The Righteous Path and the Demonic Path

"Right, I haven't asked for your name and identity yet..."

Zhou Xue's thoughts returned to reality. She looked at Fang Wang, parted her lips, and asked gently.

Fang Wang, who was immersed in the prospect of cultivating immortality, heard her question and couldn't help but say helplessly, "My name is Fang Wang, and my father is Fang Yin."

To think that he, the thirteenth young master of the esteemed Fang Manor, wouldn't be recognized by his own peers within the manor. It was too humiliating.

"Fang Wang? I don't recall. But I remember your father's name. He should be my fifth uncle, right?" Zhou Xue mused. This also reminded Fang Wang that she was a reborn individual, her memories no longer belonging to the current Zhou Xue.

Just as Fang Wang was about to reply, he heard Zhou Xue say, "I don't remember you. Then you must have died on the Night of the Clan Annihilation. After that, only a few people survived in Fang Manor. Alas."

Fang Wang felt as if he had been sentenced to death. However, when he thought about the people he cared about dying, his heart tightened.

"Let's talk about the Night of the Clan Annihilation you mentioned. We need to figure out how to deal with it," Fang Wang said seriously.

To destroy Fang Manor, it would either require an army attacking the city or a martial arts sect infiltrating the manor, and it would have to be a large number of experts acting together. There were quite a few retired martial arts experts among the guards of Fang Manor.

Zhou Xue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, took a deep breath, and said, "Seven nights from now, Fang Manor will face a catastrophe. The enemies are all martial artists. Six of them are from the imperial city, top martial arts experts of the Great Qi Dynasty. There is also one cultivator. Most people in Fang Manor will die by his hand. He possesses a rare treasure that can absorb the souls of the deceased."

A cultivator!

Fang Wang's heart sank. Through practicing the Sword Control Technique, he had already understood the gap between martial artists and cultivators. Even though he had reached a legendary realm in the martial arts world, he still felt immense pressure facing an unknown cultivator.

"How big is the gap between that cultivator and martial artists?" Fang Wang asked, staring at Zhou Xue.

Zhou Xue sighed and said, "He's just at the bottom rung in the cultivation world. But in the martial arts world, he's invincible. Even a hundred top martial arts experts working together wouldn't be his match."

"Then, if I master the Sword Control Technique, can I kill him?" Fang Wang pressed.

Zhou Xue looked at him strangely and said, "It depends on the level of mastery. All cultivators know the Sword Control Technique, but someone like him, a low-level cultivator, can only barely control his sword. Don't even think about it. Within seven days, you won't be able to master the Sword Control Technique, let alone refine it to the point of killing a cultivator."

Fang Wang had a rough idea upon hearing this, but he had never faced a cultivator before and couldn't afford to be careless.

"During these seven days, I can't regain my cultivation methods. At most, I can concoct some poisons. You are the son of my fifth uncle and have a closer relationship with the Manor Lord. Try to persuade him. Even if you can't convince Fang Manor to flee Nanqiu City, it's good to be prepared early," Zhou Xue said earnestly.

After calming down, she realized she had been too reckless. She was so focused on saving Fang Manor that she forgot its status and her own identity. As a Duke's manor, Fang Manor couldn't possibly flee Nanqiu City. Moreover, fleeing would be even more dangerous. Without the surrounding populace, Fang Manor's situation would be even more perilous.

Fang Wang nodded, then cautioned, "The matter of rebirth is too absurd. Don't speak of it again. You can make up some excuses. And if this matter reaches the ears of cultivators, it will be even more dangerous."

Zhou Xue's eyes flickered slightly, and she nodded, "I've learned my lesson. I was too rash. This is also the first time I've encountered something like this, and it's right before the Night of the Clan Annihilation. My mind is in a mess."

A sudden wave of fear washed over her, and her gaze towards Fang Wang changed.

Fang Wang was startled by her look. Could she be thinking of killing me to silence me?

Afterward, the two chatted for a while longer. Once they had a general plan and talking points, Zhou Xue urged, "Fang Wang, hurry up and go. Be prepared early. I need to start too."

Fang Wang nodded, got up, and left, climbing out the window.

Zhou Xue gazed at the shoe prints on the windowsill and sat stunned on the stool for a long time.

As night fell, Fang Manor was brightly lit.

"What? Someone wants to slaughter my entire Fang Manor?"

Fang Yin, with his scholarly and refined demeanor, put down his chopsticks and asked furiously. Fang Wang's mother, Madam Jiang, was so frightened her face turned pale. There were no servants in the hall; Fang Wang had sent them away before their conversation.

Fang Wang frowned. "Last month, I heard about this from a wandering martial artist. I thought it was nonsense. Today, after asking Zhou Xue, I confirmed it. She's not reborn at all. A mysterious expert simply infiltrated the manor and secretly told her. It startled her, and in her panic, she spoke carelessly."

Fang Yin snorted, "Of course, I don't believe in rebirth. But why would that expert seek her out and not me, or your four uncles?"

Fang Wang shook his head. "How would I know, Father? But think about it. I heard about it, and Zhou Xue also received this news. It's better to believe it than not. Fang Manor cannot afford to gamble with such consequences."

Hearing this, Fang Yin's expression turned grim. After a few moments of thought, he slapped the table and stood up, leaving with a single remark, "I'm going to see your grandfather!"

Madam Jiang sighed, served Fang Wang more food, and cautioned, "Wang'er, you should interact less with those martial artists. It's too dangerous."

"I know, Mother. I won't anymore," Fang Wang replied with a smile.

Once this calamity passed, he would pursue the path of immortality. What the hell was this martial arts world? He wouldn't bother with it anymore. If he were to venture out, it would be into the cultivation world!

After dinner, Fang Wang waited in the hall. Fang Yin returned a full hour later, his expression very solemn.

Facing his son, who had been intelligent and sensible since childhood, he didn't hide anything.

"Your grandfather has believed it and is preparing for strict defenses. You don't need to worry about these matters. With us here, nothing will happen to Fang Manor."

Hearing this, Fang Wang finally felt relieved and then took his leave.

That night, Fang Wang had a rare dream. He dreamt of soaring through the heavens on his sword, becoming a carefree immortal in the mortal realm. It was exhilarating!

The next morning, Fang Wang woke up, washed, and instructed his closest servant, Li Jiu, "Within six days, I need the sharpest sword. Money is no object!"

Fang Meng had fought alongside the late emperor in his campaigns, achieving great merit. Although his military power was curtailed after the founding of the dynasty, he was rewarded with vast wealth. This resulted in third-generation descendants like Fang Wang also being wealthy. Fang Yin had only this one son; no matter how much gold or jewels he wanted, Fang Yin would give it to him.

"Yes, I will ensure Young Master is satisfied!"

Li Jiu, who was only two years older than Fang Wang, happily scurried away.

While no one was in the courtyard, Fang Wang began to practice the Sword Control Technique, using a wooden branch as his sword. Although he had already mastered the technique to Grand Perfection, he had never truly fought with it.

He was not a cultivator. Using his martial arts inner energy to control a sword consumed a great deal.

The faster the speed, the greater the consumption!

After more than half an hour of practice, he realized he only had one chance to strike. He had to find an opportunity to kill that cultivator with a single blow.

After noon, Fang Wang went to visit Zhou Xue. He wanted to seek more magical techniques. With only six days left, even if he mastered a cultivation method, there wouldn't be enough time to accumulate spiritual energy. It would be better to have more means to defeat enemies.

However, Zhou Xue had already been released from confinement, so Fang Wang's attempt was in vain, and he had to give up.

For the next five days, Zhou Xue left early and returned late, and Fang Wang never managed to see her.

These days, the Fang Manor's household staff grew in number. Fang Wang's eldest uncle even began to openly recruit passing martial artists from the city. Some Fang family disciples who were training outside, particularly those from sects near Yanghu Commandery, were also summoned back.

Among them, the most notable was Fang Hanyu, the third son of Fang Zhe, Fang Wang's second uncle.

This ninth young master of the Fang Manor had a good relationship with Fang Wang when they were young, being only two years apart. However, when Fang Wang was seven, Fang Hanyu was sent to train at the largest martial arts sect in Nanqiu City. He would send letters back every year, and last year Fang Yin mentioned that he had already reached the level of a top-tier martial artist, an absolute prodigy.

After many years apart, Fang Wang remembered his younger cousin who used to pester him and felt a sense of nostalgia. However, now was not the time for reminiscing.

The sixth day, afternoon.

Zhou Xue came to find Fang Wang, and Fang Wang led her into the room, closing the door.

Today, Zhou Xue was wearing a form-fitting red outfit, looking heroic and spirited. She had removed her usual hairpins and ornaments, tying her beautiful hair back with a red ribbon, revealing her delicate and lovely face.

She's actually quite attractive, Fang Wang thought to himself, before sitting down with Zhou Xue.

Zhou Xue took out an incense pouch from her embrace and said, "This is the Aromatic Bone-Softening Powder I refined. You just need to sprinkle it on an enemy, and as long as they inhale the powder, they'll collapse within three breaths. However, this powder can only deal with martial arts experts; it's useless against a cultivator. If you encounter one, you must escape."

Zhou Xue felt a good impression of this clansman, who was the first to trust her, and didn't want him to act rashly and die tomorrow.

Fang Wang took the incense pouch and couldn't help but ask, "Does the cultivation world have a division between the Righteous and Demonic Paths?"

Zhou Xue glanced at him and softly snorted, "Of course, it does. That's right, I am a Demonic Path cultivator. Countless demons, ghosts, and monsters have died by my hand. Are you scared?"

Fang Wang said earnestly, "I often hear the heroic figures in the city say that in the martial world, one's actions are not always their own. Cultivation transcends the mundane world and is surely more dangerous. You've been reborn, yet you still care about the Fang Manor. Based on this alone, I'm not afraid of you. You will always be a member of the Fang Manor, my clanswoman."

This...

A Demonic Path cultivator!

Fang Wang felt a bit uneasy. After his reminder, he might be the only one who knew Zhou Xue's identity as a reborn individual. Would this bring trouble?

Seeing his earnestness, Zhou Xue smiled faintly. She then began to size up Fang Wang, finding him to be a handsome young man with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes, full of spirit. It made sense, after all, his father, Fang Yin, was a renowned handsome man in Nanqiu City.

After a brief moment of thought, Zhou Xue said seriously, "Your martial arts are good, but they can only deal with martial artists. I will handle that cultivator. You must not try to be a hero."

She had a good impression of Fang Wang, but she also understood the pride of a young genius. Fang Wang, having mastered formidable martial arts at such a young age, might impulsively challenge a cultivator.

Fang Wang pondered for a moment and slowly nodded. After all, she was a reborn individual and must have some tricks up her sleeve.

Having finally heard about the path to cultivation, he didn't want to die before he could even start.

The two chatted for a long time, with Zhou Xue mostly making arrangements and Fang Wang listening. Zhou Xue needed Fang Wang's help to convey some of her opinions, as she was only an adopted daughter and had no real authority in the Fang Manor. During their conversation, Fang Wang tried to seek cultivation methods, but she sternly refused, stating that the Fang Manor was facing a life-or-death crisis, and it was hardly the time to think about such meaningless things.

After Zhou Xue left, Fang Wang went to see his father and relayed some of Zhou Xue's suggestions. Fang Yin praised Fang Wang's proposal and immediately set off to find Fang Wang's grandfather, Fang Meng.

That night, many people in the Fang Manor found it difficult to sleep.

Anyone would panic upon hearing that their family was about to be annihilated.

Fang Wang was no different. He practiced his techniques in his room, accumulating his internal energy to bolster his confidence.