Mynovel Chapter 535 - 23: Mad Daoist (2)
Chapter 535 - 23: Mad Daoist (2)
He regarded Fang Heng as if he were his own son.
Once, someone spoke disrespectfully to Du Qiaoyun, and Fang Zheng, in a rare display of anger, insisted on severe punishment.
So within the Fang Mansion, no one dared to look down upon this ’First Lady,’ treating her as the mistress of the mansion.
It all began many years ago.
In the early years.
When Fang Zheng first entered this realm, it was as the Young Martial Arts Hall Master of Pan She Martial Arts Hall that Du Qiaoyun taught him all kinds of martial arts.
It was then that the two became acquainted and understood each other, but it was mostly a friendship; to speak of romantic feelings would be uncertain.
Afterwards, Du Qiaoyun married, and Fang Zheng no longer bothered her.
Later on, the county town was in turmoil, Pan She Martial Arts Hall fell into disrepair, Du Qiaoyun’s husband died, and she fled eastward with her child.
Thanks to Fang Zheng’s protection, she finally led a stable life.
Over time, feelings developed.
Du Qiaoyun moved into the Fang Mansion and even gave her child the Fang surname, although she always considered herself in the role of a maid.
At that time.
Fang Zheng had no relatives in this realm and no comfort in his heart, so the two of them relied on each other to some extent.
One could say they were living as a couple, supporting each other.
And so it went, for several decades.
Recalling the past, Du Qiaoyun’s gaze was confused. After a long time, she struggled to gather her hair and rested her head on Fang Zheng’s lap, sighing as she asked:
"How much longer can I live?"
"..." Fang Zheng paused slightly in his actions and said:
"Don’t worry, you’ll be fine."
"You don’t have to lie to me." Du Qiaoyun smiled, though the smile was bitter:
"I know my own situation. If it weren’t for your daily medicinal supports, I wouldn’t have made it ten years ago."
"You know, I’m not afraid."
Fang Zheng lowered his head, gently stroking Du Qiaoyun’s long hair, which was once black and beautiful but now dry and lackluster.
Not knowing how to reply, he could only speak softly:
"Heng’Er will be fine."
"I believe you."
Du Qiaoyun took a deep breath. Her only concern now was Fang Heng; she had let go of everything else.
"Fang Zheng."
After resting for a moment, she said softly:
"Do you believe in an afterlife?"
"..." Fang Zheng appeared pensive, and after a long time, he said:
"I didn’t believe it before, but now, I am willing to believe."
"Willing to believe." Du Qiaoyun’s beautiful eyes trembled slightly, emanating an unprecedented brightness. With a dreamy tone, she said:
"If there is an afterlife, I hope to meet you first, so that the regrets of this life do not carry over to the next."
"It will." Fang Zheng smiled faintly:
"When I become a Master, with my primordial spirit stable, I can reincarnate with memories. Even if you forget, I can come and find you first."
"That would be wonderful." Du Qiaoyun’s body trembled lightly and then showed a pained expression; her breathing became somewhat labored.
"Ah, life!"
She collected her thoughts slowly, speaking softly:
"If only we could live this life over again."
"We could have had many happy days. I could have rightfully been Madam Fang."
"Do you think of me as someone who is easily changeable?"
Du Qiaoyun once had a husband, and their feelings were fairly good, but now her heart only contained her son and Fang Zheng.
"No."
Fang Zheng raised his head:
"I was simply too late."
"Hmm."
Du Qiaoyun closed her eyes, speaking slowly:
"I know your heart pursues the Great Dao, not focusing on romantic feelings, and you don’t even wish for descendants."
"Yet neither I nor Qiuchan would regret it."
"Fang Zheng..."
"My husband."
"One day, you will become a Master, a Rogue Immortal, or even something higher. You are different from everyone else..."
"Different..."
Fang Zheng was silent, watching Du Qiaoyun mumbling softly as she slowly fell into a dreamlike state.
*
*
*
Seven days later.
Du Qiaoyun’s breath had weakened to the utmost point, as if a gust of breeze could carry her away.
"Master."
Yang Meng bowed his head:
"There’s still no news from the Prefecture City."
Fang Zheng closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he suddenly waved his hand backward, enveloping Du Qiaoyun in a chill.
Profound Ice Spell!
Instantly.
The coldness condensed into ice, freezing Du Qiaoyun within.
"Sister Qiaoyun..."
Linghu Qiuchan stepped forward, tears in her beautiful eyes, her body trembling lightly as she covered her mouth with her hands to suppress her sobs.
She knew very well.
Even though Fang Zheng’s act preserved Du Qiaoyun’s life force, allowing her to wait for Fang Heng to come and see her one last time.
But,
It also meant that Du Qiaoyun had no chance of survival. After seeing Fang Heng once, she would depart forever.
Moreover, the Profound Ice Spell couldn’t extend a person’s life indefinitely; the person would be thoroughly frozen to death within at most a month.
"Assemble the private soldiers."
Fang Zheng took a deep breath:
"If there’s still no news in five days, you all will go with me to Jinzhou Prefecture."
"Yes!"
Yang Meng cupped his fists and took a few steps backward slowly.
"Husband."
Linghu Qiuchan stepped forward, her voice choked with emotion.
"It’s nothing."
Fang Zheng waved his hand, understanding what she was worried about:
"A battle array of three thousand private soldiers is enough to deal with a Martial Sect and a Magical Sage, and I am not that weak either."
"Going to Jinzhou Prefecture, it’s more than enough to protect myself."
"Besides..."
He smiled and said:
"Why raise so many private soldiers, if not to use them? If not to protect one’s family, what’s the use?"
"Mhm."
Linghu Qiuchan nodded slowly.
......
While there was no news from Jinzhou Prefecture, an unexpected guest arrived in Gu’an County, appearing in the County Government Office.
The visitor’s hair was in disarray, his Daoist robe was filthy, and his straw sandals were tattered, yet no one dared to question him.
Because.
He had flown in from the sky.
Riding the wind!
Only a Martial Arts Grandmaster or a Magical Sage could achieve this.
Since the death of the former County Magistrate at Cien Temple, the Imperial Court never dispatched another County Magistrate to Gu’an County. This place was used as an outer residence for the Fang Mansion, specifically for receiving guests of high status.
Fang Zheng, accompanied by his entourage, appeared in the grand hall of the County Government Office and cupped his fists toward the figure seated above:
"Senior, we meet again after parting ways in the Prefecture City."
"Mhm."
The Mad Daoist stood with his hands behind his back, pacing over to Fang Zheng, circling him twice, and asked slowly:
"Did you kill Song Ji?"
"Why does Senior say this?" Fang Zheng’s expression did not change:
"Firstly, I’m no match for Young Master Song. Even if I were, why would I attack Young Master Song?"
"It makes no sense!"
"Indeed." The Mad Daoist lightly stroked his beard and then said:
"Before Song Ji died, he contacted the Three Sages Manor of Jinzhou Prefecture. He intended to join with rebels to ambush King Kang."
"Hm?" Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow:
"If Young Master Song, being a significant minister of the Imperial Court and a relative of the Prince, really did such a thing, it would surely dishearten people."
"Senior."
"You should tell the Commandery Princess. I believe she is magnanimous and will not pursue this as the dead should be honored."
"Heh..." The Mad Daoist chuckled softly:
"I told you, not because Song Ji did wrong, but because I plan to do the same against King Kang."
"Boy!"
"You have a lot of private soldiers, they seem well-trained, why not join the Song Family and rebel against the Imperial Court!"
?
Fang Zheng squinted, his heart raced.
In his perception, the Mad Daoist in front of him was like a volcano on the verge of eruption.
A dangerous premonition hovered over his Sea of Consciousness.
"Senior."
He pressed his lips, spoke softly:
"Are you joking?"
"Do I look like I’m joking?" The Mad Daoist frowned, showing displeasure:
"I never joke. You are suspected of killing Song Ji and should be executed, but I can let bygones be bygones if you agree to serve this time."
"This..." Fang Zheng hesitated:
"Why would Senior do this?"
"News from the Capital City, the new Emperor died two days ago, King Kang has lost his support, he is doomed." The Mad Daoist grinned:
"Seize the opportunity to take his life, isn’t that only natural?"
Hm?
The newly ascended Emperor has died?
Waves stirred in Fang Zheng’s heart, and his expression grew somber:
"Does Senior truly intend to act against the Prince?"
"What else?" The Mad Daoist’s eyes widened:
"Boy, if you join me, you’ll benefit greatly."
"Senior." Fang Zheng shook his head:
"I have matters at home to deal with recently."
"I know." The Mad Daoist spoke up:
"Isn’t your wife about to die? Does it matter? After dealing with King Kang, I can help you find more wives."
"..." Fang Zheng’s body paused, he slowly raised his head to look at the other, and spoke slowly:
"What if I say no?"
"No?"
The Mad Daoist raised an eyebrow, then chuckled lowly:
"Boy, do you know who you’re talking to?"
"Of course I know." Fang Zheng replied:
"A madman from the Song Family."
Silence enveloped the scene.
The Mad Daoist’s eyes were round as he stared at Fang Zheng intently, then suddenly burst into laughter:
"Haha..."
"Good boy, you’re indeed bold. Do you know how long it’s been since I heard those two words?"
"Madman!"
"You’re courting death!"
A violent sound wave roared.
In response, a blinding lightning flash spread across the scene:
"You’re the one who will die!"