Chapter 190: The Most Crucial Thing
Chapter 190: The Most Crucial Thing
Though inwardly vexed, Old Master Fan still arranged a banquet.
It was held at the County Mansion, but the old scholar himself merely toasted perfunctorily before leaving.
The Elders and disciples from the Five Great Sects also left early. Watching the Shoushan Sect disciples, surrounded and toasted by countless commoners expressing fervent admiration, they found the wine too bitter to stomach. Moreover, after the events of slaying the Demon Hound on Crow Mountain, their minds were deeply unsettled. Their entire sects were waiting for them to return and discuss subsequent plans.
“The Elders may leave as you wish, however…”
Fang Cun did not detain them but smiled and cupped his hands in a salute. “Regarding that wager, will the Five Sects… honor it?”
That wager?
The Elders exchanged bitter smiles. At this point, you’re still thinking about that wager?
The main stake of that wager was this: if Shoushan Sect won, all Five Sects must fully support Shoushan Sect’s return to the Six Sects.
But now, where was any need for support from the Five Sects?
Just the cheers of the commoners told the story. Shoushan Sect, by slaying the Demon Hound and raising their banner high, had already carved an indelible mark in the hearts of the people. Their fame now likely surpassed even the Nine Immortals Sect. Furthermore, with the promise of three hundred thousand merit points bestowed by Old Master Fan, Shoushan’s return to the Six Sects was guaranteed, regardless of the Five Sects’ stance.
“Young Master Fang Two need not worry…”
In the awkward silence, Elder Ge of the Nine Immortals Sect sighed. “The Five Sects do value our face. We lost that wager fairly. It’s impossible to dispute. We have no objection to Shoushan Sect rejoining the Six Sects. At the Grand Immortal Assembly half a year hence, Shoushan Sect will undoubtedly have its place… sigh, Only hope this Grand Assembly can be held as planned!”
“Thank you, esteemed Elders!”
Pretending not to hear the latter part, Fang Cun smiled and saluted again. “However, what concerns Second Young Master Fang is not this, but the other additional bet made at the time. We agreed that if Shoushan Sect won, the Five Sects would grant us an opportunity: to send our members to observe the arts and divine abilities within each sect’s treasured Scripture Halls, to remedy our own deficiencies. Gentlemen Elders surely haven’t forgotten this?”
Enter the Scripture Halls?
The Five Sect Elders exchanged glances, then nodded. There was truly no grounds to refuse.
Moreover, Shoushan Sect had specified only observing arts, divine abilities, and classic texts within the Scripture Halls, not seeking each sect’s core cultivation techniques like the Treasure Body. It didn’t threaten their vital inheritances. Before the wager, the Sect Leaders of the Five Sects had already approved it.
“When Young Master Fang comes, my Five Sects will naturally prepare the best hospitality to welcome you!”
“That puts my mind at ease. I shall inform you before setting out!”
Fang Cun saluted again with a smile. “I won’t keep the esteemed Elders any longer!”
Only after the Five Sect Elders and their disciples had left, looking as though pardoned from a death sentence, did the banquet truly heat up. Though Old Master Fan had little zeal for it, he couldn’t let the occasion look shabby. While few county officials stayed to attend, representatives from all trades and common citizens filled the tables. Outside the dining hall, throngs of people brought eggs, steamed buns, and homemade wine, piling them high towards the building. The fervent atmosphere threatened to lift the roof.
In this jubilant setting, the Shoushan Sect disciples experienced something unprecedented. Previously, Shoushan disciples were either unknown, scarcely counted as disciples, or seen as dragging others down, unable to hold their heads high anywhere. Who could imagine that one day, they too would taste such heroic treatment?
Of those who went this time, some merely sought to collect merit points passively, some contributed little effort, or weren’t given a chance to – that much remained unclear. But after this banquet, who knew what transformations might occur?
“Young Master Fang Two, this demon slaying truly was…”
During the feast, Fang Cun stayed in a quiet corner. Beside him sat Yu Qingli, whose presence inadvertently granted them both relative peace. Many who intended to approach Fang Cun for a toast froze upon seeing Yu Qingli, turned away, and sought out other disciples instead. Only when the wine had circulated freely a few times did the Young Sect Master Xu arrive with Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone.
Fang Cun smiled as he asked, “Are the three of you satisfied?”
“Satisfied?”
Young Sect Master Xu stayed silent. Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone wore expressions of pained amusement. “Even now, a chill runs through our hearts!”
“That, after all, was a dog raised by someone from the… from Zhaoge!”
…
Seeing their worried faces, Fang Cun chuckled. “You all understood before. Why ask now?”
“Understood? Not really…”
Elder Green Pine sighed. “There on Crow Mountain, we Shoushan were one unified sect. You, as a senior Elder, and those disciples, had already struck. How could we Elders not stand with you? To do otherwise would invite mockery. But now… the demon is dead, yet the aftermath feels unsettling. Tell us… what are the consequences of slaying this Demon Hound?”
“There will be none!”
Observing their expressions, Fang Cun maintained his smile. “At least, no consequences for us.”
“Oh?”
Both the Sect Leader and the Elders seemed taken aback, surprised by Fang Cun’s certainty.
Fang Cun smiled. “Do you know why Old Scholar Fan was previously so adamant about slaying that Demon Hound?”
Three heads shook in unison.
This truly puzzled them. Though Old Master Fan had exerted immense cultivation power to project himself onto Crow Mountain to stop them during the act, before that, he had indeed wanted the Demon Hound dead. The promise of three hundred thousand merit points was evidence enough.
“Because back then, he didn’t know the Demon Hound’s connections!”
Fang Cun explained. “Until Old Master Fan learned of its background, this Crow Mountain Demon Hound was merely a rampant fiend plaguing both Wuhe County and Qingjiang Prefecture. Slaying such a demon would be a great merit for anyone. Even the Divine Palace might bestow rewards. Besides, the demon itself overstepped horribly. Around Xiaotaichuan, it led a band of demons wreaking havoc, turning villages to barren lands devoid of life. This affair was like a festering sore; it couldn’t stay hidden forever!”
Young Sect Master Xu suddenly asked, “If so, why didn’t the Wuhe County Sheriff get rid of it?”
“My guess is, that Sheriff knew of its connections!”
Fang Cun elaborated patiently. “One might wonder if that… revered occupant of the Seven Kings Hall placed the demon under Turtle God King’s charge precisely because the Turtle God King was so timid and easy to bully. Regardless, the God King most likely knew its origins!”
“Once the God King knew, his close entourage would know too. That’s why they let it rampage unchecked until now…”
Young Sect Master Xu and the Elders seemed adrift, faces blank.
Young Sect Master Xu suddenly queried, “Then why did the Demon Hound suddenly come to Qingjiang Prefecture?”
“Its arrival in Qingjiang was likely orchestrated!”
Fang Cun said. “However, it came at a convenient time for some. However timid the God King, however grand the reputation of the Seven Kings Hall, keeping a demon fed within one’s God King territory was an ugly sight. Even if the God King stayed silent, others would itch to act. Therefore, the question of who would eliminate this demon became very… interesting…”
A faint smile touched his lips. “Connecting the dots, I suspect even Old Master Fan walked into someone else’s trap. Perhaps knowledge of the Demon Hound’s master was deliberately withheld to lure the famous Old Scholar in. After all, his integrity is renowned across the realm. How could he tolerate such a lawless demon running loose?”
“And now, despite twists and turns, the demon is slain!”
Fang Cun concluded with a smile. “So, those waiting to trap Old Master Fan will surely start moving now. But the Old Master, now forewarned, won’t sit idle waiting for destruction. Let them duel. As for us, we merely followed orders, eliminated a demon, and earned some merit points. Who would be bored enough, running out of targets elsewhere, to vent their frustrations on us?”
Silence descended upon the trio after this explanation, brows deeply furrowed.
After a long while, Elder Green Pine finally asked, “Elder Fang… you’re absolutely certain this fire won’t spread to us?”
Elder Cold Stone nodded vigorously in agreement. “Indeed! Indeed! When gods fight, mortals suffer! Our Shoushan Sect is already such a decrepit little place. Who’s to say they won’t brawl back and forth and end up crushing us Shoushan?”
Hearing the word “decrepit,” Young Sect Master Xu glanced sideways at Elder Cold Stone.
“No!”
Fang Cun gave an emphatic, reassuring smile once more.
Elders Green Pine and Cold Stone stared, flabbergasted. “Why are you so sure this time?”
“Because they wouldn’t dare!”
Fang Cun declared. “We are no longer the broken-down, decrepit Shoushan Sect. We are now the grandest sect with the loudest reputation in all Qingjiang!”
Young Sect Master Xu, hearing “decrepit” again, shot another look at Elder Cold Stone.
“Reputation? Grand… Sect?”
Green Pine and Cold Stone’s eyes suddenly gleamed with an uncharacteristic light, voices quivering with excitement.
“Exactly!”
Fang Cun affirmed. “Now every commoner in Qingjiang recognizes us. Every commoner in Qingjiang praises us. We represent the righteousness in their hearts! We stand for every noble force! That’s why the criticism others face won’t touch us. The disasters others suffer won’t befall us. Unless someone strips away this reputation, everything we do is right! Not even Old Master Fan, not even the God King would dare oppose us openly! Because right now, behind Shoushan Sect… stands every single citizen of Qingjiang Prefecture!”
Hearing this novel yet seemingly sound reasoning, the Sect Leader and two Elders gaped, eyes wide.
Fang Cun smiled meaningfully. “In this situation, do you three know what is… the most crucial thing?”
Elder Green Pine ventured, “Thoroughly retaliate against those Five Sects for past humiliations?”
Fang Cun simply smiled, offering no answer.
Elder Cold Stone said eagerly, “Increase our monthly allowances?”
Beside him, Young Sect Master Xu’s face flushed red with suppressed emotion.
Fang Cun chuckled, shaking his head. “What does the Sect Master think?”
“Kill people.”
After a moment of awkward silence, the Sect Master answered with utter seriousness.
Fang Cun and the two Elders started in surprise, casting strange looks his way.
The Young Sect Master flushed deeper and quickly clarified: “During the assault on Crow Mountain and the slaying of the Demon Hound, we also uncovered vast quantities of items banned by county ordinances from private sale – especially significant were the formation jade crystals and magic equipment. The demon is dead, but those who brazenly ignored the laws and prohibitions, who for silver dared sell forbidden goods to the Demons… must be rooted out, one by one…and killed!”
Hearing this, Fang Cun’s expression involuntarily shifted.
Young Sect Master Xu appeared shy and mild-mannered, enduring slights with an almost unshakably good temper. The simplest illustration was his decade-long tolerance of Green Pine and Cold Stone—truly an impressive feat to have not strangled them…
Yet this very picture of gentle forbearance had just solemnly uttered the words “kill people.”
Though upon hearing his reasoning, Fang Cun’s impression of him significantly transformed.