Chapter 5: Goddess Xiao
Unbeknownst to Fang Chen, the Purple Lightning Talisman was exceedingly difficult to create and posed a formidable challenge to those in the Qi Refining Realm; it was a threshold that many struggled to cross. That was because the Purple Lightning Talisman was exceedingly intricate. Even the slightest error could incite failure. And the most challenging aspect was the consumption of spiritual qi.
An average Qi Refining cultivator would severely deplete their spiritual qi after failing several times, and it would then take them several days to recover back to their peak state. They would need months in order to even attempt to craft a Purple Lightning Talismans a hundred times over. Less talented cultivators wouldn’t even be able to craft Purple Lightning Talismans even if they experienced thousands of failures.
If Daoist Yun He was present, he would be utterly flabbergasted by Fang Chen’s achievement.
Nine Purple Lightning Talismans sat on the tablet before him, and he was currently drawing the tenth. He didn’t seem the least bit tired, and in fact, the amount of spiritual qi he could use increased with each attempt. It seemed that the only thing preventing him from crafting more talismans was time.
Some time ago, Xu Ge had a sudden realization. It wasn’t that his eyes were deceiving him, but rather that, whenever Fang Chen completed one of those talismans, a flash of lighting would indeed fill the courtyard.
"There are actually... There are actually talismans in this world.... I thought talismans were mere parlor gimmicks made up by scammers in the martial world to trick people! The lord truly lives up to his name. He never gave up despite what happened five years ago!” Xu Ge was ecstatic.
When Fang Chen completed his tenth Purple Lightning Talisman, another flash of lightning manifested.
After the lightning spiritual qi was completely absorbed into the new talisman, Fang Chen carefully gathered all ten talismans he made. “Xu Ge, you have reached the peak of the Qi Detonation Realm, and your reputation is steadily growing in the capital. There are many people who know about you. Have you ever considered not being a part of the Grand Xia Hidden Guards anymore?” Fang Chen smiled at Xu Ge.
Panic instantly filled Xu Ge’s heart and— despite his manly, rugged figure—his eyes turned red and damp, glistening with tears. “Lord, did I do something wrong? Why do you want to kick me out?”
“When did I say I wanted to kick you out?” Fang Chen’s smile turned wry.
Heaving a sigh of relief, Xu Ge quickly asked, “Why would you ask me that? Since I became a Grand Xia Hidden Guard, I will live and die one!”
"Five years ago, the officers I led died in battle one after the other. I need someone to stay by my side to deal with certain matters out in the open. If you take up the role, you can’t stay in the shadows any longer,” Fang Chen explained. The reason the word “hidden” was part of their title was that their existence was not known to anyone. The people of the Grand Xia Empire had no idea of their presence and neither did the people of the Qingsong Empire. In fact, even the Grand Xia Emperor was kept in the dark!
Fang Canghai was the only other person who knew about them. However, what he knew was only the tip of the iceberg.
The Grand Xia Hidden Guards carried out their duties discreetly. No one was aware of their connection to Fang Chen.
If Xu Ge were to openly reveal his existence, he wouldn’t be able to remain part of the Grand Xia Hidden Guards.
“Won’t that mean that I can stay by your side all the time?” Xu Ge gasped.
The smile on Fang Chen’s face remained as he nodded slowly.
“Of course! Of course I’m willing!” Xu Ge yelled in excitement.
Hearing his approval, Fang Chen turned around and headed out of the courtyard. “The sun is about to rise. Let’s return to the General’s Mansion.”
Xu Ge hastily followed behind. “My lord, how do you know the sun is about to rise? Have your eyes...”
A crafty smile started to form on Fang Chen’s face as he replied, “I can’t see anything. But there are many things in this world that don't need eyes for you to see.”
Xu Ge didn’t quite understand what Fang Chen meant, but he still nodded, pretending to understand. “I guess you would be the only one to be able to do so. If I went blind, I wouldn’t even be able to walk around!”
Fang Chen was an invincible existence in his heart. And he was also his goal, a goal he would stop at nothing to reach.
At the same time the two left the Hidden Courtyard, a peculiar group arrived at the gates of the Grand Xia capital city.
There were over a hundred people in the group. All of them rode giant wolves that reached up to a grown man’s shoulders. The wolves were covered in a layer of tidy silver fur, and they exuded an extraordinary aura. The actions of the group were highly coordinated.
On the wolves’ backs rode warriors whose faces were emotionless, apart from a hint of contempt that flashed through their eyes occasionally.
Their auras overflowed with murderous intent.
Even though dawn had barely broken, the city gates were wide open. The soldiers of the Grand Xia Empire were already stationed at their posts, with an endless stream of citizens going to and fro.
As soon as the soldiers caught sight of the group, their expressions sank. Fear was evident on their faces. Some of them were so afraid that they turned to run away.
The group who just appeared was a part of the Wolf Army that clashed countless times with the Grand Xia!
Their commander was none other than the mighty Marshall Xiao Lang of the Xiao Family, the strongest expert in Qingsong!
“Goddess Xiao has arrived!!”
“We respectfully welcome Goddess Xiao!”
As soon as they received the news, the martial artists from Qingsong lurched to the gates to welcome the group. They could barely conceal their excitement and joy as they paid their respects.
The expression of the citizens of the Grand Xia Empire turned increasingly complex. The respectful attitude of the once arrogant martial artists of Qingsong instilled them with fear.
In the center of the pack of wolves stood a larger and more majestic silver wolf. A young girl sat atop it. She appeared to be only seventeen or eighteen. Her face was adorned with a pair of radiant eyes, and her lustrous bronze skin was just too mesmerizing in the early rays of the morning-sun. She had a pair of slender legs and a beautiful, exquisite face.
Her face carried a subtle smile as she stared at the city before her.
She was the daughter of Marshall Xiao Lang, a beauty bestowed the title of Goddess.
With their arrival, a group wearing the Grand Xia Army’s military attire came to welcome them. When their commander noticed the presence of the Wolf Army, his expression flickered. Eventually, he turned to Goddess Xiao and cupped his fist in greeting. "I am Deputy General You Longchang of the West Tiger Battalion. I have been ordered by His Majesty to welcome Lady Xiao!”
“You should have arrived earlier to welcome us,” Goddess Xiao remarked casually.
Taking offense, You Longchang’s expression stiffened. However, he begrudgingly masked his frustration. “I apologize for being late, and I seek your forgiveness for my tardiness, Goddess Xiao.”
“Give him two slaps on the face,” Goddess Xiao said indifferently.
A figure from the wolf army leapt to the sky and landed in front of You Longchang. Smack! Smack! Two crisp smacks landed on his face before the figure retreated.
Everything happened so quickly that You Longchang failed to react.
“Alright, I forgive you now.” Goddess Xiao smiled.
Her rampant attitude caused the vicinity to fall into pin-drop silence.
You Langcheng’s face flushed red with anger as humiliation filled his eyes, and the soldiers under his command trembled with anger.
‘How dare the Qingsong Wolf Army openly attack the deputy general of the West Tiger Battalion!?’
“General!”
Infuriated, the West Tiger Battalion soldiers reached for their weapons instinctively. You Longchang whispered in a low voice, "Don't act recklessly. The person who acted earlier should be an expert in the early stages of the Qi Manipulation Realm. Goddess Xiao is also a distinguished guest of His Majesty. If any of you provoke her, you may lose your life.”
Turning to Goddess Xiao, he clenched his hands and muttered, "Since Your Highness has forgiven me, let’s not harp on the issue. His Majesty is waiting in the palace, Lady Xiao, please....”
“Remember to send someone to General Fang's Mansion to inform them that I wish to meet Divine General Fang. After all, I have prepared a five-flower sedan to pick him up today.” Goddess Xiao smiled.
“Lady Xiao, please rest assured that someone has already gone to General Fang's Mansion to summon him. You will be able to see Fang Chen in the palace,” You Longchang said in a deep voice.
“That’s good. Go ahead and lead the way then,” Goddess Xiao replied with a playful smile.
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