Chapter 65: The Old Goblin of the Human Elixir
Chapter 65: The Old Goblin of the Human Elixir
Fang Cun hadn’t expected her to ask this. He shook his head helplessly. “How could I know that?”
“Is that so?”
Meng Zhixue looked at him, a faint, almost imperceptible trace of smugness appearing at the corner of her mouth. “Whoever saved us back then—we have no way of knowing. Neither the City Governor nor the Academy teachers had time to investigate it properly at that moment. But I used some methods to get a look at the corpses of the bandits killed in that stronghold. Their wounds were peculiar, made by a long, narrow, and extremely sharp soft sword. Willow Lake City has quite a few Qi Refiners and wandering warriors, but not many who use such a weapon…”
As she spoke, she took two steps closer to Fang Cun, her expression teasing. “And if I recall correctly, Second Young Master Fang, when you trespassed into the Academy’s Back Mountain, once used a soft sword hidden inside that old umbrella of yours. Could I take a look?”
“Huh?”
Fang Cun abruptly raised his head and looked at Meng Zhixue with a strange expression.
Meng Zhixue, meanwhile, displayed a faint smile that seemed to outshine the moonlight. She chuckled softly and continued, “And then there’s Shen Shixing. He was someone who relied on his family background and status as an Academy Disciple to bully others in Willow Lake City. But after that incident with you, Young Master Fang, his disposition changed. Not only did he stop causing trouble himself, but he even refused when others asked him to join them in stirring up mischief. Your ‘hammering’ of him, Second Young Master Fang, was far more effective than a thousand words of admonishment…”
“When others speak of Second Young Master Fang, they often talk about how you squander money recklessly, wander the streets idly, and pick fights. But a closer look reveals that when you ‘squander money,’ it’s precisely when someone needs that money you’re throwing around. When you ‘pick fights,’ it’s often when the other party is acting oppressively. Even when you brought that Little Fox home despite others’ disapproving stares…”
Meng Zhixue paused for a moment. “You just kept her near your parents…”
“It was merely an act of pity for a small life, yet people spoke so vilely of it…”
“……”
“……”
“Young Master Fang…”
Meng Zhixue spoke at length but finally stopped. She addressed Fang Cun seriously. “I sought you out not because you are someone’s younger brother, but because of the person you truly are. You have done more than any of us…”
“I know you pretend not to care, but deep down, you want to catch that evil demon more than anyone!”
“That… is why I came to you!”
“……”
“……”
Facing Meng Zhixue’s bright, earnest eyes, Fang Cun fell silent.
He really had no idea how this woman had imagined him in her mind.
After a brief pause, he suddenly asked, “What did you do about the evidence of the sword wounds on the bandits’ corpses?”
Meng Zhixue seemed slightly surprised but answered seriously, “I didn’t tell anyone. Instead, I used my means to destroy those bodies.”
“Oh?”
Fang Cun was genuinely taken aback.
Meng Zhixue smiled faintly. “Who doesn’t want a good reputation? You choose not to claim credit, Second Young Master Fang, even keeping it from us Nanshan Alliance disciples that you saved us. I assume it’s simply to avoid the trouble. After all, with this large family to consider…”
She looked around meaningfully and sighed softly. “…who wouldn’t tread carefully?”
“Both now and in the future, Zhixue will remember this well and ensure no trouble comes your way from it.”
She looked at Fang Cun with utmost seriousness. “This visit was truly just to seek your counsel, nothing more.”
“……”
“……”
“Sigh…”
Fang Cun looked at her earnest expression and suddenly let out a soft sigh.
Just as Meng Zhixue grew slightly nervous, Fang Cun spoke up. “Tell me, why would a Demonic Cultivator refine a Human Elixir?”
Hearing him raise the issue, Meng Zhixue’s eyes lit up. She quickly replied, “The Human Elixir is the vilest of pills. Yet to some Demonic Cultivators, it’s also considered the ultimate treasure. Typically, they seek Human Elixirs either to achieve a breakthrough, to cultivate some dark art, or to prolong their lives. In essence, those wicked individuals can utilize it for numerous nefarious purposes!”
Fang Cun gently shook his head. “If it were for breaking through or cultivating some evil skill, they wouldn’t necessarily need a Human Elixir. There are plenty in Willow Lake City colluding with Demons to refine Demon Cores. Buying a few of those would suffice. Yet this one chose the evil path of refining Human Elixirs. How urgent must their need for innate Qi be?”
Meng Zhixue stared at Fang Cun, completely dumbfounded.
Suddenly understanding dawned. She exclaimed in surprise, “So… the perpetrator is an aged Qi Refiner nearing the end of his lifespan?”
Fang Cun offered no confirmation but continued, “Another point: the Human Elixir is notorious. Anyone connected to it faces pursuit and execution. In recent years, very few know how to refine one. Perhaps only elder cultivators who began their practice decades ago, experiencing those darker, more chaotic times, would possess the knowledge…”
Meng Zhixue’s expression grew even graver. She pondered carefully before replying, “You make a compelling point. However, while Willow Lake City doesn’t have an enormous number of Qi Refiners – counting the City Governor, Academy members, and those from influential families – there are still hundreds. Identifying those near the end of their lifespans specifically…” Her expression showed hesitation. “…besides, we already startled the prey. How do we find him now?”
“No wonder people call you ‘dummy’ behind your back…”
Fang Cun chuckled, looking at Meng Zhixue as he shook his head.
Meng Zhixue froze, a mixture of shame and annoyance flashing across her face. “Fine, I am stupid. Why else would I come to seek your advice?”
Fang Cun smiled, deciding not to tease her further. He gave a soft sigh, appeared to muse, and said, “Think about it like this: the old monster risked refining such a powerful Human Elixir, which proves he’s critically ill and near death. That’s why he seized an entire town’s population despite the risk of exposure. But just as that Human Elixir was nearing completion, we discovered it, and he failed. Locked inside the Academy, it’s unlikely he dares try again so soon. So, for him now, what’s most urgent?”
Meng Zhixue concentrated, and her expression cleared. “Life-extending spiritual medicines!”
Fang Cun grinned, nodding lightly. “Demon Cores can prolong life too, but they’re scarce in Willow Lake City now. Besides, they contain Demonic Qi, which someone with a severely weakened body can’t tolerate. What he can use are gentle, life-extending herbs or spiritual medicines. These might not grant him significantly more years, but they’d still offer some relief, some benefit… better than nothing.”
“Therefore, he must desperately seek out more longevity herbs and medicines…”
Meng Zhixue said excitedly, “If we monitor the markets now, tracking such medicines, we might find him!”
Fang Cun said nothing further, just looked at her with an amused smile.
Clearly exhilarated, Meng Zhixue paced a few circles under the moonlight, deep in thought. Quickly, a look of certainty spread across her features. She walked eagerly back towards Fang Cun.
“Second Young Master Fang, you—”
“Don’t get too close. People might gossip.”
Fang Cun hastily took two steps back and waved his hand dismissively.
Meng Zhixue’s face flushed red. She glared at Fang Cun before silently stepping back herself.
“I… delay is dangerous. I’ll make the arrangements immediately!”
Seeming suddenly flustered, she composed herself and announced as if casually, then made to leave.
After only a few steps, she turned back and gave Fang Cun a respectful bow.
“Second Young Master Fang… honestly, you… you are just as clever as your elder brother.”
Without waiting for his response, she hurried away. Her blush was visible even in the moonlight.
Shortly after, the distant voices of Elder Fang and Lady Fang could be heard warmly seeing her off:
“Leaving so soon?”
“Let Second Son walk you out?”
“Oh, no need to be polite! Take this bracelet, Auntie gives it to you, wear it sometime for fun…”
“……”
“……”
“Still not sharp enough, after all…”
Fang Cun shook his head ruefully. His expression shifted. Suddenly, he called out,
“Xiao Qingliu!”
With a soft rustle, Xiao Qingliu hopped out from behind a cluster of trees. “At your service, Young Master!”
Fang Cun thought for a moment. “This old monster refining Human Elixirs would inevitably have his own stockpile of life-extending treasures. He might possess quite a few already. Monitoring the markets may not yield results. However… if a life-extending treasure of truly rare and exceptional quality suddenly appeared on the market…”
Xiao Qingliu looked puzzled. “Young Master, such treasures… who knows when one like that would surface?”
“We have one in the family vault!”
Fang Cun said decisively, “Fetch one of those treasure ginsengs. Place it on the market. See who rushes to buy it.”
Xiao Qingliu’s eyes widened in understanding. He gave a quick nod and scampered off, surely heading to find Old Steward Huang.
Meanwhile, Fang Cun turned slowly and began walking back towards his chamber. As he walked, he pondered silently.
He might not be fond of Meng Zhixue’s personality, but he had to admit – she’d just passed the interview.