Chapter 133 Return to the Capital

"Are you from Feiguang City? What brings you all the way here?” asked Fang Zhixue. “My older brother is still traveling and hasn’t yet returned.”

Glancing at Tiger Mountain Lord, Xia Song forced a smile. "We’ve heard that the Fang Family is going to reside near the ice spring, so we came to visit. We hope to do so often in the future."

𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Fang Zhixue grinned when she heard that. "You’re here to visit? Follow me then."

Tiger Mountain Lord turned around, Fang Zhixue perched on him, and headed toward the Fang Manor.

Now that their horses had been scared away by the wolf, they had no choice but to follow Fang Zhixue back on foot. Fang Zhixue sat on Tiger Mountain Lord’s back, towering over them. One couldn’t help but feel that they were her servants because of this scene. However, they dared not show any dissatisfaction and followed her.

"Duke Fang... is really amazing. He is even able to tame demons." Xia Song silently observed Tiger Mountain Lord and felt that its strength surpassed any of the sect masters. It could possibly be an existence comparable to a martial artist in the Qi Core Stage.

They had lived many years in the king's manor in Feiguang City, yet they never had the chance to see such a creature before. The Fang Family seemed to have mysterious air to it, like a den of dragons.

When they entered the Fang Manor, they found that the people inside didn’t seem fazed by Tiger Mountain Lord, seemingly accustomed to its presence.

Before Fang Chen had left for his business, he had given Fang Canghai an explanation about Tiger Mountain Lord and the other demons.

And during the period of his absence, Victorious Buddha, Tiger Mountain Lord, and Profound Green had helped drive away any demons causing trouble, allowing the construction of the Fang Manor to proceed as scheduled.

Everyone including the maidservants and Fang Zhentian were very familiar with the three demons. They knew that the three were Fang Chen’s disciples, even.

Fang Zhixue jumped off Tiger Mountain Lord's back and patted its buttocks. Tiger Mountain Lord then sensibly turned around and left.

"My parents have some matters to attend to and won’t be able to welcome you personally. If you don’t mind, I’ll be the one welcoming you."

Seeing that Tiger Mountain Lord had left, Xia Song and the others let out a sigh of relief.

"We don’t mind at all," replied Xia Song quickly.

Fang Zhixue smiled and nodded. "Great."

During her time in the capital, she had often mingled with martial artists, and her behavior was unlike that of a typical young lady; therefore, she hosted Xia Song and his group quite casually. Surprisingly, they weren’t unhappy about her casual attitude, but it rather helped them ease out of their initial shock.

"Sister Fang, was that big tiger just now a demon?" asked the youngest girl, who was only thirteen, curiously.

Xia Song was startled and berated her quickly. "You can’t ask such questions, sister!"

Fang Zhixue smiled lightly. "It's okay, you will know about this sooner or later. Tiger Mountain Lord is indeed a demon, but he understands human language and is my older brother’s disciple.”

Fang Chen’s disciple...?

Everyone was deeply shocked at such a bizarre revelation, and their expressions turned strange. Was Fang Chen so powerful that even demons wanted to be his disciples?

They suddenly felt that their understanding of Fang Chen was far too shallow.

An hour later, Xia Song and his group bid farewell and left the manor with Fang Zhixue seeing them off. As they followed the stone path toward the main road, they saw that Fang Chen had arrived at the entrance. He had his back facing them.

Tiger Mountain Lord crouched obediently at the side, and there was also a giant ape kneeling by its side. There was also a massive python in addition to the two demons.

Xia Song and the others felt their scalps tingling. On the other hand, Fang Zhixue was pleasantly surprised and exclaimed, "Big Brother, you're back!"

At her shrill, Fang Chen turned around and nodded. “Mmm”

He then looked at Xia Song and his siblings and gave them a nod of acknowledgment.

"Duke Fang." Xia Song bowed, then he led the way. His gaze couldn't help but fall on Victorious Buddha and Profound Green. Victorious Buddha’s frame was even more robust than Tiger Mountain Lord's, and as for Profound Green... the thickest part of the snake surpassed the girth of a bucket. Anyone who laid eyes on Profound Green would shudder involuntarily.

Demons! More demons!

Xia Song couldn't help but wonder how Fang Chen had been able to tame so many demons!

Fang Chen smiled. “Are you leaving now?"

"Uh, yes, we are heading back." Xia Song nodded repeatedly. Then, he briskly led his younger siblings away. Staying here was a psychological challenge for him, and the more he stayed, the harder he found it to become to stay collected. Any more lingering around here might lead to further embarrassment.

Once they left, Victorious Buddha turned to Fang Zhixue and greeted her courteously. "Senior Sister."

"Hehe, no need to be so polite," said Fang Zhixue, chuckling. Being called “senior sister” by a demon with the strength of a Qi Core Stage martial artist made her feel quite pleased.

"Have you encountered any challenges in your cultivation?" asked Fang Chen.

"We’ve encountered a couple of challenges, but the old master has already provided us with guidance," replied Victorious Buddha hastily.

Both Tiger Mountain Lord and Profound Green nodded in agreement.

They held great respect for the old master. Even though his cultivation level wasn't as high as theirs, his profound understanding of the essence of the Purple Qi Manual exceeded theirs by several degrees.

"That's good." Fang Chen nodded and then reminded them, "I will be heading back to the capital for a while. Please take care of things here."

"Of course!" replied Victorious Buddha while the other two nodded.

Fang Zhixue's eyes lit up. "Brother, are you really heading back?"

Fang Chen patted her head playfully. "Don't wander around too much. If you're bored, go to Feiguang City or the Profound Blade Sect. For now, you should not return to the capital. I will inform Mother and Father that I will be departing tonight. Don't slack off with your cultivation while I’m away."

"Alright," replied Fang Zhixue reluctantly.

Fang Chen then went to the courtyard where Fang Zhentian resided. Fang Chen’s parents were cultivating with Fang Cangyou not too far away. Unfortunately, their aptitude and comprehension were not as remarkable as Fang Zhentian's.

Even after such a long time, they hadn’t shown any signs of condensing their immortal vein. Still, that was to be expected; even Li Daoye took nearly a year to condense his immortal vein, and he was the son of a cultivator. Not to mention people like Fang Cangyou and the others, who had never knew this path had even existed in their entire lives

Fang Zhentian glanced at Fang Chen and smiled faintly. "They are cultivating. Do not disturb them. How is the situation progressing?"

Fang Chen nodded with a smile. "The situation in the southern region is stable for now. I will be setting out for the capital later."

"Are you going there to handle the matter with the Spirit Blood Sect?” asked Fang Zhentian, contemplating.

Fang Chen nodded. "I will be investigating those who are colluding with them in the capital.”

"Be careful.” Fang Zhentian patted Fang Chen's shoulder gently. "If something happens to you, Grand Xia will truly be in jeopardy."

"I understand." Fang Chen smiled.

After a brief conversation, he set out on his journey back to the capital.

Meanwhile, elsewhere.

In the Flame Empire, at the Concealed Moon Hermitage, Abbess Qing He looked somewhat excited. After years of being away, she had finally returned.

Next to her, Tie Ma breathed a sigh of relief. Even though it hadn’t been a long time, he gained a lot of experience. On several occasions, they wouldn’t have made it out safely if not for the Purple Lightning Talisman.

There came a sudden, surprised voice. "Senior Sister Qing He?"

The two followed the voice to see that a nun had appeared, her face wreathed in surprise at the sight of Abbess Qing He.