Chapter 103: Fang Mu Gets Tricked (Bonus Chapter for Helmsman Wu Qi!)

Inside the room, the candlelight flickered incessantly.

Upon hearing Wangchi’s account, Fang Mu thought to himself, "Well, that’s quite a story."

According to Wangchi, the Hanxu Temple was once at the height of its prosperity. Among its disciples, two possessed the greatest talent: the former abbot, Xuyang, and his junior brother, Xuluo. The two shared a deep bond and worked together to revitalize the temple. However, complications arose, and the catalyst was a woman.

In truth, many Mystic Practitioners hide among ordinary people. After all, they are human, too, and cannot entirely detach themselves from the mundane world—much like a certain grandmaster who frequented brothels.

Back when the Hanxu Temple was bustling with incense offerings, there were naturally female devotees as well. One day, a woman named Meifu arrived to offer incense, and it was Xuluo who received her. Meifu was breathtakingly beautiful and possessed a gentle, graceful temperament that embodied every man's fantasy. Xuluo, then in the prime of his youth, fell for her instantly. For reasons unknown, the two began a secret affair with remarkable speed, keeping it hidden from everyone else.

But paper cannot wrap fire, and there is no wall that does not leak. Before long, the truth was discovered by none other than Xuyang, who was then still a junior monk himself. Fearing that Xuluo might stray from the path, Xuyang sought out Meifu in secret, hoping to persuade her to sever ties with his junior brother. Unexpectedly, in that very meeting, Xuyang also fell in love with her.

At first, Xuyang maintained his restraint, but then Xuluo did something that jolted him into a state of panic: Xuluo went to the abbot to request his return to secular life, promising to never again use his Mystic abilities.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Xuyang immediately confronted Xuluo. Xuluo had assumed his senior brother was there to dissuade him, but instead, Xuyang claimed that he himself was the one who should return to secular life. A fight broke out between them; Xuluo emerged victorious and departed the temple.

Later, Xuyang became the abbot, but he grew increasingly bitter. He would secretly seek out Xuluo to spar, only to suffer defeat every time. After repeated failures, Xuyang’s resentment festered until, unknowingly, he descended into the path of the Occultist.

Fang Mu rubbed his chin, understanding the situation. This was a classic love triangle, yet both sides were remarkably headstrong.

Wangchi paused at this point. Fang Mu frowned and said, "Continue. Why did you stop? What was their end?"

Wangchi smiled bitterly. "The abbot possessed the powers of an Occultist, and his cultivation grew with each passing day. Naturally, he won. Xuluo eventually died, and the abbot returned to the temple, but..."

"But what?" Fang Mu’s brows furrowed slightly.

Wangchi sighed. "Not many years later, the abbot died as well. The cause was unknown."

Fang Mu tapped his fingers against the table, remaining silent. Wangchi added, "Patron, I have finished."

Fang Mu looked at Wangchi, a teasing glint in his eyes. Wangchi awkwardly asked, "Patron, why are you...?"

"These should be Xuyang’s secrets," Fang Mu said slowly. "How do you know them so clearly?"

Wangchi replied with a calm gaze, "Because I am Xuyang’s disciple."

Fang Mu rubbed his chin. "Xuyang’s disciple? Interesting. What became of that woman, Meifu?" The most crucial person was Meifu; she might be the key to unraveling the entire situation.

"I don't know," Wangchi replied with a bitter smile. "It was as if she vanished into thin air. We couldn't find a trace of her."

Fang Mu fell into deep thought. Disappearance meant the trail had gone cold, and the other parties were already dead. However, he could still start with Meifu, though the search would be arduous.

Wangchi said, "Patron, I have said all I can. This matter truly has nothing to do with my Hanxu Temple."

Fang Mu detached the scabbard from his waist and tossed it to Wangchi. Wangchi caught it quickly, looking puzzled.

"It’s nothing. I just wanted you to see if my scabbard was pretty." Fang Mu took it back, stood up, and said, "You are coming with me to Shengge County."

The scabbard had been given to him by Li Gun and was crafted from "Evil-Severing Stone." When he first met Qing Ruowu, she had used that stone to test him. Fang Mu had tested the scabbard himself, and it showed no reaction.

Wangchi looked troubled. "But my Hanxu Temple..."

"There is no one left here. What are you guarding?" Fang Mu grabbed Wangchi and walked out. Wangchi could only offer a bitter smile; under the circumstances, he had no choice but to follow Fang Mu down the mountain.

***

At the Shengge County Liaison Office, Zhao Wuquan asked in surprise, "What? He is a Mystic Practitioner?"

Fang Mu frowned. "What kind of intelligence network does your Heaven Surveillance Bureau have? You didn't even know what was happening under your own noses?"

Given how much had transpired at the Hanxu Temple, how could the Heaven Surveillance Bureau be unaware? Their intelligence processing was shockingly poor.

Zhao Wuquan stared at Wangchi and said, "The Bureau is indeed aware of the grievances of the previous generation at Hanxu Temple, which is why the temple fell apart. However, we tested this Wangchi; he is not a Mystic Practitioner, just an ordinary person."

Wangchi sat there, eyes fixed on his nose, offering no response. Fang Mu drew his butcher knife, placed it against Wangchi’s neck, and flashed a smile.

Wangchi’s composure shattered. He said helplessly, "I only awakened my supernatural ability recently. This really has nothing to do with me; I am just a minor practitioner at the Counter-Current Realm."

Fang Mu turned back to Zhao Wuquan. "You knew about the affairs of the Hanxu Temple, yet you didn't tell me." From Zhao’s earlier words, Fang Mu had sensed something unusual. This man knew the truth but kept him in the dark, even sending him to the temple. There was more to this than met the eye.

Zhao Wuquan’s expression grew unnatural as he struggled for words. Fang Mu formed a fist with his left hand, and a ferocious, crimson tiger head materialized behind him. A grave atmosphere descended upon the room, causing the air to grow heavy.

"Coroner, don't be rash," Zhao Wuquan said, waving his hands in a panic.

Fang Mu sneered. "There are two possibilities: first, you are the one pulling the strings behind the scenes; second, someone in the Heaven Surveillance Bureau doesn't like me."

Zhao Wuquan lowered his hands and fell silent.

"Looking at your expression," Fang Mu stood up, "it must be the second. If it were the first, your approach would be far too stupid."

Zhao Wuquan remained silent, cold sweat beading on his forehead.

"ROAR!"

A roar erupted from the tiger head behind Fang Mu as crimson true energy surged outward.

"Pfft!"

Zhao Wuquan spat out a mouthful of blood and slumped over, struck with utter shock. As he watched Fang Mu walk toward him, surrounded by that crimson energy, he appeared in Zhao’s eyes like a terrifying, monstrous entity wreathed in flames.

A sense of indescribable dread washed over Zhao Wuquan. The man before him acted with such bizarre impunity, seemingly untethered by the constraints of the world. He only had suspicions—mere suspicions—yet he had no proof. How could he dare!