Chapter Seventeen : You Work Hard—I'll Just Lie Flat
Just as Cui Damin and Cui Shan were saying their goodbyes, a cloud flew toward them from the sky.
It stopped right in front of them, and two figures descended from it—Fang Mu Ge and his Second Senior Brother, Zheng Guan.
Cui Shan ignored Fang Mu Ge entirely and bowed respectfully to Zheng Guan, who was wearing the robes of an outer sect elder.
"Elder."
Zheng Guan merely gave him a slight nod.
"How did it go? Were you able to find a master?" Fang Ting asked with concern.
Fang Mu Ge sighed regretfully. "I did… but I wasn't able to become Elder Su Xinyan's disciple."
Fang Ting consoled him, "It's fine. That sort of thing can't be forced. Being accepted by any inner sect elder is already very good."
Just then, Cui Shan let out a mocking snort.
"You people really are dreamers. Out of over a thousand who passed the exam, only Lu Chenlong—who has a spiritual body—was accepted as a disciple. You didn't even pass the second round. What makes you think you'd be chosen by an inner sect elder?"
Fang Mu Ge smiled calmly and replied, "You're right—I wasn't accepted by an inner sect elder."
Cui Shan gave him a smug "I knew it" look.
But Fang Mu Ge continued, "I was accepted by a Grand Elder. From now on, even inner sect elders will have to call me Junior Brother."
Cui Shan and Cui Damin froze for a second—then burst into wild laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Kid, are you daydreaming? No one gets accepted directly by a Grand Elder as a new disciple. At least learn how to lie better."
"Fang, my friend," Cui Damin said mockingly, "I think your nephew needs his head examined."
Fang Mu Ge ignored them and turned to introduce Zheng Guan to Fang Ting.
"Uncle, this is my Second Senior Brother. And the Elder Su Xinyan you mentioned earlier? She's actually my master's daughter, so she's now my Senior Sister. I'll try to arrange an introduction for you sometime."
[Well, not really an introduction—more like matchmaking. I'm already prepared to call my Senior Sister 'Auntie-in-law.' But considering her cultivation and status, Uncle, you've got to work hard to catch up. Otherwise, I'd be too embarrassed to even praise you in front of her.]
Fang Ting was stunned.
First, because Fang Mu Ge really had been taken in by a Grand Elder—this meant he'd never have to worry about the Seven Star Gate again.
Second, because this bold little nephew was seriously trying to set him up with Su Xinyan, one of Lingyue Sect's most outstanding elders.
Wonderful. Just wonderful!
All those years of doting on this kid hadn't been in vain.
Zheng Guan smiled politely and greeted him, "Fellow Daoist Fang."
Normally, someone of his rank wouldn't even glance at a minor clan leader like Fang Ting. But now that he was the uncle of an immensely talented Junior Brother, formal respect was required.
Zheng Guan understood something very clearly:
He didn't know exactly how gifted Fang Mu Ge was, but for their Grand Elder—who hadn't taken disciples in years—to happily break precedent? That meant Fang Mu Ge's potential likely far surpassed even Su Xinyan's.
Surpassing him was only a matter of time. One day, he might even be riding Fang Mu Ge's coattails.
So leaving a good impression now? All benefit, no downside.
Fang Ting responded like a doting parent, "Elder Zheng, this child is still young and inexperienced. Please look after him."
"We're fellow disciples. It's only right I look out for him," Zheng Guan replied.
Meanwhile, Cui Shan and Cui Damin were frozen in place. Their brains had stopped working entirely.
Those mocking words they'd just spoken hit them like a thunderclap. Their expressions went blank.
Their first instinct was denial—but one look at Zheng Guan's robes confirmed the truth.
Lu Chenlong, despite having a spiritual body, had only been accepted by an inner sect elder.
Fang Mu Ge, on the other hand, had been accepted by a Grand Elder.
That meant his talent was even greater.
It also meant that even Lu Chenlong would have to show him proper respect in the future.
And here they'd been, ridiculing him nonstop. Cui Damin even had an ongoing grudge with his uncle.
This… this…
As the realization sank in, Cui Shan's legs gave out, and he collapsed to the ground, looking like he wanted to disappear from the world entirely.
Cui Damin's greasy face twisted with emotion. He looked ready to cry, but still forced out a smile.
"Brother Fang… we didn't know better. We were blind. Please, as an old acquaintance, be the bigger person and forgive us."
Zheng Guan's face darkened. "What's this? There's bad blood between you?"
He looked ready to act if he didn't get a good explanation.
Cui Damin and his son trembled violently, so terrified they nearly wet themselves.
"N-no! It's nothing, really…"
They looked pleadingly at Fang Ting and Fang Mu Ge, hoping for mercy.
But Fang Mu Ge didn't let it slide.
"There is bad blood—very serious, in fact."
[This guy clearly has a deep grudge with Uncle. He even cursed my whole family before. I'm not about to wait until I'm strong enough to take revenge myself. A grudge should be settled immediately.]
Fang Ting shared the same sentiment.
Hearing that, Cui Damin and Cui Shan nearly passed out from fright. Regret flooded their hearts.
If they had known this would happen, they would've knelt and offered everything they had to reconcile.
But it was too late.
Before they could even beg again, Zheng Guan made his move.
He raised his hand and cast a soundproof barrier around them. Then, pointing at Cui Shan, he said to Cui Damin,
"Kill him, and I'll let you live. You have three breaths to decide."
What—?!
Cui Damin turned to look at his son, who clung to him tearfully.
"No, Father! I'm your son! Please…"
But with a clenched jaw, Cui Damin struck him down with a single palm.
He could have another son someday—but if he died, it was truly over. Worse, the family might be implicated.
Zheng Guan lifted the soundproofing and shouted coldly, "How dare you kill a Lingyue Sect disciple! You're courting death!"
He flicked his finger, and in the next instant, Cui Damin followed his son in death.
As an elder, Zheng Guan couldn't act without cause—but avenging a disciple was entirely justified.
His method was swift, clean, and merciless.
If Cui Damin had refused, he would've handled it another way. Either way, they weren't getting out alive.
Fang Mu Ge blinked in surprise, then quickly said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for helping."
"We're family. No need for thanks," Zheng Guan replied with a warm smile—completely different from his earlier demeanor.
He tactfully stepped away to give them space.
Fang Mu Ge took out the storage bracelet Su Xin had given him.
"This is from my master. I want you to have it."
Fang Ting peeked inside and was stunned. The treasures inside were overwhelming. He was so shocked he instinctively said,
"You should keep these for yourself."
Fang Mu Ge shook his head.
"No need. Master will give me everything I need. You can use these to develop the family."
"Alright," Fang Ting said, no longer declining. He knew full well the Fang family's future depended on having resources.
Fang Mu Ge explained the function of the special sect token inside the bracelet. After chatting for a while longer, it was time to part ways.
Fang Ting reminded him, "Listen to your master and cultivate well. Don't waste your talent."
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll train hard. I'll visit whenever I can." Fang Mu Ge waved with a grin.
[And you'd better start cultivating too. I still want to set you up with Senior Sister so we can tie the knot between families!]
Fang Ting smiled faintly.
If you keep cultivating like this, I won't have to lift a finger—my own strength will rise on its own.