Chapter 206: The Young Master’s Decision

Staring at the hall brimming with glistening treasures, Meng Qing’er and the others felt an almost unreal sense of disbelief.

Was this the largess of the Seven Clans?

This much… just for greeting gifts?

So many… scriptures, texts, and these… magic treasures like talismans, pills, arrays, and artifacts? All freely given?

Just handed out like this?

Especially those nearly hundred techniques and scriptures combined! Cultivators everywhere guarded their own methods fiercely, never sharing so freely. Even an occasional shared insight would become famed as a great tale! But the Seven Clans… packed these things in crates?

The Leshui Sect and Yun Huan Sect had already seemed incredibly generous regarding the matter of Fang Cun visiting the Five Sects.

The Leshui Sect had fully opened its Scripture Hall, allowing Fang Cun to peruse texts at will.

The Yun Huan Sect was even more generous, directly copying all their sect’s techniques and delivering them right into Fang Cun’s hands.

Yet who could have imagined… the Seven Clans outdid even these two sects in sheer extravagance? At this moment?!

……

“Esteemed Seniors’ profound kindness… Second Fang’s gratitude is truly boundless!”

While astonishment swirled within each of the minds present, Fang Cun gently swept his gaze over the texts and treasures filling the hall. His expression remained unreadable. Only when the Lingwu Sect Elder mentioned “Plucking Flowers as Swords” did his mood show a faint ripple. The rest of the time, he was a picture of calm serenity. Even upon seeing these treasures and texts, he merely smiled and offered respectful bows to each person present.

“Haha, what sort of talk is this, Second Young Master Fang?” The Sect Master of Lingwu Sect laughed heartily. “Our Six Sects of Qingjiang, the County Mansion governed by Old Master Fan, together with the various families, share deep ties! We’ve been deeply connected for centuries! Countless families aided our sects in difficult times, and countless qi refiners from families themselves originated from our Six Great Sects! Advancing and retreating together, aiding and upholding one another… it’s simply the natural order!”

“If these techniques and scriptures can help the Shoushan Sect… it is also a fortunate karmic connection for us all…” Others chimed in, laughing. “Hear, hear!”

Conversation flowed freely again within the main hall, back and forth, the atmosphere congenial.

Amidst the amiable chatter, once tea had been served and the mood had reached its peak, the old manager of the Wan Tong Trading House smiled and spoke. “The various branches of Qingjiang prosper and decline as one. It was a pity that in the past, Shoushan Sect remained outside this web. Now, with Second Young Master Fang here, the situation is excellent, bringing us comfort. However… eh…” He hesitated. “It might be improper to say…”

Someone beside him laughed. “Second Young Master Fang isn’t an outsider! What couldn’t be said?”

The old manager sighed. “Then this old man shall speak plainly. Second Young Master Fang knows the greater picture and understands the wider situation. With you here, harmony and joint prosperity across Qingjiang Prefecture is surely near. Yet… not everyone in Shoushan Sect shares this understanding. There are still some who act… rather impulsively. It has caused no small difficulty for our clans. Helplessly, we had no choice but to come seek Young Master Fang’s help…”

“Oh?” Fang Cun smiled. “Our Shoushan Sect has declined so much we can barely protect ourselves. Who could possibly trouble the Seven Great Clans?”

“Ah, who else could it be…” The Second Master of the Hu family took over, shaking his head helplessly with a bitter smile. “Naturally, it’s that Young Sect Master Xu! Second Young Master Fang likely doesn’t know, since the Crow Mountain affair… ever since you slew that Demon Hound and won such great renown and respect for Shoushan Sect—a good thing in itself—unexpectedly, it seems to have emboldened some in Shoushan Sect to act recklessly! That young sect master beheaded the demon hound, fine. But he went further, accusing our Seven Clans of colluding with demons! He used it to pressure the County Mansion to seize several of our shops! And now… he remains unrelenting! We’ve exhausted our reason, showed the utmost forbearance… yet he persistently finds fault with our clans! Tell us…”

“Surely Second Young Master Fang knew nothing of this?” A young man gently fanning himself spoke up. It was Young Master Bai. He smiled meaningfully, “The relationship between Qingjiang’s Seven Clans and the Six Sects has always been one of mutual support. We, the Seven Clans, deeply admire everything Second Young Master Fang has done! Now is precisely the time to offer hearty support. But this young sect master… utterly clueless about restraint? He tramples all over the favorable situation Second Young Master Fang has so painstakingly built…”

He turned towards Fang Cun, expression ambiguous between amusement and disdain. “Could Second Young Master Fang truly tolerate him?”

“Such an event?” Listening to these words, Fang Cun’s expression darkened, as if hearing of this for the first time.

After slaying the Demon Hound, he had assigned tasks.

Two Elders remained at Shoushan Sect, organizing the spoils from Crow Mountain to bolster the sect’s resources, staying to oversee disciples’ cultivation. Meanwhile, Fang Cun traveled to the Five Sects, collecting the owed wagers to study their scriptures and refine Shoushan Sect’s own techniques. The task he’d given only to that Young Sect Master Xu? To single-mindedly root out those unscrupulous souls who had colluded with Crow Mountain, traded forbidden goods, all for profit!

Clearly, Young Sect Master Xu had performed… excellently. The results were significant.

Significant enough that even the Seven Clans felt compelled to come knocking at this door, hoping to sway things…

A pack of old foxes…

Fang Cun thought silently. They see me retrieving the Treasure Body Method for the sect, pushing aggressively to restore Shoushan Sect among the Six Sects, building ties with the Leshui Sect, fostering fame in Qingjiang… They’ve gauged my intentions: I want a solid, stable foundation. And given my position… I naturally prefer avoiding trouble, reluctant to make pointless enemies…

So, they offer goodwill. And hope to leverage my power, or my stance… to suppress Young Sect Master Xu.

Heh… they’ve caught on. The title of ‘Esteemed Shoushan Sect Elder’ whispering around me… has spread quite widely, it seems.

……

Amidst his contemplation, a thin, oppressive silence fell upon the hall.

Over a dozen pairs of eyes focused intently on Fang Cun’s face, filled with hidden intentions.

All the previous pleasantries were mere chaff. Now arrived the true test.

Thump!

Under the gazes of the clan representatives and the Lingwu Sect Elders, Fang Cun struck the table—not heavily, yet decisively.

The sudden sound startled the guests and Lords, making their hearts skip.

“Such an event?!” Fury surfaced on Fang Cun’s face. “Explain in detail, gentlemen!”

The clan representatives exchanged glances. Gradually, their expressions eased. With a silent look, the old manager of Wan Tong House sighed heavily. “How to put it… A mess! Second Young Master Fang surely knows: That Crow Mountain Demon Hound plagued the land, steeped in evil. Shoushan beheading him was naturally just. But after… Shoushan searched Crow Mountain and found numerous resources… Pills, arrays, talisman manuals… gold, silver, artifacts… Indeed stamped with the seals of our great trading houses…”

“These items… they were plundered by the Demon Hound bandits from our merchant caravans! Following our practice’s custom, Shoushan Sect—as vanquishers—should return seized civilian goods! Yet, Young Sect Master Xu holds them fast… cough… we understand his grief. But shockingly… he uses these things as ‘proof’! He insists our Wan Tong Trading House, and the other clan houses, traded with the demons! He pressures the County Mansion relentlessly—searching our shops!! Taking our people!!!”

He grimaced wearily. “Now the affair boils in Qingjiang City! A huge commotion! Our trading houses’ reputations! Our clans’ names! All tarnished! We’ve begged before Xu countless times… Yet this young master? Unyielding! Uncompromising!”

As he spoke, the faces of the other clan representatives soured further.

Young Master Bai took over, his tone dripping with icy contempt. “We truly exercised immense restraint with him! Unbelievably, he knows no bounds! A lesson could have swiftly corrected his impudence! Only out of regard for Second Young Master Fang’s position within Shoushan… and your tireless efforts toward restoring Shoushan Sect among the Six… we endured!”

“Now finally facing you, Second Young Master Fang… this matter…”

“……”

As he spoke, a coldly threatening light lingered beneath his smile, fixed directly on Fang Cun.

The pressure in the great hall thickened, dense and stifling.

Yu Qingli, Meng Qing’er, He Zhenzhang standing behind Fang Cun seemed to realize something. Their gazes briefly flicked towards the lavish gifts. The covers remained open. The treasures still shimmered with alluring brilliance.

And within this crushing quiet… Fang Cun’s expression slowly grew strained. Dark as water.

Every mind present tensed sharply.

THUMP!

Fang Cun slapped the table again, sharper. Hard enough to make everyone jump!

“Outrageous!”

They beheld Fang Cun’s full fury! His icy gaze swept across them! Only Foundation Establishment Realm? Yet that stare made surrounding cultivators—stronger ones included—falter, they couldn’t hold his gaze! Before they could react… his voice cut, low and cold:

“That reckless brat! Utterly devoid of judgment! You seniors graciously suffered him? But Second Fang cannot!”

“Hmm?”

The cultivators heard Fang Cun’s words. Surprise mingled with nascent delight beneath their surface.

Before they could speak… Fang Cun already barked: “Xiao Qingliu!”

The attendant by his side instantly stepped forward. “Yes?”

Fang Cun’s face betrayed nothing. He commanded coldly: “Leave now! Seek him immediately! Ask that fool: Who governs Shoushan Sect? Him? Or me?!”

“Ask him: Does Shoushan Sect strive to rejoin the Six Sects?! Or make enemies of all Qingjiang cultivators?!”

“Ask him: Does he know nothing of our practices’ rules?!”

“Ask him: Speak so foully without even presenting proof?!”

……

Several furious questions burst out! Stunning everyone present! Their eyes flashed! Startled gleams of joy sparked!

“Go! Now!”

Fang Cun acted with violent purpose! He threw a jade pendant onto the table! “Take my token!”

“Yes!”

Xiao Qingliu spoke no extra word! Snatched the pendant, and vanished out the hall like wind!

“This…”

The hall cultivators instantly overflowed with relief! Such smoothness? Better than they’d dreamed!

They’d prepared arguments! Stockpiled ‘evidence’ proving innocence! Utterly unnecessary! Fang Cun’s reaction? Matched their prayers perfectly! Exceeded!

Only Young Master Bai seemed unsteady. After a pause, he probed, “Second Young Master Fang… this matter…”

“Quiet!” Fang Cun suddenly frowned. Cold command snapped! “Does a junior presume to advise this Elder?”

Young Master Bai stiffened! Shock and rage warred! He jerked his head up! Met that utterly blank face! His heart quivered strangely—despite exceeding Fang Cun’s cultivation? Fear stabbed through him. He instinctively averted his eyes!

The hall instantly plunged into profound silence!

Then… Fang Cun suddenly laughed. A brief, icy sound. He said softly:

“The unsaid truths… Must we speak them?”

The crushing weight over the sheer hall dissolved. Vanished. Like mountains whisked away.

“Haha… Second Young Master Fang speaks rightly…”

“With Second Young Master Fang here… what worry remains…”

Others instantly understood! They hastily chimed in with laughter! Furtive glances shot Bai’s way—silent warnings plain! Young Master Bai? Humiliation scorched him! Public reprimand! Searing! Detestable! Yet… Seeing all react so decisively? The gathered attitude? He crushed his rage. Forced a faint smile to mask his brow…