lpffa Chapter 166 - 143: Preparing for Battle
Chapter 166 - 143: Preparing for Battle
More than ten days later, following the notices Fang Qingyuan posted and with hundreds, even thousands, of Spirit Stones spent, a steady stream of information regarding the Wen Brothers poured in.
Fang Qingyuan learned of the Wen Brothers’ battle records over the years, their cultivation techniques, their magical artifacts, and even their hidden trump cards. The power of Spirit Stones was truly extraordinary; Fang Qingyuan probably understood the three brothers better than they understood themselves.
There were some things the Wen Brothers had already forgotten, but their enemies remembered everything, the grudges seared into their hearts.
Inside Yuanling Square Marketplace, Fang Qingyuan sat in the seat of honor while a large group of Cultivators stood below. She Xi Yu began making introductions.
"This is Fellow Daoist Nan. His son died at the hands of the Wen Brothers. When he heard you were mounting an attack against them, he made a special trip all the way from White Mountain, hoping to lend his strength."
As She Xi Yu spoke, Fang Qingyuan’s gaze fell upon the man, sizing up this Fellow Daoist Nan. He appeared to be no older than sixty and was a Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator. As soon as the man noticed Fang Qingyuan looking, he immediately bowed.
"I have a blood feud with the Wen Brothers—they murdered my son. But my own strength was insufficient, so I could only swallow my anger and wait. Now that Master Fang is leading the charge against them, I must offer what strength I have. I hope Master Fang will not turn me away due to my age."
Seeing the man give him such a deep bow, Fang Qingyuan quickly stepped down from his seat and went to his side, reaching out to help him up. He then offered some reassuring words.
"Fellow Daoist Nan, I understand your sincere intentions. The Wen Brothers have committed countless evils, and everyone is welcome to join in bringing them to justice. With you joining us, our chances of success are sure to increase greatly."
After introducing Fellow Daoist Nan, She Xi Yu presented a beautiful young woman whose husband had also been killed by the Wen Brothers; she was here to avenge him.
After that, She Xi Yu introduced the Cultivators in the hall one by one. As Fang Qingyuan met them, he realized the Wen Brothers had truly committed a staggering number of evil acts. They had made so many enemies it was hard to keep count.
It was to be expected. The Wen Brothers were Tribulation Cultivators who made their living by robbing and murdering people. Every crime they committed left a trail of victims nursing a grudge. Those without the power to retaliate were one thing, but the capable ones now saw an opportunity and instinctively flocked to Fang Qingyuan, a Core Disciple from a major sect.
In the meeting hall now were three Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators who held a grudge against the Wen Brothers, along with seven or eight Mid-stage Qi Refining cultivators. As for the Early-stage Qi Refining cultivators, Fang Qingyuan didn’t even bother to count them.
Furthermore, in the Marketplace outside, several Late-stage Qi Refining experts whom Fang Qingyuan had hired at great expense were staying in the local inns. At a word from him, they would be ready to charge into battle.
After the meeting, he arranged for all the Cultivators to be housed in the Marketplace’s inns. He already knew the Wen Brothers’ hiding place; he was only holding back from launching the attack because he was waiting for news from Celestial Gate Mountain.
「Two days later.」 A Late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator came to see Fang Qingyuan, who received him with great warmth.
"Senior Brother Zhao, what did Uncle Zhao say?"
The visitor was indeed Zhao Xiangchen, a disciple of Zhao Liangde. He was a member of Zhao Liangde’s own clan and held his deep trust. He had come on Zhao Liangde’s secret orders to deliver a message to Fang Qingyuan.
Zhao Xiangchen didn’t dare to put on airs in response to Fang Qingyuan’s warmth. Fang Qingyuan was no longer that penniless Beast Taming Outer Disciple who once scraped by operating a ferry. He now owned a Spirit Mountain and a Marketplace. Even Foundation Establishment Cultivators relied on him for their livelihood. His wealth and influence were far beyond anything Zhao Xiangchen could hope to match.
Within the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect, few disciples had managed to carve out such a domain for themselves as Fang Qingyuan had. To outsiders, it even seemed that Fang Qingyuan, a Core Disciple, was living a more illustrious life than Shen Wenyan, who was a Foundation Establishment Uncle.
And so, Zhao Xiangchen replied politely,
"My master has already investigated on your behalf. He used a number of the Beast Taming Sect’s connections and finally learned that there is indeed someone pulling the strings behind the Wen Brothers. It’s the two Foundation Establishment Clans from Jiuye Square. Their Marketplace’s business has been hit the hardest by your Yuanling Square, so they colluded with the Wen Brothers—who couldn’t make it in White Mountain—to set a trap for you. They want to crush Yuanling Square Marketplace’s upward momentum."
Hearing this, Fang Qingyuan cursed inwardly. ’So if you can’t compete in business, you resort to underhanded schemes? Absolutely shameless.’
’But you started this, and I’ll be the one to finish it. You dare to steal my goods and kill my men? Then I’ll tear you out, root and stem.’
A vicious glint appeared in Fang Qingyuan’s eyes as he asked,
"Then what does Uncle Zhao suggest?"
Seeing Fang Qingyuan’s murderous expression, Zhao Xiangchen replied in a placating tone,
"Before I left, my master had already asked Grandmaster Le to visit the Nanchu Sect and speak with Old Ancestor Chu Duo about this. Old Ancestor Chu Duo’s message is this: if you’re willing to trade a ten percent share of Yuanling Square Marketplace for the lives of those two Foundation Establishment Clans, he will not interfere. If you’re unwilling, then you may only kill the Wen Brothers. You cannot touch anyone else."
’That son of a bitch Chu Duo! He opens his mouth and demands a ten percent share. Jiuye Square attacked first, and now I’m not allowed to retaliate? How unreasonable! How shameless! He really lives up to the ’Duo’ in his name—he’ll snatch any money he can get his hands on.’
After he finished cursing inwardly, Fang Qingyuan realized he had no better option than to agree. The reputation of the Southern Border Beast Taming Sect didn’t carry much weight with the Nanchu Sect.
And Lechuan wasn’t about to lock horns with the Nanchu Sect over this. In truth, Fang Qingyuan had to eliminate those two Foundation Establishment Clans. It was a matter of pride; he couldn’t just swallow this insult.
Otherwise, even if he only took care of the Wen Brothers, who were merely the face of the operation, the people at Jiuye Square would just see him as a soft target. Next time, they would find the Li Family’s Three Brothers or the Wang Family, and so on. If that happened, this whole grand display Fang Qingyuan was making would become a laughingstock.
Therefore, those two Foundation Establishment Clans had to die. This was about Yuanling Mountain’s honor. Only by daring to fight, daring to wage war, and daring to risk your life would others give you a wide berth.
With that thought, Fang Qingyuan came to a decision. ’It’s just a ten percent share. If Chu Duo wants it, then I’ll give it to him. Didn’t I specifically set aside a fifty percent stake in Yuanling Mountain to handle situations just like this? Why am I getting reluctant now that the time has come?’
Having come to this realization, Fang Qingyuan said to Zhao Xiangchen,
"So, Old Ancestor Chu Duo wants to trade the lives of those two Foundation Establishment Clans for a share. After I hand over that share, what exactly does Old Ancestor Chu Duo plan to do? Is he going to personally deliver the heads of the two clans’ Foundation Establishment Cultivators to me?"
Zhao Xiangchen looked surprised.
"Old Ancestor Chu Duo simply meant that he consents. You still have to handle the matter yourself. He’s just agreeing to look the other way."
Fang Qingyuan gained a new appreciation for Chu Duo’s character. He said bluntly,
"Fine, so be it. I agree. I’ll have to trouble you to relay my message, Senior Brother. It’s getting late; please rest here for the night before returning to Celestial Gate Mountain."
Zhao Xiangchen waved his hands in refusal. "My master is waiting for my report. This matter is of great importance and can’t be delayed. On that note, Junior Brother, is there anything else you’d like me to relay to him?"
After a few moments of thought, Fang Qingyuan took out a storage bag containing five hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones, pressed it into Zhao Xiangchen’s hand, and said,
"Since you’re in a hurry to leave, Senior Brother, I won’t insist. Please, take this. It’s a local specialty from Yuanling Mountain for you to try. Also, there is one more thing. I’d like to borrow something from Uncle Zhao. For this, I am willing to pay fifty thousand Spirit Stones."
Zhao Xiangchen took the storage bag, and before he could even look inside, he was stunned by the sheer scale of Fang Qingyuan’s offer. He had served at Zhao Liangde’s side for many years, and his own net worth didn’t amount to fifty thousand Low-grade Spirit Stones. Yet here was Fang Qingyuan, willing to casually offer such a sum. It was truly enviable.
Clutching the storage bag, Zhao Xiangchen asked with curiosity,
"What item could possibly be worth fifty thousand Spirit Stones just to borrow? I’ve been by my master’s side for years, and I had no idea he possessed such a treasure."
Fang Qingyuan gave a mysterious smile and revealed in a low voice,
"I just want to buy a little insurance. From what I know, Uncle Zhao’s Companion Beast has already reached the Golden Core realm, correct? Is fifty thousand Spirit Stones enough to ask for its support? If not, I can add more."
....
Zhao Xiangchen left. He departed with a token of Fang Qingyuan’s goodwill, his heart filled with shock and envy. He felt that if he listened to Fang Qingyuan any longer, his own mental state would become unstable.
Once Zhao Xiangchen was gone, Fang Qingyuan began to marshal his forces. He started gathering Battle Array Talismans and Five Elements Battle Beast Puppets, making his preparations for war.
These grand preparations made She Xi Yu’s heart tremble. He asked,
"Master Fang, aren’t we just going after the Wen Brothers? We don’t need this kind of force to deal with three Late-stage Qi Refining cultivators. This looks like you’re preparing for a major war... as if you’re about to annihilate several clans."
Fang Qingyuan didn’t hide the truth from She Xi Yu.
"You guessed right. I am indeed preparing for a major war. Not only will the Wen Brothers die, but the masterminds behind them will die as well. Yuanling Mountain is not a place that others can bully as they please. I won’t lie to you—this time, our opponents are expected to include three or four Foundation Establishment Cultivators and over a hundred Qi Refining Cultivators. If you want to back out, there’s still time."
Goaded by Fang Qingyuan’s challenge, She Xi Yu immediately retorted,
"My She Family has fought its way from the Southern Border to White Mountain, from Shandu to Celestial Attraction Mountain, and we’ve battled beasts in the Wilderness Forest! The She Family has never known fear. No matter who the enemy is, the She Family will follow you, Master Fang, and charge into the fray for you, through fire and water!"
Seeing She Xi Yu pledge his loyalty, Fang Qingyuan laughed. He believed about a third of the man’s words, but that was enough.
"Very well. Have your She Family gather thirty men to come with me. After this battle is won, there will be no shortage of rewards for you."
"Thirty men?"
"What, are you unwilling?"
The loyal expression on She Xi Yu’s face vanished, replaced by a look of distress.
"It’s not that I’m unwilling, but all of the She Family’s men are tied up maintaining security in Yuanling Square. If we pull thirty men, the Marketplace will be left wide open. It would be a disaster if criminals took the opportunity to strike and we repeated the tragedy of Black River Square."
Fang Qingyuan was fully prepared for this. He explained,
"You don’t need to worry about that. When the time comes, others will help us stand guard. All you need to consider now is whether or not you can muster thirty men."
....
「Ten days later.」 Before Yuanling Mountain, Fang Qingyuan gazed at the roughly two hundred Cultivators gathered before him, his heart swelling with heroic pride. He turned and mounted the back of Yinbao, who had slimmed down considerably. Meanwhile, Jinbao stood beside him, holding a thirty-foot-tall banner in both hands.
A fierce west wind whipped the banner, causing it to ripple and snap. But no matter how strong the gale, it could not obscure the bold characters written upon it:
"Beast Taming, Yuanling!"
Within the crowd, the square formation of thirty men from the She Family was the most conspicuous. She Xi Yu stood at their head, while behind him, She Xuanyan also held a large Pillar Banner emblazoned with a single character: "She!"
The Liao Family was also present. Liao Wenlamp, that withered old man, personally held a banner aloft that read: "Yuanling, Liao."
Besides the Liao Family, among the force of some two hundred, there were no fewer than ten other families holding banners. These were all vassals of the Beast Taming Sect, mobilized by Zhao Liangde. Meanwhile, back in Yuanling Square Marketplace, numerous disciples of the Beast Taming Sect were maintaining order.
To ensure this operation was foolproof, Fang Qingyuan had staked everything Yuanling Mountain had. Of the cultivators based on the mountain, only he and the Liao Family were going to war; he had left all the other members behind.
This army of Cultivators in their battle formations was the fruit of Fang Qingyuan’s years of painstaking effort. Anyone else would have been incapable of mustering such a force.
Seeing that the time had come, Fang Qingyuan signaled for Yinbao to soar high into the air. Then, he roared,
"Move out!"