Secular Immortal of the Nine Realms - Chapter 6
Chapter 6: Resounding Reputation
In General Fang Manor, Fang Canghai was seated at the main seat.
On his left was a beautiful, middle-aged woman.
On his right was a middle-aged man who shared some resemblance with Fang Canghai. He was seated in a wooden wheelchair, with a blanket stitched out of fox skin draped over his legs.
“Big brother, sister-in-law, I heard Celestial Xiao has entered the capital. Have you decided to have Chen’er marry into the Xiao Clan?” the middle-aged man asked.
“Little uncle, I know you disagree with your big brother’s decision. I feel terrible for Chen’er too. However, we have no choice,” the beautiful, middle-aged woman said with a sigh of resignation. “Our Great Xia doesn’t have the means to rival the Greenpine Country’s 100,000-men strong Wolf Army. We have been languishing since that fight five years ago, while Greenpine Country has been growing stronger. It’s doubtful whether we can even last a year if Wolf Marshall Xiao invades us with his army.”
“We can’t even last a year? Hah…” The middle-aged man shook his head.
Just then, Fang Zhixue entered the room and spoke with a suppressed voice, “Father, mother, second uncle, big brother went out yesterday and hasn’t returned yet… Could he have left?”
“It’s not like you don’t know your big brother’s temper. He’d directly confront Wolf Marshall Xiao if the latter came, so there’s no way he’d fear the latter’s daughter,” the middle-aged man said. “Chen’er probably left Great Xia temporarily to settle some issues.”
“Indeed.” Fang Canghai and his wife nodded in agreement. They knew their son well too.
Sometimes, they would rather Fang Chen escape to a place where no one could find him. As for the consequences of that, they didn’t want to think too much into it.
Unfortunately, Fang Chen was not the type to shirk his responsibilities.
“Old master, someone from the imperial court is here,” a servant rushed into the room and reported.
A group from the imperial court was waiting outside the General Manor. Heading the group was a eunuch dressed in silk. He stood upright while holding a yellow imperial edict in his hands.
Fang Canghai rushed out of the manor. Upon seeing the eunuch, he immediately clasped his fist and said, “Official Fang Canghai is here to receive the imperial edict.”
The eunuch slowly eyed the Fang Clansmen one by one before frowning. “Where’s young master Fang? This imperial edict is for him. How dare he not receive it?”
Fang Canghai’s expression tensed up. He squeezed out a smile and said, “Eunuch You, Chen’er is currently not in the manor. Allow me to receive the imperial edict on his behalf.”
Eunuch You used to be so subservient and careful around him, but in the recent five years, due to Fang Chen’s failure in the Three Realms Mountain, the emperor gave the Fang Clan and the empress the cold shoulder. Due to that, even a eunuch dared to berate him now.
This was not the first time they had suffered such humiliation, but they silently tolerated it.
“Is this a joke? How can you receive His Majesty’s imperial edict on behalf of your son? This is a breach of propriety! I demand to meet young master Fang right now,” Eunuch You sneered with a high-pitched voice.
The Fang Clansmen’s complexions turned horrible. More and more passers-by were gathering in the area, pointing and criticizing them.
“The Greenpine Country’s Celestial Xiao has arrived in the imperial palace. General Fang, don’t play any tricks and call your son out right now,” Eunuch You sneered.
“Big brother, I’ll send someone to look for Chen’er,” the middle-aged man in the wheelchair said.
Before Fang Canghai could reply, someone saw Fang Chen walking over with Xu Ge.
“War God Fang is here.”
“To think he still has the leisure to roam outside today…”
Eunuch You looked up and happened to meet Fang Chen’s grayish-white eyes. For some reason, it sent shivers down his spine, but he quickly shrugged it off with a disdainful smile.
He’s no longer the great War God Fang, who can get away with slapping a member of the imperial family at the entrance of the imperial palace. I don’t need to fear him!
“Father, mother, second uncle.” Fang Chen accurately bowed to the three of them, which left the passers-by wondering if he was truly blind.
“You’re back.” Fang Canghai heaved a sigh of relief.
“Hmph! Young master Fang, I thought you dared not receive this imperial edict,” Eunuch You spoke with a mocking tone.
Pah!
Fang Chen gave Eunuch You a tight slap that sent the latter’s headgear flying off.
The surroundings fell so silent that one could hear a pin drop. The imperial guards reflexively grabbed their weapons, but their bodies froze up upon seeing Fang Chen’s grayish-white eyes.
It was at this moment they suddenly thought about the indomitable War God Fang. Countless people in Great Xia had been slapped by him, from the sons of generals, the sons of officials, to members of the imperial family and even imperial princes!
“How dare you slap me!” Eunuch You clasped his cheek as his face flushed in anger. His eyes were filled with disbelief and rage. How dare this trash slap me in front of so many people?!
“I’ve received the imperial edict. You may scram now.” Fang Chen took the imperial edict before waving Eunuch You away like a fly.
“This is a revolt!” Eunuch You was outraged. He turned to his subordinates and bellowed with his high-pitched voice, “Take him down! Arrest him!”
Eunuch You’s angry roars echoed, but not a single person made a move. His subordinates glanced at one another, not daring to move.
Xu Ge looked at Eunuch You with a mocking smile.
Yes, there have been plenty of people who insulted the young master behind his back, but none has dared to make a move on him. Not even the Greenpine Country’s martial artists dare to make a move on him!
He might be crippled now, but his reputation is simply too resounding!
Pah!
Fang Chen slapped Eunuch You again, and the latter staggered backward from the impact. Another eunuch quickly rushed forward to support him from behind.
“Y.you…” Eunuch You’s body trembled as he pointed his finger at Fang Chen. His breathing was so ragged that it seemed as if he couldn’t catch his breath.
“I can tolerate the populace humiliating me. They contribute to Great Xia through their hard work. I can also tolerate the martial artists humiliating me. They risk their lives on the battlefield to protect the civilians behind them. It’s because of them that our Great Xia is prosperous.
“But what about you? A half-man who’s only interested in politicking. How have you contributed to Great Xia? What makes you think you can criticize me? It’s out of respect for His Majesty that I address you properly, or else you wouldn’t even have a name before me,” Fang Chen said.
The looks of the passers-by’s faces changed.
Eunuch You was so angered by those words that blood began seeping from the corners of his lips. The other eunuch knew it wouldn’t be wise for them to linger, so he dragged Eunuch You away from here.
“Military God Fang, you might have lost five years ago and had your ki sea destroyed, but as long as you’re alive, you’re as good as a hundred thousand martial artists to us!” a martial artist amidst the crowd roared.
Fang Chen didn’t respond. He took the imperial edict into the General Manor.
The crowd stared at his departing figure in anticipation. They felt like they could finally see a glimmer of hope, albeit a slim one.