Immortal of the Nine Realms

Upon learning that Fang Chen was planning to return to the capital, Huangfu Jie rushed over and asked in disbelief, “Young master, is the culprit really dead?”

He was shocked when he learned of the news from Jue Panshi.

The culprit behind the Heavensword Mountain Villa’s massacre was dealt with in a single night?

Abbess Clearlotus and Jade Fairy were astonished. Yuan Zhuang and the others were stunned. They were prepared to use every skill they had in their arsenal to scrutinize every detail so as to uncover the culprit’s whereabouts.

None of them had expected to receive such news from Fang Chen in a single night.

“The culprit is dead. I plan on returning to the capital today. Yuan Zhuang and the others, you’ll stay behind and work with Chiliarch Jue to deal with the minor sects oppressing the populace. Huangfu Jie, you’re close to reaching Ki Manifestation, so you should head back to train hard,” Fang Chen instructed.

The crowd was still skeptical about this matter, but they swallowed their doubts since it was Fang Chen they were talking about here.

“It’s a pity I didn’t get to trade blows with the culprit.” Huangfu Jie sighed before clasping his fist at Fang Chen. “I’ll return to the Profound Saber Sect and go into seclusion training. I won’t come out till I reach Ki Manifestation. See you soon, young master!”

“I shan’t send you off,” Fang Chen replied with a smile.

An hour later, after Yuan Zhuang saw Fang Chen and the two ladies off, he turned to Chiliarch Jue and said, “War God Fang has instructed us to work with you to deal with the minor sects causing trouble in the South Immortal Province. This is your turf. Where should we start?”

Jue Panshi stared at Yuan Zhuang before replying, “We have a list in our barracks. We’ll start from those sects first.”

He knew that Fang Chen had left Yuan Zhuang to serve as an eye and a warning. If he failed to resolve this matter, Fang Chen would come after him. The last thing he wanted to do was to get on bad terms with Great Xia’s War God.

On the way back to the capital, Abbess Clearlotus hesitantly spoke up, “Young master, have you eliminated that Blood Spirit Cultist?”

Jade Fairy pricked up her ears. This was not the first time she had heard of the term ‘Blood Spirit Cult’, and she was curious to know what kind of an organization it was.

“He is dead. We should have eliminated all of the Blood Spirit Cultists stationed in Great Xia. However…” Fang Chen frowned worriedly. “We have barely scratched the tip of the iceberg of the Blood Spirit Cult. Great Xia is safe for now, but it won’t be long before the Blood Spirit Cult sends someone over to check on the situation.”

Abbess Clearlotus was concerned as well. “Should I request for my master’s help? As long as we defeat the Foundation Establishment Blood Spirit Cultist in charge of Great Xia, their lead to Great Xia should disappear.”

“What do you mean?” Fang Chen asked in surprise.

“The Blood Spirit Cult is divided into many independent units to conceal their trail. The cultivator in charge of Great Xia is likely a unit leader. Not even their superiors know which countries he is forging the Blood Spirit Divine Pills in, lest a traitor appear amongst them.”

Abbess Clearlotus paused for a moment before explaining, “ My master once killed a Foundation Establishment Blood Spirit Cultist. That’s where she learned the news from.”

“I see…” Fang Chen nodded.

It looks like Abbess Clearlotus’ sect is considerably strong, given how her master was able acquire such critical information and slay a Foundation Establishment cultivator. If we kill the Foundation Establishment Blood Spirit Cultist in charge of Great Xia, we’ll be able to enjoy prolonged peace.

“But will your master be willing to stand up for Great Xia? This matter comes with risks, after all,” Fang Chen said.

Abbess Clearlotus’ face reddened. “I don’t know either. I can try persuading her. She should be willing to lend a helping hand…”

“Why don’t I get Li Daoye and Tie Ma to accompany you? Your cultivation is still low, so it’ll be best for someone to look after you,” Fang Chen said.

“All right.” Abbess Clearlotus nodded.

In the capital’s eastern city gates, a special army comprising over a hundred horseback soldiers dressed in black armor appeared. Even their steeds were armored from top to bottom, such that their hooves left faint marks on the hard tiles.

The civilians were taken aback, not knowing where this army was from. However, the more knowledgeable merchants quietly exclaimed among themselves:

“They are from a superior state!”

“Those from Nightmare Knights! It’s said that every one of them possesses strength matching that of a pinnacle Ki Control martial artist!”

“Ah…” Someone gasped.

The surrounding martial artists were taken aback.

Even five years ago, when Great Xia was at its peak, its number of Ki Control martial artists numbered less than a hundred. Needless to say, there were even fewer Ki Control martial artists among them now.

It was only natural for them to be flabbergasted when met with an army comprising over a hundred Ki Control martial artists.

The leader of the army was a purple-robed youth, whose black hair cascaded to his shoulders. He noticed the civilians’ shocked looks and the martial artists’ worried murmurs, which made the edges of his lips curl upward, as disdain flickered across his eyes.

Just then, a group of over a hundred Great Xia’s officials rushed out to welcome them. The leader of the group was Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng, and there were Guhe and Yizhou scholars among them too.

“Someone from a superior state is here. Longdu must have lodged a complaint against Great Xia!” Long Huixin, who was amidst the group, was overjoyed by the turn of events.

“Great Xia’s Minister of Rites Tao Mingsheng pays respects to milord!”

Tao Mingsheng and his officials galloped over, got off their steeds, and kneeled to the purple-robed man. The civilians watching the commotion were taken aback. Some of them started kneeling down, and the others quickly followed suit.

Before long, all of the Great Xia’s civilians near the eastern city gates were kneeling.

In the imperial palace, Xia Yu and his mother, Noble Consort Hua, their siblings, and the concubines stood behind the emperor and the empress.

“The Chillwater Country sent someone over. This is unlikely to end well.” The emperor grimly looked at the purple-robed youth and the Nightmare Knights he brought.

The empress was worried too.

Shortly after Great Xia pushed back Longdu and slew their Ki Manifestation expert, Marquess Xianyu, the Chillwater Country sent someone to Great Xia’s capital. There was a good chance they were here to pin crimes on them.

Chillwater Country was Great Xia, Longdu, Guhe, and Yizhou’s superior state.

Longdu had been paying an increasing amount of tribute to Chillwater in recent years, whereas the amount of tribute Great Xia had been offering had been decreasing with each passing year. It was clear whom Chillwater was going to side with here.

“It’s all because of your nephew.” The emperor side-eyed the empress and harrumphed.

The empress’ face darkened.

The concubines revealed gloating looks.

Noble Consort Hua took this opportunity to step forward and say, “Your Majesty, there’s no need to worry. Since Fang Chen is the cause of this matter, all we have to do is to have him apologize to the envoys from the superior state.”