Chapter 736: Demonic Whispers

As Fang Chen walked into Xia Ji's mansion, he could clearly hear the demonic whispers in his ears. They seemed to be saying, "Why cultivate immortality? Immortals must endure Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. And even after becoming immortal, there are many hardships. Why not become a demon? Why not become a demon?

"Demons are formless and invisible, free and unfettered, without worries or disturbances. We are eternal and unchanging. Become a demon! Become a demon! Become a demon!

"We are compassionate, relieving the suffering of everyone in the world, transforming the sea of human anguish, reaching the other shore. Look, the immortals weep in blood, only the demon laughs. So become a demon! So become a demon!"

"Fang Da, are you alright?"

Xia Ji's expression suddenly turned tense, while Wu Ruochou stared intently at Fang Chen.

Fang Chen stood still, his grayish-white pupils gradually filling with a trace of black mist.

The black mist grew denser, nearly filling his eyes completely, spreading out from the corners of his eyes—first to his face, then to his neck. Upon closer inspection, the black mist resembled little worms beneath the skin, pulsating and contracting, as if it were alive.

Steward Jiang suddenly covered his face with his sleeve and retreated a dozen steps, screaming in terror, "This is a demonic calamity!? The Void Immortal Sword Sect's sword leader has actually encountered a demonic calamity!? Young Master Xia Ji, hurry and report this and expel him from the capital!"

"Shut up!" Xia Ji shot Steward Jiang a cold glance and then focused intently on Fang Chen. "Fang Da, are you awake now?"

Fang Chen showed no response whatsoever.

Xia Ji's expression grew incredibly grim. He barked at Elder Jiang, "Quickly summon Bai Qingming!"

Steward Jiang spoke rapidly. "Young Master Xia, the rules in Central Continent state that those suffering from calamities should not linger in crowded places, lest their tribulations affect those around them. This is especially true in the capital, where the rules are strict. If you don't expel this person immediately, you will also be implicated!"

Chen Mang suddenly entered the courtyard with Feng Ya and others, his expression grave as he assessed Fang Chen's current state. "He's right."

He glanced at Xia Ji. "A Demonic Calamity is even worse than a Lightning Calamity… It is said that those who encounter a Demonic Calamity are one in a million. If he cannot withstand it and succumbs to the demon, his character will change drastically, and he will inevitably commit heinous acts, killing innocents without reason.

"This person holds the title of the Void Immortal Sword Sect's sword leader. Regardless of his sword technique, his mastery of Dao techniques is lethal enough. We must quickly take him away from the capital before he truly succumbs to the demon."

Xia Ji replied in a deep voice, "Brother Yi, if Fang Da is to leave the capital in his current state, it would be tantamount to sending him to his death. Even if he must leave, we should wait for Bai Qingming to arrive and make the decision."

"Bai Qingming just left the capital with Yan Kun and the crown prince. If you're waiting for him to arrive and make a decision, I can already tell you that's not going to happen."

Xu Qingsong slowly walked over, looking at Fang Chen's current appearance, his eyes revealing unmasked disdain.

Xia Ji's gaze shifted slightly. "Bai Qingming has left the capital?"

Chen Mang said blandly, "Xu Qingsong, your Dao Sect has a deep understanding of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. What do you think we should do in this situation?" ℞àNŎ₿Ěȿ

"Then we should report to the Yongan's City Patrol and immediately escort him out of the capital," answered Xu Qingsong blandly. "Gai Wu and Xu Peng are also dealing with calamities, and both have already left the capital. If they are following the rules, then Fang Chen should do the same."

Xia Ji let out a cold laugh, standing protectively in front of Fang Chen as he glared at the crowd. "I wonder who dares to touch a single hair on Fang Chen today. If anyone dares to act, it will be a matter of life and death between us. My cultivation may be low and insignificant now, but in a hundred or a thousand years, I will be watching you all. With my adoptive father as my backing, in a thousand years, I might become a Profound Immortal, or even an Immortal King."

The expressions of the others shifted slightly, but Chen Mang remained unfazed as he said coldly, "Xia Ji, your adoptive father may have taken you as his son, but he won't allow you to be so reckless. I will report this matter afterward. I'm sure he will understand my concerns."

Steward Jiang said sharply, "Young Master Xia Ji, the eldest son has already spoken. What are you waiting for?"

𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Xia Ji glared at Elder Jiang. "Shut your mouth. Don't think that just because you hail from Chen Mang's maternal side, you can stand above others and act arrogantly. If Fang Da suffers the slightest mishap, you will be the first to die, and Chen Mang won't be able to protect you."

For the first time, the nearby guards noticed that the usually approachable Xia Ji could be this way.

Steward Jiang was stunned for a moment, his face changing colors from pale to flushed. In the end, he chose to remain silent. He was not afraid of threats from ordinary cultivators, but he was indeed intimidated by Xia Ji, especially since the person Xia Ji wanted to protect was from the Void Immortal Sword Sect.

Just then, a yawn broke the tension.

Everyone looked at Fang Chen with puzzled expressions, only to see that the black mist in his eyes had long since retreated, and the black mist on his cheeks and neck had also disappeared, returning to normal.

"I'm a bit tired. I'm going to my room to rest," said Fang Chen.

He patted Xia Ji's shoulder and walked deeper into the courtyard.

The others exchanged looks, uncertain of what was happening. Their eyes collectively turned to Chen Mang.

Chen Mang looked just as confused. "Did he successfully overcome the calamity?"

He looked over at Xu Qingsong for guidance, only to find his expression ashen.

Xu Qingsong said coldly, "Everyone, he may have temporarily suppressed the demonic calamity, but that's only for a moment. If he truly succeeded, the unique aura on him cannot be faked."

Everyone contemplated that. Indeed, if Fang Chen had successfully overcome a calamity, it would have left a distinct aura like Ji Liang had earlier.

Chen Mang commanded, "Go, someone send a message to the Yongan Patrol and inform them of Fang Chen's situation and let them decide."

"I'll go," said Feng Ya.

He cupped his hands in salute before turning to leave.

The group did not wait long before Feng Ya returned with an odd expression, whispering, "The Yongan Patrol said… they won't intervene."

"They won't intervene?"

Everyone was taken aback. Could it be that they really wouldn't get involved because of Fang Chen's position?

Xia Ji said indifferently, "Did you all hear that? The Yongan Patrol won't intervene, so you shouldn't meddle either. This is my estate, so I ask that any outsiders leave."

"Perhaps the Yongan Patrol believes that the calamity faced by a Golden Core Realm cultivator won't have a significant impact, which is why they choose not to intervene," Chen Mang mused.

He then smiled and added, "Since the Yongan Patrol won't get involved, I won't meddle either. I heard that Steward Jiang has been disrespectful to you, so I'll have him return to my side and arrange for a new steward for you."

"That won't do. Steward Jiang has abused his position and treated his master like a slave; according to the rules of the Wang Manor, he deserves to be executed without mercy. If you want to take him away, you might as well take his corpse with you," replied Xia Ji with a faint smile.

He drew a long knife and advanced toward Steward Jiang.

Deacon Jiang was utterly stunned. He never expected Xia Ji to threaten him with violence in front of Chen Mang and Feng Ya! He instinctively gathered his spiritual energy to resist.

However, at that moment, Xia Ji spoke again. "By the way, if you dare to resist, your entire family will suffer. I wonder if your family is among those I can punish?"

Steward Jiang instantly lost the will to fight back, his gaze shifting in terror to Chen Mang. "Young Master, save me! Xia Ji has gone mad!"

Chen Mang's expression darkened. "Xia Ji, are you really going to do this?"

Xia Ji turned to him with a smile. "Brother Yi, I'm left with no choice."

With a swift motion, the knife fell, and Steward Jiang's head rolled onto the ground.

"All done. Brother, you can take him away now."

Xia Ji sheathed his knife and walked away with Wu Ruochou, leaving behind a solemn-faced Chen Mang and a group of astonished onlookers.