Chapter 353 - 178: Courting Death?
Chapter 353: Chapter 178: Courting Death?
Fang Shuwen sized up the man before him. He saw a hidden light in the depths of the man’s eyes. Though he appeared casual, his entire body was flawless, without a single opening. He was clearly a master who concealed his true strength.
After a moment of contemplation, he didn’t answer but asked a question in return:
"May I ask your name?"
"I am Zhao Ziying."
The man spoke nonchalantly.
Fang Shuwen and Long Qingzhi exchanged a look.
"The Zhao Clan of the Heaven-Cutting Saber?"
Zhao Ziying waved his hands repeatedly.
"No, no, don’t just assume that anyone named Zhao who uses a saber is from the Zhao Clan of the Heaven-Cutting Saber. That’s not me...
"The Martial Arts practiced by the Zhao Clan is called the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins Heaven-Slaying Saber. The Saber Technique I practice, however, is the Sentimental and Righteous Red Dust Saber. I have nothing to do with those people from the Heaven-Slaying Sect."
Fang Shuwen grinned.
"Are you taking me for a three-year-old child?"
"What are you talking about? This is the first time we’ve met. Why would I lie to you?
"I’m really not from the Zhao Clan of the Heaven-Cutting Saber... Sigh, why won’t you believe me?"
Zhao Ziying let out a long sigh.
"To be honest with you, as I’ve wandered the Jianghu, I’ve often been troubled by people mistaking me for a disciple of the Zhao Clan."
"Oh?"
Fang Shuwen raised an eyebrow.
"The Heaven-Slaying Sect has a great reputation and is one of the Five Great Forces of the Northern Domain. Shouldn’t it be a good thing to be mistaken for a disciple of the Zhao Clan?"
"Good my ass!!"
Zhao Ziying cursed loudly.
"What makes you think the Zhao Clan is a bunch of good guys?
"The Seven Emotions and Seven Sins Heaven-Slaying Saber is all about becoming heartless and unrighteous... Those people are cruel and vicious. If they found out I was impersonating one of the Heaven-Slaying Sect Members, wouldn’t they flay me alive?"
"...I see."
Fang Shuwen nodded.
"So, the Zhao Clan aren’t good people? But I’ve heard that Zhao Wuji imprisoned himself in one place for over twenty years for a woman?"
"You know about that too?"
A glint flashed in Zhao Ziying’s eyes as he asked with some surprise:
"May I be so bold as to ask your esteemed name?"
"Not at all. I am Fang Shuwen."
Fang Shuwen cupped his fists slightly.
"...’The fiend who descends on the world—Shuwen! Blood stains the sky—the Demon Evil God’!?"
"You’re that Demon Evil God, Fang Shuwen!?"
Zhao Ziying’s expression suddenly changed drastically. He cupped his fists.
"Farewell!"
Without giving Fang Shuwen a chance to react, he turned and ran.
His Body Technique was extraordinary, and his steps carried an indomitable, forward-charging spirit.
Fang Shuwen narrowed his eyes at the man’s retreating back but didn’t give chase.
Long Qingzhi was a little surprised.
"Brother Fang, aren’t you going to do something about him?"
"No need to bother."
Fang Shuwen said with a smile.
"We’ll see him again soon."
"When?"
"The Celestial Martial Grand Assembly."
Fang Shuwen glanced at Long Qingzhi and chuckled softly.
"Young Master Tinghua of the Thousand Snow Pavilion, Monk Wangxing of the Ascetic Sect, and now this Zhao fellow...
"You don’t actually believe he has nothing to do with the Heaven-Slaying Sect, do you?"
After a moment’s thought, Long Qingzhi understood.
The first two were from the Five Great Forces, and this Zhao Ziying was likely one as well.
These people had all come for the Celestial Martial Grand Assembly. They weren’t far from Celestial Martial Peak now, so they would naturally see him again once they arrived.
But there was one thing Long Qingzhi still didn’t understand.
"Then why didn’t he admit it?"
Fang Shuwen gently patted Fang Dabao’s back, urging it forward, while saying to Long Qingzhi:
"That, I don’t know. I reckon it has something to do with the people of the Zhao Clan.
"From the way he spoke, he seemed to have some complaints about the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins Heaven-Slaying Saber. Not only that... when he spoke of Zhao Wuji, I felt his expression was a bit strange."
"Huh? How come I didn’t see it?"
Long Qingzhi was a little surprised.
Fang Shuwen smiled.
"It’s normal that you didn’t see it. The glint in his eye was fleeting. I can’t be certain I was right either."
When Fang Shuwen mentioned Zhao Wuji imprisoning himself for twenty years, he had faintly detected a hint of... mockery in Zhao Ziying’s eyes.
But Fang Shuwen didn’t plan on telling Long Qingzhi about this.
’If that mockery was genuine, and if the Seven Emotions and Seven Sins Heaven-Slaying Saber is truly as Zhao Ziying described, then Cold Valley Town is probably not a good place.’
’But now, it seemed there was no turning back for Long Qingzhi.’
’If he told her all this now, the girl would likely fall into despair.’
’Besides, this was all just his own speculation. Until he met Zhao Wuji, nothing was certain.’
’If there really was something wrong with Zhao Wuji, then he, Fang Shuwen, couldn’t just let Long Qingzhi walk into a trap.’
’Worst case, she could come with him to Sword God Palace and then return to the Eastern Domain.’
’He could settle her in Yuqing Pavilion or Zhuji Pavilion... anywhere was better than letting her be bullied in this Northern Domain.’
All sorts of thoughts ran through his mind. He decided that once they reached the Celestial Martial Grand Assembly, he would have to find Zhao Ziying and properly inquire about what kind of person Zhao Wuji truly was.
But it was too early to think about all that. They would deal with it when they reached Celestial Martial Peak.
However, the rest of their journey was anything but peaceful.
The Cyan Sheep Order seemed to have lost its effect... They wouldn’t travel far before a group of people would rush out, screaming for their blood.
Some clamored about avenging the innocent commoners who had died, but a few of the brainless ones let their true intentions slip, yelling, "Hand over the Glazed Saint Body!"
Later on, another group came looking for trouble, wanting to curry favor with the Thousand Snow Pavilion because Fang Shuwen had killed Young Master Tinghua in the street the day before.
Others said nothing at all, attacking viciously from the outset, not even daring to show their faces.
To these people, Fang Shuwen had nothing to say. There was only killing!
He was already an enemy of the entire world. This was not the time to reason with them; it would be pointless.