Chapter 169: Disciples Guarding the Mountain, Slay Demons
Chapter 169: Disciples Guarding the Mountain, Slay Demons
“What has Elder Fang asked us for?”
Shortly after Xiao Qingliu left, two figures were seen peeking in at the hall entrance. The imposing elders of the Shoushan Sect, Cold Stone and Green Pine, appeared somewhat timid. They shuffled in step by step, looking baffled, yet they did manage to enter. Outside the peak, the anxious Young Sect Master Xu, who hadn’t been summoned, also didn’t dare enter; he could only crane his neck from afar.
“Gentlemen Elders, please sit. Tea!”
Fang Cun smiled and rose to greet them, then instructed the Little Fox Girl beside him.
The two elders hastily smiled awkwardly. “No need, no need. No tea for us!”
Fang Cun smiled. “Then, perhaps some fruit?”
The elders frantically waved their hands. “Not necessary, not necessary. Don’t stand on ceremony…”
“Oh…”
Fang Cun smiled and sat down, getting straight to the point. “The matter concerning the Demon Hound, I presume both Elders are already aware?”
Elder Green Pine and Elder Cold Stone exchanged a glance, their expressions instantly turning sour. “We heard first thing in the morning. The Sect Leader summoned us before we’d even sobered up from the wine. Hearing that news instantly cleared our heads! This… Elder Fang’s determination to slay the demon is truly admirable. We respect it immensely. But we’re rather curious… how exactly does Elder Fang plan to confront it…”
Before they could finish, Fang Cun smiled and said, “This matter will require significant reliance on the two of you!”
“What?”
The two elders were stunned, nearly jumping to their feet. Elder Green Pine said with a bitter face, “To be frank, Elder Fang, although my cultivation level is Golden Core, it’s… well… practically honorary! I haven’t fought anyone for ten years…”
Elder Cold Stone followed with an equally woeful smile. “As for me, I’ve been honest since childhood. My dear mother never let me pick fights…”
“…”
Fang Cun was momentarily taken aback. “What are you talking about? I’m not asking you to lead the charge!”
The two elders breathed a sigh of relief. Elder Green Pine then looked troubled. “Just having the Sect Leader fight alone… that doesn’t seem quite right, does it?”
Elder Cold Stone sighed. “Indeed, it doesn’t. But who made him the Sect Leader?”
They exchanged a look, seemingly content that the issue was resolved.
Fang Cun: “…”
Suddenly he understood why Young Sect Master Xu had been so eager to sell him that spiritual vein back then!
However, he could understand these two elders’ perspective. Honestly, Young Sect Master Xu had thought the same thing yesterday. These two elders, plus Young Sect Master Xu, were essentially the only capable “high-level experts” the entire Shoushan Sect could muster. The Mad Elder in the Rear Mountain? Powerful, yes, but trying to invite him would likely result in the ‘demon slaying’ turning into the mad elder ‘slaying’ them long before they faced the actual demon.
With this tiny, pitiful group, wanting to challenge that Demon Hound occupying a mountain peak and styling itself a Demon King? It was like sending eggs against a rock.
“I didn’t invite you two here to discuss you fighting!”
Fang Cun smiled, looking at the elders. “Actually, it’s another matter where I need your strength!”
“Not fighting…”
Elder Cold Stone’s expression shifted slightly as he thought aloud, “Is it… contributing money?”
Fang Cun looked a bit strange but suppressed it. “Not contributing money either!”
The elders’ faces immediately brightened noticeably. “Then that’s no problem! Elder Fang, feel free to instruct us!”
Fang Cun smiled, studying the elders seriously. “I’d like to ask a question, Esteemed Elders. Are any of you good at scolding people?”
“What?”
Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone were instantly dumbstruck. “Scold whom?”
Fang Cun didn’t answer that. “Just scold. I’ll pay three Dragon Stones. Scold well, to my satisfaction? Ten Dragon Stones!”
Clatter!
Both elders suddenly stood up, nearly knocking over their chairs and the low tables.
Four eyes fixed simultaneously on Fang Cun’s face, radiating a terrifying, awe-inspiring ferocity.
Fang Cun felt a prickle under their gaze. “Is there a problem?”
“Elder Fang, do you realize, that although my cultivation is Golden Core, it’s highly… negotiable?”
Elder Fu Gui (Great Fortune) spoke with utmost seriousness. “Therefore, I always favor working my mouth over fists! If scolding suffices, why bother with spells?”
Elder Jin Yin (Gold Silver) matched his solemnity. “My dear old mother forbade fighting since I was young. But she could flawlessly eviscerate an entire street single-handedly in a scolding contest!”
Fang Cun bowed respectfully to them with a fist-and-palm salute. The matter was secured!
…………
Three days passed in a flash. With the morrow heralding their collective venture towards Crow Mountain to eradicate the demon, alongside the Five Great Sects, the entirety of Shoushan Sect naturally mobilized.
Young Sect Master Xu had been running ragged over these two days. He issued the sect’s Merit Edict, finalized battle formation schematics and plans, and exhausted every avenue to gather intelligence on Crow Mountain’s current state.
Finally, he mobilized every resource the Shoushan Sect possessed!
A whole Sect Leader, two Elders, and… forty-eight disciples!
That was it!
Such was Young Sect Master Xu’s sweet temper tested, he almost smashed the teacup on the spot…
Were they going on a suicide mission?
He had paid dearly these past days to understand Crow Mountain’s situation. That Demon Hound, after appearing there, had wreaked immense havoc. Unlike other mountain spirits who cautiously cause trouble while fearing human Qi Refiners, this Demon Hound ate wherever it went, raising demonic winds, abducting commoners — brazenly unconcealed! Even an academy near Crow Mountain had initially tried resisting it. The beast simply barged in.
The Golden Core Realm Academy Head? Devoured. Instructors and Disciples? Countless dead or injured…
That was an Academy! A great learning hall of Great Xia!
Such brutality was unheard of throughout all of Qingjiang Prefecture.
Now, this Demon Hound had established itself as a king at Crow Mountain. It had subjugated over a dozen minor surrounding Demon Kings beneath it.
Meaning, regardless of how formidable the Demon Hound personally was…
Scarecely had the sect mobilized its meagre forces than they found themselves facing the daunting might of Crow Mountain’s demonic hordes under the Demon Hound’s rule. Disciples murmured anxiously, doubt clouding their eyes. Could a handful, even led by determined elders, truly challenge such overwhelming darkness?
How was Shoushan Sect supposed to compete?!
“Excellent! Very good!”
Fang Cun had now arrived from Jade Mirror Peak, accompanied by Xiao Qingliu and Yu Qingli. He hadn’t brought the Little Fox Girl; no need for child soldiers.
Young Sect Master Xu looked close to tears. “Where is this good?”
“The fighting spirit is excellent!”
Fang Cun replied with a smile, sweeping an appraising glance over the assembled disciples. He added, chuckling, “However, the disciples’ robes are mismatched, their magic treasures varied, making them resemble a… ragtag militia. This time marks our Shoushan Sect’s debut as the lead force against demonic evils. It’s the perfect moment for Qingjiang Prefecture to rediscover our strength! Fine feathers make fine birds; fine saddles make fine horses! Xiao Qingliu, bring forward the reward I prepared for our disciples!”
Hearing this, Young Sect Master Xu couldn’t help being startled.
Second Young Master Fang wasn’t ignorant of Shoushan Sect’s current state, yet he eagerly took on the task of eliminating the Demon Hound. Could it be he had already made grand preparations? Distributing rich rewards before departure… could it be each disciple would receive a personal magic treasure?
Hearing this, the disciples grew equally excited.
They weren’t fully aware yet of just how fearsome the Demon Hound was. They only knew they were teaming up with the other Five Great Sects to eliminate demons, so the pressure felt manageable. Besides, Shoushan Sect was being unusually generous this time. The Merit Edict stated: participation in this demon-slaying guaranteed a base of 3000 Merit points! Furthermore, outstanding contributions during the battle would earn extra rewards and merit.
Such an opportunity? Who wouldn’t jump at it?
Therefore, practically every disciple not secluded in training or otherwise occupied had reported.
And now, even before setting out, more rewards were coming down?
Truly, countless disciples felt their blood surging with excitement.
Amidst this sea of expectant gazes, they saw Xiao Qingliu rush to the mountain foot. Guided by stewards, hefty rewards, packed individually, were unloaded from the Dharma Ship and delivered to each disciple’s hand.
Young Sect Master Xu, his heart full of anticipation, impatiently leaned in for a look… only to be utterly dumbfounded.
What were these so-called “hefty rewards”?
Just a single sword sheath and a brand new robe.
The robes were white, paired with golden-embroidered sashes, featuring wide sleeves and narrow waists, cut to flatter the figure and project vigor. Donned by anyone, even the least imposing, they instilled an intangible aura of transcendence. Strapping the sword sheath diagonally across their backs completed the look – instantly transforming them into the image of fledgling celestial warriors.
And inside the sheath lay a Flying Sword.
The dark sheath concealed the bright blade. When Cultivated Power surged into it, the sword could burst forth from its scabbard. Its blade shone like the noonday sun, illuminating the surroundings.
Young Sect Master Xu observed this, his pupils involuntarily constricting. He discretely sidled up to Fang Cun. “Elder Fang…”
“Hmm?”
“The robes… they are actually quite nice…”
“Indeed, quite nice. Ten taels of silver per piece. Shoushan Sect owes me reimbursement.”
“The flying swords also seem… decent…”
“Truly decent. The most exquisitely crafted and dazzling low-grade artifacts. They appear remarkably impressive when flown… The sect owes me reimbursement for these too.”
“These are fine… But the crucial point is…”
Young Sect Master Xu felt the urge to tug Fang Cun’s sleeve imploringly. “But… what are they for?”
Never mind ten taels, even if they cost a hundred taels, these were just ordinary robes! A single lick of demonic flame and they’d develop gaping holes. How were disciples supposed to fight wearing this? As for the flying swords, their flight was undoubtedly imposing. Infusing power made them blaze with light visible leagues away! Should they venture into a demon’s nest or some demonic array… piloting such luminous blades… the disciples would be… afraid the enemy wouldn’t spot them?
“What are you worried about?”
Fang Cun couldn’t help but turn and look curiously at Young Sect Master Xu. “Haven’t the two elders told you anything?””
“No! I did hear them whispering about something…”
Young Sect Master Xu answered blankly. “But they also said it was ‘big work’, best not to tell me… to prevent me from stealing their business…”
Fang Cun couldn’t help but laugh, patting Young Sect Master Xu’s shoulder. “Then simply… wait and watch!”
Young Sect Master Xu blinked. “You won’t tell me either?”
“I am an Elder!”
Fang Cun replied with a grin. “Naturally, I side with those other two esteemed seniors!”
Young Sect Master Xu was utterly bewildered. He stared blankly as Fang Cun, clad in his fluttering white robe, stepped elegantly and aloofly towards the Dharma Ship. He saw the two elders, who typically vanished at the first sign of trouble, already aboard ahead of time. They welcomed Fang Cun with visible delight. He saw all the disciples changing into their pristine white robes, hoisting the sleek black sword sheaths onto their backs, and stepping onto those brilliantly gleaming flying swords…
How could it be…? A sudden sense washed over him – in Shoushan Sect, he alone felt like an outsider.
…………
“Disciples of Shoushan Sect, heed the command…”
Once Fang Cun and the others had boarded the Dharma Ship, the two elders stood at the ship’s railing. Their cries rang out with powerful clarity.
Immortal dignity flowed forth, soaring towards the azure vault! Like a rising banner, it inspired awe and ignited nascent courage. Sword energy coursed sharply, its biting cold promising retribution for the demon darkness!
“Soar out with us! Eliminate the demons!”