Chapter 101: A Reputation Tarnished

Fang Cun sat quietly for a whole day in the now Instructor-less Lan Shuang Pavilion.

The Instructor who had usually taught them had suddenly been unmasked as a Demonic Cultivator who stole others’ bodies. And Fang Cun’s classmate—a young man who had once shown extraordinary promise—had had his hair turned white seemingly overnight and his foundation damaged. For all the disciples of the Lan Shuang Pavilion, this was difficult to accept. Thankfully, everyone had matters to attend to. No matter how shocked or regretful they felt, they still needed to focus on their studies. And now, after over two years at Lan Shuang Pavilion, they’d mostly learned what they needed. The absence of an Instructor wasn’t so important.

They had already begun thinking about their futures after the Academy’s three-year term ended. What worried many most was whether this scandal involving their Instructor would affect how the County Sect Elders regarded them.

Still, quite a few Academy disciples came to see Fang Cun, offering words of comfort.

He Zhenzhang cautiously came over and chatted with Fang Cun for a while. He considered inviting Fang Cun to the Flowing Moon Pavilion, but seeing Fang Cun look so bleak and downcast, he hesitated. Meng Qing’er, Nie Quan, and even Yu Qingli—who always looked gloomy and stern, like a villain—all visited Lan Shuang Pavilion briefly to express concern…

Only Meng Qing’er’s remarks sounded somewhat pleasant: “Your hair might be white, but you look even more handsome now…”

Fang Cun could only feel helpless at this.

Many others came to visit. Some had heard about Fang Cun’s white hair and came specifically to see it. Others genuinely wanted comfort him. But not all who arrived actually entered. Without trying to notice, Fang Cun caught sight of Shen Shiming and his own cousin, Cao Chang. Were the pitying, contemplative looks on their faces sincere? Or were they just delighted inside like others?

“Though I always wanted to lower people’s expectations… this impression shift seems a bit too fierce…”

Fang Cun sighed but didn’t bother analyzing these things further.

“Second Young Master Fang, this is your Academy evaluation and letter of recommendation…”

Meng Zhixue handed Fang Cun a long, narrow, purple wooden box. Inside lay a brocade-covered folding letter.

Opening the letter, Fang Cun saw the Instructor’s remarks, written in Master Lan Shuang’s signature regular script.

Talent: Excellent

Foundation: Excellent

Cultivation: Excellent

…

The last entry was for integrity, but it was left blank.

Looking at the letter, Fang Cun felt a strange sensation.

After their three years, all Academy disciples needed an evaluation from their Instructor—a recommendation letter essential whether they joined the County Sect, entered the City Governor’s service, or even headed to the Nightwatcher Palace. After Master Lan Shuang’s incident, his residence had been searched thoroughly multiple times, and all items sealed. Only these students’ evaluations had remained unscathed.

“Master praised me excessively…”

Fang Cun couldn’t help feeling a twinge of emotion about this.

His talent, foundation, and family background were indeed excellent. That was undeniable.

But his cultivation level? Currently, he was only at the higher level of the Refining Breath realm. For Master Lan Shuang to rate it as “Excellent” almost seemed laughable.

Perhaps Master Lan Shuang had truly believed Fang Cun would surpass everyone by year’s end?

He then turned his attention back to the final, blank “Integrity” column.

Blank!

Fang Cun couldn’t help but inwardly sigh softly: Were you implying it’d be wrong to rate yourself? Or something else?

“Second Young Master Fang,” Meng Zhixue continued in a hesitant voice, “Although we don’t leave the Academy officially for another half year, some County Sect Elders and the Prefect’s Secretaries have already started reaching out to promising Academy disciples. Your integrity column remains blank, and Master Lan Shuang… had this major misstep. Some now question the credibility of the remarks he left behind. All require re-examination by other Elder Mentors. But now…”

She bit her lip hard before adding quietly: “Because you won’t step forward publicly to confirm Master Lan Shuang’s act of Soul Seizure… some of the Academy’s Elder Mentors feel your conduct is questionable. Regarding integrity… they might write that you…”

Meng Zhixue stood by, nervously advising Fang Cun.

“Questionable integrity?”

Hearing Meng Zhixue’s words, Fang Cun’s expression turned cold as he glanced at her.

Meeting his gaze, Meng Zhixue felt guilty and looked down, unable to meet his eyes.

However, Fang Cun’s displeasure wasn’t actually directed at her.

“Hah. Questionable integrity…”

A frosty smile briefly touched Fang Cun’s lips.

Now. Now I truly grasp the thoughts swirling in the City Governor’s and Academy Head’s minds. Just how desperate are they to officially condemn Master Lan Shuang?

In truth, the Human Elixir discovered during the search of Master Lan Shuang’s residence should have been enough evidence for a conviction. But one Elixir plus some sketchy traces found in the dossier felt insufficient. Submitting something so fragmentary risked scrutiny from higher authorities. So, he, Fang Cun, became the perfect candidate to legitimize this entire matter.

He had been the last person to see Master Lan Shuang alive!

He was also the victim whose hair had turned white after seeing him!

Therefore, as long he confirmed he had been subjected to Soul Seizure, the evidence chain would be completed, ironclad and undeniable.

Their rush to condemn came from a need to sever Master Lan Shuang’s ties to the Former Academy Head. They wanted the world to know a current Academy Instructor, Lan Shuang, practiced Human Elixir Refinement—never associating it with the past Head…

But unexpectedly, Fang Cun had denied it all!

This created a dilemma for them. On one hand, they were already accusing Lan Shuang of stealing disciples’ bodies and the Elixirs. On the other, they desperately wanted Fang Cun to change his testimony. Given his status, however, they dared not pressure him overtly. So, they resorted to these vague, pointed suggestions instead.

……

“Second Young Master Fang,” Meng Zhixue offered hesitantly, carefully, “Perhaps you could go and explain everything clearly to the Elder Mentors…”

“No need!”

Fang Cun shook his head calmly, tucking the evaluation scroll away. “Let’s see if they have the courage to come find me!”

……

Embracing this stance and calmly considering his next move, Fang Cun felt a surprising tranquility.

While clearly the entire Academy, perhaps even all of Willow Lake City, was fixated on this scandal, it hardly troubled him.

So, early the next morning, as if nothing had happened, he arrived at the Academy.

Outside the carriage, murmurs drifted through the air. Sympathetic gazes seemed to linger on its windows from Willow Lake City’s citizens. The moment Fang Cun reappeared at White Xiang Academy yesterday, news of his damaged foundation became widespread, confirmed instantly. Across the city, murmurs arose filled with pity, sighs, and regret.

“Oh, pitiful… why is the Fang family so unlucky?”

“That Fang family Eldest Young Master, ruined so young… and now Second Young Master suffers this…”

“Tch. The Fangs were always charitable… how come fate deals them such blows?”

“……

Fang Cun listened to these murmurs in silence for a long while. Then, he only offered a faint smile.

Yet, just as these thoughts crossed his mind, he sensed the surrounding voices dwindling swiftly.

“Young Master…”

Xiao Qingliu’s voice sounded tight, strained with unprecedented tension.

Alarm flared within Fang Cun. Slowly, he lifted the carriage curtain. They had reached the Willow Lake City gate. Beyond it lay the familiar willow-lined path leading to White Xiang Academy. But the carriage had halted. Someone blocked the road ahead.

Lao Chao!

Following the discovery of the Human Elixir at Black Water Fort, the Devouring Sea Gang faced annihilation. Some died. Others fled. In one night, this bandit fort that had plagued Willow Lake City for years was uprooted. Tangled in the Elixir scandal, even Lao Chao could only run for his life. The City Governor declared him wanted. Underworld factions issued assassination decrees against him.

Rumors even claimed leadership of Willow Lake City’s underworld was up for grabs—the one who killed Lao Chao would become the new Great Leader (Dangjia). Yet, after Black Water Fort fell, Lao Chao vanished. His whereabouts were unknown.

No one expected his reappearance at the city gate.

He looked ragged, clad in rough homespun, yet wore a piece of black armor over it. Two large swords hung diagonally across his back. Dark, chain-like tendrils of energy snaked around him. They radiated ferociousness, imposing menace swirling like a thundercloud atop his head.

“The Fang family must die!”

Standing rooted in the road’s center, Lao Chao’s menacing aura sent citizens scrambling back. Some dashed into alleyways, slamming doors shut, peering through gaps. In moments, the entire street stood deserted save for the Fang family carriage.

Lao Chao’s expression twisted strangely. Fury seemed mingled with a distant vagueness. Gnashing his teeth, he advanced step by step. “In the past,” he growled, fury simmering within his vacant stare, “the Fang family’s Eldest Son was ungrateful. He ruined our master’s reputation. Now!” His shout ripped out, “the Fang family’s Second Son is also ungrateful! He dared kill our master! Anyone good to your family—you destroy! Then tell me!” The chains of darkness seemed to pulse with his rage. “Why should the Fang family survive? Today!” His voice rose to a roar. “I claim your family’s lives in payment… for our master!”

“Boom!”

With his declaration, Lao Chao stomped forward violently. The bluestones beneath splintered into powder with the force of his stride.

“Assassinating openly—do you not value life?” Xiao Qingliu tensed up on the driver’s bench, watching Lao Chao intensely.

“Value life?” Lao Chao erupted into wild, mocking laughter. “A lowly grass-root thug like me… trading my life to finish off the rest of your Fang bloodline? That’s worthwhile! More than worthwhile!” Roaring, Lao Chao drew his sword and charged fiercely towards the carriage.

Xiao Qingliu—confronted head-on by Lao Chao’s overwhelming murderous energy—pulled the reins sharply. The two horses lunged forward with frantic power, practically heaving the carriage onto its side as it swerved violently into a nearby alley.