28 5th Gate (2/2)
Fang Yuan shook his head in disdain.
Those with martial arts manuals in their possession, and yet did not dare to make use of them for practice, were the most foolish people in the world.
To be fair, Zhou Tong was the patriarch of the noble Zhou Family, and the family rose or fell together with him. He could not afford to compromise himself in any way.
But the price he had to pay was meekness in the face of more skilled opponents, who had no qualms about taking advantage of him.
”However, according to the masters from the books, and based on my own observations, these 3 Perilous Gates might be intimidating, but as long as the martial artist has an abundance of Spirit, Essence, and Magic, he'll be able to cope well!”
Because of this, Fang Yuan had every confidence in the spiritual fertilizer.
He had to stock up on tea and rice in order to push these three stats into new highs so that he could smash through the 3 Perilous Gates at one go.
”Alright, let's set off today!”
Fan Yuan lifted a bamboo basket onto his back and called out to the Flower Fox Ferret before heading out of the Valley.
When he arrived at the campsite of the Zhou Family, it was apparent that Zhou Weixin had disappeared.
'A servant of the Zhou Family came by with news that Song Zhong had not become totally mad the other day, which set Old Zhou's heart at ease. Furthermore, Miss Zhou finally went home grudgingly after her torturous experience.This is just as well. There is less trouble for me!'
Fang Yuan was dressed in green robes. He let out a sigh of relief.
After all, Song Zhong and Old Zhou were from the same Sect. Song Zhong had lost much and took revenge on his old enemies with a dogged determination. It was worthy to note that he held back from attacking Old Zhou.
He was but an elder of the Spirit Returning Sect and was not invincible.
”The marks that I left behind were definitely insignificant. As long as I do not reveal my skill, especially the Black Sand Palm, who would suspect me…?”
Fang Yuan was extremely self-assured.
The safer the Zhou Family was, the safer he was.
As long as time dragged on, and he kept improving, none of this would matter anymore.
”Ferret, it's your time to shine!”
Fang Yuan patted the ferret's head. Both of them then sped into the forest and disappeared.
_________
Qingye City.
”Useless piece of trash!”
Song Zhong let out a roar. Song San immediately spat out blood and was thrown back several metres onto the ground.
”I wanted information on all the Black Sand Palm experts in the county. I gave you so much time, and yet you turned up with so little…”
Song Zhong began to walk forward slowly as he glanced at the bloodied Song San, his features regaining composure.
”Spare me, Master!”
Song San kowtowed repeatedly.
”The Black Sand Palm is widely practised with so many variations. Song San feels that…”
”Pow!”
Song San's speech had been cut short by a kick to his chest.
”Are you saying that Yujie made a mistake? That he had poor eyesight?”
”Song San did not mean that!”
Song San clutched his chest in pain. He did not dare to even make a sound.
”...Yujie naturally would not be in the wrong. It must be the servants who made mistakes in their anxiousness to leave. Maybe they heard wrong. Or perhaps...please give me more time Master!”
”Hmph, get lost!”
Following Song Zhong's bellow, Song San ran out of the hall wretchedly, his eyes dripping with malice the moment he was out of sight.
”Master!”
After Song San left, a female disciple walked in and greeted Song Zhong with a bow.
”I have followed your instructions and made preparations. Zhou Tong has lowered his guard and has summoned his former disciples…”
”Excellent!”
Song Zhong calmed down slightly after receiving the news, except that his enraged expression gave way to a sly one.
”Let's wait for his precious son to return, and we can deal with them all in one go!”
”But Master, the Zhou Family is one of our own. Additionally, it can be confirmed that during the period where Yujie left us, Zhou Tong was recuperating after being severely poisoned. He had nothing to do with Yujie's death…”
The female disciple looked at Song Zhong with uncertainty.
”...So?”
Song Zhong squinted at her.
”You think I have no idea? We played a part in his poisoning. And Zhou Tong has been in contact with the elders in his territory, telling them that I have been a tyrant….We have to kill this sheep in a display of power to show the rest that I'm not to be trifled with!”
The female disciple listened in silence and spoke after a long while.
”This is ruinous for the Sect.”
”Hehe…”
Song Zhong cackled.
”I'll have nothing to do with the downfall of the Zhou Family. It would be the doing of roaming gangsters. As long as we do not leave behind any evidence, who would dare to take an Elder to task?”
”You are mad!”
The female disciple shivered. She could see that her master was becoming more extreme following the death of his beloved son.
”Yujie…”
Song Zhong became oblivious to his surroundings and muttered under his breath.
”All the people that you've ever disliked will not escape. And all those that you were fond of, Papa will deliver to you…”
As the sun began to set, shadows danced on Song Zhong's face like demons around a fire.
[1] The 'Magic' in Fang Yuan's stats window is an indicator of how much magical energy he has.