Chapter 1019: Can't Stay Another Minute

In a quiet and elegantly furnished courtyard.

Long Ruo had sent Fu Donghai outside and dismissed all her attendants. Only she and Fang Chen remained.

"What exactly happened that day? How did Zhao Mingxuan and the others die?"

Her expression was particularly grave. If that man from Yunlu City hadn't broken through to the third rank, perhaps she wouldn't be acting this cautiously. But things were different. That man had quietly advanced to the third rank, a level that even the four great clans had to treat with caution.

After all, the great clans were like nobles who wore shoes, while the man from Yunlu City was a barefoot madman. If he truly went berserk, even the great clans would suffer dearly.

"I don't know either. It all happened in the blink of an eye. They were just dead. I saw things going south and immediately fled. Took me quite a while to get back to the Long Family," Fang Chen replied.

"If that's how it was... then maybe someone was targeting that man from Yunlu City. Nangong Yuancheng and Sun Gu... maybe they just got caught in the crossfire," Long Ruo murmured to herself.

Although she had suspected Fang Chen, no matter how much she thought about it, she felt he couldn't have been responsible for what happened.

While the two were conversing, a refined and dignified woman entered the courtyard with a group of attendants. The woman looked at Long Ruo and said, "Ruo'er, why did you send everyone away? I heard you had a guest? Which young master is visiting?"

Seeing the woman, Fang Chen stood and said, "I'll head back to Ancestor Li first. I've been gone for a few days. I should at least go report in."

Long Ruo nodded. "Alright."

Just as Fang Chen was about to leave, the woman suddenly frowned and exchanged glances with those beside her. A sword cultivator stepped forward to block Fang Chen's path.

"Don't go just yet," said he woman, softly smiling. "Which family are you from, young man?"

Long Ruo quickly stepped forward and gave a respectful bow. "Mother, he's not from any noble family."

The woman spoke with a half-smile. "Not a noble? Ruo'er, your foolish husband has been missing for days. According to our Long Family's rules, you should have already annulled the marriage. I've got several friends dying to introduce you to better men, and yet you refuse. And now you're chatting privately with this man, even making Fu Donghai wait outside?"

Before Long Ruo could reply, the woman turned to Fang Chen and spoke in a questioning tone. "Since you're not from a noble family, what sect or clan do you come from? Are you at least from a prestigious background?"

"Madam, he's a sword cultivator," Fu Donghai said.

A sword cultivator?

The woman's smile faded, her eyes turning sharp as she glanced between Fang Chen and Long Ruo.

After a moment, she looked at Long Ruo and said coldly, "Ruo'er, what do you have to discuss privately with a sword cultivator? If word gets out, it will damage your reputation. Don't let this happen again. If your father finds out, he'll have you punished."

"Mother, he's a sword cultivator Uncle Li brought from his hometown. He's very strong. He helped me win a lot of spirit stones in Yunlu City. I was just asking him a few questions," Long Ruo explained.

She then glanced at Fang Chen. "You may go."

"Wait, you said he was brought by Li Changsheng? Oh, you're that Fang Chen, aren't you? The one who killed Xue Zhong." The woman's gaze sharpened. "So your swordsmanship is stronger than the disciples of our Long Family's Nine Courtyards."

"Madam flatters me. The Long Family's Nine Courtyards are full of experts. How could a countryside kid like me compare?" Fang Chen smiled and cupped his hands. "I'll take my leave now."

He quickly left the serene courtyard and returned to the main residence. When Bai Qingming and the others saw him return, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Bai Qingming stepped forward and patted Fang Chen on the shoulder. "Junior Brother, I thought you wouldn't make it back in time for the Sword Burial Heavenly Steps."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

He then secretly sent a voice transmission. "

You went out with Long Ruo... Did anything happen? I heard the Loose Immortal in Yunlu City advanced to the third rank recently.

"

Fang Chen was taken aback. "Third rank?"

Long Ruo hadn't mentioned that, but thinking back to how tense she looked, it now made sense. Clearly, Bai Qingming was telling the truth.

"Nothing much happened. Senior Brother, have you been studying the Ninth Courtyard's sword manual?" Fang Chen asked casually.

"Yeah, I picked the Illusionless Sword Scripture. It's somewhat similar to my Qingming Sword Intent, but I haven't made much progress with it yet," Bai Qingming replied.

As they spoke, Yan Kun appeared with his men. Upon seeing Fang Chen, his eyes lit up. He greeted him with a smile. "Sword Leader Fang, I heard you made quite a name for yourself at the Sword Duel Palace in Yunlu City."

Fang Chen wore a faint smile. "That news traveled far. Seems Sword Chief Yan's sources are quite sharp. No wonder you've visited here twice already."

Yan Kun's expression shifted slightly. Pretending not to hear the sarcasm, he asked calmly, "I heard you dueled a sword cultivator from the Nangong family this time, an elite of noble birth who's already condensed a sword domain at a young age?"

The sword cultivators behind Yan Kun were all jolted hearing that, especially those from the Divine Wind Sword Sect and Seven Star Sword Sect.

A sword domain?!

They had heard of the sword domain before, mostly from their elders. It was said to be a higher level of sword comprehension, even above sword intent. But even condensing sword intent was already difficult enough. Once achieved, it took years to refine. As for the sword domain, that was a whole different level.

Fang Chen frowned. "Sword Chief Yan should drag in whoever gave him that information and beat them with a board. Sword domain? I've never even heard of such a thing in the Central Continent Empire."

Yan Kun scrutinized Fang Chen for a few moments, then smiled and nodded slightly. "Seems one shouldn't believe in rumors."

With that, he turned and left with his group of sword cultivators.

Fang Chen looked at Bai Qingming. "Where are they going?"

"Yan Kun is quite familiar with the sword cultivators here. He's been taking them around for friendly duels," Bai Qingming answered.

After a pause, his expression turned somewhat strange. "Since you're back, why not go take a look at Dongfang Haojie over in the Third Courtyard?"

"Why? Did something happen to him?"

Bai Qingming's expression grew stranger. "You got pulled into Long Ruo's business recently, right? Dongfang Haojie came looking for you a few times. He even spoke to Ancestor Li several times. He's... not quite like the rest of us anymore."

***

"Brother Fang Chen!? I heard you came back, but I didn't believe it. You really did return! Thank the heavens!" Dongfang Haojie's voice rang out, full of delight.

The two turned to see Dongfang Haojie running toward them excitedly, followed by a large group of people, one of whom stood out more than the rest.

Dongfang Haojie was already a big, burly man. But the woman next to him was at least twice as big, looking like a walking mound of meat.

Dongfang Haojie grabbed Fang Chen and spoke in a hushed, desperate tone, "Brother Fang Chen, is there any way you can get me out of here? I can't stay another minute!"