Chapter 139: A Desire to Kill

“Heh, it seems the disciples of Shoushan Sect all possess a certain arrogance…”

Fang Cun had been silently watching nearby. He spoke little, merely nodding slightly whenever disciples paid their respects. Standing to the side, he observed their restive, murmuring discontent. They clearly harbored little fear for their Elders, even the Sect Leader beside him, leaving only reluctantly when dismissed.

“This…”

Young Sect Master Xu wore an awkward expression. Watching the departing disciples, he sighed softly before offering Fang Cun a bitter smile. “Since Elder Fang has arrived, you’ll learn the truth eventually. There’s no point hiding it from you. You are likely already aware of Shoushan Sect’s condition. Established sects possess their own inherited Treasure Body methods. Disciples refine their Treasure Bodies, study divine abilities, receive sect guidance, build merit… they may enter court as officials or seek the Dao within Divine Palaces. But my Shoushan Sect, our Treasure Body Method…”

Fang Cun nodded slowly, looking at him. “Is it true that Shoushan Sect lost its Treasure Body Method?”

“It is true. Lost many years ago…” Young Sect Master Xu finally nodded after a pause. “Shoushan Sect once suffered a great calamity. My father, along with the sect’s senior Elders of that generation, perished. Only one Elder survived, grievously wounded… now living in madness upon the Rear Mountain… Ah, since that time, Shoushan Sect has been bereft of its Treasure Body Method. Even I have cultivated the Hidden Sect’s Jade Body Technique. The disciples who join us can only practice the Five Qi Body Refining Art…”

Fang Cun nodded slowly. Much of this he already knew.

Losing their Treasure Body Method meant losing a major foundation. Though the sect still possessed many divine techniques, without the corresponding body refinement method, these techniques were largely inscrutable. In a way, disciples entering Shoushan Sect were indeed idling time. After all, the Five Qi Body Refining Art could be practiced anywhere; why join a sect specifically?

“These disciples… well, their situation isn’t easy either,” Elder Green Pine interjected with a bitter laugh. “Those who remain at present-day Shoushan Sect are merely treading water. Those with higher potential go elsewhere; those too low can’t even meet our entry threshold. And frankly, most of those who did enter just want to idle time away, escaping the hardships of manning the Nightwatcher Palace. Staying within the sect, they privately scheme and maneuver, hoping for an opening at court so they might secure an official position within the Great Xia Dynasty…”

“And we? Well, we cannot guide them much. What else can we do but let them be?”

……

These details didn’t need many words; Fang Cun had already perceived them.

Shoushan Sect now seemed like a place selling membership. Upon entering, one nominally became a County Sect disciple, exempt from Nightwatcher duties, gaining ample time to seek connections and vie for an official post. Naturally, those who ‘bought in’ viewed Shoushan Sect dismissively. Many likely saw the Elders and Sect Leader as living off their wealth, hence the lack of respect, both outwardly and inwardly!

“Plainly put, a bunch of spoiled rich kids buying status?” Fang Cun chuckled inwardly. These good-for-nothings couldn’t even hold a candle to him – he’d outright bought the sect…

After brief talk, he dismissed the matter, returning to the topic of palace construction.

After touring the area, Fang Cun relayed all his requirements. Elder Green Pine diligently noted each one. Meanwhile, Fang Cun tasked Little Fox and Yu Qingli with cleaning the old hall for temporary residence. That turned into quite an ordeal; rumor had it Little Fox spent the entire night cleaning under Yu Qingli’s direction, collapsing exhausted onto the steps, tongue lolling out…

“Since I’ll reside on this peak from now, disciples should be told not to enter casually…” As they parted, Fang Cun recalled something and spoke seriously to Elder Green Pine and Young Sect Master Xu.

“We will make the announcement!” Both readily agreed, considering it normal. An Elder naturally deserved privacy; no one liked uninvited guests.

After giving these instructions, Fang Cun had Xiao Qingliu carry a cloth sack as he strolled alone upon Jade Mirror Peak. He sought the spot brimming with the most abundant spiritual energy, amid a field of wildflowers. Opening the sack, there was a “whoosh,” and countless butterflies flew out.

“Surviving sealed up for days… How hardy must these butterflies be?”

Observing them, Fang Cun felt a flicker of curiosity.

Originally, he’d bred Heart-Piercing Insect Gu to refine the Life-Death Sigil, unintentionally producing these butterflies. Believing butterflies short-lived, he expected them to die swiftly. Yet, they thrived for months, remarkably vibrant. Moreover, nurtured by Innate Qi, they shared a connection with his mind, granting them significant utility – hence his decision to bring them to Shoushan Sect.

Despite their harmless appearance and his control, Fang Cun remained wary; these butterflies emerged from Heart-Piercing Insect Gu. Carelessness could lead to someone getting hurt. That was the reason behind his decree forbidding entry to the peak.

……

Several days passed. Construction was underway on the main hall. With sufficient Dragon Stones provided, both Elders worked with renewed zeal. Jade Mirror Peak soon echoed with the sounds of intense labor. Within just a few days, the structure of the palace began to rise. Other tasks like establishing the pill workshop, activating the mountain-protection formation, and clearing spiritual fields were long-term projects to be tackled gradually. Fang Cun finally felt somewhat settled within Shoushan Sect.

Unexpectedly, however, sealing Jade Mirror Peak mere days after his arrival caused considerable discontent among the disciples. By night, groups gathered near a mountain stream, staring resentfully towards the peak. Several paths leading to Jade Mirror Peak were now barred, forcing a significant detour even to reach the other side of the small Mirror Lake.

“That Second Young Master Fang from Willow Lake City sure carries himself with importance,” someone muttered sourly, eyeing the increasingly complete Immortal Palace on the peak. “Arrives barely five minutes ago, immediately flaunts his Elder status – first tearing down the old hall to build a new one, then sealing access entirely! What benefit did he offer to make that usually stingy Sect Leader, who wouldn’t even fix our caves, build so many halls just for him?”

“Hah, more like colluding in dirty deals!” sneered the most senior-looking and coldest young man present. “I heard he spent a fortune buying this Elder position. Now he’s barely settled in and already scrambling to claw that money back. The Fang Family of Willow Lake? Pah!”

“Truly never imagined the brother of Immortal Master Fang Chi would become our Elder…” others chimed in, chuckling.

“Immortal Master?” The young man’s expression turned scornful. “I don’t buy into that nonsense. If the famed Immortal Master truly cultivated virtue, selflessly dedicating himself to righteousness, where did all his family’s money to buy this position come from? This sort of false fame is common! While he lived, powerful and influential, countless flunkies praised him to the skies. Only now he’s dead are the truths revealed. Hah! I know exactly what sort of man he truly was…”

The group leaned in eagerly. “Really? There’s talk about this?”

“Old Master Fan himself said it. Would he lie?” Rehashing a few supposedly damning incidents with vivid detail, the young man stoked their simmering anger. Murmurs became heated curses, a restless energy brewing. Suddenly someone blurted, “Forget the dead man! This second son Fang rides his brother’s meager coattails, throwing his weight around here! He shooed us away immediately upon arrival, forcing us this ridiculous detour just to catch sight of the sisters on Yuxiu Peak…”

“Tch! Seems he wanted to intimidate us right off the bat. But are we some easily frightened country bumpkins?” The scornful youth declared coldly, “Want to scare us? Let him taste a bit of OUR trouble first…”

“Let him learn that Shoushan Sect’s disciples aren’t simpletons to be bullied by some rural newcomer!”

“Think of something quick…”

“”

While these scheming discussions swirled among the Shoushan Sect disciples, Fang Cun sat beneath the dilapidated hall of Jade Mirror Peak, calmly reviewing the dossiers Yu Qingli had fetched – materials detailing the sect’s recent state and its relations within Qingjiang Prefecture. He knew of the dissatisfaction brewing around his sealing of the peak, but it hardly troubled him.

He had plenty prepared for them…

He understood that the core of any County Sect lay in its disciples. Whatever he intended to do, it must start with them.

Fang Cun was sifting through documents, his mind considering the necessary steps ahead, when an unholy cacophony suddenly pierced the night air from beyond the peak. It carried faintly, but within the quiet darkness, strange wails and eerie howls were distinctly unsettling. Several voices seemed to be jeering directly towards Jade Mirror Peak.

“Hm?”

Fang Cun frowned slightly, setting down the scroll. He weighed between ignoring them or summoning a Steward to chase them off.

But at that moment, following the hateful cries, some began to sing vicious mockeries, laughter lacing their voices:

“Immortal Master Fang Chi, disgraceful and vile!”

“Overestimating himself, died in wild’s trial!”

“Fake Immortal Master, fame falsely took!”

“Tried to act too strong, life the hook took!”

A jolt like electricity shot through Fang Cun. He froze completely rigid, the hair on his neck standing on end.

Indescribable fury erupted from his core, tinting his eyes crimson.

He slowly turned, his gaze fixed beyond the hall. For the first time, he felt a bone-chilling, murderous intent blaze within him.