Fang Jie felt a genuine sense of pride when the managers told him how powerful he was. He didn't know who the old man was or where he came from; if he was a freak with eighth or even ninth-grade cultivation, Fang Jie didn't think he could handle him. Scaring away an enemy with a few words gave him a sense of accomplishment.
Now, the already unguarded Songbai Tower was left with only a group of managers who couldn't fight at all. If it really came down to a fight, Fang Jie would much rather fight them than the old man. He felt he had the ability to deal with twenty-odd managers.
"Do you want to vote on someone to tie you all up?"
He asked.
"They don't need to tie you up, and neither do you."
The speaker suddenly appeared in the courtyard, not far behind Fang Jie. Fang Jie recognized the speaker and slowly turned to look at him.
It was Luo Weiran who spoke. He gave Fang Jie a thumbs-up and smiled, "Your lie that scared that old man away was truly remarkable, a perfect blend of truth and falsehood. However, you misspoke about one thing… You said His Majesty didn't know about today's events? That's the mistake; His Majesty does know."
Fang Jie smiled and said, "That's easy to guess. I only said that to highlight my brilliance and wisdom. Those officials haven't left court yet. If His Majesty didn't deliberately keep them here, I can't think of any other reason."
"Give these people to me. They are all important witnesses we'll need tomorrow. Besides, the Imperial Guards are more adept at interrogation and torture."
Luo Weiran said, "You should now…" "Go to the palace to see His Majesty immediately."
Fang Jie shook his head: "I have to find Wu Yidao."
"His Majesty's decree orders you to enter the palace immediately and wait in the East Warm Pavilion."
"Let's postpone His Majesty's decree for now. His Majesty's matter isn't urgent, but Wu Yidao's matter is. To ensure his safe departure from the city, I've even sent Shen Qingshan. We must guarantee his survival."
Luo Weiran shook his head slightly: "I know what you're planning. You used ten carriages to lure all those assassins out of Chang'an, then you came back to control these people who know so many secrets. You calculated that Songbai Tower was unguarded, which is why you dared to come alone. Of course, that's not all you've planned today. You really intend to send Wu Yidao out of Chang'an, right? Taking advantage of the opportunity..." "Everywhere is in chaos. Let Wu Yidao disguise himself and, under Shen Qingshan's protection, leave through another city gate. Perhaps the latter is your most important objective… Fang Jie, I warned you, and His Majesty warned you too, that you shouldn't interfere in Wu Yidao's affairs."
Fang Jie shrugged indifferently: "I already have, and I enjoyed it very much."
Luo Weiran sighed: "You're willing to incur His Majesty's wrath to help Wu Yidao?"
Fang Jie was silent for a moment before replying: "In life, everyone encounters one or two difficult decisions. A wrong decision can lead to a lifetime of unease. I've never considered myself a good person, but I do know the meaning of gratitude. At first, I thought I would avoid it, unable to risk angering His Majesty to help..." "Wu Yidao. But after doing it, I realized it wasn't that difficult."
Luo Weiran said, "Helping Wu Yidao will ensure you don't feel guilty for the rest of your life. But have you considered that if you offend His Majesty, you won't have a proper rest of your life!"
"Without a proper rest of my life, I won't feel guilty either."
Fang Jie smiled and lowered his voice, "Uncle-Master... have you finished speaking from your position? Do you have anything to say as your uncle-master?"
Luo Weiran glared at him fiercely and said, "Go explain yourself to His Majesty. Fortunately, His Majesty now believes that your starting point is for the Great Sui Dynasty, that you are serving His Majesty."
Fang Jie couldn't help but laugh, "So, I won't die?"
"You won't die for now."
Luo Weiran said. Fang Jie hummed in agreement, "Then I will naturally return to His Majesty to explain and apologize later, but right now I must find Wu Yidao to confirm whether he has left. To be honest, I don't even know where he is now, but I can go and confirm if he's gone. Having put so much effort into setting up this scheme, I need to verify its success."
Luo Weiran sighed, "Since you've decided, then go."
Fang Jie clasped his hands and bowed, "Thank you, Uncle-Master."
Luo Weiran waved his hand, making way. Fang Jie put the Morning Dew Blade into the wooden box, strapped it to his back, and strode away. Luo Weiran looked at this enigmatic young man, feeling a genuine sense of admiration. To be honest, even he might not have designed such a perfect scheme today.
First, he lured away all the enemy's forces, then launched a counterattack directly at the enemy's center. It seemed simple, but it was meticulously crafted. Most importantly, he actually managed to hide Wu Yidao so that no one could find him. Using limited manpower, he had drawn out all the enemy's forces. At that moment, Luo Weiran suddenly felt that this young man would surely shine brightly in the future.
He waved his hand, and many people in flying fish robes emerged from all directions. Luo Weiran pointed to the stewards and ordered, "Take them all back to the secret prison. I'll interrogate them when I get back. Before I return, no one is allowed to see these people, no matter who they are. Not even members of the Imperial Guard, whether they are commanders or centurions. Anyone who dares to force their way in to see these people will be killed without mercy."
"Yes, sir!"
A bald man bowed his head and responded. His name was Liu Yuefeng. He was a commander of the Imperial Guard, Luo Weiran's loyal subordinate. He understood the meaning behind Luo Weiran's words. Even if these people were taken back and imprisoned, things might still go wrong. There was no guarantee that Prince Yi's men weren't in the Imperial Guard. If these people were captured and then killed, all their efforts would be in vain.
"Sir, aren't you leaving yet?"
Liu Yuefeng asked. Luo Weiran nodded and sat down in the corridor. "Fang Jie deliberately let someone go to report for help. I'll wait and see who comes."
...
...
Fang Jie genuinely didn't know where Wu Yidao had gone. According to the plan, Shen Qingshan escorted Wu Yidao out of Chang'an through the Shengde Gate in the south of the city. The two disguised themselves as merchants and walked, not taking a carriage or riding a horse. He and Shen Qingshan had agreed that if Wu Yidao left the city, Shen Qingshan would wait for him at the Fanghe Pavilion, fifteen li outside the south city.
Daquan and Qilin would also return to join him, while Fatty Jiusecai would lead Wu Yidao's men to meet him. But Fang Jie knew Wu Yidao was not one to follow plans; otherwise, he wouldn't have had Shen Qingshan accompany him.
Carrying a long wooden box, Fang Jie hurried out of the Shengde Gate. He figured that by now, everything else was settled, and the assassins who had caught up with the carriage and discovered Wu Yidao wasn't there would definitely return to report. Now that the Imperial Guards had taken control of Songbai Tower, none of them could escape.
He was anxious to see Shen Qingshan because he truly didn't know how many trump cards Prince Yi held. If a powerful cultivator were to intervene, even Shen Qingshan might not be able to handle it. Given Prince Yi's cunning, it was impossible that he hadn't bribed some truly capable individuals to serve him over the years.
These powerful cultivators were also Prince Yi's strongest support should he truly want to take action. After all, the Emperor had many experts around him, and there was also the supposedly most powerful martial arts academy director, and Master Xiao in Qingfeng Temple. Thinking of these, Fang Jie couldn't help but think of the Taoists with unclear motives at the Sanqing Temple on Wudang Mountain. If they were truly Prince Yi's men, there might be a major bloodbath in Chang'an.
Fang Jie was in a hurry to find Shen Qingshan, so he walked extremely fast. Fanghe Pavilion was fifteen li outside Shengde Gate, a journey that would take considerable time. The official road was bustling with pedestrians, most heading towards Chang'an. Fang Jie was like a fish swimming upstream, weaving through the crowd.
About five li outside Chang'an, he suddenly stopped, his expression changing.
In the crowd ahead, someone was smiling at him.
A young man in a scholar's robe, a smile of mixed joy and surprise on his lips.
Fang Jie's brow furrowed slightly. He truly hadn't expected to encounter this person he had always suspected.
Standing opposite Fang Jie was Fang Henshui.
"Life is full of unexpected encounters, what a coincidence," Fang Jie said, tapping the wooden box on his back and smiling as he spoke to Fang Henshui.
Fang Henshui nodded: "Life is full of unexpected encounters, that's a wonderful saying... I thought I'd go home empty-handed today, I really didn't expect to be so lucky. Do you think it's because my thoughts were too strong, and God heard me and deliberately arranged for you to come see me?"
Fang Jie smiled and said: "I really didn't know you had a crush on me, and I really have no interest in men."
Fang Henshui laughed heartily: "Is being glib interesting? But I am indeed very interested in you."
Fang Jie shook his head: "No interest... I want to know why you're interested in me?"
"Because you're so lucky that it makes people jealous."
Fang Henshui sighed: "And I'm so unlucky that I can't even die. Do you think I'll be angry if I see you?"
Fang Jie nodded: "I understand, you're insecure."
Fang Henshui paused, then nodded seriously and said: "You're right." "I'm just insecure. After I kill you, my insecurity will naturally disappear, don't you think?"
Fang Jie was silent for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You've gone to so much trouble to hide for so long, aren't you afraid that if you act now, all your efforts will be in vain? If you pretend you didn't see me, no one will discover your identity."
"Huh?"
Fang Henshui was surprised: "You know who I am?"
Fang Jie shook his head helplessly: "I didn't know at first, I just had some suspicions about you. But today, you're standing here blocking my way, so I know who you are... Fang Henshui, I'm really curious, you used to be someone who couldn't cultivate, how did you become a cultivator with considerable strength? I've seriously considered it, I must find out before killing you."
These words made Fang Henshui laugh heartily. He suddenly stretched out his arm, and a violent gust of wind swept outwards from him, blowing away the curious pedestrians on the official road who were watching them. "Get out of here, or you'll all die!"
Fang Henshui coldly shouted. The pedestrians scrambled to their feet, exchanged glances, and immediately turned and left, quickly clearing a large section of the official road.
"You really think you can kill me?"
Fang Henshui sneered, "That's right, I used to be a useless cripple who couldn't cultivate, but now I'm stronger than you. And you? Although your body is somewhat special, you're still a useless cripple who can't cultivate. What do you have to compare with me? Even if I kill you now, at most I won't be able to survive in the Sui Dynasty. If I leave the Sui Dynasty, whether I go to Eastern Chu, Southern Yan, or even the barbarians, I'll be treated as an honored guest. Even if you gain the emperor's favor, so what? You're just a dog to be driven around. I will control my own destiny, while you grovel for your future. I'm stronger than you, and I'm superior to you."
Fang Jie slowly opened the wooden box, shaking his head: "Inferiority complex really can drive a person crazy… Eager to declare you're stronger and superior than me, eager to declare you're not a dog… You're really wrong. Everything I've done is for myself, while everything you've done is madness. You're not only a dog, but the most pathetic mad dog."
He looked up at Fang Henshui: "What are you waiting for? Come and bite me?"