Chapter 754: Chapter 295: Her Shadow Is Everywhere
The next day, the notice from the White Jade Capital to the world appeared in Little South Continent.
Luo Qingyao saw it and immediately found Fan Wubing, utterly shocked,
"Senior brother! Did you, did you really kill Celestial Venerable Yu Chen? Now White Jade Capital has declared war on you!"
Fan Wubing, however, seemed unbothered and replied with a smile,
"White Jade Capital reacts quite quickly, truly deserving of being the faction that controls the Immortal Dao."
"Senior brother, why did you do such a thing!" Even someone like Luo Qingyao, who doesn’t usually care about worldly affairs, understood the gravity of the situation. "I’m afraid now all the great figures in the world have their minds buzzing."
"The moment White Jade Capital learned that I had the Supreme Dharma Orbiting Device, the conflict became irreconcilable. Even if I returned the device, the result would be the same. This treasure is regarded by White Jade Capital as a lifeline, much like the destiny of a nation," Fan Wubing said, "Of course, I could have released Yu Chen, but why should I do that?"
"I... don’t understand."
Fan Wubing said, "There are three benefits to killing Yu Chen. First, to show White Jade Capital that fighting is useless against me. Otherwise, Celestial Venerable Xiaoyao would have come to hunt me down the day the notice came out. Their notice declaring war on me is to completely push me to the opposite side of everyone but they didn’t expect any Daoist disciple who encounters me to actually bring me down;
"As for Yu Chen, it was through my efforts that he broke through his shackles. Given some time to integrate it, he might even become an ancestor like Yu Chen. Since the conflict with White Jade Capital is irreconcilable, reducing the enemy’s combat power is essential. That’s the second benefit;
"The third benefit is that it allows my heart to be clear."
"Clear heart?"
Fan Wubing said, "Ever since I revealed myself, I’ve always been passive. White Jade Capital, Wenxin Heaven, all major forces resolutely oppose me, and I seem to have no means of counteraction, unable to show others that my actions are not unjust. It’s very frustrating. It’s like fighting someone who keeps attacking you while you can only defend without fighting back."
"Now I understand!" Luo Qingyao, who often duels others, could relate to this feeling.
"Living one’s life, one ought to be happy. Killing Yu Chen has made me very happy, and that’s enough," Fan Wubing said. "Clearly having the strength but enduring everything, what’s the difference with not having any strength?"
Luo Qingyao understood that Fan Wubing was not an arrogant person and must have his reasons for speaking so lightly.
She pondered for a moment,
"White Jade Capital can’t do anything to you, but what if they take action against the forces friendly with you?"
"That’s what we need to focus on next," Fan Wubing said, "White Jade Capital holds the banner of righteousness, controls the rules of the Immortal Path, and countless eyes are watching them. Moreover, White Jade Capital’s approach isn’t one of tyranny but of rule-by-law, so all their actions must prioritize legitimacy. That’s also why their notice declares war only against me. Because only I have offended White Jade Capital."
Luo Qingyao’s eyes lit up,
"Using rules to defeat rules."
Fan Wubing furrowed his brows and said, "But when one desires to impose guilt, words are easy to find. I’m worried about White Jade Capital pinning false charges, and by then, we’ll have to counter every move they make. Junior sister, I need you to help keep an eye on these matters."
Luo Qingyao was very excited because this might be the first time her senior brother had genuinely asked for her help.
"No problem!"
"What about me?" Zhuge Hong’s voice suddenly rang out.
Fan Wubing jumped in surprise, "When did you get here!"
"Hey," Zhuge Hong looked bewildered, "I’ve been here for a while... Master, you’re hurting my feelings."
"This... sorry," Fan Wubing held his forehead, he really hadn’t noticed Zhuge Hong arrive, "as for you..."
Zhuge Hong looked expectant.
Fan Wubing said, "Study well and improve every day. Since your eyes are fine now, just do what you usually love to do."
"Hey, Master is a bit ruthless... it turns out being good to me before was out of pity," Zhuge Hong pouted, expressing her discontent.
Fan Wubing tossed her a bottle of soda, and she immediately looked satisfied.
This girl was particularly easygoing when optimistic.
Before long, urgent messages began to arrive from his father Fan Qi, the Eternal Immortal Sect Leader Mei Jinqiu, Ye Yixian of the Great Li Dynasty, Tang Tang from the Heaven and Earth Bank... Forces aligned with him were all seeking to understand the situation and discuss next steps.
Fan Wubing responded solemnly to each one appropriately.
His attitude was clear: the more White Jade Capital demanded of him, the less he would comply.
White Jade Capital wanted him to become the world’s enemy, so he would not only become everyone’s friend but also undermine White Jade Capital’s foundations.
An undercurrent was surging, and a silent battle had already started.
Over the next half month, Fan Wubing moved among the forces friendly to him, first stabilizing them to ease their concerns before discussing anything else. Since he intended to make many more friends, he couldn’t be limited to just them. So, even when he didn’t need to find Li Yuan, he often went to the Phoenix Dynasty to connect with Li Qian.
He felt that Li Qian was highly skilled, and her views and attitudes toward the Heavenly Dao and the world were quite different from the secular ones. Getting along well with her could yield considerable benefits.
Through multiple interactions with Li Qian, he became even more convinced of his thoughts.
Because, after their first meeting, she began to intentionally or unintentionally promote an image of Fan Wubing that starkly contrasted with someone defying the Heavenly Dao. She somewhat beautified his and Luo Qingyao’s Sword Dao duel at the Sun-shooting Pass, claiming they dueled to allow every swordsman in the world to experience the Sword Qi of the ancient battlefield.
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