Unfortunately, with Fang Chen’s temperament, such a thing would certainly not happen.
"My Lord, someone from the palace has arrived."
A servant hurried over to report.
Outside the gates of the General's Mansion, a contingent from the palace stood quietly. At their head was a eunuch dressed in brocade, standing straight with a bright yellow imperial decree held reverently in both hands.
Fang Canghai hurried to the front gates with his retinue. Catching sight of the eunuch, he immediately bowed with cupped hands: "Your humble servant Fang Canghai respectfully welcomes the imperial decree!"
The brocade-clad eunuch's gaze was cold as he swept his eyes across the faces of the Fang family. His brows suddenly furrowed. "Where is the young lord? This imperial decree is meant for him. Does he dare not come out to welcome it?"
Fang Canghai's expression shifted slightly as he squeezed a stiff smile onto his face. "Eunuch You, Chen'er is not in the mansion at the moment. It is quite fine for me to receive the imperial decree on his behalf."
There was a time when this trusted confidant of the Emperor had been so humble and cautious in his presence, but over the past five years—due to the battle of Sanjie Mountain—the Emperor had not only grown cold toward the Fang family, but had even alienated the Empress.
Nowadays, even a mere eunuch dared to wear a cold face and offer such humiliation. It was not the first time or the second, but the Fang family could only bear it in silence.
"What a joke. You wish to accept the Emperor's decree meant for the young lord on his behalf? Where is the propriety in that? I want to see the young lord immediately, and I must ask General Fang not to play any tricks."
Eunuch You rasped in his unnatural voice and sneered.
The expressions of the Fang family members gradually turned unsightly. The crowd of passersby gathering around grew larger and larger, pointing and whispering amongst themselves.
"Goddess Xiao of Qingsong Kingdom has already arrived at the palace. General Fang, you would do well to put aside any wishful thinking and summon the young lord out here," Eunuch You sneered.
"Eldest Brother, I will send someone to look for Chen'er."
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair spoke slowly.
Before Fang Canghai could respond, someone already caught sight of Fang Chen walking over from a distance with Xu Ge.
"Military God Fang has arrived."
"I never thought he'd still have the leisure to stroll around outside today..."
Eunuch You raised his eyes and happened to lock gazes with Fang Chen's grayish-white pupils. For some reason, a faint shudder ran through his heart, but a moment later, he sneered dismissively.
The young lord before him was no longer the Military God Fang who could slap members of the imperial family right at the gates of the palace. What did he have to fear?
"Father, Mother, Second Uncle."
Fang Chen approached the group and greeted all three with flawless precision, which made the surrounding onlookers secretly wonder: Were Fang Chen's eyes truly blind or not?
"You're back..."
Fang Canghai sighed softly.
"Heh, Young Lord Fang, this servant thought you wouldn't dare to accept this imperial decree."
Eunuch You looked at Fang Chen with a half-smile, his tone dripping with sarcasm.
*Slap!*
Fang Chen's hand connected with Eunuch You's face, producing a crisp sound. Eunuch You's official cap was knocked flying straight off his head by the blow.
The surrounding area plunged into absolute silence, save for the sound of a pin dropping. Shocked gazes fell upon Fang Chen; even Fang Canghai and the others had never expected Fang Chen to suddenly strike Eunuch You.
The junior eunuchs and palace guards brought by Eunuch You instinctively made to move, but when they caught Fang Chen's grayish-white pupils sweeping over them one by one, their movements froze.
At that moment, they suddenly remembered the once-invincible Military God Fang. Countless people in the Capital of Daxia had been slapped by him: sons of generals, sons of ministers, imperial relatives, and even princes of the imperial palace!
"You dare strike me?!"
Eunuch You clutched his face, his complexion flushed bright red with shame, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage. This trash before him actually dared to hit him?!
And to hit him in front of so many people?!
"I've received the imperial decree. You can get lost now."
Fang Chen took the decree from his hands, waved his hand dismissively, as if swatting away a fly.
"This is rebellion! Absolute rebellion!"
Seething with rage, Eunuch You shrieked in his shrill voice, barking orders at his subordinates: "Take him! Someone take him down for me!"
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 daring to make a move.
Xu Ge looked at Eunuch You with a half-smile. Over the past five years, though people had cursed the young lord behind his back, which of them had ever dared to strike him to his face?
Even when martial artists from Qingsong Kingdom hurled insults and ordered them to attack, they hadn't possessed the guts!
Even a tiger afflicted with illness remains a king!
*Slap!*
Fang Chen raised his hand and delivered another blow.
This slap sent Eunuch You staggering backward, barely caught in time by a junior eunuch behind him.
"You, you..."
Eunuch You pointed a trembling finger at Fang Chen, shaking so violently he looked as though he might breathe his last breath at any second.
"Those commoners curse me and insult me—so what? They farm the land and gather mulberry leaves. Those martial artists curse me and insult me—so what? They shed blood on the battlefield. It is because of them that Daxia enjoys its prosperity. And you? A mere eunuch, what have you ever contributed to Daxia besides scheming and plotting in the palace?"
"What qualifications do you have to point fingers at me? I call you 'Eunuch' only out of respect for the Emperor. Otherwise, you wouldn't even deserve a title in my presence."
Fang Chen said calmly.
The expressions of the surrounding onlookers changed instantly.
Eunuch You was so enraged on the spot that the corners of his mouth began to bleed. Seeing this, the junior eunuch beside him knew they could not stay long; casting aside all else, he dragged and pulled Eunuch You away from the scene as fast as possible.
"Military God Fang! Though you were defeated five years ago and your cultivation completely 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 decree, he turned and entered the General's Mansion.
As the crowd watched his retreating figure, their eyes seemed to hold a flicker of expectation. Though the hope was slim, today they felt as if they had caught sight of a faint ray of light once more.
***
### Chapter 7: Goddess Xiao's Test
"Chen'er, what are your plans this time?"
In the front hall of the General's Mansion, Fang Canghai sighed softly after reading the imperial decree and let his gaze fall upon Fang Chen.
"Father, we shall take it one step at a time."
Fang Chen smiled faintly.
Take it one step at a time?
The expressions of those present turned somewhat desolate. Indeed, with Fang Chen lacking his cultivation now, even if he possessed countless strategies in his heart, they would be difficult to put into practice.
At that moment, the middle-aged man in the wheelchair suddenly looked at Xu Ge, his brows furrowing slightly. "Are you Wind-Cloud Sword Xu Ge?"
"Second Master, just call me Xu Ge. I wouldn't dare lay claim to the title 'Wind-Cloud Sword'."
Xu Ge grinned.
Fang Canghai and the others were somewhat astonished. Fang Zhixue, in particular, took a step forward to stand right in front of Xu Ge, scrutinizing him closely before exclaiming in surprise:
"It really is the Wind-Cloud Sword Xu Ge? How do you know my eldest brother?"
The Wind-Cloud Sword Xu Ge came from mysterious origins. Ever since arriving in the Capital five years ago, he had displayed extraordinary swordsmanship, his cultivation soaring all the way from Early Qi Burst to Peak Qi Burst over the past five years.
A martial artist of this realm was already a rare sight in present-day Daxia.
After all, during that battle at Sanjie Mountain, countless martial artists had perished. Qi Control experts and Qi Bursting experts had fallen one after another, shaking the very foundations of Daxia.
Today in the Capital of Daxia, there were fewer than a hundred Qi Bursting martial artists, and among them, those at the Peak Qi Burst level numbered barely a dozen or so.
Qingsong Kingdom possessed at least twenty or thirty times as many Peak Qi Burst martial artists as Daxia—the gap was plain to see!
"This subordinate has long admired the Military God. Today, I have shamelessly come to recommend myself, willing to follow by the Military God's side as a humble guard."
Xu Ge cupped his fists.
Fang Canghai's gaze flickered. Seeming to understand something, he nodded slightly, the look in his eyes softening a fraction as he looked at Xu Ge. "Once Chen'er goes to Qingsong Kingdom, we shall have to trouble you."
Hearing this, the expressions of everyone present lifted slightly.
If a Peak Qi Burst martial artist were to guard Fang Chen by his side, he might perhaps be spared much humiliation upon going to Qingsong Kingdom.
Fang Zhixue quickly added, "Big Brother Xu, you'll be working hard from now on."
"It's no trouble at all."
Xu Ge hurriedly replied.
"Chen'er, would you like your second uncle to accompany you to the imperial palace?"
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair spoke slowly.
"The daughter of Wolf Marshal Xiao is bound to humiliate our Fang family on this trip. If Second Uncle were to go, wouldn't that play right into her hands?"
Fang Chen gave a faint smile. "It is enough for me to go alone."
With that, Fang Chen exchanged a glance with Xu Ge, picked up the imperial decree, and walked out the door.
Xu Ge thought of the instructions Fang Chen had given him.
If Fang Chen failed to walk out of the imperial palace today, he was to escort the Fang family members out of the Capital of Daxia. However, Fang Chen had said the probability of this happening was very low—it was merely a precaution.
***
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the imperial palace, a hundred Wolf Soldiers stood in stern array, their gazes occasionally locking with the surrounding guards in a display of faint, cold mockery.
No matter how furious those guards felt inside, they dared not utter a word at this moment.
There was a time when these Wolf Soldiers wouldn't even have been allowed to set foot in the Capital. Entering the imperial palace as openly as they did today signified that Daxia had grown utterly feeble before Qingsong Kingdom.
"Hurry up and take me to see His Majesty!"
Eunuch You's voice rang out as he was hastily carried toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony, his face covered in blood and supported by several eunuchs.
Upon seeing this, the surrounding guards couldn't help but freeze. Wasn't Eunuch You sent to read the imperial decree at the Fang family? How did he end up beaten to such a state?
"Adoptive Father, what happened to you?"
You Longchang, a deputy commander of the West Tiger Camp, suddenly appeared, staring at Eunuch You in astonishment.
"That little bastard Fang Chen went too far!"
Eunuch You shrieked, refusing to waste any more words with You Longchang as he hurried straight into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Fang Chen?!
You Longchang was slightly startled. Fang Chen had maintained a low profile over the past five years—yet this time he had beaten the eunuch sent to deliver the imperial decree? This reminded him of a special era many years ago when even the Emperor's prestige could not compare to Fang Chen's.
"He's nothing more than a cripple now, yet he still dares to act so arrogantly. I suppose he simply can't let go of past glories..."
You Longchang sneered inwardly.
Upon hearing Fang Chen's name, the hundred Wolf Soldiers subconsciously lifted their heads, exchanging glances. The contempt in their eyes had long since vanished.
No matter what, Daxia's Military God held a certain weight 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, and those present could all be considered newcomers.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Virtually all the civil and military officials were present. The Emperor of Daxia, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat atop the dragon throne, conversing with Goddess Xiao below the steps.
The topic of conversation was none other than the arrangements for Fang Chen's matrilocal marriage into the Xiao family, alongside Qingsong Kingdom's promise not to attack Daxia for the next five years.
Eunuch You happened to enter the hall at that moment, immediately dropping to his knees and letting out a miserable wail:
"Your Majesty! This old servant failed to deliver the decree properly and was beaten by the young lord! 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 with strange expressions. It seemed Fang Chen hadn't laid a hand on anyone for five years?
Some officials subconsciously reached out to touch their own cheeks.
Goddess Xiao furrowed her brows slightly and glanced at the Emperor.
The Emperor was also somewhat stunned at the moment, his expression darkening as he looked down at Eunuch You. "You were beaten by Fang Chen? And the imperial decree? Did he accept it?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, he accepted it, but..."
Eunuch You tried to offer a defense.
Unexpectedly, the Emperor waved a 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 ever hit—no need to make a fuss over it."
Eunuch You wore a look of utter astonishment.
Several officials wore cold sneers. Daxia now needed Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family to pacify the flames of war and extend Daxia's national fortune for another five years. 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 our Xiao family? Will he ignore your imperial decree? Shall 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, tension flashing in their eyes.
If the Wolf Soldiers were really sent to drag Fang Chen here, and the news spread across the Capital, it would be a flat-out, resounding slap to the face of Daxia!
"Lady Xiao, rest assured. Fang Chen can be considered my nephew. Since he has accepted the imperial decree, he will not fail to come."
As the Emperor spoke, he glanced at the expressionless Empress beside him, a smile then appearing on his face as he said to Goddess Xiao:
"Just wait a moment longer."
At that moment, You Longchang's voice suddenly rang out from outside the doors:
"The Young Lord of General Fang's Mansion—has arrived!"
The Emperor smiled. "See? Didn't he come?"
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 pass a test!"
From the Emperor down to the civil and military officials, everyone's expression shifted at her words.
"If he fails the test, forget all about the marriage. Qingsong Kingdom will flatten Daxia before long and turn this land into a vassal state!"
Goddess Xiao smiled faintly.
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Hearing Goddess Xiao's words, the Wolf Soldiers immediately formed ranks and watched Fang Chen as he walked step by step toward them, their gazes stern.
***
### Chapter 8: Cheap as Grass
Fang Chen kept his eyes closed as he walked slowly toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
He seemed entirely unaware that a hundred Wolf Soldiers were staring fixedly at him.
"He really is blind."
A Wolf Soldier muttered 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 adoration for their First Wolf Marshal.
So what if he was the young military god?
Wasn't he still defeated by their First Wolf Marshal? Their First Wolf Marshal was the true undefeated master of war!
Meanwhile, the Emperor, Goddess Xiao, and the civil and military officials had all gathered outside the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Empress, who had remained expressionless until now, saw that slightly thin figure, a flash of heartache crossing her eyes as she opened her mouth to speak, but stopped herself.
"He looks no different from the portraits, except he lacks that sharp edge he once had."
Goddess Xiao stared at Fang Chen, a light smile then curving her lips. "Nothing special about him after all. Though he is somewhat better-looking than some of my past men."
A flash of anger crossed the Empress's eyes.
The entire court of civil and military officials glared angrily at Goddess Xiao. Regardless of whether they had been at odds with Fang Chen in the past, comparing Daxia's former young military god to her sex toys 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 Emperor of Daxia looked toward Fang Chen and spoke slowly: "Fang Chen."
"Fang Chen pays respects to Your Majesty."
Fang Chen stopped in his tracks, cupping his fists in a bow toward the Emperor.
"Audacious Fang Chen! Why do you not kneel upon seeing His Majesty?!"
You Longchang suddenly stepped forward and shouted.
Everyone guessed that he was venting lingering frustration on behalf of his adoptive father, Eunuch You.
With his eyes still closed, Fang Chen slowly turned his neck, 'facing' You Longchang's direction: "You Longchang, deputy commander of the West Tiger Camp?"
You Longchang was slightly startled.
Was he truly blind?
He looked completely identical to a normal person! And having had no interaction with him for the past five years, how did the man recognize him instantly?
"It is this general."
You Longchang said in a deep voice.
"His Majesty once granted me the privilege of walking before the throne without kneeling. Have you forgotten?"
Fang Chen smiled faintly.
You Longchang froze for a moment, and blurted out: "That was before you were defeated! After your defeat..."
He couldn't finish the sentence.
It seemed... the Emperor had never rescinded the privilege granted to Fang Chen. Even after his defeat, it was merely their own wishful thinking that Fang Chen was no longer the young military god of old, stripped of all glory and authority.
"It seems you remember."
Fang Chen smiled, then looked toward the Emperor: "Your Majesty, I received the imperial decree and hurried straight to the palace. I wonder if the daughter of Wolf Marshal Xiao is present?"
The Emperor glanced at Goddess Xiao, then said to Fang Chen, "Lady Xiao is right here by my side. Lady Xiao says you must pass some of her tests before you can... marry into the Xiao family."
The expressions of the civil and military officials turned somewhat unsightly.
For Daxia, forcing Fang Chen into a matrilocal marriage with the Xiao family was already a humiliation. For Goddess Xiao to pull a stunt like this amounted to a double humiliation, forcing Daxia to grovel and push Fang Chen forward.
"A test? I wonder what kind of test it is."
Fang Chen smiled faintly.
"Lady Xiao?"
The Emperor looked at Goddess Xiao.
"It's very simple, Military God. As long as you can guess the movements of my Wolf Soldiers next, you pass the test."
Goddess Xiao spoke slowly, signaling the commander of the Wolf Soldiers with a look.
Upon seeing this, the Wolf Soldier commander immediately drove his troop of silver wolves forward like a whirlwind, charging toward the surrounding guards, palace maids, and eunuchs.
*Bang bang bang!*
Over a dozen guards, palace maids, and eunuchs were seized and thrown before Fang Chen.
They wore expressions of shock and bewilderment, having no idea why a test should involve them.
Seeing the Wolf Soldiers resorting to violence within the imperial palace, the Emperor's face twitched a few times.
"Audacious! How dare you resort to violence in the imperial palace! How dare you do this before His Majesty's very eyes!"
An elderly official with white hair and beard stepped out abruptly, glaring fixedly at Goddess Xiao.
This old 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 smiled faintly.
"Heh..."
The Emperor forced a smile. "I wonder what kind of test requires them? Lady Xiao only needed to say the word; there was no need for your subordinates to resort to force and cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
With that, he waved his hand at Li Guozhu, signaling him to step back. Li Guozhu 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. Will my subordinates shoot and kill a guard, a palace maid, or a eunuch next? As long as you guess correctly, you pass the test."
An uproar broke out among the crowd.
Someone finally couldn't help shouting in anger: "You treat the lives of Daxia's people like a child's game?!"
At that moment, the Wolf Soldier commander had already drawn a powerful bow, slowly taking aim at Fang Chen—before shifting his aim toward the guards, palace maids, and eunuchs a moment later.
"As long as our Qingsong Kingdom is willing, the lives of your Daxia people are as cheap as grass. Do not let one or two lives ruin today's proceedings. Emperor, do you think I am right?"
Goddess Xiao said indifferently.
"Your Majesty, if people from Qingsong Kingdom are allowed to take lives inside the imperial palace, once word gets out, how will the people of the world view us?"
The Empress finally spoke up.