Chapter 159: Rest Assured, Old Scholar

Fang Cun stood on the sidelines observing coldly. He could clearly see the differences in the attitudes of the Sect Leaders.

Upon hearing about the “Ghost Official,” everyone seemed hesitant, puzzled, and unwilling to commit. But when the “Demon Hound” was mentioned, their faces instantly flushed with anger. They shouted for it to be hunted and killed, appearing eager to roll up their sleeves and charge into the mountains to finish it off immediately…

This Ghost Official… its origins were unclear. Judging by their words, it didn’t seem like a simple Demon cultivator. Its background was strange; how was it linked to the Netherworld? Supposedly, such a place existed, gathering wicked spirits that occasionally descended to cause havoc on Earth. But it had never truly been seen. Could an actual Netherworld Judge really have come to the mortal world, causing disorder in secret?

As for the Demon Hound, its deeds were clear upon hearing them, naturally explaining the Sect Leaders’ contrasting reactions.

Within the Great Xia realm, Demons weren’t uncommon; they could even be considered numerous.

Deep mountains and ancient forests dotted the world, places rarely visited by humans. It was common for wild beasts inhabiting these places to absorb the essences of the sun and moon, transforming into Demons. Many Demonic lineages had even thrived here longer than the people of Great Xia themselves. However, any Demon roaming Great Xia territory would only dare to show their ferocity before ordinary mortals. In front of Qi Refiners, they were known to be extremely meek. And for any who weren’t… one only needed to remember the fate of the three main Demon veins in the mountains near Willow Lake City to understand what awaited those who stepped out of line…

Yet this Demon Hound acted without any restraint—openly capturing and devouring commoners. Not only that, it brazenly dared to recruit lesser demons and set up its base in the mountains! This was a blatant disregard for the Qi Refining Sects of Qingjiang Prefecture. It had to be destroyed, and quickly!

Of course, such arrogant, reckless monsters popped up every few years. They were hardly a novelty.

…

“Heh, no need for such urgency! There will be time for you to destroy it!”

Old Master Fan seemed somewhat satisfied seeing the expressions of anger on the Sect Leaders’ faces. He added, “However, besides these two matters, there’s another pressing issue right before us. It requires all of you to pool your wisdom and devise an explanation…”

Hearing this, the Sect Leaders all turned their attention to him. The Sect Master of Jiuxian Sect suddenly spoke, “Could it be… the Spirit Well?”

Old Master Fan sighed and nodded gently. “When I inspected it recently, the spiritual energy within had dropped another one inch and three points.”

“One inch and three points?”

The Sect Leaders reacted with profound shock. Some even jumped slightly. “How is that possible?”

Old Master Fan’s expression was troubled. After a long pause, he finally shook his head slowly. “It’s the will of heaven. My greatest responsibility over my twelve years as Guardian has been the safekeeping of this Spirit Well. Yet, for unknown reasons, despite trying every means possible, I not only failed to raise its spiritual essence, but the decline has accelerated. Previously, it was fractions and tenths of a point… now, it dropped over a full inch in one go…”

A deep worry marked his face as he spoke. “I fear if we don’t find a remedy soon… it may dry up completely!”

Hearing this pronouncement, every Sect Leader bore an expression of undisguied horror.

After another long silence, one stammered out, “The Great T-T-Turtle God King? H-has he..?”

Old Master Fan shook his head. “I submit a petition there every year. When has it ever yielded an explanation?”

Instantly, the faces of the Sect Leaders turned even more severe. They were at a loss for words.

Fang Cun, however, found the congregated confusion intriguing. He turned a questioning glance towards Young Sect Master Xu.

The matter of the Spirit Well seemed to be a court secret. Previously, he had only vaguely heard its name mentioned without grasping its true significance. But seeing the grave reactions of the Sect Leaders, he understood that, as Sect Leaders, they should know what it was. Catching Fang Cun’s look, Young Sect Master Xu gave a slight nod in return, silently signaling him to be patient and that an explanation would come after they left.

“Enough! Don’t wear such despairing faces!”

Old Master Fan let out a heavy sigh, his expression shifting abruptly to sternness. His voice turned cold: “We Qi Refiners seek the grand truths of heaven and earth, unraveling the complexities of existence! Though the Spirit Well’s withering seems presently unsolvable, if a method eludes us, we must seek one! Wallowing in helplessness is useless! Now, I have summoned experts to analyze the well, searching for paths to save it. As for each of you commanding lineages with legacies spanning millennia—return to your sects! Mine your archives diligently! Search for any ancient method or secret art that might offer a remedy!”

The Sect Leaders responded with soft acknowledgments and respectful agreement.

“Ghost Official… Demon Hound… Spirit Well…”

While they spoke, Fang Cun silently pondered these three matters. Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere, a blot of darkness invisible to others coalesced before him. An ancient-looking record spontaneously appeared, lines of text scrolling across its surface:

“Ghost Official rampages unchecked, killing arbitrarily, breaking laws, destroying hearts. Find it, kill it. Reward: 100,000 Merit.”

“Demon Hound spreads disaster, abducting the people, devouring flesh, violating natural harmony. Slay it. Reward: 100,000 Merit.”

“Spirit Well fades, threatening life across this land. Select the wise method to heal it. Reward: 100,000 Merit…”

“……”

“Well, color me not surprised.”

Staring at the manifesting Celestial Merit Record, Fang Cun sighed inwardly with resignation.

He had known all along this contraption would pick this exact moment to chime in, and sure enough, here it was. Seeing it casually assign these three tasks as if ticking off a simple shopping list made Fang Cun’s head ache. He didn’t even properly understand these things yet, and it was already demanding action? And… wasn’t the measly 100,000 Merits a bit… cheap?

Just as Fang Cun internally lamented the stinginess of the Celestial Merit Record, Old Master Fan finished speaking with the six Sect Leaders. His instructions revolved around urging them to prepare, demanding they resolve the three major crises swiftly. Following this, some pleasantries were exchanged before Old Master Fan cast his gaze directly at Fang Cun. He smiled and asked, “I’ve spoken at length, young Master Fang the Second. Did you grasp everything?”

“Hmm?”

Fang Cun looked up towards Old Master Fan, genuinely surprised.

The old man chuckled. “Earlier, I declared that your Shoushan Sect must earn 300,000 Merit to be recognized among the Six Great Sects and partake in the distribution of this year’s Dragon Stone. Logically speaking, achieving that vast amount in so short a time seems improbable. But now… with these three significant matters at hand? Merely contributing meaningfully to any one of them would earn substantial Merit rewards. Reaching 300,000 Merit would then become easily attainable. Ensure both you and Young Master Xu place your utmost focus on these tasks…”

At this point, both Young Sect Master Xu and Fang Cun had no choice but to assent: “We will strive to our utmost!”

Old Master Fan heaved a long, meaningful sigh and looked intently at Fang Cun. “Frankly, your decision to enter the County Sect surprised me. I honestly thought you should have stayed in Willow Lake City longer, lying low… However, since you are here, adjustments must be made. Move with caution. Conduct yourself with integrity. Don’t copy your brother’s excessive rigidity, but refrain from becoming unruly!”

“Hmm?”

These words caused a flicker within Fang Cun. He lifted his head, meeting Old Master Fan’s gaze without flinching.

Noticing his direct stare, the old man chuckled, “Don’t resent an old man’s frankness. Even your brother, before me, was merely a junior. If even he accepted my reproofs, how could you be exempt? Since your brother’s fall, I’ve heard tales of your deeds. I know your talents are exceptional. But youth remains… and often brings folly. Certain actions… quite frankly… have crossed a line!”

Fang Cun’s brow furrowed slightly.

Old Master Fan maintained his grandfatherly smile but continued undeterred, “Let’s set aside other matters. But in Willow Lake City – you descended into a killing frenzy, slaughtering numerous secret agents? Think the Great Xia lacks its own law? Perhaps those men were agents planted by malign forces with nefarious designs. But killing them? That must follow the Legal Code! Who are you, a private individual, to execute judgment yourself?!”

Fang Cun listened without immediate response. Finally, a light laugh escaped him. “The Old Scholar speaks truth!”

He paused briefly, the soft chuckle carrying an edge when he continued, softly, “But if slaying them was against the law… would their stealthy infiltration into Willow Lake, even posing threats against me… could that ever be considered within the law?”

A palpable chill instantly filled the air.

The watching Sect Leaders shifted their gaze to Fang Cun, seemingly astounded that he would boldly talk back to Old Master Fan.

“Hah! Look! Look! Tell him off twice, and now here comes the stubbornness!”

Old Master Fan, however, didn’t appear angry. He addressed the room with apparent levity, drawing nervous chuckles. Fixing his eyes back on Fang Cun, he pressed, “Reasons can always be hunted down to justify any misdeed. I stand by my previous words: Act with care! Walk the right path! Forget Willow Lake City for now. But consider this: within barely a month of joining Shoushan Sect, I already heard word just reaching Shoushan Sect? Merely over a minor dispute… you crippled a disciple’s cultivation? Tell me, old man, how can this not be perceived as acting too harshly?”

Fang Cun met his gaze, the corners of his lips lifting slightly. “The Old Scholar certainly has… fast sources.”

Something flickered across Old Master Fan’s expression upon hearing this. He scrutinized Fang Cun deeply. All he saw was a young man wearing a faint, elusive smile.

“Utterly unwilling to heed counsel… this is where you fall short of your brother.”

Old Master Fan sighed lowly, appearing reluctant to argue further. “Many truths… this old man avoids speaking them freely, particularly since your brother is gone. Yet I am an elder before your generation – yours and your brother’s. How can I stand by and watch you tumble onto crooked paths? If older brother dared stand before me? Rebuke him sharply? His only recourse would be to stand mute and obey! Were it otherwise… when everyone’s favorite prey faced mortal danger pursued by the Path of Heaven? Long past any hope? Would I— burdened by countless dangers—have intervened to salvage him from an otherwise certain demise?”

Fang Cun’s expression remained completely neutral, simply listening silently.

“Understand this: your status is unlike others’. Because of him, others respect you… they fear you. Not me!“

Old Master Fan smiled again, but this time genuine authority emanated from him. He stared Fang Cun down. “For the record: Listen well. Disobey any warnings? Others might tread softly… I dare to curse! Step mistakenly? Others quail in fear… I possess the right to strike!“

His face abruptly hardened: “Hear these words. Did they sink in?”

……

Every Sect Leader standing nearby immediately shifted their focus directly onto Fang Cun. Expressions blended unmistakable curiosity with nuanced judgment.

Under their collective scrutiny, a faint smile finally touched Fang Cun’s lips. “Rest assured, Old Scholar.” His voice remained calm. “The Fang Family remembers two things exceedingly well: debts owed… and vengeance waiting.”

His smile didn’t waver as he continued, “Those who show kindness to the Fang Family? We would sacrifice all we have to repay them.”

He paused. The gaze lifting returned toward Old Master Fan then became piercingly direct. His voice deepened slightly, carrying an impossible weight: “Those who inflict harm upon the Fang Family? Heaven could rain ten million thunderbolts upon our heads… the debt shall be paid regardless.”

His eyes stayed locked on the elder as he delivered the final question, softly yet clearly: “Now then… does this response satisfy you, Old Scholar?”