Qinghe Commandery

"Did you guess?"

Fang Yuan stepped forward leisurely, his expression indifferent, but the coldness in his eyes made Song San deeply feel the approach of death.

"Wait a moment..."

He couldn't help but shout, "You killed Song Yujie, and that old immortal Song Zhong will never let you go. He's gone mad now, wanting everyone to be buried with his son... I can help you, I know that old guy's..."

Before he could finish speaking, Song Zhong's face suddenly showed a look of utter horror as he looked at the black blood he had spat out.

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

Besides the King of Hell's Post, Fang Yuan hadn't seen any antidote for the mutated Pearl-tailed Snake's venom.

This martial artist, whose power was at most comparable to his own, was naturally no exception!

Not long after, Song San collapsed softly, turning into a corpse with a dark green complexion.

"What a shame... the poison acted so quickly. I originally wanted to get more information... But alas, you don't even deserve a single medicinal pill from me to prolong your life..."

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

"Chirp chirp!"

A white flash shot out rapidly. It returned not long after, its claws and teeth clean, and it shook its little head.

"No one? Could it be that Song San was tracking me alone?"

Fang Yuan was a little puzzled. Then he saw the 'trouble' lying on the ground and sighed, "You're really lucky!"

If Song San had intended to stop, Fang Yuan would have sent Zhou Wenwu away long ago and severed ties. But it was precisely because Song San intended to involve him that he ended up implicating himself, which was unlucky.

Moreover, this person had been unconscious the whole time, so he didn't know Fang Yuan's attitude and actions just now.

Therefore, he was worth saving.

"Even the Zhou Family was wiped out. It seems Song Zhong is indeed half-mad. It's perfect to save this Zhou Wenwu and have him go to the sect to cry foul. With witnesses present for this fratricide, no sect would let it slide!"

As long as it was a gang, organization, or power, they could not tolerate seeing their subordinates fighting and killing each other. Otherwise, what would happen to their cohesion?

If the Zhou Family had already been wiped out and there were no victims, Song Zhong might have been able to throw out a few scapegoats and escape successfully.

But now, with Zhou Wenwu as a witness, no matter how powerful Song Zhong's faction was, it would be useless. This was inciting public outrage!

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

After all, Song Yujie died at his hands. If Song Zhong wasn't completely defeated, Fang Yuan would never feel at ease.

"Daddy... Afu..."

In his dream, there were flashes of swords and blood, and Song Zhong's ferocious face could be vaguely seen.

Zhou Wenwu cried out and woke up with a start, feeling a coolness all over his body.

The injury on his chest, which had been inflicted by an internal force palm strike, felt much better now.

"That's right... Daddy fought desperately to resist the enemy, letting me and my sister escape through a secret passage. Unfortunately, we were still pursued. Even with the help of elite guards, we were eventually separated..."

His eyes gradually cleared as he looked around. "Where is this... Secluded Valley?"

"You're awake?"

Fang Yuan entered with a bowl of medicine, his face filled with concern.

"Thank you, benefactor, for saving my life!"

Zhou Wenwu immediately tried to get up to bow, but Fang Yuan pressed him down. "You are injured, you should rest well... Did something happen to the Zhou Family?"

"The Zhou Family..."

As soon as this was mentioned, Zhou Wenwu's eyes turned red, and tears rolled down his cheeks. "From now on, in Qingye City, the Zhou Family is no more!"

"Is that so? Are Old Master Zhou and the eldest young lady alright?"

Fang Yuan asked in surprise. "And who was the culprit?"

"The mastermind behind this is undoubtedly Song Zhong!"

Zhou Wenwu gritted his teeth. "Although the culprits were disguised, I saw it with my own eyes. I won't be mistaken!"

"Hiss..."

Fang Yuan gasped, shocked. "It could be like this?"

"Song Zhong is a madman!"

Zhou Wenwu sat up halfway. "My sister and I split up to break through. I wonder if you've seen her? And the pursuers, at that time, Song Zhong's eldest disciple, Song San, seemed to be chasing me. That scoundrel has inherited seventy percent of the old thief's true teachings and is quite difficult to deal with..."

"I haven't seen anyone..."

Fang Yuan shook his head. "Young Master Zhou, you have a benevolent destiny. This place is also very hidden. Song San might have already returned to report..."

"I think so too!"

Zhou Wenwu didn't believe it at all in his heart. Thinking of this benefactor's methods, he suddenly tensed up and replied with unspoken understanding.

"Alright, I wonder what your plans are next, Young Master Zhou?"

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

"Of course, we'll go to the sect and ask the Sect Master to preside over justice!"

Zhou Wenwu's eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched: "I will not rest until I've dealt with this old thief!"

It seemed he understood clearly that with his own strength, he was powerless against Song Zhong and needed the sect's help.

Furthermore, Song Zhong had made a grave mistake first. Once it was exposed, he would surely die!

"With your current injuries, you shouldn't exert yourself. Fortunately, Qinghe Commandery City isn't far from here. I'll write another prescription, which should allow you to move normally, but you won't be able to use martial arts!"

Fang Yuan nodded as he spoke.

"Thank you for your great kindness, layman!"

Zhou Wenwu said gratefully, a sense of grief filling him. Zhou Wenxin hadn't come to meet them; she was likely in grave danger.

In that case, he was the only remaining descendant of the Zhou Family.

"After I've had my revenge, I will repay your kindness, even if I have to be your beast of burden!"

"That's not necessary..."

Fang Yuan waved his hands dismissively, then glanced deeply at Zhou Wenwu again. "However, you are still seriously injured. Shall I escort you to the commandery city?"

"What?"

Zhou Wenwu was stunned by his words.

He had considered asking, but he felt too embarrassed after having already troubled Fang Yuan so much. Now that Fang Yuan had offered, he seemed like a great benefactor in Zhou Wenwu's eyes!

Little did he know, from Fang Yuan's perspective, if this wronged party were gone, how could Song Zhong be thoroughly exposed? This card was too important to lose, so he had to act personally.

Of course, Zhou Wenwu was completely unaware of all this. In his eyes, this young layman was not only skilled in medical arts but also benevolent and radiant, making him almost too dazzling to look at.

"Qinghe Commandery City..."

On the road, an ox cart moved slowly. Fang Yuan, wearing a bamboo hat, pondered silently.

This world did have a government, but its presence was pitifully weak. In Qingye City, for instance, a few families had been in charge before.

The commandery city wasn't much better. The Gui Ling Sect was like the emperor of Qinghe Commandery, with the imperial yamen serving merely as a decoration.

Oh, perhaps that wasn't entirely accurate. After all, some high-ranking officials in the commandery were 'concurrently' held by high-ranking members of the Gui Ling Sect.

From this, Fang Yuan could roughly understand the dire state of the imperial family in this country, their power almost comparable to that of a constitutional monarchy's royal family in his dreams.

It was precisely because of this that after the massacre of his family, Zhou Wenwu didn't even consider reporting it to the authorities, focusing solely on seeking justice from the sect.

The ox cart moved steadily, which was beneficial for the injured person lying inside.

The Flower Fox Ferret is staying behind in the Secluded Valley to guard the house. I'm enough for this trip to the commandery city!

Of course, I'll avoid exposing the Black Sand Palm if possible. I must improve my Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt technique as soon as possible!

Fang Yuan's eyes held a hint of eagerness. He glanced at his status panel again:

"Name: Fang Yuan

Essence: 2.7 Qi: 2.6 Spirit: 1.5 Age: 18 Cultivation: Martial Path Stage Five Skills: Black Sand Palm [Level 5], Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt [Level 4] Specialties: Medical Skill [Level 2], Planting Skill [Level 3]"

"With a foundation in the martial path, the Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt is improving rapidly..."

Even while searching for Spiritual Fertilizer, Fang Yuan hadn't stopped training. Moreover, with the nourishment from Spirit Bird meat, the effect was no less than that of Red Jade Rice.

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

Seeing the situation, Fang Yuan nodded in satisfaction.

When he killed Song Yujie last time, he had exposed the details of the Black Sand Palm. Therefore, it was best not to use this technique if he could avoid it.

The Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt, however, had no such drawbacks. It could even be cultivated all the way to the perfected Twelve Gates of Golden Lock and Heavy Tower, naturally earning his greater attention.

Fang Yuan focused his gaze on the Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt, and more information appeared in his mind:

"Eagle Claw Iron Cloth Shirt - An external and internal cultivation technique. Upon mastery, the entire body becomes like iron cloth, impervious to water and fire, and difficult to wound with blades and swords. Currently at the fourth level, with added reinforcement of internal Qi for Eagle Claw Skill!"

Before the sixth stage of the martial path, without breaking through the 'wound gate,' any martial art cultivated was internal Qi, not true internal energy!

From Fang Yuan's perspective, this was the difference between chaotic energy and a unified force.

However, cultivating an additional technique was also beneficial for internal Qi.

He could feel at this moment that the 'furnace' in his lower abdomen seemed to have grown stronger, blazing fiercely, with a nascent power within.

If I can break through the Wound Gate, I will surely be able to generate internal energy and reach the threshold of recognized masters in Qinghe Commandery!

"Fang... Young Master Fang!"

Just as Fang Yuan was pondering the changes in the Eagle Claw Skill's moves, a weak voice came from inside the ox 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 hint of blood visible between his fingers: "That... that old thief will definitely not let me go. On the main roads of Qinghe Commandery, he will absolutely send people to intercept me!"

"So what?"

Fang Yuan smiled confidently: "As long as you don't encounter Song Zhong himself, you can rest assured!"

Song San, who claimed to have received seventy percent of Song Zhong's true teachings, was easily killed by him with a single slap. This made Fang Yuan aware of his own strength. Even if he couldn't roam freely within Qinghe Commandery, he was more than capable of dealing with Song Zhong's disciples.

Moreover, there were so many roads leading to the commandery city, and he had deliberately taken a detour. Whether they could actually find him was another matter entirely.

However, there might be trouble when entering the city.