Lu Ye's eyes lit out brightly upon hearing this, and he immediately shouted: "Officer Xu, I'm right here!"
Fang Chen turned around to look at the newcomers.
He saw that this group of people wore bright red athletic garments, with long sabers strapped to their waists and gauze caps about a foot tall on their heads. In the Daxia capital, only one kind of person dressed this way—the Brave Saber Guard.
The Brave Saber Guard was not an office handed down from antiquity; rather, it had been created ten years ago by order of the current Emperor. Elite troops were handpicked from the military and major martial sects to form a unit distributed across all prefectures and commanderies of Daxia.
The Brave Saber Guard held a transcendent status, answering only to the orders of their superiors at the garrison post. When facing high-ranking officials of other departments, they had no need to take orders from them.
Consequently, the Brave Saber Guard acted with extreme overbearance and utter unreasonableness, causing many people to fear them like tigers and dare not easily offend them.
There were two Brave Saber Guard posts in the Daxia capital: one in the inner city, and one in the outer city.
Since this was the capital after all, the Brave Saber Guard in the inner city kept a relatively low profile on ordinary days, doing only what they ought to do, not interfering in the affairs of other departments, and not being seen too frequently.
The outer city was different. The outer city's Brave Saber Guard patrolled the streets day and night, and large and small matters basically fell under their unified jurisdiction. Their words carried more weight than anyone else's!
"So it's Officer Xu."
Upon seeing the newcomers, Yuan Zhuang wore a false smile and cupped his fists.
The other party, however, cast a cold glance at Yuan Zhuang. "Yuan Zhuang, I remember telling you a few years ago that when you come to handle business in my outer city, you need to give our garrison post a courtesy notice. I heard that you brought people here to beat up a law-abiding citizen for no reason. Is there such a thing?"
"A law-abiding citizen? Are you talking about this fellow?"
Yuan Zhuang pointed at the man on the ground, Lu Ye. "If he's a law-abiding citizen, then I am a tenth-generation philanthropist."
"Spare me the nonsense. Since things can't be made clear here, then come back to the garrison post with this official. Men, take them all away!"
Officer Xu gave a grand wave of his hand.
The Brave Saber Guard behind him immediately rushed forward, intending to drag everyone off to the garrison post together.
Seeing this, Xu Ge stepped in front of Fang Chen, fixing a cold stare on the Brave Saber Guard before him. "My young lord isn't going anywhere."
"Audacious!"
The group of Brave Saber Guards drew their sabers in unison, their gazes icy as they looked at Xu Ge.
In an instant, the small courtyard was filled with a murderous aura.
"Officer Xu, this person is the Wind and Cloud Sword, Xu Ge. You must be careful; this subordinate was caught off guard and fell for his tricks earlier," Lu Ye hastily said.
"The Wind and Cloud Sword, Xu Ge?"
Officer Xu furrowed his brow and looked at Xu Ge. "As a mere jianghu wanderer, you dare stir up trouble in the capital's territory? Could it be you think that with your mere Peak Qi Burst cultivation, you can fight my Brave Saber Guard?"
"Officer Xu, judging by your waist plaque, you're a garrison centurion, right?"
Fang Chen suddenly smiled.
Officer Xu glanced at Fang Chen and suddenly felt that the person before him looked somewhat familiar, as if he had seen him somewhere before.
"A garrison centurion holds the same rank as a Dahua Temple investigator, but you don't seem to hold your peers in any regard. The moment you arrive, you want to arrest your peers along with the rest?
You Brave Saber Guards act far too tyrannically."
Fang Chen chuckled and shook his head.
"Whether the Brave Saber Guard acts tyrannically is not for you to judge."
Officer Xu sneered. "Which family's young master 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 in the future."
"Officer Xu, it seems you've stayed in the outer city for too long, failing to recognize even Military God Fang. With eyesight like yours, this subordinate is rather concerned about whether your official career will go smoothly from now on."
Yuan Zhuang feigned a sigh.
Military God Fang?!
At this, not only did Officer Xu's expression change drastically, but even Lu Ye on the ground and his subordinates trembled violently, and then looked at Fang Chen in disbelief.
Mother Wu, whose arm was still being grabbed by Xu Ge, felt her legs go weak and almost collapsed to the ground on the spot.
"Older brother, I heard Dad say that the Brave Saber Guard was impeached by all the officials back then precisely because they were too overbearing, which is why they lost their law-enforcement rights in the inner city. Now it seems not only are they overbearing, but I'm afraid their hands aren't very clean either."
Fang Zhixue said to Fang Chen.
Older brother?
Lu Ye and the others looked at Fang Zhixue, and after a dazed moment, their bodies couldn't help trembling like leaves in the wind.
They had just flirted with Military God Fang's younger sister?
"M-Military God Fang, this subordinate failed to recognize your lordship just now. I beg your lordship to forgive this offense."
Officer Xu suddenly cupped his fists, bowed, and offered apologies over and over, terror flashing continuously in his eyes as he stared at the floorboards.
No wonder the other party looked so familiar—it was actually Military God Fang, who had led men to wipe out the Qingsong Kingdom martial artists clean not long ago!
You must know that even when their Brave Saber Guard saw that group of Qingsong Kingdom martial artists, they had to give them a wide berth!
During this past period, this matter had even become casual table-talk among the garrison post.
"Centurion Xu, this Lu Ye... is he your man?"
Fang Chen sized up the other party.
Centurion Xu felt a slight jolt in his heart and hurriedly spoke in a low voice: "Military God Fang has misunderstood. This fellow merely does business with us frequently, and this subordinate is not well-acquainted with him."
Not well-acquainted?!
Lu Ye froze for a moment. Just last night they were still drinking and making merry together, and today they weren't well-acquainted?
"Do you know why I came here today?"
Fang Chen asked again.
As he spoke, he kept sizing up Centurion Xu, seeming to want to discern some clue from his face.
Yuan Zhuang was also doubting whether Centurion Xu had a hand in this matter, staring fixedly at Centurion Xu without even blinking.
"This subordinate doesn't know..."
A flash of bewilderment crossed Centurion Xu's eyes.
"Lord Yuan, tell him about it."
Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
Yuan Zhuang slowly recounted the events. By the time he had laid out the story seven or eight parts out of ten, Centurion Xu's complexion had already turned somewhat pale; he sensed that he seemed to have been dragged into some extraordinary affair.
"We had just arrived here when this Lu Ye led men forward to pick a fight, and even harassed my little sister. Then, shortly after, Centurion Xu arrived.
I wonder what connection Centurion Xu has with this missing pair of siblings?"
Fang Chen said indifferently.
Centurion Xu's expression shifted repeatedly, and he hastily spoke in a low voice: "Military God Fang, this subordinate merely received word that people were brawling and causing trouble here, which is why I rushed over in a hurry. As for the rest of the matter, I truly know nothing."
"Oh, since you merely intervened in this by accident, then tell me, how should this Lu Ye be dealt with—for harassing my sister, and threatening Dahua Temple constables not to come to Kuilong Street, on pain of having both legs broken?"
Fang Chen said.
"Military God Fang, this humble person was blind and failed to recognize Mount Tai, offending Military God Fang. I beg Military God Fang to spare this humble person just this once!"
Lu Ye flipped over and knelt on the ground, his voice trembling slightly.
Centurion Xu glanced at him, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes, and lowered his voice to Fang Chen: "This subordinate will drag him back to the garrison post for a thorough interrogation, and will definitely give Military God Fang an explanation."
"Lu Ye, is it?"
Without paying attention to Centurion Xu, Fang Chen walked up to Lu Ye and said with a faint smile.
"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare. Military God Fang can just call this humble one Xiao Lu."
Lu Ye trembled all over with fright.
"Who told you to come and find trouble with us, and who told you to threaten the Dahua Temple constables?"
Fang Chen smiled. "Give me a name."
"..."
Lu Ye fell silent.
After a few breaths, he spoke in a low voice: "This humble person 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 threat..."
With that, he described the other person's appearance, but was unable to name their background.
Upon hearing this, Mother Wu hurriedly chimed in: "My lord, my lord! The one who gave this old woman money was also this person."
The same person, then.
Fang Chen smiled. "Since you haven't given me a name, it seems this matter cannot be settled so easily. Lord Yuan, take them all back to the Dahua Temple for a good interrogation. See if they've committed any other crimes, and deal with them all together."
"Understood!"
Yuan Zhuang's spirits lifted, and he immediately shouted to 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 was leaving, Yuan Zhuang glanced at Centurion Xu, a flash of smugness in his eyes: "Centurion Xu, I'll be taking these people back to the Dahua Temple to ease some pressure off your garrison post."
Centurion Xu forced a smile. "Lord Yuan, take care."
He and his subordinates watched as Fang Chen and the others departed. Only when their figures were completely out of sight did Centurion Xu's expression turn incomparably solemn. Seeing his subordinates whispering and chatting excitedly about Fang Chen, he couldn't help letting out a cold snort:
"You're all big talkers 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 Qingsong Superior Lodge with a single fire."
A Brave Saber Guard said spiritedly: "That really was satisfying!"
"Yes, yes, utterly satisfying!"
"I once had the honor of serving in the military commanded by Military God Fang, but unfortunately I was later transferred to the Brave Saber Guard. Otherwise, five years ago, I might have had the opportunity to campaign through the Three Realms Mountain alongside Military God Fang."
"Then you might have left your bones buried in the Three Realms Mountain."
Someone joked.
Centurion Xu's expression was grave. He never expected to see Fang Chen on Kuilong Street today, and what was even more frightening was that because of Lu Ye, he might have already offended this Military God Fang.
At this thought, Centurion Xu found no peace in his heart. Feeling that something wasn't quite right, he hurriedly led his subordinates back to the garrison post to report today's events upward.
Upon hearing the report from Centurion Xu, the garrison chiliarch nodded and dismissed him.
Before long, this chiliarch changed his attire, quietly entered the inner city, and finally entered a rather luxurious mansion.
The Fang Estate.
Fang Chen didn't wait long before Tiema appeared before him, speaking in a low voice: "Young lord, Outer City Garrison Chiliarch 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.
The reception hall.
Fang Chen saw Outer City Garrison Chiliarch Zhang Shuzhou, and he also saw Ministry of Rites Vice Minister Qin Dong.
"Lord Qin, you didn't say beforehand that this matter would implicate that person of the Fang family. Take this money back, and don't look for this official ever again."
Zhang Shuzhou pulled out two bank notes, placed them on the table, and said coldly.
Each bank note was worth a thousand taels, making two thousand taels for the two.
This was not a small sum of money.
Qin Dong's complexion turned somewhat pale. "How could it implicate Military God Fang? What does he have to do with this matter?!"
"I don't know why a missing maid in your estate originally drew the investigation of the Dahua Temple, nor 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 does not wish to get mixed up in it. Farewell."
With that, Zhang Shuzhou stood up and walked away.
Qin Dong looked somewhat dazed, a trace of panic flashing in his eyes.
"A dignified vice minister, yet just knowing that Fang Chen is involved in this matter has scared you out of your wits. How laughable."
A cold snort rang out as an old woman walked out from behind the folding screen, looking at Qin Dong with a face full of mockery.
"You don't know who Fang Chen is? Now he has also developed suspicions about this matter. You did this, so you should resolve this matter for me!"
Qin Dong looked at the old woman, putting up a bold front.
"A cultivator... It seems there are still quite a few Blood Spirit Cult members in the capital."
Fang Chen gazed at the old woman, his expression growing gradually serious.
The aura on the old woman was roughly comparable to that of the Blood Spirit Cult cultivator who had died in the Fang Estate previously; she should be at the 4th Level Qi Condensation realm.
Theoretically, this realm was equivalent to a Human Profound Realm Elixir Qi martial artist, but in reality, their methods were far superior to those of Elixir Qi martial artists. Perhaps only an Earth Profound Realm martial artist could match wits with them.
In just this short time, Fang Chen had already discovered the presence of two cultivators in the Daxia capital. Were there more? Fang Chen had no way of knowing for the time being.
"What are you afraid of? Fang Chen has only recovered his elixir qi cultivation; he remains a martial artist through and through. He will probably never understand in this lifetime that there can still exist people like me in this world."
The old woman let out a cold laugh, her tone dismissive: "Vice Minister Qin, standing with us destined you for great prosperity and wealth in this lifetime. Don't go flying into a panic over some trivial matter.
Daoist Priest Xue has already gone to pursue Goddess Xiao. Once news of Goddess Xiao's death reaches Qingsong, the Third Prince will surely die.
The Qingsong Kingdom will inevitably march its troops to the gates of Daxia, and by then there will be enough sufficient vital blood sent up above to achieve two things with one stroke!"
When Fang Chen heard these words, his gaze flared brilliantly!
Judging by the old woman's words, there was someone even higher up than 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 to continuously suck vital blood to nourish itself?
Aside from this Vice Minister Qin, which other nobles and officials in the capital were in collusion with the Blood Spirit Cult?
Fang Chen gazed coldly at the old woman. He would ferret these people out one by one, and then eradicate the Blood Spirit Cult cultivators one by one!
"It's not that I'm flying into a panic over nothing. Some time ago, I witnessed with my own eyes inside the imperial palace as Fang Chen struck down a Qingsong Kingdom Qi Control martial artist with a single palm!"
Vice Minister Qin's voice trembled. "That flash of lightning turned a living person into charcoal right before my eyes! What kind of method is this?!"
"No matter what, it's just the petty tricks of a martial artist. How could mere internal qi ever compare to spiritual power?"
The old woman gave a dismissive, cold snort, lifting her hand slightly. Spiritual power surged in her palm, and a fireball suddenly appeared, causing the surrounding temperature to shoot up instantly in an instant.
Startled, Vice Minister Qin hurriedly stepped back.
"Didn't you see it back then? This old woman's Fireball Art can likewise burn a person into charcoal, and even melt iron and refine gold!"
The old woman smiled faintly.
"Daoist magic?"
Fang Chen's eyes lit up slightly.
He could sense the terrifying power contained within this fireball; it was estimated to be no less formidable than the Purple Lightning Talisman he had crafted at this moment. These cultivators truly were not simple.
It was only a pity that the techniques Senior Yunhe had imparted to him were merely the introductory chapters of the Three Thousand Dao Laws, containing only the cultivation methods for the Qi Condensation Realm and four kinds of talismans, with no Daoist magic.
That Daoist Priest Xue who had died in his Fang Estate a few days ago seemed to only be well-versed in talismans and had never displayed such Daoist magic, which was why there were no Daoist magic scriptures on him.
"Vice Minister Qin, do you think this old woman's Fireball Art can kill Fang Chen?"
The old woman looked at Qin Dong, a trace of arrogance appearing in her eyes.
"It can, it can, it can!"
Qin Dong said repeatedly, the fear in his heart gradually fading away.
Seeing this, the old woman withdrew her Daoist magic. "Therefore, you needn't worry about Fang Chen. We are keeping him around simply to make these waters muddier.
Today, this old woman is making a trip to Longji Market. This round trip will take about seven days. During these seven days, try not to meet with Fang Chen."
Hearing this, Qin Dong hesitated. "Mother Jinhua, for the past eight years this subordinate has cooperated with you and been utterly loyal. Exactly when will you impart cultivation methods to this subordinate... If this subordinate had some tricks up my sleeve, why would I need to fear Fang Chen?"
"One hundred thousand drops of vital blood condense one 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 the time for merits to be rewarded and ranks conferred. At that time, someone will grant you cultivation methods, and you will be able to become 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. The battle at Three Realms Mountain gathered six, leaving four more..."
Qin Dong muttered to himself.
He did not know that Fang Chen, sitting right next to him, had an expression that had turned exceptionally ugly.
Fang Chen suddenly discovered that the battle at Three Realms Mountain had a massive problem behind it. The sacrifice of six hundred thousand soldiers was not merely because of his arrogance and excessive pride.
The Blood Spirit Cult likely played some important role in it as well, while he, a fool, had been kept completely in the dark all along.
If not for catching sight of the fairy in the scorching sun, which gave him the ability to have his soul leave his body, and if not for Senior Yunhe imparting cultivation methods to him...
Perhaps right up to today, he would still only be able to see the surface and remain unable to pierce the truth.
The consequences... would be too dreadful to contemplate!
"Right now, it looks like the enemy is in the dark and I am in the light, but in reality, 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 path, nor do they know of the existence of the Purple Lightning Talisman. Even Daoist Priest Xue's death is unknown to them; they still think he is 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 Market.
Perhaps it was an opportunity.
Fang Chen's soul appeared in the sky, slowly following the old woman. Seeing her head toward the East City Gate, he had his soul return to his physical body.
Before long, an inconspicuous carriage drove out of the Fang Estate.
"Keep heading straight east."
Inside the carriage compartment came Fang Chen's calm voice. Tiema, who was driving the carriage, gave a slight nod. Although he didn't know where Fang Chen was going, his only job was to drive.
"Old Huang, this carriage is a bit small. You'll have to bear with it."
Fang Chen smiled at Huang Sihai.
Huang Sihai's tall and sturdy physique sat squarely inside the carriage, almost taking up the entire space and making it feel cramped. Yet he smiled indifferently:
"Young lord, being able to come out and get some fresh air makes me quite satisfied, let alone traveling alongside the young lord?"
"Mm, the Vigor Talisman, Speed Talisman, and Diamond Talisman I gave you—when trouble arises, remember not to be stingy; use your internal qi to activate them all at once."
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's figure was like a robust steed, continuously flying forward in an easterly direction. At her speed, she could travel at least sixteen hundred li in a single day!
If it were an Elixir Qi martial artist, they ought to be able to achieve this as well, but not as effortlessly as her. This was the difference between spiritual qi and internal qi; the two were fundamentally different, with spiritual qi being much higher grade.
"Southwest."
"Take that left path ahead."
"Cross the river."
Every so often, Fang Chen would open his eyes and instruct Tiema on the route to drive.
Unwittingly, three days passed.
"Stop."
Fang Chen instructed.
Tiema had the carriage slowly come to a halt. This was a desolate mountain wilderness with nothing around.
"Young lord, we have already crossed the Daxia border at this point..."
Tiema surveyed his surroundings, his gaze quite vigilant.
"I know."
Fang Chen poked his head out from the carriage, handed a face covering to Tiema, and pointed in a direction: "Put this on, then walk in that direction. Remember to hand this item to the guards when you arrive at the place."
As he spoke, he handed Tiema yet another spirit stone.
The carriage soon drove past a small hill. Passing this, one was suddenly struck by the feeling of finding a new vista after a winding path; not far away, a bustling market was situated within a mountain valley.
"A martial artist?"
There were several guards at the entrance of the valley. One of them caught sight of Tiema, his gaze immediately darting toward the carriage compartment before saying:
"Do you have a Longji Token?"