Immortal of the Nine Realms

Chapter 81: Leaving the Capital

Young master, is it fine for you to accompany me to the southern region when the capital had just come under Longdus attack? Your presence in the capital should be more important than ever. Itll suffice to have Brother Yuan with me. Huangfu Jie was worried.

He had requested Fang Chen to follow him to the southern region, but Longdus invasion changed the nature of things. There was a chance that Longdu might attempt something in the near future, so it would be best to have Fang Chen hold the fort here.

Dont worry about Longdu; theyll need time to make a comeback. It has been a while since I left the capital, so itll be good for me to go on a journey, Fang Chen replied with a smile. Also, Xu Ge and Huang Sihai are keeping an eye on the capital on my behalf. They can hold the fort.

Thatll be best, but

Huangfu Jie looked at the two women next to Fang ChenAbbess Clearlotus and Jade Fairy. Wouldnt it be dangerous to bring two such weak women to the southern region?

He was oblivious to their identities, so he didnt know that these two so-called weak women were actually formidable individuals.

While Abbess Clearlotus was only at second stage Ki Refinement, she was still a cultivator. Martial artists beneath Ki Manifestation wouldnt be able to pose a threat to her. She could easily offset their inner ki with her spirit ki.

But what? Fang Chen asked.

Huangfu Jie was conflicted, but he eventually chose not to voice it out and instead changed the topic. Yuan Zhuang and the other rectifiers didnt say a word either.

To them, it didnt seem too out of place for the War God to bring two women along to serve him, though it was rather controversial that one of them was a nun.

A steed was prepared for each of them, and it didnt take long for them to get going.

Several figures appeared on the city walls.

Xia Yu coldly eyed Fang Chens departing silhouette as he asked, Fang Chen and Huangfu Jie are bringing rectifiers and constables from the Court of Great Brilliance to the southern region. Do you know what they are up to?

I heard theres an important case involving the southern regions Four Great Sects. Huangfu Jie specially traveled to the capital to request Fang Chens assistance, Li Huafeng replied.

Is there a reason for him to bring Jade Fairy and a nun along? Fang Chen is truly a hypocrite, Ye Qinghe sneered as he clenched his fists in envy.

Jade Fairys willingness to travel south with Fang Chen signaled that she was already his!

Its just a lowly woman. Dont let it get to you, Tao Yu shook his head as he glanced at Xia Yu.

Xia Yu was startled by the sudden gaze, but he quickly replied, Yes, its just a lowly woman. Itd be foolish to let it bother you.

He then looked at the group around him and asked. I heard Fang Chen has ties with the southern regions Four Great Sects, and this verifies that. He has followers both in the imperial court and the pugilistic world. What do you think his goal is?

The group exchanged looks, but none of them answered Xia Yus question. They knew what the crown prince was driving at, but they dared not voice it aloud. Deep down, despite the animosity they felt toward Fang Chen, they didnt think that he would do something like that too.

Its a good thing that hes leaving the capital. Its an opportunity for us to dig up whatever arrangements he has made in the capital in the last five years, Xia Yue sneered. He turned to Li Huafeng and said, Supervisor Li, Ill be entrusting this matter to you.

Rest assured, Your Highness. Itll be easier to get it done while hes gone, Li Huafeng replied. Ill have my men look into the mysterious experts who appeared that night too. Ill uncover their identities and their ties with Fang Chen.

Xia Yu nodded. Are there any news from your Hidden Dragons? How is my Third Brother faring in Greenpine? Fang Chen killed over a thousand Greenpine martial artists; its unlikely that they would turn a blind eye to the matter.

Li Huafeng glanced at Tao Yu and Ye Qinghe.

They are one of us. You need not be bothered by their presence, Xia Yu replied.

Li Huafeng clasped his fist and reported, There hasnt been any response from Greenpines side. The Third Prince continues to spend his days in entertainment facilities he appears to have already come to terms with his situation.

My Third Brother isnt that simple. He wouldnt lose himself over mere Greenpine women. Its just an illusion. The more he acts in such a way, the more uneasy I feel. We shouldnt wait any longer. Lets end this once and for all. Have your Hidden Dragons to eliminate the Third Prince, Xia Yu ordered.

Li Huafeng was taken aback. He looked at Xia Yu, only to see the latter staring at him with unblinking eyes. That put him into deep thoughts.

Ye Qinghe and Tao Yu looked out of the window, choosing not to participate in this conversation.

Greenpine wont allow the Third Prince to die there, Li Huafeng suddenly said.

What if Wolf Marshall Xiaos daughter, Celestial Xiao, fails to return to Greenpine? Do you think Wolf Marshall Xiao will make a move on my Third Brother in a fit of anger? Xia Yu asked.

Celestial Xiao?! Li Huafeng was taken aback. Celestial Xiao has already left the capital for many days now, so she should be back in Greenpine by now. Yet, my Hidden Dragons didnt provide me any updates regarding her. Could it be

I cant wait anymore. Order your Hidden Dragons to make a move. Well pin Third Brothers death on Greenpine and Fang Chen, Xia Yu said. Ill reward you for working for me. Back then, Fang Chen hurt your foundation, causing your martial cultivation to stagnate at Ki Explosion. Otherwise, with your talent, you could have reached Ki Manifestation and compete with him.

Li Huafengs expression flickered. This matter had been a thorn in his heart. Despite having reached mid Ki Control at a young age, the injury he sustained from his battle with Fang Chen caused his martial cultivation to slip to pinnacle Ki Explosion, never to advance again.

I have a pill here. I got it from a daoist. Itll help you overcome your bottleneck and advance to third stage Ki Control. Perhaps you might even surpass your previous peak, Xia Yu said with a smile as he handed a pill over to Li Huafeng.

Li Huafeng took the pill in a daze. He stared at Xia Yu with disbelief in his eyes. Your Highness, is this pill really that potent?

I wouldnt lie to you, Xia Yu replied.

Thank you, Your Highness! Ill do everything I can to help you. Li Huafeng immediately bowed to Xia Yu out of gratitude.

Ill also find an opportunity to help you eliminate Fang Chen, Xia Yu added.

Li Huafeng failed to notice Ye Qinghes eyes lighting up with greed. Clearly, the latter had already tasted the benefits of the pill.

Days later, Fang Chens group finally reached Great Xias southern region.

The largest difference between the northern region and the southern region was the climate. The northern region was in summer, but the southern region was like a furnace. Most people they encountered had bared their upper body.

The southern region had a harsh climate; it was scorching hot in summer, only to turn freezing cold in winter. It was not a place suitable for settling down in. Most of the civilians living in the southern region spent their days fighting with the weather.

Its too hot, young master. Shall we get a cup of tea at the teahouse up ahead? Brother Yuan and the others are almost dying of thirst, Huangu Jie wiped off his sweat as he asked.