Chapter 40: Two Major Tasks
Chapter 40: Two Major Tasks
The time set by the Nanshan Alliance for the Demon-Subduing Dispatch was urgent indeed; they had to depart early the very next morning.
Fang Cun should have gone to the Study Pavilion as usual, but because of this matter, he instead directed Xiao Qingliu to deliver his leave request to the Academy. Meanwhile, he himself rose early. He rode a tall, sturdy horse carefully chosen from the stable, carried along a small embroidered pouch holding several life-saving Spirit Pills, and had that Old Umbrella tied upside down behind his back. Riding slowly, he arrived at the main road south of Willow Lake City to meet the Nanshan Alliance members.
When he got there, he saw the roadside crowded with people; over a dozen figures were already waiting. Leading them were the core five members of the Nanshan Alliance centered around Meng Zhixue: besides Meng Zhixue, they were He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er, Yu Qingli, and Nie Quan. These five were the renowned ‘Five Core Members’ of the Nanshan Alliance at the Academy. Gathering around them were the helpers they’d chosen from the Academy for this task…
On seeing this, Fang Cun couldn’t help but feel a little awkward.
If we were to talk about cultivation level, his among this group was genuinely a bit…
The cultivations of the five core members were so high that Fang Cun couldn’t even sense them. And the helpers they’d picked out? All were at the peak of the Breath Refining Realm. Even the weakest was in the late stage of Breath Refining—nearly two minor levels stronger than Fang Cun, who had just reached the mid-stage.
It truly cemented the idea that he was just tagging along to claim credit…
But then he thought again: even if his cultivation was low, his outfit was better.
Just look at his tall, magnificent white steed with its powerful legs and gleaming coat. It stood half a head taller than anyone else’s horse—broad-chested, long-legged, and truly majestic. Grouped around him, the other leading Disciples involuntarily looked half a head shorter. Only Meng Zhixue’s mount, that grand, cloud-patterned snow deer full of spirit energy, could compare without being outdone by the white horse beneath Fang Cun.
“Is… is Second Young Master Fang really coming?”
Seeing Fang Cun approach on his white horse, quite a few among the waiting group were taken aback. Someone chuckled: “I’d heard Second Young Master Fang also signed the dispatch, that he’d be joining us to investigate in Elm Coin Town, but I almost didn’t dare believe it!”
For most of those gathered, their gazes now turned toward Fang Cun.
Clearly, having the younger brother of Immortal Master Fang Chi travel alongside them felt… almost unreal.
“My greetings to all my fellow Students…”
Upon arriving, Fang Cun politely clasped his hands in salute and smiled: “Fang Cun has the heart to fight Demons and protect the people. It’s just a pity my training has been short and my skills are inadequate. It truly invites laughter. On this trip with all of you, I hope mainly to broaden my horizons and learn some skill. If my understanding proves shallow or my actions invite ridicule, I ask my fellow students please to instruct me patiently… and to forgive generously.”
Hearing these words, the Students all seemed momentarily surprised. A visible wave of relief spread through many in the group.
Fang Cun noticed and understood inwardly: Ah. These people actually felt quite pressured to see me here!
Thinking about it, it made sense. These people called themselves the Nanshan Alliance, aspiring to match Immortal Master Fang Chi’s ideals… yet here stood the Immortal Master’s real flesh-and-blood younger brother. Amidst them, his presence somewhat made them all seem like… imitations. Of course, it made everyone a bit uncomfortable.
“You flatter us, Second Young Master Fang!”
“Since we are fellow Students, we should indeed look out for each other!”
“Even a man of Second Young Master Fang’s standing willingly rushes about for the common folk! That alone proves his noble heart!”
Quite a few disciples felt genuinely pleased by Fang Cun’s words. They returned the salute courteously, speaking with warm respect.
“So this is the Second Young Master Fang famed for standing firm?”
Meanwhile, among the Nanshan Alliance core, Meng Zhixue and a few others observed him with interest. Among them, a young woman with a delicate, playful face sized Fang Cun up and pouted, “Can only say he’s handsome-looking. Doesn’t seem particularly wise…”
Meng Zhixue replied softly: “You haven’t interacted with him much yet.”
“Hah, does Second Young Master Fang need to get personally involved for Merits?”
Beside them stood a short, stout young man. After hearing their exchange, he suddenly spoke up, his tone cold. He wrinkled his nose and snorted, “Why not just grease the wheels through Xingzhi Courtyard? Get a servant to shout a few proclamations out on Willow Lake Road? Then endless Merits would pour right in, wouldn’t they?”
Everyone else around them instantly looked uncomfortable.
The speaker was Nie Quan, one of the five core members. His status being different, ordinary Students dared not confront him. They had assumed the five core members would naturally get along warmly with Second Young Master Fang. Yet here, things clearly weren’t as they had imagined. The famously hotheaded Senior Brother Nie had barely opened his mouth before showing displeasure. What was the reason?
Some in the know recalled helplessly: Senior Brother Nie’s had terrible luck lately. For over two years, he risked life and limb slaying Demons, eliminating evil, amassing Merits. Then boom! Second Young Master Fang swept right past all that effort with a campaign built on little things instead! The top five slots on the Academy’s Ledger of Merits used to be held purely by the Nanshan Five… Until recently! Nie Quan’s the first among them to fall out of top positions… No wonder he’s stewing…
As his gaze drifted casually over the crowd, Fang Cun smiled, “Brother Senior jests. My actions weren’t a display of true skill. I merely used some silver to encourage our fellow classmates. I gained a little bit of Merits, yes. But our teachers see it as frivolous at best.”
Hearing this caused the surrounding Disciples to rethink Fang Cun. This Second Young Master Fang was surprisingly humble! And approachable…
Even the short, stocky youth felt strangely soothed by Fang Cun’s words and reflexively retorted, “At least you know that!”
Yet as the words left his mouth, he suddenly sensed something strange in the atmosphere. Several pairs of eyes landed on him—holding undisguised reproach. His heart dropped: What now? Did I say something wrong again?
Before he could ponder deeply, the short woman to his side said coldly, “Your Merits were earned blade-to-blade and fist-to-fist. The credit Second Young Master Fang gained spent real mountains of silver. If you truly think that’s unfair, feel free to fork over tens of thousands of silver taels yourself to ‘troublemake,’ no?”
Instantly, the stocky boy’s face flushed bright scarlet with shame and anger. He burned but couldn’t form a reply.
Fang Cun, too, hadn’t expected Meng Qing’er to defend him just now. Taken aback, he glanced her way.
Meng Zhixue spoke gently: “Having Second Young Master Fang travel with us is our privilege—”
Then she proceeded to introduce each person.
Fang Cun had already seen their names on the Demon-Subduing Dispatch: Meng Zhixue, He Zhenzhang, Meng Qing’er, Yu Qingli, Nie Renwang. He’d met Meng Zhixue and He Zhenzhang previously. From the earlier talk, he’d deduced the stocky boy was a Nie. Now, putting those pieces together, he smiled politely to the next one: “Brother Yu Qingli? Much to learn from you…”
A thin, taciturn man returned Fang Cun’s salute with a slight nod.
“Brother Senior He… we have met.”
Fang Cun clasped his hands toward He Zhenzhang, giving him a playful wink.
Instantly flustered, He Zhenzhang returned the gesture, stammering, “Th-that day I mostly heard… about that person, how his handwriting was superb!”
“Understood!”
Fang Cun grinned broadly: “My reason exactly!”
He Zhenzhang’s face flushed violently red as he anxiously peeked around toward others.
“And this must be Disciple Meng Qing’er? Please look after me…”
Next, Fang Cun turned toward the lovely young woman, smiling as he cupped his hands in salute.
“Hehe! Relax! You’re this good-looking—which girl wouldn’t look out for you?”
Meng Qing’er giggled with delight, casting a distinctly appreciative glance up and down Fang Cun.
Even Fang Cun flushed slightly. Offering a politely reserved smile, he then faced the earlier disgruntled stocky youth with equally formal courtesy: “Senior Brother Nie Renwang? Please look after me…”
Instantly the surrounding mood became awkward. Everyone looked at the stout boy, then at Fang Cun, then back… Heavy silence turned into puzzled expressions—before He Zhenzhang and Meng Qing’er choked back loud, clear chuckles despite themselves.
“…?”
Fang Cun paused, bewildered by their reactions.
“My name… is Nie Quan!”
The stocky young man hissed the words through teeth gritted with humiliation.
“Hahaha……”
The entire group erupted into open laughter. Even Meng Zhixue turned her head away, shoulders trembling slightly.
Fang Cun sighed inwardly at the absurdity. What kind of mess?! Who writes names vertically these days?!
……
“Our journey is long and time is short; let us speak as we ride.”
Meng Zhixue spoke lightly, easing the awkwardness. The group readily agreed. Mounting their rides, they all began heading towards the Southern Mountains.
“I am very glad you could join us, Second Young Master Fang.”
Along the way, Meng Zhixue eased her riding pace slightly to match Fang Cun stride for stride:
“You saw the Demon-Subduing Dispatch yesterday, so you know why we make this trip. The people of Willow Lake City struggle day by day. Not only has our land grown barren in recent years, leading to poor harvests—there are rampant bandits and Demons wreaking havoc wherever they tread, destroying livelihoods. Our reason for going now is because something strange struck Elm Coin Town.”
She paused, expression solemn.
“An entire town of people simply vanished overnight—not a single soul left behind!”
“Was it the doing of Demons? Or is there another hidden cause? We must get to the bottom of it. We must discover why!”
“Yes!”
Fang Cun nodded in affirmation, his eyes sweeping quietly around.
Having ventured beyond the city walls, the scene was distinctly different from inside. Vast stretches of fertile land were overrun with weeds, which at first glance appeared lush, wild, and vibrant, painting a beautiful landscape. Yet, gazing at the sparse patches of wheat stalks and meager rice ears struggling through the weeds, any sense of poetic grandeur one might feel faded entirely, replaced instead by a profound sadness and pity.
In the fields, both near and far, people toiling under the morning sun were a common sight, their backs drenched in sweat.
Even along the roadside, however, numerous people clad in ragged clothes—or barely covered at all—could be seen. Carrying children or clutching infants, they moved southward in small groups or larger clusters, shuffling slowly step by step. The sound of approaching hooves would prompt some to instinctively extend a cracked bowl or even kneel, begging for alms. But seeing the horses approach quickly, they would frantically scramble to the roadside in fear.
“I’ve gotten all the details about the disappearances in that town!”
A rider from behind spurred his horse forward to catch up, riding alongside Meng Zhixue and Fang Cun. It was Yu Qingli, riding with a furrowed brow. He spoke, “Actually, disappearances among the refugees south of the city aren’t uncommon. These people have no roots and wander frequently. The Governor’s registries can’t even keep track of them. A few vanishing now and then isn’t a big deal, hardly noticeable. This time, it drew attention because an entire town’s population vanished overnight. The Governor has other pressing matters, no time to investigate, so they simply tossed the case to our Academy!”
“Hmph! I think these refugees have only themselves to blame!”
Another voice chimed in. It was that Meng Qing’er. She pouted, saying, “The vicinity of Willow Lake City, with our White Xiang Academy and the Governor maintaining order, keeps demons from running rampant. Yet they choose, one after another, to flee into the mountains? Those mountains swarm with demons and monsters, far beyond our reach. Getting snatched away and eaten—isn’t that just inviting disaster upon themselves?”
Hearing this, Meng Zhixue didn’t reply, her expression icy. She turned to look at Fang Cun. “What does Second Young Master Fang think of this?”
“I don’t understand much about other matters…”
Fang Cun paused briefly before speaking softly, “But… if the common people could have enough to eat, I doubt they would be driven to flee into those mountains.”
Long before entering the Academy, Fang Cun had gained deep understanding of this world and discerned some telltale signs.
Just as Meng Qing’er had suggested, if these refugees gathered near Willow Lake City, they could indeed find some safety. Even the most powerful monsters wouldn’t dare cause trouble directly beneath the city; at most, they might sneak in occasionally to snatch one or two, risking capture by the Academy’s Elders or the Governor’s men seeking merit. Venturing deep into the mountains was practically offering themselves to tigers.
But was the truth that simple?
Fang Cun swept his gaze over the surrounding fields. He could see that most of this farmland was surprisingly barren; even the weeds grew sparsely.
Further into the distance, however, a distinct aroma of herbs carried on the breeze.
Fang Cun knew those were fields of magical herbs and exotic plants—crucial ingredients for Qi Refiners to concoct pills.
In this world, Qi Refiners existed.
And Qi Refiners needed to refine pills and medicines, requiring vast amounts of magical herbs. These herbs, however, differed from ordinary crops; they drained the fertile soil tremendously. Once harvested, the land would remain depleted and unusable for ordinary farming for years. Though the laws of Great Xia explicitly forbade planting magical herbs consecutively for more than one year on the same land, demanding it be returned to the people for grain cultivation…
The soil remained impoverished. Crops couldn’t thrive. The yield was meager.
People couldn’t get enough grain to feed themselves while facing taxes and land rents. Driven by hunger, they had no choice but to venture into the mountains, reclaiming wilderness for farming.
But before long, the fertile plots they cleared would likely be taken over again for planting the magical herbs demanded by the Qi Refiners. They would be forced to move yet again.
Trapped in this cycle, these refugees were inevitably pushed deeper and further into the treacherous mountains each time.
Even amid known dangers of demons and monsters, they had to go.
“Enough to eat…”
Meng Zhixue seemed taken aback by Fang Cun’s response. She vaguely sensed that Fang Cun had touched upon a point that echoed her own thoughts, yet he said it so casually she wasn’t quite sure how to reply.
“Oh, Second Young Master Fang! Truly one who’s never tasted hardship,” Meng Qing’er retorted, a smirk playing on her lips as she answered Fang Cun. “Is feeding the masses really so simple? Your Fang Family may be wealthy and influential, but you can’t possibly support this entire populace yourselves, can you?”
Fang Cun smiled gently. “You speak truly, Young Mistress.”
Hearing this, Meng Qing’er seemed quite pleased. “Second Young Master Fang is not only handsome but eloquent as well!”
While deep in thought, the group had traveled far from Willow Lake City and reached a fork in the road. Ahead, to the southwest, lay vast reed marshes with dark mist curling above. To the south, an immense mountain range stretched beyond sight, crouching upon the earth like a gargantuan beast.
Yu Qingli stated, “Taking the left path leads to the Blackwater Marshes. Gangs of ruthless bandits lurk there, vicious and brutal. We should avoid it to prevent any trouble. Heading right will take us toward Green Fox Mountain. The very town we’re to investigate lies within those deep foothills.”
“The Blackwater Marshes… that bandit den?”
Hearing this, the Disciples all looked ahead. Barely visible through the reeds, they could make out the outlines of a mountain stronghold.
Meng Qing’er sneered coldly. “These monsters grow more insolent and savage every day, each setting up their own banners—so-called ‘General Commander Chao,’ ‘Four Helmsmen,’ ‘Seven Guardians,’ ha! Just gangs of thieves mingling together, creating chaos! They shelter Demonic Cultivators, stir up constant trouble. Many wealthy families in Willow Lake City have suffered losses at their hands. Even some business interests of the City Governor haven’t escaped their greedy plans! Now they’ve even built this stronghold, marked their territory? They patrol day and night with underlings. Anyone ordinary venturing too near faces threats, even murder! They act tougher than the Governor himself!”
Fang Cun gazed toward the reed marshes swirling with black vapor, almost feeling the oppressive aura of viciousness emanating from there.
His own Fang Family had nearly fallen victim to ‘Old Chao’ of the Devouring Sea Gang before; he understood these so-called ‘rivers-and-lakes’ figures well. To some degree, their activities transcended mere banditry; it bordered on setting up an independent kingdom—not unlike the Water Margin rebels of legend.
Pondering inwardly, Fang Cun murmured quietly, “Could the disappearances of those villagers… be connected to these ruthless bandits?”
Nie Quan, beside him, suddenly chuckled upon hearing Fang Cun’s words. “Truly, Second Young Master Fang breathes rarefied air. These bandits themselves scrape by with barely enough to eat. They don’t reclaim land for farming, nor run benevolent charities! Why on earth would they go to the trouble of kidnapping common folk?”
Hearing this, the others also offered forced, awkward smiles, their gazes turning toward Fang Cun.
Fang Cun cursed inwardly but managed a light smile. “I was merely contemplating… perhaps they abducted people to practice some dark sorcery?”
He had come across records long ago!
Qi Refiners throughout the world sought precious herbs, spiritual minerals, hidden land veins… everything to enhance their cultivation and practice their arts.
These various treasures—they all fell under the broad term: ‘Great Medicines.’
The world brimmed with myriad Great Medicines, diverse and complex in nature. Yet only one stood unanimously recognized as the First Great Medicine of Heaven and Earth!
Man!
Man was the First Great Medicine of Heaven and Earth—utterly without equal!
If one scrutinized dark arts closely, most invariably involved tampering with the Innate Qi!
“Haha…”
Fang Cun’s serious question piqued the curiosity of many Disciples. Their eyes sought out the Five Disciples of the Nanshan Alliance.
Compared to these five, they indeed lacked practical experience in the wider world.
The slightly less composed but still pretty ‘young mistress,’ Meng Qing’er, explained with a laugh, “Second Young Master Fang, you’ve spent less time at the Academy. Perhaps you weren’t aware? Places like that indeed frequently harbor Rogue Cultivators and Qi Refiners who’ve committed grievous crimes. These types most love practicing dark arts for a quick boost in power. The twisted, forbidden techniques they employ… they probably know tricks even some of our Academy Elders don’t grasp…”
“However, the method of robbing a person of their Innate Qi—that, they dare not meddle with!”
Extracting a person’s Innate Qi—to refine pills or elixirs for extending life, or enhancing artifacts… stands as the gravest sin of Qi Refinement. Should it become known, everyone has the right to execute them. But these Demonic Cultivators fear someone else practicing it far more than ordinary people do! After all, ordinary folk have the Academy and the Governor for protection… but Demonic Cultivators are outcasts. If rumors surfaced that someone near practiced such a forbidden technique, wouldn’t righteous parties come for them first?
Consequently, if someone did emerge kidnapping people for such dark cultivation, these Demonic Cultivators wouldn’t shelter them—they would launch the fiercest assault!
“Well… that line of reasoning does hold merit…”
Fang Cun silently reflected, recalling other cases. He had ventured little into the wider world before; many things had come solely from Dossiers. And inevitably, some matters never found their way into Dossiers. Though, Meng Qing’er had a point: sometimes, hearsay around a bandit camp proved more reliable than official channels. For a simple reason: these folks dwell within that underworld sphere…
…
…
“However, Second Young Master Fang’s apprehension may not be entirely baseless!”
It was Meng Zhixue who spoke after listening. Raising her head slowly, she glanced at Fang Cun, seeing him lost in thought. Her voice remained cool and even. “Although the great majority of Rogue Cultivators and outlaw bandits wouldn’t risk involvement in such practices, there’s always the possibility that an exceptionally powerful fiend, fallen outcasts wandering into the region, might disregard convention. So, questioning whether the bandits are implicated remains necessary. Moreover, even if they prove unconnected to this matter… consider their track record: plundering merchant caravans trafficking in illicit Demon Cores, sheltering ruthless beggar gangs who lure and maim children for street begging… One cannot simply overlook such accumulated wickedness!”
Hearing this, the group nodded in unison.
Only Nie Quan, detecting Meng Zhixue’s implicit defense of Fang Cun, wore a slightly stiff expression.
He Zhenzhang noted Nie Quan’s displeased look and swiftly intervened with a conciliatory smile. “Deeds requiring restitution shall meet their due consequence—that aligns perfectly with the fundamental purpose of our Nanshan Alliance. However, our mission this time is to uncover the truth behind the mass disappearances in Elm Coin Town. If this bizarre, sinister event wasn’t caused by the bandits, then the culprits must surely be monstrous Demons lurking deep in those mountains…”
Everyone present voiced their agreement.
Nie Quan scoffed coldly. “These vile creatures are utterly insufferable. Outlaws and Demonic Cultivators, distasteful as they are, still retain some shreds of humanity; human perpetrators tend to abide by certain limits. But Demons… beings of another kind, intrinsically different at their core… Even Qi Refiners and Demonic Cultivators adhere to their unspoken codes while Demons outright flout them! They deliberately prey on humans as food. Ordinarily, we suffer the occasional Demon slipping through the cracks, perhaps claiming one victim, two at most… But if truly brazen enough to abduct hundreds overnight—the act constitutes an unforgivable death sentence! No quarter shall be given!”
The surrounding listeners were quick to echo:
“Banditry and savage Mountain Demons—truly the twin major scourges threatening Willow Lake’s people!”
“We Disciples of the Nanshan Alliance pledge to eradicate both plagues in time!”
“Indeed!”
“Exactly so!”
The Nanshan Alliance Disciples resonated passionately; their morale surged, fierce and determined!
…
…
“As for erasing these great scourges…”
An inner sigh escaped Fang Cun amidst the fervor: Ah, the impulsive idealism of youth…
The twin calamities—the lawless bandits led by the Devouring Sea Gang and the lurking threats posed by Mountain Demons within the wild depths—stood indeed as defining crises plaguing the people of Willow Lake.
Yet… if even mere Academy Disciples knew full well about these threats—their lairs, their strongholds—why, over decades, did the vast White Xiang Academy hosting its Elder Mentors and Instructors, coupled with the City Governor’s Divine Generals and the Demon Capture Bureau, tolerate their rampages? Why did this destructive coexistence persist, effectively turning a blind eye?
Those outlaw gangs had constructed defensible encampments… implemented patrols… Could the City Governor honestly remain ignorant? And those Demons? Some grew audacious enough peddling wares… within city limits! Would any Academy Elder fail to detect them?
Bandit dens thrived; Demon lairs multiplied unchecked… solely because their roots had intertwined inextricably throughout the landscape. Pulling one strand inevitably strained the entire structure.
How might two ferocious tigers peacefully inhabit one mountain?
Only through clandestine collaboration!
This passionate group of youthful Nanshan Alliance members loudly declared ambitions to cleanse the land… Frankly…
Hah…!
Dang…
Dang…
While mentally mocking the absurdity, two ghostly chimes—barely perceptible—seemed to resonate within Fang Cun’s ears.
He lifted his gaze instinctively. His face instantly froze.
The Celestial Merit Record materialized before him, displaying two fresh lines of inscription:
“Western Bandit Pestilence: Seizes sustenance, foments chaos, fosters Demonic Cultivators, stains hands with countless sins. Eliminate it — awarded 10,000 Merits!”
“Southern Mountain Demon Lair: Devours mortal cores, steals vital energy, violates cosmic harmony, corrodes fundamental order. Eradicate it — awarded 10,000 Merits!”
…
…
Holy…! You’re being completely literal?!
Staring at those stark declarations, Fang Cun momentarily felt strong urges for self-inflicted face-slapping…
Why did I so carelessly toss out that figurative flag?!