Chapter 390 - 190: Welcoming with One’s Life
Chapter 390: Chapter 190: Welcoming with One’s Life
"Besides, this is a completely new direction. We might actually find some clues."
"Okay."
Fang Shuwen agreed, then took an object from his robes and placed it on the table.
The Seven-String Ancient Chapter.
The Cyan-robed Saintess looked at the Seven-String Ancient Chapter, her expression growing complicated. After a soft sigh, she didn’t hesitate and used her Inner Strength to force out a drop of blood.
The next moment, a faint light emanated from the Seven-String Ancient Chapter.
Fang Shuwen casually wiped the blood away and put the Seven-String Ancient Chapter back.
"Pardon the liberty."
"It’s right to be cautious."
The Cyan-robed Saintess said softly,
"That is our clan’s Sacred Artifact. But if it weren’t for that object, our clan would never have ended up in its current state."
Fang Shuwen then asked,
"Since it’s our clan’s Sacred Artifact, why did it end up in Flying Snow City?"
"To catch a fish, you need bait."
The Cyan-robed Saintess’s single sentence was all the explanation needed.
It wasn’t that Fang Shuwen hadn’t considered this possibility, but hearing her say it so plainly still left him astonished.
"You really were willing to part with it."
"Without the blood of our clan members, it’s just a stone."
The Cyan-robed Saintess’s voice remained detached.
Fang Shuwen couldn’t help but ask,
"I don’t believe I’ve asked your name yet."
"Fang Qingyi."
She glanced at Fang Shuwen, her delicate eyebrows arching slightly.
"Also, you have to call me sister."
"..."
’I shouldn’t have asked.’
Fang Shuwen pouted. Fang Qingyi saw this, and the corners of her mouth seemed to curve into a smile, but she suppressed it.
She picked up her teacup, took a sip, and then asked,
"Are you planning to go to the Sword God Palace next?"
"Mmm."
"What are you planning to do with that little tail of yours?"
At her words, Fang Shuwen smiled, but he just looked at Fang Qingyi without speaking.
Fang Qingyi sighed.
"You want me to take her with me?"
"That child is all alone in the world. She reminds me of my little sister, Lingxin. I can’t bear to see her suffer the hardships of a wandering life in the Jianghu."
Fang Shuwen picked up his teacup, turning it gently in his hands.
"After all, that kind of experience is far from pleasant."
Fang Qingyi’s gaze fell slightly. Fang Shuwen glanced at her.
"If it’s inconvenient, then forget it."
"It’s not inconvenient at all."
Fang Qingyi said softly,
"When the Saintess Sect was founded, it was because the Founding Matriarch was moved by compassion. She couldn’t bear to see women who had been cast adrift in the Jianghu lose their sanctuary, and so she established the first foundations of the Saintess Sect."
"Even now, the Saintess Sect still takes in women in need. It’s not just for members of our Fang Clan."
"I was just thinking... it must have been very difficult for you all these years."
"It was manageable."
"Can you tell me about it?"
"There’s no need... It’s not something worth telling everyone."
Fang Shuwen felt a bit awkward. He’d felt the same awkwardness when talking about his past with his parents, as if he were deliberately playing up his misery.
Now, facing someone his own age, he found it even harder to speak of it.
Seeing his reluctance, Fang Qingyi didn’t press the issue.
She just said,
"Have you told her you’re planning to leave her with the Saintess Sect?"
"No, but I suspect she’s already guessed."
Fang Shuwen knew that the "her" she was referring to was Long Qingzhi.
"Then I’ll take her with me now."
"So soon?"
Fang Shuwen glanced at the sky outside.
"Chaos has already erupted in the Western Domain, and the Northern Domain will follow in its wake."
"Jueshen Palace is fiercely ambitious. No one can guarantee they only intend to devour the Western Domain... For many things, we must prepare well in advance."
Fang Shuwen nodded.
The White-robed Saintess had rushed to the Western Domain for this very reason.
As the saying goes, when the nest is overturned, no egg stays intact. Although the Northern Domain branch kept a low profile, with only the Saintess Sect appearing before the public, once chaos descended upon the Northern Domain, it would affect both the Saintess Sect and the Northern Domain branch.
Naturally, such matters had to be dealt with early.
"Also..."
Fang Qingyi glanced at Fang Shuwen.
"After you kill Ye Wufeng, you should leave the Northern Domain as soon as possible."
"If you keep on killing... I’m afraid you’ll startle some of the old reclusive masters out of hiding."
"Oh."
Fang Shuwen wasn’t surprised. In the Jianghu, there were always hidden experts; the strongest on the surface was not necessarily the true strongest. He smiled.
"Are you afraid they’ll beat me to death?"
Fang Qingyi slowly exhaled.
"I’m afraid you’ll beat *them* to death. And then what? You’ll come help me deal with the Western Domain?"
"..."
Fang Shuwen clicked his tongue.
"I’m a perfect gentleman. How could I kill someone without reason?"
"Hah..."
"Wait, was that a laugh?"
Fang Shuwen was dumbfounded.
"If you’re going to laugh, laugh properly! What was that? It’s creepy..."
Fang Qingyi ignored him, stood up, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, placed a box in front of Fang Shuwen.
She had been holding it in her hand ever since she came in.
Fang Shuwen was taken aback for a moment.
"For me?"
"A greeting gift."
Fang Qingyi said no more. She walked to the door and opened it.
Long Qingzhi was standing right outside. When her eyes met Fang Qingyi’s, she seemed a little flustered.
"I... I wasn’t eavesdropping on purpose..."
She had only just arrived, which both Fang Shuwen and Fang Qingyi knew, of course.
After all, with their sharp senses, they would have noticed if Long Qingzhi had been outside the whole time.
"Go back and pack your things. You’re coming with me."
Fang Qingyi’s voice was still cool and detached.
Long Qingzhi glanced at Fang Shuwen. Only after he nodded did she turn to go back.
She quickly packed a small bundle and returned to Fang Shuwen’s room.
Her eyes, as she looked at Fang Shuwen, were filled with reluctance to leave.
Fang Qingyi fell silent. ’Why do I feel like the villain tearing a happy couple apart?’