drew a deep breath and forced himself to calm down: "Censor Chen, why have you broken into my home in the dead of night? I shall go to Commander Wei to demand an explanation!"

He turned to walk out.

Chen Mu did not stop him, only murmured, "My lord, are you certain you wish to go?"

Zhou Xian froze in place.

"Guo Wuqiu has indeed confessed."

Chen Mu continued, "The first name on his list is you, Zhou Xian. Commander Wei sent me to escort you to the headquarters for confrontation. If you come with me now, you may still retain some dignity. If I must use force…"

He did not finish, but the meaning was clear.

Zhou Xian's face paled, then flushed, then paled again. He stared fiercely at Chen Mu, then suddenly lunged, slapping his palm toward Chen Mu's chest!

The full force of a Ground Altar Realm fifth-stage Five Qi Unification strike was terrifying!

Chen Mu did not move.

He merely raised his hand and waved it lightly.

Boom—

A vast, overwhelming force slammed down, pinning Zhou Xian to the ground, motionless.

Zhou Xian lay sprawled on the ground, face streaked with blood, eyes wide with terror and disbelief.

"You… you…"

Chen Mu crouched down, looking at him, and said softly, "My lord, you have two choices. One: confess honestly and seek leniency. Two: I use Soul-Searching Technique and extract every memory from your mind. Which do you choose?"

Soul-Searching Technique?!

Zhou Xian trembled violently, eyes filled with dread.

He opened his mouth, then collapsed, voice trembling: "I… I'll confess…"

…

Half an hour later, Chen Mu escorted Zhou Xian to the Town Martial Corps headquarters.

Wei Qinghe was already waiting in the main hall; upon seeing Chen Mu enter, he rose at once: "Censor Chen, how did it go?"

Chen Mu tossed Zhou Xian to the floor and pulled a cloth bundle from his robe, placing it on the table.

"Zhou Xian has confessed. This is the list of bribes he accepted in the Guo Wuqiu case, and the detailed records of how he helped Guo Wuqiu bury cases over the years. He also named two accomplices."

Wei Qinghe opened the bundle—inside were stacks of confessions and several physical evidences. He flipped through them, his expression growing darker.

After a long silence, he looked up at Chen Mu and said steadily, "Thanks to you, Censor Chen, several rotting worms have been unearthed."

Chen Mu bowed in return: "Commander Wei is too kind."

Wei Qinghe waved his hand: "Men, take Zhou Xian away and guard him tightly. Also, arrest the other two on this list!"

"Yes!"

A squad of armored soldiers surged forward and dragged Zhou Xian away.

"Censor Chen, I will record your merit in the official ledger and report it to Zhongzhou."

Wei Qinghe stepped before Chen Mu and said with awe, "Twenty-two years old, Manifest Spirit Imperishable, and your methods are ruthless…"

"Censor Chen, I have cultivated for a hundred years and seen countless young talents—but you, I have never seen the like."

Chen Mu smiled faintly, saying nothing.

Wei Qinghe did not press further, only asked, "What are your plans next?"

"I intend to return to Shannan Circuit."

Chen Mu replied.

Wei Qinghe nodded, not trying to detain him.

"Then I shall not keep you. Censor Chen, take care on your journey. Should you ever come to Jiannan Circuit, do visit the headquarters."

Chen Mu bowed and turned to leave.

…

Leaving the circuit city, Chen Mu traveled northward.

The trees lining the road had shed all their leaves; bare branches pierced the gray, hazy sky.

Cold wind swept up dead leaves, swirling them along the roadside.

Chen Mu wore a simple blue cotton robe, carrying a plain pack, walking slowly and steadily.

He had no rush to hurry.

Since breaking through the Tiangong Realm, travel was no longer difficult—but he preferred walking like this, observing the warmth of mortal life.

The final relic of the "Duan Tianhe Sword Sovereign" legacy—the Sword Soul—remained elusive.

If he could find it, Chen Mu might one day restore the glory of the Duan Tianhe Sword Sovereign from centuries past.

To stand against the Ten Thousand Phenomena Realm while still in the Tiangong Realm.

But the clue to the Sword Soul was only one sentence.

"Where the heart desires, there the soul resides."

Chen Mu had pondered it for a long time, yet still could not fathom its mystery.

Where the heart desires, there the soul resides.

Does it mean the Sword Soul is hidden where the heart most desires?

Or is it only when one's thoughts are pure enough that one can sense the presence of the Sword Soul?

Or perhaps…

He shook his head and stopped thinking about it.

This cannot be rushed.

……

Two days later, a county town appeared ahead.

The city walls were not tall, and the gate tower was somewhat dilapidated, but the flow of people coming and going was considerable.

Chen Mu followed the crowd into the town and found a guesthouse that looked reasonably clean to stay at.

The guesthouse was small; the first floor served as a dining area with seven or eight tables, and it was now noon, so there were many guests.

Chen Mu rented a room and ordered a few dishes, then sat down at an empty table in the corner.

While waiting for the food, he glanced around.

The guesthouse was filled with all kinds of people—from all walks of life.

At the table by the door sat several burly men who looked like bodyguards, drinking heavily and eating meat in large bites.

At the window table were two merchants, whispering about which route had recently become unsafe.

At the table by the stairs sat several young men who appeared to be students, gathered around an old Mr. seeking advice.

Chen Mu's gaze settled on the old Mr.

The old Mr. was about sixty, with gray hair and beard, a lean face, dressed in a half-worn Confucian robe; though not luxurious, he carried an air of quiet elegance.

He was holding a teacup, slowly explaining something to the young men beside him.

"... So-called 'investigating things to attain knowledge' means observing all things and probing their principles. Look at this teacup…"

The old Mr. raised the teacup in his hand.

One of the young men couldn't help asking: "Master Xia, what principle could a teacup possibly have?"

The old Mr. smiled: "Though small, a teacup has its principle. Why does it hold water without leaking? Why does it not crack when heated? Why…?"

Chen Mu withdrew his gaze and paid no mind.

The food arrived; he began eating casually.

Halfway through his meal, the conversation from the next table drifted into his ears.

"... Where the heart intends, the body follows. When you study, remember to use your heart. If your heart is absent, no matter how much you read, it is all in vain."

The old Mr.'s voice was not loud, yet it reached Chen Mu's ears clearly.

His hand holding the chopsticks paused slightly.

Where the heart intends…?

"Where the heart thinks, the soul resides."

Those words surfaced again in his mind.

Chen Mu lifted his head and looked toward that table.

The old Mr. was still speaking to his students; the young men listened intently, nodding occasionally and asking questions.

Without hesitation, Chen Mu stood up and walked over.

"Old Mr."

Chen Mu bowed with clasped fists, his manner respectful.

The old Mr. looked up, glanced at Chen Mu, and gave a slight nod: "Young Master, what is it you need?"

Chen Mu said: "Just now, I heard you say 'where the heart intends.' I was deeply moved and wish to ask you one question."

"Oh? What question?"

"Where the heart thinks, the soul resides."