Chapter 259 - 146: A Visit for Confrontation, Heaven and Earth Lock

Chapter 259: Chapter 146: A Visit for Confrontation, Heaven and Earth Lock

The suspended stones were rootless, yet from them flowed a Spiritual Spring, clear and pure, its sweetness seeping deep into one’s being.

There were over a dozen such mystical suspended springs on this island, with courtyards and exquisite residences built alongside them.

This was Xuanquan Spirit Island, which the Purple Light Hall used to host the sect’s most honored guests. At present, the island’s occupants were the envoys from the Yuxiao Sect on their mission to Tai Su.

In one of the courtyards, two men sat facing each other over a stone table, taking turns placing pieces. They were clearly in the middle of a game of Go.

The one playing with the white pieces was a young Daoist. His sideburns were sharply defined, his face as handsome as polished jade, and his posture ramrod straight with broad shoulders—a truly dignified figure. This was none other than Fang Shize, a True Disciple of the Yuxiao Sect whose fame was on the rise.

His opponent was another young Daoist, also dressed in a Yuxiao Daoist Robe. His features were still somewhat boyish. He fiddled with a black stone, and though he stopped short of scratching his head in frustration, he still gave off an air of restless impatience.

After hesitating for a long moment, the young man suddenly made a diagonal play. Fang Shize glanced at the board and frowned. "If you cannot even calm your restless mind during a game of Go," he scolded, "when will you ever learn to be composed and principled?"

The young Daoist was about to argue, but a sound from outside the courtyard cut him off.

Fang Shize’s brow smoothed. "Come in," he called out.

A disciple entered at his call and reported, "Junior Martial Uncle Fang, Venerable Dao Miao of the Tai Su Orthodox Sect is here to see you."

"Xuzhuang?" Fang Shize was taken aback for a moment, a hint of pleasure appearing on his face. "Quick, invite him in."

The disciple acknowledged and departed. The young Daoist at the stone table, however, let his eyes dart around before saying, "Junior Martial Uncle Fang, since you have an important guest to receive, I’ll take my leave now."

Without waiting for a reply, he stood up and left, seemingly sighing in relief as he vanished in a flash.

Fang Shize didn’t try to stop him. His eyes swept over the Go board and, finding the game unworthy of review, he shook his head slightly. It was unclear if his comment was directed at the game or something else as he muttered to himself, "’Truly beyond teaching.’" Then, with a flick of his sleeve, he cleared the board in an instant, the black and white stones returning to their respective bowls.

He had just finished clearing the table when he heard approaching footsteps. The disciple had returned, and behind him followed a Daoist in wide robes. With each step, his large sleeves billowed gently, lending him an air of dashing elegance and unconventional grace. His bearing was truly extraordinary.

Fang Shize was already a man of rare good looks, yet he seemed almost plain in this person’s presence. He didn’t seem to mind, however, and rose with a smile to greet his guest. But before he could speak, the Daoist spoke first. "Senior Brother Fang, it’s been a long time."

Fang Shize laughed heartily. "Brother Xu, when we first met, my cultivation level was still higher than yours." He gestured between the two of them. "To think that by the time we meet again, there’s a world of difference between Golden Core and Nascent Soul. I can’t bring myself to call you ’Junior Brother’ anymore."

The visitor was none other than Xuzhuang. He simply smiled at Fang Shize’s words. "Senior Brother Fang, we’ve known each other since our humble beginnings. Such formalities are unnecessary."

Fang Shize smiled without another word and invited Xuzhuang to take a seat. Just then, a disciple brought out Spirit Tea and Immortal Fruit. Fang Shize said, "These are hospitality from your own esteemed sect, so I trust they need no introduction."

Xuzhuang lifted the lid of his teacup, glanced inside, and smiled faintly. "This is a treasure the Purple Light Hall reserves for its most honored guests. It seems I have you to thank for this privilege, Senior Brother."

Brewed with water from the Suspended Stone Spiritual Spring, this tea was renowned as the most refreshingly sweet in the world. Ordinary guests truly weren’t distinguished enough for the Purple Light Hall to serve them such a brew.

"Oh?" Fang Shize, who had just taken a sip of tea, sensed something was amiss in Xuzhuang’s words. He paused in thought for a moment before asking, "Brother Xu, when I arrived with the delegation the other day, you were still in seclusion and refusing all visitors."

"For you to suddenly emerge and come see me... aside from catching up, is there some other important matter at hand?"

Xuzhuang didn’t seem rushed. He sipped his tea and said, "I didn’t emerge from seclusion just for this visit, no. But there is indeed an important matter I must clarify with you, Senior Brother Fang."

Fang Shize nodded. "Brother Xu, given our friendship, please speak freely."

Seeing his directness, Xuzhuang didn’t beat around the bush either. "Very well. Senior Brother, are you aware that a dispute between disciples of our two sects has been brought before my Tai Su Sect?"

An image of the young Daoist who had just fled the courtyard flashed through Fang Shize’s mind. His brow creased slightly. He answered after a moment of deliberation, "I am, in fact, aware of it."

He seemed to ponder for a few breaths before continuing, "It’s a matter I don’t approve of, myself. However, one of the Venerables from our sect was insistent on seeking justice for him, so I couldn’t intervene. I had no choice but to let it run its course."

"Oh? ’Seeking justice’?" Xuzhuang’s tone was mild. "And which Venerable from your esteemed sect might be presiding over this ’justice’?"

By now, Fang Shize could clearly sense something was wrong. He frowned and asked, "Brother Xu, why are you pressing this issue? Could there be some misunderstanding?"

Xuzhuang produced a golden sheet from his sleeve, placed it on the table, and slid it gently across. "Qin Dengxiao is my disciple. This is the transcript from his questioning before the Xiezhi in our sect’s Law Enforcement Hall."

Fang Shize took the transcript and scanned it, his expression changing slightly. Xuzhuang continued, "Since this was a formal hearing, why does our Law Enforcement Hall have no record of testimony from your sect’s disciple?"

Fang Shize’s brows knitted together tightly. "I won’t hide the truth from you, Brother Xu," he said in a low voice. "That disciple is from my Fang Family. His name is Xisong. He’s been spoiled, and his character is indeed... unsteady."

At this, Fang Shize sighed. "Of the two Venerables leading our delegation this time, one happens to be an elder of my Fang Family. That is why he went to him."

"Fang Xisong’s version of events, the one he told us, differs from what is recorded here. That’s why one of our elders was willing to take his side. I didn’t inquire any further into the matter after that."

Fang Shize pressed the transcript back onto the table and cupped his hands in a formal gesture. "I know your sect’s Xiezhi can distinguish right from wrong. With this transcript as evidence, it is clear my sect was in the wrong and that your disciple has been unjustly accused."

"Please rest assured, Brother Xu. Now that I am aware of this, I will not condone or conceal it. I will order Fang Xisong to go to Chongyun Peak and offer your disciple a sincere and formal apology."