Chapter 1281: Chapter 43: A Matter of Face
Emperor Ye was feeling very down.
But in the presence of Fang Che, he couldn’t start a fight with his big brother.
Talking, he took out a table full of food and wine from the space ring.
Said: "Brother, sit."
Not only did things not work out, but they got twisted.
If Fang Che left immediately, it would seem tactless, making it awkward for the Emperor Ye and his brother.
So Fang Che didn’t leave, he laughed and said: "Unexpectedly, big brother was prepared today. That’s really good."
Sikong Ye revealed a trace of embarrassment in his eyes; he had specially bought this to celebrate after things were settled, but it turned into this, the celebratory wine almost equaling a farewell toast.
The embarrassment in his heart had reached its peak.
Fang Che, however, was talking and laughing naturally, pulling Sikong Dou to sit down together. The three talked about Jianghu anecdotes, chatted about everything from past Jianghu ethics to the current decline of morals; from ancient heroics to today’s Jianghu experts.
Throughout the process, not even mentioning today’s matter at all.
Sikong Ye several times attempted to bring the topic back,
but Fang Che always subtly diverted away, not even grazing the topic of children’s aptitude.
Talking about the next steps, Sikong Ye asked.
Fang Che sighed: "Next, it looks like we need to target the brothel, digging into this line, although it won’t fully move, but the turmoil likely won’t be small."
"...brothel."
Sikong Ye was speechless.
Back then when he shook the entire underground world, he never thought about targeting the brothel!
"Then be careful, there are experts in the brothel." Sikong Ye reminded.
"Probably won’t reach the level to provoke the brothel’s experts."
Fang Che nodded: "I know. At that time if there’s something I can’t handle, I’ll probably have to come to you two for help."
Sikong Dou and Sikong Ye simultaneously agreed: "No problem."
After eating and drinking to satisfaction.
Fang Che gracefully departed.
In the small courtyard.
The two brothers faced each other in silence.
Moments later, Sikong Ye coldly said: "I’m leaving too."
"Wait!"
Sikong Dou frowned and said: "You haven’t explained today’s matter clearly."
"Explain clearly?"
Sikong Ye coldly said: "Explain what clearly? Today’s matter, when boiled down, was merely a joke with you, using the joking way to do something for a few kids."
"Don’t say we schemed against you, firstly, which prison can hold you, the top Thief Shen? Not even binding your cultivation, when can’t you run away? Secondly, this plan is full of holes, leaving countless clues for you to see that it’s intentionally done by us; just so that you can have peace with it in your heart."
"It’s been hundreds of years since we’ve investigated bookstores, this time we did, that’s one; secondly, not only did we investigate, but we also caught you; thirdly, we proposed the death penalty without interrogation; fourthly, knowing you just met Fang Che, could only turn to him; fifthly, once Fang Che arrived, the death penalty was immediately gone, there was no formality, you were out. Sixth and after, telling you about the aptitude issue..."
Sikong Ye coldly said: "Is that still not enough? Moreover, this matter was completely my idea. It has nothing to do with Fang Che. We brothers just thought of a way, using a joking manner to go through the motions, to repay the life-saving grace. Conveniently using the joke to pull emotional ties again."
"And you, as an old hand in Jianghu, you immediately messed things up. Had you pretended to be deceived at first, waited a few days for Fang Che’s side to give things to the kids, then acted as if realizing now, if you had erupted as today, we’d coax you through it, the relationship would become closer."
"Even thought of a retreat for you. But you insisted on erupting today, completely messing up the sequence, sealing off the path to joy for everyone, what are you asking?"
"Up to the end, Fang Che completely followed me, with a thick face, opening his mouth as you said with a straightforward plea for help, and you still refused. Stripping the last bit of face from him, what are you still asking?"
Sikong Ye laughed sarcastically, asked: "Is this the work of you, an eight-thousand-year-old hand in Jianghu?"
"Only you want face? None of us wanted face? Fang Che spared both our face, didn’t leave immediately, but stayed to finish the meal and drink, just worried about the awkwardness between us, don’t you have any sense?"
"Lastly he left a sentence, in the future if there’s anything he would seek our help; do you really believe it? Fool, I tell you, even if he dies in the future, he will never come to you for help! You bloody wait until your bones rot!"
Sikong Dou bowed his head, not speaking.
"Do you know who he wants to give that thing to?" Sikong Ye asked.
"Didn’t he say a few children?" Sikong Dou replied.
"Do you know what kind of children they are?"
Sikong Ye angrily said, "They are a few little kids who were almost captured into the underground world, just like us back then, but he saved them and took them in. He wants to give those kids a future. However, those kids are of poor quality."
"Why didn’t you say it earlier?" Sikong Dou suddenly raised his head.
Suddenly recalling the miserable time when he and his brother were captured into the underground world, he couldn’t help but feel a pang in his heart.
"Why do you think I came up with the idea? Because I have seen those children."
Sikong Ye, feeling despondent, said, "I helped because I remembered my master. The person who took us was the one who gave us hope and nurtured us to success. What Fang Che is doing now is exactly that. That’s why I..."
He stopped, sighed, and said, "Now, the whole thing is ruined! And it trampled his face into the ground! Heh... I truly didn’t expect you to disagree."
Sikong Dou murmured, "I thought... I thought..."
"You thought everyone else was as selfish as you."
Sikong Ye said indifferently, "Keep your Spirit Crystal Stone Milk. Let me bet you that even if you chase after him to offer it, he won’t accept it now! You understand, the word ’face’ is worthless when joked about, but when serious, it weighs as heavy as the world!"
Sikong Dou was bewildered, "Then what should I do?"
Emperor Ye sighed, "I don’t know what to do either. Because I never thought you’d reverse the correct order..."
He thought for a moment, speaking earnestly and sternly, "Brother, what kind of person are you? You are precise, selfish, and self-serving; so in this line of work, you snatch everything into your own pocket, and once you earn enough, you play in life, the rise and fall of the world is no longer your concern. Anyway, whether it’s the Wei Wo Zheng Sect or Guardians ruling the continent, experts like you can live richly and comfortably."
"And I am someone who fights for my own ideals. Due to my childhood, I utterly detest the underground world, so I am determined to become Emperor Ye, to unify the entire Southeast Underground World. But it ends there."
"But Fang Che is different from us; he is a true guardian, his heart encompasses all the people under the sky! I don’t believe you can’t see this."
"We can’t be like him; someone like him will live a tired life in this lifetime. We don’t wish to join them, but it doesn’t affect our respect for such people! Is this not the truth?"
Sikong Dou slowly nodded, "Yes, although Fang Che sometimes takes unusual paths, all his motives are for the ideals in his heart. If he acts wrongly, one could say he uses every possible means to reach his goals. But at heart, his motives are righteous, and he is flexible and knows how to adapt."
Emperor Ye calmly said, "He came to you, saved your brother’s life, just to let your brother rebuild the underground world. To do what your brother once did, to regain former glory, restore past radiance, besides that, did he ask for anything else?"
"No." Sikong Dou lowered his head.
"Even if he didn’t mention it, once I recover, can I abandon the underground world? Can I abandon the old hatred?" Emperor Ye asked coldly.
"No." Sikong Dou’s face twitched.
"So, during the rescue process, you fed him a mouthful of Spirit Crystal Stone Milk and think this repaid the life-saving grace?"
Emperor Ye sneered, angry, "I’m leaving. Such a farce happening to someone like you, an old veteran of the Jianghu, I truly can’t stay any longer."
"Wait a minute!"
Sikong Dou grabbed Sikong Ye’s sleeve, his face full of sorrow, "I’ve realized it now, but for this matter, you have to think of a way to remedy it..."
Sikong Ye felt embarrassed, "I truly have no way. Brother! What kind of person is Fang Che, his temperament, even though we haven’t interacted for long, his behavior is evident, right?? He has never hidden it, has he? You can’t tell?"
"During the drinking just now, if he mentioned a word, even if just brushed upon this matter, I would break ties with you but would seize it from you to give it to him. But throughout the event, he didn’t mention a word! And the whole time, the atmosphere was pleasant; endless stories, endless jokes, and the gathering ended joyously!"
"I don’t believe you can’t think of it, the more he smiled at today’s gathering, the farther the distance; the colder the affection!"
"With things at this point, I have truly no solution."
Sikong Ye sighed, "Because I can’t restore lost face to others. I offered him a benefit, and in the end, his face was utterly smashed..."
Sikong Dou was bewildered and said, "At the time, I didn’t think of anything else, just instinctively reluctant..."
Sikong Ye, furious, said, "Then what about your brother’s face? You are reluctant? Your brother’s life savior’s face? You are reluctant? You are willing to sacrifice the life-saving grace of your brother, who has been stinking for two thousand years!?"
"Everything is not worth your two drops of water! Pah! Let it rot! From now on, I won’t drink your wretched water either!"
With a whoosh.
Sikong Ye disappeared into the night sky.
In the yard, Sikong Dou stood bewildered, full of regret.
After a long time, he deeply sighed, "Oh... what’s this all about... how did I become so confused..."
With a slap sound, he slapped himself on the ear, "And you call yourself an old veteran of the Jianghu!"
