Demon Sword Sect's Undercover-Chapter 768 - 767 Initial Clues about the Whereabouts

This is a rather small courtyard, also one of the many properties owned by the Sikong Mansion, provided for cultivators serving in the Sikong Mansion without their own private residences.

In the living room, a sumptuous feast had already been prepared, just waiting for him, the master, to arrive.

A beautiful woman stood by the door, looking gently at Fang Yazi as he returned, her face full of smiles.

Fang Yazi had a Daoist couple, the very beautiful Yan Zhu from Jade Capital, of the God Sensing Realm, born into a small Cultivation Family in Jade Capital, naturally beautiful and well-endowed.

Yu Zhengxing had once said he’d find a Daoist couple for him who could help with his Cultivation, but to be honest, Yu Zhengxing’s resources in this area were limited, and he was not often in Jade Capital. How many suitable female cultivators could he know?

But somehow the word got out. Thus, friends helped out, and after Fang Yazi returned to Jade Capital, through some convoluted meetings, he encountered Miss Yan Zhu. Of course, whether she was still a Miss was anyone’s guess, since the Cultivation World doesn’t pay much attention to such things. In any case, it’s true that she was single and without a Daoist couple.

After several encounters, both sides seemed to see eye to eye, especially Fairy Yan Zhu, who was very optimistic about Fang Yazi’s future, appearing even more proactive. Thus, their relationship naturally progressed, becoming a pleasant tale.

"Why go through such trouble, it’s just a title of True Inheritor," Fang Yazi wasn’t particular about this, but he wouldn’t cold-shoulder a woman’s heart either. After decades in the way, even someone green would be worn smooth by worldly ways.

"Among the thousands of Shan Sect’s Tongtian disciples, only three can be confident of attaining the title of True Inheritor. You are so humble, sir, that it might make others think you are arrogant."

Yan Zhu elegantly poured wine, and the two sat down in respect, "With your great victory this time, what does the Sima Mansion say?"

Fang Yazi chuckled, "Such impatience. Are you afraid that the position of the True Inheritor will run away? We still have to wait until after the annual conference to announce it alongside the other six True Inheritor positions. A delay of two or three months can’t be that bad, right?"

Yan Zhu’s smile blossomed, "Wouldn’t it be more comforting to announce it earlier? Fang Lang, could you accompany me home tomorrow? Some relatives have come to my house..."

Fang Yazi shook his head and sighed, though he couldn’t refuse. Even as a cultivator, one still harbors the desire to bring honor to the family. The woman had become his Daoist couple despite disapproval within her family. With an ordinary background, no prestige, not particularly articulate, and without obvious potential, he was also closely associated with a troublemaker expelled from the Sect.

The woman had faced great pressure becoming his Daoist couple. Now was the time to relieve that pressure; being one of the three victorious True Disciples meant what? For a small family, that represented unprecedented glory.

Just thinking of the flattering faces he’d face when he returned made him feel uncomfortable, but he did not decline the offer. Over the years, the woman had supported him generously with her own savings.

Cultivation cannot be separated from the accumulation of resources, more or less; even a brother who seemed indifferent had a merchant Daoist couple. How much more so for an ordinary cultivator like him.

"It’s just a title, without real power or position. Some people take it too seriously."

Yan Zhu replied with a coy and charming laugh, "Fang Lang speaks so lightly of it. If you don’t value it, then why do so many risk their lives to fight for it? I’ve heard that in recent years, in the competition, no fewer than a hundred have accidentally lost their lives or ruined their prospects, not to mention countless injured. If everyone were as indifferent as you, then why the competition? They are all vying to be the phenomenal frontrunner, nothing more."

Fang Yazi chuckled, "There are nearly a thousand True Disciples in the Jinxiu Continent, and dozens of constellations. I’m just one who is nothing out of the ordinary... They think too much."

Yan Zhu’s eyes shone brightly, "You mean to say, even if there were only one, it would still be..."

Fang Yazi smiled faintly, "Others clamor for that one and only spot, doomed to disappointment in the end; I don’t covet it, I just follow the trend. From an ordinary cultivator, I can become a True Disciple of a sect, and that’s not bad at all.

"One must know oneself, not seek a destiny bestowed by the heavens but to follow it; and even in doing so, the future is not necessarily bleak."

Yan Zhu sighed with admiration, "What you’ve said, Fang, is better than ten years of reading... But after our senior brother was expelled, there’s been no news; can we still catch up with him after ten years?"

Fang Yazi frowned, "We’ll definitely catch up. No news is the best news."

Yan Zhu thought for a moment, "I also wonder where our senior brother is now. My Yan Family has a distant relative living at Zoumashan, an area of Limhai at the border of Bayi and Xinye which is outside anybody’s jurisdiction. Beneath the land, there are countless banyan caves intertwined extensively; the branches and paths likely span thousands of miles. It’s effortless to hide there, beyond the reach of divine sense..."

Fang Yazi waved his hand, "There are countless hidden places on the Jinxiu Continent. Even if he goes to Lizhi Sea’s old nests, among the thousands and tens of thousands of islands, where could we start looking? With the Continent’s vastness, as long as one is careful, isn’t everywhere a place one could hide?

"I understand your concern. I’ll visit your Yan family’s relatives myself, but we mustn’t drag our senior brother into this under the Yan name; they wouldn’t be able to cover for us."

Yan Zhu smirked, "How could I bother our senior brother with such a thing? To have the opportunity to meet such a heroic person and offer a table of food and drink would be more than enough for me."

Fang Yazi smiled and said nothing more. How could the women of their families understand the relationship between him and his brethren?

It was not just about life and death, but went beyond that.

As the couple was reflecting, an obtrusive voice came from outside the courtyard—Wang Mian’s booming voice, "Hey Fang, have you forgotten your brothers since you got a wife?"

"He’s like an unshakable ghost, with all these... things." Fang Yazi felt somewhat helpless.

Yan Zhu didn’t mind though. Apart from occasionally being a bit snobbish, she was actually very attentive and cordial to Fang Yazi’s friends.

"You chat; I’ll go add a few more dishes to the feast..."

The friends gathered in a circle, congratulating each other; they didn’t see each other often as they each had their own tasks. Wang Mian, when not on missions, was grinding away at his cultivation, preparing for the annual conference; Zong Qian was constantly on the move, busy year-round, and as of late, the petty affairs at Sikong Mansion were numerous, keeping each one involved in criminal investigations tired and on their feet.

Hai Xixi was always mysterious, busy with who knows what, it seemed she was involved in everything but cultivation? Rao Zongzhi still carried the air of a carefree young master, traveling everywhere lightly. If it weren’t for the upcoming annual conference, it would have been unlikely for them to gather together.

After three rounds of drinks and five flavors of food, the conversation inevitably turned towards their most concerning matters.

Zong Qian spoke coldly, "In the last ten years, Sikong Mansion has launched many searches aimed at our senior brother. The scope has now spread to most of the Jinxiu Continent, mainly involving those underground forces of cultivators, with a complex backdrop of instigators including the Daoist Sect, and that individual in the city..."

Rao Zongzhi scratched his head, "This situation is tough to handle; it’s unreasonable to involve the Shan Sect, and there’s no way to stop them through proper channels."

Fang Yazi chuckled, "So what? Hasn’t it been ten years without any result? From Lihai, I’ve also heard that many dubious characters are searching overseas for the bounty. Although they never speak openly, who doesn’t know their true intentions?

"Don’t worry. You’re only seeing the dangers but are overlooking the positive aspects. On the Jinxiu Continent, those who admire our senior brother’s deeds and hold him in high regard are numerous. Why fear an imaginary snake from a cup’s reflection?"