The Daxia Emperor remained silent for a few moments. Ignoring the Empress, he looked instead at Fang Chen.
"Fang Chen, do as Goddess Xiao says."
Expressions shifted across the faces of those assembled. The guards, palace maids, and eunuchs turned pale with terror, never imagining that even within the inner palace they would fall victim to slaughter at the hands of the Qingsong Kingdom people!
Clap, clap, clap—
Fang Chen lightly applauded. "Now I finally understand why Commander Xiao let me leave alive back then."
Goddess Xiao narrowed her eyes slightly.
She recalled her father's instructions before she set out:
For the past five years, Fang Chen had endured endless contempt and abuse in Daxia. If he could be won over this time, even without his martial arts, he could still contribute to Qingsong Kingdom's advancement to an eighth-rank empire. That was the only reason her father had spared his life in the first place.
Success or failure would depend on the test: would he make the right choice? If he remained stubbornly devoted to serving Daxia, he was to be executed on the spot.
Conversely, if he chose otherwise, she was to bring him back to Qingsong Kingdom, and on the journey, she must no longer treat him with arrogance or humiliation, for he would have already seen through her father's intentions.
"Military God Fang, the time has come for you to make your choice. Shall it be a guard who dies, or a palace maid? Or perhaps one of these little eunuchs?"
Goddess Xiao said with a faint smile.
The expressions of all the civil and military officials were grave and solemn. Li Guozhu glanced at Fang Chen, then at the Daxia Emperor, and finally let out a soft sigh, remaining silent.
Even if they saw through Qingsong Kingdom's intentions, so what? The Daxia of today no longer possessed the power to prevent any of this.
Right now, Qingsong Kingdom was forcing Fang Chen to slaughter Daxia's own people, solely to make him intolerable to Daxia and strip him completely of his position as Military God!
"If I say, not a single one of them will die?"
Fang Chen said softly.
The Daxia Emperor's expression flickered slightly, while Li Guozhu and the others wore looks of astonishment. By all rights, Fang Chen should have understood what was at stake. Given the current situation, his only choice was to comply with Qingsong Kingdom's wishes and prolong Daxia's national fortune for another five years!
Chapter 9: Disappointing Your Father
"You have disappointed your father."
Goddess Xiao's gaze turned abruptly cold as she glanced at the Wolf Army commander. Seeing this, the commander, who possessed the cultivation of Qi Control, immediately raised his heavy bow and took aim at Fang Chen.
Yet in the next instant, Fang Chen flicked his wrist, and a Purple Lightning Talisman was activated by his spiritual energy. A terrifying flash of lightning swept past everyone's eyes, and with a thunderous boom, the Wolf Army commander was instantly reduced to a pile of charred ash.
Not only him, but several Wolf Army soldiers standing nearby were also caught in the blast, blown to ashes by the Purple Lightning Talisman!
A Qi Control expert was dead, along with several Qi Burst masters, and even their mount, a silver wolf, had not escaped destruction!
This scene left everyone present utterly dumbstruck.
What kind of terrifying method was this?!
Wasn't it said that Fang Chen's cultivation had been crippled, reducing him to a useless cripple? Why did he still possess such terrifying means, rendering a Qi Control expert as fragile as paper?!
"Impossible..."
You Longchang muttered to himself, fear filling the eyes he fixed upon Fang Chen.
"M-Military God Fang's cultivation hasn't been crippled?!"
An official cried out in shock.
Immediately afterward, a flicker of radiance suddenly appeared in the dim eyes of countless officials. They stared at each other in mounting excitement, their shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
Li Guozhu's stalwart frame shook. He stared at Fang Chen for several moments before a tear suddenly slipped from his eye, and he muttered, "Daxia's national fortune is saved..."
The Daxia Emperor stared fixedly at Fang Chen, his expression shifting uncertainly.
The Empress covered her mouth, her eye sockets turning red with emotion.
"Your cultivation..."
Goddess Xiao's face turned pale.
"I have disappointed your father; my cultivation was never crippled."
Fang Chen slowly opened his eyes, his grayish-white pupils fixing upon Goddess Xiao. "Though these eyes of mine can no longer see, leading troops into battle remains as effortless as ever."
"You actually endured in silence for five years... Why..."
Goddess Xiao found it hard to believe.
Pausing for a moment, she commanded harshly, "Kill him!"
A contingent of the Wolf Army immediately raised their bows and took aim, while another faction drove their silver wolves charging toward Fang Chen. Their killing intent could no longer be concealed, and in a flash, an intense murderous aura filled the surroundings.
More flashes of lightning illuminated the air.
The Wolf Army soldiers charging toward Fang Chen were reduced to ashes, while the archers holding their drawn bows gradually felt terror creep into their eyes, their arms trembling slightly.
"Goddess Xiao, your father did not kill me back then, and today I will not kill you either. Take your men and leave."
Fang Chen said indifferently.
Five Purple Lightning Talismans had already been used. The remaining five probably wouldn't be enough to wipe out all these Wolf Army soldiers. If the enemy insisted on a desperate fight, his trump cards would be exhausted.
However, the probability of that was not high.
Goddess Xiao's expression shifted repeatedly before she finally gritted her teeth and ordered her subordinates, "We're leaving!"
She led the Wolf Army in a rapid retreat toward the palace gates.
Seeing this, the Daxia Emperor remained silent for a few moments before turning to You Longchang. "General You, go and see Goddess Xiao off."
You Longchang nodded hastily and hurried after them with his men.
"Many thanks, Military God Fang, for saving our lives!"
Those few guards, palace maids, and eunuchs threw themselves to the ground, kowtowing in boundless gratitude, their emotions running high.
"Fang Chen, come to the Imperial Study!"
Tossing down those words, the Daxia Emperor turned and walked away.
The civil and military officials looked at one another in dismay. They had never expected today's events to end in such a manner, yet the news that Fang Chen's cultivation remained intact was truly exhilarating!
Upon seeing this, the Empress hurried over to Fang Chen with small steps. "Chen'er, has your cultivation really recovered?"
"Auntie, that's a long story. How have you been in the palace these past few years? I haven't seen you come back for a visit."
Fang Chen smiled.
The Empress's gaze dimmed as she nodded gently. "Everything is fine. I've been too busy with daily affairs to get away, which is why I haven't been back."
At this, the gloom lifted from her heart, and a smile bloomed on her face. "Now that I know your cultivation has recovered, my heart is greatly comforted. Once you finish at the Imperial Study, I will speak with His Majesty and return with you to the Fang family estate."
"Very well."
Fang Chen gave a slight nod.
...
...
"Lord Fang, please enter."
Eunuch You, who had been thoroughly arrogant in front of Fang Chen earlier, now wore a servile expression, bowing low with utmost respect as he opened the doors to the Imperial Study and waited bent-waist for Fang Chen to step inside.
Fang Chen glanced at him and walked into the study. Only then did Eunuch You gently close the door, let out a long breath, and wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.
Inside the study, the Daxia Emperor sat quietly, his gaze fixed unblinkingly on Fang Chen.
Fang Chen made no sound either, and the two of them remained quietly in the study like that.
After a dozen breaths had passed, the Daxia Emperor suddenly spoke. "Fang Chen, when did your cultivation recover? The technique you just used didn't look like your Fang family's ancestral 'Mystic Heaven Art'."
"Your humble subject encountered a Daoist priest last year who taught me a few techniques for nourishing the body. I originally thought it was merely ordinary longevity arts, but to my surprise, it restored my cultivation and even allowed me to comprehend a unique martial skill, the Purple Lightning Palm."
Fang Chen cupped his fists, his words a mixture of truth and falsehood.
"A Daoist priest?! Where is that priest now?!"
The Daxia Emperor stood up abruptly, a hint of excitement in his expression.
"Your humble subject only met him once; he must have gone wandering."
Fang Chen replied.
"What a pity, what a pity. If you happen to see that priest again, be sure to introduce him to Us. We have always had a deep interest in the Daoist arts."
The Daxia Emperor said.
Pausing briefly, he continued, "This time, Qingsong Kingdom forced Us to have you marry into the Xiao family. For the sake of Daxia's national fortune, We had no choice but to agree. But now, all is well—your cultivation has recovered, and Commander Xiao will naturally feel some apprehension. For a short time, they will not dare to stir up conflict with Daxia again."
He looked at Fang Chen, his eyes flickering. "You... you don't blame Us, do you?"
"How could your humble subject fail to understand His Majesty's painstaking efforts? It was all for the hundreds of millions of subjects in Daxia. Had your humble subject not recovered his cultivation, I would have accompanied Goddess Xiao to Qingsong Kingdom today."
Fang Chen cupped his fists and said.
"It is good that you understand, it is good that you understand. However, since your cultivation has just recovered, you will certainly need a period of recuperation. From now on, do not wander about aimlessly; stay properly at the Fang family estate and nurse your health."
The Daxia Emperor said.
"I will strictly obey the Sacred Will."
Fang Chen readily nodded.
The Daxia Emperor, who had been closely observing his expression, suddenly smiled. "Very well, you may leave first."
Fang Chen departed the study, and Eunuch You eagerly stepped forward to escort him out.
Halfway there, however, they saw a procession heading toward them. The person at the front had a face as flawless as jade and was dressed in purple robes, radiating an air of imperial nobility and dragon-like majesty.
"His Royal Highness the Crown Prince?!"
Eunuch You was somewhat startled and hastily halted to bow in greeting.
The purple-robed youth was none other than the current Crown Prince, though he was not the son of the Empress, but born of Noble Consort Hua.
"I heard that the Military God's cultivation has been fully restored, and I am overjoyed, so I specially came to see him."
Ignoring Eunuch You, the Crown Prince walked briskly up to Fang Chen and cupped his fists in a bow, yet his eyes kept darting across Fang Chen's face, a flash of malice occasionally surfacing in them.
He made no effort to conceal it, knowing that Fang Chen was blind and could not see his expression.
"Your Highness, it has indeed been a long time since we last met. However, I am tired today and wish to return to my estate to rest. We shall chat another time."
Fang Chen smiled and brushed past the Crown Prince.
The Crown Prince froze slightly, turning to look at Fang Chen's retreating back with a gloomy expression. After a moment, a ruthless glint flashed in his eyes, and he muttered in a low voice,
"Go and investigate. Exactly who has Fang Chen been in contact with over the past five years? I want to know how his cultivation was restored!"
"Yes."
Chapter 10: I'll Cut You Down First
When Fang Chen stepped out of the imperial palace, the Empress's ceremonial procession had been waiting for quite some time. After calling Fang Chen up into the carriage, they headed together toward the Fang estate.
"Chen'er, has His Majesty restored you to your position as Grand Marshal?"
The Empress asked softly.
Fang Chen smiled. "His Majesty told me to recuperate at the Fang family estate, saying that since my cultivation has just recovered, I need to rest and nourish my health."
"Is that so..."
The Empress looked somewhat disappointed.
"Auntie, has Noble Consort Hua been giving you trouble all this time?"
Fang Chen asked.
"Although the Crown Prince now honors me as his mother, he was born to Noble Consort Hua after all. Relying on this connection, she stirs up trouble everywhere in the inner palace. While she doesn't dare to provoke me openly, she tests me time and again; I fear she has her eyes on my position."
The Empress smiled.
Pausing, she added, "Listen to me, what am I rambling on about this for? You have always disliked the scheming within the palace. Since His Majesty told you to rest more at home, you should take good care of your health."
Fang Chen smiled without a word.
He knew the Emperor's temperament inside and out.
Once upon a time, his reputation had reached its peak, and he was revered as the Military God of Daxia. His standing in the hearts of the common people even surpassed that of the Emperor, a fact that had long displeased the Emperor.
Yet Fang Chen had no choice. To defeat Qingsong Kingdom and those hostile nations eyeing Daxia with greed, he had to maintain that reputation so that the military would obey his every command.
Now that his reputation had finally plummeted to freezing point, would the Emperor allow him to make a comeback? The position of Grand Marshal would likely never be given back to him.
Probably very few people knew that the endless defamation and rumors spread about him over the past five years had all been arranged by the Emperor himself.
There was once, during one of his Soul Ascent excursions, when he had seen with his own eyes the Emperor instructing the Crown Prince to spread rumors in the markets of the Capital, claiming that the defeat at the Three Realms Mountain battle was caused by Fang Chen's vanity and his refusal to obey orders from the imperial palace.
"Even without thousands of troops under my command, with the abilities of a cultivator, protecting Daxia from the incursions of the likes of Qingsong Kingdom is still a simple matter.
As for the affairs of the imperial court, they will have nothing to do with me from now on. Once I break through to Foundation Establishment, I will head to Zhongzhou to register at the Three Thousand Dao Gates."
Fang Chen pondered silently to himself.
The might of the Purple Lightning Talismans had been revealed. Though he was currently merely at the 1st Level Qi Condensation, the talismans he crafted could easily strike down Qi Control experts. Such means were simply beyond the comparison of ordinary martial artists.
He eagerly anticipated the abilities he would command once his cultivation advanced further, and he longed for the carefree days of wandering through the cosmos with his Nascent Soul unfurled, much like Senior Yunhe.
"This lowly one was wrong, this lowly one was wrong! I beg the lord to show mercy, it was just that I didn't watch the child properly! Please whip this lowly one instead, don't hit my child!"
A commotion suddenly broke out ahead, accompanied by bitter pleading.
The Empress frowned slightly. "What is happening outside?"
A palace maid lifted the curtain and said in a low voice, "It's a martial artist from Qingsong Kingdom beating a street vendor in broad daylight."
A trace of terror flickered in her eyes.
"A martial artist from Qingsong Kingdom?"
The Empress's expression grew somewhat grave.
"Auntie, I'll go down and take a look."
Fang Chen stood up and got out of the carriage.
The Empress was slightly startled, but remembering that Fang Chen's cultivation had already recovered, her heart relaxed, and she lifted the curtain to look outside.
She saw a vendor hugging the leg of a Qingsong Kingdom martial artist, pleading desperately. Next to the vendor sat a three-year-old child with a flushed cheek, crying loudly as if having been fiercely slapped across the face.
Passersby formed a wide circle, glaring with hatred at the scene, yet none dared to step forward to stop it.
"Your kid got my boots dirty. How about this—I'll just take one of your legs, seems fair enough, right?"
"Spare my life, my lord, spare my life! If this lowly one loses a leg, there will be no one to support the family, and my wife and children will all starve to death!"
"That's none of my concern. What does it matter if a few more of you Daxia scum die?"
Hearing the contemptuous words of the Qingsong Kingdom martial artist, the crowd's anger surged straight to their heads.
The guards of the ceremonial procession clenched their fists tightly, their eyes filled with killing intent.
"Military God Fang."
Seeing Fang Chen appear, the commander of the guard escort hurried over to cup his fists in salute.
Fang Chen gave a faint nod and walked up to the Qingsong Kingdom martial artist. "I remember you. Your name is He Longsheng, right?"
"Military God Fang is here!"
The crowd's spirits lifted.
Although they might have muttered a word or two against Fang Chen over the years, his appearance here today was definitely no small matter!
"Yo, isn't this our great son-in-law of the Xiao family? Have your marriage and the young lady's been finalized? When are you getting married over there?"
Catching sight of Fang Chen, He Longsheng immediately split his mouth into a grin.
Fang Chen ignored him and instead looked down at the kneeling vendor. "Aren't you leaving yet?"
"Thank you, thank you!"
The vendor repeatedly expressed his gratitude, then quickly scooped up the child and fled the scene in a stumbling run.
He Longsheng grew angry, wanting to step forward to block them, but noticing that Fang Chen was staring fixedly at him—a chill creeping up his spine—he ultimately held back.
He looked coldly at Fang Chen. "Great son-in-law, aren't you sticking your nose into things a bit too much? You must remember, from now on you are a man of our Qingsong Kingdom, don't go biting the hand that feeds you!"
"Hahaha, you lot probably don't know yet, Fang Chen is about to become the Xiao family's son-in-law, and soon he'll have to call Commander Xiao 'Daddy'!"
"And you thought he could stand up for you? Five years ago, your Military God Fang was already dead!"
Several Qingsong Kingdom martial artists in the crowd chimed in with mocking jeers.
Among the surrounding commoners, some looked bewildered, some furious, and others utterly despairing.
Right at that moment, You Longchang returned with his troop. Spotting Fang Chen, he stepped forward with a hesitant, suspicious look. "Military God Fang, what is going on here?"
"Has Goddess Xiao been seen off out of the Capital?"
Fang Chen asked with a faint smile.
"She's been sent off."
You Longchang nodded.
Goddess Xiao had left? Then why hadn't Fang Chen gone with her? But wasn't Goddess Xiao supposed to have just arrived in the Daxia Capital today? Why would she leave on the very same day?
He Longsheng and the others looked somewhat puzzled.
"You keep calling me son-in-law left and right, almost making me feel embarrassed. But unfortunately, I have no fate to marry into the Xiao family, so I am still just myself."
Fang Chen looked at He Longsheng and smiled faintly.
"How could that be..."
He Longsheng froze slightly.
"You Longchang, lend me your sword."
Fang Chen held out his hand.
You Longchang was stunned. Subconsciously, he glanced at He Longsheng, the Qingsong Kingdom martial artist, and a sudden look of shock flashed in his eyes.
"Military God Fang..."
"Stop talking nonsense."
"Yes!"
You Longchang immediately unbuckled the sword at his waist and handed it to Fang Chen.
"I once said that when I draw my sword again, the very first person I cut down will be you, He Longsheng."
Fang Chen gripped the hilt, slowly drawing the fine-quality longsword.
The Military God was going to execute a Qingsong Kingdom martial artist?!
At this moment, all the surrounding Daxia commoners wore looks of utter shock, staring in disbelief at Fang Chen, while the Empress in her carriage also widened her eyes slightly.
He Longsheng froze for a moment, then let out a sudden snort of laughter. "You're going to cut me down? My backing is the Qingsong Kingdom!"
"Hahaha!"
After a momentary pause, the surrounding Qingsong Kingdom martial artists burst into laughter as well, as if this were the greatest joke they had heard in five years.
Seeing this, He Longsheng couldn't help but stretch out his neck. "Come on, Military God Fang, hack right here. If I make even a peep, I'll..."
Slash!
A flash of sword light.
He Longsheng's head parted from his body, tumbling heavily to the ground and rolling several feet away as blood gushed like a fountain from his severed neck.
Chapter 11: After Today, the Heavens Will Change
The surroundings plunged into dead silence.
The Qingsong Kingdom martial artists, who had just been laughing heartily, saw their smiles gradually freeze. A look of disbelief crept into their eyes, as if they had never imagined that Fang Chen would dare to truly kill someone from Qingsong Kingdom.
You Longchang and his subordinates were completely dumbfounded.
The members of the Empress's ceremonial guard were rooted to the spot.
The surrounding Daxia commoners covered their mouths, their eyes wide open.
Over the years, Qingsong Kingdom martial artists had run amok in the Capital, acting with utter lawlessness. The people had witnessed such scenes countless times. While they had often imagined tearing those bullies to pieces in their hearts, they knew it was an impossible feat.
Killing people from Qingsong Kingdom would invite ferocious retaliation, something the current Daxia simply could not endure!
Yet right before their eyes, a Qingsong Kingdom martial artist had just died at the hands of Fang Chen.
Shock, bewilderment—and following right behind them came a surge of wild elation and deep satisfaction!
"Fang Chen, how dare you!"
A Qingsong Kingdom martial artist cried out in furious alarm.
Fang Chen strode toward him with sword in hand, the surrounding commoners instinctively clearing a path.
Slash!
Another head hit the ground. This Qingsong Kingdom martial artist, whose cultivation was only at Qi Condensation, was utterly defenseless in Fang Chen's hands.
"You have some nerve! Such unbridled audacity! Aren't you afraid my Qingsong Kingdom will utterly annihilate your Daxia nation and sever your ancestral bloodline?!"
The Qingsong Kingdom martial artists raged and shrieked in terror and fury.
"Starting today, I do not wish to see a single Qingsong Kingdom martial artist in the Daxia Capital."
Fang Chen said indifferently.
Within the crowd, several figures nodded faintly upon hearing his words, moving like ghosts to quietly slit the throats of the nearby Qingsong Kingdom martial artists.