THE HUNTER OF DARKNESS

Zhang Wuji’s Hatred

At the same time, Emperor Li Wei’s daughter became even more certain that the white-haired young man was the one who had saved her the day before. She would never forget the figure who had become a hero in her heart.

“He’s the one who saved me yesterday, Father,” she said softly.

“You mean Yun Xia’s son?” Emperor Li Wei asked.

“No, Father. The white-haired young man.”

Emperor Li Wei furrowed his brows in disbelief. “Are you sure?”

“I couldn’t have mistaken him, Father. Let’s go see him!” urged Princess Xian Lie.

Meanwhile, the argument between Zhang Wuji and his father continued. Zhang Wuji couldn’t accept how his father kept defending Fang An. In his eyes, what he had done was justified, even if it was partly to win favor before the Emperor.

Fang An paid no attention to the quarrel between father and son. He quietly picked up the scattered firewood from the ground.

“Stop right there, young man. Come here.” The commanding voice of Emperor Li Wei made Fang An turn his head. The youth froze, swallowing hard, as he saw the girl he had saved the day before standing and looking directly at him.

“Are you deaf? His Majesty is calling you, idiot!” Zhang Wuji barked, trying to impress Princess Xian Lie and the Emperor.

“Zhang Wuji! Watch your mouth!” Yun Xia’s voice was low, but laced with firm authority.

The leader of the White Eagle Sect deeply regretted his only son’s behavior. Speaking so rudely in front of a king was not just disrespectful—it could result in severe punishment, especially for a commoner like his son.

Zhang Wuji was increasingly bewildered by his father's unwavering support for Fang An. He believed he was the one deserving of defense.

Fang An walked forward with his head bowed—not out of fear of Emperor Li Wei, but as a sign of respect for someone older.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. What is it that you need of me?”

Emperor Li Wei observed Fang An for a while. There was something familiar in the young man’s face that stirred a distant memory. “It can’t be…” he muttered.

“There’s no mistake, Father. He’s the one who saved me in the forest yesterday,” Princess Xian Lie confirmed.

Fang An lowered his head even more, unwilling to meet anyone’s gaze. He had never intended for his actions to be known—just as his parents had always advised him.

“My apologies, Your Majesty. But what seems to be the matter?” Yun Xia asked, puzzled.

“He saved me from four men who tried to assault me yesterday, Master Yun. And not just that—he killed all four of them on his own,” Princess Xian Lie replied before the Emperor could speak.

Zhang Wuji looked surprised at first, but then scoffed quietly. “What’s so impressive about that? I could kill four men alone too, easily.”

Yun Xia’s eyes flared at his son’s words. “Watch your mouth unless you want me to punish you severely!”

Emperor Li Wei found Zhang Wuji’s behavior odd. It was as though he bore a personal grudge against Fang An—completely unlike the calm and respectful young man who had saved his daughter.

“What did the attackers look like, Princess?” Yun Xia asked.

“The leader wore a green headband and carried a massive sword. His face was rough, covered in stubble.”

“No doubt about it. They’re the forest bandits we’ve long warned hunters about. They’re known as the ‘Dead Forest Bandits’ because none of their victims ever make it out alive,” Yun Xia explained.

Zhang Wuji was visibly stunned. From what he knew, the Dead Forest Bandits were highly skilled in martial arts. There was no way someone like Fang An—weak and untrained—could have killed them alone. Someone must’ve helped him, he thought.

A soldier approached and handed a small bundle to Princess Xian Lie.

“I also wanted to return your shirt. Sorry I didn’t get the chance to wash it,” Princess Xian Lie said sweetly, her smile radiant.

Fang An accepted the bundle with a nod, still keeping his gaze downcast.

Zhang Wuji was clearly annoyed. He couldn’t accept the way Princess Xian Lie treated Fang An with such kindness. That smile should be for me, not for some weakling, he thought bitterly.

“Someone must’ve helped him. Or maybe he even worked with those bandits, Your Majesty,” Zhang Wuji said, still unwilling to believe what he’d just heard. To him, Fang An was nothing but a useless boy with no skills.

Yun Xia had clearly had enough of his son’s rudeness. “Zhang Wuji! I raised you to be respectful and well-mannered. But you…”

Emperor Li Wei raised his hand, signaling Yun Xia to calm down.

“What makes you accuse him like that?” the Emperor asked.

“Greed, Your Majesty. He must have done it to earn your favor or a reward. I know for a fact he hasn’t learned any martial arts. In his two years at the White Eagle Sect, Fang An has done nothing but tend horses and fill bathtubs. He’s never trained once!” Zhang Wuji said, seizing the moment to discredit Fang An.

Emperor Li Wei turned to Fang An. The white-haired youth still hadn’t lifted his head.

“So your name is Fang An?”

“Yes, Your Majesty. I am Fang An.”

“Well then, Fang An. Do you have any proof or rebuttal against what Zhang Wuji has said about you?” the Emperor asked.

“I have no proof, Your Majesty. But I can say this: in the two years I’ve been at this sect, I’ve never left the premises. I’ve been busy every day tending horses and completing chores. Only yesterday did I leave—because my duties changed to gathering firewood.” Fang An paused, taking a deep breath.

“So I ask—when would I have had time to plan anything with those bandits, if I’ve been working constantly on tasks assigned by my master?” he continued.

“Yun Xia, is that true? That Fang An has only ever tended the stables and filled bathtubs, without any martial training?”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Yun Xia replied hesitantly.

“Why didn’t you train him? Isn’t that why he came to your sect in the first place?”

Yun Xia was at a loss for words. He couldn’t reveal the truth behind his decision. Admitting that Fang An’s abilities exceeded even his own would bring him shame before his students. Moreover, he had made a promise to Fang Yun and Mei Hwa to keep Fang An’s identity a secret—no matter what.

“My apologies, Your Majesty,” Fang An stepped in. “My master once said he wanted to strengthen my body first before beginning martial training. That’s why I haven’t learned anything yet.”

“Is that so?” Emperor Li Wei nodded, stroking his snow-white beard. Though he was around seventy-five years old, he looked no older than fifty. His mind remained as sharp as ever, even as his body aged.

Once more, the Emperor turned to his daughter to confirm her claim.

“I could never mistake someone like him, Father! There was no one else in the forest. So who else could’ve saved me, if not Fang An?”

Emperor Li Wei was left in utter confusion, caught between two conflicting truths. If Fang An had never trained in martial arts, how could he have killed four deadly bandits on his own?