Chapter 590 - 257: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey
Chapter 590: Chapter 257: Killing the Chicken to Scare the Monkey
The head guard’s cry of alarm wasn’t particularly loud, but far too many people were paying close attention to the scene.
The quiet cry was like a clap of thunder, ringing in the ears of everyone present.
Instantly, reactions varied: some were horrified, some were excited, and some were in disbelief.
The head guard, however, recovered his wits and gave a dry laugh.
"That’s... that’s just utter nonsense."
"If you... if you’re Fang Shuwen, then... then I’m... I’m..."
His voice trailed off, unable to continue.
Since this group was lying in wait for Luo Shuqing, they naturally knew she came from the Eastern Domain.
Although they hadn’t received news that Fang Shuwen had accompanied Luo Shuqing to the East Sea, the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror had caused such a commotion. It wasn’t impossible that the affair had truly drawn this peerless master from the Eastern Domain all the way here.
The more he thought about it, the more his heart sank...
Fang Shuwen watched him with a wry smile.
"Go on. You were saying? Who are you supposed to be?"
Under Fang Shuwen’s intense gaze, the head guard felt his calves cramp and his knees go weak. With a THUD, he collapsed to his knees.
Fang Shuwen pulled Luo Shuqing closer to him, then glanced back at the head guard.
"Since you’re giving me such a grand salute for no reason, I suppose it wouldn’t be right of me to hold your earlier insolence against you."
"On my way here, I happened upon someone. I heard he’s the son of your Island Master of Monkey Suppression Island, though I can’t say if that’s true."
"I didn’t prepare a gift for this visit, so I’ll just present this person as a small token for your Island Master."
The head guard froze. He quickly looked past the group and, sure enough, spotted the figure of his young master standing behind Zuo Xuan and Zhou Zhengze.
’His first thought was that his young master wasn’t missing any arms or legs. Had the legendary Demon Evil God had a change of heart? Or was his young master just incredibly lucky?’
’But the thought that followed was that the sky was falling.’
’He knew what his young master had been planning to do...’
’Now Luo Shuqing was here, and so was his young master.’
’And to make matters worse, the great Demon from the Eastern Domain was here too.’
’Monkey Suppression Island was doomed to be destroyed today!’
"Have you seen enough?"
Fang Shuwen shot the head guard a look.
"Lead the way."
"Y-Yes..."
The head guard’s palms were slick with sweat. He wanted nothing more than to turn and run, but how could he possibly dare?
He could only nod obediently and lead Fang Shuwen further onto the island.
On the boats flanking the pier, the assorted Jianghu people exchanged uncertain glances.
Some, without a second thought, immediately steered their boats away from the island.
The Profound Celestial Iron Mirror was a fine treasure, but no matter how good something was, you had to be alive to take it, and alive to use it.
With Fang Shuwen around, they’d likely be dead long before they ever got their hands on the Profound Celestial Iron Mirror. What the hell was the point?
These more sensible individuals left immediately, wanting no part in the vortex that was forming.
But others refused to be scared off.
Fang Shuwen’s reputation had traveled an incredible distance. The Eastern Domain, the Northern Domain... they seemed like another world entirely.
Who could say for sure if the stories were true or false?
What if it was all exaggeration?
Or perhaps he couldn’t live up to his legendary reputation?
No one who roamed the Jianghu lacked for courage. If they fled in terror just at the mention of a name, then what business did they have in the Jianghu at all?
Besides, who could prove this young man was truly Fang Shuwen?
What if he was an imposter, and Luo Shuqing was just using a fearsome name to bluff her way through?
Such a possibility wasn’t out of the question.
Many people, driven by wishful thinking or sheer defiance, watched Fang Shuwen’s group head inland and then began to follow them stealthily.
Instantly, Fang Shuwen and his companions became the focal point, with countless eyes fixed upon them.
Zuo Xuan and Zuo Hong were both a little tense. Luo Shuqing, wearing her mask, shuffled along with tiny steps, reverting to her previous, timid self.
Zhou Zhengze, on the other hand, walked with his head held high and his chest puffed out, showing not a hint of fear.
His composure made both Zuo Xuan and Zuo Hong look at him with newfound respect.
With Fang Shuwen’s arrival, even the ordinary townspeople began to sense the tension in the air.
They all started packing up and heading home, and the streets gradually began to empty.
On a rooftop to one side of the street, several figures had gathered, distantly observing Fang Shuwen and his group.
"What do you guys think? Is he really the Demon Evil God?"
one of the young men asked slowly, his eyes a mixture of apprehension and eagerness.
"He’s either the real deal or he’s not," another man chuckled lightly.
"If Brother Feng is willing to make a move, we’ll know if he’s genuine or not with a single test."
Hearing the two of them talk, the others nearby couldn’t help but exchange a look.
These two young men were both rising stars who had made a name for themselves in the East Sea in recent years.
The young man surnamed Feng was named Feng Gu, known by the moniker "Flowing Sword." His Hundred Rivers Swordsmanship was said to be extraordinary.
The other young man was Ke Xingcheng, known in the Jianghu as "Celestial Spirit Life-Taker." He had earned quite a reputation for himself with his Celestial Spirit Finger technique.
The two had a complicated relationship. They had fought three times, with one win, one loss, and one draw, and neither would concede that the other was superior.
Now that Feng Gu had spoken up, Ke Xingcheng was more than happy to let him be the one to test Fang Shuwen and see if he was the real deal.
’If Fang Shuwen was a fake, it didn’t matter. But if he was real... he could wait until Feng Gu was in mortal danger, then swoop in for the rescue. That would be the perfect opportunity to show Feng Gu which of them was truly superior.’
Feng Gu, however, merely shot Ke Xingcheng a sidelong glance.
"Your Martial Arts may be far inferior to mine, but they should be sufficient to test this man’s identity. You go."
"A true master always saves his entrance for the grand finale."
"What, you think you’re some star performer in an opera? ’Grand finale entrance’...? With an attitude like that, you might as well go sell yourself in a brothel. I’m sure plenty of rich young ladies would be willing to spend a fortune on you."