Chapter 60: Too Polite

Fang Cun felt that when it came to eliminating demon disasters, his own method should be more reasonable than those who educated demons, only killed the deeply sinful ones, or used other ways to stop demons from doing evil. After all, if you educated one, it might still turn bad later; if you thought it had done little harm now, it could commit worse sins in the future…

With his approach, he rooted them out ahead of time, wiping away any chance for them to do evil—that was what he called reasonable…

But now, they punished him by making his hair white—how was that fair?

…

Sighing helplessly, Fang Cun let the matter drop and didn’t speak of it again.

After the three-day special rest period ended, he went back to the Academy like usual, as if nothing had happened.

Though he had only been away for three or four days, when he looked at the Academy again, every plant and tree seemed a bit different.

After sensing carefully, he realized it wasn’t the plants that had changed, but the looks in the eyes of the disciples around him…

In the past, whenever Second Young Master Fang strolled around, blocked someone, or went to the scripture pavilion to read, the disciples nearby watched him with curiosity and distance. This was because he was a famous name in the Academy—being the younger brother of Immortal Master Fang Chi alone made people talk, and he had entered through the Rear Mountain. Then, shortly after joining, a few incidents popped up, keeping him on everyone’s lips.

Originally, the disciples knew the Fang Family was in a risky spot, with unclear circumstances and an uncertain fate. So, they chose to keep their distance to avoid getting dragged into needless trouble. But now, the whole demon elixir matter blew up big. Many disciples heard that in this major event, students from the Nanshan Alliance and Second Young Master Fang had racked up big merits and stolen the spotlight. Now, their gaze toward Fang Cun naturally shifted!

Before, Second Young Master Fang only came off as naturally gifted but still stuck in that playboy style. He argued with an instructor in his first class at the Academy, then set up a stall to sell dispatches at the entrance—this was nothing like an Academy Disciple; it was pure arrogance…

But now? After that trip to the mountains, Second Young Master Fang’s fame boomed overnight. At first, everyone thought Fang Cun would have a tough time with the Nanshan Alliance crew, maybe getting outshone or humbled. But when they returned, tales spread that even though his cultivation wasn’t the strongest, he shined bright in the mission. Even Nie Quan, known for a short fuse, praised him heavily…

It seemed this Second Young Master Fang wasn’t just famous and talented—his skills were top-notch too!

Otherwise, how could he join such a big mission and slay an old demon himself?

With that in mind, along the way, many people nodded at him politely, with much better attitudes.

The Academy Disciples might still hesitate to get too close to Fang Cun now, but their minds had shifted a little. Someone this skilled and gifted was bound to go places. Even if they didn’t want to wade into trouble, they couldn’t pass up the chance. Maybe he’d hit it big someday, and this polite nod could pay off hugely later…

Of course, amid all the cheers, a bit of gossip buzzed around.

Some Nanshan Alliance students who went deep into the mountains to track demon signs whispered that Fang Cun hadn’t actually done so great. He annoyed a few folks, who felt his fame and credit were just borrowed—like he’d freeloaded his way to glory…

But they said Meng Zhixue shut that down fast, so it didn’t spread far.

As for Fang Cun, he ignored all that noise. This mountain trip had uncovered the Human Elixir affair, used it to clear Willow Lake City’s demon threat, bagged over fifteen thousand merit points, and even brought back a little maid—what could top that? People shouldn’t be too greedy. That small heap of over ten thousand merit was proof enough of Second Young Master Fang’s planning…

Okay, he’d admit it—he was already rolling in it…

…

“Second Young Master Fang is here! Get him tea!”

Once inside the Academy, Fang Cun didn’t go to Yuanzhi Pavilion but headed straight for Teaching Pavilion. Steward Liu inside was an old friend by now—their bond thicker than ten thousand silver liang. He happily invited Fang Cun in, told the pageboy to pour tea, and beamed: “Second Young Master Fang, your talent is unreal—slaying a half-step Foundation Building Realm demon while just at mid-stage Refining Breath? That kind of shocker leaves you speechless!”

All over town, folks chatted about how Human Elixir triggered the demon chaos, with City Governor and Academy Instructors bravely ending the demon threat in Southern Mountains. But Steward Liu knew Fang Cun hadn’t done much in that later mess. Instead, this young master first made waves by killing a Foundation Building Realm demon probing Elm Coin Town’s missing people case. To Liu, that was the standout feat.

Fang Chun chuckled humbly. “It’s all thanks to advice from the Old Scholars at the Academy!”

Asked why he’d come, Fang Chun flashed a grin. “Well, it’s nothing big. First, an Old Scholar planned for me to study at Yuanzhi Pavilion. But fate didn’t smile on me—I didn’t learn much under Instructor Yuanzhi. Later, Elder Zhong Yue kindly thought of tossing me to Lan Shuang Pavilion for training. I lacked cultivation progress and hadn’t earned much merit then, so I stalled, worried critics would blast me. Now after pitching in at Southern Mountains with my classmates and netting some credit, I’m wondering—is it enough to study under Master Lan Shuang?”

Steward Liu at Teaching Pavilion cottoned on instantly. With a laugh, he said: “Second Young Master Fang, you dove deep into Southern Mountains to hunt demons, tagged along with Nanshan Alliance in uncovering Human Elixir, and indirectly helped City Governor crush the demon scourge. Just one of those feats tops ten Demon-Subduing Dispatches done by others! Why split hairs on ‘enough’? Besides…”

He lowered his voice. “Adequate? Isn’t that up to us?”

“Much obliged, elder…”

Fang Chun brightened, grinned, and started to slide a hand into his sleeve.

“Whoa, Second Young Master—hands off? Seriously, let it be this time!”

Steward Liu grabbed Fang Cun’s hand quickly. Tone low and firm, he warned: “Listen close: make no mistake—you earned this win fair and square. If you aimed higher, your merit would waltz you to the Academy Head easily. Coming by keeps the peace—saves Teaching Pavilion some grief. Happy to help—but spare me the favors.”

He tittered. “After all, when we set you up with Yuanzhi Pavilion before—who knew he’d pull that crap? Face is lost—my debt to you, really.”

“Now, how can you say that?”

Fang Cun flared his eyes, offended. “It’s just tea money—don’t think I bribed for aid? Hmph! Spare me the low blow!”

Steward Liu flushed awkwardly. “Ah—misstep, Second Young Master—I meant no harm…”

Bank notes slid into his sleeve. Sighing heavily, he groaned: “Second Young Master Fang… too polite by miles…”

Fang Cun blinked. “Me? Polite?”

Steward Liu replied: “Way too polite…”

Then both burst into loud guffaws: “HAHAHAHA!”