Chapter 430 - 324: Completion and Farewell
The Talisman entered his body, and Mao Cheng’s spirits seemed to lift as a hint of color returned to his cheeks. Fang Qingyuan knew this was merely the Talisman’s effect—a final, fleeting burst of life.
Now that Mao Cheng seemed more lucid, he bowed his head to Fang Qingyuan in gratitude.
"I’m sorry to trouble you, Sect Leader, and have you come out of seclusion to see me. My time was already up, but there were a few things weighing on my mind that I had to tell you. It’s the only reason I’ve held on this long."
Fang Qingyuan sighed and soothed him gently.
"I came out of seclusion too late. Whatever you have to say, tell me now. I’ll do anything that’s within my power."
"It’s been over forty years since our founding, and I feel the Qingyuan Sect has become stagnant. The founding families monopolize all the important sect affairs. Meanwhile, the Qi Cultivation Disciples from the mortal tribes are ready to step up, but there are no real duties for them. Every day, they’re stuck with menial, exhausting chores. I’ve seen it myself, and it isn’t right."
"But I’m old now. I no longer have the energy to commit to such reforms. Sect Leader, please understand, these are not trivial matters. You must take them seriously."
"As for the war orphans, most just want to live in peace. In White Mountain, it’s a constant cycle of killing, year after year. For them, revenge is a distant dream. But Shen Wancheng has never stopped thinking about revenge. He’s on the verge of Foundation Establishment now, so this can’t be delayed any longer. Deal with it soon, before he implicates the entire sect."
Mao Cheng spoke quickly, saying a great deal. Fang Qingyuan was deeply moved as he listened. These were Mao Cheng’s parting words, all from the bottom of his heart. Even on the verge of death, his thoughts were still with the sect.
"I understand, I understand..."
Fang Qingyuan soothed him gently. Mao Cheng suddenly coughed a few times, his face flushing an even deeper red. He looked at Fang Qingyuan and finally spoke.
"My greatest regret is that I won’t be there to see the day you become a Golden Core Cultivator, Sect Leader. I’m sure when that time comes, all the sects in the region will bow to you."
"There’s one last thing. Sect Leader, you’ve never started a family or had any children. It has always weighed on my mind, but I never dared to speak of it. Now that I’m dying, there’s nothing to hold back. For the sect’s sake, I implore you... find yourself some good wives and beautiful concubines..."
A look of longing filled Mao Cheng’s face, as if he could already picture the moment Fang Qingyuan started a family.
Fang Qingyuan felt a sting in his eyes. He was about to agree, just to put Mao Cheng’s mind at ease, but then he saw the old man’s head loll to the side. His eyes closed in exhaustion, and he drifted off into a peaceful sleep, like a newborn babe.
Fang Qingyuan slowly rose to his feet. He looked down at the old man and let out a long, silent sigh. ’After more than forty years of companionship, the song had finally ended, and the audience had dispersed.’
After tucking the blanket around Mao Cheng, Fang Qingyuan left the room. The next moment, the courtyard erupted in heart-rending sobs.
...
「A month later.」
The Cultivators from the surrounding areas who had come to offer their condolences had all departed, and the Qingyuan Sect returned to its usual tranquility.
The new Vice Sect Leader was Liu Xun. The primary reason Fang Qingyuan had chosen him was that, as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, Liu Xun would live far longer. He wouldn’t be like Mao Cheng, who could serve for a few decades at most before passing away.
After a round of talks with Liu Xun, the new Vice Sect Leader began to curb the power of the founding families as soon as he took office. These families had enjoyed the fruits of their ancestors’ labor for over forty years. It was time for them to yield their positions.
Of the thirteen founding members, only three were still alive. And just as Fang Qingyuan had predicted all those years ago, only one of them—Chen Huicheng—had ever become a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. The others had remained at the Qi Cultivation stage until the day they died.
His decision back then had allowed their descendants to enjoy forty years of privilege, but that didn’t mean they could coast forever. Fang Qingyuan would not tolerate them continuing to cling to the Qingyuan Sect like leeches, sucking it dry.
He instructed Liu Xun to be impartial, to strictly uphold the principle that advancement is based on merit, not lineage. This was the foundation Fang Qingyuan was setting for the Qingyuan Sect’s future.
Furthermore, it was time to address the matter of Shen Wancheng, the Cultivator at Qi Cultivation Perfection.
In the Sect Leader’s Quiet Chamber, Fang Qingyuan studied the middle-aged man before him. He was only forty, with a determined face and a steady gaze. Fang Qingyuan already knew what he was going to do.
Through his Mind Divine Techniques, Fang Qingyuan could sense the man’s emotions: obsession, hatred, and a trace of guilt.
"Are you certain? Once you leave, you will have no further connection to the Qingyuan Sect."
Fang Qingyuan asked gravely. Shen Wancheng fell to his knees and replied in a heavy voice.
"I have thought it through. I have not forgotten the annihilation of my clan for a single moment. The rest of my life is for revenge and revenge alone."
Shen Wancheng had been old enough to remember everything when Fang Qingyuan rescued him all those years ago. It would be truly difficult to make him forget his hatred.
Fang Qingyuan sighed. He didn’t try to talk Shen Wancheng out of his decision. Instead, he took out two Second-Order Middle-Grade Magical Artifacts and placed them before him.
"This is your choice, and I will not stop you. As one of the Sealed Sects, the Qingyuan Sect cannot help you on your quest for vengeance. Take these two Magical Artifacts. This way, you won’t have to save up to buy your own after you reach Foundation Establishment. Consider it compensation for your many years of diligent service to the sect."
Staring at the two Second-Order Middle-Grade Magical Artifacts, both perfectly suited for his Cultivation Technique, Shen Wancheng prostrated himself, touching his head to the floor three times. Then, he choked out, his voice thick with emotion:
"Thank you for raising me all these years. The Qingyuan Sect has given me a second life. If I manage to return alive, I would not dare ask to rejoin the sect. I only hope to find a place to settle down and start a family, where I will pay tribute to the Qingyuan Sect’s memorial tablet every day."
"Enough. You may go."
After bowing his head once more, Shen Wancheng took the Magical Artifacts and backed out of the room, weeping. Fang Qingyuan watched him go and shook his head. ’Such an obsessed fool.’
...
「Two more years passed.」
The day Lechuan had set for the attack on the Cloud-Clawed Lizard was fast approaching.