Chapter 260 - 146: Confrontation at the Doorstep, Heaven and Earth Lock (Part 2)

Chapter 260: Chapter 146: Confrontation at the Doorstep, Heaven and Earth Lock (Part 2)

"Senior Brother Fang, you speak too gravely," Xuzhuang said, nodding slowly. "But I’m not one to hold a grudge against a junior."

"Since a statement was already filed with the Law Enforcement Hall, the Venerables of your sect must be aware of the situation. Why do they continue to condone his actions and protect him?"

"Does having a clan at his back mean he can confuse right and wrong and make false counter-accusations? Do you think my disciple has no one to stand up for him? I must get a clear explanation from the Venerables of your sect."

"Well..." Fang Shize frowned, pondering for a moment before saying, "Brother Xu, let me handle this. That way, we can avoid creating a rift between our two sects. Rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory answer."

Xuzhuang refused. "Since I’ve already come all this way, I won’t trouble you any further, Senior Brother. I will find your sect’s Venerables and reason with them myself."

Hearing the determination in Xuzhuang’s voice, Fang Shize let out a heavy sigh. After a long moment, he said, "If that’s the case, why don’t I take you to the Venerable to state your case, Brother Xu? With me there, I can help mediate."

Fang Shize’s words were sincere, and Xuzhuang’s expression softened slightly. "That won’t be necessary," he replied. "I know this has nothing to do with you, Senior Brother. If you get involved, it might damage our friendship."

Fang Shize fell silent. Xuzhuang said nothing more and calmly rose to his feet, but Fang Shize suddenly called out, "Brother Xu."

Xuzhuang’s brow twitched. "Is there anything else, Senior Brother?" he asked.

"The Fang Family values its members above all else. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, please, Brother Xu, do not harm anyone," Fang Shize sighed. "As long as you don’t resort to violence, I will definitely plead your case with the family."

Xuzhuang was silent for a moment, then cupped his hands. "I will remember this kindness, Senior Brother."

Though he and Fang Shize had gotten along well in the past, their friendship had only lasted for a short time. Fang Shize’s actions were truly going above and beyond.

After leaving Fang Shize’s courtyard, much of Xuzhuang’s hostility had dissipated. Then, a sudden thought gave him pause.

’Before this, I really was planning to use my Divine Techniques to force the issue,’ he thought. ’Even though I’m in the right, that course of action would have been too reckless.’

’Have I become arrogant even before perfecting my Nascent Soul?’

Xuzhuang frowned slightly and reflected on himself. ’I’m not completely without restraint,’ he thought, ’but swallowing my anger and suffering in silence isn’t my style either. Since I’m already here, this still needs to be resolved. I just need a different approach.’

After a moment of deliberation, Xuzhuang started walking again, his mind made up.

Before coming to Xuanquan Island, Xuzhuang had naturally gathered information on key figures in the Yuxiao Sect. Thus, after navigating a few turns, he found himself before a courtyard gate. With a mere thought, he rang the golden bell out front. A moment later, a Daoist Child emerged from the gate and asked in a crisp voice, "Who goes there? Please state your name."

Xuzhuang replied coolly, "Dao Miao of Tai Su has come to pay his respects to Venerable Mu Chi."

The child’s eyes lit up, as if he recognized Xuzhuang’s name. He offered a clumsy, cupped-fist salute and said, "Please wait a moment, Venerable." He then scurried into the courtyard, not even bothering to close the gate.

In less than a moment, the child came running back out, calling, "The Venerable invites you in!"

Xuzhuang gave a slight nod and followed the child into the courtyard and to the main hall. Inside, a middle-aged Daoist and a younger Daoist were waiting. Upon seeing Xuzhuang enter, the middle-aged Daoist stepped forward, bowed with clasped hands, and said, "We did not anticipate your sudden visit, Venerable Dao Miao. Please forgive our failure to greet you at the gate."

After speaking, he gave the young man a look. The youth seemed reluctant, but he followed his elder’s example and also bowed with clasped hands.

Xuzhuang’s gaze rested on the young man’s face for a moment, and he felt a flicker of surprise. Although he had seen a portrait of this young man, it was only now, meeting him in person, that he realized he was looking at a familiar face.

Decades had passed, and the young man’s appearance had changed significantly, but with Xuzhuang’s cultivation, his memory was flawless. He instantly recognized him as the Yuxiao Sect disciple he had seen when he first formed his Golden Core and attended the Golden Core ceremony at the Taixuan Sect’s Meteor Dojo.

This familiar face had also been the indirect cause of a small martial tournament, which the Upper Profound Sect had ultimately won. But that was all ancient history.

Xuzhuang shook his head, a detached look on his face. "So, you’re Fang Xisong."

Fang Xisong and the middle-aged Daoist—Venerable Mu Chi of the Fang Family—were both taken aback. Fang Mu Chi asked doubtfully, "Venerable Dao Miao, you know my nephew?"

Xuzhuang retracted his gaze. "It seems Venerable Mu Chi is unaware," he said, "that Qin Dengxiao is my disciple."

"Qin Dengxiao?" Although the name belonged to a supposedly "unimportant" person, Fang Mu Chi recalled it instantly, and his brow furrowed.

It was almost comical. Although Qin Dengxiao’s cultivation was decent, he had only recently returned to Profound Yellow and knew few of the other disciples, so he had no real reputation. He also wasn’t the type to boast about his background. Thus, unless someone had specifically checked the Daoist registers, there was no way of knowing he was Xuzhuang’s disciple.

It was for this very reason that when Fang Mu Chi had approached the Purple Light Hall elder, the elder heard Qin Dengxiao’s unfamiliar name and deemed the matter unimportant. To prevent any complications with the reception of the Yuxiao Envoy, he had acted as he did, leading to the current situation.

So, Fang Mu Chi genuinely hadn’t known Qin Dengxiao’s background. Hearing this now, his heart sank.

Without waiting for Fang Mu Chi to respond, Xuzhuang’s gaze fell to Fang Xisong’s sleeves. Seeing that both of the young man’s hands were intact, his expression turned severe.

’A cultivator’s physical body is their precious vessel. If Fang Xisong’s arm had been severed by Qin Dengxiao and couldn’t be reattached in time, ruining his path of cultivation, then their grievance would have some merit. But it’s clearly been restored with Spirit Medicine, completely intact. For them to still be so relentless is simply going too far!’

If Xuzhuang hadn’t first visited Fang Shize, one of Fang Xisong’s arms would have already hit the floor. Even so, the sheer intensity of his gaze was enough to startle Fang Xisong, who instinctively took a step back.