"By the way, I still haven't asked your name and identity..."
Zhou Xue's thoughts returned to reality. Looking at Fang Wang, she parted her pearly teeth and asked gently.
Immersed in visions of cultivating immortality, Fang Wang could not help saying helplessly when he heard her question, "My name is Fang Wang. My father is Fang Yin."
The dignified Thirteenth Young Master of Fang Manor was not even recognized by his peers in the manor. What humiliation.
"Fang Wang? I have no impression of that name, but I still remember your father's name. He should be my Fifth Uncle, right?" Zhou Xue pondered. This also reminded Fang Wang that she was a reborn person; her memories no longer belonged to the present-day Zhou Xue.
Fang Wang was just about to respond when he heard Zhou Xue say, "I don't remember you, so you must have died on the Night of the Clan Annihilation. After that, only a few people from Fang Manor survived. Sigh."
Fang Wang felt as though he had been sentenced to death. But when he thought of how everyone he cared about would die, his heart tightened as well.
"Tell me about the Night of the Clan Annihilation you mentioned. Let's see how we can deal with it," Fang Wang said seriously.
To destroy Fang Manor, either a massive army would have to assault the city, or a martial arts sect would have to infiltrate Fang Manor. And it would have to be a coordinated operation by many experts. Quite a few of Fang Manor's servants were retired masters of the martial world.
Zhou Xue gathered the hair by her ear, took a deep breath, and said, "On the night seven days from now, Fang Manor will face a calamity that destroys everything. The enemies are all martial artists. Six of them come from the imperial city and are peerless martial arts masters of the Great Qi Dynasty. There is also an immortal cultivator. The vast majority of Fang Manor's people died by his hand. He possesses a strange treasure capable of absorbing the departed souls of the dead."
An immortal cultivator!
Fang Wang's heart sank. Through practicing the Sword Control Technique, he had already learned the gap between martial artists and immortal cultivators. Even though he had entered a realm as legendary as a myth in the martial world, he still felt tremendous pressure when facing an unknown immortal cultivator.
"How great is the difference between that immortal cultivator and martial artists?" Fang Wang asked, staring at Zhou Xue.
Zhou Xue sighed. "He is merely at the bottom rung of the immortal cultivation world, but placed in the martial world, he could be invincible under heaven. Even a hundred peerless martial arts masters joining forces would not be his match."
"Then if one mastered the Sword Control Technique, could one kill him?" Fang Wang pressed.
Zhou Xue looked at him strangely. "That depends on the level of mastery. All immortal cultivators know the art of sword control, but low-level cultivators like him can only barely control a sword. Don't even think about it. Within seven days, it is impossible for you to master the Sword Control Technique, much less train it to the point where you can kill an immortal cultivator."
Once Fang Wang heard that, he roughly understood. Still, he had never faced an immortal cultivator before and could not afford to be careless.
"Within these seven days, I cannot regain my immortal cultivation methods. At most, I can refine some poisons. You are Fifth Uncle's son and closer to the Manor Lord. Think of a way to persuade them. Even if you cannot persuade Fang Manor to leave Nanqiu City, making preparations early would still be a good thing," Zhou Xue said seriously.
After calming down, she realized she had been too reckless before. She had only wanted to save Fang Manor, forgetting Fang Manor's status and her own identity. As a Dukedom Manor, Fang Manor could not possibly flee Nanqiu City. Besides, fleeing would be even more dangerous. Without the surrounding commoners, Fang Manor's situation would become even more perilous.
Fang Wang nodded, then reminded her, "Being reborn is too absurd. Do not mention it again in the future. Any excuse you make up will do. And if this matter reaches the ears of immortal cultivators, it will become even more dangerous."
Zhou Xue's expression shifted slightly. She nodded and said, "I have learned from your words. I was too reckless. This is also my first time encountering such a thing, and it happened right before the clan's annihilation. My mind was in chaos."
A wave of lingering fear suddenly rose within her. The way she looked at Fang Wang changed.
Fang Wang, meanwhile, was frightened by her gaze. This woman isn't thinking of killing me to silence me, is she?
Afterward, the two talked for quite a while longer. Once they had settled on a rough explanation and plan of action, Zhou Xue urged, "Fang Wang, go quickly. Make preparations as soon as possible. I need to begin as well."
Fang Wang nodded, rose to leave, and climbed out through the window.
Zhou Xue stared at the shoeprints on the windowsill and sat blankly on the stool for quite some time.
By nightfall, Fang Manor was brightly lit.
"What? Someone wants to slaughter my entire Fang Manor?"
Fang Yin, dressed with the refined air of a scholar, set down his bowl and chopsticks and demanded furiously. Fang Wang's mother, Madam Jiang, was so frightened that her face turned pale. There were no servants in the hall; Fang Wang had dismissed them before the conversation.
Fang Wang frowned. "Last month, I heard wandering martial artists mention this matter. I thought it was baseless nonsense. Only today, after asking Zhou Xue, was it confirmed. She is not reborn at all. Rather, some mysterious expert infiltrated the manor and secretly told her about it, startling her. In her panic, she said a bunch of nonsense."
Fang Yin snorted. "Of course I do not believe such talk of rebirth. But why did that expert seek her out instead of me, or your four uncles?"
Fang Wang shook his head. "How would your son know? But think about it, Father. I heard of it, and Zhou Xue received the news as well. Better to believe it exists than believe it does not. Fang Manor cannot gamble on such consequences."
At those words, Fang Yin's face darkened. After contemplating for several breaths, he slapped the table, rose, and left behind a single sentence before departing. "I'll go find your grandfather!"
Madam Jiang sighed. As she placed food into Fang Wang's bowl, she instructed, "Wang'er, interact less with those martial world people in the future. It is too dangerous."
"I understand, Mother. I won't do it again," Fang Wang replied with a smile.
Once he got through this calamity, he would pursue the immortal path. To hell with the martial world—he would not roam it anymore. If he was going to venture anywhere, he would venture into the immortal cultivation world!
After finishing dinner, Fang Wang waited in the hall. Fang Yin did not return until a full hour had passed, and his expression was grave.
Facing this son who had been intelligent and sensible since childhood, he did not conceal anything.
"Your grandfather has already believed it and is preparing strict defenses. You do not need to worry about these matters. With us here, nothing can happen to Fang Manor."
Only then did Fang Wang feel relieved. He bade farewell and left.
That night, Fang Wang rarely dreamed. He dreamed of riding a sword through heaven and earth, becoming an unfettered true immortal among men. It was utterly exhilarating!
Early the next morning, after getting up and washing, Fang Wang instructed Li Jiu, the servant closest to him, "Within six days, I want the sharpest sword possible. The cost does not matter!"
Fang Meng had followed the late emperor through southern campaigns and northern battles, earning glorious military achievements. Although his military authority had been stripped after the dynasty was founded, he had received enormous wealth in exchange. As a result, even third-generation descendants like Fang Wang were wealthy. Fang Yin had only this one son; whatever gold, silver, jewels, or treasures Fang Wang wanted, Fang Yin would give him.
"Understood. I will definitely satisfy Young Master!"
Li Jiu, who was only two years older than Fang Wang, happily scampered away.
Taking advantage of the empty courtyard, Fang Wang began attempting to perform the Sword Control Technique. He used a wooden branch as his sword. Though he had already trained the Sword Control Technique to great completion, he had never truly fought before.
He was not an immortal cultivator. Using a martial artist's True Qi to control a sword consumed an enormous amount of energy.
The faster the speed, the greater the consumption!
After more than half an hour of attempts, he realized that he had only one chance to strike. He had to seize an opportunity and kill that immortal cultivator with a single sword strike.
After noon, Fang Wang went to visit Zhou Xue. He wanted to seek a few more spells. With six days remaining, even if he learned an immortal cultivation technique, he would not have enough time to accumulate an immortal cultivator's spiritual power. He might as well gain more means to kill enemies.
However, Zhou Xue had already been released from confinement. Fang Wang came up empty-handed and could only give up.
Over the next five days, Zhou Xue left early and returned late. Fang Wang never encountered her.
During those days, Fang Manor's servants grew increasingly numerous. Fang Wang's eldest uncle even openly recruited passing martial world figures throughout the city. Some Fang Family disciples training in martial arts outside were also summoned back, all disciples from sects relatively close to Yanghu Commandery.
The one who drew the most attention was Fang Hanyu, the third son of Second Uncle Fang Zhe.
This Ninth Young Master of Fang Manor had been close to Fang Wang when they were young, only two years apart in age. But when Fang Wang was seven, Fang Hanyu had been sent to train at the largest martial arts sect in Yanghu Commandery. He sent letters back every year. Last year, Fang Yin had said that he had already reached the level of a first-rate martial arts master—an absolute martial arts genius.
After many years apart, Fang Wang remembered the little older cousin who had often clung to him in childhood, and he felt somewhat nostalgic. But now was not the time to reminisce.
The sixth day, afternoon.
Zhou Xue came looking for Fang Wang. Fang Wang brought her into his room and closed the door.
Today, Zhou Xue wore a fitted red outfit, looking valiant and heroic. She had removed her usual hair crown and hairpins, tying her beautiful hair behind her head with a red cord and revealing her exquisite, lovely face.
Come to think of it, she was rather pretty.
Fang Wang thought this, then sat down with Zhou Xue.
Zhou Xue took out a sachet from her robes and said, "This is the Aromatic Bone-Softening Powder I refined. You only need to scatter it on an enemy. As long as they inhale the poison powder, they will collapse within three breaths. However, this powder can only deal with martial arts masters. It is useless against that immortal cultivator. If you encounter him, you must flee."
She had a favorable impression of this first clansman who had trusted her and did not want him to act rashly and die tomorrow night.
Fang Wang picked up the sachet and could not help asking, "Is the immortal cultivation world divided into the Righteous Path and the Demonic Path?"
Zhou Xue glanced at him and gave a soft snort. "Naturally it is. That's right, I am a Demonic Path cultivator. Humans, demons, ghosts, and monsters have died by my hand beyond counting. Are you afraid?"
Fang Wang said seriously, "I often hear the martial heroes in the city say that in the martial world, one cannot control one's own fate. Immortal cultivation transcends the mundane world, so it must be even more dangerous. Yet after being reborn, you still worry about Fang Manor. For that reason alone, I am not afraid of you. You will always be a member of Fang Manor, my clanswoman."
This...
A Demonic Path cultivator!
Fang Wang felt somewhat uneasy. After his reminder, he might be the only person who knew Zhou Xue's identity as a reborn person in the future. Would that bring trouble upon him?
Seeing how earnestly he spoke, Zhou Xue pursed her lips in a smile. Only then did she begin to examine Fang Wang closely and discover that the boy possessed quite a handsome appearance—swordlike brows, starry eyes, and abundant youthful spirit. Of course, his father Fang Yin was a famous handsome man of Nanqiu City.
After a brief consideration, Zhou Xue said sternly, "Your martial arts are good, but they can only handle martial artists. Leave that immortal cultivator to me. You absolutely must not force yourself into the forefront."
She had a favorable impression of Fang Wang, but she also understood the high spirits of a young genius. Fang Wang had mastered such formidable martial arts at so young an age. In a moment of impulsiveness, he might very well challenge the immortal cultivator.
Fang Wang thought for a moment, then slowly nodded. After all, she was a reborn person and surely possessed some methods.
Having finally heard a path toward immortal cultivation, he did not want to die suddenly before he even began cultivating immortality.
The two talked for a long time. Zhou Xue did nearly all the arranging while Fang Wang listened. Zhou Xue needed Fang Wang to relay some of her suggestions, since she was merely an adopted daughter and had no voice in Fang Manor. During this time, Fang Wang tried to seek immortal cultivation methods, but she sternly refused, claiming that Fang Manor stood at the brink of life and death—how could he think about such meaningless things?
After Zhou Xue left, Fang Wang went to see his father and relayed several of her suggestions. Fang Yin praised Fang Wang's proposals and immediately set off to find Fang Wang's grandfather, Fang Meng.
That night, many people in Fang Manor found it difficult to sleep.
Anyone who heard that their Lineage was about to be exterminated would panic.
Fang Wang was the same. He circulated his cultivation in his room, accumulating True Qi to give himself greater confidence.
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