THE HUNTER OF DARKNESS

The Secret Revealed

"Could it be that he already had martial arts skills before he came to this sect?" he murmured, wondering in his heart.

"He's clearly lying, Your Majesty. How could a weakling like him possibly kill four bandits who were quite well-known in this region? Even if Fang An knew martial arts, why did he never fight back whenever I hit him?" Zhang Wuji blurted out unconsciously.

Yun Xia glared wide-eyed at his son, who had lost control. "What did you say? So those bruises on Fang An’s body were your doing?"

Zhang Wuji suddenly realized he had spoken carelessly. There was no way to take back the words that had already slipped from his mouth. The rice had already become porridge. With a touch of arrogance, Zhang Wuji admitted his actions.

"A weakling like him doesn’t deserve to be in our sect, Father! As long as he’s here, I won’t stop tormenting him until he leaves!"

"You've made a fatal mistake, Zhang Wuji. If you knew who Fang An really is, you wouldn't even dare to look him in the eye!" Yun Xia snapped.

Zhang Wuji furrowed his brows in confusion. He didn’t understand what his father meant.

Just like Zhang Wuji, Emperor Li Wei and Princess Xian Lie couldn’t hide their bewilderment. Their gazes were sharply fixed on the red-haired young man who kept his head bowed low.

"That’s enough, Master. Please don’t go on. Zhang Wuji is right—I’m just an ordinary, weak person, and I will always be that way," Fang An interjected. He didn’t want his true identity revealed in front of everyone who was staring at him.

"Forgive me, Your Majesty. I need to bring this firewood inside," he added.

"No, Fang An. You stay right here. You’re not going anywhere! Zhang Wuji must be punished severely for what he’s done to you," Yun Xia said firmly.

Fang An paid no attention to Yun Xia’s words. He walked over to the pile of firewood lying not far from where he had stood.

After placing the bundle of wood on his shoulder, Fang An glanced at Yun Xia for a moment. "It seems today is my last day in this sect, Master," he said before stepping away to store the firewood near the kitchen.

"Who exactly is Fang An, Father?" Zhang Wuji’s tone was far lower than before.

"Don’t ask so many questions. If Fang An really leaves this sect, you’ll face serious consequences!" Yun Xia warned.

Zhang Wuji lowered his head in fear after receiving the threat from his father. He dared not ask further, even though his curiosity remained unanswered.

"Yun Xia, what exactly are you hiding from me? Who is Fang An really?" this time it was Emperor Li Wei who asked.

"It’s best we speak inside, Your Majesty. I have made a promise to Fang An’s parents not to reveal his identity."

"Hmm, very well then."

"Please, Your Majesty, Your Highness," Yun Xia invited them.

Meanwhile, after placing the firewood in the storage area, Fang An rushed to his room. The young man had resolved to leave the White Eagle Sect and set off on a journey. Though he had no clear direction or destination, he believed that out there, his abilities would be of greater use.

Silently and cautiously, Fang An slipped out of his room. His eyes scanned the surroundings to make sure no one saw him. A cloth bundle containing his daily clothes hung over his shoulder. In his right hand, he held tightly a sword given to him by his mother.

With one light leap, Fang An easily vaulted over the wooden fence that surrounded the White Eagle Sect complex.

In one room, Emperor Li Wei and Princess Xian Lie still waited for answers to the questions haunting their minds.

Before speaking, Yun Xia took a deep breath and exhaled slowly several times.

"I will tell you who Fang An really is. But first, I ask that Your Majesty keep everything we discuss here a secret. I made a promise to his parents to protect this secret," Yun Xia said.

"I promise to guard this secret well. His parents must have a purpose behind all this," Emperor Li Wei replied.

"Exactly, Your Majesty. Fang An’s parents wanted their son to live without relying on their great name—and fortunately, that aligns perfectly with Fang An’s humble nature." Yun Xia poured water from a clay jug into three cups and offered them to Emperor Li Wei and Princess Xian Lie.

"Have you ever heard the name of a legendary warrior, the strongest of the strong who vanished long ago from the martial world? That warrior’s name was Fang Yun, also known as the Fire God Warrior?" Yun Xia continued.

"Fang Yun is Fang An’s father?" Emperor Li Wei asked, reaching for the bamboo cup in front of him.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

A wide, warm smile spread across Emperor Li Wei’s lips. His suspicion about Fang Yun’s aura in Fang An’s eyes turned out to be true. Earlier, he had doubted it.

"Not only have I heard of him—I know him very well. Besides possessing strength far beyond human limits, Fang Yun’s humble personality was truly remarkable. Back in his youth, I once offered him a high-ranking position at the palace. But he politely declined, having no desire for rank or status."

Princess Xian Lie pondered deeply, wondering who exactly they were talking about and why her father had never told her about him.

The gaze of the three in the room shifted toward the door when a knock came from outside.

"Come in!" Yun Xia called.

A disciple entered with his head bowed and a troubled expression on his face.

After bowing respectfully, the disciple began to speak, "Forgive me, Master. Fang An is no longer in his room, and he has taken all his clothes with him. I’ve searched every corner of the sect, but I couldn’t find him anywhere."

Yun Xia slumped in his chair. It felt as if every bone in his body had come loose. The middle-aged man was now at a loss for how to explain this when Fang Yun and Mei Hwa came to visit their son.