Chapter 7: Goddess Xiao’s Test
“Chen’er, what do you plan to do?” Fang Canghai sighed softly after reading through the imperial decree.
“Father, I plan to take it one step at a time.” An indifferent smile appeared on Fang Chen’s face. He didn’t seem to be bothered with the situation.
What does that even mean?!
Everyone appeared somewhat despondent. Their concerns were understandable. Even a thousand strategies couldn’t make up for Fang Chen’s crippled cultivation.
The middle-aged man in the wheelchair turned to stare at Xu Ge and furrowed his brow slightly. "Are you the Windy Cloud Swordsman, Xu Ge?”
“Second Master, just call me Xu Ge. There’s no need to mention my title, ” Xun Ge responded, a cheeky grin painting his face.
Fang Canghai and the rest were astonished, especially Fang Zhixue. She stepped closer and examined Xu Ge carefully.
Gasping in surprise, she exclaimed, “Are you really the Windy Cloud Swordsman?! How did you meet my brother?”
The origin of the Windy Cloud Swordsman had always been mysterious. He appeared in the capital city five years ago and displayed extraordinary swordsmanship! His cultivation increased rapidly from the early stages of Qi Detonation to the peak of Qi Detonation in five short years.
It was extremely rare to find a martial artist at his level in Grand Xia.
The talented martial artists in the Qi Manipulation Stage and Qi Detonation Stage were killed one after another in the battle at Three World Mountain. The loss of those experts shook the very foundations of the Grand Xia Empire.
There were currently less than a hundred experts in the Qi Detonation Stage in Grand Xia. And only a little more than ten had reached the peak of the Qi Detonation Stage.
The Qingsong Empire had at least twenty times that amount of Qi Detonation martial artists. Or even thirty times that amount. The disparity between the two empires was incredibly striking.
"I have long admired the Divine General and I’m willing to act a little shameless and stay by his side, as his humble bodyguard,” replied Xu Ge, clasping his fist.
Fang Canghai's gaze wavered. He seemed to have understood. His tense expression softened slightly. "In the future, we’ll have to rely on you when Chen’er goes to Qingsong.”
The expressions of those present changed a little when they heard what Fang Canghai said.
If he had an expert at the peak of the Qi Detonation Realm protecting him, Fang Chen wouldn’t have to suffer the humiliating taunts of those in Qingsong.
Fang Zhixue quickly added, "Brother Xu, it will be hard on you in the future.”
“No trouble at all, no trouble at all,” Xu Ge hurriedly said.
“Chen’er, do you need me to accompany you to the palace?” his uncle asked slowly.
“Marshall Xiao Lang's daughter came all the way here to humiliate our Fang Family. If you were to come along, Second Uncle, wouldn’t we just be playing into their hands?” Fang Chen chuckled. “I, alone, am more than enough.”
Shooting Xu Ge a glance, he picked up the imperial decree and headed for the door.
Xu Ge thought back to what Fang Chen had entrusted him with.
If Fang Chen was unable to leave the palace, he would bring everyone in the Fang Family out of the capital city. Of course, the chance of that happening was miniscule, and it was more of a safety precaution.
*
Hundreds of members from the Wolf Army stood at attention in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Imperial Palace. They occasionally locked eyes with the surrounding guards, their scorn palpable.
But no matter how angry those guards were, they didn’t dare to utter a single word.
In the past, there was a time when the Wolf Army wouldn’t have been allowed to take a single step into the capital city. The fact that they could strut around in the Imperial Palace was a clear sign that Grand Xia had declined and was no longer the Grand Xia of the past.
“Hurry! Take me to His Majesty!” Eunuch You's voice boomed through the air. His face was covered in blood.
He was quickly sent to the Hall of Supreme Harmony with the help of several eunuchs.
The guards who stood around were shocked by his appearance. Didn’t Eunuch You go to the Fang Family to deliver the imperial decree? How did he end up like that?
“Foster Father, what happened?!” Deputy General You Longchang of the West Tiger Battalion appeared abruptly, surprise hung on his face.
“That brat Fang Chen went too far!” Those were the only words Eunuch You left behind before he rushed into the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Fang Chen?
You Longchang was surprised. Over the past five years, Fang Chen had been keeping an extremely low profile. Now, he attacked Eunuch You, who was tasked with delivering the imperial decree?
Flashbacks of a time when even the emperor’s authority had no power over Divine General Fang Chen resurfaced in his mind.
Today, he’s just a cripple! He dares to act recklessly despite being in his current state.... Hmph! I guess he can’t forget his past glory. You Longchang sneered in his heart.
When Fang Chen’s name was mentioned, the soldiers of the Wolf Army raised their heads in shock.
They stared at each other in silence.
The contempt that was in their eyes earlier had disappeared. No matter what had happened, the title of the Grand Xia’s Divine General held a certain position in their hearts. After all, the members of the Wolf Army had fought with Fang Chen’s army countless times. Each time they crossed paths, neither were able to gain the upper-hand. Countless soldiers from the Wolf Army died in Fang Chen’s hand, and they were the remnants of what was left.
Inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
Almost every single official of the empire was present.
The emperor of Grand Xia wore a bright yellow dragon robe and sat on his imperial throne as he conversed with Goddess Xiao. They discussed the marriage, and Goddess Xiao promised the emperor that the Qingsong Empire would not launch an all-out war against the Grand Xia in the next five years.
They didn’t get to talk more before Eunuch You abruptly entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Falling to his knees, he shrieked, “Your Majesty! I have failed to deliver the decree and I was even beaten up by Lord Fang. Your Majesty, please, punish me for my mistake!”
“What?!”
“He was beaten up by Fang Chen?”
All the officials cast a collective look of doubt at Eunuch You, a strange expression on their faces. Hasn’t it been five years since Fang Chen hit anyone?
Some officials subconsciously touched their cheeks.
Goddess Xiao frowned slightly and directed her gaze at the emperor.
The emperor was also somewhat surprised by the news. His expression sank and he asked, “Were you really beaten up? What about the decree?! Did he receive it?!”
“Your Majesty, he received it, but—” Eunuch You wanted to sprinkle in a few more details but was interrupted.
“As long as he received it, it’s fine. You probably provoked him somehow and pissed him off. You’re not the only one in the Hall of Supreme Harmony he has slapped. Don’t fuss too much over it.”
Eunuch You wore a bewildered expression as he looked at the emperor.
Some of the officials sneered softly. With Grand Xia’s need for Fang Chen to marry into the Xiao family to quell the flames of war and secure another five years of peace, they found it laughable that a mere eunuch would try to stir discord between him and the emperor.
“Your Majesty, it seems like Divine General Fang is quite dissatisfied with the marriage. What if he disregards your imperial decree? Why don’t I send my Wolf Army over to General Fang’s Manor and bring him over?” Goddess Xiao smiled ambiguously.
The expressions of the scholars and military officials changed slightly, revealing a hint of nervousness.
If they really allowed the Wolf Army to capture Fang Chen from his place of residence, it was no different from receiving a huge slap to their face!
“Young Lady Xiao, there’s nothing to worry about. Fang Chen can be considered my nephew, and he will definitely come after receiving my imperial decree.” The emperor cast a glance over at the expressionless empress beside him.
His eyes then drifted back to Goddess Xiao and the smile eventually returned to his face. “Please wait patiently.”
You Longchang’s voice echoed from outside the hall the next second. “Lord Fang of the General Fang's Mansion has arrived!”
The emperor laughed. “Look at that! He’s already here!”
Narrowing her eyes, Goddess Xiao rushed out of the entrance while yelling, “If Divine General Fang wishes to marry into my Xiao Family, he will have to pass my test!”
The expression of the emperor and every single official fluctuated slightly after hearing her declaration.
“If he fails, we won’t talk about the matter of marriage ever again. And my Qingsong will conquer your Grand Xia and turn you into a vassal state!” Goddess Xiao declared, a soft chuckle escaping her mouth near the end.
Outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.
The Wolf Army quickly got into formation as soon as Goddess Xiao’s voice reached their ears. They glared at the approaching Fang Chen with a solemn expression.
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