Commandery City

"Have you guessed?"

Fang Yuan came forward at an unhurried pace. His expression was indifferent, but the chill in his eyes made Song San feel death drawing near.

"Wait..."

He couldn't help shouting, "You killed Song Yujie. That Old Undead Song Zhong will never let you go. He's gone mad and wants everyone to join his son in the grave... I can help you. I know that old bastard's..."

Halfway through his words, a look of utter horror appeared on Song Zhong's face as he stared at the black blood he had spat out.

"I'll deal with that old dog myself. You can be on your way now!"

Aside from King of Hell's Post, Fang Yuan had never seen anything that could cure the Mutated Pearl-tailed Snake's venom.

A martial artist whose cultivation was at most on par with his own naturally couldn't do it either!

Before long, Song San crumpled to the ground, his face turning blue-black as he became a corpse.

"What a pity... The poison took effect so quickly. I'd wanted to hear a little more, but alas, you're not worth even one pill of spiritual medicine to keep you alive..."

Only after Song San died did a trace of regret appear on Fang Yuan's face. He waved his hand. "Flower Fox Ferret, patrol the area. If anyone comes near, kill them!"

"Chirp!"

A white flash shot away. It returned before long, its claws and fangs spotless, and shook its little head.

"No one? Could Song San have followed me here alone?"

Fang Yuan was a little puzzled. Then he glanced at the "trouble" lying on the ground and sighed again. "You're lucky!"

Had Song San been willing to let the matter drop, Fang Yuan would have sent Zhou Wenwu on his way long ago and ended their involvement. But Song San had insisted on dragging him into it, and in the end, the trouble had come back to bite him. He'd had it coming.

Besides, Zhou Wenwu had been unconscious the whole time and had no idea of Fang Yuan's attitude or what he'd done.

That made him worth saving.

"If even the Zhou family has been wiped out, then Song Zhong really has gone half-mad. I might as well save Zhou Wenwu and have him complain to the sect. With brothers killing each other and an eyewitness right there, no sect would let it slide!"

No gang, organization, or power could tolerate its own underlings attacking and slaughtering one another. Otherwise, what would become of its unity?

If the Zhou family had already been wiped out and no one was left to press charges, Song Zhong might have been able to throw a few scapegoats to the wolves and get away clean.

But now Zhou Wenwu could testify. No matter how powerful Song Zhong's faction was, it would do him no good. He had stirred up the wrath of everyone!

Thus, in Fang Yuan's eyes, Zhou Wenwu had once again become a valuable card, worth saving.

After all, Song Yujie had died at Fang Yuan's hands. He wouldn't feel at ease until Song Zhong was completely crushed.

"Father... Ah Fu..."

In his dream, blades flashed and blood flew. Song Zhong's twisted face loomed indistinctly before him.

Zhou Wenwu cried out and jolted awake, feeling a coolness spread over his body.

The wound left by an inner palm strike to his chest had eased considerably.

"That's right... Father held off the enemy with his life, letting my sister and me escape through the secret passage. But we were pursued again. Even with the Death Warriors covering our retreat, we ended up separated..."

His gaze gradually cleared as he looked around. "Is this... Hidden Valley?"

"You're awake?"

Fang Yuan came in carrying a bowl of medicine, concern on his face.

"Many thanks, Layman, for saving my life!"

Zhou Wenwu immediately tried to turn over and get up to pay his respects, but Fang Yuan pressed him back down. "You're injured. You should focus on recovering. Has something happened to the Zhou family?"

"The Zhou family..."

At the mention of it, Zhou Wenwu's eyes reddened and tears rolled down his cheeks. "From this day on, the Zhou family has been erased from Qingye City!"

"Such a thing has happened? Are Old Master Zhou and Eldest Daughter safe?"

Fang Yuan asked in surprise, "And who was behind it?"

"The one pulling the strings was none other than Song Zhong!"

Zhou Wenwu ground his teeth. "The attackers were disguised, but I saw them with my own eyes. There's no mistake!"

"Gasp..."

Fang Yuan drew in a sharp breath, feigning shock. "How could this have happened?"

"Song Zhong is a madman!"

Zhou Wenwu sat halfway up. "My sister and I fled in different directions. Layman, have you seen her? And what of the pursuers? At the time, it seemed Song Zhong's eldest disciple, Song San, was chasing me. That brute had learned seven-tenths of the old thief's true skills and was difficult to deal with..."

"I haven't seen either of them..."

Fang Yuan shook his head. "Young Master Zhou, you have Heaven's blessing. This place is well hidden, too. Song San may have already returned to report..."

"I thought as much!"

Zhou Wenwu didn't believe a word of it, but remembering this Layman's methods, he shivered and answered in tacit understanding.

"All right. Young Master Zhou, what do you plan to do next?"

Fang Yuan asked a few more questions before finally getting to the point.

"Of course I'll go to the sect and ask the Sect Leader to deliver justice!"

Zhou Wenwu's eyes were bloodshot, and he clenched his fists. "That old thief and I are sworn enemies!"

It seemed he understood perfectly well that his own strength was nowhere near enough to deal with Song Zhong. He would need the sect's help.

Besides, Song Zhong had committed a grave offense. As long as Zhou Wenwu could expose him, he would be doomed!

"With your injuries, you shouldn't be moving around much. Fortunately, Qinghe Commandery City isn't far from here. I'll prescribe another medicine for you. It should let you travel as usual, though you mustn't use your martial arts."

Fang Yuan nodded as he spoke.

"Many thanks for your great kindness, Layman!"

Zhou Wenwu said gratefully. A deep sorrow filled his heart as well. Zhou Wenxin hadn't met up with him, so there was an eight-in-ten chance that she was dead.

That left him as the Zhou family's sole surviving heir.

"Once I've avenged them, I'll serve you like an ox or a horse to repay your great kindness!"

"There's no need for that..."

Fang Yuan waved both hands, then gave Zhou Wenwu a meaningful look. "But your injuries haven't healed. How about I escort you to the commandery city?"

"What?"

The moment he heard this, Zhou Wenwu was stunned.

He'd had the same thought, but after imposing on Fang Yuan so much already, he hadn't felt comfortable asking. Now that Fang Yuan had offered on his own, he seemed like a truly good man!

Little did he know that in Fang Yuan's eyes, without Zhou Wenwu as the aggrieved party, how could he make sure Song Zhong was thoroughly condemned? This card was far too important to lose, so he had to act personally.

Of course, Zhou Wenwu knew none of this. In his eyes, this young Layman was not only a skilled physician but also kindhearted and benevolent, practically radiant enough to make one avert their gaze.

"Qinghe Commandery City..."

A bullock cart rolled slowly along the road. Wearing a bamboo hat, Fang Yuan sat in silence, deep in thought.

The imperial government certainly existed in this world, but its presence was pitifully weak. In Qingye City, for instance, everything had previously been decided by a few lineages.

The commandery city was hardly any better. As far as Qinghe Commandery was concerned, Gui Ling Sect was practically an emperor in its own right, while the government offices had become little more than window dressing.

Well, perhaps that wasn't entirely accurate. After all, some of the commandery's senior officials were "also serving" as high-ranking members of Gui Ling Sect.

From this, Fang Yuan could roughly tell just how miserable the royal family of this country had become. Its power was practically on a par with that of a constitutional monarch in the world of his dreams.

That was also why, after the massacre, Zhou Wenwu hadn't even mentioned reporting it to the authorities. He was single-mindedly set on having the sect deliver justice.

The bullock cart rolled along at an even pace, which was good for the injured man lying inside.

I left Flower Fox Ferret behind to guard Hidden Valley. I'm enough for this trip to the commandery city!

Of course, I should avoid exposing Black Sand Palm if I can. I need to raise my Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt as quickly as possible!

A trace of eagerness flickered in Fang Yuan's eyes as he glanced at his status panel:

Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 2.7

Qi: 2.6

Spirit: 1.5

Age: 18

Cultivation: Martial Dao Fifth Stage

Skills: Black Sand Palm [Level Five], Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt [Level Four]

Specialties: Medical Skill [Level Two], Planting Skill [Level Three]

"With a foundation in martial arts, Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt is improving quickly..."

Even while searching for Spiritual Fertilizer, Fang Yuan hadn't neglected his training. What's more, the meat of spirit birds replenished him, and its effects were every bit as good as Red Jade Rice.

"Qi Yuan has increased by 0.1, and Iron Cloth Shirt has gained a level. I'm not far from fully mastering the fifth level..."

Looking at this, Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

He had exposed the secret of his Black Sand Palm when he killed Song Yujie last time, so it was best to avoid using that martial art whenever possible.

Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt, on the other hand, had no such drawback. He could even train it all the way to the perfected Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, so naturally he gave it far more attention.

Fang Yuan focused on Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt, and at once more information surfaced in his mind:

"Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt—a cultivation technique that trains both the inner and outer body. Once mastered, the body becomes as if clad in iron cloth, impervious to water and fire, and resistant to blades and swords. Currently at the fourth level, with the added effect of strengthening Eagle Claw Skill Internal Breath!"

Before the Martial Dao Six Stages, unless one broke through the Harm Gate, every martial art cultivated Internal Breath, not internal force!

In Fang Yuan's view, the difference was like a jumble of loose strands versus strength twisted into a single rope.

Still, practicing another cultivation technique was also quite beneficial to one's Internal Breath.

He could feel that the "stove" in his lower abdomen had grown a little bigger, blazing fiercely, with a hint of power gestating inside it.

If he could break through the Harm Gate, he would surely transform it into internal force and cross the threshold into the ranks of Qinghe Commandery's recognized experts!

"Y-Young Master Fang!"

Just as Fang Yuan was pondering the changes in Eagle Claw Skill, a timid voice came from inside the cart.

"Young Master Zhou, how are you feeling?"

Fang Yuan lifted the curtain and immediately saw Zhou Wenwu's pale face.

"Cough, cough... I can still hold on!"

Zhou Wenwu coughed twice. A trace of blood showed between his fingers. "That... that old thief definitely won't let me go. He'll certainly send people to intercept me along the main roads to Qinghe Commandery!"

"So what?"

Fang Yuan smiled confidently. "As long as we don't run into Song Zhong himself, you can rest easy!"

He had easily killed Song San, who was said to have learned seven-tenths of Song Zhong's true skills. That had given Fang Yuan a clear idea of his own strength. He might not be able to run rampant throughout Qinghe Commandery, but Song Zhong's disciples were no problem.

Besides, there were so many roads leading to the commandery city, and he had deliberately taken a detour. Whether they could find him was anyone's guess.

There might be trouble when they entered the city, though.