3 Chapter 2: The Righteous Path and the Demonic Dao

"By the way, before you were reborn, how did I perform on the night our family was exterminated?"

Fang Wang's question pulled Zhou Xue back to reality.

With his peerless martial arts, he should have been overwhelmed by the sheer number of enemies, worn down until his death, right?

As Fang Wang was thinking, he heard Zhou Xue say, "I have no impression of you. You must have died on the night of the extermination. After that, only a handful of people from the Fang Residence survived, and you were not among them."

I, the Thirteenth Young Master of the esteemed Fang Family, left no impression?

Fang Wang felt insulted, but what Zhou Xue said next made him feel like he had been sentenced to death. The thought of all the people he cared about dying made his heart tense up.

"Let's discuss this extermination you're talking about, and see how we can deal with it," Fang Wang said seriously.

To destroy the Fang Residence, the attack must either come from a large army besieging the city or from martial arts sects infiltrating the residence, and it would involve a significant number of powerful experts. After all, many of the house servants in the Fang Residence were retired masters from the martial world.

Zhou Xue gathered her hair by her ears, took a deep breath, and said, "Seven nights from now, the Fang Residence will face a calamity that could annihilate us. The enemies will all be martial artists, including six from the Imperial City who are top experts of the Grand Qi Dynasty's martial world. Additionally, there is a cultivator among them, and most of the Fang Residence's people will die at his hands. He possesses a strange treasure that can absorb the souls of the deceased."

A cultivator!

No wonder he died!

Fang Wang's heart sank. Through his practice of the Sword Control Technique, he had come to understand the gap between warriors and cultivators. Even though he had entered the realm of legends in martial arts, the pressure was immense when facing an unknown cultivator.

"How great is the disparity between that cultivator and ordinary martial artists?" Fang Wang asked, fixing his gaze on Zhou Xue.

Zhou Xue sighed and said, "He is but a lower-rung cultivator in the Cultivation World, yet in our martial world, he could be unmatched by anyone. Even a hundred of the top experts from the martial world combined would not stand a chance against him."

"Then, if one has mastered the Sword Control Technique, is it possible to kill him?" Fang Wang probed further.

Zhou Xue looked at him oddly and said, "It depends on the level of mastery. All cultivators are capable of Sword Control Technique, but a low-level cultivator like him can only just manage it. Don't even think about it. In seven days, you won't be able to master the Sword Control Technique, let alone refine it to the level needed to kill a cultivator."

Hearing this, Fang Wang roughly understood the situation. He had never faced a cultivator before, so he couldn't be careless.

"In these seven days, I can't regain any Cultivation method, at most I could concoct some poison. You're the son of my fifth uncle, and you have a closer relationship with the head of the residence. Try to persuade him yourself; even if we can't convince the Fang Residence to flee Southern Hills City, it's still good to be prepared in advance," Zhou Xue said seriously.

After cooling down, she realized that she had been too rash before. She had been focused solely on saving the Fang Residence, forgetting its status and her own identity. As part of the Duke's Mansion, the Fang Residence would not possibly flee Southern Hills City. Furthermore, fleeing would be even more dangerous. Without the protection of commoners, the Fang Residence would be in an even more perilous situation.

Fang Wang nodded and then reminded, "The matter of rebirth is too absurd. Don't ever mention it again, not even when you are alone. It would be even more dangerous if the cultivators heard of it."

If Fang Wang were reborn, he would keep the matter of rebirth buried deep within his heart, just as he kept the secret of his own transmigration.

Zhou Xue slowly nodded, her gaze towards Fang Wang changing.

Fang Wang was startled by her gaze. She couldn't possibly be thinking of silencing him, could she?

The two talked for a while longer, settled on a rough story and action plan, and then Zhou Xue urged, "Fang Wang, you should go quickly and make preparations. I have to get started too."

Fang Wang had initially wanted to ask for Cultivation techniques, but seeing the increasingly peculiar look in her eyes, he had no choice but to nod, stand up, and leave through the window.

Zhou Xue stared at the shoe print on the window ledge, sitting on the stool for quite some time.

...

At nightfall, the lights in the Fang Residence were bright.

"What? Someone wants to slaughter the entire Fang Family?"

Fang Yin, a man of scholarly and refined temperament, put down his eating utensils and asked in fury that could not be contained. Fang Wang's mother, Lady Jiang, was so frightened that she turned pale, and there were no house servants in the hall—they had been sent away by Fang Wang before the discussion.

Fang Wang frowned and said, "Last month, I heard some wandering heroes mention this. I thought it was nonsensical, but today, after asking Zhou Xue, it was confirmed. A mysterious expert sneaked into the residence to tell her quietly. She was so agitated that she started making inquiries everywhere."

Fang Yin snorted and said, "Why would that expert seek her out and not me or any of your four uncles?"

Fang Wang shook his head and replied, "How would I know? But father, think about it. I've heard that Zhou Xue also received this information. It is better to believe it and be cautious. The Fang Residence cannot afford the consequences of a mistake."

Upon hearing this, Fang Yin's face darkened. After pondering for a few moments, he slammed the table and stood up, leaving with these words: "I'm going to see your grandfather!"

Lady Jiang sighed and while she served more food to Fang Wang, she advised, "Wang'er, you should avoid dealing with these martial artists in the future. It's too dangerous."

"I know, mother. I won't do it anymore," Fang Wang answered with a smile.

Once this crisis was over, he would pursue the Path of Immortality. As for the damn martial world, he would no longer venture there; if he were to breakthrough, it would be in the Cultivation World!

After dinner, Fang Wang waited in the hall. It took a full hour before Fang Yin returned, his expression very grave.

Facing his smart and sensible son, whom he had known since childhood, he did not hide anything.

"Your grandfather believes it and is preparing to take strict precautions. You don't need to worry about these things. With us here, nothing will happen to the Fang Residence."

Hearing these words, Fang Wang finally felt at ease and then took his leave.

That night, Fang Wang had a rare dream. He dreamed of soaring the heavens and earth with his sword, becoming a carefree True Immortal in the mortal realm, feeling wonderfully exhilarated!

Early the next morning, Fang Wang got up, washed, and instructed his most trusted servant Li Jiu, "Within six days, I want the sharpest sword, no matter the cost!"

Fang Meng had accompanied the late emperor in expeditions and wars, earning illustrious military achievements, and although his military power was diminished after the establishment of the dynasty, he exchanged it for a vast fortune. Consequently, third-generation descendants like Fang Wang were likewise wealthy. Fang Yin would give him as much gold, silver, and jewels as he wanted for this only son of his.

"Certainly, I will satisfy the young master!"

Li Jiu, who was only two years older than Fang Wang, left happily with a skip in his step.

Taking advantage of the empty courtyard, Fang Wang began trying out the Sword Control Technique. Using a tree branch as a sword, even though he had already mastered the technique to Great Perfection, he had not yet engaged in real combat.

In the martial arts world, it was nearly impossible for fighters to control swords with True Qi, much less to fly with them, but fortunately, his Sword Control Technique had reached Great Perfection. Under complete mastery, he was able to control the sword for combat using True Qi.

The faster the speed, the greater the consumption!

After trying for more than half an hour, he realized he only had one chance to strike with his sword. He must find the opportunity to kill that Cultivator with a single blow.

After midday, Fang Wang went to visit Zhou Xue, hoping to find some techniques of Immortal Law that didn't rely too much on Spiritual Power. With only six days' time, even if he mastered a Cultivation Technique, it wouldn't be enough to accumulate the Spiritual Power of a Cultivator. It would be better to have more techniques to kill the enemy.

However, Zhou Xue had already been released from confinement. Fang Wang made a wasted trip and had no choice but to give up.

Perhaps she had other schemes in mind, even her parents did not know where she had gone.

During these days, the number of house servants at the Fang Residence was increasing. Fang Wang's eldest uncle was even recruiting passing martial artists in the city, and Fang Family Disciples who trained in martial arts outside were being summoned back, mostly disciples from sects close to Yang Hu County.

The most noteworthy among them was Fang Zhe's third son, Fang Hanyu.

This ninth son of the Fang Family had a good relationship with Fang Wang when he was young, being only two years apart in age. However, when Fang Wang was seven, Fang Hanyu was sent to the largest martial arts sect in Yang Hu County to train. He would send letters back home every year, and last year Fang Yin even said that he had reached the level of a top martial artist, a genuine martial arts prodigy.

Having not seen him for many years, Fang Wang remembered his little cousin who used to cling to him when they were kids and felt a bit nostalgic, but now was not the time for reminiscing.

The sixth day, afternoon.

Zhou Xue came looking for Fang Wang, who took her into the house and closed the room door.

Today, Zhou Xue was dressed in a figure-hugging red outfit, looking dashing and spirited. She took off her usual crown and hairpin, tying her hair at the back of her head with a red ribbon, revealing her delicate and beautiful face.

She actually looked quite attractive.

Fang Wang thought as much and then sat down with Zhou Xue.

Zhou Xue took out a sachet from her chest and said, "This is the Fragrant Soft Bone Powder I crafted. You just need to sprinkle it on your enemy. As long as the opponent inhales the poison powder, they will fall to the ground within three breaths. However, this powder only works on martial artists and is useless against that Cultivator. If you encounter him, you must run."

Zhou Xue felt affectionate toward this first clan member who trusted her. She did not want him to act rashly and die the next night.

Fang Wang took the sachet and couldn't help but ask, "Does the Cultivation World differentiate between the righteous and the Demonic Dao?"

Zhou Xue glanced at him and hummed softly, "Of course, it's divided. You're right, I am indeed a Cultivator of the Demonic Dao. The number of people and demons that have died by my hands is countless. Are you scared?"

Fang Wang earnestly replied, "I often hear the heroes in the city say that one can't control their own fate in the jianghu, and that Immortal Cultivation is beyond the mundane and certainly more dangerous. You were reborn and still care for the Fang Family. Just for that, I am not afraid of you. You are forever part of the Fang Family, my clansperson."

This...

A Cultivator of the Demonic Dao!

Fang Wang felt somewhat uneasy. After his reminder, he might be the only one in the future to know of Zhou Xue's rebirth identity. Could this bring trouble?

Zhou Xue saw his earnestness and smiled, only then beginning to size up Fang Wang. She found that the lad was quite handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes, full of spirit. It made sense, after all, his father Fang Yin was known as a handsome man in Southern Hills City.

After a moment of serious contemplation, Zhou Xue said, "Your martial skills are not bad, but they can only deal with warriors. Leave that Cultivator to me. You must not try to outdo yourself."

She was fond of Fang Wang but also knew the temperament of a young genius. As Fang Wang had mastered advanced martial skills at such a young age, he might impulsively challenge the Cultivator.

Fang Wang thought for a moment and slowly nodded. After all, she was a reborn person and surely had her methods.

He had finally heard about the ways of Cultivation, and he didn't want to die before embarking on Cultivation.

The two talked for a long time, with Zhou Xue basically doing the planning and Fang Wang listening. Zhou Xue needed Fang Wang's help to convey some of her ideas since, being an adopted daughter, she had no voice in the Fang Residence. Meanwhile, Fang Wang tried to seek the methods of Cultivation, but she firmly refused him, stating that the Fang Family faced life-and-death struggles and should not think about such meaningless matters.

After Zhou Xue left, Fang Wang went to see his father and relayed some of her suggestions. Fang Yin appreciated Fang Wang's suggestions and immediately set out to find his grandfather, Fang Meng.

That night, many in the Fang Residence found it hard to sleep.

Anyone who heard that their family faced extinction would be alarmed.

Fang Wang was no exception. He practiced within his room, gathering True Qi to build his confidence.