Chapter 162: Returning to the Manor

The Southern Region, the Fang Manor.

During the time when Fang Chen was away, nearly five hundred acres of land around the Manor had been claimed. Since the soil was fertile, after it was slightly cultivated, it became top-quality farmland.

In the past, common people dared not cultivate this land because of the rumors that there were wild demons and spirits in the mountains; however, as the Fang Manor was established, they people found that the number of wild demons in the area had diminished.

Some said that the demons were afraid of the Fang Family, while others believed that Fang Chen’s aura had caused the demons to flee.

Either case, many villagers chose to move here after the Fang Manor was built. Some had even rented fields from the Fang Family because of the pleasant climate around the area, leading to a high yield of crops.

In a short period, what seemed like a quiet village emerged, with the most conspicuous feature being the Fang Manor nestled nicely by the waters of the spring.

Zhong Ying sighed. "Who would’ve thought that this place would change so much in such a short time."

The last time she had visited, the area was still barren and desolate, with only the spring around as well as some rudimentary huts that had formed into a campsite.

Now, there were intricately carved beams and painted rafters and flying eaves. The area was rife with exquisite architecture. There were halls, pavilions, jade-paved pathways, and decorated railings.

Daoist Dian Cang chuckled. "The foundation of the Fang Family is not something a little girl like you can fathom."

He led Zhong Ying down a country road, observing the diligent villagers working in the fields until they unconsciously arrived at the front gate of the Fang Manor.

"Young Lady Zhong?" Recognizing Zhong Ying, a guard at the gate warmly smiled. "Are you here to visit the second lady?"

"Is Lady Zhixue available?" asked Zhong Ying with a smile. "I came with my master to visit Duke Fang. I also wish to catch up with Lady Zhixue."

"Is this Patriarch Dian Cang?" The guard turned his attention to the man by Zhong Ying’s side and politely said, "I've heard that the Azure Point Sword Sect is now on par with the Profound Blade Sect. I've long admired your sect."

"You're too kind,” replied Daoist Dian Cang modestly, but he was secretly pleased in his heart.

Even a guard of the Fang Manor had such an imposing demeanor. It was no wonder that the Fang Manor was now privately referred to as the number one aristocratic family in Grand Xia, even above the imperial family itself.

Well... that wasn’t exactly a surprise, either. The Fang Manor's guards had once clashed with the Nightmare Knights and forced them to leave their lives behind in Grand Xia. Just that point alone would ensure that no one would ever underestimate them.

"My lord has returned to the capital. If you are here to visit him, sir, I'm afraid—" The guard suddenly cut himself short. Face covered in mild surprise, he looked behind the two. Suddenly, respect appeared on his face and he bowed. “My lord.”

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master and Zhong Ying turned around at the same time.

Fang Chen had unknowingly appeared behind them at some point, standing ten steps away, a faint smile on his face.

They bowed hastily. "Duke Fang."

"You are being too polite." Fang Chen smiled. "Please, step inside the manor for a chat."

In the reception hall of the Fang Manor.

When Fang Chen learned of why the Azure Point Sword Sect Master was here, he couldn’t help but smile.

"Are you serious? Moving the entire Azure Point Sword Sect to the Southern Heavenly Prefecture is not going to be an easy task."

"Duke Fang, after careful consideration, I still want to move the Azure Point Sword Sect to Heavenly Southern Prefecture. The only problem is that I need your approval before I dare to do so," said the Head of Azure Point Sword Sect respectfully.

"Although the Heavenly Sword Villa was destroyed, that piece of land still belongs to them. I don't have the right to give it away to your Azure Point Sword Sect. When you come to Heavenly Southern Prefecture, where do you plan to settle down?" asked Fang Chen.

"We never thought of taking the land of the Heavenly Sword Villa to ourselves. I just want...” He hesitated. “If it’s fine with you, Duke Fang, we would like to occupy one of the mountains here."

Fang Chen laughed. To think that after all this fuss, he just wanted to take one of the nearby mountains for his sect. That was alright.

"It's possible, but you should know that I don't like disturbances. If you move your sect here, I hope you can keep your disciples in check, I don’t want any trouble arising around here,” reminded Fang Chen with a smile.

"Definitely!"

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master was delighted. He didn't expect Fang Chen to agree to his request so easily. Thinking about the spiritual springs and the climate there, his heart was suddenly filled with all kinds of emotions.

Zhong Ying was very happy, but she suddenly noticed something strange in her peripheral vision. She subconsciously turned to stare at it, only to see an enormously large python flipping over the courtyard wall and slowly slithering toward them.

The thickest part of the python exceeded the size of a water barrel. Its scales, under the sunlight, emitted a chilling blue light.

"Ah!" Zhong Ying screamed and instinctively leaped into the air. She scampered to hide behind Fang Chen.

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master’s brow scrunched up at her actions, and he turned around to see what had worked her up so much, but what he saw caused beads of cold sweat to instantly form on his forehead. Didn’t they say that the demons had been scared away by Fang Chen? Why is it then that a demon was here inside the Fang Manor!

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master sprung to his feet and slowly retreated back a few steps. "There... there is a beast, Duke Fang."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

A hoarse voice sounded. "Third Junior Sister, I told you that Master has guests. You’ve frightened Master’s guests again!"

The voice’s tone was a little weird.

Before long, a giant ape appeared in front of the door. It bowed to Fang Chen with folded hands, then said, "Master, third junior sister has recently had a breakthrough, so when she heard that you had returned, she was a bit too anxious to show you her results. Please forgive her, Master."

A demon that could speak! The Azure Point Sword Sect Master and Zhong Ying were both shocked. Zhong Ying immediately recognized the ape as the giant demon she had encountered that day. When she heard the ape address Fang Chen as Master, she was left in utter shock.

"Don't be scared. These two are demons from around here, but they understood human nature well. I’ve taken them as my disciples." Fang Chen reassured the two and walked toward the doorway, giving a nod to Victorious Buddha , Tiger Mountain Lord, and the excited Profound Green.

"Your spiritual energy has become more refined; a step into the right path. Profound Green has condensed her third immortal vein, and her cultivation has improved." Fang Chen smiled and took out a hundred low-grade spirit stones, handing them to the giant ape. "I will leave on a trip shortly. These spirit stones should be enough for your use."

Victorious Buddha immediately knelt down and kowtowed. "Thank you, Master."

Before long, the three left.

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master and Zhong Ying hadn't yet recovered from the scene where the demons knelt before Fang Chen.

The Azure Point Sword Sect Master stuttered, "F-Fang, Duke Fang, were those three the legendary ‘demons’?"

Fang Chen smiled and nodded. "Yes."

"So demons really do exist...." mumbled the Azure Point Sword Sect Master. He had heard of them before, but never truly believed that there were demons who could speak and understand human language.

Everything he had just witnessed had exceeded his realm of understanding.

"All things have souls; there's nothing strange about it." Fang Chen smiled faintly. "Since you two have come from afar, how about staying in my Fang Manor for a few days?"

After considering for a while, Azure Point Sword Sect Master politely declined. The relocation of the sect required a lot of work. Now that he knew the three demons were Fang Chen's disciples, he was even more eager to move his sect here.

Fang Chen didn't insist and saw them off. Afterward, he went to the courtyard where Fang Zhentian stayed.