Fangxian Heretical Path

Chapter 143 What's the point of laughing? Unresponsive to reason.
When Hua Xiaqing saw Fang Shu come to her door so eagerly, seeking favors but without bringing any gifts, she instantly lost interest.

With her eyelids drooping, she casually said, "Are you here or not? Don't you have eyes?"

Seeing this, Fang Shu thought to himself with amusement, and deliberately asked again, "Is Steward Sun here?"

"Tch!" This time, Hua Xiaqing was too lazy to pay attention. She sneered a few times and continued to eat sunflower seeds as if no one was around, tapping the counter with her hand to imply the benefits.

The response she received was a sharp crack!
Hua Xiaqing swayed, her mind went blank, and she suddenly felt a burning sensation on her face, which was both numb and tingling.

She looked up in disbelief, staring at Fang Shu in astonishment, her hand still in the motion of cracking sunflower seeds:

Why did you hit me?

Her voice trembled, filled with deep grievance.

Just now, Fang Shu flicked his sleeve, using it as a whip, and lashed this fellow's face hard.

Fang Shu slowly gathered his sleeves and said, "Fellow Daoist Hua, what are you laughing at?"

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiaqing angrily threw down the sunflower seeds, covered half her face, and forgot to fight back. Instead, she habitually cried out in shame and indignation:

"Laughing is wrong!?"

After saying this, Hua Xiaqing suddenly realized that it wasn't Steward Sun or anyone else who had hit her, but Fang Shu.

A surge of anger finally welled up in the woman's heart, but seeing Fang Shu standing in front of her with such confidence, Hua Xiaqing was filled with doubt and uncertainty.

She continued to cover her face, only daring to mutter under her breath, "Fang Shu! This is the quiet room in the common hall, you mustn't—"

*Smack!*

The response she received was another flick of her sleeve, which slapped hard across the other half of her face, silencing her instantly.

This attack was even more powerful than the previous one. Hua Xiaqing not only failed to dodge it, but her pretty face also swelled up at a visible speed, and her eyes were also swollen, making her look like she had a black eye and a swollen face.

Fang Shu's reply came belatedly: "I'll hit you if I want to, why do I need to pick a place?"

If you've already reached the Qi Refining stage, and you still treat this kind of arrogant and snobbish person with politeness, then what's the point of your cultivation?
Hua Xiaqing immediately covered her two faces, her delicate body trembling violently. She was in so much pain that she was about to cry, but she tightly covered her mouth, not daring to say anything more.

Because she was staring blankly at Fang Shu at that moment.

In her eyes, Fang Shu had transformed into a ferocious beast, with invisible tentacles extending out and enveloping her entire body, cool and slippery, making her tremble with fear.

A commotion broke out inside the quiet shop; people who had heard the commotion inside rushed out.

"Well, you dare to cause trouble in our brothel!"

Several menial laborers glared angrily at Fang Shu, shouting incoherently.

But the next moment, their footsteps stopped in unison, and their faces visibly became obedient. They all stood obediently and quietly against the wall, as if being punished, not daring to take another step forward.

The errand boy who had been yelling glanced at Hua Xiaqing, whose face was now swollen like a pig's head in front of the counter, and his face hardened. He immediately slapped himself hard in the face and then stood there with his head down like a quail.

The reason for this was that as soon as that person walked out, Fang Shu glanced at him.

He made no attempt to conceal his cultivation level; his divine sense surged forth wildly, recklessly pressing down on the field, sweeping away anyone who came near.

This person is a Qi Refining Immortal!
All the servants realized this and looked apprehensive.

Hua Xiaqing's expression was even more fascinating. She covered her face, looking not only astonished but also deeply aggrieved.

You're practicing Qi cultivation? You're amazing!
I haven't even had a chance to offend you yet! Do you expect me to kneel down and greet you?!

There was a pop.

Hua Xiaqing immediately knelt on the ground. She crawled out from behind the counter, her face swollen and painful, and said with a smile:
"This servant greets Master Fang. I will go and fetch Steward Sun immediately."

Immediately, the woman turned her back to the group of servants, obediently bent over, prostrated herself on the ground, and bowed to Fang Shu.

The servants by the wall all kept their eyes down, not daring to glance at Hua Xiaqing's alluring figure even once.

Fang Shu watched this scene, and even though he had expected it, he still felt a strange sensation.

Inside the Five Internal Organs Temple, the difference between Qi Refining disciples and menial servants was clearly revealed at this moment.

After a few breaths, he sighed and chuckled softly:

"Rise, Fellow Daoist Hua. We are acquaintances, there is no need for such a formal greeting. I have some questions for you."

Hua Xiaqing hesitated before standing up. Like a maidservant, she stood obediently in front of Fang Shu, her lips moving slightly before she spoke respectfully:

"Yes, Mr. Fang, please speak."

Fang Shu then instructed the person beside him, "Send someone to fetch Steward Sun."

"Yes, sir!" The other servants immediately set off, some going out, some making tea, and some carrying chairs.

While waiting, Fang Shu questioned Hua Xiaqing about the events at the lead mine.

When this matter was mentioned, Hua Xiaqing turned pale with fright. She trembled and kept trying to explain that she was not the mastermind and was forced into it.

Fang Shu laughed and said, "Oh, you mean someone not only forced you to harm my Dugu Sect disciples, but also forced you to participate in the Spring Examination, and even forced you to come up the mountain and join the sect?"

With a thud, Hua Xiaqing knelt down again. She finally understood why Fang Shu was so unkind to her.

"Master Fang, you are wise! I was just a liaison at best. Back then in the mine, those guys even ganged up on me. It was because of me that Sister Qin managed to escape."

The woman wept bitterly, her face streaked with tears, and said urgently:
"The mastermind was that Deng from the Kaishan Hall! He also killed another person at the time... Oh right! The Qixianglou incident was also caused by people hired by the Kaishan Hall."

Others may not know about this, but I've had dealings with Deng Lixing and overheard him let it slip.

Qin Min had already told the owner of the Duguan Pavilion everything about the lead mine, and Fang Shu knew a little about it, so he wasn't completely ignorant. However, the matter of the Seven Fragrance Pavilion immediately caught his attention.

He squinted at Hua Xiaqing and said, "Tell me more about the opening of the mountain pavilion, and maybe we can let bygones be bygones."

Upon hearing this, Hua Xiaqing's eyes lit up immediately.

She looked around the shop but didn't see anyone else. She immediately racked her brains and told Fang Shu everything she knew.

Silently, Fang Shu memorized the three words "Kaishanguan" (开山馆). "Hahaha!"

Suddenly, a hoarse laugh broke the silence, interrupting his thoughts:

"Fellow Daoist Fang, how have you been?"

It was the manager surnamed Sun who, upon receiving a report from the shop assistant, rushed back to the Jing Shi shop.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Fang, on breaking through the Qi Refining stage and advancing to the Spirit Immortal realm!"

After examining Fang Shu, Steward Sun's smile deepened, no longer the fake smile he had shown when facing the immortal seed.

Fang Shu also stood up at the opportune moment and greeted the other party:

"This junior is Fang Shu, and I have only recently begun to cultivate Qi. I apologize for disturbing you, senior."

"Don't mention it," the man surnamed Sun quickly waved his hand.

The old man and the young man exchanged pleasantries in the quiet room as equals.

Immediately, the man surnamed Sun wanted to take Fang Shu along to Toad Street to welcome him back.

"Hey! Fellow Daoist Fang, why are you being so polite?"

After Fang Shu repeatedly declined, he said directly:
"Then this junior will not stand on ceremony. The reason I have come here is to ask Steward Sun for guidance so that I can formally become a disciple."

Steward Sun said, "Guiding the way for the immortals of this temple is simply my duty. There's no need to be so polite."

Seeing that the other party agreed, Fang Shu bowed to the old man.

At this point, the man surnamed Sun began to strongly invite Fang Shu to stay in the quiet room. He said he would go and ask around among some of his old friends, and that he would take Fang Shu to the master's academy the next day or the day after.

To even get started, one had to ask around first. Fang Shu didn't know if this person was just being mysterious or if it was really true.

Fortunately, he wasn't in a hurry, politely declined again, and told the other party the location of Senior Sister Fang Lu's retreat:

"Thank you for your trouble, Senior Sun. Just have someone inform me when you set off."

Upon hearing Fang Shu's whereabouts, the man's eyes gleamed with a strange light. He immediately probed indirectly, "Houses in this kind of area are all of the finest quality, costing a fortune, and even the rent is substantial. They're not something ordinary disciples can afford. Could it be that Fellow Daoist Fang's ancestors..."

"No, no, I am just staying at my senior sister's room in this building. I am only bothering you a little."

Steward Sun nodded: "Very well, since Fellow Daoist Fang has such a fine residence to live in, he naturally wouldn't look down on this dilapidated quiet room, so we won't force you to stay."

"Not at all," Fang Shu said politely.

After their conversation, he prepared to take his leave.

At this moment, the man surnamed Sun glanced at Hua Xiaqing, whose face was swollen, and his old face twitched slightly. He immediately spoke again:

"Fellow Daoist, please wait! You won't drink this wine or stay in the quiet room, but you'll have to accept this beautiful maid."

Since this woman has offended you and is of bad character, you must trouble you to take her back and properly discipline her.

Hua Xiaqing, who was standing next to him, changed her expression immediately upon hearing this.

She was filled with shame and indignation, but dared not show the slightest displeasure on her face. Instead, she looked at Fang Shu with a fawning expression.

The woman stepped forward delicately and knelt down in front of Fang Shu again. Her breath was sweet and fragrant, and her neck was fair and white. If it weren't for the swelling in her face, she would have been quite beautiful.

But Fang Shu only glanced at it before refusing again:
"No need."

Although he has now reached the Qi Refining stage and can break free from virginity, he would never look down on such a woman, much less be blinded by lust and bring other women into his senior sister's secluded residence.

Seeing that Fang Shu had declined all three of his suggestions, Old Man Sun looked somewhat embarrassed.

However, the reasons Fang Shu gave were difficult for this guy to refute.

So when Fang Shu turned around and was about to step out of the threshold, the man surnamed Sun squinted his eyes, thought of something, and suddenly stretched out his withered hand and landed on Hua Xiaqing's slender neck.

Hua Xiaqing stood there obsequiously, not daring to avoid him.

The next moment, a crisp snapping sound echoed in the quiet room.

Hua Xiaqing's face stiffened, and before her smile could fade, her eyes suddenly darkened, filled with disbelief.

Immediately afterwards, her arms and legs drooped down like noodles, and her whole body was half-hanging on Steward Sun's hands.

Manager Sun clapped his hands, casually threw Hua Xiaqing's body on the ground, and pointed at it, saying:
"This woman has defied her superiors and disobeyed you, fellow Daoist. Now that she has been taught a lesson by you, she will surely harbor resentment for both old and new grudges."

To avoid you having to do it yourself and then pay her a ransom, and even more so to prevent her from causing you trouble the next day after she successfully cultivates Qi.

"I, Sun, have overstepped my bounds and taken care of it for you, fellow Daoist," the old man said with a grin, as if he had just crushed a cat or dog and didn't care at all.

Upon hearing this, Fang Shu stopped in his tracks, his heart skipping a beat.

Under his divine sense, Hua Xiaqing's blood and qi were scattered, and even her pupils began to dilate. She was indeed dead beyond any doubt, and it was not a lie.

"Thank you, fellow Taoist."

Fang Shu didn't turn around, but nodded with his back turned to indicate that he understood, and then continued to leave.

Soon.

He blended into the crowd on Toad Street and disappeared from sight.

Manager Sun squinted at the direction Fang Shu had disappeared in, his smile fading.

"Tsk! What an impervious disciple."

The man chuckled and muttered something under his breath. Then he turned around, not even glancing at Hua Xiaqing on the ground again, and slowly walked into the depths of the shop.

Inside the quiet shop, only a few servants remained, standing there barely daring to breathe. They stared intently at the limp corpse on the ground, exchanging bewildered glances, their expressions a mixture of terror and numbness.

(End of this chapter)