Chapter 624 - 620: Return to the Clan
Chapter 624: Chapter 620: Return to the Clan
「Ten days later.」
At dusk, the imposing mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect cast a long shadow under the setting sun.
Two disciples guarding the gate stood listlessly on either side, chatting idly.
"Have you heard? Senior Brother Luo is already back from the Imperial Capital."
"I heard that a while ago. I also heard that at the Martial Arts Assembly, which gathers all the prodigies from the One Hundred and Eight Counties of the Great Chu Dynasty, Senior Brother Fang Han—"
Before he could finish, the disciple’s eyes suddenly widened.
At the end of the mountain path, a behemoth was striding toward them.
The Demon was covered in a mane of fiery-red fur. Its body was several times larger than an ordinary tiger, and its every footstep sent a dull tremor through the ground.
Its dark-gold, vertical pupils glinted with a terrifying cold light in the sunset. The ferocious aura radiating from its body instantly made the two guards’ hair stand on end.
"A First Grade... Demon?!"
One disciple cried out in alarm and fumbled to draw the longsword from his waist. The other, his face deathly pale, was frozen to the spot in terror.
At that moment, a calm voice drifted down from the Lion Demon’s back.
"It’s me."
The two disciples froze. Only then did they clearly see a figure in green robes sitting upright on the Lion Demon’s broad back.
The setting sun gilded the figure’s silhouette, his robes fluttering gently in the evening wind.
Fang Han leaped down from Chi Huo’s back, landing before the mountain gate.
"Fang... Senior Brother Fang Han!"
The two disciples were stunned for a moment, then their eyes filled with irrepressible excitement and admiration.
The disciple who had drawn his sword hastily sheathed it. He and his companion bowed in salute, their voices trembling slightly with excitement.
"Senior Brother Fang, you’re back..."
"Apologies, I startled you."
Fang Han said apologetically, his gaze sweeping over the two of them.
The two disciples straightened up, their gazes sweeping back and forth between Fang Han and the majestic red Lion Demon, the reverence in their eyes practically overflowing.
They had already learned from Luo Yuntian, who returned ahead of him, what had happened. At the Martial Arts Assembly, a gathering of all the top prodigies from the Great Chu Dynasty’s One Hundred and Eight Counties, Fang Han had cut a swath through his opponents to secure a spot in the final four.
That was a competition between the most top-level prodigies in the entire dynasty. And yet, their Senior Brother Fang Han, with a cultivation at only the Late Stage of Second Grade, had managed to force his way into the top four. He even defeated a prodigy at the Middle Stage of First Grade.
Such an achievement was enough to make the entire Qingxuan Sect swell with pride.
Fang Han led Chi Huo through the mountain gate, walking along the bluestone path towards the True Inheritance Courtyard.
Every disciple they passed was first startled by Chi Huo’s enormous size and ferocious aura, instinctively taking several steps back.
But upon seeing Fang Han beside the beast, their expressions would change to ones of even greater admiration than before, and they would bow respectfully.
"Senior Brother Fang."
"True Inheritor Fang."
Fang Han acknowledged each of them with a nod, his pace unhurried.
Chi Huo followed behind him, its dark-gold vertical pupils curiously sizing up its surroundings.
The bluestone paths shaded by ancient trees, the artfully arranged halls and pavilions, the faintly visible Martial Arts Arena in the distance...
Having grown up in a Secret Realm, the Lion Demon was filled with both wariness and curiosity toward this unfamiliar human Sect.
After winding past a few corridors, the gate to Courtyard Thirty-Five came into view.
The attendant guarding the courtyard gate saw Fang Han from afar and hurried forward to greet him.
But when he got a clear look at the behemoth behind Fang Han, the attendant froze mid-stride, his face instantly turning deathly pale.
"There’s no need to be afraid. It’s my mount," Fang Han said.
The attendant swallowed hard and said in a trembling voice,
"Senior Brother... you’re back."
Fang Han gave a slight nod and led Chi Huo through the gate.
His maid, Qiu Lan, heard the commotion and hurried out from a side hall.
She too was startled by Chi Huo, but she quickly composed herself and bowed.
"Senior Brother."
"Clear out the open space by the bamboo grove in the back courtyard," Fang Han said, gesturing toward Chi Huo. "It will be kept there from now on."
Qiu Lan complied and withdrew. A short while later, she returned with several servants and cleared the open space in the back courtyard.
Fang Han got Chi Huo settled, then had a servant fetch several large cuts of fresh meat from the kitchen for it.
Chi Huo let out a contented growl, plopped down in the open area, and began to feast.
Fang Han reached out and patted its massive head before turning to walk toward the front courtyard.
Back in his chambers, he changed out of his dust-covered green robes, bathed, and put on a fresh set.
Steam still lingered in the air, and the ends of his hair were still damp, which only served to enhance his handsome features.
He walked to the side hall and sat down at the table.
Qiu Lan had already prepared tea. Just as she was about to ask about dinner, Fang Han spoke.
"Go to the Sub-Branch and invite Junior Sister Yun to have dinner with me. Tell her I have returned."
"Yes."
Qiu Lan complied and left.
Fang Han raised his teacup and took a shallow sip.
The sky outside the window had completely darkened, and the faint chirping of insects could be heard in the distance. He put down the teacup and took out two things from his Storage Ring.
A Purple Jade Hairpin.
The body of the pin was a solid, pale purple, the jade warm and smooth to the touch. The head was carved into a delicate, lifelike orchid with unfurled petals.
He had chosen it specially while in the Imperial Capital. While it wasn’t some kind of Magical Weapons and Treasures, it was exquisitely crafted and elegant.
A Three-leaf Sword Grass.
It lay resting in a wooden box. It had three sword-shaped leaves, and a faint, restrained glow flowed across its surface.
This was a Heavenly Material and Earthly Treasure he had specifically acquired for Yun Qianyue to enhance her Talent in Swordsmanship. He wanted to make her stronger so she would be better able to protect herself.
Fang Han closed the wooden box and placed it on the table next to the Purple Jade Hairpin.
Before long, the soft sound of footsteps could be heard outside the courtyard gate.
Fang Han stood up and walked towards the courtyard gate.
In the twilight, a figure in pale-green robes stood quietly by the grove of emerald bamboo in front of the courtyard gate.