Chapter 195: No Deal
Chapter 195: No Deal
“Huh?”
Hearing this, the two Elders of Duskblade Sect were both greatly startled.
They couldn’t tell if they should feel relieved or worried…
Though they had mentally prepared excuses, if Fang Cun pressed for answers, they would have struggled to speak and only shamelessly muddled through. But instead, Fang Cun just wanted to leave immediately, with no intention of questioning at all. To some extent, this was the outcome they had dreamed of. Yet strangely, they felt insecure…
Was this Young Master so easy to brush off?
While they were feeling uneasy, Fang Cun smiled and walked out of the hall, his face showing no displeasure whatsoever.
The two Elders hurried to follow, their minds scrambling for something to say to save face.
Meanwhile, at the valley assigned by Duskblade Sect, several Stewards had just opened all three chests. Their hearts were pounding so wildly they felt frantic. They had already sent an urgent sword-message to the Sect Leader. Suddenly, they saw Xiao Qingliu looking up, pick the chests back up, and turn to carry them back into the Dharma Ship. Their faces immediately froze in utter shock.
“This… what is this now?”
“Young Master said he won’t be viewing Duskblade Sect’s scriptures anymore…”
Xiao Qingliu beckoned Yu Qingli to carry the chests while taking the one held by Little Fox. He smiled at the Duskblade Sect Stewards. “My Young Master has never been one to want free things, but he also dislikes being treated as if he owes anyone!”
He laughed heartily: “Let’s go! Next stop!”
……
“This… this…”
Watching them actually take the three chests back, the Duskblade Sect Stewards were now as frantic as ants on a hot pan.
Almost on instinct, they stepped forward as if to stop them.
But Yu Qingli turned his head and glanced their way. That single look scared them back two steps.
It was at this moment that Fang Cun descended through the air on his cloud, landing directly onto the Dharma Ship’s deck.
His face showed not the slightest displeasure. Smiling, he cupped his hands respectfully at the two Elders who had come to see him off. “My apologies for the disturbance!”
The two Elders seemed surprised that getting rid of Second Young Master Fang had been this easy. Relief washed over their faces as they hurriedly bowed in return. Clearly feeling they had been incredibly lucky to avoid the Sect Leader’s blame…
If they’d known it would be like this, the Sect Leader maybe didn’t even need to hide!
The Dharma Ship soared into the sky, churning through the clouds as it flew directly out of Duskblade Sect’s Sword Forest.
The two Elders exchanged relieved smiles and sighed deeply.
However, the Stewards aside, seeing the Dharma Ship about to truly leave, ignored hierarchy and urgently tugged at one Elder’s sleeve: “You can’t let them go!”
The two Elders frowned slightly: “Why?”
Thinking to themselves, how could such important matters be decided by a lowly Steward?
Normally, Stewards were cautious around Elders, but now they couldn’t care less. They cried out anxiously:
“They brought three grand gifts…”
“What gifts? Silence! Stop spouting nonsense here!”
Hearing this, the two Elders were almost amused to anger. They flicked their sleeves dismissively. “You are Stewards of a major sect! Why are your eyes so shallow?”
Of course, they knew Fang Cun would bring gifts when visiting. Even for a casual visit, as a Shoushan Sect Elder, one would bring gifts as a basic courtesy. But for Duskblade Sect, their only thought was avoiding letting Shoushan Sect see their secret arts. All they wanted was this Elder away. What could they care about some gifts?
No matter how precious a gift, what value could it possibly have? Could it compare to their own treasured scriptures and techniques?
Seeing the Dharma Ship leaving quickly and the Elders not grasping the urgency, the Stewards were nearly frantic.
“He brought the Dharma Sword!” one Steward blurted. “The Lightning Talismans! And the Divine Sealing Art!”
“……”
The two Elders froze: “What did you say?”
Their words still hung in the air when suddenly, sharp sword energy erupted with urgency from deep within the Sword Forest. The ground shook with a rumbling sound. In an instant, a streak of sword energy ruptured the earth itself. From within, a figure, sleeves billowing, appeared upon the surface, shouting urgently: “Where is the honored guest?!”
The two Elders jumped in shock: “Sect.. Sect Leader?!”
……
……
“Are we really leaving just like that?”
By this time, Fang Cun’s Dharma Ship was already several li away.
Yu Qingli was somewhat baffled. He hadn’t expected they would come, say one thing, and then leave so abruptly.
Fang Cun, however, didn’t seem concerned. He merely smiled, looking at the three opened chests before him.
The first chest contained an ancient-looking, unremarkable sword. It seemed neither special nor valuable, even a bit worn. Yet its scabbard bore intricate brasswork depicting a moon and several stars.
This was the sword he’d spent 10,000 taels of gold on. He’d inquired extensively, even borrowing some underhanded tricks from the martial world, to finally procure it.
This sword was the heirloom blade wielded by the founding Patriarch of Duskblade Sect. Though not particularly powerful itself, it held immense symbolic significance.
It had always been enshrined beneath the Duskblade ancestral tablets. However, during the Great Demon Sovereign’s northern rampage years ago, the sect hastily retreated, leaving the sword behind. Despite searching endlessly afterward, it never resurfaced. Qi Refiners in Qingjiang Prefecture learned of this, and many privately mocked the Duskblade Sect: panicked by approaching Demons, they’d fled so desperately they abandoned their founding Patriarch’s very blade…
Hence, this incident was considered an immense humiliation by Duskblade Sect, long wishing to reclaim the sword.
The second chest contained a stack of Lightning Talismans, no fewer than three hundred.
These were originally purchased by Fang Cun during his preparations to kill the Demon Hound at Crow Mountain, unused at the time. For Duskblade Sect, which was a bit better off than Shoushan Sect but still financially strapped, this represented a significant trove of high-grade resources.
The third chest held a handwritten scroll containing a cultivation method.
Titled the Divine Sealing Art, it was a middle-grade technique from Shoushan Sect’s collections.
Cultivating this art allowed one to close their major bodily apertures, proving immensely useful for developing escaping techniques.
It was uniquely complementary and synergistic with one specific earth-rendering sword technique practiced by Duskblade Sect. Previously, while at Crow Mountain, Fang Cun had witnessed the fighting styles of Duskblade Sect disciples and even observed how their Elders battled the Demon Hound. He discerned their method of incorporating escape techniques within swordplay was masterful, yet they were inevitably detected each time they surfaced. This Divine Sealing Art would mask their movements for at least one extra breath upon emerging.
In battles between masters, that single breath can be lethal.
Fang Cun had meticulously combed through Shoushan Sect’s Scripture Hall before finding this method uniquely advantageous to Duskblade Sect.
So right now, he wasn’t worried at all!
……
“El-Elder Fang! Please, wait!”
True to expectation, they hadn’t even traveled ten li before a voice amplified by cultivation power, tinged with urgency, reached the Dharma Ship against the wind.
Fang Cun smiled. He stepped onto the deck where Xiao Qingliu had already slowed the ship at the right moment.
Still puzzled, Yu Qingli quickly followed him to the outer deck. Through the distant clouds, several sword beams sped toward them. The one leading was a man in a magnificent blue robe, long hair flowing, appearing rather striking. Behind him trailed two Elders clearly struggling to keep pace. Given his sheer cultivation level and stature, it wasn’t hard to guess he was the Sect Leader of Duskblade Sect.
“Second… Second Young Master Fang! Greetings!” gasped the Sect Leader, catching up while the Dharma Ship slowed a fraction. Breathing heavily atop his cloud, he hastily bowed to Fang Cun, his expression forced into a friendly smile. “I… I was in seclusion refining my swordsmanship moments ago! Utterly ignorant of your esteemed presence arriving. Such rudeness, I apologize deeply!”
Fang Cun smiled lightly in return: “I had intended to pay my respects, Senior, yet upon hearing you were secluded, I felt it best to depart respectfully without delay.”
The Duskblade Sect Leader waved off Fang Cun’s words with a cordial smile: “Where are these words coming from? Had I known Second Young Master Fang was visiting, I would have ended my seclusion immediately!” He threw a stern look over his shoulder, clearly displeased with his Elders for failing to recall him from meditation, then turned with earnestness back to Fang Cun. “Wasn’t the purpose Second Young Master Fang visiting my sect to study our techniques and mystical arts? How come you’re already heading away after just arriving?”
Fang Cun replied with casual ease: “I observed. While Duskblade Sect possesses many techniques, none appeared quite fitting to my current needs. Thus, I felt it unnecessary to trouble your esteemed sect further.”
“No trouble at all, nothing of the sort!” the Sect Leader urged hastily. “Perhaps the Young Master didn’t know… our true sect secrets and divine methods are tightly guarded! They are housed separately for confidentiality! If Second Young Master Fang wouldn’t find it inconvenient, I entreat you to return! Our main hall possesses its own dedicated Scripture Hall…”
Hearing the Duskblade Sect Leader’s words, an uncontrollably strange look passed over Yu Qingli’s face. He couldn’t help glancing back into the cabin at the three chests.
“No need,” Fang Cun declared with finality atop the Dharma Ship, shaking his head gently, his expression maintaining a calm courtesy. “This junior has decided to travel to the Leshui Sect instead to seek an opportunity there…”
“This…” The Sect Leader realized he had essentially spelled things out implicitly, yet Fang Cun still refused. He clenched inwardly for a second, then sighed deeply before suddenly laying things bare: “Second Young Master Fang… Let’s not beat around the bush. Our sect’s Patriarchial Heirloom Sword… for years we searched tirelessly. Should you be willing, Second Young Master Fang, Duskblade Sect is prepared to offer… to offer the cultivation scrolls for two of our supreme sword styles in exchange for allowing you to observe them…”
“Two sword styles?”
Fang Cun allowed only a faint, unreadable smile to lift the corners of his lips, holding back any clear reply.
He knew Duskblade Sect relied chiefly upon seven unique supreme sword arts to stand as one of Qingjiang Prefecture’s distinguished powers.
When Fang Cun dismissed the offer, the Sect Leader’s brows furrowed intensely then smoothed immediately. Gritting his teeth against the inner sting, he forced out: “How about… letting you study… three supreme styles?”
Fang Cun maintained his unnerving, knowing silence paired with that faint, polite smile.
Seeing this subtle condescending expression, the Sect Leader knew Fang Cun held a simmering fury and was deliberately toying with him. His heart winced yet he thought back upon that priceless sword. He hardened his resolve: “Then… four… no! Five! Five supreme styles! Surely that suffices?”
His tone became forceful.
Fang Cun chuckled softly then shook his head decisively: “…No.”
“…”
“You…!”
His pride severely wounded, the Sect Leader’s demeanor turned cold: “I have shown tremendous good faith!”
“This has nothing to do with your good faith,” Fang Cun replied crisply, his tone brightening as he finally spoke his underlying position: “This junior’s goal in studying your methods wasn’t a request — I came rightfully to collect a wager Duskblade Sect owes. As for that sword and those other two gifts among the chests? They were intended to fulfill my duty as both Shoushan Sect’s newest Elder and your respectful peer amidst our Qingjiang cultivation community! Proper protocol for visiting elders of one’s own lineage!”
His body straightened, radiating authority: “But since Duskblade Sect refused to receive me courteously as a guest, why should I still uphold the decorum of presenting proper gifts? Since I’m here precisely to redeem that pledged wager, why would I lower myself to merely trading with the Duskblade Sect?”
…
“So then…”
He suddenly shifted gears with bright confidence, turning smoothly toward his cabin. “For today… consider it this junior giving Duskblade Sect one grace… I absolve you of that wager!”
“Farewell!”