Monarch Night

The crowd was full of doubts.

An urgent matter?

If it really is urgent, why did you just come back again?

There's a feeling that something isn't right.

"...Cough, cough... Due to Steward Fang's outstanding merit, the Southeast Headquarters has decided to specially reward Steward Fang with merit points..."

An Ruoxing coughed and said, "...Several!"

Even if I'm thick-skinned, I can't say that number out loud.

The people looked at each other in confusion: Several? What does several mean?

On stage, Fang Che also blinked in confusion and said, "Vice Chief Officer, how much is this several...?"

An Ruoxing, maintaining composure, smiled and said, "...You'll know when you go back and see for yourself."

Fang Che said, "This is my personal moment of glory, I naturally want to share it with everyone. Vice Chief Officer, such a moment of glory in a martial artist's life is rare..."

An Ruoxing was forced into a corner, gritting his teeth as he said, "Chief Zhao Shanhe specifically instructed the Southeastern Office to reward Steward Fang with twenty merit points!"

Twenty!

Instantly, the entire hall was in an uproar.

Then silence fell.

There were so many people gathered, yet you could hear a pin drop.

Many had heard about Zhao Shanhe suppressing Fang Che, but never took it seriously. After all, Zhao Shanhe's level? Fang Che's level?

The difference was too great.

How could there be any suppression happening?

But now, the truth was laid bare before their eyes.

An Ruoxing watched as Fang Che's red face turned pale, then greenish.

He stood there as if frozen, his gaze unfocused, and everyone's heart couldn't help but ache for him.

Under the gaze of the crowd, Fang Che stood stiffly.

He seemed to have lost all awareness.

Below, a woman's voice called out loudly, "Vice Chief Officer, did you look wrong?"

The voice carried strong indignation.

It was Zhao Ying'er.

An Ruoxing coughed once and said, "No mistake. The reward is like this; in truth, the merit of us Guardians is gained through life and death struggles. Rewards are just a formality, a symbolic gesture."

He said, "Steward Fang, a man's path has to be walked step by step by himself! That's the true way! Relying on rewards is ultimately not something earned with your own hands."

Fang Che snapped back to his senses, smiled, and said, "Thank you, Vice Chief Officer, for your enlightenment. Also, thanks to Chief Zhao for the special reward. Fang Che feels extremely honored right now!"

An Ruoxing said, "That's good."

He said, "You are very young, not even twenty, and you are already a second level steward, halfway to the first grade. I have high hopes for you and believe you'll soon reach Golden Star Steward!"

"Thank you, Vice Chief Officer An."

"You may go down."

"Yes, I thank Chief Zhao once again for the merit reward. Allowing me to benefit without labor, I received twenty merit points, but these twenty were not earned by me personally. Can Vice Chief Officer An take them back to Chief Zhao?"

Fang Che said proudly, "I, Fang Che, hope all my merits are earned with my own hands, without any component of rewards. That will not motivate me."

An Ruoxing looked deeply at Fang Che and said, "Are you sure?"

Returning these twenty merits means Fang Che, just a small steward, is completely breaking with the Chief Officer in charge of the entire Southeast!

Everyone understood the consequence.

Song Yidao shouted, "Fang Che, how can you return an officer's reward! Think carefully before you speak again."

Under the gaze of the crowd, Fang Che hesitated for a moment and said, "Absolutely sure!"

The entire hall was silent.

An Ruoxing paused for a moment and said, "Alright, I'll take them back for you."

"Thank you, Vice Chief Officer."

Fang Che bowed and left the stage.

He didn't return to his seat but walked proudly out of the hall.

This was a banquet in celebration and also a promotion party for him.

But he left the gathering.

Everyone was silent, watching Fang Che's solitary figure walk out the door.

He stopped.

He seemed to want to say something.

But he raised his hand to touch the Silver Star at his collar, and in the end, said nothing.

He gently shook his head and quickly departed.

"Fang Che!"

Zhao Ying'er called out, feeling a heart-rending pain, casting aside any manners, and directly running after him.

But when she chased out the door, Fang Che was already nowhere in sight.

The vastness of the world loomed.

The surroundings were empty.

She didn't know which way Fang Che had gone.

Zhao Ying'er stood at the door, somewhat lost.

In front was the vast night where Fang Che's figure vanished into the darkness.

Behind her was a brightly lit place, teeming with comrades.

She stood there dumbfounded.

Unsure of what to do.

From behind.

Zuo Guanglie said, "Steward Zhao, at times like these, let Stewart Fang have some quiet to himself."

"Okay."

Zhao Ying'er pursed her lips and looked again into the vast darkness.

Finally, she turned back and returned to her place.

Her eyes occasionally glancing towards the darkness outside.

...

Next was the promotion ceremony for other third-level stewards with meritorious achievements.

There were four in total.

And Zuo Guanglie successfully advanced from second-level Silver Star Steward to first-grade Golden Star Steward.

Everyone gathered around to congratulate him.

But Zuo Guanglie felt that his heart wasn't particularly elated.

Originally, he was eager to ascend to Golden Star.

He had even decided that once promoted, he would celebrate vigorously.

Now finally achieving success.

Yet, he felt a heaviness inside. Steward Fang...how does he feel now?

Soon the feast began.

Individual joys and sorrows ultimately only draw sympathy and discussion, but cannot interfere with everyone's happiness and prosperity.

Unsettlements might be understood by some who also find it unfair.

But some grievances can only be borne alone.

An Ruoxing declined Song Yidao's attempts at persuasion, also refusing dinner invitations, and bade farewell with a smile: "Tonight is yours! Congratulations, Master Song, congratulations."

"Thank you, Vice Chief Officer."

An Ruoxing wanted to say something more, but in the end said nothing.

He held back.

He nodded and smiled, flying skywards.

The Guardian Hall immediately erupted in cheerful celebrations.

"Cheers!"

"Hahaha..."

"..."

An Ruoxing flew into the air, his divine thought spread halfway across the city.

He was looking for Fang Che.

He wanted to comfort that young man.

Tonight's incident, An Ruoxing felt, was inappropriate.

Zhao Shanhe's suppression was excessively extreme!

Suppression by itself was already inappropriate, let alone humiliation!

In front of so many fellow comrades seen day and night, these twenty merits were utterly and completely humiliating.

How could you even have the nerve to offer them?

How could Fang Che face these people in the future?

An Ruoxing searched the night sky, but did not find Fang Che.

He didn't know where that stubborn young man had hidden in the deep dark night.

An Ruoxing hovered in the sky for a quarter hour, never finding him.

Finally, he sighed long and left with the wind.

...

Fang Che had already transformed into the Starlight Leader and arrived at the Worldwide Escort Agency.

For the twenty merit points awarded by Zhao Shanhe, he didn't care at all. Moreover, his deliberate show of grievance, refusal, and incredulity was with purpose!

He didn't feel wronged.

In truth, he clearly knew that this event wasn't orchestrated by Zhao Shanhe!

Furthermore, Fang Che clearly understood what this was all about.

That's why he left immediately.

But!

Even though he didn't care, even though he knew this was an act, even though he was one of the main authors of this act!

Even though he understood and fully accepted it.

But alone in the dark night, he still felt an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

He walked the earth, beneath the starry sky, venturing through the boundless darkness.

Behind him were the myriad lights of the world.

Alone, he faced the darkness, safeguarding everything.

Yet with no one to accompany him.

"Am I lonely?"

Fang Che quietly asked himself a question.

Then he chuckled to himself, quickening his pace into the vast dark night.

Tonight, the sub branch needed reorganization.

Next, countless tasks awaited him, leaving no time to savor loneliness deeply.

Loneliness and grievance, these are my weapons.

...

"Master, last night we destroyed all the branches of other sects, including the Night Demon Sect. Now in Baiyun State, only our Yixin Sect branch remains. But I don't feel happy, and I'm very angry, experiencing an ultimate loneliness."

Fang Che was sending a message.

It was clear the Yin Shen Palace cared about Fang Che's message, responding immediately: "What's wrong? Did something happen at the sub branch?"

"Nothing happened to the sub branch, everything is normal. The Escort Agency hasn't had any issues either, everything is normal. Barring major accidents, the Worldwide Escort Agency will become fully legitimate from now on. No more need for any concealment."

Fang Che replied: "In this regard, our Baiyun State sub branch should be considered successfully established and stabilized. Following the established plan slowly forward ensures no mishap."

The Yin Shen Palace felt a huge burden lifted from their shoulders.

"That's good, that's good."

The Yin Shen Palace felt extremely relieved, feeling utterly comfortable!

Our Yixin Sect, it's stable!

Loud laughter filled with a sense of impeccable strategizing.

Long after, recalling Night Demon's unease.

Quickly asked: "Then why are you angry? Loneliness? What happened? Did you suffer at the Guardian Hall?"

Fang Che replied: "A great grievance."

"What happened?"

The Old Demon was puzzled: "You earned such great merit, merit points will also be plenty, and the whole Baiyun State Guardian Hall enjoys the glory with you, how did you end up wronged?"

Fang Che said: "Originally, nothing. During this operation, I felt no remorse, though we are fellow members of the Weiwo True Sect, they threatened my safety, killing them became merit, I actually didn't feel anything wrong."

"Killed and just killed."

"Master, do you think I'm a bit ruthless? Or too unscrupulous?"

Fang Che asked.

The Yin Shen Palace was taken aback: "You're bothered by this? When did you, a Night Demon, become so sentimental? They are indeed of the same sect, yet they threatened our lives. You felt cruel after killing them? Such thought is utterly ridiculous!"

"How could you think like this!"

The Old Demon was anxious.