Chapter 346: 346. Fang Zhou’s Requirements

Fang Zhou coughed and said solemnly: “What nonsense are you talking about? I’m just observing your cultivation progress. I am solely focused on the Dao; beauty is nothing but skeletons covered in flesh and fleeting clouds in my eyes.”

Du Ruxue showed a faint smile. Fang Zhou was the most peculiar man she’d ever met, somewhat indulgent and unlike other men who are pure. It’s precisely this that makes one feel ticklish at heart.

Good men who follow the rules are everywhere, but it’s easier for women to fall for the bad ones.

Du Ruxue was extremely grateful to Fang Zhou, not only because he saved her but also because, after advancing to the Innate realm, he unreservedly shared his precious experiences with her.

This is a great kindness, especially for a solo cultivator like Du Ruxue who does not have the backing of a major sect.

For this kindness alone, let alone satisfying Fang Zhou, it wouldn’t be a problem to be his RBQ for a while.

“After returning, I will close my door to cultivate, confident of advancing to the Innate realm within three years.”

Du Ruxue said softly, “I’ve already told you my sect’s location, feel free to write to me if you need help, anytime, anywhere.”

She didn’t say anything like ‘repay you with all my might’; ‘anytime, anywhere’ was enough.

Fang Zhou nodded and also smiled: “I’m in the Heavenly Sword Sect; you’re welcome to visit me for tea.”

Du Ruxue said no more nonsense, bowed in farewell to Fang Zhou, called out the golden ring, and flew away on it.

After Du Ruxue left, Fang Zhou didn’t immediately return to the city but took out a gourd and released Ya Zi Nu and the other two.

Now free, the three had varying expressions.

Li Yan remained the calmest, having been inside the gourd for the shortest time, barely experiencing the agony of imprisonment. Her only painful memory came from Ya Zi Nu’s training.

Luo Xuan was just a bit happy. After being trained by Ya Zi Nu, she initially felt pain, later became numb, and eventually found pleasure in pain; being imprisoned barely registered with her.

The most excited was Ya Zi Nu, who had been confined the longest. Due to the time dilation, she’d been alone in the gourd for a long time, nearly driven mad by loneliness.

However, the freedom they regained was only physical; their conscious freedom had long been permanently imprisoned by Fang Zhou.

Seeing the three looking around, Fang Zhou coughed softly and said: “Do you remember what I told you?”

The three immediately knelt on one knee facing Fang Zhou, bowing and saying in unison: “Subordinates remember deeply, and will not disappoint the sir.”

Fang Zhou did not intend to keep these three around because their backgrounds were too sensitive: one from the Demon Sect, two from the Cult. Keeping them around would only lead to trouble.

Thus, Fang Zhou decided to execute an inside man plan, letting these three return to their old positions to infiltrate silently.

Fang Zhou had already formed grudges with both the Demon Sect and the Cult, and could be targeted any day, needing insiders to provide him with information.

For the three to rise higher in their old workplaces, Fang Zhou also taught them the Ripple Divine Skill and shared his valuable experiences on advancing to the Innate realm.

Especially Ya Zi Nu and Li Yan, who originally had the potential to advance to Innate. Under Fang Zhou’s “guidance,” their strength increased rapidly and might one day catch up to Fang Zhou.

Fang Zhou wasn’t worried about losing control over them; the refinement of the Blood God Soldiers goes deep into the soul, transforming their soul into his shape, benefiting him for life without the possibility of rebellion.

Each of the three lackeys left separately, with Li Yan and Luo Xuan returning to the True Mother God Sect, while Ya Zi Nu returned to the Demon Sect. Her identity token had been returned to her by Fang Zhou, who still had one himself anyway.

After sending off three free laborers, Fang Zhou felt relieved and returned to the capital.

…

After staying in the capital for two more days, Fang Zhou, along with Yu Qing and Gou Cheng, prepared to return home.

Qiao Sen didn’t try to keep them, feeling quite ashamed as Fang Zhou and the others had helped him so much without anything to repay them with; he couldn’t even offer money, treasures, or any Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.

Seeing Qiao Sen’s shameful face, Fang Zhou guessed his thoughts and patted him on the shoulder: “After helping you so much, you can’t have no expression of thanks at all, disciple.”

Qiao Sen was slightly stunned, then immediately smiled with joy: “Master, go ahead and say it. Whatever you ask for, even my life is not a problem.”

Whoa, whoa, whoa, don’t say things that are so easily misunderstood.

Fang Zhou sensed Yu Qing’s gaze at his back and put on a serious face: “What nonsense, do you think I’m such a person?”

Qiao Sen showed a nuanced expression and further asked: “Master, what do you want?”

Yu Qing and Gou Cheng also looked over curiously, wondering what he wanted to ask for. To be fair, Chu Kingdom’s things weren’t worth considering for those disciples from major sects, not even the throne.

Fang Zhou grinned: “My request is simple, just a piece of land you don’t use.”

Fang Zhou wanted the vast plain northwest of Iron Sword Mountain.

That area belonged to Chu Kingdom’s borders, overrun by demon beasts and near the Heavenly Sword Sect, thus Chu Kingdom had no interest in developing it.

Qiao Sen was surprised: “Isn’t that near the Heavenly Sword Sect? If Master wants it, just take it, no need to consult me.”

Capable sects do just that; if they fancy a certain valuable land, they just occupy it, regardless of whether it’s within mundane political boundaries.

These countries can only watch helplessly, but most are quite happy about it. Having a cultivator’s residence in the country–even if it’s just a piece of land–is nothing; it’s grabbing the big backing that’s important.

However, most sects choose remote wilderness locations, usually uninhabited, making it not that easy to capitalize on the relationship.

Hearing Qiao Sen’s words, Fang Zhou appeared righteously: “How could I do that? Just taking it would be robbery, which I disdain. To cultivate is to respect reason and logic; you can’t just seize territory because you’re stronger than others.”

Qiao Sen bowed with a serious face: “Disciple has been enlightened, and will strive to become a person of noble character like Master.”

Yu Qing and Gou Cheng speechlessly watched the two, especially Fang Zhou. Whom was he insinuating against with that sarcasm?

Could it be about the Heavenly Sword Sect’s occupation of the Cloud Sea Mountains within Chu Kingdom’s borders?

But he seemed to be indirectly criticizing his own master, Ling Xiaoyue.

Fang Zhou’s request was nothing to Qiao Sen; he simply wrote an imperial decree gifting that land to Fang Zhou with a swift stroke.

Carving up national territory like this would cause an uproar in any country, even if the land isn’t used.

But gifting it to a cultivator was a different matter. The cowed ministers at court were a benefit here, as they dared not defy orders and only dared to complain softly.

Fang Zhou even specifically asked Qiao Sen to write him a land deed, sealed with the Jade Seal.

Thus, Fang Zhou became the sole owner of that thousand-mile plain, genuine and undeniable, even the Heavenly Sword Sect couldn’t challenge it.