Chapter 160: Spread the Word
Chapter 160: Spread the Word
“Whoosh…”
The atmosphere in the hall instantly became tense.
Clearly, everyone was speaking with smiles, yet inexplicably, a chilly and oppressive mood hung in the air.
Old Master Fan was looking at Fang Cun, and Fang Cun was also looking at Old Master Fan.
Both of them wore smiles, yet Sect Leaders like the young Sect Leader Xu felt unable to maintain their own smiles.
Especially Young Sect Master Xu, who felt an inexplicable urge to cry…
“Hahahaha…”
The smile on Old Master Fan’s face gradually widened, and he suddenly burst into loud laughter. Pointing at Fang Cun, he chuckled, “You, ah… sometimes you’re really like your brother, born with great boldness. Fear many things, yet fear no trouble. But some words are best said only before this old man. Don’t speak recklessly in front of others. You know well the situation of your Fang Family nowadays… hehe, be careful!”
“Hehe…”
Fang Cun also laughed along and said, “It’s only because I know you would not take it to heart, Old Master, that I dare to speak bluntly!”
Hearing their words, the tense atmosphere in the hall noticeably eased.
None of the attending Sect Leaders realized that they had unconsciously breathed a slight sigh of relief.
“Alright!”
Old Master Fan flicked his sleeve and stood up, addressing the gathering. “Summoning you today was solely to discuss these three matters: the demon cultivator and Ghost Officials; the Demon Hound wreaking havoc locally; and the critical matter of the Spirit Well drying up. All require your focused effort. I won’t speak empty words. Each of these three tasks carries great Merit. Succeed in any one, and I will not skimp on generous rewards!”
Hearing this, the attending Sect Leaders promptly rose and voiced their assent, “We heed the Old Master’s edict!”
“You all know I dislike large banquets, so I will not detain you. You may all take your leave!”
Old Master Fan finished speaking, turned his head to glance at Fang Cun with a smiling nod, then clasped his hands behind his back and walked out of the great hall.
The gathered Sect Leaders finally relaxed. Understanding Old Master Fan’s unyielding personality, they didn’t mind the lack of feasting. Instead, they exited the residence and began discussing cheerfully about finding a roadside tavern to share drinks and taste the experiences of the mundane world.
“Young Sect Master Xu and our Elder Fang are most welcome to join! The three major issues concerning Qingjiang Prefecture demand our deliberation!”
Although within the residence, the Sect Leaders had opposed the inclusion of Shoushan Sect among the Six Great Sects, even voicing harsh words, now that they were outside, they immediately adopted different airs. Their invitation to Fang Cun and Young Sect Master Xu was surprisingly earnest.
“Hehe, an invitation from esteemed seniors cannot be refused. We would be honored to pour your wine!”
Fang Cun and Young Sect Master Xu exchanged a glance, then smilingly accepted.
The other Sect Leaders, exchanging smiles, promptly mounted their swords and soared away. Fang Cun and Young Sect Master Xu boarded the Dharma Ship. With a rumble, it lifted off, churning the clouds around it, its momentum imposing and trailing a lingering aura of spiritual energy. While its speed might be slower than sword flight or Soaring Cloud techniques in the short term, its sheer presence clearly elevated it by more than a single tier.
“Sigh, this second son of the Fang Family is indeed too young, too arrogant. Such peaceful mountain solitude… ruined by him.”
Far away, inside the rear residence, watching the majestic ascent of the Dharma Ship, an aged servant sighed helplessly.
“Heh, young people after all, lacking understanding of restraint!”
Seated in an armchair, Old Master Fan chuckled softly, shaking his head.
“Teacher, forgive my forwardness, but this Second Young Master Fang doesn’t seem like the humble, knowledge-seeking sort. Just now, you generously offered guidance and advice. In the entire Qingjiang Prefecture, indeed across Great Xia, how many get this fortune? How many would offer him such heartfelt counsel? But judging by his expression, he seemed displeased… truly lacking in propriety…”
The elderly servant beside him shook his head as he spoke, his expression disdainful.
Old Master Fan gently shook his head, feigning displeasure. “As his elder, would I stoop to counting such things?”
“We must protest your tolerance! We servants cannot bear to see it.”
The old servant shook his head, scoffing and complaining to Old Master Fan. “The Fang Family, even at its peak, postures before you? Even the Immortal Master Fang Chi owed you his life! Never mind his Second Son. Next time he shows you such disrespect, regardless of his consequence, I will see this youngster taught a lesson…”
“A gentle admonishment would suffice!”
A trace of compassionate indulgence appeared on Old Master Fan’s face as he smiled. “Give young people a little more opportunity!”
Entering the cabin’s inner chamber, now alone, Fang Cun’s expression darkened slightly.
At that moment, his mood was unsettled.
Not from anger precisely, but the encounter with Scholar Fan had left him instinctively uncomfortable. Though his previous life exposed him to chaotic information, leaving him far from ancient in combined years, his instincts were sharp. Some things didn’t need explicit statement; an intuition had already formed, though he couldn’t yet articulate it.
“Young Master, is something troubling you?”
Young Sect Master Xu noticed Fang Cun’s expression and asked proactively.
“Just a passing thought. That Elder Fan… appears dedicated to upright conduct, detached from vulgar customs, possessing the virtue of a highly revered elder…”
Young Sect Master Xu heard this, seemed momentarily puzzled, then smiled. “His title ‘Living Saint’ holds true!”
Fang Cun suddenly turned to face Young Sect Master Xu. “What do you think of him?” Without waiting for an answer, he clarified, “Not what others say… what do you, personally, perceive?”
Young Sect Master Xu seemed unsurprised by the question. After a slight hesitation, he said, “Old Master Fan is a celebrated master in interpreting the Classic of Documents. His Mysterious Stele calligraphy style is powerful and unrestrained, the brushstrokes like penetrating the paper; truly unmatched in Yuan Nation. Even in Zhaoge, many vie for his scripts. Moreover, he not only bears the name of a Saint… he also seems to live up to it.”
“Since he became Governor of Qingjiang, he has truly embodied incorruptibility, upholding personal integrity. He does not covet Dragon Stones from major sects; shows no weakness for feminine charms or demonic arts; keeps no demonic attendants as retainers; has never been heard to harbor Rogue Cultivators under him. He oppresses no one below him, nor fears authority above him. He counsels ordinary sect disciples with a smiling face and dares to speak bluntly even before the Turtle God King. Frankly, no one in all Qingjiang could find fault with this gentleman…”
“Which makes it all the more… interesting!”
The smile on Fang Cun’s face grew more pronounced, yet the colder his eyes became.
“Interesting? How so?”
Young Sect Master Xu seemed both curious and slightly hesitant to ask outright.
Sensing his confusion, Fang Cun replied with a smile, “The Qingjiang City I’ve seen allows minor official positions to be bought, the highest bidder wins. It’s a Qingjiang City where demonic ghosts and evil creatures emerge endlessly; a Qingjiang City scorched and barren, its villages sparse; a Qingjiang City where descendants of the loyal and righteous like Shoushan Sect were excluded from the Six Sects’ resources for nearly two decades. Yet, upon arriving here, whoever I ask praises an impeccably virtuous, incorruptible, hatred-of-evil gentleman, daily invoking justice, laws, and morality – practically flawless.”
He looked directly at Young Sect Master Xu, his smile deepening. “Don’t you find that inherently… intriguing?”
Young Sect Master Xu was momentarily stunned, staring at Fang Cun in shock.
Fang Cun’s expression was detached as he suddenly asked, “Who exactly said Old Master Fan saved my brother?”
Young Sect Master Xu paused slightly, uncertain. “Over the past few years… it was occasionally mentioned…”
Fang Cun pressed, “Has it only recently become widespread?”
Lacking confidence, Young Sect Master Xu hesitated to answer, but the Xiaogingliu who served them spoke up: “Yes!”
Fang Cun gave a slight nod.
Listening nearby, Young Sect Master Xu looked alarmed. “Could it be… Young Master Fang suspects…”
Fang Cun spoke calmly, “Had it been true, the tale would have echoed throughout Great Xia. Why only murmured within this Prefecture, utterly unheard outside, even unknown to me? More crucially, I’ve encountered Path of Heaven assassins. I find it hard to believe Old Fan possesses the power or influence… or such profound ‘face’… that one word from him could make them withdraw…”
“This… such wild speculation seems unwise?”
“Naturally, wild speculation is ill-advised. Especially since my brother… is dead.”
Fang Cun’s face was expressionless.
“The dead speak no tales. Therefore, whether he was truly saved, whether we Fangs repayed kindness with betrayal… well, his words become the record.”
Young Sect Master Xu found himself at a loss for words.
Visiting Scholar Fan, the three major tasks, securing Shoushan Sect’s place among the Six Sects — these were the vital issues. Yet Fang Cun was laser-focused on this uncertain past event. Young Sect Master Xu felt conflicted about advising further: the Fang Family seemed besieged on all sides. To many, Old Fan extending goodwill, treating Fang Cun as a favored junior, was a rare blessing worth grasping. Yet Fang Cun felt suspicion?
But the most frustrating part was: even if suspicious… what could be done?
Nearly two decades had passed. The Immortal Master perished amid the Desolate Wasteland. Who remained to testify?
Frankly put, even if the event was fabricated, as Immortal Master Fang Chi’s brother, condemning the doubt would be harsh. The faintest hint of skepticism from him could unleash torrents of public condemnation.
Doubts might linger internally… yet what choice remained?
Some events… truly become murky beyond clarity…
“A modest soul, our Elder Fan. Saving my brother from the Path of Heaven, he kept silent over a decade. Only after my brother’s demise did he suddenly mention it — subtly, refusing details, implying it should remain undisclosed…”
Fang Cun’s voice resumed, soft yet laced with cold purpose. “But this just won’t do. We Fangs remember kindness!”
“Xiao Qingliu!”
“Young Master, your servant is here!”
“The elder scholar dislikes talk? We shall trumpet it widely for him!”
Fang Cun paused, his tone icy. “Send those fellows endlessly chattering in the courtyard out to spread the tale. The Old Scholar wants secrecy? We cannot be impolite. Not only must more know… people must ponder their grand narratives for Old Master Fan. Ponder… just how immense his power must be, that even Path of Heaven assassins gave him such ‘face’?”
His gaze turned chilling. “We shall see… what the esteemed Master Fan says then.”