Chapter 057: Ambition

As Zhu Jiuchong and Feng Ling hesitated, Fang Xian suddenly rose and addressed the leaders of the mountain strongholds. His words moved many, and the heads of the various strongholds began to ponder deeply.

Lei Bupo and Tang Zhi’s expressions changed as they listened. Yesterday, they had witnessed Fang Xian’s medical skills firsthand, and their own men had received treatment, all praising Fang Xian as a miracle doctor. Now, with Fang Xian’s declaration, it was evident that most of the strongholds, when choosing to ally with one of the four major strongholds, would likely consider Feifeng Ridge and Nanli Stronghold. With such a physician behind them, it was as if their lives were assured.

Yet, there was nothing they could say to refute him, nor any better reason to attract the leaders to their side. The heads of the strongholds stood and bowed to Fang Xian, each saying they would go back and consider the matter, then took their leave.

“Chief Lei, Chief Tang, let’s be clear: how the strongholds choose is their own affair. None of us should force their hand. If word gets out that anyone threatened a leader in private, all will unite to punish them,” Zhu Jiuchong said calmly to the two, who were clearly frustrated.

“Hmph, I don’t believe every single one will join your two strongholds,” Tang Zhi snorted, then swept out in irritation.

“Brother Zhu, don’t worry. We still care for our reputation and would never stoop to such things. If, in the end, no stronghold chooses us, then Old Tang and I will simply merge our forces,” Lei Bupo replied with a bitter smile.

He knew, after Fang Xian’s speech, aside from a few close allies, most strongholds would join Nanli and Feifeng Ridge. His words were an admission of helplessness, a signal to Zhu Jiuchong and Feng Ling not to push them too far.

Once Lei Bupo departed, only the experts of Feifeng Ridge and Nanli Stronghold remained. Nanli Stronghold had three top-tier fighters, not counting Zhu Shimai.

“Big Brother, and all chiefs, there’s a matter I confessed to Shimai last night before our bridal chamber, but I haven’t yet reported it to you. I must beg your pardon,” Fang Xian stood and bowed to the Nanli Stronghold crowd, then turned to Zhu Jiuchong.

“What is it?” Zhu Jiuchong asked, his face unreadable.

“Yesterday, I said I was married, and that is true. I am actually the son-in-law of Qingyun Stronghold, real name Fang Xian, courtesy name Mingda. Moreover, to be frank, Sister Feng is also my woman,” Fang Xian said candidly.

At this, everyone in Nanli Stronghold, including Zhu Jiuchong, turned to Feng Ling. Zhu Jiuchong had suspected something about Fang Xian’s origins, but he hadn’t imagined even Feng Ling was Fang Xian’s woman.

“Don’t be surprised, Chief Zhu. My son insisted on calling him father, and what could I do but agree? Besides, without his help, I wouldn’t have broken through to the realm of Grandmaster so quickly,” Feng Ling smiled, tucking her hair behind her ear.

“Yesterday I saw your superb medical skills and your youthful strength. Considering that lately Qingyun Stronghold’s son-in-law, surnamed Fang, is also called a miracle doctor and skilled in concocting pills, I had my suspicions.

But I never guessed your relationship with Chief Feng was so close, and then there’s Shimai, that imp—clearly she’s on your side. She must have told me not to blame you, didn’t she?” Zhu Jiuchong said helplessly.

“Big Brother, now that Brother Fang is also Nanli’s son-in-law, we won’t have to fight Qingyun to the death, will we? Besides, Brother Fang’s benefits to us are considerable. If I don’t fight for them, Nanli will lose out. Don’t forget the sixty thousand taels of silver you promised him yesterday,” Zhu Shimai quickly defended Fang Xian.

“See? This is why I say Shimai is partial to her husband. But just now, Chief Feng said Brother Fang helped her break through to Grandmaster. How did that happen?” Zhu Jiuchong smiled wryly, then asked Fang Xian, his address signaling acceptance of Fang Xian’s status.

“Big Brother, I know how to concoct two kinds of pills. One is called the Body-Tempering Pill, suitable for second and third-tier fighters to strengthen their bodies, and even effective for top-tier warriors. The other is the Body-Casting Pill, for top-tier experts and Grandmasters. Now that I am wed to Shimai, I am one of Nanli’s own, and I am willing to make these pills for the stronghold to cultivate more experts,” Fang Xian said, bowing, and the Nanli fighters were instantly overjoyed.

“Qingyun Stronghold must have gained many top-tier experts recently. With your skills, Brother Fang, I imagine powers across the land would vie to welcome you as an honored guest,” Zhu Jiuchong exclaimed.

“Big Brother, Sister Feng, since today we meet in honesty, I will share the truth. Qingyun Stronghold has not really submitted to Wu Dynasty. Rather, our third chief, Huang Yuantao, secretly submitted to the Ninth Prince of Wu, betraying the stronghold. But this was discovered by myself and Chief Ye. We played along, feigned loyalty to gain the prince’s support, and meanwhile cultivated our own experts. Over the past months, Qingyun has secretly trained eight top-tier fighters, including my two attendants.

I’ve always thought, for various reasons, we became outlaws—not of our own choosing. For all our freedom, we have no future, and our children will never know peace. So I ask, since the land is in chaos, why not unite those with ambition, and build our own power? Throughout history, noble birth is no guarantee of greatness.

Even if we do not seek power, we must secure a future for our children—so they will not be bullied by the court, nor enslaved by soldiers, but live in peace,” Fang Xian stood and addressed the room, his voice resonant.

The hall fell silent. Everyone gazed at Fang Xian, including Feng Ling, Zhu Jiuchong, and Zhu Shimai. They saw a sacred radiance envelop him, as if a shaft of light from heaven had descended upon him.

In truth, as Fang Xian spoke his ambitions, a distant star suddenly shone bright in the sky. Though it was daytime, its gleam was visible, and in some mysterious way, it linked to Fang Xian, sending pure, enigmatic energy into his body.

A thunderous boom resounded.

The light around Fang Xian grew ever brighter, his aura swelling in strength. Before the astonished eyes of all, his energy surged, his physique crossing its limits to reach new heights, with torrents of pure mysterious energy flowing within him.

“Hahaha, I’ve finally broken through to the rank of top-tier expert!” Fang Xian laughed, and everyone was stunned. Yesterday, he had bested Zhu Shimai, and all had assumed he was already a peak top-tier expert—no one imagined he had not yet reached that level.

Fang Xian stretched out his hand, and a ball of energy appeared in his palm. The crowd sensed it was akin to inner strength, yet somehow different. But since he claimed to have just broken through, they believed him.

“Young master wishes to conquer the world and become emperor? I, Li Daqi, vow to follow him unto death!” At that moment, Li Daqi, who had always followed Fang Xian, stepped forward, half-kneeling in excitement.

“Zhao Banqian vows to follow young master unto death!” Another attendant, Zhao Banqian, echoed, equally moved.

The people of Feifeng Ridge and Nanli Stronghold were stunned by the scene. Though Fang Xian’s words stirred their blood, they were not his men, so no one spoke.

“You two fools, conquering the world and becoming emperor is too far-fetched. What we must do now is gather the strength of the mountain strongholds, secretly unify the Daba Mountains, and establish our base here.

Then, taking advantage of the chaos among the five kingdoms, we can take in refugees, grow our numbers in secret, and first secure our own survival before seeking anything more,” Fang Xian said, helping them up and smiling at the assembled crowd.