Chapter 507: Fang Che Takes Action! (Part 2)

Chapter 507: Fang Che Takes Action! (Part 2)

Still, human nature!

Parental love is naturally the greatest love in the world. When children go missing, searching for them day and night is sincere. But when faced with the cruel reality, when they realize that bringing back the missing children might burden the entire family, making survival impossible...

Especially for families with other children...

Especially for those children whose tongues were cut out, spines shattered, legs chopped off, and eyes gouged out... their fate...

Fang Che didn't even dare to think about it.

"Let nature take its course."

Fang Che was troubled. This problem was unsolvable! Of course, he wanted the parents to claim their children and use their vast love to heal the wounded hearts of the children.

But he knew that wasn't realistic.

Perhaps many parents would do so, but those who didn't claim their children and left... they wouldn't be a minority either.

This was something that must be seen and was bound to happen.

"Keep a larger portion of the silver we've seized."

Fang Che spoke softly, "After the claiming process is complete... I'll see how things go then. We'll discuss it at that time, okay?"

He took a deep breath, his voice filled with pleading, and said, "Maybe... maybe all the children will be taken home?"

Zhao Shanhe also remained silent for a while before revealing a smile filled with the same pleading, "I hope so."

"Yes, I hope so."

Fang Che nodded silently.

Then he said, "We have official business to attend to. We are killers, so we won't waste Zhao Chancellor's time. Let's go back, clean up, and then head to the prison to pick up the prisoners and free up some cells."

"I hope Zhao Chancellor will give the instructions in advance and make the necessary preparations."

Fang Che spoke indifferently, mocking, "Just don't kill the people Zhao Chancellor doesn't want to kill!"

Zhao Shanhe's face darkened as he cursed, "Get out!"

Fang Che and the others left without a word.

They headed straight for the Patrol Hall.

It had been three days since they last visited.

Even on the first day, Ye Meng didn't go to see them off.

As they walked, they used their cultivation to evaporate the bloodstains on their bodies, trying their best to stay clean. But some things couldn't be removed. Especially that aura of malevolence.

It seemed to emanate from within, and even if they were spotlessly clean, it was as if blood-red aura was constantly seeping out.

No matter how much spirit energy they used to cleanse themselves, the stench of blood lingered between their lips and nose. It was as if the entire world had turned into a sea of blood, and the four of them were swimming in this sea.

When they returned, they saw nine little ones practicing horse-riding stance earnestly.

They were already doing it quite well.

The entire Patrol Team Six area was spotlessly clean, not a speck of dust to be found.

Upon seeing the four of them, the nine little ones rushed forward happily to greet them. But as they approached, their faces suddenly paled, turning as white as paper.

The aura of malevolence accumulated from slaughtering tens of thousands was now impossible to disperse.

Fang Che quickly waved his hand, and a force sent the nine little ones far away, to the side of Ye Meng, who had just stepped out, "You watch over the little ones. We'll go take a bath."

Ye Meng's expression was complex.

"This... how many did you kill...?"

The four of them went straight to the bathhouse, constantly changing the water, using only ordinary water without any spiritual energy to wash away the aura of malevolence from their bodies.

They closed their eyes and lay in the pool.

Feeling the hearts that had killed for days, gradually calming down.

The sound of water splashing, the gentle breeze outside, the crisp voices of children, occasional voices in the distance, and the rising smoke—all permeated with a sense of tranquility.

Unconsciously, the four of them quieted down.

After a long while,

Fang Che spoke softly, "Seeking truth in a sea of blood and blades, tired of the frosty and weary world of the rivers and lakes. Fortunately, there's the color of mortal life, calming my heart in the mortal world."

"The meter and rhyme of the captain's poem may be slightly lacking, but... it's truly well-written."

Feng Xiangdong, being from a prominent family, naturally had a refined literary upbringing.

He couldn't help but praise, deep in thought, "Tired of the frosty and weary world of the rivers and lakes... so weary!"

Why is the world so dark?

His eyes were closed.

On his handsome face, there was a weariness that he never showed in public.

"Captain, this world is truly dark."

The other three didn't speak, their eyes closed.

They each thought their own thoughts, half asleep. But they all knew they weren't sleeping.

Feng Xiangdong sighed deeply, as if expressing something from the bottom of his heart, filled with infinite emotion, "Captain, we've only just begun in this province. We've barely started, and we've only done less than a tenth of the work here."

Fang Che's eyes were closed, and he spoke indifferently, "You're wrong. We haven't even reached a tenth of the work in this province. What we've done so far is less than a tenth of what needs to be done."

"..."

Feng Xiangdong was speechless.

He only felt that the air he was breathing in through his nose was thick with blood.

Fang Che spoke calmly, "Do you remember the couplet Ninth Young Master sent?"

Feng Xiangdong took a deep breath and said, "I remember. I just felt a bit of sorrow amidst the excitement of killing."

"Sorrow..."

These two words silenced Dong Yunyu and Qiu Yunshang as well.

Indeed, there was such a feeling.

Outside, there are powerful enemies, and inside, there are the dark and grey areas of society.

Corruption among officials, extravagance and debauchery, and even some within the Guardian Office are colluding.

This makes one feel angry, and at the same time, feel that their sacrifices and efforts are meaningless. Am I working so hard to slay demons and uphold justice, only for these people to ride on the heads of the common people and feel at ease oppressing them?

I'm slaying demons and upholding justice, but what am I protecting?

These are all demons of the heart, and once they appear, they are difficult to eliminate.

"Sorrow... Haha." Fang Che scoffed, "If not for us, this world would be even more sorrowful."

What right do you have to complain about your melancholy?"

"You have everything you want to eat and drink at your fingertips, and you have endless longevity and strength. With the power of life and death in your hands, you can kill whoever you want, and yet you still feel melancholy?"

"It's the victims who have suffered that should feel melancholy. If the common people of this world knew that even their protectors and backers feel melancholy, then they might as well not live anymore."

"You're all acting like a bunch of crybabies! Do you need me to prepare towels for you every time a leaf falls? You've been spoiled rotten!"

Fang Che cursed.

The three of them lowered their heads in shame.

Just then, Fang Che stood up from the water with a splash and said, "Once you're done soaking, get out. There's still a lot of work to do!"

The three of them, who were already feeling ashamed, cried out in unison and covered their eyes, lowering their heads. "Boss, you... you go out first."

"Hmm?"

Fang Che tilted his head in confusion, then immediately understood when he looked down.

He swayed a bit and said proudly, "What's the problem? Why are you covering your eyes?"

"Get out!" The three of them roared in unison and turned over, presenting their backsides to Fang Che.

"Don't try to tempt me. I have a wife!" Fang Che said with a smirk and gave them another jab.

He then walked out with a swagger, humming a tune as he went to get dressed.

The three of them, feeling embarrassed, quickly jumped out and used their cultivation to dry themselves before hurriedly putting on their underwear.

Dong Yunyu sighed, "I wonder if Mo Gan Yun's big body can compare."

Qiu Yun Shang said, "What does a big body have to do with it? It's not relevant at all. According to you, does a big body need to find a special wife? I've bathed with him before..."

Feng Xiangdong asked curiously, "Is that all?"

Qiu Yun Shang replied proudly, "It's a bit inferior to mine."

"Hehe..."

The two of them gave each other a disdainful look and said, "Men... they're all the same."

Fang Che's voice came from outside, "Taking a bath is so comfortable. We should take some time to soak together again."

"You soak by yourself."

The three of them spoke in unison.

After they finished bathing, Ye Meng had already prepared dinner. The little ones were still at a separate table in another room, continuing their cultivation.

According to Fang Che's estimation, it would take about half a month to replenish their bodies' deficiencies and restore them to their pre-wandering physical condition.

This was something that couldn't be rushed. It had to be left to Ye Meng to slowly adjust their bodies.

As they ate, Ye Meng updated them on the progress of their work over the past few days, then reminded them, "As your clerk, I don't have much to do right now, including the fact that our squad's warehouse is currently empty. You should bring some things back too."

"Do we have a warehouse?" The four of them were stunned.

Ye Meng was also stunned. "You guys... don't allocate anything for yourselves? You've handed over everything to the public? Every squad gets a share of the profits after completing a case, which is a legitimate income for the squad."

"Which squad doesn't have its own little treasury? What if there's an emergency? This is all official, and you've handed over everything so impartially?"

"Then why did you make me the clerk? What am I supposed to manage? The house?"

Under Ye Meng's relentless questioning, the four of them blushed and kept their heads down, focusing on eating their food.

Damn it!

They really had no idea about this.

Now, they were being scolded, and they couldn't even respond.

The four of them thought about the rewards from their recent missions, which were as abundant as mountains and seas...

They covered their chests, enduring the intense pain.

They covered their faces, enduring the embarrassment.

They ate their food, filling their empty stomachs.

They kept their heads down, avoiding the disdainful gazes.

Ye Meng hummed as she served them, "You guys are something else!"

The four of them: "..."

Not saying a word, they quickly ate their food! And after finishing, they quickly left!

After dinner, the four of them headed straight to the prison.

As they exited the Patrol Hall, they each slapped themselves, "Damn it, we're such idiots!"

The three of them confronted Fang Che, "Captain, we didn't know, so we have an excuse, but you not knowing is a bit hard to justify, right?"

"Go to hell!"

Fang Che cursed, "How is this my fault? I'm just a ninth-rank relative of a noble family, how am I supposed to know?"

"Stop using your status as a ninth-rank relative to talk big. From now on, I never want to hear those six words again. I've been suffering because of those words for so many years!"

Feng Xiangdong spat, "You've been taking advantage of us and constantly blaming us for everything. Every time something happens, you say it's because of us. Pfft! Have some self-respect!"

Dong Yunyu also spoke up, "And during the ranking battles, you acted like a pig eating a tiger, saying things like 'I'll listen to you in the future'... Now, thinking about it, it's disgusting!"

Qiu Yun Shang said, "He's been using this trick for many years... Only Ding Jueran, that big idiot, truly believes in him. We're used to it. We've seen through it!"

Dong Yunyu coldly laughed, "You've seen through it, yet you still fell for it this time. You're all idiots!"

Qiu Yun Shang: "???"

Why are you turning against us now?

Dong Yunyu said, "If something needs to be said, Fang Che is indeed not considerate. He's not as good as Feng Xiangdong, who came in with a commanding presence that almost made me kneel. It really scared me."

Feng Xiangdong immediately exploded, "Dong Yunyu, you..."

"Hit me? Hit me?"

Dong Yunyu stiffened his neck, "Can you even beat me, little brother?"

Feng Xiangdong almost spat out blood and walked ahead, leading the way.

"And you, Old Six, don't think I won't hit you just because you're close to Fang Che," Dong Yunyu said.

"I... I..."

Qiu Yun Shang was filled with frustration and walked alongside Feng Xiangdong.

"Fang Da, you're even more shameless than me, but these guys just can't see your true nature. You... I..."

Dong Yunyu stopped mid-sentence.

But Fang Che had already slapped him.

After a few simple moves, he kicked him.

Dong Yunyu flew like a cannonball, soaring past Feng Xiangdong and Qiu Yun Shang, and crashed onto a large rock a hundred zhang away, "I... was wrong..."

He managed to say the last two words.

"Deserved it!"

Instead of helping, Feng Xiangdong and Qiu Yunshang, who were supposed to be on the same front, looked extremely pleased!

"This scum is always too lenient with his beatings!"

"Better if it was eight hundred lashes a day!"

Fang Che, with a calm demeanor, came over, "If not for me, who would take out your anger for you two? And now you’re blaming me..."

"Boss is mighty! We will firmly follow the boss’s lead!"

"Boss is awesome!"

Qiu Yunshang and Feng Xiangdong started flattery.

Fang Che walked forward with a smug look.

First, he went to the Financial Officer: "Officer, our team’s commission... that five percent..."

"According to the financial rules, what you hand in is the remaining amount after taking your five percent."

The Financial Officer smiled, "Captain Fang, congratulations on your fortune."

"..."

Fang Che turned and walked away with a dark face.

There was no need to continue the conversation.

Just hearing that made his heart harder than divine metal. Who asked you to be such an idiot?

The money is in your hands; how much you take is up to you. Why wait to hand it in and then ask for it?

The four people, filled with frustration, stormed towards the prison.

The killing aura from having just killed tens of thousands surged like a tidal wave.

Even the prison guards turned pale. The executioners all hid in their rooms, not daring to come out.

"Fang, Captain Fang..."

"Has Chancellor Zhao made the arrangements?"

"Made them."

"Two thousand in the morning, two thousand at noon, and two thousand in the afternoon! A total of six thousand!"

"Made them."

"Tomorrow morning, directly escort them to the execution ground. The body collection team is prepared!"

"Understood!"

"I’ll go in and check the death ward!"

"Pl-please... this way."

Fang Che and the four entered the death ward. Inside, it was filled with desperate criminals, many of whom were once skilled martial artists.

But after the four came in and took a lap, not a single person dared to speak!

Each one lowered their head upon contact with their gaze, trembling all over.

That was a kind of heavy killing aura that could only be cultivated by killing countless people.

And it was the killing aura that had just been unleashed and hadn’t been contained yet! It was terrifying!

The moment the four walked in, all the death row inmates felt as if the Soul Reavers had come. This feeling was very real.

Only after the four made their round and silently walked out did everyone finally breathe a sigh of relief.

"My goodness, who were those four just now..."

"Too scary!"

"Especially the one in the lead. When he walked past me, I didn’t even dare to breathe."

"I really peed myself… Damn, I’m going to the execution tomorrow. I thought I was already resigned to death, but when the Soul Reaver passed, I still peed myself..."

"..."

Mentioning the execution, everyone immediately stopped talking.

Everyone sighed.

Just then, a voice came from outside the death ward: "Fang Che just came?"

"Yes, Chancellor."

"Did he come to pick up the prisoners?"

"Yes."

"…This kid has gone berserk. In the future, when he comes, secretly inform me."

"Understood, Chancellor!"

Zhao Shanhe arrived.

All the inmates in the death ward were resigned to their fate, with no expectations, after all, they were sentenced to death. They were destined to die sooner or later.

Only hearing Zhao Shanhe ask from outside, "Give me the list."

"It’s here. Currently, there are only sixty selected."

"Hmm, not bad, continue to observe."

"Understood."

Everyone inside became puzzled: What list?

Then they saw the gate open, and Zhao Shanhe walked in.

Holding a list, he said, "Tomorrow, a batch of you will be executed. As per tradition, I’m here to see you. I hope that if you have a next life, you can be good people."

These were old words.

Whenever a large batch was executed, the Chancellor would come to give a speech. Many of the long-term inmates had heard it several times.

"Below, I will call out names for a change of cells."

Zhao Shanhe unfolded the list and began to read: "Qian Buduo, Li Chengyun, Zhou Dunlin..."

He read out sixty names in total.

They were all martial artists who showed signs of repentance and whose crimes did not involve the indiscriminate killing of civilians. They also had a common trait: almost all of them had a special skill.

The guards went to the cells, opened them, and let these people out.

Then they removed their shackles.

Their cultivation was still restrained, after all.

In front of Zhao Shanhe, they lined up in six rows.

The sixty people looked at Zhao Shanhe with dead eyes.

They didn’t know why he was letting them out. Weren’t they going to be executed the next day? Why bother moving them again?

"You were originally scheduled for execution tomorrow. However, an event has occurred, which might… give you a chance to live."

This sentence sent shockwaves.

All the death row inmates were stunned!

Could such good fortune really exist?

The sixty people suddenly looked up, their eyes shining, breathing rapidly: "Chancellor Zhao, is what you said true?"

"Of course."

Zhao Shanhe said, "You committed capital crimes, but you have not stained your hands with the blood of innocent civilians."

"However, you cannot be easily pardoned. This time, it’s just a stroke of luck, giving you a chance to atone for your crimes and live. But it’s not a full pardon. I hope you understand."

"Understood! As long as we can live… I will do anything!"

"Me too! Me too!"

For death row inmates facing execution the next day, what was most important? Even an extra hour of life was better than immediate death!

Life!

"Chancellor Zhao, we want to live! Please give us a chance!" Countless inmates begged desperately.

But Zhao Shanhe was unmoved and said to the sixty people in front of him, "You cannot be released yet. You still need to stay in the death ward. First, preparations are still underway outside. Second, you need to reflect on how precious life is."

He then ordered the sixty to be moved to five large cells.

This was the most spacious place.

The sixty people, moved and tears streaming down their faces, said, "Thank you, Chancellor!"

"No need to thank me. First, the preparations are still underway and not yet confirmed. If the final decision is negative, you might still face the execution. Second, this isn’t my achievement. It was Captain Fang’s suggestion."

Zhao Shanhe told the guards, "For these sixty, treat their injuries and feed them well. No abuse is allowed.

"Let's try to restore the body's ordinary Yuan Qi as much as possible."

"Understood, General Zhao!"

"Mhm, I'll check on it next time."

Zhao Shanhe nodded to the sixty people and turned to leave.

The sixty-odd people knelt in the new prison cell, sobbing uncontrollably, "Thank you, General Zhao, thank you, Captain Fang..."

...

Zhao Shanhe came out.

Fang Che waited under a tree.

"How is it?"

"It's done!"

"Good."

Fang Che was about to leave.

"This will require quite a bit of money," Zhao Shanhe said, "And if they are truly taken away by their parents..."

Fang Che spoke quietly, "First, we don't have enough manpower, so we had no choice but to find people from here."

"Second... Captain Zhao, I admit that you are more experienced than me. You consider things thoroughly and leave no stone unturned. During this time, we worked together in our arguments, and it was indeed just right. You are a qualified general, and I admire you. But you have a weakness."

He lifted his head and said, "That is, when facing many things, you tend to think optimistically. For example, this time, you hope that those disabled children who can't take care of themselves will be taken away by their parents... Haha."

"As for me, I started thinking in the worst-case direction from the beginning. So, in your eyes, I might seem a bit heartless. But I can gain many surprises, while you can't. You will experience more disappointment than me."

"General Zhao, as we carry out the orders of life and death in the Southeast, your disappointment will only increase, and it will crush you. You understand what I mean by this. So, make adjustments in time."

Zhao Shanhe fell into deep thought.

He remained silent for a long time.

"And there's also your brother-in-law's family."

Fang Che said, "What do you mean? During this time, I have already given them face. He was your wife's younger brother, and he died fighting against the Solemn Righteous Sect. He is indeed a hero. This is also to leave a strand of heroic spirit for the old man. But... evil cannot be erased."

Zhao Shanhe sighed deeply, "I understand. In the family, regardless of position or seniority, anyone involved has already been arrested by me."

His long beard moved without the wind as he spoke word by word, "Fang Che, I guarantee that not a single one of them will escape! If any of them run away, I will personally bring them back! I am the Southeast General, and I want to see the Southeast prosper more than anyone else!"

"So, I've left some women, children, and those who know nothing. They will take care of the elderly. All their property will be confiscated! From now on, their living expenses will be temporarily funded by me."

"Those arrested will be executed without exception. Since others cannot escape the law, neither can my relatives."

Zhao Shanhe asked, "What do you think?"

Fang Che said, "For the sake of your wife's younger brother, following the rules of the Continental Guardian, for committing such a crime, half of their property can be left behind."

Zhao Shanhe smiled bitterly, "I can't distinguish which were earned and which were taken by force. So, I'll just confiscate everything. If there are any honestly earned assets, they can be considered as a form of redemption."

"Although it's a bit harsh, standing in your position, General Zhao, it should be done."

Fang Che said, "Then let's do it this way."

"Your subordinate takes his leave."

Zhao Shanhe reminded him, "Tomorrow is the burial of Fragrant Bones. You must attend."

Fang Che paused for a moment and said, "I'll be there on time. Is it at Phoenix Slope?"

"Yes."

"May they be reborn as phoenixes in their next life and soar through the nine heavens!"

Fang Che took a deep breath.

He turned and left.

Zhao Shanhe called out from behind, "Be careful! Watch out for assassins seeking revenge!"

"I welcome it!"

Fang Che's cold voice dissipated in the wind.

The next morning.

In the square, a dense crowd watched with satisfaction as Captain Fang, his face filled with cold killing intent, supervised the execution of two thousand criminals.

A loud cheer rose, "Captain Fang! Captain Fang!"

Many people were no longer here just to witness the execution.

Many people's purpose had changed: they wanted to see Captain Fang.

It seemed that as long as they saw Captain Fang's face, everything would be fine!

The world was once again filled with hope.

Six people were hiding in the crowd, joining in the cheers, seemingly venting their anger. But their six pairs of eyes, when they fell on Fang Che's face, were filled with cold killing intent.

They transmitted their voices, "Have Zhao Shanhe and the others left?"

"Yes, today that side is treating it as a major event. The others have already gone ahead. Even Feng Xiangdong and the others have been arranged by Captain Fang to do tasks and have left early."

"Haha... This Captain Fang is really seeking his own death. Let's go now."

"Good."

The six people quietly withdrew from the crowd, turned back to look once more, and saw Captain Fang's face glowing in the rising sun.

"Fang Che! Enjoy your final moments in this life. This is your final glory!"

The six people disappeared.

On the high platform.

Fang Che's voice echoed through the sky, "Everyone, go home. I can't do much for you all, but here's a piece of advice."

Fang Che paused, and in the midst of everyone's anticipation, his deep voice rumbled like muffled thunder, "In this world, there is too much injustice, too much filth, and too much helplessness. There is too much misery, too much pain, and too much that is unbearable."

"But for us, this is inevitable."

"Since we were born into this world, all of this is what we must face. Facing natural disasters, facing man-made disasters, facing accidents, facing life and death."

"So..."

Fang Che said softly, "This piece of advice is: Live well!"

"Although it's difficult, although it's bitter, although it's painful, we must endure! We must live! We must live on to see hope!"

"Live well!" Fang Che roared.

In the square, dozens of people shouted in unison, "Live well!"

Some were so moved they began to cry.

Tears fell like rain.

Live well, such simple words, such a simple sentence.

But only those who have experienced such misery can understand the weight of these words.

Who doesn't want to live well?

The people in the square began to disperse.

The corpse collection team had already entered.

There was no trace of Fang Che on the high platform.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end