Chapter 041: Investigating the Identity

“Big brother, the implications are entirely different. If you were to die, Qingyun Fortress would inevitably decline, and even if they seized it, it would be of no use to them. But now, he has entered the fortress as your son-in-law, and in the future, he will naturally be its master, with you—a Grandmaster—supporting him. Wouldn’t Qingyun Fortress become his power base?” Huang Yuantao shook his head as he spoke.

“Then what do you hope I will do?” Ye Qingyun looked at Huang Yuantao, searching his face for any expression, but found none, making it hard to gauge his intentions.

“All decisions rest with you, big brother.” In the end, Huang Yuantao dared not offer any advice, choosing instead to retreat and let Ye Qingyun take the lead.

“Then let’s gather the fortress leaders and hear what Xian’er has to say together.” Ye Qingyun, after a moment’s silence, nodded.

Soon after, Ye Qingyun and his daughter, Zhou Boxiong and his son, Huang Yuantao and his son, Da Niu, and several elders of the fortress assembled in the council hall. Fang Xian was naturally notified as well.

“Father suddenly sent for me. Is there some urgent matter?” Fang Xian entered, first bowing respectfully to the two elders, then asked.

“Xian’er, there are wild rumors about you circulating in the fortress. I never believed them, but yesterday Erlai died of poisoning, and your Third Uncle suspects you most. He wants you to explain what happened.” Ye Qingyun said.

“Who is Erlai? I don’t know him, nor do I know how he died of poisoning. Yesterday, I was in the barracks all day. Everyone who participated in the training can vouch for me. If you don’t believe me, Father, you can ask them yourself.” Fang Xian replied.

“Father, Erlai was clearly silenced. I suspect he took someone’s money and deliberately spread rumors about Brother Xian. The person who killed him must be the mastermind. As for the poison, you don’t have to be skilled in toxins to poison someone—anyone can do it if they have the right poison.” Ye Hongxiu immediately spoke in Fang Xian’s defense.

“Uncle, Third Uncle, I don’t believe Brother Fang Xian would do such a thing,” Zhou Tianming said.

“Fortress Master, I heard from Erniu that yesterday, when he caught Erlai and tried to bring him for questioning, he was stopped and shielded by Young Master Huang, allowing Erlai to escape. I’d like to ask, Young Master Huang, what were your intentions? Are you hiding something?” Da Niu stood and pointed at Huang Shuhua, shouting.

“How dare you!” Huang Yuantao erupted in anger, pointing at Da Niu.

“Third Uncle, what authority! Are you forbidding anyone from speaking? Or did I strike a nerve?” Fang Xian sneered.

“That’s enough.” Seeing the chaos, Ye Qingyun suddenly shouted, unleashing the pressure of a Grandmaster. Everyone was silenced, save for Fang Xian, who remained unruffled.

He was strengthened daily by the mysterious energy, his physique now at the pinnacle of elite warriors. His strength had grown noticeably, and he could withstand the Grandmaster’s pressure entirely.

“Xian’er, you saved my life, and have done much for the fortress. I would never doubt you. However, you haven’t been here long, and no one knows your origins. Do you have any way to prove you are not connected to the Five Venoms Sect?” Ye Qingyun asked gravely.

Though he claimed trust in Fang Xian, everyone could discern the underlying suspicion. The Huang father and son were secretly delighted; Zhou Boxiong frowned; the others grew anxious.

“Father, how can you suspect Brother Xian? If you insist, then I’ll leave the fortress with him—will that satisfy you?” Ye Hongxiu stood angrily.

“Uncle, there must be some misunderstanding. Since Brother Fang Xian joined the fortress, everything he’s done has been for its benefit. I believe he is no villain.” Zhou Tianming stood and bowed.

“Old Master, if our son-in-law leaves the fortress, my family will go with him,” Da Niu said, eyes reddening.

“Well, look at this! The whole fortress sides with you. Should I just hand over the fortress master’s title?” Ye Qingyun roared, pointing at Fang Xian.

“Father, if you want proof, I have no objection. Send a few people with me to my hometown and ask around—you’ll know everything. I’m willing to be investigated. But once it’s proven I’m not of the Five Venoms, I won’t return to the fortress. Please grant me and Hongxiu leave to wander the world together.” Fang Xian stood, bowed, and spoke with a heavy tone.

“Big brother, perhaps we should discuss this further? I don’t believe Nephew Fang Xian is a villain,” Zhou Boxiong interjected.

“This is settled. We must report to Commander Hong and reassure the fortress people. Of course, I repeat: I believe in Xian’er. Xian’er, don’t take it to heart. Tomorrow morning, I’ll arrange for some men to accompany you to your hometown. You can pay respects to your family as well.” Ye Qingyun shook his head.

“Father, since Brother Xian is returning home to honor his family, as his wife, I should accompany him. Please allow me to go with him.” Ye Hongxiu wiped her eyes and spoke resolutely.

“Very well, you are husband and wife—you should face hardship together. Go together.” Ye Qingyun looked at Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu, originally unwilling to let her risk it, but knowing she would protest if denied, and trusting Fang Xian to protect her.

“Brother Xian, Father doesn’t doubt you—he just needs to give everyone reassurance. After this, if you leave, I’ll follow you wherever you go, wandering the world together.”

“Or, we could go to Flying Phoenix Ridge and run a fortress with Chief Feng. Perhaps it will one day surpass Qingyun Fortress.” That night, Ye Hongxiu spoke in Fang Xian’s arms.

“Silly girl, trust Father. If he says he won’t doubt me, he won’t.” Fang Xian, unable to explain, could only comfort her. She was unusually affectionate, as if her body could ease his troubles.

At dawn, Fang Xian and Ye Hongxiu set out, accompanied by Gan Scar, Yang Beard, Chen Bald, Liu Fool, Xiong Half-Blind, Zhao Half-Coin, and Li Banner, leaving the fortress behind.

As they departed, Ye Qingyun came to see them off. Fang Xian bid him a respectful farewell, but Ye Hongxiu’s face was sullen—she ignored him, clearly still upset.

Seeing that, aside from Ye Hongxiu, all were merely second-tier warriors, Huang Yuantao secretly breathed a sigh of relief, his gaze shifting.

“So, what did Father tell you? Did he send you to monitor Brother Xian?” Once outside, Ye Hongxiu questioned them.

“How could we, Young Mistress? The Old Master said to follow the son-in-law’s orders in everything,” Gan Scar laughed.

“Liu Fool, Zhao Half-Coin, Li Banner—you three must work hard. Don’t return until you’ve broken through.” Xiong Half-Blind had become a top-tier warrior just yesterday, so now, aside from Fang Xian, five top-tier fighters were in the party. If anyone ambushed them, it could be disastrous.

“Brother Xian, what’s going on?” Ye Hongxiu asked, confused.

“It’s a play Father and I are staging. Gan Scar and the others have all broken through to elite level. We’re fishing—seeing who will show themselves.” Fang Xian smiled.

“You and Father are acting? Why was I kept in the dark?” Ye Hongxiu was stunned.

“If you knew, how could you act so angry? Wouldn’t people see through it? Even these men only learned the truth this morning, so now I can tell you.” Fang Xian laughed.

“Will Third Uncle really act against us? He’s changed so much, I barely recognize him. I wonder how Father will deal with him?” Ye Hongxiu sighed, for this was a relative who had watched her grow up. But hearts can change, and all she could do was lament.