Stranger Danger

While Xiahou Qi and Chao Haisheng were fighting, Ye Qing already noticed the presence of the Jixia Academy disciples. Not long after that, he detected Fang Muyun’s energies lurking in the dark.

He had seen the Jixia Academy disciples’ names from the information collected by Withered Sword, so he knew that they were part of the Chu embassy. That was also how he knew that they all possessed prestigious backgrounds. If danger were to befall the disciples, he was sure that Fang Muyun would step in and save them. That was why he decided to take action.

He used his demonic thought to influence Xia Gongyang and the rest of the Jixia Academy disciples to become arrogant, self-conceited idiots who spoke before they thought. He made them taunt Xiahou Qi because he knew that the warrior would never let the insult slide without repaying it tenfold. This way, Fang Muyun would be forced to step up and intervene.

Xiahou Qi was a prideful warrior who was absolutely obsessed with martial arts. No matter how silver-tongued Fang Muyun was, Ye Qing believed that it was exceedingly unlikely that they would be able to arrive at a peaceful resolution.

He was right. It wasn’t long before Xiahou Qi challenged Fang Muyun into a battle of three attacks.

There were two reasons he chose to do this. One, it was to make Fang Muyun’s life miserable, of course. The bastard had nearly killed him with his schemes back at Tian Yong. He was perfectly in his right to collect some interest before the actual debt. Two, it was to probe Fang Muyun’s strength.

Although Withered Sword’s information was quite comprehensive, and he came to know about Fang Muyun’s background, personality traits, martial arts, preferred methods and more like the back of his hand, seeing was believing, and as the saying went, winning a game in a war game was ultimately different from winning a battle in real war, not to mention that Fang Muyun was the sly, deceitful type. He did not believe for a second that the scholar did not possess a trump card or ten that wasn’t mentioned in the information he received. If he could find out about them now, then his plan would go so much smoother.

As expected, Xiahou Qi did not disappoint. Despite unleashing only three attacks, he went all out and forced Fang Muyun to go all out to defend himself as well. Although Xiahou Qi ultimately did not succeed in forcing out all of Fang Muyun’s skills and trump cards—it was only three strikes after all—the scholar still revealed far more than he was willing to reveal. It was to the point that he had more or less a firm grasp of Fang Muyun’s true strength.

He did not try to influence either party to fight each other to the death using his demonic thought. It wasn’t because he didn’t want to, but because it was both impossible and unnecessary.

For one, both Xiahou Qi and Fang Muyun were powerful, strong-minded warriors. It was difficult to influence them without being noticed, and the risk of exposure was too great.

Two, they were inside the Four Seas where the greatest champions of the four countries were gathered. Even if he succeeded in influencing the duo, these people would not allow Fang Muyun and Xiahou Qi to fight to the death. So, he didn’t bother.

“Fang Muyun entered the Dao via his art. You can tell that most, if not all of his strength is based on his paintings. He had to sacrifice a good number of paintings to endure Xiahou Qi’s ‘Stunning’, and despite that, he still took a not insignificant amount of damage.”

Feng Qingyou remarked, "It would have been a good opportunity to kill him… if not for the fact that we’re in the Four Seas.”

“Yeah!” Ye Qing sighed in agreement.

He knew that this was a good, no, an excellent opportunity to kill Fang Muyun, but there were just too many powerful warriors in the Four Seas. According to his knowledge, there were at the minimum two Half-Sages in Chu’s embassy alone, much less the other countries. Even if they managed to kill Fang Muyun before reinforcements showed up, it was highly unlikely that they would be able to escape unscathed. Worst case scenario, they might even die from this. There was just no need to take such a risk.

He came here to take revenge, not to commit suicide.

“That said, one can do anything so long as they set their mind to it. Another chance may present itself in the future,” Ye Qing declared.

“Perhaps. But such a chance won’t reveal itself easily,” Feng Qingyou replied.

Ye Qing shrugged. “We have time. We can find it slowly and steadily!”

Ye Qnig wasn’t disappointed. What happened just now was not part of their plans, but the outcome was a pleasant surprise to say the least. He certainly wasn’t going to complain about it, and he definitely wasn’t greedy enough to demand more.

As he said, they had time. Fang Muyun had no idea he was coming. He had all the time in the world to wait for the perfect opportunity to kill the guy.

With that behind them, the duo began touring the Four Seas at their leisure, but even with their speed and stamina, it still took them over ten hours to finally circle the entire Four Seas one time. For the next two days, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou would tirelessly looked into the factions, geography and other information until they finally pieced together a comprehensive and detailed picture of the Four Seas.

With this, their preparations were complete. All that was left to do was to wait for the right opportunity to take out Fang Muyun and Chu Wangsun.

……

It was nighttime. The moon was bright, and the stars were scarce. Ye Qing was meditating on his bed when suddenly, he opened his eyes and looked at the entrance to his room, saying, “The door isn’t closed. Come in.”

Outside the door, a silhouette was just about to knock on his door when he heard Ye Qing’s summon. Surprised, he quickly entered the room and shut the door behind him.

“This slave greets you, young master.” The silhouette gave Ye Qing a deep bow.

“Rise.”

Ye Qing commanded before greeting the silhouette properly, “Long time no see. Have you been well?”

“I am. This slave is most grateful for your concern, young master.”

Silver moonlight poured through the windows like gentle water, and a small portion of it was shining on the silhouette’s face. He was none other than Fugong.

“It must have been hard to spy on Fang Muyun. I’m grateful,” Ye Qing said.

“It is this slave’s honor to be able to serve you, young master. This slave would not dare to complain about his duty,” Fugong answered. “Since you came to see me at such a time, I assume that you have something important to share with me?” Ye Qing asked.

Ye Qing wasn’t surprised at Fugong’s appearance at his temporary dwelling. After all, he was the one who told him about it.

Fugong was one of Fang Muyun’s aides, so of course he accompanied the scholar to the Four Seas. Ye Qing knew this from the very beginning.

It was also why he secretly informed Fugong about his arrival after the battle between Xiahou Qi and Fang Muyun. He also commanded the old man to spy on Fang Muyun and report to him. It was so that he could determine the extent of the scholar’s injuries and see if there was an opportunity to eliminate him.

Fugong had shown up much sooner than expected though.

“Your wisdom knows no bounds, young master. This slave has two things to report,” Fugong answered. “Speak,” Ye Qing commanded.

Fugong answered, “One, you ordered me to spy on Fang Muyun’s every move. This slave can tell you that Fang Muyun rarely left his dwelling after his battle against his Xiahou Qi. Not only that, he has rejected many an invitation; something that he often accepts in the past. The official excuse was that he was self-studying and did not wish to be disturbed, but this slave suspects that he is treating his wounds.”

“I see. It looks like his battle against Xiahou Qi had left him with greater injuries than expected.” Ye Qing chuckled. “What of the second matter?”

“Fang Muyun will be leaving for Poison Dragon Island three days later. The island lord’s birthday ceremony is set to happen at that date, and Fang Muyun will be going there to pay his respects,” Fugong answered.

“Hmm?” Ye Qing furrowed his brows. “Are you sure?”

“I am absolutely certain, young master.” Fugong replied, “Fang Muyun personally told me about this. He wished for me to make the necessary preparations for our departure.”