Chapter 64: A Fair Outcome

“There’s the meal eaten, and the visitor met. What other serious matters bring you here today, Fairy Meng?”

Under the moonlight so clear it reflected like a mirror, and a gentle breeze that stirred the bells beneath the eaves, the Fang Manor wasn’t lavish. Immortal Master Fang Chi had long ago decreed that the Fang family should not become one of those arrogant or extravagant clans. So it was modest, just a five-bay, three-courtyard layout with a small garden of perhaps half an acre. Yet, meticulously crafted by the once-idle Fang Cun, walking through it now naturally brought the sweet assault of floral scents and a lifting of the spirits.

After ambling a few steps, Fang Cun shot a glare that sent the maids hiding and peeking from behind the tree scurrying away. He turned and spoke to Meng Zhixue.

“Do you truly need to ask my purpose, still unaware?”

Meng Zhixue followed behind Fang Cun. Hearing this, she paused beneath a flowering tree. Sparse branches cast shifting shadows on her face. Under the moonlight, her cheek resembled fine jade. She fixed her gaze on him. “At the Academy, why did you avoid me?”

Fang Cun sighed helplessly. “So you knew I was avoiding you, and you followed me home?””So you admit it?”

Meng Zhixue’s face tensed. Her beauty, high status, and exceptional talent meant that whether at the Academy or elsewhere, people always treated her differently. It wasn’t necessarily ill-intentioned, often just innate admiration and a desire to be close. Whatever she said found eager helpers. Such indifference and teasing treatment was a first for her.

Though unused to it, she knew Fang Cun wasn’t the type to coddle her. Still, the annoyance subsided. She sighed softly. “With the Academy and the County Office having eradicated the Demons of Bear Ridge and Red Sand Ridge and settled the displaced villagers, this matter is closed. Dossiers have been sent to the Nine Immortals Sect and Qingjiang Prefecture. It seems… concluded.””Isn’t that good?” Fang Cun chuckled softly. “Two Demon strongholds eradicated, one escaped. For now, Willow Lake and its surroundings are peaceful. The mountain folk are happy. The families gathering herbs from the mountains easily are happy. That the Human Elixir affair was investigated so swiftly and decisively pleases both Qingjiang Prefecture and the Nine Immortals Sect. Isn’t this happy outcome satisfactory for you?”

“How could it be satisfying?”

Meng Zhixue listened, a trace of gloom crossing her face. After a moment, she replied, “Calling it ‘slaying Demons and eliminating evil’? That was erasing evidence! Had this not been looked into, I’d never have known how many people in Willow Lake City were secretly involved with Demons! The trade in Demon Cores is practically out in the open. No wonder so many Demons dared wreak havoc within the city walls…”

Fang Cun nodded slightly. He had heard her bring this up at the City Guard Office before, upsetting many. Personally, he hadn’t investigated deeply, but he’d always suspected shady dealings behind the earlier incursions of Demons into the city. Take that Lady Qingmeng from the Flowing Moon Pavilion – wasn’t she openly doing business as a star courtesan there? A real Demon! In Willow Lake City, teeming with Qi Refiners, without suspicious protection? Unthinkable.

Thinking this, he laughed softly. “Regardless, the Demon Core trade should quiet down for a while. The mountain Demons are mostly cleaned out. At least these Qi Refiners sincerely did a decent deed this time?”

“Does Second Young Master Fang truly believe that?” Meng Zhixue turned to him, her expression serious.

Fang Cun met her gaze. “Yes.”

Faced with his candor, Meng Zhixue felt slightly flustered. She lowered her head briefly, then said, “Even if the Demon Core matter is temporarily resolved, that Demonic Cultivator refining Human Elixirs remains free!”

Fang Cun didn’t reply, only emitted a low, dry laugh.

Meng Zhixue spoke again, her voice hesitant. “Can you… help me?”

“No,” Fang Cun stated flatly.

“You…” Fang Cun turned away. He saw Meng Zhixue standing in the moonlight, like a figure carved from pure white jade. Her lips were pressed together as she regarded him with earnest clarity. Anyone with a guilty conscience would have struggled to hold that gaze. Fang Cun probably had his secrets, but he met her eyes with perfect calm.

Meng Zhixue clearly hadn’t expected such an abrupt refusal. Surprise flickered, quickly followed by dismay. “Why be so stubborn about something that does no one any good?”

Fang Cun sighed. “The Academy and the City Governor aren’t truly unwilling to catch that Human Elixir refiner. But the culprit knew what they were doing, had the guts to attempt such a Demonic Evil method, and made a clean escape. Finding them won’t be easy. Besides, the Human Elixir affair caused public panic. Once it escalated, if the Academy and City Guard hadn’t swiftly slaughtered those Demons as scapegoats, letting the news reach Qingjiang Prefecture and the Nine Immortals Sect… blame would have fallen. Do you think they’d willingly accept that punishment for nothing?”

Meng Zhixue was dumbstruck. Such cynicism was unexpected. Recovering, indignation flashed. “The Human Elixir atrocity happened in their Willow Lake City, their jurisdiction! Their failure to find the culprit deserves censure! When did that become an excuse to kill Demons to cover for their inaction? Clearing the Southern Mountains of Demons is good, yes, but the Human Elixir refiner committed perhaps the greatest evil among men! We absolutely cannot relent and let them roam free!””The greatest evil among men?” Fang Cun’s expression sharpened momentarily. Then he gave a faint, indifferent smile. “Not necessarily. Kidnapping over three hundred commoners to refine them? Utterly heinous, yes. But the reason ‘Human Elixir Refinement’ is forbidden by Qi Refiners is its inherent vileness, not just its scale. Compared to those who starve, freeze, or die homeless daily on the streets, or those whose vitality is secretly drained by Demons, wasting away wretchedly… where do those lost to the Human Elixir truly rank?”

Meng Zhixue stood frozen in place, silently staring at Fang Cun.

He looked back calmly, his voice gentle. “Right now, the City Governor is satisfied. The Academy is satisfied. The common people are satisfied. The Human Elixir Cultivator wasted their effort. Even Fairy Meng has received ample praise, reputation, and rich rewards. If you remain dissatisfied, if you insist on stirring trouble now… you might end up making everyone dissatisfied, leaving no room for you here.”

“Is that truly what you believe?” Meng Zhixue asked after a long silence, her voice frigid.

Fang Cun turned fully to face her, tucking his large sleeves lightly behind his back.

Meng Zhixue sensed an unusual sharpness in his gaze but met it squarely, as if after grave deliberation. “My concern is not whether others can tolerate me, nor their satisfaction, nor the rewards or reputation! I fight to slay Demons and purge evil! I fight only to give the people of Elm Coin Town the justice they are owed!”

“……”

Fang Cun listened, the look in his eyes turning momentarily cold and piercing. Yet it slowly softened after a long pause.

“If that’s how it is, then go slay Demons and purge evil. Why ask me?” He laughed, giving his large sleeve a dismissive wave. “Your Nanshan Alliance teems with talent. You don’t lack one Fang Cun.”

Meng Zhixue remained silent for an agonizingly long time, seeming to struggle with what to say.

Fang Cun simply watched her calmly, his mind evidently made up.

To his surprise, Meng Zhixue broke the silence after another pause, her voice quiet. “Second Young Master Fang… do you think I’m foolish?”

Fang Cun was slightly caught off guard, but only offered a light shrug and smile.

Meng Zhixue glanced down, then met his eyes again, her tone soft but resolute. “Truly, no need to answer. I know. Many respect me to my face but disdain me behind my back. Yet… I believe what I do has value. Like your elder brother. He stormed the Southern Mountains, slew the Tiger Demon, forced out the Former Academy Head. Seen as righteous by some… but others called it disrespect towards his masters, seeking fame. They said nothing actually changed, that Willow Lake City’s Demon Core trade still flourished… ”

Fang Cun’s expression turned cold. He didn’t interrupt her because… she spoke the truth.

“But… was it really so meaningless?” Meng Zhixue raised her chin, meeting his gaze fiercely. “I’m young, but I’ve seen some records. Back in those days, the Demon Core trade operated almost openly here! People practically reared Demons to make cores! Rules forbade it, but no one cared; it was normalized. It was only when your brother took his sword to the Southern Mountains, took the Tiger Demon’s head, and forced out the Former Academy Head… that’s what shocked everyone. It forced the trade back into the shadows, made it clandestine! Not gone… but less.”

She paused, breathing slightly harder, her eyes locked onto Fang Cun’s face. “So… action has value! It can make a difference!”

Fang Cun leaned against the pond railing, silently watching her.

A long moment stretched out. Finally, he released a soft sigh. “Perhaps. Maybe it does. But what difference can I make? With this meager ability?”

Meng Zhixue stayed silent for another moment. Then she suddenly lifted her head, her gaze piercing. “Really?”Fang Cun stiffened slightly. The suddenness caught him off guard.

She met his eyes directly, the question sharp and clear. “Who was it, Second Young Master Fang… who drew the bandits away to save all of us?”