Immortal Among Mortals

Chapter 2: The Righteous Path and the Demonic Dao

​"By the way... before you were reborn, what did I look like on the night our family was wiped out?"

​Fang Wang’s question pulled Zhou Xue back to reality.

​With my peerless martial arts, I should have been overwhelmed by sheer numbers and fought to the death, right?

​As Fang Wang was pondering, he heard Zhou Xue say, "I have no impression of you. You must have died on the night of the massacre. Afterward, only a handful of people from the Fang Residence survived, and you were not among them."

​Me, the Thirteenth Young Master of the distinguished Fang family, didn't leave any impression at all?

​Fang Wang felt his pride wounded, but Zhou Xue's subsequent words felt like a death sentence. The thought of everyone he cared about perishing weighed heavily on his heart.

​"Let's discuss the massacre you spoke of and see how we can deal with it," Fang Wang said, his expression turning solemn.

​To destroy the Fang Residence, the attack would either require a massive army besieging the city or martial arts sects infiltrating the manor—and it would involve a vast number of powerful experts. After all, many of the household servants in the Fang Residence were retired masters from the martial world.

​Zhou Xue tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, took a deep breath, and said, "Seven nights from now, the Fang Residence will face a calamity that could annihilate us completely. The enemies will all be martial artists, including six from the Imperial City who are top-tier masters of the Great Qi Dynasty's martial world. Furthermore, there is a cultivator among them, and most of the people in the Fang Residence will die at his hands. He possesses a strange artifact capable of absorbing the souls of the deceased."

​A cultivator!

​No wonder I died!

​Fang Wang’s heart sank. Through his practice of the Sword Control Technique inside his mind, he had already come to understand the vast chasm between a martial artist and a cultivator. Even though he had stepped into the legendary realm of martial arts, the pressure of facing an unknown cultivator was immense.

​"How great is the disparity between that cultivator and ordinary martial artists?" Fang Wang asked, staring intently at Zhou Xue.

​Zhou Xue sighed and said, "He is merely a low-level cultivator in the Cultivation World, yet in our martial realm, he is unmatched by anyone. Even a hundred top masters of the martial world combined would be powerless against him."

​"Then, if someone has mastered the Sword Control Technique, would it be possible to kill him?" Fang Wang inquired further.

Zhou Xue looked at him strangely and said, "That depends on the level of mastery. All cultivators are capable of the Sword Control Technique, but low-level cultivators can usually only manage the basics. Don't even think about it. In seven days, you won't even be able to learn the Sword Control Technique, let alone reach the level required to kill a cultivator."

​Hearing this, Fang Wang gained a rough understanding of the situation. He had never faced a cultivator before, so he couldn't afford to be careless.

​"During these seven days, I won't be able to retrieve any Cultivation Methods; at most, I can brew some poisons. You are the son of my Fifth Uncle, so you have a closer relationship with the head of the household. Try to persuade him yourself. Even if we cannot convince the Fang Residence to flee South Hill City, it is still good to prepare in advance," Zhou Xue said earnestly.

​After cooling down, she realized she had been too rash earlier. She had been too focused solely on saving the Fang Residence, forgetting her own status and identity. As part of a Duke's Manor, the Fang Residence could not simply flee South Hill City. Furthermore, fleeing would be even more dangerous; without the protection of the common people, the Fang Residence would be in an even more perilous situation.

​Fang Wang nodded and then reminded her, "The matter of rebirth is far too absurd. Never mention it again, even when you are alone. It will be even more dangerous if a cultivator overhears it."

​If Fang Wang had been reborn, he would have buried the secret deep within his heart, just as he kept the secret of his own transmigration.

​Zhou Xue slowly nodded, the way she looked at Fang Wang subtlely changing.

​Fang Wang caught her gaze and was taken aback. She couldn't possibly be thinking of silencing me, right?

After discussing a bit further to map out a rough plan of action, Zhou Xue urged, "Fang Wang, you should hurry and make preparations. I must get started as well."

​Fang Wang originally wanted to ask for a Cultivation Method, but seeing her increasingly strange demeanor, he had no choice but to nod. He stood up and leaped back out through the window.

​Zhou Xue stared at the dusty footprints near the windowsill, remaining seated in her chair for a long time.

*****

As night fell, the lanterns blazed brightly throughout the Fang Residence.

​"What? Someone wants to slaughter the entire Fang family?"

​Fang Yin, a man of refined and intellectual temperament, set down his tableware and asked with uncontrollable anger. Fang Wang's mother, Lady Jiang, turned pale with fright. Not a single household servant remained in the hall—they had all been dismissed by Fang Wang prior to their discussion.

​Fang Wang furrowed his brow and said, "Last month, I heard some wandering martial heroes mention this matter. At first, I thought it was sheer nonsense, but today, after questioning Zhou Xue, it has been confirmed. A mysterious expert secretly sneaked into the residence to warn her. She became so panicked that she started making inquiries everywhere."

​Fang Yin snorted and retorted, "Why would that expert seek her out instead of me or any of your four uncles?"

Fang Wang shook his head and replied, "How would I know? But Father, think about it. I heard that Zhou Xue has also received this information. It is better to believe it and remain vigilant. The Fang Residence cannot afford to bear the consequences of even a single mistake."

​Upon hearing this, Fang Yin's expression darkened. After pondering for a moment, he slammed his hand against the table, stood up, and left behind these words: "I am going to see your grandfather!"

​Lady Jiang heaved a sigh and, as she served more food to Fang Wang, admonished him, "Wang'er, you must avoid dealing with these martial artists in the future. It's simply too dangerous."

​"I know, Mother. I won't do it again," Fang Wang replied with a smile.

​Once this crisis was resolved, he would pursue the Dao of Immortality. As for this damned martial arts world, he would no longer roam through it; if he ever made a breakthrough, it would happen in the Cultivation World!

​After dinner, Fang Wang waited in the hall. It took a full hour before Fang Yin finally returned, his expression extremely solemn.

​Facing his smart and sensible son whom he had watched grow up, he kept nothing hidden.

​"Your grandfather believes it and is preparing to take strict precautions. You don't need to worry yourself over these matters. With you here, nothing will happen to the Fang Residence."

​Hearing those words, Fang Wang finally felt a wave of relief wash over him before he turned and left the hall.

​That night, Fang Wang experienced a rare dream. He dreamed of soaring across the heavens and earth with his sword, becoming a True Immortal completely unfettered in the mortal world—an extraordinarily joyful feeling!

​The next morning, Fang Wang woke up, washed his face, and instructed his trusted servant, Li Jiu, "Within six days, I want a sharp sword, no matter the cost!"

​Fang Meng had accompanied the late emperor on military expeditions and campaigns, achieving glorious military exploits. Although his military power was curtailed after the founding of the dynasty, he exchanged it for vast wealth. Therefore, third-generation descendants like Fang Wang were quite well-off. Fang Yin would give him as much gold, silver, and jewelry as he wanted for this only son of his.

​"Understood, I will satisfy your request, Young Master."

​Li Jiu, who was only two years older than Fang Wang, departed happily with a light step.

​Taking advantage of the empty courtyard, Fang Wang began experimenting with the Sword Control Technique. Using a tree branch as a sword, although he had already mastered the technique to Great Perfection, he had never engaged in actual combat with it.

​In the martial arts world, it was virtually impossible for warriors to control swords with True Qi, let alone make them fly. Fortunately, his Sword Control Technique had reached Great Perfection. Under his complete mastery, he could control a sword to fight using True Qi.

​The faster the speed, the greater the consumption!

​After trying it out for over half an hour, he realized he only had a single opportunity to strike with his sword. He would have to find the right moment to kill that Cultivator with one lethal blow.

​After midday, Fang Wang went to visit Zhou Xue, hoping to discover some Immortal Law techniques that did not rely so heavily on Spiritual Energy. With only six days left, even if he managed to grasp a Cultivation Method, there wouldn't be enough time to accumulate a Cultivator's Spiritual Energy. It would be far better to have more techniques capable of slaying an enemy.

​However, Zhou Xue had already been released from confinement. Fang Wang's trip was in vain, and he had no choice but to give up.

​Perhaps she had other schemes in mind; even her own parents had no idea where she had gone.

​During these past few days, the number of household servants in the Fang Residence had steadily increased. Fang Wang's eldest uncle had even recruited passing martial artists in the city, and the Fang family's junior disciples who trained in martial arts outside the city were called back—mostly disciples from nearby sects in Yanghu County.

​The most prominent among them was Fang Zhe's third son, Fang Hanyu.

This ninth son of the Fang family had a good relationship with Fang Wang when they were young, with a mere two-year age difference. However, when Fang Wang was seven, Fang Hanyu was sent to the largest martial arts sect in Yanghu County to train. He would send letters home every year, and last year Fang Yin even remarked that he had reached the level of a top-tier martial artist—a true martial arts genius.

​Having not seen him in a long time, Fang Wang thought of the little cousin who used to cling to him when they were children and felt a trace of nostalgia, but now was not the time for sentimentality.

​On the sixth day, afternoon.

​Zhou Xue came looking for Fang Wang, who led her inside his room and closed the door tightly.

​Today, Zhou Xue wore a tight-fitting red dress that outlined her figure, looking both charming and spirited. She had discarded her usual crown and hairpin, tying her hair at the back of her head with a red ribbon, revealing her delicate and beautiful face.

​She really does look quite captivating.

​Fang Wang thought to himself before sitting down across from Zhou Xue.

​Zhou Xue pulled a scent sachet from her bosom and said, "This is the Fragrant Soft-Bone Powder that I refined. You just need to sprinkle it on your enemies. As long as the opponent inhales this poisonous powder, they will collapse to the ground within three breaths. However, this powder is only effective against martial artists and is useless against that Cultivator. If you encounter him, you must run."

​Zhou Xue felt a sense of pity for the very first family member who had chosen to trust her. She did not want him to act recklessly and die the following night.

​Fang Wang took the scent sachet and couldn't help asking, "Does the Cultivation World distinguish between the Righteous Path and the Demonic Dao?"

​Zhou Xue looked at him and sighed softly, "Of course it is divided. You guessed correctly—I am indeed a Cultivator of the Demonic Dao. Many people and demons have died by my hands. Are you afraid?"

Fang Wang answered earnestly, "I often heard heroes in the city say that one cannot control their own fate in Jianghu, and that Immortal Cultivation transcends the secular world, making it surely even more perilous. You were reborn and yet you still care about the Fang Family. For that reason alone, I am not afraid of you. You are forever a part of the Fang Family, a member of my family."

​This...

​A Cultivator of the Demonic Dao!

​Fang Wang felt somewhat uneasy. Following his reminder, he was probably the only person in the future who knew about Zhou Xue's rebirth identity. Could this bring trouble?

​Zhou Xue saw his sincerity and smiled, finally beginning to appraise Fang Wang anew. She found that the young man was quite handsome, with sword-like brows and starry eyes, brimming with youthful vigor. Naturally, after all, his father Fang Yin was renowned as a handsome man in South Hill City.

​After serious contemplation, Zhou Xue said, "Your martial skills are not bad, but they can only deal with warriors. Leave that Cultivator to me. You must not try to bite off more than you can chew."

​She had grown fond of Fang Wang, but she also understood the nature of young geniuses. As someone who had mastered advanced martial skills at such a tender age, Fang Wang might impulsively challenge the Cultivator head-on.

​Fang Wang thought for a moment and slowly nodded. After all, she was someone who had been reborn and surely had her own methods.

​He had finally caught a glimpse of the ways of Cultivation, and he certainly didn't want to die before his Cultivation even began.

The two talked for a long time, with Zhou Xue essentially mapping out the strategy while Fang Wang listened attentively. Zhou Xue needed Fang Wang's help to pitch some of her ideas because, as an adopted daughter, she lacked any real say within the Fang Residence. Meanwhile, Fang Wang attempted to fish for a Cultivation Method, but she resolutely refused, stating that the Fang Family was facing a life-or-death struggle and had no business pondering such trivial matters right now.

​After Zhou Xue left, Fang Wang went to see his father and presented some of Zhou Xue's suggestions. Fang Yin valued Fang Wang's advice and immediately went to consult his grandfather, Fang Meng.

​That night, many people in the Fang Residence found it difficult to sleep.

​Anyone who heard that their entire family faced annihilation would naturally feel terrified.

​Fang Wang was no exception. He practiced inside his room, circulating his True Qi to build up his confidence.