Night Raid

"Many of the disciples still lacked experience in life-and-death battles. Their combat ability was far from sufficient."

Fang Yuan silently observed the clan disciples' performance, shaking his head from time to time. Occasionally, he stepped in to save disciples on the verge of death.

Injuries were no great concern, but if they lost their lives, then he, as the Young Master, would be failing in his duty.

"Man's combat skills are quite impressive."

Fang Man had originally been at the eighth layer of the Houtian Realm. After recovering from his severe injuries last time, his cultivation had unexpectedly advanced another step.

In his fight with the Demon Tiger, he had initially been at a disadvantage, but now it had become an almost one-sided crushing victory.

After roughly the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the battle gradually subsided.

Several disciples came before Fang Yuan one after another, dropping to their knees and kowtowing in gratitude for saving their lives.

"We're all brothers of the same family. No need to stand on ceremony." Fang Yuan helped them up.

Fang Yuan's actions instantly closed the distance between him and these people, winning over many hearts.

All sorts of labels settled upon him—unfathomably powerful, approachable, humble in character...

"From this day onward, I, Fang He, will follow the Young Master's words as my guiding banner."

The one who spoke was the Eighth Elder's son. With cultivation at the seventh layer of the Houtian Realm, he was one of the Fang Family's foremost geniuses.

"Whatever the Young Master commands, I will obey without fail."

"The Young Master will surely lead the family to great prosperity..."

Fang Yuan smiled and had Fang Man distribute healing pills to the injured disciples, earning even greater goodwill.

"Long live the Young Master!"

After Fang Yuan and the others made some brief adjustments, they collected the spoils dropped by the Demon Tiger and headed for the Mine.

"Young Master!"

The person in charge of the Mine had been waiting outside it for quite some time. Upon seeing Fang Yuan, he hurried forward in a few swift strides.

"Steward Fang Zheng!"

Fang Yuan nodded in return.

This Mine was not particularly large. It mainly supplied the family with pig iron for forging weapons and selling them externally.

The person in charge was the Steward before them, possessing cultivation at the Ninth Layer Houtian Realm—enough to deter petty troublemakers.

There were also two Stewards at the eighth layer of the Xiantian Realm, as well as many Fang Family members, most of whom were in the Houtian Realm.

The rest were miners and laborers responsible for extracting ore, bringing the total number to over two hundred.

"Settle the injured disciples first. Then tell me about those Bandits from Green Ridge Stronghold."

Fang Zheng nodded. He was highly efficient, immediately arranging for the clan members at the Mine to prepare places for the disciples to rest.

"There isn't any particularly good tea out here to entertain the Young Master with."

Fang Zheng invited Fang Yuan into the wooden house at the highest point. From there, one could overlook the entire Mine, with an expansive view in every direction.

"You're too courteous."

Fang Yuan lifted his teacup and took a light sip. The warm tea spread across his mouth, bitter at first before turning sweet, leaving a lingering fragrance on his lips and teeth.

This was spirit tea, capable of clearing the mind and soothing the spirit. It was surely one of Fang Zheng's treasured reserves.

"Green Ridge Stronghold has been a den of bandits for years. Their usual business is robbery and plunder."

"Half a year ago, Green Ridge Stronghold changed hands. The new First Chief swept through every large and small bandit den within a hundred miles in one stroke, gathering them all under his banner."

Fang Zheng patiently explained the situation at Green Ridge Stronghold. "Perhaps they've grown somewhat swollen with pride. These past few days, they've begun harassing our Mine.

"They even seized some of the pig iron we were transporting into the city. Their actions have become increasingly brazen."

Fang Zheng's tone was filled with dissatisfaction. If he had not needed to remain behind and guard the Mine, he would have gone out long ago to slaughter those Bandits.

"How strong is Green Ridge Stronghold?" Fang Yuan asked.

Fang Zheng pondered for a moment before replying, "The First Chief is their sole Foundation Building Realm expert, but he does not leave the stronghold lightly."

"There are around twenty Xiantian Realm experts in the stronghold, over a hundred in the Houtian Realm, and the rest are merely minor lackeys."

Fang Yuan was somewhat surprised. "A Foundation Building Realm Cultivator would actually choose to become a bandit?"

In the Prefecture City, a Foundation Building Realm Cultivator would hold considerable status. Even in an ordinary family, such a person would be an ancestral figure.

Even if they went to one of the Three Great Families, they would be qualified to become a guest elder.

For someone like that to forsake respectable and glorious pursuits, licking blood from the edge of a blade as a bandit chief—it truly made no sense.

Perhaps this person had never been normal to begin with.

Otherwise, why would he offend the Fang Family?

Green Ridge Stronghold appeared rather formidable, but in the Fang Family's eyes, it was no more than children playing house.

"Have any of them come to harass the Mine in the past two days?"

"For now, no. Their movements are irregular; most of the time, they choose to launch night raids," Fang Zheng said.

"Have you never tried taking the initiative and striking back?"

Fang Zheng revealed a helpless expression, bitterness at the corners of his mouth. "We don't have enough manpower. Isn't that why we've been waiting for you, Young Master?"

There were only three Xiantian experts at the Mine, and they could not be deployed lightly.

As for the several dozen Houtian Realm Cultivators, if they went out and encountered the bandit Chieftain, it would be nothing but a one-sided slaughter.

"Looks like the family should send more Stewards over."

The dozen or so people led by Fang Yuan would not be enough to change the situation. They truly had come merely to gain experience.

Just as Fang Yuan had expected, toward evening, a group dressed in Fang Family Steward robes arrived at the Mine.

Night fell.

The stars hung high in the sky, flickering between brightness and dimness.

Fang Yuan found an open patch of ground and practiced the Myriad Star Fist. True qi surged mightily within his body.

About half an hour later, Fang Yuan finished cultivating and "just happened" to run into Fang Zheng.

"Young Master, your lodging has already been arranged. I'll take you over to have a look," Fang Zheng said with a smile.

Fang Yuan gave Fang Zheng a meaningful glance but did not expose him.

The lodging was in a very pleasant environment. The room had been cleaned spotlessly, and its furnishings were simple.

Housing at the Mine was limited. A single room would usually accommodate more than ten laborers.

Even the younger generation who held considerable standing in the family could only sleep in rows of wooden barracks after coming here, on communal kang beds, four to a room.

Fang Yuan's residence here could not even be called a room. More accurately, it was like a small standalone villa in the mountains.

"Isn't this a little against the rules?" Fang Yuan asked with a smile.

Fang Zheng hurriedly waved his hands. "With your status, you could even sleep at my place. I can only ask Young Master to bear with this."

Worried that he had not been considerate enough, Fang Zheng added that if Fang Yuan was unaccustomed to sleeping here, they could change locations again.

"This is already very good."

Fang Zheng nodded. After giving a few instructions, he left.

"This man intends to draw closer. He is meticulous in the way he handles people and affairs; I can keep an eye on him in the future. Perhaps he may be entrusted with important duties."

After traveling for an entire day, Fang Yuan was somewhat tired. He soon lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Late at night, the moon shone bright and the stars were sparse. Occasionally, the chirping of insects could still be heard from the grass.

Just then.

A startled cry shattered the silence of the night.

"Enemy attack!"

Noisy clamor immediately followed.

Fang Yuan's eyes opened slightly. Awakened by the commotion outside, he promptly rose and pushed open the door.

Whoosh...

The instant the door opened, a cold gleam flashed.

The fierce wind it raised struck Fang Yuan's face, carrying extreme killing intent through the darkness.

Fang Yuan reacted swiftly, leaning his body slightly backward to evade the saber slashing at him before bracing himself with one foot as a pivot.

Who would have thought—

At that moment, another long saber swept out horizontally from his left.

Fang Yuan snorted coldly and stopped dodging. A faint layer of true qi covered his entire body, and the blade was sent flying back the instant it touched him.

Then, two bursts of force qi erupted from his fingertips and pierced into the hearts of the saber-wielders hidden in the darkness.

Bang... bang...

Two figures fell at the sound, dying in an instant!