Chapter 058: The Imperial Star of Ziwei

Zhu Jiu-zhong and Feng Ling both sighed in relief. Although they knew of Fang Xian’s grand ambitions, they still found them hard to believe for the moment. Only after hearing Fang Xian’s practical explanation did they feel his words made sense.

“Big Brother, Brother Fang is absolutely right. We’re bandits now, but we can’t let our children and grandchildren remain bandits forever, can we? Not only do we live day to day with barely enough to get by, but we’re always on edge, afraid for our lives. If we could build the peaceful and prosperous era Brother Fang envisions, I would follow him to the ends of the earth,” Zhu Shimei said excitedly.

“What Xian-di proposes may seem far-fetched, but it’s a worthy goal for our future. For now, our task is to consolidate the mountain strongholds, unite Nanli Stronghold, Qingyun Stronghold, and Feifeng Ridge, then swallow up Taoshan and Leiling Strongholds,” Feng Ling nodded in agreement.

“The future world Xian-di describes is truly something to long for. I have several children at my knee, and I often wonder what their lives will be like. Will they, too, spend their whole lives as mountain bandits as I have?

“So what Xian-di desires is what we all desire. We simply never thought to voice it, never dared to dream, because it seemed impossible. But no matter how hard it is, for the sake of our descendants, we must try,” Zhu Jiu-zhong declared, standing up.

“Big Brother, this alliance of three strongholds requires someone to mediate, and who better than me? I’ll stay in Nanli Stronghold for a few days to prepare medicinal pills for everyone’s cultivation, then return to Qingyun Stronghold to inform Chief Ye. After that, we will discuss the conquest of Taoshan and Leiling Strongholds,” Fang Xian said, clasping his hands in salute.

Thus, the tone for the three-stronghold alliance was set. Feng Ling brought Zhou Zhihua back to Feifeng Ridge to receive those who wished to join them, while Fang Xian sent Li Daqi and Zhao Banqian to help, as Feifeng Ridge was still lacking enough top experts.

“Congratulations to the host for obtaining the recognition of the Purple Star Emperor. System reward: one Barrier-breaking Pill.” At that moment, Fang Xian received a system reward for the first time in ages, and it was none other than the legendary Barrier-breaking Pill.

The Barrier-breaking Pill could shatter the bottleneck of the Transformation Grandmaster realm, helping top experts break through as long as they’d reached the pinnacle of the first tier and encountered the barrier.

“The Purple Star Emperor recognizes me? Am I destined to be the chosen one, the future emperor?” Fang Xian mused to himself upon seeing the system’s prompt. As a transmigrator, he didn’t put his faith in such things. He believed only in the long road ahead, where only through perseverance could one forge miracles.

There are no miracles without effort; there is no glory in effortless triumph.

…

At the same time, the Daoist Sect, Witch Cult, Barbarian God Sect, and the Heavenly Supervision Offices of the Five Kingdoms were all shaken. For the first time in centuries, the Purple Star Emperor suddenly shone brightly in the sky. This extraordinary celestial phenomenon seemed to herald the beginning of chaos.

Over the next half month, Fang Xian spent his days both enjoying his honeymoon with Zhu Shimei and preparing a vast supply of Body Tempering Pills and some Body Forging Pills. He also treated many villagers in the stronghold, curing their ailments and earning a great many renown points.

“These days, the son-in-law has been treating the people in the stronghold. His medical skills are superb. He’s cured many who had been ill for years, winning the heartfelt gratitude of the people. His reputation has taken root,” Zhu Jiu-zhong reported after receiving word from his men, though he said no more.

He had already experienced the effects of the Body Forging Pill himself. It was a tremendous aid to his cultivation, allowing him to save ten years on his path to the peak of the Transformation Grandmaster realm—and possibly even glimpse the threshold of the Innate Grandmaster.

“Whatever the son-in-law does in the stronghold, make things easy for him. From now on, treat him as the master of the stronghold,” Zhu Jiu-zhong ordered, fully acknowledging Fang Xian.

Half a month later, Fang Xian and Zhu Shimei left Nanli Stronghold for Feifeng Ridge. The next day, Fang Xian led Li Daqi and Zhao Banqian back to Qingyun Stronghold, while Zhu Shimei returned to her sect to continue studying a certain secret art, promising to return in half a year.

“Husband, every time you go out you end up marrying someone new. I don’t ever want you to leave again,” Ye Hongxiu said coyly. Fang Xian had already written to inform her of all that had happened in Nanli Stronghold, hiding nothing from her.

Feeling guilty at Ye Hongxiu’s playful complaint, Fang Xian hurried to assure her, “It won’t happen again.” Besides making it up to her, Fang Xian could only remind himself to be more restrained in the future.

“Father, the events at Nanli Stronghold came about unexpectedly. I never thought I’d end up marrying Zhu Jiu-zhong’s sister. I ask for your judgment,” Fang Xian said, retelling everything to Ye Qingyun and ending with a respectful salute.

“A man should have three wives and four concubines. As long as you treat Hongxiu well and keep peace in your household, that’s all that matters. More importantly, do you truly intend to make a mark in these troubled times? I’ve always drifted through life, never thinking much about the future, but listening to you has opened my eyes. Perhaps we, too, can build an era of peace,” Ye Qingyun said, not blaming Fang Xian for his marriage, but rather amazed by his vision.

“Father, that can be our ultimate goal. Achieving it will be fraught with difficulties and will take many years. But we can work toward it step by step—first by quietly uniting all the strongholds of the Dabashan Mountains, building a secure base, and then making gradual plans. Now, as the smaller strongholds are joining the larger ones, we in Qingyun Stronghold can also send people to persuade and absorb some of them. Once we’ve swallowed all the minor strongholds, we can join forces with Feifeng Ridge and Nanli Stronghold to deal with Taoshan and Leiling Strongholds,” Fang Xian explained.

“Good. I’ll arrange for people to do so at once,” Ye Qingyun replied, immediately dispatching men to approach the nearby strongholds they were on good terms with.

After returning to the stronghold, Fang Xian didn’t rest. He was busy every day treating the people who had come over from Wohu Stronghold, especially the elderly or those with chronic or difficult illnesses, whom he cured quickly.

In less than half a month, Fang Xian’s reputation among those who had joined from Wohu Stronghold became the best in all of Qingyun Stronghold. Everyone affectionately called him “son-in-law,” and their sense of belonging to the stronghold grew much stronger.

“Son-in-law, you really are formidable. The folks from Wohu Stronghold used to be a bit unruly, but since you returned, they’ve become more obedient—even willing to push themselves hard during training. When I asked them why, I found out you’d treated their families free of charge. Their relatives have told them to behave and listen well,” Daniu reported to Fang Xian about recent training sessions.

“How is the training of strong fighters in the stronghold coming along? How many second-tier experts have we added? Any new first-tier breakthroughs?” Fang Xian asked.

“We now have over two hundred third-tier experts and more than a hundred second-tier ones. Though we haven’t added any new first-tier experts yet, several are at the peak of the second tier—Daniu, Zhou Dadan, Han Houzi, and Jade Lady Third among them. They should be able to break through to first-tier within two or three months.

“Also, five second-tier experts came over from Wohu Stronghold, with two—Cao Zenglin and Zhang Yong—already at the threshold. If we focus on training them, they could break through within three months. But we can’t fully trust them yet,” Daniu reported. Qingyun Stronghold was already very powerful, not even counting the hidden first-tier and some second-tier experts.

“What about their families? Take me to visit them later. If we can win their loyalty, we can focus on their training, and that will help bring others into the fold as well,” Fang Xian mused.

That evening, Zhou Tianming invited Fang Xian to drink, and Zhou Boxiong joined them. As they drank and chatted, Zhou Tianming said enviously, “Brother Xian, you really are lucky. Even Hongxiu doesn’t object to you marrying Zhu Shimei from Nanli Stronghold—she didn’t even make a scene. I have to hand it to you!”

“Shh, don’t speak of this,” Zhou Boxiong quickly cut in, worried Zhou Tianming might say something careless after a few drinks. “If Big Brother hears, he’ll give you a good beating.”