354: Chen Yuan slaps his face

Lao Fuzi, dressed in a faded scholar's robe and wearing a square scarf on his head, stood tall. Though his body seemed frail, his voice was powerful and his gaze resolute.

However, this appearance, in the eyes of Fang Mingyue, the eldest daughter of the Fang Family's main branch, was merely that of a pedantic scholar. She scoffed lightly, her narrow eyes showing complete disinterest.

"Report to the authorities? What an interesting phrase!"

She didn't even look directly at him, merely toying with a delicate glass goblet in her hands.

The attendant beside her, the black-clad Hunter, immediately straightened his bowed back, the flattery on his face turning cold in an instant. Veins pulsed on his face, giving him a somewhat sinister appearance. Then, his body blurred, and he abruptly appeared before Lao Fuzi, grabbing the old man by his collar with a large hand and lifting him up like a small chicken, sneering,

"Old geezer, are you tired of living? Report to the authorities?"

"A mere county magistrate isn't worthy of stepping through this door."

"If it weren't for my Young Miss's kindness, you wouldn't even have had the chance to say that just now."

With that, he threw Lao Fuzi to the ground, his eyes glinting menacingly as he scanned the other people.

"All you lowly commoners, behave yourselves! Answer the questions my Young Miss asks, or there won't be a next time."

This Hunter was like a snarling dog, revealing his ferocity, extremely impatient.

As attendants raised by the Fang Family, they naturally hoped to handle matters for their master's family with efficiency and flair. Moreover, this matter concerned the Old Ancestor, so they, as subordinates, naturally wanted to give their all. If the matter was handled well, wealth and glory would be within reach.

Seeing these 'lowly commoners' being so noisy and uncooperative, obstructing their path to riches, they naturally bared their teeth and revealed their fierce nature.

As for his calling these people 'lowly commoners,' that was putting it lightly. In this world where Martial Dao reigned supreme, in their eyes, these commoners from small places were worse than pigs and dogs, to be manipulated however they pleased.

This was a fact!

Lao Fuzi, subjected to such humiliation and thrown to the ground, groaned in pain, clutching his chest and hunching over. Two people nearby quickly helped him up. He glared furiously, a wheezing sound mixed with his Qi in his throat.

"We didn't provoke you, yet you beat and scold us."

"This is Qingshan County, a place once guarded by Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General Chen Yuan. How dare you..." Lao Fuzi argued vehemently, like a stubborn old man who clung to principles. Even though he knew these people were not to be trifled with, and that he might even lose his life if he continued to argue, he still felt compelled to debate the matter.

Fang Mingyue, sitting at the table, frowned at these words. She was accustomed to flattery and deference in front of others and found these sounds incredibly grating and noisy.

Her attendant, ever observant, saw that his master was displeased. His eyes hardened. "Old geezer..."

As he cursed, a ruthless expression on his face, he moved to step forward.

But at that moment,

With a loud "bang."

The door to the room was suddenly kicked open. The two attendants guarding the doorway were struck by the breaking door, groaning in pain as they clutched their noses. They stumbled back several steps before falling to the ground.

"Stop!"

"Fang Mingyue, what are you doing?"

A cold voice, filled with anger, suddenly rang out from outside the door.

Outside the door, Fang Qingzhu, dressed in white, looked at the scene inside the room, her delicate brows furrowed, her face covered in frost, and she stepped inside.

Fang Mingyue, sitting at the table, heard the voice, and her beautiful face turned cold. She didn't turn around, simply placing the glass goblet she had been toying with onto the table.

"No manners."

"Get out!"

As soon as she spoke, the black-clad attendants in the room immediately darted to the doorway, surrounding it, their faces expressionless, showing little politeness.

"Sixth Young Miss, the Eldest Young Miss is handling matters for the Old Ancestor. Please leave!"

The reason she was called Sixth Young Miss was, of course, because Fang Qingzhu was the sixth-ranked among the younger generation of the Fang Family.

Fang Qingzhu's face turned cold.

"Get lost!"

With that, a powerful Qi surge erupted from her body, causing the air to tremble and directly pushing away the surrounding attendants.

The attendants cried out in surprise as they were sent flying backward, slamming into the room's walls and chairs.

Then, Fang Qingzhu walked straight forward, arriving at the table, her gaze meeting that of her sister, whose eyes were narrowed with a frosty expression. She spoke without any deference:

"Fang Mingyue, let them go."

"I advise you not to interfere in this matter."

Her voice carried a hint of emotion, unprecedentedly firm.

Because she had already learned from the Little Squirrel and Little Fox who returned last night that Brother Chen Yuan was back!

Upon his return, he found the unconscious Old Wu and even killed a Martial Realm expert!

From the trembling descriptions of the two little demons, Brother Chen Yuan had been extremely furious at the time, even pulverizing that Martial Realm expert into a meat paste.

Indeed! From her understanding of Brother Chen Yuan, if that old gentleman was harmed, it would likely cause a massive upheaval.

After receiving the news last night, she didn't rashly disturb him, thinking that Brother Chen Yuan was probably worried about the old man at that time.

The most important thing was that she still felt some guilt and dared not face him, because due to some reasons of her own, the Fang Family had come to Qingshan County, causing some trouble.

After receiving the news, she didn't sleep all night. She thought that even if she didn't look for Brother Chen Yuan, he would probably come looking for her, because from what she currently understood, there were powerful individuals plotting to harm those close to Brother Chen Yuan.

And the sudden appearance of the Fang Family would definitely be noticed by Brother Chen Yuan, which made her heart sink. She wondered if Brother Chen Yuan would suspect her, thinking she had ulterior motives.

Even though she knew Brother Chen Yuan's character, she still cared deeply.

Amidst her chaotic thoughts, she stayed up all night until dawn, only to discover that her half-sister had sent attendants to secretly abduct some Qingshan County commoners to the inn, leading to the current scene!

She had no affection for Fang Mingyue. Her memories of Fang Mingyue's domineering and harsh demeanor since childhood left her with no warmth towards this sister, and even some suppressed emotions. She could have completely pretended not to know, waiting for Brother Chen Yuan, who had just returned to Qingshan County, to be alerted. With his personality, Fang Mingyue would definitely not fare well.

But she didn't have such dark intentions. She wouldn't let these Qingshan County commoners suffer at the hands of her sister for some dark thoughts. If something happened, she wouldn't be herself.

"Sister, ever since you broke through to the Heavenly Gate, you've become truly bold."

"What I, Fang Mingyue, choose to do, is it your place to lecture me?"

"Don't rely on having been on that ship, or that the Old Ancestor looks at you differently. But you should also know why the Old Ancestor entrusted this matter to me and not you. A concubine's child is a concubine's child, Fang Qingzhu, remember your place!"

Fang Mingyue sat on the stool, her eyebrows forming a sharp arch, her beautiful face filled with mockery, and her voice sharp.

With that, her sarcastic lips curled into a sneer of disdain. "I know, you met that famous Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General from Shu here. He's been kind to you, so you want to stand up for these commoners. If that Ninth Mountain Zhonglang General, far away in Jinguancheng, hears about it, he might develop feelings for you, and you can use that to climb the social ladder, gain everyone's respect, and outshine me." "Do you think I don't understand your little schemes? Haha, how ridiculous!"

"However, I'm afraid you've miscalculated. Haven't you heard the Old Ancestor say that he himself is in trouble now? What good are those titles? Fang Qingzhu, put away your pitiful thoughts and obediently get out. Don't force me to get angry and treat you like I did when you were little."

Upon hearing this, Fang Qingzhu's beautiful eyebrows flickered, recalling some unpleasant memories, and her chest heaved rapidly.

But she quickly calmed down, repeating the same words,

"Let them go!"

As soon as she spoke, Fang Mingyue, who was seated, immediately narrowed her beautiful eyes, suddenly stood up, and struck a palm towards Fang Qingzhu.

"Bitch!"

Fang Qingzhu seemed to have been prepared. Her expression remained unchanged, her white sleeve fluttered, and she raised a bare palm to meet the attack.

"Bang!"

A burst of Qi echoed in the room, and the table in the middle was affected by the aftermath, splitting open like torn cloth.

The two women each retreated. Fang Qingzhu retreated four steps, while Fang Mingyue only retreated two, clearly indicating that Fang Mingyue's Realm was a step higher.

Fang Mingyue was about to continue her attack when a displeased cold snort suddenly echoed in the room.

"Stop!"

"What kind of behavior is this?"

As the words fell, a figure in a luxurious robe appeared between the two women.

It was a middle-aged man with a purple hair-tie, a walrus mustache, and a gloomy expression.

It was the father of the two girls, Fang Tangjing.

At this moment, the struggle between the two daughters of the Fang Family's main branch had already attracted the attention of other Fang Family members. At the doorway of the room, gazes peered in from outside, carrying schadenfreude and indifference, watching the good show unfold.

Fang Tangjing's gloomy gaze slowly fell upon Fang Qingzhu, his voice low and authoritative,

"Qingzhu, what are you doing causing trouble? This is the Old Ancestor's business; how dare you act so recklessly?"

"Mingyue is your elder sister. You're disregarding seniority and disrespecting your elders, making us a laughingstock. Apologize to your sister."

His voice carried coldness and a reprimand, devoid of the warmth a father usually shows his daughter.

Fang Qingzhu's body stiffened imperceptibly, her pretty face somewhat pale. Even though she was accustomed to her father's treatment, her heart still felt a pang of pain at this moment.

She met her father Fang Tangjing's authoritative gaze. Even though her eyes were slightly red, she remained firm, her voice surprisingly calm,

"I'm not wrong!"

"I want to see the Old Ancestor!"

With that, Fang Qingzhu was about to step out the door.

"Come back!" Fang Tangjing suddenly snapped.

Fang Qingzhu paused, turning her face.

But the next second,

"Smack!" A crisp sound.

Her father, with a stern face, lowered his hand.

"When will you ever put your father in your eyes?"

"The Old Ancestor isn't here, what are you going to do?"

A clear handprint appeared on Fang Qingzhu's face. She stood frozen in place, the corner of her mouth broken from the impact, feeling a dull ache.

At this moment, some sarcastic and mocking voices came from outside the door.

Opposite her, not far away, her sister Fang Mingyue stood with her arms crossed, a familiar smile playing on her lips.

Fang Qingzhu numbly touched her face, her broken lip curling into a self-deprecating smile.

She was still her!

The Fang Family was still the Fang Family!

And just then, a sharp squeaking sound rang out.

A fluffy Little Squirrel darted out from Fang Qingzhu's embrace, baring its large teeth at Fang Tangjing, its fur bristling, seemingly very angry.

Then, it spat something out of its mouth, and with a whoosh, it shot towards Fang Tangjing.

With a dull thud, a fist-sized pine nut struck Fang Tangjing's chest, making a muffled sound.

The main branch's eyes instantly darkened. He raised his hand like lightning and grabbed towards the Little Squirrel.

"Insignificant beast!"

"No!" Fang Qingzhu's face changed drastically, and she quickly stepped forward to block.

But the next second, with a "thump," Fang Qingzhu's moon-white body instantly flew backward.

The Little Squirrel was thrown out, suspended in mid-air.

The main branch was about to grab the little creature.

Suddenly, with a "bang," outside the room's door, a shadow cut through the air, heading straight for Fang Tangjing's large hand.

In a flash of lightning, the two collided, emitting a "clang" like a bell, as if metal had struck metal.

The next moment, Fang Tangjing's hand recoiled as if electrocuted, and he took several steps back before stopping. His gloomy eyes suddenly changed, staring intently at the doorway.

The dark shadow appeared: it was a dark wooden conical hat!

The conical hat suddenly whizzed back like a rapidly spinning gear, flying out the door and landing at the bottom of the stairs directly opposite the entrance.

At the stairs, a figure was now ascending from below!

Dressed in green, without a speck of dust, the conical hat was now placed back on his head by his hand.

And closely following the appearance of this figure, another person followed up the stairs from below.

Dressed in red, it was Lian Nishang!

The Fang Family members at the doorway and inside the room immediately stirred, their gazes all falling on the two suddenly appearing individuals.

They recognized Lian Nishang!

This Patrolling Mountain Commandant of Qingshan County had come to request an audience with the Old Ancestor yesterday.

Just a mere Heavenly Gate Realm, nothing more.

But the Fang Family's gazes were now fixed on the green-clad, conical-hatted figure in front of her, filled with surprise and doubt.

Because the head of the Fang Family's main branch, Fang Qingzhu's father, seemed unassuming, but he was actually the foremost person below the Fang Family Old Ancestor, one of the only two Martial Realm experts in the Fang Family.

It was just that under the brilliance of the Fang Family Old Ancestor, he wasn't as conspicuous.

It was precisely because of this that the Fang Family members couldn't help but be surprised: this person was actually able to repel Fang Tangjing, the head of the Fang Family's main branch!

Only one of the women who had risen from the ground, upon seeing the green-clad figure, couldn't help but feel her eyes redden.

"Who goes there?"

Someone from the Fang Family challenged.

But the green-clad figure, originally at the stairwell, suddenly vanished. The next second, as if by instantaneous movement, he appeared directly in the room.

He appeared opposite a woman!

And this woman was holding a squealing Little Squirrel in her hand, her beautiful face showing a hint of ruthlessness.

The woman's pretty face changed when the figure suddenly appeared before her.

But the next second,

"Smack!" A loud sound.

The woman screamed, her body spiraling 720 degrees into the air, directly crashing onto the bed in the room, collapsing the bed.

This woman was Fang Mingyue.

Then, the green-clad figure turned and walked to the dozen or so Qingshan County commoners, who were either kneeling or slumped on the ground, and lowered his head. (End of chapter)