Chapter 260: Path of Heaven Assassin

How the f\\\ was one supposed to answer that?

Amidst countless bewildered and suspicious gazes, Fang Cun guessed Old Master Fan was reaching the point of swearing inwardly.

He understood perfectly. Ever since his elder brother died, he’d become an easy target for those seeking profit. Some would seize the chance to smear him, pinning blame on him. Others would spout nonsense to boost their own reputation. After all, the dead couldn’t talk back. Everyone took what they needed; it was an unspoken rule. Back in Qingjiang Prefecture, the appearance of some self-proclaimed ‘elder’ of his brother, spreading tales like ‘Fang Chi was saved but repaid kindness with betrayal’, was utterly predictable…

Whispers like that spreading in the shadows were the easiest way to gain reputation.

If even Immortal Master Fang Chi owed Old Master Fan a debt, having been saved by him, how virtuous must that Old Master truly be?

Sadly, such topics couldn’t withstand scrutiny.

Fang Cun knew that if he confronted the Old Master directly elsewhere, asking if he’d truly saved his brother and accused his brother of ingratitude for not visiting, the Old Master would likely deny it outright. He’d brush it off, claiming he’d never said such things, blaming gossip, or perhaps put on an expression of wanting to leave the past buried, insisting Fang Cun should act like it never happened. Then, no matter what Fang Cun wanted to say or argue, he’d find it hard to speak up…

But by weaving these questions into other remarks, delivering them casually, the Old Master had tacitly accepted their implication.

That tacit acceptance was good. Without it, these questions would be even harder to pose…

Fang Cun understood the bitterness churning in the Old Master’s heart now. Being linked to Path of Heaven assassins was definitely undesirable. Yet at this moment, could the Old Master really claim the story about saving the elder brother was something he’d made up for prestige? What about his reputation? Was his face worth nothing?

…

“Ah… this old man sees it now…”

Just as the surrounding Qi Refiners had been drawn into the topic, revealing keen interest, Old Master Fan suddenly sighed mournfully. His expression seemed almost aggrieved as he said solemnly, “Your elder brother indeed suffered injustice here in our Qingjiang back then. When he was hunted by those Path of Heaven assassins, this old man was merely a Secretary in the County Mansion. I raced about, called out in all directions, yet in the end, I truly couldn’t aid him much. Young man, deep down, you harbor resentment against us, don’t you? Against our failure to help him back then?”

“Er…”

Hearing this, Fang Cun’s expression grew even more helpless.

Old ginger was indeed more pungent…

Not only him, but the expressions of the various Sect Leaders and the Seven Clans’ cultivators also became subtly meaningful.

“However, that you resent this old man… I understand it!” Old Master Fan continued, suddenly lifting his head to gaze at Fang Cun, his voice thick with sorrow. “You can curse me, blame me! Vent your elder brother’s grievance! As his elder and old friend, we failed him greatly. But you! You are young! You should focus wholly on cultivation! You should learn to value the common folk of the world! How could you collude with demonic evils? Twist the truth? Besmirch reputations? I did ask your Fang Family for Dragon Stones! But it was for the Spirit Well! For the people of Qingjiang!”

“If you were unwilling to contribute, you needed only to say so! Could this old man have faulted you for that?”

“Why did you have to stir up all this chaos? Why?”

As he spoke, Old Master Fan swung both sleeves simultaneously, gathering them before him, his voice choked with grief. “I have lived ninety years in vain. I grasp little of the world’s great truths. Yet I believe I have always acted properly, by the rules! Never daring to act recklessly! Never harming reputations! Never harming the common people!”

…

“This…”

Seeing Old Master Fan’s expression of profound patriotism, righteous indignation, and deep sorrow, Meng Zhixue, He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er, and the others inwardly thought ‘Trouble!’ Instinctively, they looked towards the surrounding citizens of Qingjiang City.

Beside them, the Divine Eye Young Master hung his head, sighing quietly, appearing somewhat lamented.

Sure enough, down below, upon seeing Old Master Fan’s display, the populace’s anger suddenly flared several times hotter.

“So it turns out he begrudges the Dragon Stones…”

“How dare they slander Old Master Fan! Apologize to him immediately!”

“Immortal Master Fang Chi, a true son of Qingjiang! Who could imagine his brother would be so… immature!”

A tidal wave of frenzied shouts erupted.

The whole city seemed transformed into a tempestuous ocean, waves of rage howling endlessly.

The people of Qingjiang City had already been driven to fury by the words of the two Shoushan Sect Elders earlier, a vast anger kindled within them. Now, seeing Fang Cun also step forward with such talk, they were convinced the Shoushan Sect was utterly insolent. Their anger ignited into fire-fury. Some even felt a stir of indignation on behalf of Immortal Master Fang Chi, who hailed from their Qingjiang!

As for the questions Fang Cun had posed moments ago? They were instantly drowned out. No one thought of them now.

Fang Cun turned around amidst this, looking out at the sea of enraged citizens.

Only by facing that collective wrath could one truly comprehend its terror – a terrifying aura like churning tsunamis and storm surges.

The Innate Qi of a single person might measure three inches. How much for ten? For a hundred? When endless streams of Innate Qi merged, what terrifying might did it create? Facing the wrath of an entire city, it felt almost like standing before a Nascent Soul Great Cultivator… or several. Worse. An overwhelming sensation of confronting a vast, black, raging ocean capable of drowning a man.

…

“It’s indeed too much to bear…”

Even some of the Sect Leaders and Elders nearby paled dramatically.

Ultimately, any clash, any argument, before the populace of Qingjiang, boiled down to a contest of ‘reputation’.

The intricate twists and mysteries of this affair were bewildering even for them. How could the common folk possibly grasp it?

Their anger stirred, the people would instinctively choose whom to believe.

And in terms of reputation? Who could compete with Old Master Fan?

It was widely known that Second Young Master Fang’s journey visiting the Five Sects and discussing scriptures was partly meant to build his name.

He had indeed achieved success, gaining considerable acclaim among Qingjiang’s various Sects and Clans.

But compared to Old Master Fan? How could he possibly compare?

It was no contest.

In Qingjiang City, no one could surpass Old Master Fan’s prestige. Not even the Divine Kings or the Immortal Palace, perhaps…

Just as the surging tide of voices threatened to rend the heavens, a figure rose amidst the chaotic crowd below. A man clad in elegant robes stood slowly.

He strode forward with deliberate calm. Yet in that frantic, disorderly mass of people, not a soul managed to so much as brush his garments. Effortlessly, he drew a sword from the scabbard on some traveling warrior’s waist…

The blade was in his hand. And he raised his eyes to look upward.

…

“Hah… enough, enough…”

Amidst the escalating roar of public condemnation rolling like waves, Old Master Fan sighed again, his voice laden with sorrow. His eyes on Fang Cun brimmed with the frustration of seeing talent wasted.

“This old man had intended to guide you in undertaking actions beneficial to the people, deeds of great Merit. But since you find no accord with this… I shall force you no more. Second Son of the Fang Family. Go home. As for the demonic evils haunting Qingjiang City…”

His words slightly dampened the citizenry’s yelling, yet it seemed only to build towards an even more immense eruption of fury.

Old Master Fan sensed the suppressed wrath surrounding him. He knew he could no longer remain passive. He too was swept along in this current. The people’s almost worshipful fervor for him had exploded forth; to hold back now was counter to reason. He paused briefly, a chill flashing deep in his eyes. His voice barked out:

“This old man may be tolerant, but I CANNOT tolerate them rampaging unchecked through my Qingjiang!”

“Guards! Attend!”

He thrust a commanding finger forward. He was about to order his guards, and everyone present, to seize the entire Shoushan Sect delegation.

The cultivators from the Seven Clans standing near him couldn’t hide the bright gleam of triumph in their eyes.

None had expected the Shoushan Sect and Second Young Master Fang to make such a disastrous blunder. This was victory handed to them on a platter!

The masters from the various Sects looked on, startled, faint signs of resignation on their faces.

Watching Fang Cun’s figure from behind, even the Divine Eye Young Master seemed to reveal a trace of disappointment.

…

“Old Master, on this matter, you speak wrongly…”

And yet, precisely at this moment, Fang Cun faced the city’s unbridled fury and the Old Master Fan, whose wispy beard seemed to quiver with outrage. Fang Cun’s voice, heavy now, rang out clearly. He channeled his Cultivation Power, making his words echo distinctly through the city streets:

“Saving the Spirit Well is our rightful duty. Vanquishing demons and devils is the responsibility borne upon the shoulders of us cultivators. But before attending to the Spirit Well, I must voice one issue I can NO longer conceal…”

“The people of our Qingjiang City are not so easily deceived! They deserve the TRUTH!”

“Right and wrong? Good and evil? Once our Qingjiang’s citizens learn the truth, can they not judge for themselves?”

…

Of course, the common folk could not truly judge complex matters.

Yet every commoner believed they possessed the power of judgment.

Therefore, as Fang Cun’s words spread, an eerie silence fell instantly across the scene. Every citizen poised to unleash their anger instinctively snapped their mouths shut, ears pricked up, wanting attentively to listen… to hear… to judge…

Even Old Master Fan, knowing this couldn’t bode well for him, found himself instinctively straining to hear…

But just as everyone’s gazes locked onto Fang Cun, as he prepared to utter those crucial words…

A sword light suddenly shot out from within the crowd below.

Amidst the frenzied, enraged populace, the collective emotion surged like ferocious flames licking sky and sea. That one streak of sword light appeared with utter abruptness. It was like a shard of freezing ice erupting from the heart of inferno. Its aura was so condensed, so terrifying, that even the ordinary people could sense it. It felt as if an overwhelming weight of dread had suddenly settled upon their fury, pressing down on their hearts.

“DISASTER!”

A Great Qi Refiner of profound cultivation instantly sensed the danger and cried out in alarm.

Beside Old Master Fan, attendants sprang into shocked action, desperately flinging all their protective Magic Treasures into the air.

Even Old Master Fan felt his heart plunge. The Mountain River Seal within him flared, ready to manifest.

Then, within everyone’s horrified gazes, that streak of sword light soared skyward.

It pierced high into the air, becoming visible to absolutely everyone below. It erupted with glacial brilliance at its zenith, tracing an arc of truly sinister and eerie energy. Like lightning, it slashed toward…

Fang Cun!

It happened barely in an instant.

Shick!

Fang Cun’s white robes burst crimson with blood. His body slumped soundlessly, tumbling from its position high in the sky toward the earth below.

The entire city seemed to have its throat collectively seized at that exact moment.

Stunned, they stared uncomprehendingly at the figure plummeting downward, half-convinced they were seeing a hallucination.

That sword stroke appeared to have severed their collective rage. It had cleaved through their frantic thoughts. It shattered their mass frenzy…

…

“Path of Heaven…”

Time suddenly seemed to crawl with agonizing slowness.

An indeterminate span passed before a Sect cultivator abruptly snapped back to reality, screaming out loud: “The Path of Heaven assassins?”

“Path of Heaven assassins have… assassinated Second Young Master Fang…?”