Chapter 589 - 585: Mysterious Royal Family
Chapter 589: Chapter 585: Mysterious Royal Family
About half an hour later, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the corridor.
Qiu Lan pushed the door open and entered, stopping before Fang Han. She bowed and reported:
"Senior Brother, I’ve found out everything."
"Speak."
"To apply for an internal disciple slot, the applicant must be a True Inheritor or an Elder."
Qiu Lan paused, her tone steady.
"Additionally, it costs one hundred thousand Contribution Points."
’One hundred thousand Contribution Points...’
Fang Han’s heart stirred slightly. It wasn’t a small sum of Contribution Points, but to him, it was nothing of consequence.
He received 35,000 Contribution Points every month without doing a thing, and he had saved up quite a lot last year.
Although he had spent a fair amount at the end of the year, he still had plenty left over.
The next morning, the thin mist had not yet dispersed.
After breakfast, Fang Han took Fang Yingxue and left Courtyard Thirty-Five, following the stone path toward the Rooster Courtyard.
The Rooster Courtyard was located in the southwest of Qingxuan Mountain, not far from the Sub-Branch. A stone monument stood at its entrance, inscribed with the two ancient characters for "Rooster Courtyard."
When some servant disciples saw Fang Han, they were first startled, then they quickly bowed in greeting. One of them hurried inside to announce his arrival.
Before long, an old man dressed in a dark cyan Elder Robe emerged from the courtyard to greet them.
The old man was about sixty years old, with a thin frame and a stern, square-jawed face. He had a salt-and-pepper goatee and his eyes, though not large, were full of spirit.
A longsword hung at his waist, and his steps were light. He reached the courtyard gate in just a few strides.
"True Inheritor Fang, what an honor. This old man is Xu An. Please forgive me for not coming out to meet you sooner!"
The old man clasped his hands and smiled, his voice booming and his attitude exceptionally warm.
"You’re too kind, Elder Xu."
Fang Han returned the gesture.
Xu An stepped aside to lead the way, smiling.
"This way, please! This way!"
Fang Han and Fang Yingxue followed Xu An into the Rooster Courtyard, walking along a small stone path to an elegant reception hall.
The hall was simply furnished. A few landscape paintings and calligraphies hung on the walls, and a censer on the table burned with sandalwood, its wisp of blue smoke curling upward.
Xu An’s gaze swept quickly over Fang Yingxue. He already had a few guesses in his mind, but his expression revealed nothing, remaining as enthusiastic as ever.
In terms of strength, Fang Han, who had once killed Qi Zhen of the Late Stage of First Grade, was certainly superior to him, the Dean of the Rooster Courtyard.
In terms of status, although Fang Han was only a True Inheritor, as the first on the Celestial Pride List and the most talented disciple the Qingxuan Sect had seen in centuries, he was also Xu An’s superior.
He had no choice but to be enthusiastic.
Most importantly, he didn’t want to end up like Tu Baichuan and Yan Lv.
Because they had offended Fang Han, those two Elders were nominally assigned to guard important towns within the prefecture, but in reality, they had been exiled by the Sect.
The places they were sent to were remote, and what’s more, their chances of returning to the Sect were almost nonexistent. They couldn’t even attend the annual Elder councils.
All their power within the Sect had been stripped away; it was no different from being banished.
Every time he thought of this matter, a jolt of caution ran through his heart.
"True Inheritor Fang, you’ve graced us with your visit today. I wonder, what might this old man do for you?"
Xu An sat down opposite Fang Han, lifted his teacup for a sip, and asked with a broad smile.
"To be honest with you, Elder Xu, I have indeed come to ask for a favor."
Fang Han set down his teacup and turned to look at Fang Yingxue.
"This is a younger sister from my clan. Her name is Fang Yingxue. She is eighteen and at the Bone Forging Realm. I’d like to apply for an internal disciple slot for her so she can study in the Rooster Courtyard."
Hearing this, Xu An sized up Fang Yingxue once more and said:
"No problem. I’ll have someone process it for you right away, True Inheritor Fang."
Although the Sect did allow applications for internal disciple slots, the number of slots each year was limited. It was impossible to cram in too many people and disrupt the normal order.
But since Fang Han had personally come to apply, a slot had to be given, no matter what.
He called out to a servant disciple waiting outside the hall.
"Go and bring Steward Yang here."
The servant disciple acknowledged and left. Soon, a middle-aged man in a cyan Steward’s Robe strode into the hall.
This man was of medium build with an ordinary face, but his eyes were quite astute. He was the Rooster Courtyard’s Steward, Yang Lin.
"Dean, you were looking for me?"
Yang Lin bowed respectfully. His gaze paused for a moment as it swept over Fang Han. Recognizing him, he quickly greeted him.
"True Inheritor Fang wishes to apply for an internal disciple slot for this young lady. Go and handle the procedure for him."
Xu An pointed at Fang Yingxue, his tone calm but with an unquestionable authority.
"Yes."
Yang Lin replied at once, then turned and clasped his hands in a bow to Fang Han.
"This way, True Inheritor Fang."
Fang Han gave a slight nod to Elder Xu and followed Yang Lin out of the reception hall with Fang Yingxue, walking down a corridor to the Rooster Courtyard’s affairs hall.
Behind the desks in the hall, several stewards were processing documents. When they saw Yang Lin leading Fang Han in, they all stopped what they were doing and rose to bow.
Yang Lin took a register from a desk, unrolled it, and ground some ink. He then looked up at Fang Yingxue.
"Miss, please state your name, age, and ancestral home."
Fang Yingxue took a small step forward. Her voice was a little nervous, but it was still steady.
"Fang Yingxue, eighteen years old, from the Fang Family of Liangshui City."
Yang Lin dipped his brush in ink, recorded the details one by one in the register, and then asked, "Relationship to the recommender?"
"Clansmen."
Fang Han answered for her.
Yang Lin nodded, finished writing, and then took out an Inheritance Jade Inkstone.
As a faint light glowed, 100,000 Contribution Points were deducted from Fang Han’s Jade Token.
"Done."
Yang Lin handed a brand new Jade Token to Fang Yingxue.
"This is your Identity Jade Token. Keep it safe."
Fang Yingxue received it with both hands, clutching it solemnly in her palm. She lowered her head and murmured her thanks.
Yang Lin then looked at Fang Han and asked:
"True Inheritor Fang, do you need me to arrange for Miss Fang to move into the Rooster Courtyard now?"
Fang Han shook his head.
"That won’t be necessary. It’s not time for the new disciples to enroll yet, so the Rooster Courtyard is empty. If she moves in now, the dining hall won’t be open, and finding food might be a problem."
He paused, glanced at Fang Yingxue, and continued:
"Just let her stay at my place for now. She can move in when the new disciples are officially enrolled."
Yang Lin quickly nodded in agreement, thinking to himself, ’Fang Han really looks after this clan sister of his.’
With the procedures complete, Fang Han took Fang Yingxue back to the reception hall to bid farewell to Xu An.
"Thank you very much for your help today, Elder Xu."
Fang Han said with clasped hands.
"It was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning!"
Xu An stood up to see them off, a wide smile on his face.
"If you ever need anything in the future, True Inheritor Fang, feel free to come find this old man at the Rooster Courtyard."
Xu An personally escorted Fang Han all the way to the Rooster Courtyard’s main gate before stopping.
Fang Yingxue followed behind Fang Han on the stone path back to the True Inheritance Courtyard.
She clutched the warm Jade Token, her mind replaying the events at the Rooster Courtyard.
The Elder’s enthusiasm and courtesy in front of Fang Han, the Steward’s meticulous care while handling the procedures.
What she saw today gave her an even clearer understanding of just how high Fang Han’s status was in the Qingxuan Sect.
The rumors she had heard back at the Fang Family Martial Hall were nothing compared to the shock of seeing it with her own eyes.
Upon returning to Courtyard Thirty-Five, Qiu Lan came forward to take the outer robe Fang Han had removed.
Fang Han had a maid take Fang Yingxue back to her guest room to rest while he walked toward the Quiet Chamber, pondering his next steps.
Before the new year, he had already decided to participate in the Martial Arts Assembly held in the Imperial Capital in March.
Although March was still over a month away, the journey from the Qingxuan Sect to the Imperial Capital would take nearly a month, even at the speed of an Upper Three Grades Martial Artist.
This meant the day of departure was fast approaching.
"The Great Chu Dynasty’s Royal Family..."
Fang Han murmured under his breath.
The Great Chu Royal Family—this behemoth that had ruled over countless lands and lasted for over three thousand years—had always felt shrouded in mist to Fang Han.
They were clearly the rulers of the entire dynasty, yet they had an extremely low profile and never meddled in the affairs of Martial Artists.
Such an attitude seemed like a deliberate choice to let the various sects and factions develop and grow stronger.
And their practice of holding the Martial Arts Assembly was even more incomprehensible.
Just by participating, one could receive Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures as rewards. Distributing such vast quantities of precious treasures to talented disciples from every prefecture—wasn’t that just helping the sects and factions cultivate experts?
’Aren’t they worried that the sects’ power will grow and threaten the Great Chu Dynasty’s rule?’
’The Great Chu Royal Family has endured for over three thousand years, so they can’t possibly be foolish. But why are they doing this?’
Fang Han walked to a cattail cushion, sat down cross-legged, and unconsciously tapped his fingers on his knee.
’What exactly is the Great Chu Royal Family plotting?’
’There must be a great, unknown secret hidden behind all this.’
...
On the first of February, as dawn broke,
Fang Han rose from the Quiet Chamber and gave his travel pack one final check.
The Wind Shocking Sword hung at his waist, and he carried a bag containing a few changes of clothes and the elixirs he used for daily cultivation.
Yun Qianyue was already waiting outside the courtyard gate.
Today, she wore a pale cyan dress of thick satin, covered by a moon-white fox fur cloak. A purple veil hid her face, revealing only a pair of cold, clear eyes.
"Be careful on the road,"
she said, her voice cool and clear.
"Mm."
Fang Han nodded slightly. He reached out, squeezed Yun Qianyue’s cool fingers, then let go and turned to walk toward the main sect gate.
At the main gate, a massive White Tiger was already lying low.
Its pure white fur shimmered like satin in the morning light. Its amber, vertical pupils were half-closed as it gave a lazy yawn.
Luo Yuntian had already arrived and was standing beside the White Tiger with his hands clasped behind his back.
He was dressed in a dark cyan True Inheritance Robe with a longsword at his waist, his expression tranquil.
Hearing footsteps, he turned and gave a slight nod to Fang Han.
"Senior Brother Fang."
"Junior Brother Luo."
Fang Han returned the gesture, his gaze falling upon the White Tiger.
"I thought we’d have to travel using our Body Techniques. I never expected the Sect Leader would lend us his mount."
A faint smile appeared on Luo Yuntian’s lips as he said:
"The Sect Leader said the journey to the Imperial Capital is long. It would be a pity to spend all that time just traveling."
He paused, his tone tinged with a bit of emotion.
"So he made an exception and lent us the White Tiger so we could continue our cultivation on the way."
A carriage was secured to the tiger’s back with wide leather straps, making it stable and comfortable.
The two of them leaped onto the tiger’s back one after the other, sitting on opposite sides.
The carriage interior was lined with thick velvet carpets and equipped with a small stove for heating and tea-making utensils. The furnishings were simple yet refined.
The Steward in charge of driving the White Tiger sat at the very front. He took a Copper Whistle from his robes, placed it in his mouth, and blew gently.
The whistle wasn’t loud, but it carried a strange, piercing quality.
The White Tiger’s crouched body suddenly sprang up. It pushed off with its four paws, its massive form shooting down the mountain path like a bolt of white lightning.
Luo Yuntian took a Sword Manual from his bag and began to read it.
Fang Han, on the other hand, closed his eyes and slowly circulated the Cyan Profound Technique within his body.
The tiger’s paws pounded the earth as the scenery outside the window flew backward at great speed.
Their methods were different, but their intentions were the same.
The journey to the Imperial Capital was long. They had to seize every moment to increase their strength so they could go further in the Martial Arts Assembly.