Chapter 484 - 353: Why Is He Here?
"Are you going to let go of my hand?"
Fang Qingyuan froze for a second, then sheepishly released Yuan Duo’s hand. He had been worried the two women would argue endlessly, and in his haste, he had pulled Yuan Duo aside. Only now did it dawn on him that he might have overstepped his bounds.
Still, as he looked at Yuan Duo, he could tell that despite her harsh tone, she was merely cold on the outside but warm on the inside. Everything she did—from her righteous intervention earlier to her current arrangements—was for Chu Hongshang’s sake.
’What a genuine person.’
A moment later, Chu Hongshang pushed herself to her feet and started to walk. However, she had barely taken a step before she staggered.
For a Nascent Soul Cultivator to be unable to control her own body was an exceptionally rare sight, a testament to just how weak Chu Hongshang had become.
But Chu Hongshang refused Fang Qingyuan’s offer to support her. She walked forward, one step at a time, her gait growing steadier and her expression more serene with each one. The commanding presence of the Nascent Soul Great Cultivator she once was began to re-emerge.
Whether she was feigning strength or genuinely recovering, Fang Qingyuan followed close behind, ready for anything.
Fortunately, the rest of the journey was uneventful. After walking for about ten minutes, they neared the perimeter of the Military Array Great Stronghold.
Meanwhile, with the fate of the Cloud-Clawed Lizard unknown, the demon beasts under its command gradually regained their senses. They stopped obeying the Golden Core Demon Beasts, and many began to flee.
The Golden Core Demon Beasts gathered their remaining forces and ceased their attack. Meanwhile, the troops at the Military Array Great Stronghold continued to rest and recover. As a result, the fighting came to a halt, and a temporary truce settled over the battlefield.
Sensing the arrival of Fang Qingyuan’s party, Lechuan led a group out to meet them. Chu Hongshang maintained a dignified composure and remained silent. Yuan Duo was in no mood to talk either, so it fell to Fang Qingyuan to explain what had transpired.
Of course, these were matters to be discussed only after they had returned to the stronghold. The large party then headed back to the Military Array Great Stronghold with great fanfare, creating the appearance of a major victory.
Despite the cheers from the thousands of soldiers outside, the atmosphere inside the Grand Council Hall was anything but celebratory.
Chu Hongshang had since requested a Quiet Chamber to recuperate, while Yuan Duo went to stand guard over the remains of the One-armed Nascent Soul. This left the six Golden Core Cultivators to confer in the main hall.
Fang Qingyuan recounted what had happened, carefully selecting which details to share. He kept the matter of the Old Lion to himself for now, fearing it would cause a panic.
After all, news of a demon beast that could devour a Nascent Soul Cultivator in a single bite would surely cause their army of several thousand to collapse into chaos.
Fang Qingyuan simply stated that two Nascent Soul Cultivators had attempted to ambush Chu Hongshang but were ultimately no match for her and were killed by the combined efforts of Chu Hongshang and Yuan Duo.
However, Fang Qingyuan had already secretly relayed the true story to Lechuan. Now, Lechuan spoke his mind, his brow furrowed in thought:
"This campaign has run into unforeseen circumstances. I propose we withdraw from the Barbaric Wilderness for now. We can resume our push once we have a clearer understanding of the situation."
Since Lechuan had spoken, none of the others present objected. He was, after all, the leader of this campaign. Fang Qingyuan was naturally in agreement, and the other four allies who had come to lend their strength knew better than to overstep their roles as guests.
With the decision made, all that remained was to issue the order to reverse course.
Regardless of the astonishment among the disciples outside, the Military Array Great Stronghold immediately turned around and swiftly withdrew from the Barbaric Territory. The move left the other powers of the region utterly stunned.
’Things were going so well for them. Why the sudden strategic withdrawal?’
Fang Qingyuan had no intention of explaining it to them. He was terrified that the Old Lion would reappear and devour the entire army of ten thousand, men and beasts alike, in one fell swoop.
When the Military Array Great Stronghold had withdrawn dozens of miles from the Barbaric Wilderness and made camp near the territory of the Yan Gui Sect, the sect’s leader, Yan Nanguai, could no longer sit still.
A powerful force of over ten thousand Cultivators was now camped on his doorstep. Even for a Golden Core Clan that had held its fief for three generations, it was a terrifying prospect.
Therefore, Yan Nanguai gathered a pile of gifts and, along with some of his sect members, paid a visit, hoping to sound out Lechuan’s intentions.
At that moment, Fang Qingyuan and Lechuan were in a private chamber, discussing their next steps. As long as the whereabouts of the Old Lion remained unknown, who would dare continue the campaign of expansion?
Besides that, the matter of Chu Hongshang was even more troublesome. Two Nascent Souls were dead, and Chu Hongshang herself was grievously wounded. News of either event would be absolutely earth-shattering.
Lechuan had already discussed the matter with their four allies, and they all agreed to keep it quiet for now. This affair concerned the Sect Leader of the Nanchu Sect and was their internal business; it wouldn’t do for them to be the ones spreading rumors.
"I’ve already sent a message to the Nanchu Sect by flying sword. We should get a reply in a few days. We’ll have Chu Duo come pick her up, and we’ll hand over the One-armed Nascent Soul’s remains at the same time. Then, it’ll be out of our hands."
Lechuan said this worriedly, but he didn’t feel at ease. The assassination of an enfeoffed Nascent Soul Patriarch was a massive scandal. ’Can we really wash our hands of it this easily?’ he thought.
Seeing his expression, Fang Qingyuan’s tone was surprisingly light. He consoled Lechuan, saying:
"Ordinarily, this would be a monumental affair. With the Yuanhou Lion Dance involved, it becomes even more complicated. But because of that, how is any of this our problem?"
Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s optimistic take, Lechuan couldn’t help but smile. He was right. ’This sort of thing is best left for the bigwigs to worry about.’
Fang Qingyuan’s mood had brightened considerably. Now that they were far from the Barbaric Wilderness, his safety was more or less guaranteed. Throughout history, not a single Divinity Transformation-level Ancient Beast of the Wilderness had ever managed to break out of the Barbaric Territory to wreak havoc in human territory.
’No matter how powerful that Yuanhou Lion Dance is, can it truly leave the Barbaric Wilderness?’