Master Lu's eyes lit out brightly at those words, and he immediately shouted, "Officer Xu, I'm right here!"
Fang Chen turned to look at the newcomers.
These people wore bright red martial uniforms, long sabers at their waists, and gauze caps a foot high. In the Daxia Capital, only one kind of person dressed this way—the Handao Guard.
The Handao Guard was not an office handed down from antiquity; it had been created ten years ago by decree of the current Emperor. Elites were handpicked from the military and major sects to form a unit deployed across all prefectures and provinces of Daxia.
The Handao Guard held an extraordinary status. They answered only to the commands of their superiors within the Garrison Office, and could completely disregard the orders of high-ranking officials from any other government department.
As a result, the Handao Guard acted with extreme overbearance, utterly devoid of reason. This caused many people to fear them like tigers and dare not easily cross them.
There were two Handao Guard Garrison Offices in the Daxia Capital: one in the inner city, and one in the outer city.
This was the Capital, after all, so the Handao Guard in the inner city kept a relatively low profile on ordinary days, attending only to their proper duties without interfering in the affairs of other departments. They were rarely seen.
The outer city was a different story. The outer city's Handao Guard patrolled the streets day and night, taking charge of virtually all matters big and small. Their words carried more weight than anyone else's!
"So it's Officer Xu."
Seeing who had arrived, Yuan Zhuang cupped his fists with a smile that didn't reach his eyes.
The other party merely glanced coldly at Yuan Zhuang. "Yuan Zhuang, I remember telling you a few years ago that when conducting business in my outer city, you need to notify our Garrison Office. I heard that you brought people here to beat up innocent citizens without cause. Is that true?"
"Innocent citizens? Is that who you're talking about?"
Yuan Zhuang pointed at Master Lu on the ground. "If he's an innocent citizen, then I am a ten-times virtuous saint."
"Spare me the nonsense. Since things can't be made clear here, you'll all come back to the Garrison Office with this official. Men, take them all away!"
Officer Xu waved a hand grandly.
The Handao Guard behind him immediately rushed forward, intending to haul everyone away to the Garrison Office together.
Seeing this, Xu Ge stepped in front of Fang Chen, staring coldly at the Handao Guard before him. "My heir goes nowhere."
"Audacious!"
The Handao Guard drew their sabers in unison, their gazes fixed on Xu Ge with icy intent.
In an instant, the small courtyard was filled with killing intent.
"Officer Xu, this man is Xu Ge, the Wind and Cloud Sword. You must be careful; this subordinate was caught off guard and fell for his tricks earlier," Master Lu hurriedly said.
"Xu Ge, the Wind and Cloud Sword?"
Officer Xu frowned and looked at Xu Ge. "You're just a jianghu wanderer, yet you dare stir up trouble in the Capital? Could it be that you think your puny Peak Qi Burst cultivation gives you the right to oppose my Handao Guard?"
"Officer Xu, judging by your waist plaque, you're a Garrison Office Centurion, aren't you?"
Fang Chen suddenly smiled.
Officer Xu glanced at Fang Chen and suddenly felt that the person before him looked a bit familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
"A Garrison Office Centurion holds the same rank as a Dahua Temple Investigator, but it seems you don't place your peers in your eyes. The moment you arrive, you want to arrest your peers along with the rest?
You Handao Guard act far too overbearingly."
Fang Chen chuckled and shook his head.
"Whether the Handao Guard acts overbearingly is not for you to judge."
Officer Xu sneered. "Which young master of a noble house are you? If you have nothing to do, stay in the inner city. What's the point of hanging around with scum like Yuan Zhuang? Don't ever come to the outer city again."
"Officer Xu, it seems you've stayed in the outer city so long you can't even recognize Military God Fang. With eyesight like yours, this subordinate really worries whether your official career will be smooth sailing in the future."
Yuan Zhuang sighed deliberately.
*Military God Fang?!*
At this, not only did Officer Xu's expression change drastically, but even Master Lu and his subordinates on the ground felt their bodies shudder violently before they looked at Fang Chen in sheer disbelief.
Mother Wu, whose arm was still being held by Xu Ge, went weak in the knees and nearly collapsed to the ground on the spot.
***
"Brother, I heard Father say that the Handao Guard were so overbearing back then that they were impeached by all the officials and lost their law enforcement rights in the inner city. From the looks of it now, not only are they overbearing, but I'm afraid their hands aren't very clean either."
Fang Zhixue said to Fang Chen.
*Brother?*
Master Lu and the others looked at Fang Zhixue, stunned for a moment, before their bodies involuntarily began to tremble.
They had just... flirted with Military God Fang's younger sister?
"M-Military God Fang, this subordinate failed to recognize Your Excellency just now. I beg Your Excellency to forgive me."
Officer Xu suddenly cupped his fists and bowed repeatedly, apologizing profusely, his eyes darting toward the floor with lingering traces of terror.
No wonder the other party looked so familiar—he was none other than Military God Fang, who had recently led men to completely wipe out the martial artists of Qingsong Kingdom!
You must know that even when their Handao Guard ran into those Qingsong Kingdom martial artists, they had to give them a wide berth!
During this past period, that incident had even become the talk of the town among the guards in the Garrison Office over tea and conversation.
"Centurion Xu, is this Master Lu one of your men?"
Fang Chen looked him up and down.
Centurion Xu felt a slight jolt in his heart and hastily lowered his voice. "Military God Fang is mistaken. This man merely does business with us frequently, and this subordinate is not close with him."
*Not close?!*
Master Lu was taken aback. Just last night they were drinking and making merry together, and today they weren't close?
"Do you know why I came here today?"
Fang Chen asked again.
As he spoke, he kept sizing up Centurion Xu, as if trying to detect some clue from his expression.
Yuan Zhuang also suspected whether Centurion Xu was involved in this matter; he stared fixedly at Centurion Xu without even blinking.
"This subordinate has no idea..."
A flash of bewilderment crossed Centurion Xu's eyes.
"Lord Yuan, tell him about it."
Fang Chen said calmly.
Yuan Zhuang slowly recounted the events. By the time he had explained seven or eight tenths of it, Centurion Xu's face had already turned somewhat pale. He sensed that he had somehow been dragged into some extraordinary affair.
"We had just arrived here when this Master Lu brought men to pick a fight and even flirted with my sister. Then, not long after, Centurion Xu arrived.
I wonder what relation Centurion Xu has with this missing pair of siblings?"
Fang Chen said flatly.
Centurion Xu's expression shifted repeatedly, and he hastily lowered his voice. "Military God Fang, this subordinate merely received word that people were brawling and causing trouble here, which is why I rushed over hastily. As for the rest, I truly know nothing."
"Oh, since you merely interfered in this by accident, tell me then: how should this Master Lu be dealt with, considering he flirted with my sister and even threatened the Dahua Temple constables not to come to Kuilong Street, or else have both their legs broken?"
Fang Chen asked.
"Military God Fang, this humble wretch was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai, offending Military God Fang. I beg Military God Fang to spare this wretch once!"
Master Lu flipped over and knelt on the ground, his voice trembling slightly.
Centurion Xu glanced at him, a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes, and lowered his voice to Fang Chen. "This subordinate will drag him back to the Garrison Office for a thorough interrogation, and will definitely give Military God Fang a satisfactory account."
"Master Lu, was it?"
Ignoring Centurion Xu, Fang Chen walked up to Master Lu and said lightly.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Military God Fang can just call this humble one Little Lu."
Master Lu shivered all over with fright.
"Who told you to come make trouble for us, and who told you to threaten the Dahua Temple constables?"
Fang Chen smiled. "Give me a name."
"..."
Master Lu fell silent.
After a few breaths, he lowered his voice. "This humble one indeed accepted money; the person who gave the money told this humble one to keep an eye on Kuilong Street, and if anyone came to this courtyard, to issue a warning..."
With that, he described the other person's appearance, but could not state the person's background.
Upon hearing this, Mother Wu hastily chimed in, "My Lord, My Lord, the one who gave money to this old woman was also this person."
*The same person, then.*
Fang Chen smiled. "Since you haven't given me a name, it seems this matter cannot end amicably. Lord Yuan, take them all back to the Dahua Temple for a proper interrogation. See if they've committed any other offenses, and deal with them all together."
"Yes!"
Yuan Zhuang's spirits lifted. He immediately barked at the group, "All of you, get up!"
"Centurion Xu, I'll be leaving. No need to see us out."
Fang Chen smiled at Centurion Xu and led his people away.
As he left, Yuan Zhuang glanced at Centurion Xu, a flash of triumph in his eyes. "Centurion Xu, I'm taking these people back to the Dahua Temple to relieve a bit of pressure on your Garrison Office."
Centurion Xu forced a smile. "Safe journey, Lord Yuan."
He watched with his subordinates as Fang Chen and the others departed. Only when their figures were completely out of sight did Centurion Xu's expression turn incomparably grave. Seeing his subordinates whispering among themselves and chatting gaily and enthusiastically about Fang Chen, he couldn't help letting out a cold snort:
"You're all so loud-mouthed on ordinary days; how come none of you made a peep just now?"
"My Lord, that's Military God Fang! How could we dare make a peep? He even burned down the entire Qingsong Superior Lodge with a single fire."
A Handao Guard said with glowing spirit, "That really was satisfying!"
"Yeah, yeah, so satisfying!"
"I once had the honor of serving in the army under Military God Fang's command. It's a pity I was later transferred to the Handao Guard; otherwise, five years ago, I might have had the chance to campaign across the Three Boundary Mountains with Military God Fang."
"Then you'd probably be buried under those mountains."
Someone joked.
Centurion Xu's expression remained grave. He never expected to run into Fang Chen on Kuilong Street today; even worse, because of Master Lu, he might have already offended this Military God Fang.
Thinking of this, Centurion Xu felt uneasy in his heart, feeling faintly that something was amiss. He hurriedly led his subordinates back to the Garrison Office to report today's events.
Upon hearing Centurion Xu's report, the Garrison Office Commander nodded and waved for him to withdraw.
Not long after, the Commander changed his attire, quietly entered the inner city, and finally stepped into a rather luxurious mansion.
The Fang Mansion.
Fang Chen did not wait long before Tiema appeared before him and said softly, "Heir, Outer City Garrison Office Commander Zhang Shuzhou has entered the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister's residence."
"I know."
Fang Chen nodded lightly.
Once Tiema withdrew, his soul immediately left his body, and in an instant, he arrived at the Ministry of Rites Vice Minister's residence.
In the reception hall.
Fang Chen saw Zhang Shuzhou, the outer city Garrison Office Commander, and he also saw Qin Dong, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites.
"Lord Qin, you didn't say beforehand that this matter would implicate someone from the Fang family. Take this money back, and don't come looking for this official again in the future."
Zhang Shuzhou pulled out two silver banknotes, placed them on the table, and said coldly.
The denomination of the banknotes was a thousand taels each; two of them made two thousand taels.
This was no small sum.
Qin Dong's complexion turned somewhat pale. "How could it implicate Military God Fang? What does he have to do with this?!"
"I don't know why a missing maid from your residence drew an investigation by the Dahua Temple back then, and why, after several years, it has now drawn the attention of that person from the Fang family.
This official doesn't care what Lord Qin is up to, but this official doesn't want to get mixed up in it. Farewell."
With those words, Zhang Shuzhou stood up and walked away.
Qin Dong looked somewhat dazed, a trace of panic flickering in his eyes.
"A dignified Vice Minister, yet just knowing Fang Chen is involved in this makes you lose your wits with fright. How laughable."
A cold snort rang out as an old woman stepped out from behind a folding screen, looking at Qin Dong with a mocking expression.
"You don't know who Fang Chen is? Now he's developed suspicions about this matter too. You're the one who did it, you should resolve this for me!"
Qin Dong looked at the old woman, putting up a bold front.
"Cultivators... It seems there are still quite a few members of the Blood Spirit Cult in the Capital."
Fang Chen looked toward the old woman, his expression gradually turning solemn.
***
The aura emanating from the old woman was roughly comparable to that of the Blood Spirit Cult cultivator who had died at the Fang Mansion previously—she should likewise be at the 4th Layer of Qi Refining.
In theory, this realm was equivalent to a Human Profound Realm Elixir Qi Martial Artist, but in practice, their methods far surpassed those of Elixir Qi Martial Artists. Perhaps only Earth Profound Realm martial artists could match them blow for blow.
In this short span of time, Fang Chen had already discovered the presence of two cultivators in the Daxia Capital. Were there even more? Fang Chen had no way of knowing for the time being.
"What are you afraid of? Fang Chen merely recovered his elixir qi cultivation; he's still a martial artist through and through. He probably won't figure out in this lifetime that there are people like me in this world."
The old woman sneered, her tone disdainful. "Vice Minister Qin, standing with us means you are destined for a lifetime of high rank and great wealth; don't fly into a panic over every little thing.
Taoist Priest Xue has already gone to pursue Goddess Xiao. Once news of Goddess Xiao's death reaches Qingsong, the Third Prince is bound to die.
Qingsong Kingdom will inevitably march its troops upon Daxia, and by then there will be plenty of sufficient vital blood sent up to those above. It's killing two birds with one stone!"
Upon hearing these words, Fang Chen's gaze sharpened intensely!
Judging from the old woman's words, there were people above them, and their purpose in Daxia was to gather enough human vital blood?
This Blood Spirit Cult was like a leech, attaching itself to Daxia and continuously sucking vital blood to nourish itself?
Aside from this Vice Minister Qin, which other dignitaries in the Capital were colluding with the Blood Spirit Cult?
Fang Chen looked coldly at the old woman. He would root these people out one by one, and then eradicate the cultivators of the Blood Spirit Cult one by one!
"It's not that I'm flying into a panic without reason. A few days ago, I saw with my own eyes in the imperial palace Fang Chen striking down a Qi-controlling Martial Artist from Qingsong Kingdom with a single palm!"
Vice Minister Qin's voice trembled. "With a flash of lightning, a living person was turned into charred charcoal. What kind of method is that?!"
"No matter what, it's just the petty tricks of a martial artist. How could mere inner qi compare to spiritual power?"
The old woman sneered disdainfully. She lifted her hand slightly, spiritual power surging in her palm, and a fireball suddenly appeared, instantly causing the surrounding temperature to shoot up.
Startled, Vice Minister Qin hurriedly retreated.
"Didn't you also see it back then? This old woman's fireball technique can likewise burn a person to charcoal, or even melt iron and refine gold!"
The old woman smiled faintly.
"Taoist magic?"
Fang Chen's eyes lit up slightly.
He could sense the terrifying power contained within that fireball—it was estimated to be no less formidable than the Purple Lightning Talisman he was crafting right now. These cultivators truly were not simple.
It was just a pity that what Senior Yunhe had imparted to him was only the introductory chapter of the Three Thousand Dao Laws, which contained only the cultivation methods of the Qi Condensation Realm and four types of talismans, but no Taoist magic.
That Taoist Priest Xue who had died in his Fang Mansion a few days ago seemed to only be versed in talismans and had never displayed such Taoist magic; no wonder there were no manuals on Taoist magic on his person.
"Vice Minister Qin, do you think this fireball technique of mine could kill Fang Chen?"
The old woman looked at Qin Dong, a trace of arrogance in her eyes.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
Qin Dong replied repeatedly, the fear in his heart gradually fading.
Seeing this, the old woman withdrew her magic. "Therefore, you needn't worry about Fang Chen. We're leaving him be simply to make these waters even murkier.
Today, this old woman is taking a trip to Longji Square. Going and returning will take about seven days; during these seven days, try your best not to meet with Fang Chen."
Hearing this, Qin Dong hesitated. "Grandmother Jinhua, for the past eight years this subordinate has cooperated with you with utter loyalty and devotion. When on earth will you impart the method of cultivation to me... If this subordinate had some methods at my disposal, why would I need to fear Fang Chen."
"One hundred thousand drops of vital blood condense into a single Blood Spirit Divine Pill. My mission is to contribute ten Blood Spirit Divine Pills to those above. Once the mission is completed, it will be time to reward merits, and someone will bestow upon you the method of cultivation so you can be just like me."
The old woman gave a faint smile and turned to leave.
"One hundred thousand drops of vital blood for one Blood Spirit Divine Pill... That battle at the Three Boundary Mountains gathered six, leaving four more..."
Qin Dong muttered to himself.
He did not know that Fang Chen, sitting right next to him, had turned an extremely grim shade of color.
Fang Chen suddenly realized that the battle at the Three Boundary Mountains had deep problems. Behind the sacrifice of six hundred thousand soldiers, it wasn't just his own arrogance and excessive pride.
This Blood Spirit Cult likely played some kind of important role in it as well, while he, a fool, had been kept completely in the dark.
If not for catching sight of the fairy in the scorching sun, which gave him the ability of soul departure, and if not for Senior Yunhe imparting the method of cultivation to him...
Perhaps right up to the present day, he would still only be seeing the surface, unable to pierce the truth.
The consequences... simply too horrifying to contemplate!
"Right now, it looks like the enemy is in the dark and I am in the light, but actually the enemy is in the light and I am in the dark. They know I've recovered my cultivation, but they don't know I've stepped onto the Immortal Dao, nor do they know of the existence of the Purple Lightning Talisman. Even Taoist Priest Xue's death is unknown to them; they still think he's pursuing Goddess Xiao."
Fang Chen calculated silently in his heart.
This was his existing advantage.
How to utilize this advantage to expand it required careful deliberation.
Longji Square.
Perhaps it was an opportunity.
Fang Chen's soul appeared in the sky, slowly following the old woman. Seeing her head toward the eastern city gate, he let his soul return to his physical body.
Before long, an inconspicuous carriage drove out of the Fang Mansion.
"Keep heading straight east."
From inside the carriage came Fang Chen's calm voice. Tiema, who was driving, nodded slightly; although he didn't know where Fang Chen was going, his only job was to drive the carriage.
"Old Huang, this carriage is a bit small. Bear with it."
Fang Chen smiled at Huang Sihai.
Huang Sihai's large, tall frame sat inside the carriage, nearly taking up all the space and making it feel cramped and tight. Yet he smiled without a care:
"Heir, I'm quite satisfied just being able to come out for some fresh air, let alone traveling with the Heir?"
"Mhm. Those Strength Talismans, Swiftness Talismans, and Vajra Talismans I gave you—if something happens, remember not to be stingy. Use your inner qi to activate all of them right away."
Fang Chen smiled, nodded, and closed his eyes as his soul once again left his body.
Ten miles away from the carriage, the old woman moved like a vigorous steed, flying continuously toward the east. At her speed, she could cover at least sixteen hundred miles in a single day!
An Elixir Qi Martial Artist could probably achieve this as well, but not as effortlessly as her. This was the difference between spiritual qi and inner qi; the two were fundamentally different, and spiritual qi was of a higher grade.
"Southwest."
"Take that path on the left ahead."
"Cross the river."
Every so often, Fang Chen would open his eyes and instruct Tiema on the route.
Before he knew it, three days passed.
"Stop the carriage."
Fang Chen instructed.
Tiema brought the carriage to a slow halt. This was a desolate mountainous area with nothing around.
"Heir, we have already crossed the borders of Daxia..."
Tiema surveyed his surroundings with a rather vigilant look in his eyes.
"I know."
Fang Chen poked his head out of the carriage, tossed a face mask to Tiema, and pointed in a direction. "Put it on, then walk in that direction. When you arrive, remember to hand this thing to the guards."
With that, he handed Tiema a Spirit Stone.
***
The carriage soon passed over a small hill. Once past it, one was struck by a feeling of sudden enlightenment, as a bustling market town nestled snugly within a mountain valley came into view ahead.
"A martial artist?"
There were a few guards at the entrance of the mountain valley. One of them caught sight of Tiema, his gaze immediately darting toward the inside of the carriage before he said:
"Do you have a Longji Token?"