Chapter 267: Fame Fished
Chapter 267: Fame Fished
Great scholars of the Classic of Documents often lacked mastery of divine arts and magic.
Take this Old Master Fan, for example. His magic was ordinary, his divine arts poorly grasped. As for the Classic of Martial Arts? Over his century-long life, he’d barely engaged in combat. How could he possibly rival those rough-hewn warriors?
Therefore, everyone knew the only way to contend with such scholars was to strike swiftly.
Strike him down with a blade the moment he touches his brush—or even before—was safest.
But once they finished writing their classic essay, crystallizing their principles and weaving in the world’s grand momentum… not even warriors, Qi Refiners skilled in magic and arts, those from a higher cultivation realm, nor even an iron-blooded army could move them. Their written principles alone blocked all blades and spells…
Such was the situation now.
Old Master Fan had made his name with “Discourse on Nations”. It built his reputation and shaped his philosophy; even Immortal Master Fang Chi reportedly drew much inspiration from him. Now, filling scrolls with indignation, his nearing-completed essay held principles so powerful, not even Shoushan Sect could resist. Likely, not even a Divine King arriving could shake him.
The sole solution was to break his concentration.
Strike without warning. Sever him with a blade. Then talk.
But Young Sect Master Xu was pinned down by these principles. At least a dozen Golden Core cultivators, stationed all around, tangled him in place. Preoccupied by their restraints, he couldn’t break free to threaten Old Master Fan. Unfortunatly, Shoushan Sect had only a few members. Enduring this pressure was strenuous enough—who could stop the composition?
…
“Essay principles, the vast and true Dao…”
Within the little pavilion, He Zhenzhang leaned out the window, staring enviously at the script flooding the skies.
He had been captivated by essays since he studied the Classic of Documents.
Talismans and spells were minor tricks. Essays like this held his heart.
Of course, such longing was only secretly admired. Even Leshui Sect’s Sect Leader couldn’t aspire to it!
“Second Young Master Fang, that Old Master Fan…”
Appearing anxious and suppressed, Meng Zhixue, Meng Qing’er, and others watched.
Such profound writing evoked shame in any witness. Aware—even partially—of Master Fang’s plan, they questioned their alliance. Due to this essay, uncontrolled guilt consumed them. They were opposing the virtuous sage who composed “Discourse on Nations”…
“Contradictions remain obscure. Why not wait?”
Fang Cun sat calmly. His low voice whispered:
“Rumors say my elder brother befriended Old Master Fan. He gained much from him in youth. Even as ties faded later… whether my brother truly wronged him, I couldn’t say. I’ve taught you the principles of the heart. That includes me.”
“Everyone measures their Dao Heart with an inner ruler!”
“My measure consists of two words: Enmity and Favor!
“My brother’s debts to Old Master Fan remain unclear. I worry even beyond reason. Though circumstances demand I act, had Old Master Fan favored my brother, harming him—no matter how justified—would crack my Dao Heart forever.
“So… I too wish to witness… what exactly happened?”
…
Like unrolling across the sky, “Discourse on Nations” advanced. Scattered energy dispersed as Old Master Fan’s ink flowed.
An unseen, colossal power cornered Shoushan Sect, constricting.
Each glance exchanged among the Five Sects’ leaders and Elders signaled defeat.
Watching Old Master Fan inscribe the air, the common folk of Qingjiang City felt heavy. Unconsciously guilty… as though they wronged their saintly elder.
Nothing could halt the sage…
Until sharp shouts erupted!
“How dare you rewrite that essay…”
The shaky voice belonged to an Old Slave of the Fan family. Miraculously alive, he’d awaited precisely this moment. Seeing Old Master Fan near the essay’s end, he sprang skyward, raging:
“Immortal Master Fang Chi honored your righteous reputation. He befriended and corresponded with you. But you plagiarized his philosophy as your own! Using it to compose ‘Discourse on Nations’, you captured Zhaoge’s admiration!
“That’s why rumors persist that Immortal Master Fang Chi merely inherited your ideas!
“But who knew you stole his!?
“Qingjiang applauded your ‘Discourse on Nations’. Aware of your theft, the Immortal Master never claimed credit. He even stated authorship mattered less than benefit. He deliberately relinquished fame!
“But later… Lingzhou’s people had their vitality stolen. The Immortal Master rushed everywhere seeking justice! It cost him foes and almost his life—assassins from Path of Heaven hunted him! YOU avoided entanglement!
“That made the Immortal Master realize your truth. He despaired of you. Then you ordered me to spread lies of his ingratitude. Old Wretch! Dirt on your virtuous mask! Any scruple endure?”
…
The scream silenced spectators. Furious and startled, Five Sect leaders and Elders stared.
Their friendship seemingly authentic—though strained in later years. Most suspected disagreements about Lingzhou’s shared crisis. None doubted the Old Fan’s “Discourse on Nations” inspired Immortal Master’s later principles.
After all, the Immortal Master was young in Qingjiang. Logical he’d accept seniors’ influence!
Who knew such truth hid beneath?
In a secluded alley, Master Qin—immaculately dressed—unleashed chilling murderous intent drenched in Qi. Terrified, his cat fled to a distance, staring wildly at its transformed host.
Within her garden glass shattered. Dressed like an empress, her wine cup melted into dripping silica.
“Such injustice endured…” Tears traced her face.
…
Fang Cun alone sat, face darkening terribly.
None spoke as dread filled all eyes.
…
“Cough…!”
Blood spattered from Old Master Fan’s lips as the Old Slave’s accusation struck his soul.
Sparks scattered mid-air: Characters lost cohesion; golden light dulled. Yet, Old Master Fan snarled soundlessly, pen grasping tighter. Force welled; strength unwound across Qingjiang.
Coordinated by the Mountain River Seal, borrowed Qi Luck bled into his body—his hand—his brush! Awkwardly replenished, ghostly ink granted him speed, though signature fury carved each jagged stroke.
Word after word, nearing assembly.
…
“He’s using the Qi Luck of the Mountain River Seal to force completion!”
Horrified, the Five Sect leaders cried:
“NO ONE CAN STOP HIM!”
Still versed in the Classic of Documents, Leshui Sect’s master predicted:
“All the world credits him with ‘Discourse on Nations’. One Old Slave’s rant won’t top it! His Dao Heart shakes (visible only to cultivators) but we lack proof! He now writes purely by coercing the Mountain River Seal’s collected Qi Luck.
“BUT… his Dao Heart shatters tenuously…”
…
“HA…!”
Rampant laughter matched Fan’s escalating frenzy. Scribbling accelerated. Infusion aided his speed despite the shivering pen:
“What’s a slave’s rant prove? HAH! Where is brat Fang Chi? DEAD! Let him crawl out to confront me! My fame authenticated ‘Discourse on Nations’ throughout the world!”
Hysteria resounded. He scribbled—words twisting. Confidence emanated while pen decayed radically. Motion fueled by rage ignored its disintegration…
The Mountain River Seal amplified cosmic consciousness: Heaven darkening as abstract principles roared. All stood awed at the narrative madness.
Clenching those final strokes… desperate resolve maintained cohesion.
Too late: The crimson-dipped quill disintegrated! Disarmed, staring crazily downwards…
“Impossible?” Fan bellowed at crumbling dust beneath his palm.