Immortal of the Nine Realms

Fang Ao’s eyes narrowed. ”What’s the meaning of this, General Shentu?”

”Feng Ao, it has been brought to our attention that Young Master Fang Chen had a feud with the Lin Family. According to our investigation process, anyone who’s suspected must come with us for questioning. There’s no other intention behind it, please understand,” replied General Shentu with a smile.

Fang Chen’s eyes flickered. ”This doesn’t seem right.”

Their decision to arrest him today, of all days, was suspicious. If they brought him away now, he might not be able to make it to Spring Dawn Tower. Considering the second prince’s temperament, he might consider him an enemy if he failed to show up after he extended him an invitation.

Is this about Jue Wudi?

He could imagine Jue Wudi adding fuel to the fire when he wasn’t there. Qian Feng would be unable to back down in front of everyone.

Unfortunately, he miscalculated. I don’t care about Qian Feng’s attitude toward me. Whether you want me as your pawn or not, it’s a bit of a stretch to do something like this....

”The Grand Qian Guards want to take Fang Chen away?”

”Do they really have evidence?”

The disciples from the third branch were surprised.

They didn’t believe Fang Chen could kill the head of the Lin Family, especially since the head of the Lin Family was in the Foundation Building Realm. However, they were not stupid either. They could tell that there were people behind the scenes pushing this issue, otherwise, a general wouldn’t have personally come to apprehend Fang Chen.

”General Shentu, Fang Chen is a member of my third branch. Please refrain from breaking the rules. If you have any evidence, do tell,” said Fang Ao calmly.

Fang Kun frowned. ”Feng Ao, the Grand Qian Guards act according to the law. Don’t be impulsive. Them taking Fang Chen isn’t too bad of a thing, at least he can clear away the suspicions around him.”

“You speak wisely. Family Head Fang Kun. This is, after all, the land of Grand Qian. Whether it’s the Fang Family or anyone else, they must abide by the laws of the Grand Qian Empire. Feng Ao, don’t obstruct us. I’m just inviting him to come back and answer some questions. As long as he had nothing to do with the disappearance of the Lin Family Head, he will return safely to your Fang Family,” said General Shentu with a faint smile. ”He must come back with me. There’s no changing that.”

Suddenly, a voice rang through the skies. ”The Lin Family? The Lin Family of the Eighteenth District? Did their family head disappear? When did that happen?”

Everyone turned to see a pale-faced young man standing not far away.

Fang Kun and the others were shocked. They quickly bowed and saluted.

”Greetings, Old Ancestor!”

This was the true ancestor of the Fang Family, with a seniority higher than even Fang Wanli!

General Shentu put away his smile and bowed respectfully. ”Greetings, Old Ancestor!”

”Let me ask you again. When did the head of the Lin Family disappear?” asked Fang Tingjian calmly.

General Shentu reflexively looked at Lin Quan, who then recounted the time of the Lin Family head’s disappearance.

”Oh, you mean that day. Fang Chen was with me that day. If you suspect him, I guess I’m under suspicion too. Perhaps I should go back with you and answer some questions,” said Fang Tingjian.

Fang Chen was surprised that Fang Tingjian would provide an alibi without so much as a question.

Fang Kun’s face turned surprised.

General Shentu froze for a moment. After a while, he forced a smile and said, ”You’re joking, Old Ancestor Fang. How could the disappearance of the Lin Family head have anything to do with you, Sir?”

”If it has nothing to do with me, then what does it have to do with Fang Chen?” Fang Tingjian frowned. ”Your Grand Qian Guards must act with caution, don’t just jump to conclusions. You represent the laws of the Grand Qian Empire, and the people will scrutinize every action you take. If word gets out, it may seem like we’ve become muddleheaded and our laws mean nothing! Won’t the other empires take us for a barbaric state?”

The disciples of the third branch were secretly shocked, and their gazes toward Fang Chen became highly unusual. This sort of special treatment, where the old ancestor himself took action, was completely unheard of in the family!

General Shentu didn’t dare to argue. He bowed his head respectfully. ”Yes, Old Ancestor Fang, I have been negligent in my considerations today. Please forgive me,”

Fang Tingjian waved his hand lightly. ”Go.”

General Shentu didn’t wait for even a second and quickly led Lin Quan and the others away.

After they left, Fang Kun hesitated slightly.

Fang Tingjian’s gaze fell on Fang Kun. ”Fang Kun, you’re the family Head. Why are you allowing them to apprehend a disciple?”

Fang Kun smiled bitterly. ”Old Ancestor, General Shentu has official documents. His actions complied with the law. If I didn’t agree, wouldn’t it seem as if our family doesn’t respect the empire’s laws?”

”That’s true. You were put in a difficult spot.” Fang Tingjian nodded lightly and then turned to leave. ”Fortunately, this was just a misunderstanding.”

The onlookers watched as he departed, and after Fang Tingjian’s figure completely disappeared, Fang Kun looked at Fang Chen and said lightly, ”You’ve only been here for a short time yet you’ve already caused quite a bit of trouble. I hope you can calm down in the future. The family can’t afford any more upheavals.”

With that, Fang Kun didn’t wait for Fang Chen’s response and turned to leave.

Fang Ao couldn’t help but laugh suddenly after Fang Kun left. “Fang Chen, you’re quite something. The old ancestor personally vouched for you. General Shentu’s face turned green with fright just now.”

Fang Chen smiled. ”Not at all, Elder Fang Ao. Thank you for speaking up for me.”

”You’re welcome. You are a disciple of my third branch, so I naturally have to look out for you,” said Fang Ao.

After exchanging a few words, Fang Chen took Li Cang and left for the Spring Dawn Tower.

***

Spring Dawn Tower.

Qian Feng was sitting upright in the host seat. There were beautiful maidservants on both sides serving him. In front of him were placed many spiritual fruits and delicacies. They were full of spiritual energy. It was clear they were far from ordinary.

Below him on both sides were dozens of tables, each occupied by a group of young men and women, with maidservants kneeling beside them.

These young men and women carried themselves with pride. When they spoke, their words were rife with arrogance. They were either descendants of the Jue Family or the Fang Family, or they were the proud elites of the other five major families in the inner city or even the chief disciples of various major sects in the outer city.

All of them had transcendent statuses yet they all gathered here on the account of Qian Feng.

However, today, as these youngsters chatted, their eyes couldn’t help but be drawn to the empty seat to the right of Qian Feng every once in a while.

There was an empty table, and across from it was Jue Wudi.

A young man sitting near the front suddenly spoke up. ”I heard that you invited Fang Chen from the Fang Family today, Second Prine. How dare he be so rude, he’s running late! How arrogant.”

This was a descendant of the Jue Family, although his cultivation couldn’t compare to Jue Wudi’s, he was still among the top disciples of his family, having reached the 11th stage of the Qi Refining Realm.

His words made many people, who had been pretending to be immersed in their chats, stop talking. They all turned to look at Qian Feng.

Qian Feng squinted. He was chewing on a piece of spiritual fruit that had been delivered right to his mouth by a beautiful maidservant. After a few moments, he smiled lazily and said, ”Perhaps he is already on his way here.”

Jue Wudi cleared his throat softly, drawing everyone’s attention.

Qian Feng looked at Jue Wudi. ”Wudi, do you have something to say?”

Jue Wudi spoke softly. ”I heard that the Eighteenth District’s Lin Family Head’s disappearance is related to Fang Chen. He might not be able to make it here today.”