Yet, given Fang Chen's temperament, such a thing would certainly never happen.
"My Lord, someone has come from the palace."
A servant hurried in to make a report.
Outside the gates of the General's Mansion, a contingent from the palace stood quietly. At their head was a eunuch in embroidered robes, standing straight with a bright yellow imperial edict held respectfully in both hands.
Fang Canghai led his people in hurrying to the entrance. Upon seeing the eunuch, he immediately bowed with cupped hands: "Your subject Fang Canghai respectfully welcomes the imperial edict!"
The embroidered-robe eunuch's gaze was ice-cold as he swept it across the faces of the Fang family members one by one. His brows suddenly furrowed: "Where is the Heir? This imperial edict is meant for him; does he dare not come out to welcome it?"
Fang Canghai's expression shifted slightly as he forced a smile onto his face: "Eunuch You, Chen'er is not in the mansion at the moment. It is also fine for me to welcome the imperial edict on his behalf."
There was a time when this close confidant of the emperor was utterly humble and cautious in his presence, but over the past five years—because of that battle at Three Realms Mountain—the emperor had not only given the Fang family the cold shoulder, but had even cast aside the Empress as well.
Now, even a mere eunuch dared to wear an icy face and subject them to such humiliation, and this was not the first or second time, yet the Fang family had borne it all in silence.
"What a joke! You are going to accept an imperial edict given to the Heir by His Majesty in his stead? What kind of propriety is this? I demand to see the Heir immediately, and I must ask General Fang not to play any tricks."
Eunuch You rasped in his duck-like voice with a cold laugh.
The expressions of the Fang family members gradually grew ugly. The onlookers gathering in the surrounding streets were growing more and more numerous, pointing and whispering among themselves.
"Goddess Xiao of Qingsong Kingdom has already arrived at the palace, General Fang. You had better stop harboring foolish thoughts and call the Heir out."
Eunuch You snorted coldly.
"Eldest brother, I will send men to look for Chen'er."
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair spoke slowly.
Before Fang Canghai could respond, someone had already spotted Fang Chen walking over from a distance with Xu Ge.
"The Military God Fang has arrived."
"I never expected he'd still have the leisure to stroll outside today..."
Eunuch You raised his eyes to look, his gaze meeting Fang Chen's grayish-white pupils. For some reason, a trace of dread stirred in his heart, but then he laughed dismissively.
The Heir before him was no longer the Military God Fang who could slap members of the imperial clan right at the palace gates back then—what did he have to fear?
"Father, Mother, Second Uncle."
Fang Chen arrived before the group and accurately and flawlessly bowed to the three of them, causing the surrounding onlookers to secretly wonder whether Fang Chen's eyes were truly blind or not.
"You're back..."
Fang Canghai let out a soft sigh.
"Heh, Heir Fang, this servant thought you wouldn't dare to receive this imperial edict."
Eunuch You looked at Fang Chen with a half-smile, his tone laced with sarcasm.
Slap!
Fang Chen's hand landed squarely on Eunuch You's face with a crisp sound, the force of the blow even sending Eunuch You's official cap flying off directly.
The surroundings fell into a dead silence where a dropped needle could be heard. Shocked gazes landed on Fang Chen one after another; even Fang Canghai and the others had not expected that Fang Chen would suddenly strike Eunuch You.
The junior eunuchs and palace guards brought by Eunuch You instinctively made to move, but when they saw Fang Chen's grayish-white pupils sweep across them one by one, their movements froze.
At that moment, they suddenly remembered the once-invincible Military God Fang. The number of people slapped by him in the Daxia Capital was countless—there were sons of generals, sons of ministers, imperial relatives, and even princes from the palace!
"You dare to strike this servant?!"
Eunuch You clutched his face, his complexion flushed crimson with shame, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage. This piece of trash before him actually dared to hit him?!
And to hit him in front of so many people?!
"I've received the imperial edict. You can get lost now."
Fang Chen took the edict from his hands and gave a casual wave, as if he were swatting away a fly.
"This is rebellion, sheer rebellion!"
Seething with rage, Eunuch You shrieked at the top of his duck-like voice, barking orders at his subordinates: "Take him! Take him for this servant!"
Eunuch You's furious roar echoed through the air.
Yet no one around them made a move.
His subordinates looked at each other in dismay; not a single one dared to stir.
Xu Ge looked at Eunuch You with a half-smile. Over the past five years, people had cursed the Heir behind his back, but among all of them, which one had ever dared to strike a blow to his face?
Even when martial artists from Qingsong Kingdom hurled insults and incited them to make a move, they hadn't possessed the guts!
Even if the tiger is sick today, a tiger is still the king!
Slap!
Fang Chen raised his hand and delivered another blow.
The slap sent Eunuch You staggering backward until he was hurriedly caught by a junior eunuch behind him.
"You, you..."
Eunuch You pointed a trembling finger at Fang Chen, shaking all over as if he were about to breathe his last breath at any moment.
"Those commoners curse me and humiliate me—so what? They farm the land and gather mulberry leaves. Those martial artists curse me and humiliate me—so what? They shed blood on the battlefields. It is because of them that Daxia enjoys this prosperity. And you? A mere half-man, half-woman eunuch—aside from engaging in palace intrigues, have you ever contributed even an ounce of effort for Daxia?"
"What qualifications do you have to point fingers and judge me? I call you Eunuch out of respect for the Emperor; otherwise, you wouldn't even deserve a title to address you by before me."
Fang Chen said indifferently.
The expressions of the surrounding onlookers changed instantly.
Eunuch You, however, was so infuriated by these words that blood spilled from the corners of his mouth. Seeing this, the junior eunuchs by his side realized this was no place to linger. Abandoning all else, they half-dragged and pulled Eunuch You away from the scene in a hurried retreat.
"Military God Fang! Though you fell five years ago and your cultivation was utterly destroyed, you are still alive! As long as you live, you are worth a hundred thousand martial artists!"
Among the onlookers, a martial artist shouted loudly.
Fang Chen remained silent. Holding the imperial edict, he turned and entered the General's Mansion.
As the crowd watched his retreating back, their eyes seemed filled with a sense of hopeful anticipation. Though the hope was exceedingly slim, today they felt as if they had caught a glimpse of light once more.
***
### Chapter 7: Goddess Xiao's Test
"Chen'er, what are your plans this time?"
In the main hall of the General's Mansion, Fang Canghai sighed softly after reading the imperial edict, his gaze falling upon Fang Chen.
"Father, we shall take it one step at a time."
Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
Take it one step at a time?
A look of desolation crossed the faces of those present. Indeed, with Fang Chen having lost his cultivation, even with a thousand schemes in his heart, it would be difficult to execute them.
At that moment, the middle-aged man in the wheelchair suddenly looked at Xu Ge, his brows furrowing slightly: "Are you Xu Ge, the Wind and Cloud Sword?"
"Second Master, just call me Xu Ge. I dare not claim the title of Wind and Cloud Sword."
Xu Ge grinned.
Fang Canghai and the others were somewhat startled. In particular, Fang Zhixue stepped forward, walked right up to Xu Ge to examine him closely, and asked in astonishment:
"You really are the Wind and Cloud Sword Xu Ge? How do you know my eldest brother?"
The Wind and Cloud Sword Xu Ge came from a mysterious background. Ever since he arrived in the Capital five years ago, he had displayed extraordinary talent in swordsmanship. Over the past five years, his cultivation had soared all the way from the Qi Burst Early Stage to the Qi Burst Peak.
A martial artist at this level was already a rare find in present-day Daxia.
After all, countless martial artists had perished in that battle at Three Realms Mountain. Imperial Qi powerhouses and Qi Burst powerhouses had fallen one after another, shaking the foundations of Daxia to its core.
In the Capital of Daxia today, there were fewer than a hundred Qi Burst martial artists, and among those, there were barely a dozen at the Qi Burst Peak.
The Qingsong Kingdom possessed at least twenty or thirty times as many Qi Burst Peak martial artists as Daxia—the disparity was clear!
"Your humble servant has long admired the Military God. Today, I have shamelessly come to recommend myself, wishing to follow by the Military God's side as a humble bodyguard."
Xu Ge cupped his fists and said.
Fang Canghai's gaze flickered. It seemed he understood something. He nodded slightly, and the look he gave Xu Ge softened a fraction: "When Chen'er goes to Qingsong Kingdom in the future, we will have to trouble you."
Hearing this, the expressions of those present brightened slightly.
If a Qi Burst Peak martial artist guarded Fang Chen by his side, perhaps he could avoid much humiliation upon going to Qingsong Kingdom.
Fang Zhixue quickly chimed in: "Big Brother Xu, thank you for your hard work in the future."
"It's no hardship, no hardship at all."
Xu Ge hurriedly replied.
"Chen'er, do you need your Second Uncle to accompany you to the palace?"
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair slowly spoke.
"The daughter of Wolf Commander Xiao is bound to humiliate our Fang family on this trip. If Second Uncle goes along, wouldn't that play right into her wishes?"
Fang Chen smiled faintly: "It will be enough for me to go alone."
With that, Fang Chen gave Xu Ge a meaningful look, then picked up the imperial edict and walked out toward the gates.
Xu Ge recalled the instructions Fang Chen had given him.
If Fang Chen failed to walk out of the palace today, he was to escort the Fang family members safely out of the Daxia Capital. However, Fang Chen had said the probability of this happening was very small, and it was merely a precaution.
***
Before the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace, a hundred Wolf Soldiers stood in stern array. Occasionally, their gazes met those of the surrounding guards, inevitably revealing a trace of faint mockery.
No matter how angry those guards felt in their hearts, they dared not utter a word at this moment.
There was a time when these Wolf Soldiers were not even permitted to set foot in the Capital. Entering the palace so blatantly today meant that Daxia had grown utterly feeble before the Qingsong Kingdom.
"Quickly, take me to see His Majesty!"
Eunuch You's voice rang out. Covered in blood, he was being supported by several eunuchs as he hurried toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding guards couldn't help but freeze in surprise. Wasn't Eunuch You sent to the Fang family to read the imperial edict? How had he been beaten into such a state?
"Adoptive Father, what happened to you?"
You Longchang, the deputy commander of the West Tiger Camp, suddenly appeared, staring at Eunuch You in utter shock.
"That brat Fang Chen went too far!"
Eunuch You declared harshly, and without wasting more words with You Longchang, he hurried into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Fang Chen?!
You Longchang was slightly startled. Fang Chen had kept an extremely low profile over the past five years; had he actually beaten the eunuch who delivered the imperial edict? This reminded him of that special era many years ago when even the Emperor's authority could not rival Fang Chen's.
"He's nothing more than a cripple now, yet he still dares to act so arrogantly. He must be unable to let go of his past glory..."
You Longchang sneered inwardly.
Hearing Fang Chen's name, the hundred Wolf Soldiers subconsciously lifted their chins slightly and exchanged glances, the contempt in their eyes having long since vanished.
No matter what, Daxia's Military God held a certain standing in their hearts. The Wolf Soldiers had clashed with the army formations led by Fang Chen countless times.
Not once had they gained the upper hand; countless Wolf Soldiers had died at Fang Chen's hands, though those present could be considered newcomers.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Virtually all the civil and military officials were present. The Daxia Emperor, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat atop the dragon throne, conversing with Goddess Xiao below the dais.
The topic of their conversation was precisely the upcoming matrilocal marriage of Fang Chen, as well as the Qingsong Kingdom's promise not to attack Daxia for the next five years.
Eunuch You happened to enter the hall at this moment. He immediately dropped to his knees and let out a miserable wail:
"Your Majesty, this old servant failed in delivering the edict and was beaten by the Heir. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"
"What?!"
"He was beaten by Fang Chen?"
The civil and military officials all turned to look at Eunuch You, their faces wearing strange expressions. It seemed Fang Chen hadn't struck anyone at all for five years, right?
Some officials subconsciously touched their own cheeks.
Goddess Xiao furrowed her brows slightly and looked toward the Emperor.
The Emperor was also somewhat stunned at the moment. With a gloomy expression, he looked at Eunuch You: "You were beaten by Fang Chen? And the imperial edict? Did he accept it?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, he accepted it, but..."
Eunuch You tried to offer a defense.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor waved his hand: "Accepting it is enough. As for him hitting you, you must have said something to anger him. In this Hall of Supreme Harmony, you aren't the only one he has hit before; there's no need to make a fuss over it."
Eunuch You wore a blank look of astonishment.
Several officials wore cold sneers. Daxia now needed Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family to quell the flames of war and buy five years of national fortune for Daxia—did a mere eunuch think he could seize this opportunity to settle scores with Fang Chen?
"Emperor, it seems the Military God is quite dissatisfied with marrying into the Xiao family, isn't he? Will he ignore your imperial edict? How about I send my Wolf Soldiers to bring him here?"
Goddess Xiao said with a half-smile.
The expressions of the civil and military officials shifted slightly, a hint of tension surfacing in their eyes.
If the Wolf Soldiers were truly sent to drag Fang Chen here, and the news spread across the Capital, it would be a complete and utter slap to the face of Daxia!
"Lady Xiao, rest assured. Fang Chen can be considered my nephew; since he has accepted the imperial edict, he will certainly come."
As the Emperor spoke, he glanced sideways at the expressionless Empress, then broke into a smile and said to Goddess Xiao:
"We only need to wait patiently for a moment."
At that very moment, You Longchang's voice suddenly echoed from outside:
"The Heir of General Fang's Mansion—has arrived!"
The Emperor smiled. "Look, didn't he come just as expected?"
Goddess Xiao's eyes narrowed slightly as she suddenly called out toward the entrance: "If the Military God wishes to marry into the Xiao family, he must undergo a test!"
From the Emperor down to the civil and military officials, everyone's expressions changed at her words.
"If he fails the test, let us speak no more of this marriage. The Qingsong Kingdom will soon trample Daxia into the dust and make this land a vassal state!"
Goddess Xiao said indifferently.
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Upon hearing Goddess Xiao's words, the Wolf Soldiers quickly formed ranks and stared with stern gazes at Fang Chen as he walked step by step toward them.
***
### Chapter 8: As Worthless as Grass
Fang Chen closed his eyes and slowly walked toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
He seemed entirely unaware that a hundred Wolf Soldiers ahead of him were fixing their gazes intently upon him.
"He really is blind."
A Wolf Soldier murmured softly.
Looking at the once high-spirited young Military God who had now become a blind cripple, these Wolf Soldiers felt a wave of mixed emotions, but beneath it all burned an even deeper reverence and admiration for their First Wolf Commander.
So what if he was the young Military God?
Had he not still fallen in defeat to their First Wolf Commander? Their First Wolf Commander was the true embodiment of invincibility!
Meanwhile, the Emperor, Goddess Xiao, and the civil and military officials had all arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The previously expressionless Empress felt a pang of heartache flash through her eyes when she caught sight of that somewhat lean figure, and she opened her mouth as if to speak, but stopped.
"He looks no different from the portrait, except that he lacks that sharp edge he once had."
Goddess Xiao observed Fang Chen, a faint smile then blooming on her lips: "There's nothing particularly special about him either, though he is better-looking than some of my former men."
A flash of anger crossed the Empress's eyes.
The entire court of civil and military officials looked at Goddess Xiao with fury. Regardless of whether they had been at odds with Fang Chen in the past, for her to compare Daxia's former youthful Military God to her male concubines was an outright insult to Daxia!
"Emperor, tell him then: if he wishes to marry into our Xiao family, he must undergo a few tests. I have no desire to take back a useless blind man."
Goddess Xiao said indifferently.
The Daxia Emperor looked at Fang Chen and spoke slowly: "Fang Chen."
"Fang Chen pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Fang Chen stopped in his tracks, cupped his fists, and bowed toward the Daxia Emperor's location.
"Audacious Fang Chen! Why do you not kneel upon seeing His Majesty?!"
You Longchang suddenly stepped forward and barked.
Everyone guessed he was trying to vent his adoptive father Eunuch You's pent-up anger.
With his eyes closed, Fang Chen slowly turned his neck, 'looking' in the direction of You Longchang: "You Longchang, Deputy Commander of the West Tiger Camp?"
You Longchang was slightly startled.
Was he truly blind?
He looked no different from an ordinary person! He had had no interaction with the man over the past five years, yet Fang Chen had recognized him instantly?
"It is indeed this general."
You Longchang said in a deep voice.
"His Majesty once bestowed upon me the privilege of walking before the throne without kneeling. Have you forgotten?"
Fang Chen said faintly.
You Longchang froze for a moment, then blurted out: "That was before you were defeated! After your defeat..."
He couldn't continue.
It seemed... the Emperor had never rescinded the privilege granted to Fang Chen, even after his defeat. It was simply their own wishful thinking that Fang Chen was no longer the youthful Military God of the past and had lost all glory and authority.
"It seems you remember."
Fang Chen smiled, then looked toward the Daxia Emperor: "Your Majesty, your subject hurried straight to the palace upon receiving the edict. I wonder if the daughter of Wolf Commander Xiao is present?"
The Daxia Emperor glanced at Goddess Xiao, then said to Fang Chen: "Lady Xiao is right beside Us. Lady Xiao has stated that you must pass certain tests set by her before you may... marry into the Xiao family."
The expressions of the civil and military officials turned rather ugly.
Forcing Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family was already a humiliation to Daxia; for Goddess Xiao to pull such a stunt on top of that was tantamount to a double humiliation, making Daxia look as though it were fawning and begging to have Fang Chen married off.
"A test? I wonder what kind of test it is."
Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
"Lady Xiao, what do you think?"
The Daxia Emperor looked at Goddess Xiao.
"It's very simple, Military God. As long as you can guess the movements of my Wolf Soldiers next, your test will be considered passed."
Goddess Xiao spoke slowly and signaled to the leader of the Wolf Soldiers.
Upon seeing this, the leader of the Wolf Soldiers immediately drove his silver wolf forward like a whirlwind, charging into the surrounding guards, palace maids, and eunuchs.
Thud, thud, thud!
More than a dozen guards, palace maids, and eunuchs were seized and thrown before Fang Chen.
Their faces wore expressions of shock and bewilderment, wondering why a test involving them had suddenly been sprung upon them.
Watching the Wolf Soldiers resort to violence right inside the imperial palace, the Daxia Emperor's facial muscles twitched uncontrollably.
"Audacious! How dare you resort to violence in the imperial palace, and how dare you do so right before His Majesty!"
An aged official with white hair and beard stepped forward abruptly, glaring fixedly at Goddess Xiao.
This elderly man was none other than Li Guozhu, the Prime Minister of Daxia!
"It is merely required for the test. The Emperor won't mind, will he?"
Goddess Xiao said with a faint smile.
"Heh..."
The Daxia Emperor forced a laugh. "We wonder what sort of test requires using them? Lady Xiao only had to say the word; there was no need to let your subordinates resort to force and provoke misunderstandings."
With that, he waved his hand at Li Guozhu, signaling him to step back. Prime Minister Li furrowed his brows deeply and said no more.
"It's very simple..."
Goddess Xiao looked at Fang Chen: "Military God, before you stand four guards, four palace maids, and four eunuchs. Next, will my subordinate shoot to kill a guard, a palace maid, or a eunuch? As long as you guess correctly, your test is passed."
An uproar broke out among the crowd.
Someone finally couldn't help but shout angrily: "You treat the lives of our Daxia people as a child's game?!"
By this time, the leader of the Wolf Soldiers had already drawn his powerful bow, slowly taking aim at Fang Chen, but a moment later, he shifted his aim toward the guards, maids, and eunuchs.
"As long as our Qingsong Kingdom is willing, the lives of your Daxia people are as worthless as grass. Don't let a couple of lives ruin today's proceedings. Emperor, do you think I'm right?"
Goddess Xiao said calmly.
"Your Majesty, if we allow people from the Qingsong Kingdom to slaughter lives within the imperial palace and word of this spreads, how will the people of the world view us?"
The Empress finally spoke.