Chapter 9: Sorry to Disappoint Your Father
“You’ve disappointed my father.” Goddess Xiao's eyes turned cold, and she glanced at the leader of the Wolf Army.
The latter, who had a cultivation at the Qi Manipulation stage, reacted immediately and aimed his bow directly at Fang Chen.
Fang Chen abruptly raised his hand and waved a Purple Lightning Talisman that was ignited by his spiritual qi.
A terrifying bolt of lightning flashed before everyone's eyes.
And with a loud scream, the leader of the Wolf Army was instantly reduced to a pile of charred remains.
Not only that, but even some of the soldiers by his side were also turned to ash.
A powerful Qi Manipulation expert and several Qi Detonation experts were killed. All sent to the Netherworld. Even their mounts, the silver wolves, were not spared!
Everyone was dumbfounded by this unexpected turn of events.
What kind of terrifying method was this?! Hadn’t Fang Chen lost his cultivation? Wasn’t he a cripple? How was he able to utilize such a terrifying method to defeat a Qi Manipulation Stage expert?! And in one move!
“Impossible...” You Longchang murmured, a trace of fear flashing over his eyes when he peered over at Fang Chen.
“Divine...Divine General Fang’s cultivation wasn’t crippled!?!” an official shouted.
A glimmer of hope appeared in the dim eyes of those officials present, and they exchanged excited glances, their shoulders shaking uncontrollably. Li Guozhu quivered as his gaze came to rest on Fang Chen for a few breaths of time. A tear fell from his eyes as he mumbled to himself, "The fate of our Grand Xia has been preserved...”
The emperor stared at Fang Chen, his expression shifting.
The empress covered her mouth with her hand, excitement in her red-rimmed eyes.
“Your cultivation...” Goddess Xiao’s face turned pale.
“I’m sorry to disappoint your father, but my cultivation isn’t crippled.” As he opened his gray eyes slowly, his gaze landed on Goddess Xiao. “I might not be able to see, but I have no problem leading my troops to fight the enemies of my Grand Xia.”
Goddess Xiao found it hard to believe. “You’ve actually kept it hidden for five years...Why...?”
She eyed him briefly but didn’t wait for an answer, barking, “Kill him!”
Hearing her command, the soldiers of the Wolf Army drew their bows and took aim.
The mounted soldiers charged.
Their murderous intent was on full display, and it was gushing in waves, covering the imperial palace in a hue of bloodlust.
Arcs of lightning flashed, and the soldiers who rushed toward Fang Chen turned into ashes. A sight which unnerved those who had drawn their bows, causing their arms to tremble slightly.
“Goddess Xiao, since your father did not kill me back then, I will also spare you today. Take your people and leave,” Fang Chen said in a faint voice.
He had already used five Purple Lightning Talismans, and the other five he had would be insufficient to wipe out the remaining soldiers. If the other side insisted on fighting, he would have to use all his trump cards. But the chance of that happening was slim.
Goddess Xiao's expression flickered unsteadily.
She eventually gnashed her teeth angrily and spat, "We’re leaving!” She then led the Wolf Army and left the palace.
The emperor fell into contemplation for a few moments and turned to You Longchang. “General You, go and see Lady Xiao off.”
You Changlong hurriedly nodded and brought his men away.
“Many thanks to Divine General Fang for saving our lives!” Those on the ground hurriedly kowtowed to Fang Chen, expressing their utmost gratitude.
“Fang Chen, follow me to the Imperial Study!” The emperor left behind a few words before turning to leave.
No one had anticipated this turn of events. Much less the officials, who now exchanged glances. Nevertheless, the news of Fang Chen’s cultivation still being intact was incredibly uplifting.
The empress ran over to Fang Chen in a hurry. “Chen’er, has your cultivation really recovered?”
“Auntie, it's a long story. How have you been doing at the palace for the past few years? You barely came back to visit,” Fang Chen said, smiling.
The light in the empress’s eyes dimmed, and she nodded. "I’m fine. I was caught up with the daily affairs and was unable to leave.”
She quickly suppressed the feeling of depression that welled up in her heart and showed a smile. "Now that you have recovered your cultivation, I feel very relieved. After you return from the Imperial Study, I will inform His Majesty that I will be returning to the family manor.”
“Okay.” Fang Chen nodded.
*
“Lord Fang, please enter.” Eunuch You, who had been very aggressive in front of Fang Chen earlier, lowered his eyes. He respectfully opened the entrance to the Imperial Study and stepped to the side, bowing deeply.
He waited for Fang Chen to enter.
Fang Chen cast him a glance before stepping inside.
Wiping the sweat off his forehead, Eunuch You carefully pulled the door shut and heaved a long sigh of relief.
In the Imperial Study, the emperor sat quietly, his gaze fixed on Fang Chen.
Fang Chen didn’t say anything and joined the man in his silence.
After more than ten breaths had passed, the emperor eventually spoke.
“Fang Chen, when did you recover your cultivation? What you used earlier didn’t seem like the Profound Heavenly Technique passed down in your Fang family.”
“I met a Daoist several years ago and received a manual that allowed me to train my body and nourish my physique. I thought that it was an ordinary body training art. I didn’t expect to be able to recover my cultivation that way. I also managed to comprehend a unique martial art, the Purple Lightning Palm,” Fang Chen explained, his words filled with half-truths, and clasped his fist.
“Daoist?! Where is that Daoist now?!” The emperor sprung to his feet at his words. He seemed agitated.
“I have only met him once, and he seems to have left to wander the world,” Fang Chen said.
“What a pity, what a pity! If you see that Daoist in the future, remember to introduce him to me. I have always been interested in the Dao,” the emperor replied.
He sat back down and the silence ensued once more, but only briefly.
"Qingsong forced me to marry you off to the Xiao family. For the sake of our Grand Xia, I had no choice but to agree. Now that your cultivation has been restored, Marshall Xiao Lang will definitely act a little more cautiously. He wouldn’t start a war with us in the near future.” He stared at Fang Chen, his eyes flickering. “You don’t blame me, do you?”
“How can I? I naturally understand Your Majesty’s intentions. This is all for the sake of the hundreds of millions that rely on our Grand Xia. If I hadn’t recovered my cultivation, I would have followed Goddess Xiao to Qingsong ” Fang Chen clasped his fist.
“It's good that you understand. Since you just recovered your cultivation, you need some rest. Do not wander about and stay in your General’s Manor to recuperate,” the emperor advised.
Fang Chen nodded in agreement. “I will follow Your Majesty's will.”
The emperor, who had been paying close attention to Fang Chen’s emotions the entire time, smiled and said, “Alright, you may leave now.”
After Fang Chen left the Imperial Study, Eunuch You walked forward and politely saw him off.
Along their way back, they encountered a group of people riding horses. The person in the lead was a man with jade-like features who was dressed in purple robes. He exuded an air of nobility.
“Your Highness! What brought you here today?” Eunuch You was shocked and stopped to pay his respects.
The young man in purple robes was the crown prince. However, he wasn’t the empress’ son. Instead, he was the son of Consort Hua.
“Divine General Fang, I heard that you recovered your cultivation! I was so overjoyed by the news that I immediately came over to meet you.”
The crown prince ignored Eunuch You and quickly walked up to Fang Chen. He clasped his fist in salute, but his eyes betrayed him. He scoured Fang Chen’s face, a trace of anger flashing through his eyes. He didn't bother to hide his expression. How did it matter when the man was blind?
“Your Highness, it’s been a while since we met. It’s a shame I’m feeling a little tired today and I wish to return to my manor to take a good rest. Let’s talk another day.” Fang Chen smiled and walked past the crown prince.
The latter was slightly taken aback and turned to stare at Fang Chen’s departing back, his expression sinking. Ruthlessness flashed through his eyes, and he whispered to his company, “Go investigate everyone Fang Chen came into contact with in the past five years. I want to know how he recovered his cultivation!”
“Yes!”
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