Chapter 442 - 207: Myth of the Eastern Domain
Chapter 442: Chapter 207: Myth of the Eastern Domain
Fang Shuwen stared at the invitation in his hands. No matter how he looked at it, it felt like a hot potato.
"Why is Mansion Master Dongfang inviting me?
"There’s still the matter of a life between us, after all."
Xiao Ruofeng said with a smile,
"That matter is long in the past.
"Let’s not even get into the affair with Cao Jiuyin, or the fact that you killed the Hundred Ghosts Hall Master outside Yuqing Pavilion.
"Just the fact that you executed Ye Wucheng beneath Jinghua Pavilion was enough to earn you the approval of us Seven Sects.
"As for Dongfang Canyang, the other six sects sent him letter after letter to persuade him. He probably still held a grudge against you in the past, but now... your recent trip was simply a brilliant stroke.
"A lone journey of a thousand miles to strike down the living legend of the Northern Domain Martial World.
"You’ve practically become a martial arts legend of our Eastern Domain now. As for the incident with Shi Meng, he was the one in the wrong from the start. Dongfang Canyang made his stance on the matter clear long ago—that Shi Meng brought it upon himself.
"So you don’t need to worry about it."
Fang Shuwen was momentarily stunned. ’When I went to the Northern Domain, I never planned on becoming some martial arts legend of the Eastern Domain.’
’So a quick trip to the Northern Domain was all it took for my reputation to skyrocket?’
At this, Xiao Ruofeng spoke again,
"Still, for him to send you this invitation... it’s rather puzzling.
"I’ve pondered it myself, and I believe his feelings toward you must be quite complex. Something of a love-hate relationship, I’d wager.
"After all, if it weren’t for you, he would have lost his son.
"But also because of you, he now faces an extremely difficult predicament.
"I suspect he wants to invite you to Wentian Mansion to get some sort of revenge.
"As for how, I have no idea.
"But one way or another, he certainly won’t try to kill you."
Fang Shuwen pursed his lips. ’Isn’t that obvious?’ he thought.
’And how did I somehow get dragged into this dramatic saga of love and hate with the Mansion Master of Wentian Mansion...’
Thinking it over, he decided it was all Dongfang Wujiu’s fault for getting him into this mess.
’Fine, go back home. Fine, get married. But to go around saying I gave him the courage to do it?’
’How ridiculous!’
He turned his head and saw Miao Feichan still covering her mouth, stifling a laugh.
He was left even more speechless...
Chatting idly with Xiao Ruofeng, they soon arrived at the Cangwu Sword Sect.
The Cangwu Sword Sect was nestled at the foot of a mountain, a sprawling complex of buildings. Even from a distance, they could feel the vibrant waves of Sword Qi in the air.
With Xiao Ruofeng leading the way, their passage was naturally unimpeded.
They made their way up and soon reached the training grounds.
Large groups of Cangwu Sword Sect disciples were practicing their Swordsmanship.
Watching them, Fang Shuwen was suddenly reminded of the ’Sword Stele’ he had entrusted to the Golden Bell Tower for delivery to the Eastern Domain. He wondered where it was now.
Afterward, Xiao Ruofeng introduced him to the various Elders and masters of the Cangwu Sword Sect.
The introductions took up the entire afternoon.
By the time they emerged from the main hall, it was nearly dusk.
He glanced over and saw that Fang Dabao had found a spot to lie down and was now snoring soundly.
Chen Yan’s donkey lay right beside Fang Dabao.
Compared to Fang Dabao, however, the donkey’s size was hardly worth mentioning.
Glancing to the side, he saw Chen Yan sitting on the ground, a notebook in hand, scribbling furiously.
Since it was safe here, Fang Shuwen told Miao Feichan to go and rest. They planned to stay for the night and depart the next day.
Miao Feichan glanced at Chen Yan, nodded, and allowed a Cangwu Sword Sect disciple to lead her to a room to rest.
Fang Shuwen walked over to Chen Yan and glanced at the text in his notebook.
Just like back in Flying Snow City, the writing was all very formal and scholarly.
Chen Yan glanced up at him.
"How does it feel?
"Your reputation now surpasses even that of the Seven Eastern Sects."
A wry smile touched Fang Shuwen’s lips.
"Regretting that you didn’t come with me?"
"I don’t regret it."
Chen Yan snorted.
"My father regrets it."
"What happened back then?"
Fang Shuwen was curious. They had agreed on everything, so he wondered why Chen Yan had suddenly changed his mind.
Chen Yan sighed.
"My father thought I was insane, that following you to the Northern Domain was a suicide mission with only a slim chance of survival.
"So he used the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion as an excuse to summon me back.
"I thought it was something urgent, so I had to leave temporarily. Turns out..."
"I see."
Fang Shuwen smiled.
"That’s for the best. You probably would have just gotten in my way, anyway."
"What’s that supposed to mean..."
Chen Yan was indignant.
But then he glanced at Fang Shuwen, and a rare smile touched his lips.
"It’s good to have you back."
Fang Shuwen nodded, then suddenly asked,
"There’s something I want to ask you about."
"Go ahead. There’s nothing under the heavens that my Heaven-Reaching Pavilion doesn’t know."
Chen Yan’s face shone with confidence.
"Have you ever heard of Dragon Abyss?"
"Dragon Abyss from the Central Domain?"
The confidence on Chen Yan’s face suddenly dimmed.
"I actually don’t know much about them... They’re an extremely mysterious organization that leaves no trace.
"My Heaven-Reaching Pavilion has been investigating them for over a hundred years and still hasn’t made any real headway."
"So there are things in this world the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion doesn’t know, after all."
Fang Shuwen was a little disappointed.
Chen Yan asked curiously,
"Why are you suddenly asking about this? Did you run into someone from Dragon Abyss?"
"It wasn’t me. And this involves someone else’s private affairs, so I can’t tell you."
Hearing this only made Chen Yan more curious, but he didn’t press the issue.
In fact, he found himself approving of this. ’If I had a secret that Fang Shuwen knew, he would keep it for me as well.’
’He wouldn’t just take something I don’t want others to know and spread it around like some big joke.’
With this in mind, he said to Fang Shuwen,
"How about this? I’ll head back to the Heaven-Reaching Pavilion tomorrow and have my father start an investigation.
"We’ll see if we can dig up any clues."
"Didn’t you just say you investigated for a hundred years without making any headway? Besides, would your father even agree?"
Chen Yan gave Fang Shuwen a complicated look.
"Why do you think I’m here? With your current reputation and Martial Arts, my father is naturally hoping to build a friendly relationship with you.
"That’s why I was waiting for you here.
"As for Dragon Abyss... the reason we couldn’t make headway before was because they kept too low of a profile.
"The fact that even *you* know about them now means they’re starting to become active again.
"Perhaps we can use this opportunity to finally uncover something..."
Fang Shuwen nodded subconsciously, but then his expression darkened.
"What do you mean, ’even I know about them’?
"With a mouth like that, you deserve to be kicked by your own donkey."