The Monarch Of Everlasting Night Chapter 388: Fang Zong's Grand Gesture (Part 1) - Novel Cool

Chapter 388: Fang Zong's Grand Gesture (Part 1)

Chapter 388: Fang Zong's Grand Gesture (Part 1)

Jing Xiuyun said, "If Zhao Zhi Shi and I speak up, it only represents us personally, so it may not be possible to get this work done. However, if Fang Zong steps in, it's equivalent to representing all the elders, the Elder Hall, the Guardian Palace, and even all the Guardians! It's different, do you understand?"

Hong Er Cripple seemed enlightened, nodding in understanding.

But soon, he furrowed his brows, feeling dejected. "But how do I find Fang Zong? What reason should I give to approach him? Oh..."

"Just go and find him directly!"

Zhao Ying'er spoke up, "Especially after what happened with Tang Zheng and his wife not long ago, it's always been a regret in Fang Zong's heart. If you go to him now with a marriage issue, he won't refuse."

Jing Xiuyun couldn't help but agree, nodding. "Yes."

Hong Er Cripple still felt afraid, hesitating as he spoke, "Then let me think... Let me think..."

He sighed, still timid.

Jing Xiuyun and Zhao Ying'er ignored him and continued eating from the fruit plate, keeping an eye on the Ning Family Manor below.

Hong Er Cripple sighed again, and after a while, he seemed to have figured something out. He clenched his teeth, stomped his foot, and started eating as well, at a remarkably fast pace as if in a rush. He stuffed food into his mouth like a starving ghost.

Crunch, crunch...

The two women glanced at him, surprised. Was this guy crazy? Weren't they supposed to be treating them to a meal?

After a while, Hong Er Cripple spoke up, "It's getting late. Let's find a place to eat, and we can come back this afternoon."

"Huh?" Jing Xiuyun raised her eyebrows.

"Also, let's split the bill for today's expenses at the Ning Family Manor. I'll cover half, and you two can cover the other half together."

Hong Er Cripple nodded.

Zhao Ying'er was stunned, unable to respond.

They had just shown him a clear path, and it seemed like this guy had made up his mind.

Feeling like he had a plan, and not needing their help anymore, he suddenly changed his attitude.

He wasn't going to treat them anymore!

Jing Xiuyun's face turned red with anger. "I invited you! Hong Er Cripple, wait and see. If I can find you a wife in this lifetime, I won't be a Xiuyun anymore. I'll immediately go to Qin Jie and tell her you were flirting with me, and then I'll go to Fang Zong and tell him about your moral corruption, blackmailing a widow..."

Hong Er Cripple's face paled instantly. "Sister...!"

"You wait!"

Jing Xiuyun slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "Boss, the bill please!"

Hong Er Cripple knelt down, his body rigid. "I'll pay! I'll pay! I'll pay!"

"I don't need your money! I have plenty of money! Why would I need your measly contribution?"

"No, please..."

Hong Er Cripple's eyes welled up with tears. He had unconsciously crossed a line, and now faced severe consequences.

"Sister, I'll treat you tomorrow! I was wrong, I'm just a fool. Please don't hold a grudge against me, sister."

Hong Er Cripple's nose ran, and tears streamed down his face as he begged.

If Jing Xiuyun were to report this to Fang Zong, given his temperament, Hong Er Cripple might not only lose his chance to marry, but Fang Zong might even castrate him.

Jing Xiuyun, furious, said, "Unless you treat us for a month, and additionally, both Ying'er and I love using cosmetics from Skywork Shop. Two sets each, and my brother-in-law enjoys the fifty-year-old brew from Iron Blood Platform, so get us a few jars of that..."

Since they had caught him in this situation, they might as well squeeze him dry. Let's see if he dares to do this again.

Zhao Ying'er covered her mouth, trying hard not to burst out laughing as she watched Jing Xiuyun discipline Hong Er Cripple. It was incredibly satisfying.

"Skywork Shop's Iron Blood Platform... You're killing me!"

Hong Er Cripple knelt on the ground, lifeless, his eyes vacant.

"Serves you right for being so shameless! Think you can get away with anything!" Jing Xiuyun's face was as cold as frost.

The boss entered, "Who's asking for the bill?"

"Me, me, me..."

Hong Er Cripple jumped up, pulling the boss outside. "As a gentleman, of course, I'll pay the bill. It's not right for a woman to pay when going out with a man, right, boss? Can you give us a discount...?"

Inside the room, Zhao Ying'er couldn't hold back her laughter. "Sister Xiuyun, it's still you who can deal with this cheapskate. Once he's married, if he dares to do this again, we'll go to his family and tell his sister-in-law about his upbringing..."

"Hahahaha..."

Zhao Ying'er laughed for a while before speaking up in a low voice, "I feel like... this sister-in-law's actions might not be entirely appropriate."

Jing Xiuyun asked, "What's inappropriate?"

"Well, it's a bit... After becoming a widow, it's not easy. Especially for a woman who can't live independently but carries the title of a hero's widow..."

Jing Xiuyun sighed deeply, "I know what you mean, and I understand. But... you don't know a woman's struggles. Especially for someone who can't live independently, yet carries the title of a hero's widow..."

Jing Xiuyun sighed deeply, her words carrying weight. "Sister, Sister Fang is truly suffering... Her late husband is gone, and she can't even live on her own, let alone bring shame to her late husband by asking for subsidies at the Guardian Palace every day. But with a child to raise, and one with some martial talent at that, it's not easy to provide for the family. If she can't give her child a good life, people will talk... Words are powerful."

"Do you think she doesn't want to marry Hong Er Cripple? She wants to more than anyone; but no matter what, she has to consider the opinions of those around her. Otherwise, the gossip alone could crush her. She's secretly accepting Hong Er Cripple's support now, but she's still the Huang family's daughter-in-law. Even if people have opinions, they won't say it openly, and will instead claim to understand. After all, she's still living in the Huang family. But openly marrying is a different matter..."

"Being a woman is hard, being a widow is harder, being a widow with a child is even harder, and being a widow with a child of a hero... is the hardest of all..."

Jing Xiuyun sighed deeply, her words carrying wisdom and empathy. "Ying'er, sometimes, a thousand reasons and universal morals can't measure a woman's struggles. But Fang Zong, in his research on Xue Fuxiao, had discovered her unique secret formula. He might just directly castrate Hong Er Cripple.

Jing Xiuyun's anger intensified. "Unless you treat us for a month, and also, both Ying'er and I love using cosmetics from Skywork Shop. Two sets each, and my brother-in-law enjoys the fifty-year-old brew from Iron Blood Platform, so get us a few jars of that..."

Since they had caught Hong Er Cripple in this situation, they might as well squeeze him dry. Let's see if he dares to do this again.

Zhao Ying'er covered her mouth, trying hard not to burst out laughing as she watched Jing Xiuyun discipline Hong Er Cripple. It was incredibly satisfying.

When Xue Fuxiao sent over the Divine Shapeless Jade, saying that it was given to her by Dong Fang Sansan, and that when consuming it, one should use Divine Sense to wrap the jade and slowly fuse it with the Soul Fusion Pill, a process that would take at least three days.

However, there was a restriction to consuming the Soul Fusion Pill—it required a Sixth-Rank King-level cultivation.

But currently, he had already reached the peak of the Fifth Rank.

If he consumed it now, Fang Che felt there shouldn't be any issues, right? After some thought, he suppressed this idea and continued to accumulate cloud energy, estimating that it would only take three to five days to reach the Sixth Rank, and there was no need to rush during this period.

What he found strange was...

The Southeast Battle had already concluded, but Elder Zhu and others, as well as Palace Master Song and Fan Tian Tiao's group, hadn't returned.

Moreover, there was no news from them.

Thinking about it, he was about to check some information when he pushed open the office door and shouted, "Tang Zheng! You bring that..."

Outside, dozens of people turned their gazes in unison.

Silence.

Fang Che was also stunned for a moment before sighing, his eyes turning dark.

Tang Zheng... was already dead. He would never respond to his orders again.

A nameless sorrow rose from the bottom of his heart, and Fang Che suddenly felt a surge of powerful anger, which also rose in sync.

He roared.

"Everyone, check those case files! The previous case files! Move them, separate them; compare them, and investigate any anomalies! Hurry!"

A thunderous sound echoed as everyone sprang into action.

No one dared to look at Fang Zong's face, which had turned green.

It seemed that Fang Zong's eyes had turned red...

...

Then, Fang Che began to continuously flip through the case files. After this period of meticulous investigation, new case files were formed, and he started comparing them with the old ones, looking for any discrepancies.

Everyone in the Guardian Palace's Elder Hall was flipping through the files together.

Unable to find the Night Demon, Fang Che always felt a fire burning in his heart that couldn't be extinguished, growing more intense.

Although he had killed a Night Demon's clone, Fang Che's hatred remained. Even if the Night Demon died a hundred times, Fang Che still wouldn't feel satisfied.

Tang Zheng was a small figure, and when Fang Che first arrived at the Guardian Palace, Tang Zheng had been flattering and bootlicking...

But through gradual changes, he was touched and inspired, started to work hard, began to take responsibility, and transformed into a qualified warrior, even becoming a qualified Guardian and Protector! From him, Fang Che saw too much hope and too much emotion.

But just as he had embarked on the right path, he hadn't had the chance to make a difference, hadn't had the chance to move forward, and he sacrificed himself.

This made Fang Che especially angry.

Moreover, there was a sense of regret.

He saw too many people gradually falling from the warrior's path, becoming fearful, retreating, and following the crowd...

There were too few of these upstream swimmers against the current.

Such a waste!

Fang Che compared each case file one by one.

Then, he set aside those with anomalies.

Everyone else followed suit.

After such a meticulous investigation, everyone suddenly realized something: "This is wrong. How come there are so many in the North City?"

Most of those with problems were in the North City.

During this period, most of the incidents also occurred in the North City.

Fang Che's brows furrowed tighter. Suddenly, he slapped the case file and said, "Pause. This North City of White Cloud Continent, is there something special about it?"

This question needed to be answered by those old elders.

"The North City of White Cloud Continent has always been a wealthy area, and it's a new district. It was expanded outwards four hundred years ago."

"The small county outside the North City, called Beizhou, is becoming more and more prosperous; the population is increasing, various large markets are emerging, and its influence is growing. Moreover, it's a suburb outside the city walls, so if something happens, it becomes a big problem."

"So, they decided to tear down the original city walls and expand the city in a balanced manner, incorporating Beizhou and the surrounding area."

"Most of the buildings in the North City are not over a thousand years old."

"Moreover, the rich people in the North City, the wealthy families, the century-old shops, are especially numerous!"

"Many influential people in White Cloud Continent live in the North City."

"The North City is especially close to Demon God Mountain."

"..."

"Stop!"

Fang Che waved his hand and muttered, "The North City is especially close to the mountain outside..."

He remembered the mountains in the east, west, and south directions, but there was some distance. Only the North City, just a hundred li outside the city, was Demon God Mountain.

Then, further north, were the continuous mountains, endless forests.

His eyes lit up.

Because he remembered a sentence Mu Lin Yuan once said.

"Many secret agents have been operating undercover for years, turning them into century-old shops."

Fang Che's eyes flashed. If this was the case, how many secret agents did the Divine Deity Sect have in White Cloud Continent?

The secret agents supported by the Divine Deity Sect, how powerful were they?

How deep-rooted were they?

A hundred years? Two hundred years?

Fang Che took a map and, under everyone's gaze, circled a large area outside the Central District, in the North City.

"Focus the investigation on this area."

"Focus on the wealthy!"

"Centuries-old clans, century-old shops, shops with a long-standing reputation, old wealthy families, and big tycoons!"

"Yes."

Everyone started working again.

Fang Che, on the other hand, started thinking. He carefully examined each selected file and compared it with the reference materials.

Then, he discovered that they were all big tycoons, all clans with over a hundred years of history, either rich clans or martial clans. Among them, there were forty to fifty eighth and ninth-rank clans, nine seventh-rank martial clans, and even three sixth-rank thousand-year-old clans.

In the bustling city, a centuries-old shop boasts a unique secret formula, attracting over two hundred customers.

"There are so many rich people!" exclaimed Fang Che, issuing his first command: "Investigate the donations from recent natural and man-made disasters and create a ranking list."

The crowd's eyes lit up with interest.

If it were members of the Only Righteous Sect, they might not be willing to donate for the ordinary citizens of White Cloud Continent. This angle seemed like a suitable starting point.

But Fang Che knew it might not be effective.

For instance, Heavenly Escort Bureau, led by Zheng Yunqi and others, had also donated a significant amount...

However, he had no leads, so he could only search extensively.

...

Jing Xiuyun and her team returned.

"Well? Did you find anything?" Fang Che inquired.

"Everything seems normal, but a few places, like Ning Family Manor, feel slightly different. Still, we need to observe and confirm," Zhao Ying'er replied after some thought, unable to pinpoint any definite suspects.

Because...there was no evidence, no unusual activity, just tightly closed doors.

And there were too many such households.

"Alright."

Fang Che didn't expect much from them; it was just a routine inquiry.

"Hong Erquezi said he needs your help," Jing Xiuyun chuckled, then pulled Zhao Ying'er away.

"Hmm?"

Fang Che turned, frowning at Hong Erquezi, who looked awkward and uncomfortable all over.

This scoundrel was trembling and stammering, seeking help?

Hong Erquezi himself didn't know what was happening. Seeing Fang Che, he instinctively started shivering, and then his buttocks, head, and every part of his body ached as if the violent storm of beatings was about to strike again.

He had developed a conditioned response: fear upon seeing Fang Che.

Even without any mistakes or great achievements, this was his fate.

"What's your problem?" Fang Che asked sharply, his eyes piercing and his expression stern.

"I...I..." Hong Erquezi stammered, his mind going blank as he tried to speak. "My buttocks...they itch again..."

Jing Xiuyun and Zhao Ying'er, who had just taken a few steps away, froze in their tracks, almost disbelieving their ears.

With a loud bang, Hong Erquezi was kicked out, then kicked three more times, turning him into a flying man.

"So, you came to me because your buttocks itched?"

Fang Che waved his hand, pulling Hong Erquezi back, and kicked him again: "This is my specialty!"

"There's actually such a request!"

"Scoundrel!"

Fang Che kicked Hong Erquezi back and forth like a ball, about a dozen times, before pulling him back: "Enough?"

"Enough...thank you, Fang Zong..."

Hong Erquezi was kicked so hard he nearly fell apart.

"Don't mention it. If you need help in the future, you can find me. I'd be happy to help with this kind of favor."

The entire Elder Hall burst into laughter.

Everyone, including Fang Che, understood that Hong Erquezi was probably scared speechless, but they were all delighted to see this scoundrel getting beaten up.

Fang Che didn't mind indulging in the pleasure of beating someone up.

Hong Erquezi finally came to his senses: "Fang Zong, I didn't come to you for this matter..."

"Then what is it?"

"What do you want me to do?"

"I just wanted to ask you for a favor, but I'll consider it."

"Thank you, Fang Zong."

"Mhm, you can go now."

Fang Che was deep in thought about other matters, his brows furrowed.

Hong Erquezi didn't dare disturb him and bowed respectfully before quietly closing the door behind him.

...

It was clear that Hong Erquezi's matter had touched upon Fang Che's concerns.

Fang Che thought about the Guardian Palace's fallen elders. How were their families doing now? Did the Guardian Palace offer any support? Could they make a living?

Soon, Fang Che called in Jing Xiuyun for further inquiries.

"Family members? Widows?"

Jing Xiuyun was taken aback: "The Guardian Palace provides annual compensation, and funds are allocated, but the silver and resources are limited. They can't survive on that alone."

"It's unfair to the heroes," Fang Che said.

"Then send out a notice. In the coming days, when things are less busy, invite all the family members of the Guardian Palace, including those in logistics and finance...every single family member, including those of the fallen personnel over the years...Make sure not to miss anyone. Invite them to the Guardian Palace for a get-together."

Jing Xiuyun was puzzled: "Huh?"

"Remember, do this in my personal name, not the Guardian Palace's. This involves all Guardians on the continent, so it can't become a precedent."

Fang Che instructed.

"Yes."

Jing Xiuyun said, "But this will require a considerable amount of resources and silver. Fang Zong, you should consider this carefully."

"I have money and resources.

(End of Chapter)

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