Chapter 1796: Withdrawal
Half a year passed in the blink of an eye. During these six months, the six poor children cultivating under Fang Chen not only failed to improve, but their abilities actually regressed.
Gradually, a new rumor spread throughout the Hechuan Fang Clan. It was said that when Fang Chen taught disciples, he did not allow them to practice the Blazing Fist at all. Instead, he had them sit cross-legged on the ground with their eyes closed in meditation. Such a method was simply unheard of and unseen before.
"Sitting there? And that can bring one to the Blood Moving or Marrow Refinement Stage? What a joke!"
"Are children from poor families not human too? Treating them like this is truly despicable!"
"I think this man simply doesn't understand the Blazing Fist at all. Has the clan leader grown senile to make such a decision?"
"I heard one family finally couldn't endure it anymore and went to the clan leader, asking for their child to return to their previous instructor. Apparently, the clan leader already agreed."
"What about the remaining five? Are their families all dead or something?"
"They can't all rush over together, can they? They still have to leave the clan leader some dignity. I estimate that in another few months, all of them will leave too. I truly don't understand why the clan leader made such a decision."
Outside the martial grounds, several Fang Clan guards were quietly discussing the matter. Only when Fang Sheng arrived with a group of people did they lower their gaze and pretend not to notice anything.
A faint smile flashed through Fang Sheng's eyes. The old master really had guessed correctly. Everything Fang Longshan had done was merely to preserve some face for himself.
Fang Sheng entered the martial grounds with his entourage. Seeing the youthful vigor of the younger generation as they practiced the Blazing Fist, he gave a nod. "What are you here for?"
Fang Yue turned toward Fang Sheng and frowned. "Fang Yue, I simply came to see my son. Has he been obedient while training under you recently?"
Fang Sheng smiled. Among the youths practicing martial arts, a young boy glanced toward Fang Sheng while continuing to perform the Blazing Fist. Upon seeing his father arrive, the boy immediately practiced even more diligently.
"Your son is talented and obedient. There's no issue," Fang Yue said flatly. "If you have nothing else to do, then leave. How can they focus on practicing while you're standing here?"
"You're driving me away already? Are you still holding onto the grievances from our younger days?
Fang Sheng laughed. "You became a Martial Marquis five years earlier than I did. My status within the Fang Clan now can't compare to yours anymore."
Fang Yue waved dismissively with a smile. "What's the point of bringing that up now? If the clan leader hadn't pitied me back then, I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. You've always had it good. Born into the great Huofeng Branch. How could a poor child like me ever compare?"
Fang Yue grew serious. "Enough of this meaningless chatter. Say what you came to say, or leave."
Fang Sheng's expression gradually turned solemn. "I do have something to say, actually."
"Then speak."
Fang Sheng pondered for a moment before speaking. "You also know that over half a year ago, my son was almost arranged to cultivate under Fang Chen. It was only because you personally came to inform our family that my old master managed to rush over and reason with the clan leader in time."
"That matter happened long ago. Why bring it up again? Isn't your son practicing just fine under me now?" Fang Yue replied.
"But recently, this matter has already attracted quite a bit of gossip. Haven't you heard?" Fang Sheng smiled. "The six poor children arranged under Fang Chen don't practice martial arts at all. Instead, they sit there meditating like monks and Daoists. He lives in your residence. Don't tell me you're unaware?
"They may be children from poor families, but one still shouldn't ruin their futures, right? The clan leader originally even wanted to arrange for my son to cultivate under him. Looking at things now, that decision was probably motivated by personal interests as well. If my son had truly entered his tutelage, wouldn't he have wasted more than half a year?"
"For a child of his age, half a year could very well influence the martial path of the next several decades."
After speaking, Fang Sheng looked at Fang Yue with utmost sincerity.
"The clan leader is no longer the man we knew. He's old, obsessed with internal struggles, and incapable of leading the Hechuan Fang Clan toward glory again. I know your ambitions are not limited to merely becoming a Martial Marquis. You also wish for the Fang Clan to produce another divine ability user and return to greatness, don't you?"
"What exactly are you trying to say?" Fang Yue narrowed his eyes. "If these words slandering the clan leader reach his ears, you should know what kind of consequences await you."
Fang Sheng cupped his fist and spoke earnestly. "I simply wish to give the Fang Clan an opportunity. If you're willing to support me, then during the ancestral rites, we can join hands and force the clan leader to step down, allowing a capable individual to take his place and lead the Fang Clan back to glory!"
Fang Yue shook his head with a smile. "So after all this, you came here to persuade me to rebel."
Did the clan leader enjoy internal struggles? Yes, he did. Without internal struggle, he would never have earned his seat. But did he wish to watch the Fang Clan weaken day by day? Naturally not. That's why he was working hard to strengthen the clan's foundation.
"Otherwise, why would such a massive Hechuan Fang Clan possess only one Martial King, the clan leader himself? Fang Sheng, internal conflict is fine, but your struggles must have purpose, order, and benefit. If you only think about your own immediate interests without considering the overall interests of the Fang Clan, then you deserve to be killed!"
The moment the word "killed" left his mouth, Fang Sheng immediately felt enveloped by a chilling killing intent. He stared at Fang Yue for a long moment before smiling faintly. "I understand your intentions now. Then I'll take my leave first. I only hope you won't regret this in the future."
With that, he cupped his fist and turned to leave.
Fang Yue watched his retreating figure, a trace of cold mockery flashing through his eyes. Noticing that some nearby youths seemed to be eavesdropping, he immediately barked, "Focus on your technique! Everything else has nothing to do with you!"
"Yes!"
The youths jumped in fright and hurriedly resumed practicing. Yet inwardly, they could not help but feel a trace of schadenfreude toward those six poor children.
Fang Yue thought silently to himself. I've personally witnessed Fang Chen's abilities. He would never do something so meaningless. If he's teaching them meditation, there must be deeper intentions behind it.
If he hadn't known how strong Fang Chen really was, then even if Fang Sheng failed to persuade him today, he would still have doubted Fang Longshan's motives.
***
At the bamboo tower courtyard, five thin figures sat cross-legged before Fang Chen.
Their breathing was calm and orderly, deep and measured. Fang Chen could see the spiritual energy of heaven and earth attempting to enter their bodies, but because of the nine bones, the process became extraordinarily difficult. Those nine transverse bones resembled nine heavenly gates, isolating everything from the outside world.
Fang Chen pondered thoughtfully. So because of the existence of these nine bones, the cultivation methods of the Nine Mortal Realms truly have no effect on them?
He wanted to determine whether the cultivation methods of the Nine Mortal Realms were still viable. If they were, then without activating the nine bones, one could still manipulate spiritual energy and become a divine ability user. However, such divine ability users would certainly differ greatly from those described by Fang Longshan. They would probably be weaker. But what if spiritual energy were used in place of qi and blood to activate the divine resonance in those bones? Would the resulting divine ability users become stronger than those who used qi and blood, or weaker?
Fang Chen could not yet determine the answer. It still required verification.
"If I possessed these nine bones myself, I could test it personally. That would make things much easier," Fang Chen murmured to himself.
At that moment, Fang Dan's voice came from outside the courtyard. The five children immediately awakened from their meditation.
"Continue cultivating," instructed Fang Chen.
After saying that, he walked out of the bamboo tower and opened the courtyard gate. Outside stood Fang Dan together with a middle-aged couple, both smiling awkwardly at him.
"You must be Mr. Fang, right? We're Fang Ling's parents. We came today to withdraw her from your tutelage. We humbly ask Mr. Fang to show mercy and allow Fang Ling to return to practicing the Blazing Fist."
The couple immediately cupped their fists and bowed repeatedly. Their words were sincere, their tone filled with pleading.