Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 10: As Promised, You’re the First to be Slain

The empress procession was already waiting for him outside the imperial palace by the time Fang Chen arrived. The empress invited him onto the carriage, and the two of them made their way back to the Fang Clan.

Chener, did His Majesty reinstate you as a marshall? the empress asked with a suppressed voice.

Fang Chen chuckled. His Majesty told me to have a good rest in the Fang Clan. He said that I have only just regained my martial cultivation, and I should take my time to heal up.

I see The empress was disappointed.

Aunt, has Noble Consort Hua been causing you trouble? Fang Chen asked.

The crown prince addresses me as his mother, but in the end, hes Noble Consort Huas child. She has been making use of this relationship to kick a fuss in the rear palace. She hasnt openly challenged me yet, but she has been probing. I reckon shes eyeing my position, the empress replied.

There was a brief silence before she said, I must be getting old. Why am I saying all these? You have never been fond of the political shenanigans of the imperial palace. Since His Majesty told you to take a rest, you should take this time to rest well.

Fang Chen simply smiled without saying a word. He understood the emperors temperament.

He had once been revered as Great Xias War God, and his prestige amongst the populace soared even above that of the emperor. This had stoked the emperors displeasure.

However, there was nothing Fang Chen could do about it. To defeat Greenpine Country and the others who were eyeing their Great Xia, he needed to build up a strong prestige to bolster the morale of the soldiers, so that their soldiers could be more valiant than the others.

It wasnt easy for his reputation to fall to the bottom. There was no way the emperor would let him make a comeback. He was unlikely to be reinstated as the Grand Marshall.

Hardly anyone knew that most of the insults and rumors surrounding him were orchestrated by the emperor.

Fang Chen, in one of his astral projections, had personally witnessed the emperor instructing the crown prince to spread rumors that they had lost the fight in the Three Realms Mountain due to Fang Chen being greedy for merit and not following the imperial courts directions.

Even without any army under my command, I can still easily protect Great Xia from the likes of Greenpine Country with the means of a cultivator. I shall have nothing more to do with the affairs of the imperial court. Once I reach Foundation Establishment, Ill travel to the Center Continent Countrys Three Thousand Dao Gate and join them, Fang Chen thought.

He was only at the first stage of Ki Refinement, but his talismans could easily kill Ki Control experts. His means far surpassed that of martial artists. He looked forward to seeing what else he would be capable of as his cultivation rose, and he desired to wander freely like how Elder Cloudcrane did by astral projecting his Nascent Soul.

This lowly one was wrong! Milord, please have mercy! It was all because this lowly one failed to keep my child in check! Please hit me instead of the child!

A commotion suddenly broke out.

The empress frowned. Whats happening outside?

A palace maid pulled open the curtains and whispered, A Greenpine martial artist is beating up a vendor. A tinge of fear could be seen in her eyes.

A Greenpine martial artist? The empress expression turned grim.

Aunt, Ill take a look. Fang Chen alighted from the carriage.

The empress was alarmed, but she quickly remembered that Fang Chen had regained his martial cultivation and breathed a sigh of relief. She pried open the curtains and watched the scene outside.

A vendor hugged the leg of a Greenpine martial artist, desperately begging the latter. There was a three-year-old child seated beside the vendor. His face was red as if someone had just viciously slapped him, and he was crying loudly.

The spectators eyes were filled with resentment, but no one dared to stop the martial artist.

Your child dirted my boots. How about I take your leg in exchange? Sounds fair, right?

Spare me, milord! Please spare me! I wont be able to raise my family without my leg! My family will die of starvation!

Thats none of my business. Its not a problem if a couple of lowly peasants of Great Xia die anyway.

Anger rushed to the crowds heads when they heard the martial artists words of contempt. The empress guards clenched their fists as killing intent flashed across their eyes.

War God Fang, the leader of the empress guards clasped his fist and greeted Fang Chen as he came out of the carriage.

Fang Chen nodded before walking to the Greenpine martial artist. I remember you. Youre He Longsheng, right?

Its War God Fang!

The crowds morale was boosted upon seeing Fang Chen. Most of them had uttered insulting words about Fang Chen over the past five years, but they still found themselves reassured by his presence.

Oh? Isnt this our Xiao Clans young master? Is your marriage with our young miss settled? When will you be marrying over? He Longsheng sneered as he reflexively touched the stub of his severed ear.

Fang Chen paid him no heed. He glanced at the vendor kneeling on the ground and said, You may leave.

T-thank you, thank you! The vendor thanked Fang Chen before hurriedly picking up her child and leaving the area.

He Longsheng was infuriated. He wanted to stop the vendor from leaving, but Fang Chens intense gaze left him feeling inexplicably chilled. In the end, he held himself back.

He coldly glared at Fang Chen. Young master, dont you think youre interfering too much? Youre part of Greenpine Country from this day onward. You shouldnt side with outsiders.

Hahaha! You dont know yet, right? Fang Chen is going to marry into the Xiao Clan. Hell have to call Wolf Marshall Xiao father.

You think hes going to stand up for you? Think again! Your War God Fang has already died five years ago!

The other Greenpine martial artists roared in mockery.

The civilians were stunned. Some of them were angered. Some of them were in despair.

It was then that You Longchang arrived with his army. Upon noticing Fang Chen, he walked over with a look of uncertainty. War God Fang, whats going on?

Have you escorted Celestial Xiao out of the capital? Fang Chen asked.

I have. You Longchang nodded.

Wait, Celestial Xiao is gone? But Fang Chen is still here? In the first place, why did she leave the capital when she only arrived earlier today? He Longsheng and the others were perplexed.

You keep calling me young master that Im starting to get a bit embarrassed. Its a pity, but Im not fated to join the Xiao Clan. Fang Chen looked at He Longsheng with a faint smile.

How could this He Longsheng was stunned.

You Longchang, Ill borrow your sword, Fang Chen said as he stretched his hand forth.

You Longchang was confused. He glanced at He Longsheng, the Greenpine martial artist, and his eyes suddenly widened in shock. War God Fang

Shut up.

Yes sir! You Longchang quickly retrieved his sword from his waist and passed it to Fang Chen.

I told you that you are the first one Id slaughter when I pick up my blade once more, He Longsheng, Fang Chen said as he grabbed the sword handle and slowly drew the sword.

War God Fang is going to kill that Greenpine martial artist?

The surrounding crowd stared at Fang Chen in disbelief. Even the empress in the carriage also widened her eyes.

He Longsheng was startled, but he quickly burst into laughter. Youre going to kill me? Have you forgotten that I have the Greenpine Country behind me?

Hahaha!

The other Greenpine martial artists burst into laughter too. It was as if this was the funniest joke they had heard in the last five years.

He Longsheng even stretched out his neck. Here, War God Fang. Feel free to chop here. If I let out even a groan, Ill

Psh!

With a flash of cold light, He Longshengs head fell from his body and rolled a distance away. Fresh blood gushed from his neck like a spring.