Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 14: Left in the Dust

Nights in Great Xias capital were bustling and prosperous. Despite the huge setback Great Xia suffered from its defeat five years ago, the extravagance and depravity only intensified.

Upon nightfall, brilliant lamps would light up along the Great Xia River, and songstresses would sing enchanting melodies from boat taverns.

The domineering Greenpine martial artists loved to frequent this place, but todays guests swiftly noticed their conspicuous absence. While they were wondering about this, someone arrived with news that Fang Chen had led his men to destroy the Greenpine Superior Dojo.

This piece of news immediately made this night an exceptional one for Great Xia.

Most people thought news traveled the fastest in taverns and teahouses, but none could compete with the entertainment districts. Any news that appeared here would spread like the plague, swiftly reaching all echelons of society, from the nobles to the commoners.

Gathered inside Great Xia Rivers most famous flower boat, the Jade Fairy Boat, were eight young masters. They had booked the entire boat, which hinted at their powerful backgrounds.

Everyone, what do you think about Fang Chens recent deed today?

A dashing young man opened up his fan as he admired the graceful performance of the dance artisans. He was Ye Qinghe, the son of the Minister of Military Personnel. His father was higher ranked than the other young masters fathers, so he rightfully took the center seat in the group.

Hes too reckless. I heard from my father that Fang Chen has displayed exceptional means in the imperial palace today, killing a Wolf Armys commander in a move and driving Celestial Xiao out of the capital, but we shouldnt forget how he was defeated by Wolf Marshall Xiao back when he was at his peak!

Indeed! And he dares massacre all Greenpine martial artists in the capital. Greenpine Country wont hesitate to dispatch Wolf Marshall Xiao if they learn about it. Who knows how many of our civilians will have to die in order to placate his anger?

West Tiger Barracks You Longchang is out of his mind too. How can he support Fang Chen? He should have thought twice about it. His Majesty would have long made a move if we could kill Greenpine martial artists! Speaking of which, why hasnt there been any movement from His Majestys side?

His Majesty isnt the only one holding still. The other factions are taking a back seat too as if watching the show. But if they dont move, its only a matter of time before the fire reaches them. Brother Ye, what did Minister Ye say?

My father said to watch the situation first, Ye Qinghe replied.

It looks like Fang Chens fearsome reputation back then has intimidated many Its one thing if hes still a cripple, but he actually recovered his martial cultivation

Great Xias greatest mistake was to allow Fang Chen to rise above the Ministry of Military Personnel and even His Majesty himself! Thats why he got arrogant. In a bid to accrue merit, he led 600,000 of our Great Xia good men to their death!

Brother Ye, I heard you recently made a huge advancement in your martial cultivation. The commanders in the capital are full of praise for you. Why dont you step forward and replace Fang Chen? Someone looked at Ye Qinghe with eyes filled with anticipation.

I have indeed made significant advancement. I was lucky to stumble upon a wandering daoist, who bestowed me with a golden pill. My martial cultivation grew considerably after consuming the pill, Ye Qinghe said with a laugh. But Im still nowhere near Fang Chen.

Nowhere near Fang Chen

Those words brought the crowd back to five years ago, when the most renowned phrase in the capital was Left in the dust by Fang Chen.

Still, Fang Chens action goes against the current tides. Thus, Id like you to liaise with your family members to help me protect one person. As long as he doesnt die, there might still be room to reverse what Fang Chen did today, Ye Qinghe said.

The crowd was intrigued. Who could be so powerful as to be able to reverse todays massacre?

Ye Qinghe stood up and said, Brother Xiao, please enter. You can be assured my brothers here wont sell you out.

A young man walked into the room with a livid face. The others were startled to see him.

He was Dojo Master Xiao Tiancis son, Xiao En!

They would have never expected Xiao En to still be alive and appear on the Jade Fairy Boat on top of that. They recalled Ye Qinghes earlier words and swiftly understood his intention.

Brother Ye, Im grateful for your help. If not for you, Id have also died on Great Xias streets, Xiao En clasped his fist with a grim expression. Ill repay this debt when I return to Greenpine.

Youre too courteous, Brother Xiao. None of us agree with Fang Chens actions. Great Xia and Greenpine ought to work together like friends, not engage in war. Thats not beneficial to either of us, Ye Qinghe said. Jade Fairy, why arent you here yet? Im hosting an important guest. Do not let him wait!

He beckoned Xiao En to sit down before introducing the young men seated in this table to him. Shortly after, a white-robed woman with bare feet walked into the room and began her dance.

She had a ravishing face. Her skin was fair like snow, and her eyes twinkled like stars. Her smile was intoxicating, and her movements were ethereal like a true fairy. Drunk on the performance, Ye Qinghe closely followed her every move.

As expected of Great Xia Rivers most famous dance artisan, Jade Fairy. What a captivating performance, Xiao En said, but his eyes remained cold.

Not only did the dancing beauty not dispel his exhaustion, but it even evoked his memories about the Greenpine Superior Dojo being enveloped by flames. He tightly clenched his fists. Greenpine will definitely return this favor!

While enchanting performances were being put up on the Great Xia River, a massacre was being carried out in Great Xias capital. Greenpine martial artists were being hunted down one after another.

At daybreak, inside the ruins of Greenpine Superior Dojo, Fang Chen was seated on an intact stone chair with some talismans in front of him. He had drawn more Purple Lightning Talismans over the night, so he now had a total of 16 of them.

He also drew three of the Protection Talisman, the Flitting Talisman, and the Strength Talisman. They were a lot easier to draw as compared to the Purple Lightning Talisman.

My spirit ki has become several times more concentrated than before. I should be able to try forging the second immortal vein tomorrow and advance to the second stage of Ki Refinement.

As he kept the talismans on the table, a person rushed over from a distance away.

It was You Longchang, whose body was covered in blood. He felt like he was in a dream. I never thought a day would come when I would personally receive orders from Fang Chen to slay Greenpine martial artists.

War God Fang, we have slain all the Greenpine martial artists we can find. We did a tally, and there are two people unaccounted for, You Longchang said with a suppressed voice. One of them is Tie Ma, a Ki Control expert, and the other is Xiao En, Xiao Tiancis son. Its as if they have vanished from the face of the world. We cant find any traces of them at all.

I already know where they are. Leave them to me. You must be exhausted, Commander You. Head home and have a good rest. Fang Chen smiled.