Truly, it seems he came just to give gifts and didn’t want to stay even a day longer.

Everyone was shocked, increasingly unable to understand the Demon Alliance’s intentions.

After Qingxin left, Huo Fangru naturally burned it to ashes with her Spiritual Fire before Di Lianggong.

Di Lianggong was guilty of harboring, and Fang Chi personally destroyed his cultivation, broke his limbs, and mercilessly threw him into prison.

The council elder was abolished, without even the City Lord’s approval.

Fang Chi’s actions were indeed swift and decisive, making the others watch in terror and curbing their ulterior motives.

After dismissing the crowd, Fang Chi looked with a hint of blame: "Such a major incident happened, why do you always insist on bearing it alone!

If your brother hadn’t secretly written to me, I truly wouldn’t know how the greedy elders would have bullied you."

Fang Geyu sat back in his chair with his sword across his knees, lowering his head as if admiring the intricate patterns on the scabbard, unconcerned with the day’s events.

"It was merely to test the loyalty of these old relics, to see if they could truly take responsibility for Shifang City’s current crisis.

In future actions, I will surely leave them some leeway.

But currently, if they only know how to protect their interests, what’s the use of keeping them."

His light words were filled with an unfeeling killer intent.

Fang Chi looked at Fang Geyu with concern, "Ever since you inherited the Ten Directions Sword, you’ve been growing more and more like your mother."

Fang Geyu smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes, "Is Second Uncle referring to this heart that knows no joy, anger, sorrow, or hate?"

Fang Chi: "..."

Fang Geyu’s gaze was serene: "For me, this is not a bad thing."

Fang Chi’s eyes revealed a trace of sadness: "Even the puppets in Shifang City can possess feelings.

Little Yu, you are human, a living person. You could break free of this fate, live as an ordinary woman, like the man you love, and pursue the life you want, rather than forcibly turning yourself into..."

Fang Geyu looked up at him, smiling, "Turning into what? A monster?

Just now, didn’t Huo Fangru’s fate already show me that for those not allowed to have the seven emotions and six desires, force only leads to bearing their own bitter fruit?

I know my fate, which height I should stand at, what responsibilities to bear.

I am not like those incompetent rats; I won’t evade what I must bear."

Fang Chi was slightly annoyed: "Though your mother is gone, you are not an orphan.

You have a father, who is the true City Lord of Shifang City.

This Ten Directions Sword shouldn’t have been yours to inherit. How can it be you who avoids responsibility?"

"Father?" Fang Geyu said, stunned: "He treats me very well."

Fang Chi retorted indignantly: "What he owes your mother is not something a little kindness can repay!"

Fang Geyu replied: "Does Second Uncle think my father’s seclusion means he’s truly indifferent to outside affairs?

He seldom goes into seclusion, clearly knowing the thoughts and defiance the seven elders have held for years against me as the Deputy City Lord.

With my efforts to mobilize their resources and Spirit Stones on a large scale, they naturally wouldn’t comply easily, surely having many arguments.

But he never uttered a word, indicating, in some way, that my father and those seven elders share certain similar views.

He too doesn’t wish for the extinction of the Mechanical Puppet Technique in the Mortal World, even if the Mechanical Puppets are increasingly unstable, he can’t give them up.

Father’s indecisiveness isn’t new; this dilemma was left to me, so I certainly won’t make a nuisance of myself as I did in the past, arguing senselessly with him."

Fang Chi said uneasily: "I have a premonition that on the day of the Golden Immortal Auction, a great upheaval will definitely occur."

Fang Geyu knew what he was worried about: "Why worry, Second Uncle, though the Ten Directions Sword binds me, it also protects me.

With the Ten Directions Sword in hand, I am one with it in heart, body, and fate; even if the Emperor personally came, he couldn’t kill me."