Chapter 196: He Had Beautiful Thoughts

“So… you’re really leaving just like that?”

The Sect Leader of Duskblade Sect and his two Elders stared blankly as Fang Cun returned to his Dharma Ship and gradually sailed away.

For a moment, their emotions were extremely complicated.

They could hardly believe that Fang Cun was leaving just like that. Their sect had even agreed to let him study at least five of their seven great sword techniques. Yet he still chose to leave without hesitation, almost like he was genuinely angry. Moreover, seeing that he truly refused to even discuss things further… what about their Founding Patriarch’s magic sword? Were they supposed to just let him take it away?

Precious or rare items, other things were trivial. But that magic sword was different!

If it were someone else here, the Duskblade Sect Leader might have resorted to forceful means just to keep that sword…

But the problem was… the person on that ship was Second Young Master Fang…

Seeing how even their Sect Leader was ignored by Second Young Master Fang simply sailing off, the two Elders behind also looked extremely gloomy. They could see their leader was deeply displeased, but neither dared step forward and risk his ire…

Though inwardly, they couldn’t help but think: if they’d known this would happen, why did they have to be so stingy in the beginning?

Just as they were silently blaming, the Duskblade Sect Leader suddenly turned his head, looking coldly at the two of them.

“This is all because of you two!”

His voice sounded like it was squeezed from between his teeth, filled with rage.

The feeling in the two Elders’ hearts was beyond awful, but they had no choice but to bow respectfully. “Yes, yes, Sect Leader, please forgive us!”

“But the magic sword… are we really just going to…”

“He has beautiful thoughts!”

The Duskblade Sect Leader’s anger hadn’t subsided, barking fiercely: “How could our Founding Patriarch’s sword ever be left in someone else’s hands?”

…

“Really just… left like that?”

Meanwhile, on the Dharma Ship itself, as it carved through the clouds, swiftly leaving the Duskblade Sect Leader and his two Elders far behind until they were completely out of sight, Yu Qingli was also rather stunned himself. He abruptly turned to look at Fang Cun, his face full of confusion.

Finally, the Duskblade Sect Leader had started to relent, and then they left? It felt almost like throwing a tantrum.

Leaving like that, setting aside everything else, what about that magic sword? Wasn’t all that money just wasted?

“Propriety is propriety and business is business; neither can be faulty!” Fang Cun chuckled lightly, crossing his legs. He tapped lightly on the chest beside him, settling himself more comfortably. “I could gift that sword directly back to the Duskblade Sect – that would be propriety. But asking me to trade it for the Five Great Sword Techniques of Duskblade? Impossible. If I used three major gifts to obtain Duskblade’s techniques, what would the other Four Sects then demand from me? What would that cost?”

Yu Qingli listened and fell silent for a moment. “So you came all this way… just to embarrass Duskblade Sect?”

“Not to embarrass them, but to let everyone know that we can embarrass someone.” Fang Cun smiled. “We have to let people know we have a temper, so they’ll consider that temper before deciding how to deal with us.”

Yu Qingli pondered this seriously, feeling he personally might not need such a reputation.

Whenever a disagreement arose, the other party always seemed to instinctively yield to him…

Setting that thought aside, a spark of curiosity flickered. “So are you really giving in to Duskblade Sect? Not viewing their secret codes?”

“He has beautiful thoughts!”

Fang Cun chuckled at this question. “The secret classics and techniques of the Five Great Sects? Not a single one can be missed!” With that, he waved his hand. “Let’s go, onward to the Leshui Sect. This time, our reception might be different!”

…

The Dharma Ship was agile, slicing through clouds as it raced towards another of the Five Great Sects: the Leshui Sect.

Located north in Qingjiang Prefecture, the Leshui Sect differed from others, situated right on the waterways. Several waterways meandered from a distance, converging at this spot, intersecting to form a treasure land surrounded by water on all sides. Yet, amidst this network of channels, several mountain peaks rose abruptly from the ground, creating a unique geography: mountains encircled on three sides by water. In terms of terrain, it was arguably the most distinctive among the Six Sects of Qingjiang.

As Fang Cun had guessed earlier, upon arriving at Leshui Sect, they indeed received a different kind of reception.

“Young Master Fang must be tired after the long journey. Countless disciples of our Leshui Sect have been eager to catch a glimpse of Second Young Master Fang’s grace…”

The moment the Dharma Ship entered the airspace above the jade ribbon-like rivers below, they saw several auspicious clouds rising from the sect’s mountain gate entrance, approaching from afar. As the mist dispersed, three Elders became visible, along with several Stewards and over a dozen disciples. All wore beaming smiles, bowing from a distance towards Fang Cun on the Dharma Ship, as if welcoming an old friend.

“I kept you esteemed Elders waiting so long; this junior is deeply remiss!”

Fang Cun played along fully, stepping off the Dharma Ship early to meet them upon the cloud path.

“Haha, has Second Young Master Fang arrived to collect his gambling debt? A debt is a debt. When greeting the creditor, must we not be exceptionally diligent?”

Among the three welcoming Elders of Leshui Sect, the leader was none other than Elder Chen, who had once traveled to Willow Lake City to select disciples. Known for being articulate and adept at handling affairs, he joked cordially while stepping aside, inviting Fang Cun to enter the mountain gates. He continued warmly, “Regardless of other matters, as a distinguished guest of Leshui Sect, Young Master Fang receives our hospitality. We’ve prepared modest wine in the mountains—let us properly greet you!”

“I will certainly impose upon that hospitality for a few cups!”

Fang Cun smiled as well, exchanging pleasant formalities as they descended together towards the mountain.

Yu Qingli in the Dharma Ship behind them couldn’t help clicking his tongue in admiration.

Compared to the cold shoulder they received at Duskblade Sect, this truly felt like the reception of an honored guest.

Upon entering the mountain range, they indeed saw that at the Rear Mountain behind the Ruyun Cloud Peak of Leshui Sect, immortal wines and spirit fruits were laid out. Two more Elders were there waiting. Combined with the three who had greeted them outside that made a total of five Elders accompanying them! Moreover, though the Sect Leader of Leshui, mindful of status, didn’t join in person, he nonetheless sent his personal disciple to deliver a special pot of spirit brew. They clearly extended every courtesy.

…

“Young Master Fang, please set your mind at ease. That earlier bet? Our Leshui Sect lost, and we accept our losses willingly. The matter of you entering our Scripture Hall has long been reported to our Sect Leader. You may enter whenever you wish, need not inform us beforehand; simply come and go as you please. Our only concern is that our sect specializes solely in the Talisman Way. Our techniques and divine abilities… well, they are not particularly strong…”

During the welcoming feast, several Elders enthusiastically plied him with drink. The atmosphere was harmonious and joyful. Midway through the toasts, they frankly laid everything on the table, speaking with smiles.

So open! So direct! This straightforward spirit even stunned Yu Qingli, standing nearby attentively observing the etiquette.

“Esteemed Elders, you are far too humble!”

Fang Cun also smiled in response. “The Leshui Sect produces masters generation after generation; its techniques are deep and wondrous. Who would dare look down upon it?”

Elder Chen of Leshui leaned forward slightly, asking inquisitively, “Might this humble Elder inquire which specific arts Young Master Fang finds interesting?”

Fang Cun pondered briefly. “The Shoushan Sect’s foundation is profound. If this junior truly studied under your esteemed sect, I fear a lifetime wouldn’t be enough to master its depths. How could I dare be greedy? I merely hope to glance over some methods and texts to broaden my horizons and perhaps supplement what my own Shoushan Sect lacks.”

The exchange felt like a contest of humility, both sides one-upping the other with pleasant words.

Hearing Fang Cun’s words, the Elders of Leshui glanced at each other, evidently pleased and satisfied.

One among them smiled broadly and said, “Since Second Young Master Fang has spoken, let those unworthy disciples be summoned!”

“Hmm?”

This took Fang Cun slightly by surprise; his curiosity was genuinely piqued.

…

Meanwhile, near the gazebo not far from the banquet, several Leshui Sect disciples had been waiting patiently.

Among this group, the eldest appeared nearly thirty, the youngest seemed possibly even younger than Fang Cun. Amidst them, a figure in a dark robe turned towards a young man beside him wearing a pale yellow robe, joking lightly, “Junior Brother He, constantly we hear from you about that Second Young Master Fang—how exceptional, how formidable he is. Soon we meet him in person. I wonder now, might you be disappointed?”

The young man in pale yellow robe was none other than Fang Cun’s former academy classmate from Willow Lake City—He Zhenzhang! He arched an eyebrow, chuckling proudly, “I told you guys, seriously, don’t take it lightly. That Second Young Master Fang? He’s no ordinary fellow. His talent? Others can’t even see his back, let alone match him. His character? Generous and bold, knows how to have fun, dares to have fun! Me, Old He, having such a friend is truly…”

“Stop stop stop…!”

The other disciples hurriedly cut him off. “Every time the topic is Second Young Master Fang, you veer into how fun he is! This is serious business today! What’s his actual cultivation level right now? Is he truly that hard to confront?”

“What level?”

He Zhenzhang blinked, momentarily confused. “How should I know what level he’s at?”

“…”

The gazes of his fellow disciples fixed on He Zhenzhang conveyed sheer exasperation. It was hard to tell whether they wanted to hit him or silence him permanently.

“Enough!” The dark-robed Leshui Sect disciple who had spoken first smiled faintly. “Even if this Second Young Master Fang is extraordinary, with his high status and famous name, he is merely a Foundation Establishment cultivator who just formed his Treasure Body. Could we disciples truly lose to him? Ever since those who witnessed the Crow Mountain fight returned singing his praises… I myself want to see if this Young Master possesses even a tenth of the overwhelming talent his elder brother showed in his time!”

The surrounding comrades immediately shouted their approval. “Senior Brother Ye is the top genius of our Leshui Sect! Such spirit!”

“Renowned as Second Young Master Fang is, his cultivation base isn’t that high yet. This is the very time for us to shine!”

“Hah! When the Young Master arrives, we must represent our great sect’s bearing! We cannot be underestimated!”

“Everyone only thinks our Leshui Sect excels at Talismans. Now is the time for us to gain renown!”

…

“Ah…”

Standing to the side, He Zhenzhang watched these fiercely determined, supremely confident fellow classmates. A low sigh echoed internally. But seeing the enthusiastic atmosphere among them, especially as they rallied around the praised dark-robed senior, he also shaped his expression into one resembling profound admiration.

He clenched a fist fiercely, his voice louder than anyone else’s: “Senior Brother Ye speaks absolute truth!”