Chapter Eight : Victory's Hidden Price
When Fang Luo received the news, he finally let out a long breath.
The heavy weight pressing on his heart had at last been lifted.
After all, this had been his greatest regret in his previous life. Now, reborn, he had finally been able to set it right.
"With the Zou and Wei clans dealt with, our Fang clan is now the number one family in Yunshan City."
"I can finally leave for training with peace of mind—focus on raising my cultivation and study the precious artifact that reincarnated along with me."
"Once I've grown strong enough, I'll find a blessed land and move the entire Fang clan there."
As a once-mighty cultivator reborn into this life,Fang Luo felt uneasy without sufficient strength.
Though training at home could also improve his cultivation, true growth demanded trials. Without experience and tempering, progress would always be slow.
He knew very well his talent wasn't outstanding. Only through combat and danger could he speed up his advancement.
Just then, a voice called from outside.
"Fang Luo! We're short-handed over at the Wei Clan estate. The elders want us to help."
Despite being rivals, the Zou and Wei families were powerful and deeply rooted in Yunshan City, with vast holdings. Wiping them out and seizing their assets required many hands.
Even cultivators like Fang Luo, still in the Body Tempering stage, were needed to help.
"Coming."
Fang Luo stepped out and headed to the Wei estate with several clansmen.
By now, Fang Ting had already eliminated all the Essence Cultivators in both clans. What remained was left to the clan members—a good opportunity to train and temper them.
But instead of returning home,Fang Ting turned and headed for the City Lord's Manor, where he met with Ji Dongfang, the city lord.
Ji Dongfang sat calmly, holding an ornate wine flask that gave off a rich, intoxicating aroma.
He glanced at Fang Ting with a faintly reproachful tone.
"Brother Fang, your clan unleashed a full-force assault in the city streets. That's a violation of the Great Qi's laws. The constables were all waiting on my order—put me in a tough spot, you know."
The laws of the Great Qi Dynasty strictly forbade fighting, let alone killing, within city bounds.
But Yunshan City was remote, and Ji Dongfang was practically a local warlord. Whatever happened in the city, he had the final say.
Had it been mere commoners brawling, they'd have been arrested already.
Fang Ting cupped his hands. "I came today to apologize."
Thanks to Fang Luo's memories from his past life, Fang Ting knew that in that timeline, the Zou and Wei clans had destroyed the Fang clan and taken all their wealth—with the City Lord's Office receiving a share as well.
Ji Dongfang hadn't been an ally of Zou or Wei. He only cared about profit. Whoever won, he would side with and help swallow the loser's remains for personal gain.
When Fang Ting had attacked the other two clans, Ji Dongfang had been surprised—because it went against his expectations.
But that was all. He didn't care who won—just who paid him.
Fang Ting didn't bother with polite games. He offered a cut of the spoils directly. Ji Dongfang's face lit up with satisfaction.
"Ah, working with a clever man like Brother Fang is far better than dealing with those two stingy old bastards."
Fang Ting smiled faintly but cursed inwardly: They're stingy, but you're greedy. Like the pot calling the kettle black.
Ji Dongfang suddenly added, "Since you've been so generous, let me return the favor with some information."
"Zou Kui and Wei Sanyuan borrowed a magical artifact from a Seven Star Sect elder. I'm guessing that thing is in your hands now?"
Fang Ting immediately understood. Ji was referring to the yellow seal Zou Kui had used—a high-grade Profound-tier artifact that had crushed the Flying Eagle Vessel with a single strike.
If Fang Ting hadn't poisoned the group in advance, he might not have survived against such a weapon.
He had always wondered how Zou Kui obtained such a powerful treasure. Now it made sense—it was a borrowed item.
The Seven Star Sect wasn't as powerful as the first-rate Lingyue Sect, but it was still second-rate—a giant compared to the Fang clan.
By the hierarchy of the Great Qi Dynasty, a clan like the Fang—boasting just three Core Formation cultivators and none beyond the mid-stage—didn't even count as a fourth-rate force.
Fang Ting replied, "Indeed, I have that artifact. I was just—"
Ji Dongfang waved his hand, cutting him off.
"No need to explain. I just wanted to warn you: that thing's a hot potato. Handle it carefully."
Fang Ting nodded. "Thank you for the reminder, Lord Ji."
He had thought Ji might covet the item himself—but instead, he was offering advice.
Still, Ji wasn't warning him out of kindness. He had his own reasons.
Whether Yunshan City had one clan or ten, Ji didn't care. But he needed there to be clans. If Fang Ting mishandled the situation and the Seven Star Sect sent a Violet Palace cultivator to exterminate the Fang clan, then Yunshan City would be left without any noble family—not a scenario Ji wanted.
After Fang Ting left, Ji gazed off into the distance, muttering to himself.
"That Fang Ting… he's changed so much. Even his presence feels like a different person. Is that how he turned the tables and wiped out the Zou and Wei clans?"
He frowned in disgust.
"Zou and Wei really were trash. Even joining forces with a Profound-tier artifact, they still got counter-killed. Useless."
"But this works better for me. More profit."
Taking a cut from one unified victor like the Fang clan was far more lucrative than splitting from two weaker ones.
—
On the way home, Fang Ting kept turning over the matter of the yellow seal in his mind.
At first, he had been thrilled. It was a massive windfall—an artifact that would significantly boost his combat power.
But now that he knew it had been borrowed from a Seven Star Sect elder, a Violet Palace cultivator, it was no longer so simple.
If he didn't return it, the elder might come knocking. Best-case scenario: humiliation. Worst case: total extermination.
If he did return it… who knew what the relationship between that elder and the Zou or Wei clans might be?
If they were related by blood or ties of loyalty, and he showed up with the weapon, the elder might fly into a rage at the news of their deaths—and blame it all on him and the Fang clan.
It was a classic lose-lose.
Fang Ting rubbed his brow, sighing.
"This really is a hot potato. Had I known, I wouldn't have touched it. Should've left it out there with Zou Kui's corpse."
The crux of the matter was this: What kind of relationship did the Seven Star elder have with Zou and Wei?
If it was purely transactional, then returning the artifact with a generous gift should settle things.
But if the bond ran deeper… returning it might be suicide. In that case, pretending ignorance might be the best option.
"…Sigh."
Fang Ting let out a long breath.
Just then, Fang Luo returned from helping at the Wei estate. Seeing Fang Ting frowning and sighing as he passed by, Fang Luo couldn't help feeling puzzled.
The Zou and Wei clans are gone. The Fang clan is about to rise to the top. Why does he still look so troubled?
Fang Luo followed quietly behind, intent on asking what was wrong.