Unfortunately, with Fang Chen's temperament, this kind of thing would certainly not happen.
"Master, someone from the palace has arrived."
A servant hurried over to report.
Outside the gates of the General's Mansion, a procession from the palace stood quietly. At the front stood a eunuch dressed in embroidered brocade, standing straight, holding a bright yellow imperial edict in both hands.
Fang Canghai led his people to the gates. Seeing the eunuch, he immediately raised his hands in a salute: "Your subject Fang Canghai respectfully welcomes the imperial edict!"
The embroidered-brocade eunuch's gaze was cold and sharp as it swept across the faces of the Fang family 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 changed slightly, and 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."
Once upon a time, this confidant eunuch of the Emperor had been so humble and cautious in his presence, but over the past five years, because of the battle at Sanjie Mountain, the Emperor had not only given the Fang family the cold shoulder, but even the Empress had been sidelined.
Now, even a eunuch dared to wear a cold face and humiliate them like this—and it was not the first or second time. But the Fang family had been silently enduring it all.
"What a joke! The imperial edict given by His Majesty to the heir is to be received by you as a substitute? What kind of propriety is this? I want to see the heir immediately, so I must ask General Fang not to play any tricks."
Eunuch You rasped in a duck-like voice, sneering.
The expressions of the Fang family members gradually turned ugly. The crowd of passersby gathering around grew larger and larger, pointing fingers and whispering among themselves.
"Xiao Shennü of Qingsong Country has already arrived at the imperial palace. General Fang, you had better put aside any wild thoughts and call the heir out," Eunuch You sneered.
"Eldest Brother, I'll send someone to look for Chen'er."
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair spoke slowly.
Before Fang Canghai could reply, someone had already spotted Fang Chen walking over from a distance with Xu Ge.
"Military God Fang is here."
"I didn't expect him to still have the leisure to stroll outside today..."
Eunuch You raised his eyes and looked over, locking gazes with Fang Chen's grayish-white pupils. For some reason, a trace of dread arose in his heart, but then he smiled disdainfully.
The heir before him was no longer the Military God Fang who could slap imperial relatives right at the gates of the imperial palace; why should he fear him?!
"Father, Mother, Second Uncle."
Fang Chen arrived close to them and accurately bowed to the three of them, making the surrounding passersby wonder whether Fang Chen's eyes were truly blind or not.
"You're back..."
Fang Canghai sighed softly.
"Hehe, Heir, this servant thought you wouldn't dare to accept this imperial edict."
Eunuch You looked at Fang Chen with a half-smile, his tone sarcastic and snide.
Slap!
Fang Chen's palm landed on Eunuch You's face with a crisp sound, knocking Eunuch You's official crown flying off from the impact.
The surroundings fell into a dead silence, where a pin drop could be heard. Pair after pair of astonished eyes fell upon Fang Chen; 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 a 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 mighty and peerless Military God Fang. In the Capital of Great Xia, countless people had been slapped by him—sons of generals, sons of ministers, imperial relatives, and even princes of the palace!
"You dare to strike this servant?!"
Eunuch You covered his face, his complexion flushed crimson with humiliation, his eyes filled with disbelief and rage. This trash before him actually dared to hit him?!
And hit him in front of so many people?!
"I've accepted the imperial edict. You can get lost now."
Fang Chen took the imperial edict from his hands and waved his hand lightly, as if swatting away a fly.
"This is rebellion, sheer rebellion!"
Seething with rage, Eunuch You immediately raised his duck-like voice to bark orders at his subordinates: "Take him! Take him for this servant!"
Eunuch You's 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 move.
Xu Ge looked at Eunuch You with a half-smile. Over the past five years, even though people had cursed the heir behind his back, which of them had ever dared to make a move to his face?
Even when Qi Burst Warriors from Qingsong Country hurled insults and told them to strike, they didn't have the guts!
Even if a tiger is sick today, it remains a monarch still!
Slap!
Fang Chen raised his hand and delivered another slap.
This blow sent Eunuch You staggering backward, where he was hurriedly steadied by a junior eunuch.
"You, you..."
Eunuch You pointed a trembling finger at Fang Chen, shaking all over as if he were about to breathe his last at any second.
"Those commoners curse and revile me, so what? They farm the land and pick mulberry leaves. Those warriors curse and revile me, so what? They shed blood on the battlefield. It is because of them that the prosperity of Great Xia exists. And you? A mere eunuch, aside from scheming and plotting in the palace, have you ever contributed even a fraction of an effort to Great Xia?"
"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 before me."
Fang Chen said indifferently.
The expressions of the surrounding passersby changed instantly.
Eunuch You was so furious on the spot that the corners of his mouth bled. Seeing this, the junior eunuchs by his side knew they could not stay long. Disregarding everything else, they dragged and pulled Eunuch You away from the area in a hurry.
"Military God Fang, even though you were defeated five years ago and your cultivation was entirely ruined, you are still alive. As long as you live, you are worth a hundred thousand warriors!"
Among the onlookers, a warrior shouted loudly.
Fang Chen said nothing. Holding the imperial edict, he turned and entered the General's Mansion.
Watching his retreating figure, the crowd wore looks of eager anticipation in their eyes. Although the hope was dim, today they felt as if they had caught a glimpse of light once more.
***
### Chapter 7: Xiao Shennü'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'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
Cross that bridge when we come to it?
The expressions of those present turned somewhat desolate. Indeed, now that Fang Chen had lost his cultivation, even with thousands of strategies in his heart, it was difficult to put them into play.
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 Uncle, just call me Xu Ge; I am unworthy of the title Wind-Cloud Sword."
Xu Ge grinned.
Fang Canghai and the others were somewhat startled. In particular, Fang Zhixue stepped forward, walked up to Xu Ge, and looked him up and down closely, exclaiming in surprise:
"You really are Wind-Cloud Sword Xu Ge! How do you know my Eldest Brother?"
Wind-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, and over the past five years, his cultivation had advanced all the way from Early Qi Burst to Peak Qi Burst.
A warrior at this realm was already a rare sight in the present-day Great Xia.
After all, back during that battle at Sanjie Mountain, countless warriors had perished. Qi Control Experts and Qi Burst Experts had fallen one after another, shaking the foundation of Great Xia.
In today's Capital of Great Xia, there were fewer than a hundred Qi Burst Warriors, and among those, only a little over a dozen were at the Peak Qi Burst stage.
Qingsong Country had at least twenty to thirty times as many Peak Qi Burst Warriors as Great Xia; one could easily imagine the disparity!
"This subordinate has long admired the Military God. Today, I've brazenly recommended myself, willing to follow by the Military God's side as a humble bodyguard."
Xu Ge cupped his fists.
Fang Canghai's gaze flickered slightly. He seemed to understand something. Nodding slightly, the look he gave Xu Ge softened a bit: "Once Chen'er goes to Qingsong Country, we'll have to trouble you."
Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted slightly.
If a Peak Qi Burst Warrior were to guard Fang Chen's side, going to Qingsong Country might spare him a great deal of humiliation.
Fang Zhixue quickly said, "Brother Xu, it will be hard on you from now on."
"Not hard at all, not hard at all."
Xu Ge hurriedly replied.
"Chen'er, would you like Second Uncle to accompany you to the imperial palace?"
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair spoke slowly.
"The Wolf Marshal's daughter is making this trip precisely to humiliate our Fang family. If Second Uncle goes, 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 gave Xu Ge a subtle glance, then picked up the imperial edict 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 safely out of the Capital of Great Xia. However, Fang Chen had said the probability of this happening was very small, just a precaution.
***
Inside the imperial palace, before the Hall of Supreme Harmony, a hundred Wolf Guards stood in stern silence. Their gazes occasionally crossed paths with the surrounding guards, inevitably revealing a trace of faint mockery.
No matter how angry those guards felt in their hearts, they dared not say a word at the moment.
Once upon a time, these Wolf Guards were not even allowed to set foot in the Capital. To enter the imperial palace so openly and brazenly today meant that Great Xia had grown incomparably weak compared to Qingsong Country.
"Hurry and take me to see His Majesty!"
Eunuch You's voice rang out. Covered in blood, he was supported by several eunuchs as he hurried toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
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 did he end up beaten into such a state?
"Foster Father, what happened to you?"
You Longchang, the deputy commander of the Western Tiger Camp, suddenly appeared, looking at Eunuch You in astonishment.
"That brat Fang Chen goes too far!"
Eunuch You shouted harshly, and without wasting more words with You Longchang, he hurried into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Fang Chen?!
You Longchang was slightly startled. Over the past five years, Fang Chen had kept an extremely low profile; how could he have beaten Eunuch You, who was there to read an imperial edict? 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 already a cripple now, yet he still dares to be so arrogant. He must be unable to let go of his past glory..."
You Longchang sneered inwardly.
Hearing Fang Chen's name, the hundred Wolf Guards subconsciously raised their heads slightly and exchanged glances; the contempt in their eyes had long since dissipated.
No matter what, Great Xia's Military God held a certain status in their hearts. The Wolf Guards had clashed with the military formations led by Fang Chen countless times.
Every single time, they had failed to gain any advantage, and countless Wolf Guards had died at Fang Chen's hands. 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 Great Xia, attired in a bright yellow dragon robe, sat atop the dragon throne, conversing with Xiao Shennü below the dais.
The topic of their conversation was precisely the upcoming matrilocal marriage of Fang Chen, as well as Qingsong Country's promise not to attack Great Xia for the next five years.
Eunuch You happened to enter the Hall of Supreme Harmony at this moment. He immediately fell to his knees and let out a miserable wail:
"Your Majesty, this servant failed to deliver the edict properly 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, strange expressions crossing their faces. It seemed it had been five years since Fang Chen last struck anyone.
Some officials subconsciously reached up to touch their own cheeks.
Xiao Shennü furrowed her brows slightly and looked toward the Emperor.
The Emperor was also somewhat stunned at the moment, casting a gloomy look at Eunuch You: "You were beaten by Fang Chen? What about the imperial edict? Did he accept it?"
"Replying to Your Majesty, he accepted it, but..."
Eunuch You wanted to argue a couple of points.
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 are not the only one he has struck; there's no need to make a fuss over it."
Eunuch You wore a look of utter astonishment.
Some officials wore cold sneers. Now that Great Xia needed Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family to quell the flames of war and buy five more years of national fortune for Great Xia, did a mere eunuch think he could make a mountain out of a molehill and deal with Fang Chen at this juncture?
"Emperor, it seems the Military God is rather dissatisfied with marrying into the Xiao family, doesn't it? Will he ignore your imperial edict? How about I send my Wolf Guards to bring him here?"
Xiao Shennü said with a half-smile.
The expressions of the civil and military officials shifted slightly, a trace of tension showing in their eyes.
If the Wolf Guards were really sent to drag Fang Chen here, and the news spread through the Capital, it would be a complete and utter slap to the face of Great Xia!
"Lady Xiao, rest assured. Fang Chen can be considered my nephew. Since he has accepted the imperial edict, he will not fail to come."
As the Emperor spoke, he glanced at the expressionless Empress beside him, then a smile appeared on his face as he said to Xiao Shennü:
"Just wait a moment patiently."
At that moment, the voice of You Longchang suddenly rang out from outside:
"The heir of General Fang's Mansion—has arrived!"
The Emperor smiled. "Look, isn't he here?"
Xiao Shennü's eyes narrowed slightly, and she suddenly called out toward the entrance: "If the Military God wishes to marry into the Xiao family, he must undergo a trial first!"
From the Emperor down to the civil and military officials, everyone's expressions changed slightly at her words.
"If he fails the trial, do not speak of this marriage ever again. Qingsong Country will soon flatten Great Xia and turn this land into a vassal state of Qingsong Country!"
Xiao Shennü said with a faint smile.
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Upon hearing Xiao Shennü's words, the Wolf Guards immediately formed formations and looked toward Fang Chen, who was stepping closer, their gazes solemn.
***
### Chapter 8: As Cheap as Grass
Fang Chen closed his eyes and slowly walked toward the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
He seemed entirely unaware that a hundred Wolf Guards were staring intently at him.
"He really is blind."
A Wolf Guard muttered under his breath.
Seeing the once high-spirited young Military God reduced to a blind cripple, these Wolf Guards felt a pang of mixed emotions, but more than that, it was a sense of awe and worship toward their First Wolf Marshal.
So what if he was the young Military God?
Was he not still defeated by the First Wolf Marshal? Their First Wolf Marshal was the truly invincible and ever-victorious one!
Meanwhile, the Emperor, Xiao Shennü, and the civil and military officials had all arrived at the entrance of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. The Empress, who had previously been expressionless, caught sight of that slightly thin figure, a flash of heartache in her eyes as she opened her mouth as if to speak, but stopped.
"He looks no different from the portrait, except he lacks that sharp edge he once had."
Xiao Shennü stared at Fang Chen, a light smile then appearing on her face: "There's nothing particularly special about him either, though he is better-looking than some of my past men."
A flash of anger crossed the Empress's eyes.
All the civil and military officials looked at Xiao Shennü with burning fury. Regardless of whether they had been at odds with Fang Chen in the past, for her to compare Great Xia's former young Military God to her male concubines was an absolute insult to Great Xia!
"Emperor, tell him then: if he wishes to marry into our Xiao family, he must undergo a few trials. I don't want to bring back a blind man who is completely useless."
Xiao Shennü said indifferently.
The Emperor of Great Xia looked at Fang Chen and spoke slowly: "Fang Chen."
"Fang Chen pays his respects to Your Majesty."
Fang Chen stopped in his tracks and cupped his fists in salute toward the Emperor of Great Xia.
"Audacious Fang Chen! How dare you not kneel upon seeing His Majesty?!"
You Longchang suddenly stepped forward and shouted.
Everyone guessed that he was venting his foster father Eunuch You's pent-up anger.
With his eyes closed, Fang Chen slowly turned his head, 'looking' in the direction of You Longchang: "You Longchang, deputy commander of the Western Tiger Camp?"
You Longchang was slightly startled.
Was the man truly blind?
He was completely indistinguishable from a normal person! He had not had any contact with the man over the past five years, yet the other party 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 with a faint smile.
You Longchang froze slightly, and instinctively replied: "That was before you were defeated. After you were defeated..."
He couldn't continue.
It seemed... the Emperor had never revoked 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 the past and had lost all glory and authority.
"It seems you remember."
Fang Chen smiled, then looked toward the Emperor of Great Xia: "Your Majesty, this subject hurried straight to the imperial palace upon receiving the imperial edict. I wonder if the Wolf Marshal's daughter is here?"
The Emperor glanced at Xiao Shennü, then said to Fang Chen: "Lady Xiao is right beside me. Lady Xiao has said that you must pass some trials of hers before you can... marry into the Xiao family."
The expressions of the civil and military officials turned somewhat unsightly.
To begin with, having Fang Chen marry into the Xiao family was already a humiliation for Great Xia. For Xiao Shennü to pull this stunt was tantamount to a double humiliation, forcing Great Xia to eagerly grovel and push Fang Chen into the match.
"A trial? I wonder what kind of trial it is."
Fang Chen said with a faint smile.
"Lady Xiao, what do you think?"
The Emperor looked at Xiao Shennü.
"It's very simple, Military God. As long as you can guess the movements of my Wolf Guards in a moment, your trial will be considered passed."
Xiao Shennü spoke slowly, and gave a subtle signal to the leader of the Wolf Guards.
Seeing this, the Wolf Guard leader immediately drove his silver wolf forward like a whirlwind, charging toward the surrounding guards, palace maids, and eunuchs.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A dozen-odd guards, maids, and eunuchs were thrown down before Fang Chen.
Their faces carried a trace of astonishment and bewilderment, wondering why a trial had anything to do with them.
Watching the Wolf Guards resort to violence right inside the imperial palace, the Emperor's facial muscles twitched a few times.
"Audacious! How dare you resort to violence in the imperial palace, and how dare you do so right before His Majesty's eyes!"
An elderly minister with white hair and beard suddenly stepped forward, staring dead at Xiao Shennü.
This old man was none other than Li Guozhu, the Prime Minister of Great Xia!
"It's just required for the trial. The Emperor won't mind, will he?"
Xiao Shennü said with a faint smile.
"Hehe..."
The Emperor forced a smile. "I wonder what kind of trial requires using them? Lady Xiao only needed to say the word; there was no need for your subordinates to take action and cause unnecessary misunderstandings."
With that, he waved his hand at Li Guozhu, signaling him to step back. Li Guozhu frowned deeply and said no more.
"It's very simple..."
Xiao Shennü looked at Fang Chen: "Military God, before you are 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, you pass the trial."
The crowd erupted in an uproar.
Someone finally couldn't help but shout angrily: "Do you treat the lives of our Great Xia people as child's play?!"
At that moment, the Wolf Guard leader had already drawn a powerful bow and slowly aimed it at Fang Chen, but a moment later, he shifted his aim toward the guards, maids, and eunuchs.
"As long as our Qingsong Country is willing, the lives of your Great Xia people are as cheap as grass. Don't ruin today's affairs for the sake of one or two insignificant lives. Emperor, do you think I'm right?"
Xiao Shennü said indifferently.
"Your Majesty, if we allow people from Qingsong Country to slaughter lives within the imperial palace, once word gets out, how will the people of the world view us?"
The Empress finally spoke up.