Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 48

Chapter 48: If the Young Master Says He’s There, He Must Be There

Yuan Yu stared at Fang Chen in disbelief. He has only closed his eyes for two hours, but somehow he knows where my cousin is? “War God Fang, is my cousin really in the Valiant Defenders’ barracks?”

“If the young master says he’s there, he must be there,” Xu Ge replied. “Stop doubting everything our young master says. Even if Lord Yuan isn’t there now, he would be there by the time we arrive.”

Yuan Yu looked at Xu Ge with a mystified frown, but she didn’t have much time to dwell on it as Fang Chen had already stood up and headed out. She quickly followed him.

The Fang Manor was near the imperial city, so it didn’t take long for the three of them to arrive at the entrance of the Valiant Defenders’ barracks. By a stroke of coincidence, they bumped into a group of Court of Great Brilliance’s officials there.

Leading the group was Director Zhao, and he was accompanied by a few rectifiers and around fifty constables. They were startled to see Yuan Yu, and their shock only deepened when they saw Fang Chen.

Why would a constable who has just gotten on the job be with War God Fang?

Many in the group began deducing their relationship, and some even tried to look back to check if they had crossed Yuan Yu in recent days.

“War God Fang.” Director Zhao politely clasped his fist.

“Director Zhao,” Fang Chen replied with a smile. “What brings you here?”

“It’s shameful, but one of my rectifiers suddenly went missing. After days of investigation, I learned that there is a good chance he’s in the Valiant Defenders’ barracks, so I came here to look into the matter,” Director Zhao replied.

Fang Chen nodded.

It looked as if they were just having an idle chatter, but from the moment Director Zhao saw Fang Chen, he became certain that Yuan Zhuang was in the Valiant Defenders’ barracks.

Yuan Yu’s eyes narrowed in astonishment. She recognized Director Zhao; it was her superior’s superior. She couldn’t believe that Director Zhao’s investigation had led him to the same place as well. Doesn’t this mean that Fang Chen accurately deduced Yuan Zhuang’s whereabouts just by silently thinking for two hours? Just how smart is this man? This is terrifying!

Just then, a centurion walked out and impatiently harrumphed at Director Zhao. “The person you’re looking for isn’t in our barracks. Why would a rectifier from your Court of Great Brilliance be in our barracks? Look elsewhere instead!”

“I have confirmed that Rectifier Yuan is in your barracks, so I came here to check if there have been any misunderstandings. Would you allow me to meet your chiliarch?” Director Zhao replied courteously.

“What’s wrong? Is a centurion like me not worthy of speaking to you?” the other party snapped. “Why don’t you weigh yourself before asking to meet our chiliarchs? Do you think our chiliarchs are so free to attend to your every whim? I already told you that the person you’re looking for isn’t in our barracks. Stop lingering here and leave!”

The centurion waved his hand as if driving off flies.

One of the rectifiers couldn’t stand how disrespectful the centurion was, and he blew his top. “Audacious! You’re standing before our Court of Great Brilliance’s Director Zhao. How can you be so disrespectful to a higher-ranking official?”

The centurion burst into laughter. He glanced at the rectifier and scoffed, “Director? I have met some of the Vice Ministers in the past few years, and even generals would respectfully address us at our barracks. Is the Court of Great Brilliance’s director greater than those people? If I’m not mistaken, it’s nothing more than a grade-5 official.”

“That’s still two ranks higher than you! You Valiant Defenders are getting ahead of yourself! Unless you hand over Lord Yuan, we won’t be leaving this place today!” that rectifier roared.

“Who dares to cause trouble at the Valiant Defenders’ barracks?”

“Shh! They are from the Court of Great Brilliance.”

“No wonder! Why would the Court of Great Brilliance suddenly mess with the Valiant Defenders though? The Valiant Defenders are not to be trifled with!” some passers-by noticed the situation and whispered amongst themselves.

The centurion felt like he had been humiliated. His face turned red, and he bellowed, “Brothers, the Court of Great Brilliance are causing a ruckus on our turf. Let’s capture all of them!”

A large group of Valiant Defenders rushed out of the barracks, looking as if they would apprehend Director Zhao and the others. Director Zhao’s rectifiers and constables didn’t back down either. A fight broke out on both sides.

Director Zhao watched the situation lividly. Seconds later, he finally roared, “Stop right now!”

The rectifiers and constables immediately halted their aggression, but the Valiant Defenders continued their attacks.

Director Zhao sneered. He unleashed his inner ki and released a palm strike, which sent one of the Valiant Defenders flying. It was only upon that did the other Valiant Defenders halt their aggression. They could tell that Director Zhao was at Ki Explosion, and that they were no match for him.

“The Court of Great Brilliance is becoming conceited. How dare you cause a ruckus here and hurt one of my centurions?” a bellow echoed.

A person charged out of the Valiant Defenders’ barracks and swiped his blade at Director Zhao.

Director Zhao was taken aback. The person attacking him was at mid Ki Explosion, whereas he was only at early Ki Explosion. It wouldn’t be easy for him to deal with this attack.

“Xu Ge,” Fang Chen ordered.

“Yes, young master.” Xu Ge chuckled before charging forth with his sword.

His strength clearly surpassed that of the other party, as he pushed the mid Ki Explosion Valiant Defender back by more than fifty meters with a single strike.

“Chiliarch Niu?!” The Valiant Defenders were startled.

“Windcloud Sword Xu Ge?!” Chiliarch Niu was stunned. He quickly noticed Fang Chen too, and his eyes widened in horror. He shoved aside the Valiant Defenders supporting him, marched up to Fang Chen, and clasped his fist. “Valiant Defender Chiliarch Niu Jue pays respect to War God Fang!”

War God Fang?!

The Valiant Defenders were alarmed too. The passers-by were taken aback as well. It was only then that they noticed Fang Chen’s presence, and their expressions turned weird.

“You look familiar,” Fang Chen remarked.

“War God Fang, I used to be in your army. I had the honor of fighting alongside you,” Niu Jue said with a voice quivering in excitement.

The Valiant Defenders were baffled to see Niu Jue’s reaction. The latter was the most hot-tempered chiliarch in their inner city barracks, and he spoke with confidence even when addressing the two Enforcement Envoys above him. Yet, his voice was quivering now?

“I see.” Fang Chen nodded. “The Court of Great Brilliance’s Director Zhao had a subordinate who recently went missing, and they found that he’s in your barracks. What is your take?”

“The Court of Great Brilliance?” Niu Jue was bewildered. He glanced at Director Zhao. “Our Valiant Defenders wouldn’t make a move on someone from the Court of Great Brilliance. What’s the name of the missing man? I’ll see if I have an impression of him.”

“His name is Yuan Zhuang. He’s a rectifier under my command,” Director Zhao replied.

“No, I don’t have an impression of him. The rest of you?” Niu Jue turned to the other Valiant Defenders. They shook their heads, expressing that they had no recollection of Yuan Zhuang.

“Let’s head in first,” Fang Chen said.

“Yes yes, of course! War God Fang, this way please.” Niu Jue profusely nodded.